Tag: Matt Hasselbeck (Page 4 of 7)

Top 10 active NFL passer rating leaders

The NFL draft is over and free agency is kind of in a lull. Mini-camps and stories about letting Pacman back into the league, JaMarcus Russell being released, or what counseling Big Ben is attending just don’t help the football jones we all have. So that’s why we’re back with a few Top 10 lists to ponder. This one for the active NFL passer ratings is good because it’s a solid indicator of who you might think about drafting for your fantasy team come August or September. And hey, we’re just a few months away!

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (97.2)—Rodgers really emerged last season with 103.2 rating, especially once his line decided to keep him upright. He and the two guys immediately below him should win at least one ring in their careers solely because of their own talent.

2. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (95.8)—Rivers has topped 104 in QB rating the last two seasons. If you told me I could have one quarterback to win one game, I’m not sure this isn’t the guy I’d take. In fact, he IS the guy I’d take.

3. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (95.6)—Romo cut down his interceptions drastically in 2009, but the pundits and fans in Dallas still couldn’t lay off the guy. I’m telling you, they don’t know how good they have it with Romo at QB. As a Giants fan, this is one guy I cringe when facing.

4. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts (95.2)—Always solid, but Manning needed a freakish 121.1 rating in 2004 and two more seasons after that over 100 to make up for some really bad years early in his career. Still, he’s Peyton Freaking Manning.

5. Tom Brady, New England Patriots (93.3)—Speaking of freakish, Brady’s 117.2 in 2007 kicked him up a few spots here. You know, maybe this is the guy I want in a must-win game, but then again, he’s shown to be slightly damaged goods since the 2008 opener.

6. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (91.9)—Brees finally won that elusive ring in 2009, and he also led the NFL with a 109.6 QB rating as well as a ridiculous 70.6 completion percentage. Yeah, I’d say he earned that ring.

7. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (91.7)—A great quarterback that sadly has so much baggage, he has the Steelers and their fans wondering if he’s worth it. The two Super Bowl wins surely don’t hurt, but has Ben peaked?

8. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans (91.3)—Finally healthy a full season, this guy was fantasy gold in 2009. Look for his QB rating number to continue climbing—well, assuming he still has Andre Johnson to throw to.

9. Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins (90.1)—He hasn’t quite matched his 104.2 mark in 2002, but Pennington was always an underrated QB. And kind of still is. I mean, this guy is still a backup? I can think of at least three teams he’d be starting for.

10. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals (87.9)—He hasn’t reached 90 in QB rating since 2006, but it’s not often you hear anyone say a bad thing about Mr. Palmer.

Notable omissions: Not on this list are Donovan McNabb, Brett Favre, Eli Manning and Matt Hasselbeck. Okay, really, just the first two are surprising, but then again, maybe not so surprising.

Source: Pro Football Reference

Report: Seahawks interested in McNabb, Kolb

Despite Andy Reid and the rest of the Eagles’ front office’s best efforts to downplay the situation, the Donovan McNabb trade rumors just won’t die in Philadelphia.

ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio reports that the Seahawks have been calling the Eagles “non-stop” about McNabb and Kevin Kolb. Paolantonio says that Pete Carroll is in “win-now” mode and apparently doesn’t think that Matt Hasselbeck can make the Hawks competitive next season. Either that, or Carroll has plans to trade Hasselbeck if he can land one of the two Philadelphia QBs. Maybe Hasselbeck’s former head coach, Mike Holmgren, would take him in Cleveland. (The Browns just acquired Seneca Wallace earlier in the week, so it could be a regular ol’ Seattle quarterback reunion in Cleveland.)

Of course, there’s still a strong possibility that the Eagles will hang onto both McNabb and Kolb this season. I get the feeling that Philly wants to make one more run with McNabb as its starter before transitioning to Kolb in 2011. That’s just speculation on my part, but seeing as how Reid and the Eagles haven’t given anyone a reason to believe that they’re ready to deal McNabb, this still seems like the most likely scenario.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

NFL Gambler Killer of the Week: Matt Hasselbeck


“Let’s see how many people I can screw with this throw…”

I’ve decided to introduce a new feature to TSR called “NFL Gambler Killer of the Week,” where I’ll call out a player or a team for having a hand in screwing bettors. In order to stay objective, I won’t indicate whether or not I personally was affected by the play.

The inaugural NFL Gambler Killer of the Week goes to Seahawks’ quarterback Matt Hasselbeck for his brilliant fourth quarter performance in Seattle’s 31-20 loss to the Cardinals.

Here’s the situation:

The Seahawks were 9-point underdogs heading into Sunday’s game in Arizona and actually jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. But being the gracious people they are, Seattle allowed Arizona to rack up 31 points, including 14 points in the fourth quarter to take a 31-20 lead.

