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It seems like just the other day that the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl, complete with the U-2 halftime show that Matt Drudge is still bitching about. And then there was Sheryl Crow debuting a song at the AFC championship that is still being played every third hour on the radio. But with less than a hundred days remaining until the 2002 NFL season opener, it is about high time for KACSPORTS to begin the first run down of 2002 player ranking. Maybe by the time live bullets are fired in the regular season that �Soak up the Sun� will drop out of the Billboard Top Ten�
Now for the quarterback rankings, based on a combination of statistical and scoring categories�
1. Kurt Warner (STL) � Some are beginning to like Daunte Culpepper more, based on his added running ability. I�ll gladly stick to someone who in 43 career starts averages 293 yds and 2.3 TD�s an outing, to go along with a career 67.2 completion percentage. If all else fails dump off to Faulk. Terence Wilkins replaces Az Hakim as the third receiver, that is a push. There are some offensive line concerns but everyone worries about that.
2. Daunte Culpepper (MN) � There are people out there thinking Daunte could rush for 1,000 yards this year. After last year�s knee problems I doubt it, he needs to stay healthy. With a 63+ completion percentage and coach�s promise of getting the ball to Randy Moss twice a quarter, you can look for 4,000 passing yds, 30+ TD�s and 500 rushing yds thrown in with a half dozen rushing scores.
3. Peyton Manning (IND) � As sure a thing as there is. 64 straight career starts, with 3 4,000+ yd campaigns, averaging 7.7 an attempt, along with 85 TD�s in his last 48 outings.
4. Jeff Garcia (SF) � Passing yards dropped from 4278 to 3538 yards in �01, for for the second straight campaign had 36 TD�s combined (31/5) between passing and rushing.
5. Brett Favre (GB) � Doesn�t rank with the top four, but Favre gets points for his durability, and is also coming off his best season since 1998 with 32 TD�s and near 4,000 passing yards. Not much of a rushing threat these days.
6. Donovan McNabb (PHI) � Bit of a dropoff from from the top five. Donovan will be good for 500+ rushing yards, but you will have some disappointing passing days along the way, as McNabb checks in with a 210 yd avg, and a 58 percent completion ptg. Look for about 25 passing TD�s with a few rushing thrown in.
7. Aaron Brooks (NO) � Averaged 30 yds more per game passing, with 26 TD passes, to go along with 358 passing yards. The downside is his inconsistency (56% pct.) and 22 INT�s.
8. Rich Gannon (OAK) � Outstanding 66% completion percentage in �01, rushing yards did drop from 529 to 231. Also threw for 3828 yards and 27 TD�s.
9. Michael Vick (ATL) � This year�s wild card. Very erratic in spot duty last year (50-113), but those 50 completions went for 785 yards. Even more impressive was 300 rushing yards in 29 attempts. Vick has a great chance to lead all QB�s in rushing as well as being among the leads leaders in yds per attempt. Coach Dan Reeves will probably keep the reins on him a bit (as he did forever with John Elway), but still a great opportunity to steal a top-five QB here.
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That is it for the top tier, in a ten-team league that would give each team a stud quarterback, the next level starts as follows�
11. Drew Bledsoe (BUF) � After nearly a year off, and with a decent receiving corps in B-Lo, look for Drew to approach his late 90�s NE numbers of 250 yds per game and 20+ TD passes.
12. Steve McNair (TN) � While still completing 61 percent of his passes, McNair bumped up in all categories, including yards per game (223 from 178), touchdown passes (21 from 15), and yards per attempt (7.8 from 7.2), and rushing TD�s (5 from none in 2000). McNair is also good for 400 rushing yards and ran it in himself eight times in 1999. A nice plus this year will be a soft division with HOU, IND, JAX.
13. Trent Green (KC) � A major disappointment in �01, but coach Vermeil continues to mould this team as he did with the Rams, while upgrading the team�s receiving corps. Was still good for 236 passing yards a game with 17 touchdown passes (against 24 INT�s, ouch).
14. Kordell Stewart (PIT) � Eclipsed the 60 percent completion barrier for the first time in his career, but still only threw 14 TD passes, although he added another five on the ground, along with 537 rushing yards.
15. Tom Brady (NE) � An amazing 64 percent completion percentage along with 190 passing yds per game and 18 TD tosses in 14 games. Not bad for a draft-day afterthought.
