After injury-plagued seasons with both Faulk and Warner, the top-tier at both positions are in question � and in regards to the top receiver as well. In fact there are questions from top to bottom this year like none other. Take the QB rankings for instance, where our #1 ranked signal-caller was benched briefly last year while fumbling 21 times!!!!! A solid signal-caller with no up or down side, the game�s most exciting players who is still too often erratic, and another scrambler with questions following a major leg injury. One top-flight QB has age come into question, another has amazing accuracy but doesn�t produce enough yards, while yet another has produced incredible eye-popping numbers � but for all of six games.

And there are even questions at the bottom of the QB list, as in which first-round draft pick will go on to a better career: Carson Palmer, Byron Leftwich, or Kyle Boller??? Someone better have some cell minutes to dial Sylvia Browne on that one cause your guess may be as good as mine.

1. Dante Culpepper (MIN) � A precarious #1, but best potential combo between passing/rushing. Amazing considering backup Todd Bouman was making a serious push for the job in mid-season. However Bouman has been shipped out while Pepper was given a contract to the tune of $102 million, ranking among the highest contracts in the game. QB rating dropped from 98.0 (2000) to 75.3, TD/INT ratio from 33-16 to 18-23, 240 pass yds/game with 609 rushing yards (10 scores). Ultra-alarming stat had Pepper fumbling an incredible 21 times. (11 in �00, 16 in �01). Came on strong late, passing for at least 244 yards in six of last seven games, the exception being a frosty night in Green Bay. Also run up six rushing scores in those seven games. Vike offense averaged 25.3 in final 10 games. One word of warning, when Randy Moss's attitude tude turns to crap, it usually takes Pepper right down with him.



2. Michael Vick (ATL) � Your actual ranking may vary. If your league values rushing yards, then the value increases. If your league awards double points for rushing yards/scores, then Vick gets consideration at #1. Only averaged 196 yards through the air (with 16 scores) but ran for 777 and eight TD�s, including 10 rushes for 173 yards in a memorable outing at MN. If the rushing counts double then Vick was the equivalent of a non-rushing threat passing for 4,490 yards and 32 scores. Also, the addition of free-agent WR Peerless Price will help immensely. If drafting Vick, look for a backup for the two weeks Vick has to go against TB, who ate him alive last year (172 combined yards in 1 � games, 1 KO).



3. Peyton Manning (IND) � The Clean, safe pick. Always plays (five straight years w/o missing a start), about a QB rating of 90. 4100+ pass yards four year running and 26+ TD�s five straight years. Also upped the comp. % from the 62 to 66 range in �02. Has been a +8 in TD/INT ratio every year since �99. Also will get you 150 rushing yards and a couple scores.



4. Donovan McNabb (PHI) � Was top QB for first half of �02 before getting hurt. Finished with 17 TD�s v. 6 INT�s in 10 games, and also ran for 460 yards in the first nine games (not counting the final one he played on one leg). Schedule is tough, especially early on, and McNabb opens against same Tampa Bay outfit that made him look awful in the conference championship. You may want to wait until after that game, then find a panicky owner itching to unload him.



5. Rich Gannon (OAK) � Near 4,700 passing yards (chukking it up 618 times in �02, throw out the monsoon-marred finale v. KC and it was 604 passes in just 15 games) gets him near the top alone. Tremendous (28-11, 27-9, 26-10) TD/INT ratios the past three years. Should fare well v. KC along with San Diego�s young secondary, also will get to do against some rotten NFC Central defensive backfields. Now the bad news, Rice will be 41, Tim Brown 37, and Gannon himself will be 38 by years end. Needs Jerry Porter to emerge big-time along with getting contributions from rookie Teyo Johnson. Don�t expect much on the ground anymore, dropped from 529 yards rushing in �00 to just 156 last year.



6. Matt Hasselbeck (SEA) � Won a ton of money for some people by practically being fantasy football�s MVP for the final six weeks of the season, passing for 2062 yds (12 TD�s), good for an average of 344 yards per game � a pace which over a 16-game schedule would result in a record breaking 5,500 yards. H-beck was going against some subpar pass-defenses during that stretch (KC, SF, SD, ATL, STL) but included was a game v. PHI were he still managed 223 passing yards. Schedule also figures to be favorable this year, especially early on. Will even contribute in the running game, going for 202 yards in his twelve starts. H-beck took advantage of a mid-season injury to starter Trent Dilfer to finally claim the starters job for good. Dilfer (who had to endure a tragic off-season personally) now figures to return to a backup role.



