Vince’s Minimalist QB Cheatsheet: A New Paradigm
July 27th, 2010 by Vince Mullins
A simpler life is really all I want for Christmas.
Do not let Stephen Garcia sack your season - just leave him off your cheatsheet. (Icon SMI)
Perhaps it is because I turned 40 this year, maybe the weight of the overflowing closet and storage bunker, but most likely the motivator is that October 4 arrival of my first child – wrap it all together and I just have this overwhelming need to simplify tasks, work more productively, and leave time for what I deem the important things in life. ZenHabits.net remains a weekly meditation for me on the subject, and I suggest you try it out.
So how does this apply to fantasy college football? A fair question. For our readers it really means three things;
- I will be producing less print content in-season and focusing more on podcasting and audio where my true media passions lie.
- I would like that lesser load to leave me more time to interact with readers, whether on Twitter or email.
- You need a more streamlined and effective way to prepare your cheat sheets.
I will start off with the QB List – and for all FBS, my cheat sheet stands around 40 names. Sure, I could rank all 120 in order, but should I really sweat whether to put Stephen Garcia (right) above Ben Chappell? Doesn’t that just lead to more clutter on my cheatsheets anyway since I NEVER planned on selecting either one? Plus, unless I have the #1 or #2 overall pick I am not going QB for any of my drafts. Yours may differ. After the jump, my pre-camp minimalist QB Cheatsheet and my rationale.
Oh, and do not fret if you long for the long form of Fantasy College Blitz cheatsheets – CFO Drew Smith and Tim Dady “Base” are burning the candles on both ends and crunching numbers and spreadsheets as I type, with the August 1 debut of our 2010 Cheatsheet Customizer. THAT will have 100s at each position to help you with your specific league setups.
OK, first off is my list based on all-FBS and standard scoring (4 pt pass TD). The “^” means could move higher as news comes in. Be patient, there is a reason some names are missing.
Vince’s Minimalist QB List
1 Case Keenum HOU – a value at #1 overall
2 C Kaepernick NV - Like a QB and an RB rolled up into one. Lock for 3k-1k with 30+ TD
3 Dwight Dasher MT - Sure, Tony Franklin is gone, but none of his OL starters are and a cake sked. A top ten RB stats comparison.
4 Jerrod Johnson TAM – Could be a #1 in other years.
5 Zach Collaros CIN - Minimal changes to the Cincy attack – Gilyard is replaceable.
6 GJ Kinne TUL - so much upside potential in the Tulsa set.
7 Blaine Gabbert MIZ - I predict Chase Daniel type digits, but am aware of the new WR corps.
8 Kellen Moore^ BST - Maybe the second safest pick, since he will barely get touched after the Virginia Tech game.
9 Ricky Dobbs NVY – legit Heisman potential, put him at #5 if your league gives 6pt for TD.
10 Jake Locker WAS - NFL #1 consensus for 2011 – but quite a leap to put him anything higher than #10 fantasy.
11 Landry Jones OKL – Y’al know I do not care for Sooners, but respect is due here. Great offense talent returning.
12 Kyle Padron SMU – 600 attempts are possible, plus Padron can tuck it.
13 Brandon Weeden OKS - 500 attempts but only four offensive starters return (FBS low)
14 Terrelle Pryor^ OSU – one must respect Phil Steele’s Heisman pick, potential 3k-1k…most mocks undervalue his upside.
15 Diondre Borel UTST - maybe should be lower, but great dual threat
16 Cam Newton AUB – I expect Tebow-like numbers in 2010 (35 TDs, maybe the 3k-1k)
17 Bryant Moniz HAW - cuts down on picks and he could be a QB1
18 Andy Dalton TCU - great value for the dual threat who plays with short fields.
19 C. Ponder FSU - One of my mocks, I got him and Newton as my QBs. I would be happy to attack any league with that combo since one of them WILL point strongly.
20 Ryan Mallett ARK - I like the system, I like his physique. I DO NOT LIKE his poor completion percentage nor the lack of info on his injury. But I appreciate his potential.
21 Robert Griffin BAY – every college football fan wants to see him healthy.
22 Andrew Luck STA - pushing Locker for the NFL #1 overall in 2011 – should throw more this season without Gerhart behind him.
