Starting a Team Quarterback

  Guest Submission posted 8/25 by John McKnight, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

If you're anything like me, you've played in multiple leagues with many variations of scoring, starting requirements and rosters. Redraft, keeper and dynasty; yes TE, no TE; 2 WR& 3 WR; team defense or IDP; reception points, rushing attempts and even points for a winning coach. There are many deviations from the "normal" league. And with each difference, you can have an advantage over draft list zombies walking aimlessly toward another losing season. That is why after being approached to join a league that starts a Team QB, instead of an individual starting quarterback, I jumped at the opportunity. I figured this was another caveat to enjoy and exploit to my benefit.

Some would question why you would even have a team QB, and my answer to them is, why not? Arguments can be made that individual QB starters reward owners who know to draft backups and I agree with that argument. But I also feel that a knowledgeable fantasy owner can find the advantage in any scoring modification. While other owners are staring at cheat sheets for individual QB starters, you can rearrange according to teams. And if you're thinking those rankings are the same, think again…

If given the choice between Peyton Manning QB IND and a hurt Donovan McNabb QB PHI last season, even a novice would want Manning every time and twice on Sundays (or Monday night). But was it better to have the Indianapolis Team QB or the Philadelphia Team QB last season? Given the topic of this article you can probably guess it is the Philly QB, even if logic says that since Manning was the #1 QB and McNabb didn't play all season, Indy should trump Philly. Not so, my friends.

Here are the rankings for all individual QBs who passed the ball last season (using typical FBG scoring for QBs; taken from here):

There are several interesting things you'll notice. First off, there were 72 different QBs playing at least 1 down last season. Even as an avid football fan, I never realized how many times a backup QB comes into the game. Most teams had 2 or 3 QBs under center. In past years we've seen over 5 QBs in one season for a single team! You may also notice that in all 32 teams only 3 teams played the same QB every single pass of the season. The first name probably won't surprise you - Peyton Manning. But J.P. Losman - Buf and Alex Smith - SF also were the lone guns last year.

This multiple QB starting scenario is a main factor in why leagues opt for the Team QB. And, of course covering injuries is another driving force.

So, the question now is, how do the Team QBs rank? Well, I take each team's QB stats, add them up, and we get this ranking:

Straight off, you'll notice some differences in the rankings. The top 12 alone has sizable shifts in the order. Take a look at the comparison:

The number one shocker right out of the gate is that the #1 Team QB in the league last year (Philadelphia), does not even make the top 12 for individual QBs (McNabb was ranked 14, Garcia was 32 and Feeley was 50)! Team Dallas QB ranks at 5th, but Romo was 19 and Bledsoe was 35. In fact, a third of the players making the top team QB list do not fall on the top 12 individual side.

How can you take advantage of these changes? I'm glad you asked. The first thing you can do is add together your QB projections and re-rank your Team QBs accordingly. While cheat sheets drop QBs in camp battles or with uncertainty down their lists, you can move them up your rankings if you feel that even if it ends up a quarterback-by-committee, that particular team will do loads of passing. I wouldn't have been very happy with Kurt Warner as my QB last season (projected 13th heading into the season, finished at 37th), but having the 14th ranked Arizona Team QB isn't too bad in larger leagues or as a backup Team QB.

Even with a Team QB, you'll still want to select a team with a stud; however, now knowing how the starter shares several snaps with his backup(s), you may be more inclined to take the QB with a good backup over the team with a nobody behind the stud. You can also use the strength of schedule (see Clayton Gray's great article) to help in your decision.

Based on the FBG projections (current July 27), here is your Team QB cheat sheet for 2007:

If presented with the chance of joining a Team QB league, give it a shot. If you're looking to add some twists to your league rules, consider Team QB. Owners who are only mildly interested in fantasy football (can you believe they exist?) will appreciate not missing a beat when their starting QB gets injured, while the savvy owners will adapt to their new surroundings and surpass the competition. Use your skills to excel in this different format. While others are choosing blindly from a cheat sheet, you'll be able to dominate them again with a little help from the team at Footballguys.