7. Aaron Brooks (NO) � Now a somewhat quieter version of cousin Mike Vick, Brooks nonetheless has now had 2+ solid years in the league, throwing for 27 and 26 TD passes and also cut down the INT�s from 22 to 15 last year. Also contributes with some running (256 yards in �02) but has toned that down a tad. Completion percentage is one of the negatives, which dropped from 55.9 to 53.6 last year. An expected emergence from explosive second year speedster Donte Stallworth should knock Brooks value up another notch.



8. Kerry Collins (NYG) � Don�t get fooled by some of the so-so statistical output by him, or other previous Giant QB�s in previous years. Has only averaged 20 TD�s over the past three years, but passed the 4,000 barrier for the first time in �02. Stepped it up even more in his last two regular season games, along with the Wild Card loss, passing for 954 yards and nine scores. Collins now comes equipped with the best tight end in the game (Jeremy Shockey) along with a top-five receiver in Amani Toomer. Ike Hilliard also returns from injury to fortify the passing game even more.



9. Kurt Warner (STL) � This ranking can go up or down by the time Week 1 rolls around. Coach Mike Martz reiterated that barring injury Warner goes into 2003 as the #1 QB. Warner also passed an end-of-season physical with flying colors. But Warner�s hand/thumb has been an issue for three years now, and Warner struggled while backup Marc Bulger excelled last season. When just relatively healthy in 2001, Warner threw for 4,830 yards and 36 TD�s v. 22 INT�s. Those kind of numbers would make him a first round fantasy draft choice, and the offensive weapons are still pretty much intact. If Warner looks good in pre-season, go ahead and rank him among the top five QB's. But if taking Warner make sure to handcuff yourself by drafting Bulger in the mid (not late) rounds � before anyone else gets the bold idea of dratfing him.



10. Drew Bledsoe (BUF) � Might want to knock him up a notch or two in passing yardage-heavy leagues. Threw for 4,359 yards in �02, his highest output since 1994, while throwing for 24 scores. Slowed down as the weather got colder, five of his 7-300 yd games came in the first nine weeks. Loses #2 receiver Peerless Price but Josh Reed is expected to take up that slack 100 percent while 3rd Round draft choice Sam Aiken is projected to take over #3 duties.



11. Brett Favre (GB) � 59 TD�s over the past two seasons, 27 in �02 � seventh time in nine seasons he�s reached that total. Has thrown 500+ passes in each of the last ten seasons. On the downside, yards per attempt dropped from 7.7 to 6.6 yards and GB did not upgrade its receiving corps this year. Turns 34 this year and that consecutive game streak is due to end one of these days. If you draft astutely, you probably won�t wind up with Favre, as there�s usually one GB fan in every fantasy league who will reach early.



12. Chad Pennington (NYJ) � Burst onto the scene in huge fashion when finally given the keys from Vinny Testeverde in Week 3, and went on to complete 69 percent of his throws (104.2 rating) while throwing for 22 scores v. only 6 INT�s, averaging 208 yards per game. Peaked with 7 TD�s in his final two regular season games, then followed with a 3 TD performance in the Jets Wild Card rout over Indy. Only downside is that he is no running threat whatsoever. Team loses top receiver Laveranues Coles to free agency, but picks up veteran Curtis Conway while speedy Santana Moss will pick up some additional slack.



13. Tommy Maddox (PIT) � Armed with as deadly a receiving duo as anyone in the league, Maddox became one the castoff waiver-wire pickups of the year in �02, throwing for 19 TD�s in 11 starts while throwing for 2,714 yards (247 yds per game). Maddox also added 633 yards and five scores in two playoff outings. But there�s a scary side to all of this, as an otherwise inconsequential hand to the shoulder sent him face-first into the ground - and darn near put him into a wheelchair. What happens if Maddox receives an honest ($15,000 fine) helmet-to-helmet hit??? I don�t want to think. Have a contingency plan ready.



14. Trent Green (KC) � About all you need to know about the depth at the position this year, Green threw for 26 TD�s last year along with throwing for 3,690 yards. KC�s defense doesn�t figure to improve much so Trent will have to chukk it up often again. Should be a great value pick if he slides that far.



15. Jeff Garcia (SF) � Huge dropoffs last years. Only 21 passing TD�s, down from 32 and 31 in previous years. Also dropped to 6.4 yards an attempt from 7.6 in 2000. Does contribute in the rushing game with 300-400 yards and about 3-4 scores. Wild Card performance v. Giants (331 yds passing/3TD, 60 yards rushing/TD) shows what he�s still capable of on any given Sunday.