23 Austen Arnaud IST - another good spread QB. Boy, that doesn’t sound like a ringing endorsement.
24 BJ Daniels USF - best “backyard QB” in the nation, but that leads to lots of big plays and lots of poor ones.
25 Austin Davis SMS – gotta like any QB in a Fedora system. Plus throwing to DeAndre Brown
26 John Brantley^ UF - no Tebow like numbers expected, but he could point like healthy Cincy QB of yore like Ben Mauk or Tony Pike
27 Garrett Gilbert^ TEX - I have a sneaking suspicion his first full year will be more like Colt McCoy and less like Robert Marve
28 Ryan Lindley SDS – Great coaches and targets. I think Phil Steele made a huge mistake not having the Aztec WR group on his top 34. I will take Brown and Sampson over any Red Raider in 2010.
29 Jacory Harris MIA - loves the deep ball, can run and his thumb is healthy. Great athletes all around, but the schedule is more brutal then the Khmer Rouge after the FAMU opener.
30 Trevor Vittatoe UTEP - his 2009 season made him more undervalued than Xerox stock. Seriously, this cat put up a 59-16 ratio in his freshman and soph seasons, and disappointed last year because they found a running game. I like him to bounce back well.
Specualtions (these are late round guys who should give mid-level performances)
Ryan Katz Oregon St - great cast, Mike Riley always coaches up his QBs well.
Dan Persa NW - he is Persa-tile…a dual threat in a proven spread system
Ricky Stanzi Iowa – he knows no fear, so what will extra film study and a healthy ankle mean for 2010?
Jeremiah Masoli ??? – a great 16th rd pick, you can cut him easily if no school picks him up. But if they do, you got pure upside.
Matt Barkley USC – undervalued in some mocks, some talent is leaving but the cupboards are full in SoCal.
Alex Carder WMU - Bill Cubit loses a three-year starter in Tim Hiller, but has a decade long track record of solid QBs – Carder or Burdi look to be the starter. neither drafted in the NCAA Project league (24 teams, 16 rounds)
Tom Savage RUT – all the talent in the world and Mo Sanu to throw too. Add in a easy schedule and this is great value.
Austyn Carta-Samuels WY - great coaches with a great offensive pedigree.
Kevin Prince UCLA - I will place a bet on a Neuheisel QB. Wait, that didn’t sound right.
Texas Tech QB – regardless of your thoughts on the “Tuberville discount”, Sticks or Potts should still do well.
LaTech QB – maybe Masoli here? If not, Tony Franklin makes QB stars like Simon Cowell makes pop stars.
Dayne Crist ND? – my choice for the gig, and since when do people undervalue Brian Kelly QBs? 16th round in a Geek Mock? Unacceptable.
—
Now, about the big names missing.
Russell Wilson, NC State - I don’t trust him, mainly due to most of his stats coming versus weak opponents. The baseball thing is a non-issue for 2010, but I just don’t like the setup.
Tyrod Taylor, VaTech - I might be wrong, but he can go 2500-600 with 25 TD without me…smells like a Juice Williams setup to me.
Nick Foles, Arizona – likely splitting duties with a running QB
Nathan Enderle, Idaho - great story for 2009, but this is 2010. His favorite possession receiver and top rusher are gone.
Stephen Garcia, South Carolina - Yes, a Spurrier QB, but since Rex Grossman, that and a $1 gets you a coffee at the Gas-n-Sip. Pass.
I hope my vision for an efficient and minimalist cheatsheet resonates with you as it does me. Use our insight on the Cheatsheet Customizer to start your journey, then customize it yourself even more!
Over the next couple weeks I will post the RB and WR lists, and you should expect them to be a tad bit longer. but not much.
Related posts:
- Vince’s Minimalist Cheat Sheet: The new paradigm
- Vince’s Minimalist RB Cheatsheet: A new Paradigm
- Minimalist Cheatsheet (All-FBS) v3
- 2011 Minimalist Cheatsheet (all-FBS)
- 2011 Minimalist Cheatsheet (All-FBS) v2 UPDATED
Tags: Minimalist, QB
