LestersLegends.com » Tony Dungy

SPORT FOOTBALL
Image courtesy of Icon SMI

Tony Dungy is gone, but I can’t think of a QB more equipped to make the transition than Peyton Manning.  He had so much freedom with Dungy that he was pretty much running the show on Offense anyway.  He lost a weapon in Marvin Harrison, but let’s face it, Mavin wasn’t the same anyways.  Reggie Wayne should bounce back from a somewhat disappointing season.  Anthony Gonzalez should take the next step becoming a weekly fantasy football starter.  Dallas Clark is a top five TE.  Joseph Addai should bounce back giving them balance running the ball (along with Donald Brown) and another weapon in the passing game. 

Manning simply produces.  He has 4000+ yards in all but two of his eleven seasons.  He has never thrown for less than 26 TDs with nine of the seasons having betwen 26-31 TDs.  He has never missed a start.  Is he always the top fantasy scoring QB?  No.  He’s always in the conversation though.  There isn’t a more reliable option in fantasy fotoball. 

He has some tough tests (Miami, Tennessee twice, New England, Baltimore, NY Jets) and some favorable matchups (Arizona, St. Louis, San Francisco, Denver).  His fantasy playoffs schedule (Weeks 14-16) is decent as he faceds Denver, Jacksonville, and the Jets. 

He should be good for another 4200 yards with 30 TDs.  He’ll be drafted mid-second/mid-third round.  He may not put up the numbers Drew Brees or Tom Brady does, but he’ll consistently put up big numbers.

Drew Brees
Image Courtesy of Icon SMI

Drew Brees has become the new Peyton Manning.  Not that Peyton isn’t a top tier QB anymore, but Brees has consistently delivered excellent fantasy football numbers the past three years.  He has thrown for 4400+ yards and 26+ TD the past three years.  Last year, he blew up throwing for 5069 yards and 34 TDs.  He had ten 300+ yard games (two 400+) and 11 multiple TD games.  He had only two games (vs. Washington & Carolina) where he failed to throw multiple TDs or for 250 yards.

Brees will once again be a top end fantasy QB.  He has a tough schedule facing Philadelphia, the Jets, the Giants, Miami, Carolina (twice), and New England.  His fantasy playoff schedule (Weeks 14-16) is relatively difficult as he faces Atlanta, Dallas, and Tampa Bay.  Regardless, Brees will still produce.  He should get better performances from Marques Colston and Reggie Bush in the passing game.  He will not only make due with the weapons he’s provided, but he’ll thrive. 

Drew Brees will likely be drafted in the late first/early second round of fantasy football drafts.  He will be one of the first three QBs taken along with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.  He provides the least amount of risk of the big three as Brady is recovering from his knee injury and both MVP QBs had personnel changes as Tony Dungy retired and Josh McDaniels moved on to Denver.

I think he’ll take a step back this year with 4400 yards and 27 TDs.  Not quite last year, but still elite numbers.


Part of the USA Today Sports Media Group