Monday, August 22

Final 2000 Rankings -- Quarterbacks

With just days until the start of the 2000 season, it’s about time that we present our final rankings for this year.  On paper, things look great.  Sleepers have been identified, busts avoided and all of the arduous research over the past few months is ready to pay dividends.  In reality, this, and all rankings, have their warts that few of us can detect at this early stage.  I’m sure I’ll be kicking myself in November when I realize that someone like Spencer Romine (Duke’s Qb) or Joe Igber (Cal’s top returning back) put up eye-popping numbers and I didn’t even have them ranked.  It’s inevitable.  A number of guys that we never looked at will make their impact on the college game this year.  Isn’t that what makes playing fantasy football so much fun?  It’s unpredictable, exciting as hell and hardly an exact science.

That being said, I’m quite confident in the rankings that you’ll find below.  They’re well thought out, very current and, I hope, a real useful tool as you head to your draft.  The changes since the July rankings are subtle, yet very important.  Players that are moving up the charts quickly have been bolded. 

Quarterbacks
[Rankings based on 3 points for a passing TD, 6 points for a rushing TD and 1 point for every 50 yards of combined total offense.]

#1 Antwaan Randle El, Indiana

#2 Drew Brees, Purdue

#3 Josh Heupel, Oklahoma

#4 Eric Crouch, Nebraska

#5 Michael Vick, Virginia Tech

#6 Quincy Carter, Georgia

#7 Chris Weinke, Florida St

#8 Jared Lorenzen, Kentucky

#9 Marques Tuiasosopo, Washington

#10 Rashard Casey, Penn St-Legal concerns must be watched closely

#11 Kurt Kittner, Illinois

#12 Woody Dantzler, Clemson

#13 Ken Dorsey, Miami

#14 Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech

#15 Carson Palmer, USC

#16 Jonathon Beasley, Kansas St-Still holding off Ell Roberson

#17 Ortege Jenkins, Arizona

#18 Brooks Bollinger, Wisconsin

#19 Joey Harrington, Oregon

#20 Ben Leard, Auburn

#21 Jesse Palmer, Florida

#22 Drew Henson, Michigan

#23 Major Applewhite, Texas-Health and job status are still big questions

#24 Steve Bellisari, Ohio St

#25 Asad Abdul Khaliq, Minnesota

#26 Tony Lindsay, Oklahoma St

#27 Jonathon Smith, Oregon St

#28 Dan Ellis, Virginia

#29 George Godsey, Georgia Tech-Has solidified hold on starting job

#30 Romaro Miller, Mississippi

- See the initial Preseason Quarterback Rankings below.

Thurs, July 13

2000 Preseason Rankings -- QB

By Richard Cirminiello

Preseason rankings are a lot like political platforms.  While they often look peerless on paper, flaws become painfully obvious when the chips are down.  This time last year, you’d be hard pressed to find a draft board that included names like Kittner, Tuiasosopo, Vick, Crouch or Heupel.   Yet, this year each of these quarterbacks will be high draft choices who should post big numbers.  The turnover of new faces and new stars each year is one of the many reasons why college fantasy football is so exciting.

This year’s shooting stars?  You know full well that they’re out there.  However, you’re just not sure where they're lurking.  Our hope is that this installment of our preseason rankings will shed some light on the upcoming season and assist you before your draft.

Of course, it’s only July so you can expect a number of changes in the rankings before the season begins.  Check back often to see the updated rankings.  We’ll begin with the Qbs and follow up shortly with the RBs and receivers. 

Quarterbacks

(July 14, 2000)

What they lack in star power, the 2000 class of collegiate quarterbacks will more than compensate for with its depth.  Expect to see a large group of formerly unknown Qbs putting up big numbers on Saturdays this season.

Rankings based on 3 points for a passing TD, 6 points for a rushing TD and 1 point for every 50 yards of combined total offense.

#1 Antwaan Randle El, Indiana-Best combination of passing and running in the nation.  Although a surprise at #1, he should be just as lethal in 2000.

#2 Drew Brees, Purdue-Consistent fantasy star who’ll be making a serious Heisman run.

#3 Josh Heupel, Oklahoma-Came out of nowhere to toss 30 TDs last year.  Could be hurt by the defection of Offensive Coordinator Mike Leach.

#4 Eric Crouch, Nebraska-Poised for a big season as he leads a talented Husker offense.

#5 Quincy Carter, Georgia-Another great pass or run Qb.  Finally has a solid core of receivers.

#6 Michael Vick, Virginia Tech-Supreme talent.  Any development in sophomore season will help warrant this ranking.

#7 Chris Weinke, Florida St-Needs to find new targets.  Still, shouldn’t skip a beat this year.

