Fantasy Roundtable
In a new feature here on Arena Football Online, we've assembled our staff of experts to answer some of the questions raised by fantasy owners during the course of the year. If you want to submit a question to the roundtable, email us at info@arenafootballonline.com and put Roundtable Question in the subject line.
What kind of value do Avenger QB Tim Hicks and Rush QB Russ Michna have right now and do you expect them to remain the starters for 2008?
Simon McGrotherIf I had a choice of one of these two QBs, I would definitely take Michna. I think that Hicks will score more per start and has prime-time skills to go with an explosive offensive team, but he's going to lose the starting job as soon as Sonnie Cumbie is fit, which seems likely to be very soon. So over the long haul Michna is going to be the better choice, since he appears to have secured the starting role in Chicago. Michna is going to be a solid QB2, or low end QB1, but if your scoring favors rushing TDs that would boost his value still further.
Scott LangeI think Tim Hicks' performance the past two weeks has earned him the starting job until further notice. In his first three starts in the AFL, Hicks has thrown for 1097 yards with 21 TDs to go along with 37 yards on the ground and a rushing TD. He has looked much more comfortable within the offense and I see Hicks having QB1 value for the rest of the season. I don't see Cumbie starting for the Avengers unless Hicks cools off. The Chicago scenario is a little different. Sherdrick Bonner looks healthy as he sits on the side lines, but Russ Michna has apparently taken over the starting QB spot for the Rush, or has he? Bonner's age may be catching up to him, but he does have the experience the Rush needs to go to the Arena Bowl. I'm not sold on Micha starting for the rest of the year, so I would view him as a QB2 right now. Michna has looked very good though relieving Bonner, so it should be interesting to see who the Rush wants as their QB.
Paul CelmerBoth Hicks and Michna started the season as backups yet both have have great potential. Hicks has had some very nice numbers, as has Michna. The Rush have been quietly putting Michna in the lineup early in the season even in games where Bonner was the starter. So it seems there is a long-term plan to transition away from Bonner to Michna. And I think Michna is a potential superstar that will be the starter in 2009. But for the rest of this season, I don't think we have seen the last of AFL legend Sherdrick Bonner. Hicks, however, will remain the starter. Hicks does not have quite the long-term value that Michna does, but the Sonny Cumbie turnover experiment in LA is over, and Hicks has what it takes to put up bigtime numbers for the Avengers.
Rich GiorgiActually, I think both of these quarterbacks have value for this season. Tim Hicks has been impressive taking over for Sonny Cumbie and now he's starting to get on a roll, throwing for 8 TDs in each of the past two weeks. Cumbie will sit and watch for a while longer this season but if Hicks falters it would not surprise me to see Cumbie win his job back. However, in Chicago the situation is a little firmer. Russ Michna is the starter. According to reports, Michna had the better training camp and the Chicago faithful have been calling for him ever since. Michna doesn't have the arm that Hicks does, but his running ability makes him an interesting fantasy choice. Now if he only remembers that he plays with Damian Harrell, we could see a phenomonal end of the season from Michna.
Which QB should be starting in Philadelphia?
Rich GiorgiMatt D'Orazio should be starting in Philly, mainly because Graziani hasn't shown even the remote ability to stay healthy. True, it was a cheap shot that put Graz down this year but the Soul still have to deal with the ramifications of that cheap shot. Graziani hasn't played a full season since 2005 and it doesn't seem like he will again at the current pace. However, I think the Soul will insist on getting Graziani into the big game this week against Dallas, which could lead to an even worse injury.
Scott LangeTough call here, but I would go with Matt D'Orazio. He's proven he can be a productive AFL QB and lead a team to the playoffs with the Rush last year. The big thing D'Raz has that Graz does not have is his rushing ability. Graz will stay in the pocket and take a beating, whereas D'Orazio will take off and try to make something happen. That being said, I don't see the Soul letting Matt take over the offense unless Graziani stays injured.
Simon McGrotherTony Graziani, without a doubt. Matt D'Orazio has done everything you can ask of a backup: maintain the team's form while the starter is hurt. But "maintain" here is the key. The Soul were just as good with Tony under center, and there's nothing to suggest that the team would struggle in any way to reincorporate him. An enviable position for the Soul to be in, but Tony G has to be the man. For fantasy owners I am worried that they may end up splitting time, which would be a worst case scenario.
Paul CelmerGraziani, when healthy is the better QB. But not by much. Both D'Orazio and Graziani have been efficient and productive, so the Soul have been very fortunate. The much younger D'Orazio has the rushing capability that the old veteran Graziani obviously lacks, but Graziani is a more accurate and consistent passer. Graziani's experience and ability to read defenses makes him the better option, at least for this season. But the clock is ticking away.
Paul Celmer, aka The Philosopher of Arena Football is a member of the Arena Football League Writers Association and a founding member of Arena Football Online. Contact Paul at pcelmer@arenafootballonline.com
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