By Zack Cimini
notjustagame.com
(Article was written in mid July)

All around the NFL this year you?ll see different quarterbacks starting for a team. Who knows if they can produce, or stay away from injuries. Except for a couple of quarterbacks, almost everyone goes down at some point during the season. That?s why the majority of NFL teams have solid backup quarterbacks. Plenty of the backups are quarterbacks that started most of their careers. Now they?re old, and helping out the young starting quarterbacks. Others are quarterbacks that showed promise early in their career, but have been inconsistent. All of these quarterbacks we?ll be ready to come in and steal their starting position back. If you think a quarterback enjoys being a backup you?re wrong. All that talk Drew Bledsoe said when he backed up Tom Brady during the Patriots Super Bowl year was garbage. No quarterback supports the starter, and that?s why he went to Buffalo and turned his career around. Take a look at these quarterbacks, you?ll probably find yourself picking up one of them during the season.

Doug Flutie, San Diego:

We all know Flutie?s story. He had a couple of solid years in Buffalo, and was even a Pro Bowl quarterback. His size has always been a big problem, and he eventually lost his job in Buffalo to Rob Johnson. The Bills made a big mistake in that decision, but at least they made up for it by bringing in Drew Bledsoe. Then Flutie came to San Diego as a starter, but he knew it wouldn?t be for long when Drew Brees was brought in. Last season Brees proved he was the better quarterback, and will be the leader for this team for many years. The way Flutie?s career has gone, I don?t expect him to just fade off as a 40 year old backup quarterback. That?ll likely happen though, if Brees stays healthy.

Steve Beuerlein, Denver:

Here is a quarterback that has bounced from starter to backup his whole career. Through it all though he comes prepared and ready to play. He was very successful in Carolina, and it?s surprising that he still isn?t there. Rodney Peete is a sack away from his career ending. Beuerlein knows the system very well in Denver, and replaced Brian Griese last year when he struggled. Jake Plummer has struggled his entire career, and if he can?t produce with the talent he has Beuerlein will step in. Mike Shanahan has no patience for his quarterbacks.

Chris Chandler, Chicago:

Here is another quarterback that has stayed in the NFL over ten years. I don?t think another quarterback in the NFL has taken a beating like Chandler has. He doesn?t let it bother him though, and just goes on to another team. His most successful season had to have been when he led Atlanta to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately that success ended, and he eventually lost his job in Atlanta. Kordell Stewart has struggled as a quarterback every year, so expect Chandler to get in some games.

Brian Griese, Miami:

Griese doesn?t have ten years under his belt, but he is considered a veteran. He came in after John Elway, and learned a lot from Mike Shanahan. Jay Fiedler has been injury prone throughout his career. If it happens this year, he might not step on the field again as a starter. Fiedler doesn?t scare defenses, even with Ricky Williams as his running back. The Dolphins know that if they are going to win the Super Bowl the time is now. Griese could become the next quarterback to leave a team and win a Super Bowl, like Brad Johnson.

Gus Frerotte, Minnesota:

Ever since Frerotte slammed his head into the wall, he has been a backup. Daunte Culpepper is a strong quarterback that never gets hurt. His style of play could change that in a hurry. His always taking on defenders, and that turf he plays on doesn?t help. Frerotte is a pocket passer, and could put up numbers with Randy Moss out there.

Vinny Testaverde, New York Jets:

Testaverde?s career has gone up and down like a roller coaster. Up until his losing streak at the beginning of last season, it looked like he would finish his career as a starter. Now he is a mentor for Chad Pennington. Who knows what the reason for Testaverde?s early season slump was. Regardless he is a proven quarterback and knows how to play the game. He has ran this offense for many years, and wouldn?t miss a beat if he had to play a game or two.