16. Trent Dilfer (SEA) � Mike Holmgren finally comes to his senses and has entrenched Dilfer as his starter. With a fine receiving corps and a pass-happy division (STL, AZ, SF) Trent will be good for 200+ yds a game and 20 TD�s.
17. Kerry Collins (NYG) � A consistent 230 passing yards and one and a quarter TD tosses a game in his three years in New York.
18. Jake Plummer (AZ) � Thanks to standout WR David Boston, Snake obtained career highs in yds per game (228) and TD passes (18). Beware of a possible league suspension for Boston though.
19. Jay Fiedler (MIA) � Actually eclipsed the 200+ yds barrier per game while throwing 20 TD�s (with 19 INT�s). New RB addition Ricky Williams will take some of the burden off, perhaps lowering the stats a tad.
20. Mark Brunell (JAX) � Still has Jimmy Smith working for him, and is good for 220 yds per game, 200 rushing yards per season, and is coming off 20 and 19 TD pass campaigns.
That�s it for the reliable performers, everyone after this are speculative picks, and are not locked in as starters. That list is headed by�
21. Tim Couch (CLE) � If you�re a believer in fourth-year breakthroughs, Couch is your guy. 60 percent on the nose in �01, but 17 TD�s v. 21 INT�s is not a good ratio.
22. Chris Weinke (CAR) � A surprising 6 TD�s on the ground, but only 11 through the air in 15 games. Averaged just under 200 yds an outing.
23. Chris Chandler (CHI) � The first of my speculative picks, signed on with the Bears and is slated to back up incumbent Jim Miller. Smart money has Chandler getting a call on either opening day or early on. When healthy, Chandler will have a decent receiving corps at his disposal. At age 37, Chris is still capable over a full year of coming close to his 1998 career #�s of 225 yds per game, 9.6 yds an attempt, and 25 TD�s.
24. Chris Redman (BAL) � Ravens starter for now but veteran Jeff Blake is also on board. Will list him in front of some others just since he�s an unknown quantity. Remember, Coach Billick is supposed to be an offensive genius.
25. Quincy Carter (DAL) � Is entrenched as Dallas� starter, a cupcake over 50 percent in seven starts in �01, with 5 TD�s v. 7 INT�s, also added 150 yds rushing. Best outing was a 15-25 outing for 241 yds and 2 TD�s in a Week 16 win over the 49ers. Could be a nice pick for Week 1 at Houston.
26. Vinny Testeverde (NYJ) � Turns 39 in November. Threw for 172 yds per game with 15 TD tosses in �01.
27. Brad Johnson (TB) � Chukked it up often (559 attempts) last year, throwing for 213 yards a game. But only threw 13 TD�s and now has Rob Johnson breathing down his behind.
28. Drew Brees (SD) � Look for the second year man to wrestle the starting job from ageless Doug Flutie in training camp.
29. Kent Graham (HOU) � Will be keeping the chair warm for #1 draft pick David Carr. Should be chukking it up often as the Texans play catchup in most games in the early going.
30. Mike McMahon (DET) � His role will be similar to Graham�s in �02 as Joey Harrington is now onboard. McMahon�s only real asset is getting some occasional rushing yards.
31. Jim Miller (CHI) � Bears� starter for now.
32. Danny Wuerrful (WSH) � Washington Gator coach Steve Spurrier is already talking about a two-QB system. Move Danny into the mid-20�s if he is entrenched as the #1.
33. Rob Johnson (TB) � If he wrestles the job from Brad, look for a little under 200 yds a game, along with some surprising rushing yards.
34. Jon Kitna (CIN) � Threw 581 times in �01, averaging just over 200 yards a game, but with only 12 TD�s. Gus Frerotte on board to challenge.
35. Jeff Blake (BAL) � Chris Redman�s competition. If he starts look for 180 passing and 20 rushing yards per game.
36. Marques Tuiasosopo (OAK) � Grab this run/pass threat the second if/when Rich Gannon goes down.
37. Shane Matthews (WSH) � No Shane, you cannot wear #9.
38. Doug Flutie (SD) � Was under center for all 16 games last year, averaging 215 yds a game and throwing for 15 TD�s.
39. David Carr (HOU) � Will get his shot in the second half of the year.
40. Joey Harrington (DET) � Ditto.
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