Top 6 QB Handcuffs for 2013 Fantasy Football
2013 Fantasy Football Top 6 QB Handcuffs
When you mention fantasy football handcuffs, everyone’s first thought is either running backs or Darren McFadden. While that is fair to a certain extent, the injury bug doesn’t limit itself to just running backs. Bill Gramatica injured himself celebrating a successful field goal. Tom Brady was lost on his first snap of the season in 2009. Sean Payton got taken out while on the sideline. I’m assuming Rob Gronkowski might be having surgery at this very moment.
You should always, always, always have a backup ready to go in fantasy. While it is a little different with quarterbacks due to the large pool from which to choose, you need to have at least one backup at each position. If you play in a one quarterback league, you need to have two starting quarterbacks on your roster. If you play in a two quarterback league, it is going to be a little tougher to grab a quality backup. You might want to consider grabbing the real life backup of a quarterback who has a history of getting injured or poor play. There are a few backup quarterbacks out there that realistically could be starters on other teams.
While I would never wish injury on anyone, some quarterbacks have a history of injury. Some play a style that sooner or later might catch up to them. Either way, there are a few backups that are worth having should the starter go down. If you have the bench space, you might want to consider grabbing one of these guys.
Dustin Manko is a contributing writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DustinManko, ”Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
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Matt Moore
Just when Matt Moore has a solid chance to grab a starting gig, he somehow always finds a way to show the league that he is not a starting quarterback. However as a backup and coming off the bench, Moore has performed respectably. The addition of Mike Wallace is a big help to whoever is quarterbacking the Miami Dolphins, as Wallace is always a deep play threat. If Ryan Tannehill hits the sophomore slump, Moore is a slight notch above “game manager” for the Dolphins.
Kevin Kolb
After getting taken out by a floor mat, and then seeing E.J. Manuel play well, it was all but a formality that Manuel would be the starter. Then an MRI on Manuel’s knee revealed he needed surgery and now Manuel is rushing to be back for the season opener, leaving Kevin Kolb as the potential starter for the time being. It is only a matter of time before Manuel gets the nod again. While Kolb can no longer be considered a top tier QB like people thought he was after those huge games he had for the Philadelphia Eagles, he will have the chance to throw the ball to C.J. Spiller, which won’t hurt.
Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins is the backup to Robert Griffin III. Jon Gruden said that he would trade a first round draft choice to earn his rights if Gruden had a team to manage. Griffin plays a style that involves a fair amount of running and is coming off a major knee surgery over the summer. Griffin also has a history of being injured all the way back to his days at Baylor. Should Griffin go down, Cousins is a rock solid choice to come in and lead the way for the Washington Redskins.
Nick Foles
Do you really think that 33 year-old Michael Vick will play all 16 games this season? Vick has played 10 seasons in the NFL and has only once played all 16. Nick Foles has almost matched Vick’s stats this preseason, and when (not if) Vick gets hurt, Foles will have plenty of chances to succeed in Chip Kelly's high octane offense. Factor in LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson as weapons, and Foles could be one of the more interesting options out there.
Kyle Orton
Tony Romo's offensive line is, well, offensive to fans of the Dallas Cowboys. It is a revolving door of shuffling parts, none of which bodes well for Romo, who has been sacked 36 times in each of the last two seasons. While that may not change should Kyle Orton come into the game, he does have over 14,000 passing yards and 81 touchdowns to his NFL resume. He is not flashy, but with weapons like Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and Miles Austin, there is certainly potential for Orton to do well.
Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill has the advantage of playing for the pass happy Detroit Lions. Matt Stafford has a history of getting injured, missing 19 games in his four year career. If Stafford mirrors the Detroit economy and goes down hard, Hill will get to throw the ball to playmakers like Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush. He has performed remarkably when called into action in the past, engineering late game comeback drives, and putting up solid statistical lines in Stafford’s absences.
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