If you don’t know who these douchebags are that’s fine, it probably just means you’re under 40 or had exceedingly good taste in the eighties.
QB Battles are wrapping up left and right, time for a quick look back and where I was right and where I was wrong, and the implications for fantasy.
QB Battle #1: Cam Newton vs Mac Jones
One month ago I wrote that Mac Jones, barring showing himself to be a liability with accuracy or against the rush, would allow the Pats to get back to the kind of offense they want to run. I predicted that Belicihik and McDaniels would use Mac to get back to the old way of doing things sooner rather than later.
On August 4th I wrote that it appeared to be more Cam’s job to lose than Mac’s to win, and it was hard to see him not start the first half of the season, barring a meltdown by Cam. Cam’s awful first preseason game and his COVID debacle have definitely opened the door for Mac, but I have the feeling Cam will still get the start. However I don’t see him starting the first half of the season. He may not start the second half of the first game.
Reason being, as Tom Curran so eloquently put it, Mac Jones has made an incredibly solid case, most notably in joint practice with the Giants with Cam out. He has been not only the highest rated rookie passer in the preseason, he is one of the highest rated passers in the NFL this preseason.
This one is still, for some reason, undecided, but it’s not because we don’t know which QB makes the offense better and gives the team a better chance to win. And yes, you should be looking at him as a late-round QB3 in Superflex leagues. And unless you have a bye to cover in week 4, I wouldn’t worry about picking up Cam.
Fantasy Implications: Bump Meyers, Harris, White
QB Battle #2: Winston vs Hill
Winston slammed the door shut on any idea of Taysom starting with an eye-popping performance against the Jags first-team D. 9/10 passing, 128 yards, 2 TDs, and amazing pocket awareness on his second touchdown throw to recognize an unblocked defender, move to his right and time his throw to Callaway perfectly.
A month ago I wrote that barring any really negative camp reports or disasters in the preseason, he should win the starting job and was a steal at QB2 as the 28th QB off the board. I will admit after the first preseason game my confidence was shaken after neither QB really distinguished himself and he seemed hesitant in the pocket.
After Monday night’s game I dropped Matt Ryan for him in my Superflex money league (over $3k to first) and I’m happy with that decision still. I would not be surprised to see Jameis finish in the top-7 this year, even with Taysom coming in inside the five.
Fantasy Implications: Bump all Saints skill players, especially Callaway
QB Battle #3: Lock vs Bridgewater
A month ago I wrote that either player would be essentially a warm body at QB.
After the first preseason game I wrote that I thought Lock was the winner, but that I could see him playing his way out of the position and Teddy couldn’t overtake him on his own merits.
Though Lock did essentially sink his own ship in the second preseason game, I’ll say I was wrong here. Steady Teddy makes more sense for a team with a good defense and two good running backs, and Lock’s erratic play would torpedo the defense’s ability to keep them in games.
Fantasy Implications: Bump Jeudy, Fant, downgrade Sutton
QB Battle #4: Fields vs Dalton
I’m still calling for a vague injury after Dalton gets destroyed behind what is now a suspect offensive line against the Rams week 1. Too bad because Fields could actually give the Bears a chance to win that game. If Nagy keeps Dalton in over Fields beyond that, expect calls for his head to get deafening in Chicago. If he keeps him in beyond week 4and the Bears are losing, Nagy and Pace should both be fired.
Fantasy Implications: Bump Rams Defense, Allen Robinson
QB Battle #5: Lance vs Garroppolo
At some point, probably against the Packers, 49ers fans will see this announcement and collectively lose their shit. However Lance has looked shaky at times during the preseason and might actually benefit from sitting for a game or three. But that’s it.
I originally predicted at the start of camps that we may not see Lance until November. I think he has greatly accelerated that timeline, but Jimmy will start the season and likely pile up a few wins. However, if Rodgers builds to a big lead in week 3, we may see a switch at halftime.
Fantasy Implications: Bump Deebo, Mostert; Downgrade Sherfield
Fake QB Battle: Trevor Lawrence vs Gaslighting
I’m not even going to write about Lawrence or his preseason. Instead I am going to write about what a clueless, inept jackass his coach is.
We have not even finished the preseason and he is already losing the locker room. And he tried really, really hard to do it. Urban Meyer has already proven that he is totally unfit for the NFL, and Shahid Khan is an idiot for bringing him out of retirement.
Meyer could have, at any point, looked at what had not worked for other college coaches making the transition to the pros, and learned from their mistakes. He could have realized that he is now dealing with professionals, not kids (Saban), and that gimmicky crap doesn’t work (Kelly).
Instead, he chose not to learn anything and immediately began repeating their mistakes, essentially gaslighting his number 1 pick and the media with a laughably false QB “competition” and bringing back Tim Tebow.
He has started off by insulting his number 1 pick and the entire NFL community in general, insulting every player on the camp roster by giving a spot to someone who hadn’t played a snap of pro football for years, and oh yeah, hiring a racist on staff.
I hate this for Lawrence, as he is saddled with a coach clearly out of his depth who refuses to learn, and an owner who clearly doesn’t give two shits about his team. He’s a good kid and a huge talent and if Meyer stays in Jacksonville past this season, his career and talent are going to be wasted.
I’m also sorry for anyone in Jacksonville who had hope for this team after wallowing in mediocrity for years. Because if Kahn cared or knew what he was doing, Eric Bienemy would currently be your head coach and you would be looking at a potentially great run with Lawrence under center. Instead you got a clown, hired by a clown, and a really shitty circus.