With 5:20 remaining and trailing by 11 (remember, Seattle was getting nine points), the Seahawks took over at their own five-yard line. Hasselbeck then successfully moved the offense to Arizona’s 25-yard line and it appeared that the Seahawks would cut into their deficit with either a field goal or a touchdown and help bettors out in the process.

But being the gracious person he is, Hasselbeck threw into triple coverage on 2nd and 10 and was intercepted by Antrel Rolle.

“Damn!” Mr. Bettor is thinking to himself. “Could have been a nice backdoor cover.”

But then Seattle’s defense gives Mr. Bettor a sliver of hope by forcing Arizona to a three-and-out and giving the offense the ball back with 3:05 remaining. The crafty Hasselbeck once again led the Seahawks into Arizona territory and then down to the Cardinals’ 3-yard line.

“You sweet son of a bitch! You’re going to save me, Matt,” Mr. Bettor screams.

Then, in one of the dumbest decisions of the NFL season, Hasselbeck gets the snap, almost fumbles it, and then tries to shovel it to his running back three feet in front of him. But instead of falling incomplete or into the loving arms of his running back, Adrian Wilson comes out of nowhere and snatches the ball out of the air like the Black Angel of Death he is. (It was actually a great play by Wilson; one of the best of the day.)

“Are you serious?! What were you thinking?! What were you thinking! F-you Matt, you pile of garbage!”

Game over. A field goal in either one of those situations probably would have given bettors a cover, but instead they had to watch as Hasselbeck lost his mind on two separate occasions.

He must have had the Cardinals –9.

Fantasy Quick-Hitters: Welker, Mendenhall, Forsett and more

Bill Belichick: Wes Welker “was inactive because he wasn’t able to play.” Thanks for the information, Bill. Welker owners should absolutely have Julian Edelman on their roster, especially in PPR leagues. He’s also worth a look for non-Welker owners who have a spot open on their bench. If Welker’s injury lingers, Edelman is startable on a weekly basis. On Sunday, he ran all the same routes that Welker usually does and racked up 98 yards on eight receptions. He was targeted 16 times by Tom Brady. The Pats play in the first round of games on Sunday, so you’ll know early on whether or not to put Edelman in your lineup.

Mendenhall’s role to grow? HC Mike Tomlin insinuated that it will. Mendenhall had a 39-yard run in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Bears, and showed a burst that neither Willie Parker nor Mewelde Moore seem to offer right now. The original plan was some sort of committee, so don’t expect Mendenhall to take over and become a featured back. Even if Parker were to go down, Moore would be in on all third downs at a minimum.

The Seahawks planning to be without Hasselbeck in Week 3. Hasselbeck has a fractured rib and may not be able to play. Seneca Wallace isn’t a bad backup and has been a productive fantasy player in the past. He wouldn’t be a bad start for fantasy owners in two-QB leagues or for those owners that are in dire straits in standard leagues.

Cutler: Olsen “might have a 10-catch game coming up.” Don’t panic and cut ties with Olsen. He is still one of the most gifted pass-catching TEs in the league and his numbers will recover. He could have had a big game against the Steelers if not for a great hit along the sideline on a 20-yard catch (that jarred the ball loose) and a slip in the endzone on a sure-TD.

Justin Forsett coming on. I added him to my list of waiver wire acquisitions. Julius Jones is all right, but Forsett is gaining, and clearly outplayed him on Sunday. The Seahawks aren’t married to Jones, as evidenced by the Edgerrin James signing. Since he has big upside, Forsett is a good guy to roster and is worthy of flex/bye week starts in PPR formats.

King: Hasselbeck expected to play, McNabb doubtful for Week 3

According to SI.com’s Peter King, Matt Hasselbeck is expected to play this week against the Bears despite suffering a rib injury in Sunday’s loss to the 49ers.

From King’s Twitter page:

Re injuries: Am told Westbrook not bad, should play this week. Ditto Hasselbeck. McNabb? Still very sore. But Vick will only play spot duty.

King also reiterated on NBC last night that McNabb was doubtful to play in Week 3 as he continues to battle a rib injury himself. As King noted, the Eagles will continue to start Kevin Kolb (or get Jeff Garcia ready?) and ease Vick into games in sub packages.

Kolb threw for 391 yards and two touchdowns on 31 of 51 passing, although he did throw three interceptions. I know Andy Reid likes to throw the ball, but it’s probably never a good sign if Kolb is attempting 51 passes. Fortunately for the Eagles, they host Kansas City this Sunday and have their bye in Week 4.

Talk about a great time for the bye.

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