Rob Johnson, Washington:

Here is a quarterback that has done nothing with his career. Besides a solid playoff game against Tennessee a few years ago, his career has been horrible. He has had numerous opportunities to be a starter. This year he will backup Patrick Ramsey. Johnson should expect playing time though, with the way Spurrier threw in quarterbacks last season. Johnson has the arm to play the game, he is just missing the mental part. Maybe in Spurrier?s fast paced throwing offense Johnson will succeed.

Trent Dilfer, Seattle:

Many people still can?t believe Dilfer won a Super Bowl a few years ago. They could have had Akili Smith as quarterback and still won the Super Bowl. In fact many people say he is the worst quarterback to have ever won a ring. The ring he has can?t be taken away, no matter how the rest of his career goes. He has accomplished what a lot of quarterbacks haven?t. Dilfer has seen playing time as a Seahawk, but it looks like Holmgren is finally settled on Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck finally showed some promise last season. Out of all the veteran quarterbacks, Dilfer is probably in the worse situation. He will only receive playing time if Hasselbeck goes down.

Shaun King, Tampa Bay:

Wasn?t it just a few seasons ago that King almost led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl? Yes, that?s how fast a quarterback?s career can change if he doesn?t produce. Just imagine how he must have felt last year when they did win it. After that year he became inconsistent and eventually was buried on their roster. With Rob Johnson gone, he is now the backup. With the season Brad Johnson had last year, it could be awhile before King steps in. Even if he does, he has to show that he has matured as a quarterback.

Charlie Batch, Pittsburgh:

Batch has always had tremendous potential, but like Jake Plummer he can?t stay away from interceptions. He is at the point in his career where he can change it around, or be out of the NFL. Tommy Maddox was injured twice last year, and Batch seems like he?d be the better quarterback anyways. Pittsburgh is loaded with talent, and Batch should be the future of this team. There was definitely a big reason why Bill Cowher found a different backup quarterback besides Kordell Stewart.

By Zack Cimini
NOTJUSTAGAME.COM

Going into 2003 nobody knows who is the overall best NFL team. There are plenty of talented teams, but which team is the best? It?ll be hard to tell until we get through the first month of the NFL season. For the most part though, there are a solid ten teams out there. Here we?ll break down those ten teams. One thing is for sure, the AFC is loaded with talent. Expect it to be like last season, when every team was mathematically alive to make the playoffs entering week 17. The NFC is equally as tough, but the playoff picture is always clearer over there.

Tampa Bay:

They are the returning champs, so all the pressure is on them. I wouldn?t expect them to repeat, but they should get back to the conference championship game. There are just too many questions surrounding them this season. They?re defense is still great, but they?re running back situation is in question. Thomas Jones has had a great preseason though, and could end that question soon in the regular season. As long as their defense plays the way it does, they?ll always be a great team.

Tennessee:

The Titans are arguably the best team entering the season right now. Steve McNair has never played 100 percent, and so far he is at that level. If he can stay that way, he is probably the best quarterback in the NFL. Many people count the Titans out, but year in and year out they are in the playoffs. They don?t have a lot of talent, but they just know how to win. McNair is a great leader, and has a great shot at getting Tennessee back to the Super Bowl.

Philadelphia:

Out of all first team units the Eagles have been the most impressive in preseason. Donovan McNabb has carried the Eagles single handedly every single year, into the playoffs. If he can just get a little help from somebody on offense, this team will be set.

Oakland:

Besides the Rams, the Raiders have the most explosive offense in the league. As we learned in last years Super Bowl, an explosive offense can?t keep up with a great defense. The Raiders upgraded their D, and are ready for one more run for the Super Bowl. All the veterans remain, but can they all stay healthy again?

New York Giants:

The Giants have been horrible in preseason, but that doesn?t mean anything. Their team is loaded with tremendous talent on both sides of the ball. Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, and Tim Carter are going to be a top five group in the NFL. Toomer just doesn?t get the credit he deserves as a great wide receiver. If Kerry Collins can remain consistent the whole season, this team will have a great shot at challenging Philadelphia for a bye. Whichever team comes out on top of the division, will likely represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Miami:

Every year Miami has talent, but they just can?t finish a season. It is getting old to see a team go through the same pattern every year. The AFC is extremely tough, but Miami looks like the best in the AFC East. The defense and running game are there, and all they need is for Jay Fiedler to stay healthy. For the most part though, Miami?s late season collapses have been the defenses fault. The defense just seems to breakdown late in the season.

