Week 17: Looking forward to 2009
At this point in the season, there are likely only four teams still active in your league. If you're lucky enough to be one of them, then you're only a couple more wins from a league championship. Good luck to you; I hope you win and tell all your friends in other leagues about how our site helped with some of those tough decisions. For the rest of you, it's never too early to start thinking about next season and that's exactly what we're about to do. This week we'll take a look at some guys other owners may not have on their radar. Keep these guys in mind and pay close attention to them in the off season. These guys could be prime time players next season.
QB Matt Leinart, ---
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When the 2008 season began most people expected Matt Leinart to be the starting quarterback in Arizona. Then in stepped Kurt Warner and the Cardinals' offense was unstoppable. Well maybe not unstoppable, but they were moving the ball well and winning games. Fast forward to week 16 and the Cardinals are in the playoffs, Warner is having a horrible game and Leinart steps in to lead the Cardinals on the only scoring drive of the game. I know 78 yards of the drive was a pass to Fitzgerald for a touchdown, but none the less it was a scoring drive. Next season Leinart should step back in and be the starting quarterback in Arizona. With Boldin and Fitzgerald to throw the ball to, Leinart should be a good fantasy quarterback in 2009.
QB Kyle Orton, ---
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For about a month Kyle Orton showed fantasy owners just how good he could be. During that time fantasy owners looking for a bye week fill in went out and snatched Orton off the waiver wire in hopes that maybe he could keep that performance all season. Unfortunately for those owners this sudden outburst fizzled and Orton fell back to earth. The good news is we saw a glimmer of what could be and next season Orton could be a valuable fantasy quarterback. Not just as a bye week filler, but as a quarterback owners can play with confidence from week to week.
QB Tyler Thigpen, CLE
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One of the surprises of the 2008 season is Tyler Thigpen. I have to admit when I heard he was going to be the starting quarterback for the Chiefs I didn't think we'd see much fantasy value in Gonzalez or Bowe. Luckily for owners with Chief's receivers, the second year man out of Coastal Carolina was able to hold his own. In 9 starts he has thrown touchdowns and 2 rushing touchdowns to only 8 interceptions. If Thigpen is the starting quarterback in Kansas City next season, then keep an eye on him in your draft. He could very well be the 2007 version of Derek Anderson for the 2009 season.
RB Ronnie Brown, ---
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When Brown went down with a knee injury late in the 2007 season there was some speculation as to whether he would be ready for the 2008 season. As luck would have it, Ronnie was able to rehab the knee and return to action week 1. After a couple of not so good games weeks 1 and 2, he broke out against the Patriots week 3 rushing for 113 yards and scoring 5 touchdowns. From that point forward there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Ronnie Brown was back. While the tandem of Brown and Williams was not as successful as over split backfields, they got the job done. With a full season under his belt after the injury, 2009 should be a solid season for Ronnie Brown.
RB Rashard Mendenhall, ---
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Mendenhall suffered a season ending injury just four weeks into the 2008 season. Many felt that Rashard would compliment Parker nicely and the two would have very good seasons. The thought was Mendenhall would spell Parker and keep Willie from being injured. Unfortunately that didn't happen and Parker wound up missing 5 games. With some luck, next season we'll have an opportunity to see this dynamic duo in action for more than a couple of games. Next season could be Parker's final season in Pittsburgh. If you're in a league which allows players to be carried over from season to season, then drafting Mendenhall next year would be a very good idea. Rashard will be the starting back come 2010.