16. Tom Brady (NE) � Picked up where he left off in the previous year�s Super Bowl, and threw for 3,764 yards and 28 scores. Like Bledsoe, most of his damage was early in the season, as the team started balancing out the playbook later on in the season. 239 yards was his high-water mark in the final seven weeks, and only threw for four TD�s in his final five outings. Also make sure Brady makes it into camp on time, as there is noise about a potential holdout.



17. Steve McNair (TN) � You ever wonder how good this guy could be if completely healthy??? We may finally find out this year as McNair did not need any off-season surgery for the first time in recent memory. Achieved career highs in passing yards (3,387) along with TD�s (22) in 2002. Is also usually good for 400+ rushing yards.



18. Jake Plummer (DEN) � We�ll now see what Jake�s really made of under the guidance of offensive wizard Mike Shanahan this year. Until you see what he does in pre-season, use his 2001 Arizona #�s (w/David Boston at his disposal � 3,653 yards/18 TD) along with Brian Griese�s baseline #�s (240 yds/1.5 TD per game) and it should bode fairly well for the Snake.



19. Marc Bulger (STL) � Hails from Western Pennsylvania, and I don�t need to tell you the pedigree of QB�s coming out of there over time. His performance in six games in �02 automatically gets the Scarecrow ahead of the bottom-tier of current starters. Should Kurt Warner go down during pre-season, then Bulger gets top-five consideration (or even higher) at the position. 101.5 QB rating would have gotten Bulger 2nd behind Chad Pennington. Averaged 302.5 yards per start, which was better than Rich Gannon. Threw for 14 TD�s, which would project to 37 over a 16-game slate, which would had lapped the field over Tom Brady�s 28. 8.5 yards per attempt would also have been a league-high. As a unit, an argument could be made putting STL at #1. Just make sure you have both Bulger and Warner.



20. Brad Johnson (TB) � Not much upside, not BJ�s game improved drastically under Jon Gruden, throwing for 234 yards per outing and most impressively threw for 22 TD�s in just 13 games v. only six INT�s. BJ threw for 670 yards over three games (5 TD v. 3 INT) in the Bucs Super Bowl Title run.



21. Drew Brees (SD) � All things considered, a nice first season as starter completing 60.8 of his passes while throwing for 17 TD�s v. 16 INT�s. The free agent acquisition of top-flight wideout David Boston should send Drew�s stock soaring.



22. Joey Harrington (DET) � Shaky first year (2,294 yards in 13 games, 59.9 QB rating, 12 TD�s v. 16 INT) but upside is great with coach Steve Mariucci and the talents of #2 overall rookie WR Charles Rogers now in tow. A rapid heartbeat ended his rookie campaign � although he has been given a clean bill of health after a relatively minor procedure. Still the condition bears watching during training camp. If all breaks right, Joey is a top-ten QB candidate for 2004.



23. David Carr (HOU) � Literally in the same boat as Harrington, with the exact same potential upside. Was the Texans starter from day one and completed 52.5 percent of his passes for 2,592 yards but only 9 TD�s v. 15 INT. As with Charles Rogers in Detroit. #3 overall pick Andre Johnson should make life much easier for Carr, along with an improved offensive line which should cut down on the record-breaking sack total from last year.



24. Kelly Holcombe (CLE) � Yes, Tim Couch comes into the season as the starter, but precariously so. Had a stout 92.9 rating in regular season action, including a 326 yd 3 TD performance to open the season along with with 180 yard fourth quarter performance in relief of an injured Couch. Holcombe then threw for 429 yards and three scores in a memorable Wild Card performance in Pittsburgh, a game that I still can�t figure out how the Browns lost. Elevate Holcombe into the mid-teens among fantasy QB�s once he grabs the starting job for good.



25. Patrick Ramsey (WSH) � Will have plenty of chances to throw in first full season. Was decent as a rookie, completing 51.5 percent of his passes with nine TD�s v. 8 INT. However, veteran Rob Johnson has been brought in as a backup, and will relieve Ramsey often.



26. Jake Delhomme (CAR) � You probably don�t know him, but Carolina�s new QB will be a nice surprise for those who�ve done their homework. 28-year old did well in limited backup opportunities with New Orleans the past four seasons, completing 50 of 86 passes (58.1%) for 634 yards (7.4 yards). Even shows a little bit of running ability if need be. Inherits a nice offense featuring WR Mushin Muhammad and fortified by the additions of RB Stephen Davis as well as first-round OG Jordan Gross. Panthers have mostly given up on the Chris Weinke experiment while veteran Rodney Peete remains as a backup, so Delhomme is actually fairly secure.