Cleveland:

The Browns are probably right behind Tennessee in the AFC. They are overloaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball, and probably have the best depth of any NFL team. They also have a great young defense that will make some noise this season. The Browns definitely aren?t a joke anymore.

Green Bay:

Supposedly this is Brett Favre?s last season. If it is than you know this team will put in the extra effort, and to try to win another one for Favre. This team was probably the best in the NFL midseason last year, but then Brett Favre just went on a decline. All the talent is still there, but it?ll be hard for them to get by Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, and the New York Giants.

Indianapolis:

The Colts shockingly struggled last season, but now that is over and in the past. Tony Dungy has developed a solid defense, and that is all that Peyton Manning needs. The chemistry that Manning and Marvin Harrison have is starting to become legendary. It is unbelievable to see how well they connect with each other on the field. Edgerrin James is the ingredient the Colts missed last season. Now that he is 100 percent, the NFL better watch out for this team.

St. Louis:

The Rams talent alone has to put them in the top ten in the NFL. They still have Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, and Isaac Bruce. The Rams just couldn?t get going last season, and they are ready for a fresh start like Indianapolis. Marshall Faulk is still the scariest running back in the league, and Torry Holt is right behind Marvin Harrison as a big play receiver. The Rams should be able to score anytime they want, but will they is the question. Kurt Warner has a lot of pressure on him to guide the Rams to an early start. If he doesn?t this team could collapse early in the season.

BY JEFF HOODZOW
NOTJUSTAGAME.com

Fantasy Football Preview- NYJ vs. WAS

The first game of the season, and it?s a fantasy bombshell waiting to happen. Both teams, the Washington Redskins and the New York Jets, have questions at quarterback, the field general. Here?s a look at who to start and who to bench in Thursday?s season opener.

Quarterbacks

Vinny Testaverde- NYJ- The ageless wonder will have to step in for injured starter Chad Pennington. While Pennington proved himself to be one of the most valuable sleepers in the game last year, Vinny does have some experience to fall back on. Just two years ago, he started every game for the Jets and has five 3000-yard seasons under his belt. VERDICT- Start
Patrick Ramsey- WAS- In his rookie season, Ramsey had glimpses of potential, like the 23-for-35 performance with three touchdowns and no interceptions in a late season loss to Philadelphia last year, but that was about it. Owner Daniel Snyder has him on a short leash, and don?t be surprised if he applies pressure. VERDICT- Bench

Running backs

Curtis Martin- NYJ- With Vinny at quarterback, expect the Redskins to move eight or nine men into the box to stop the prolific Martin- VERDICT- Bench

Trung Canidate- WAS- I?ve never been fully sold on the former Ram. He hasn?t proven himself in the NFL as a legitimate starting tailback. He?s had two 100-yard games, including an explosive 195-yard performance against the Giants, but that was in 2001. I?m letting him ride the pine until he does something for me. VERDICT- Bench

Wide Receivers

Rod Gardner- WAS- With 71 receptions for just over 1,000 yards, you can almost say Gardner under achieved last year. Fantasy owners will like the eight touchdowns though. VERDICT- Start

Laveranues Coles- WAS- He?s the big gun the ?Skins brought in and he?s just what Steve Spurrier wanted, outside of going to Florida State. He?s a legitimate deep threat and has number problem wrestling the big play tag away from Gardner. VERDICT- Start

Santana Moss- NYJ- The Miami graduate has no more excuses. It?s time to put up or shut up for the former first round draft pick. Just like Canidate, I?m not buying this car until I take it for a test drive.

Reach the reporter at ASUHoodzow@yahoo.com