Ultimate Fantasy Quarterback - Nominations Greg Allen, Fantasy Football Staff Writer Sep 10, 2003 | More

It was great to finally watch NFL football games that mattered again!  We had to wait almost 8 months and boy was it worth it.  There were some surprise upsets, some blowouts, some last minute wins and one team that forgot that the season started this week (the Patriots).

This season we are attempting to see which quarterback has what it takes to be the Ultimate Fantasy Quarterback.  We started with 18 of the top QBs in the league and each week two players will be nominated.   The two lowest fantasy producers of the week, based upon the Shark League scoring system, will be put on the block.  You will be able to vote to put one of them on the waiver wire and out of the competition.  We will continue this each week until only one Quarterback is left standing.

Let’s take a look at some of the top Fantasy Quarterback performances of week 1.  Those guys that are in the competition are all safe and will remain in the hunt.  Their performances are worthy of some special recognition this week:

Jeff Blake (Arizona) – This is a guy that I gave no props to before the season began.  I still don’t know if this guy is for real, but he had a huge day, 363 Yds passing and 3 TDs.  Two of the touchdowns were to rookie WR Anquan Boldin so if he is still available on the waiver system in your league, you may want to put in a claim.

Joey Harrington (Detroit) – The young guy had a big day with only 195 Yds passing but throwing for 4 TDs.  Two of the touchdowns were to rookie WR Charles Rogers, but it is less likely that he is available in larger leagues.  Joey will put up very good numbers in the right spots so watch out for Detroit’s opponent and play him accordingly.

Jeff Garcia (San Francisco) – What hurt back?  Jeff made a lot of fantasy owners who drafted him late happy as he threw for 229 Yds and 3 TDs (1 Rushing).  Garcia has some weapons in Owens and Streets so the only thing that will keep him from putting up big numbers each week will be his health.

Daunte Culpepper (Minnesota) – Daunte was one of the top QBs drafted in every fantasy draft and his owners got what they expected.  He threw for 195 Yds and 3 TDs and ran for 50 additional Yds.  He did fumble twice so watch for that in leagues that penalize fumbles.

Tommy Maddox (Pittsburgh) – Tommy picked up where he left off last season and made Steeler fans comfortable that they let Kordell go (OK, they would have been comfortable with me back there calling the signals).  He threw for 260 Yds and 3 TDs.

Now to the guys at the bottom of the list.

Peyton Manning (Indianapolis) – Peyton and the entire Colts offense struggled this week.  He threw for 211, 0 TDs and 2 INTs.  Peyton needed to rely on PK Mike Vanderjagt for 3 Field Goals to overcome the Browns.

Kelly Holcomb (Cleveland) – Kelly was named the starter and then struggled as he threw for only 182 Yds, 0 TDs and 2 INTs.  Cleveland has a deep crew of WRs but couldn’t get it going this week.

Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia) – Donovan struggled early and often against the mighty Tampa Bay defense.  The reason Donovan did so poorly was due more to the intensity of Tampa than it was because of his own problems.  He should bounce back from the 148 Yds, 0 TDs and 1 INT.  Donovan did rush for 55 Yds, but that didn’t help his cause.  Their best chance at a score was when backup QB Koy Detmer attempted a fake field goal but his pass was dropped in the endzone.

Vinny Testaverde (NY Jets) – Vinny was expecting to be holding a clipboard and collecting a paycheck about now, so the fact he survived a game and can play again next week is a miracle.  He threw for only 105 Yds and 0 TDs.  The Jets looked lost on the field and it could be a long season for Vinny and the Jets.

Tom Brady (New England) – Nothing went right for the Patriots as they were shut out to division rivals Buffalo.  Lawyer Milloy had a whirlwind of a week and ended up helping Buffalo to the victory.  Tom threw for 123 Yds, 0 TDs and 4 INTs.

Jake Plummer (Denver) – Jake was not the second coming of John Elway, at least not this week.  The Snake struggled with only 115 Yds, 0 TDs and 3 INTs.  Fortunately for Jake, he has the big guy Clinton Portis running for him and they still won the game.

Nominations

So this week we lock all 18 QBs in the locker room and nominate Jake Plummer and Tom Brady for the waiver wire.  Both were truly horrible and deserve to be the first QB voted out of the competition.  You can help decide, place your vote now and help decide the Ultimate Fantasy Quarterback!