27. Kordell Stewart (CHI) � Kordell finally escapes Pittsburgh and turns up in Chicago, where he should be safe for most of this season before the Bears look at first-round pick Rex Grossman. Actually completed a career-high 65.7 of his passes last year, and still contributes on the ground � and should be good for about 500 yards and a few scores there.



28. Jeff Blake (AZ) � Is talking about putting up a lot for the Cards this year, and considering Blake will be trying to rally the team from behind, that is a realistic expectation. Numbers with the Ravens were not bad last year, averaging 208 yards a start with 13 TD�s v. 11 INT�s. Starting-job security is also on his side.



29. Jay Fiedler (MIA) � I would have Jay in the late-teens, early 20�s if it weren�t for Brian Griese coming to town to eventually compete for the job. Averaged 184 yards in 11 starts in �02 with 14 TD�s v. 9 INT�s and a fine 85.2 QB rating despite a run-heavy offense and sub-par receiving corps.



30. Brian Griese (MIA) � Wherever he ends up, he wont be on the bench for long. Completed two-thirds of his passes in �02 with a nice QB rating of 85.6. Remember his 102.9 rating in 2000, with 19 TD�s v. just 4 INT�s. Griese then threw for 23 scores in 2001. If he lands in Miami, as expected � look for Griese to be a nice middle-tier QB at the very least.



31. Mark Brunell (JAX) � Not a bad year for about the only starting QB the Jags have ever known, with a fine 85.7 rating while throwing for 17 TD�s v. 7 INT. Brunell gets at least a half season before the team looks toward the future with #1 pick Byron Leftwich.



32. Jon Kitna (CIN) � Not horrible in �02, averaging 244.5 yards per game along with 17 TD�s which a nice receiving corps including emerging star Chad Johnson. But with #1 pick Carson Palmer in the fold, Kita will be on borrowed time in �03.



33. Tim Couch (CLE) � Last ups for the #1 overall pick of the �99 draft. Averaged 203 yards per game along with 18 TD�s last year, but will be pushed heavily by Kelly Holcombe.



34. Gus Frerotte (MN) � In case Culpepper's fumbles become just too much, Vikings have acquired the services of the veteran Frerotte. Throw out his Cincinnati #'s from last year and look at his 2000-01 #'s from Denver where Gus had a QB rating well over 80. He'll drive the Viking ship well if called upon. A good late-round handcuff if you have Pepper.



35. Chris Redman (BAL) � Not nuts about his chances of holding off first-round pick Kyle Boller for long. Completed 53.3 percent of his passes in portions of seven games, but did throw for 7 TD�s against 3 INT�s.



36. Chad Hutchinson (DAL) � It�s supposed to be a battle between the ex-baseballer and backup Quincy Carter in Cowboy training camp, and Parcells will quickly find out that neither is a bargain. Hutchinson completed 50.8 percent of his passes over nine games, with 7 TD�s v. 8 INT.



37. Rob Johnson (WSH) � Will get his chances to run the fun-n-gun offense over the course of the season. Completed an impressive 64.8 percent of his passes last year, although it was only good for 6.1 yards per attempt. Like Chris Chandler, never seems to go more than a couple of games without getting hurt.



38. Carson Palmer (CIN) � We now head into the dynasty selections, and it will be interesting to see if the Heisman winner will fare better than Kyle Boller or Byron Leftwich. Palmer was not even regarded as a first day (first three rounds) pick before exploding in his Senior year at USC. Strong arm along with decent running ability, you would figure the Cincy brass will take a look at him sooner rather than later unless the team�s contending for a playoff spot. For more info on Palmer or the other rookie QB�s, check out KAC�S DRAFT PROFILES.



39. Byron Leftwich (JAX) � Best pure arm strength and the most finished product coming out. Was absolutely gutty literally playing on one leg in the latter stages of his Senior year. I would rank him ahead of Boller or Leftwich as far as dynasty leagues are concerned, but will probably see the least amount of time this season.



40. Kyle Boller (BAL) � Like Palmer was very mediocre his first three years in college before breaking out as a senior. Along with a strong arm has surprising 4.6 speed. Considering I�m not nuts about Chris Redman look for Boller to get some time this coming season and look for his marriage with the Brian Billick system to be a good one.

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