#8 Jared Lorenzen, Kentucky-A bit high for an unknown.  However, Dusty Bonner threw for more than 3500 yards and 26 TDs in this offense and Lorenzen is more talented.

#9 Marques Tuiasosopo, Washington-Tremendous athletic ability.  Could be a breakout season.

#10 Rashard Casey, Penn St-Has waited patiently for his turn to lead the Lion offense.  If he's cleared of his legal problems, could be explosive.

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#11 Kurt Kittner, Illinois-Won't sneak up on anyone this year after a strong regular season and bowl game.

#12 Ken Dorsey, Miami-Blessed with a great supporting cast.  Looked very capable as Kenny Kelly's replacement at the tail end of last year.

#13 Woody Dantzler, Clemson-Still not a lock to get the start.  Assuming he does, could be a poor man's version of Randle El.

#14 Joey Harrington, Oregon-Fended off AJ Feeley last year and again this spring.  Will lead an offense which is a perennial high scorer.

#15 Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech-Will lead the same offense that Josh Heupel ran last year under Coach Mike Leach.  With any skills, he should be capable of being a major sleeper this season.

#16 Ortege Jenkins, Arizona-Like Casey, finally has the top spot to himself.  Another gifted athlete who should excel in the wide open Pac 10.

#17 Jonathan Beasley, Kansas St-A real enigma here.  Despite putting up huge fantasy numbers in 1999, his job is in jeopardy.  Should be a bit higher if he firmly secures starting spot.

#18 Ben Leard, Auburn-Stellar Qb rating before getting hurt last year.  Now has more weapons to work with in 2000. 

#19 Carson Palmer, USC-One of the nation's best pure passers who brims with potential.  Needs to play full season to be worthy of a choice.

#20 Jesse Palmer, Florida-Only worth of a late pick.  Taking a Spurrier Qb can be a nightmare these days.

#21 Drew Henson, Michigan-Has the talent and a great receiver.  Still, hard to forget that this offense will be led by Rb Anthony Thomas.

#22 Major Applewhite, Texas-Enigma #2.  The presence of Chris Simms and last year's serious knee injury puts Applewhite in a tenuous spot.  If they're splitting time, you can forget both players.

#23 Tony Lindsay, Oklahoma St-Many will forget this guy, but you shouldn't.  A slow start and an injury marred his 1999.  Watch him revert back to his 1998 form when he was a force on the ground.

#24 Joe Borchard, Stanford-Would be higher if he was committed to football.  Fine talent who was taken high in the MLB draft in June.  Threw 7 Tds in limited action last year.

#25 Brooks Bollinger, Wisconsin-May see a larger load with Dayne gone.  Shows ability on the ground.

Players Worth Watching- Could Crack Top 25 Before Summer Ends

Steve Bellisari, Ohio St-Should be better with a year under his belt. 

Chris Simms, Texas-Much higher if he gets the start.

Ell Roberson, Kansas St.-A dynamic talent who will impress if he beats out Beasley.

Jonathan Smith, Oregon St.-Threw for 3000 yards last year, but is now being pushed for his job.

Dan Ellis, Virginia-Tossed 21 Tds last year.  However, 5 of those came in one game against Buffalo.

Ryan Van Dyke, Michigan St-Nice talent who'd be higher if Plaxico Burress and Gari Scott were back.

David Priestly, Pittsburgh-Injury and competition have him this low.  Has great receivers to throw to.

George Godsey, Georgia Tech-Current #1.  May benefit from Coach Friedgen's offensive system.

Arnaz Battle, Notre Dame-Untested and a difficult schedule make him a longshot.

Asad Abdul Khaliq, Minnesota-Huge upside if he can win the job. A name you'll hear a lot in the future.

Joey Mathews, Tennessee-Likely starter.  Warrants a look because of who he plays for.

Romaro Miller, Mississippi-Nice Qb who'll never be a fantasy factor.

Ryan Mccann, UCLA-Current Bruin starter.  Could blossom with a fine group of receivers.

Ronald Curry, North Carolina-Lost a lot of his luster after poor play and an achilles injury in 1999.

Brad Lewis, West Virginia-Showed some potential when he spelled Marc Bulger at times last year.

Bob Pesavento, Colorado-JUCO transfer who may have won job with a solid spring.  Keep an eye on him.

Sage Rosenfels, Iowa St.-Has some talent, but little else to work with.

Robby Hampton, Arkansas-Possible starter.  Need to learn more before we can recommend.

Dylen Smith, Kansas-Should have his best year as a Jayhawk, but still is a reach.

Ryan Kealy, Arizona St-Constant injury problems should make you avoid this Sun Devil.

Shayne House, Oregon St-If he takes job from Smith, look out.  Could excel in this offense.

Tim Hasselbeck, Boston College-It's unlikely that he'll become draft worthy.   

What do you think of Rich's picks?  Tell us.
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