You young kids might not remember, but there was a time when Peyton Manning was a dominant quarterback. When his name was alongside Tom Brady as the best in the game. When having him on your fantasy team was a decided advantage.
Oh, where has the time gone?
Check the history books, or you youngsters, look it up on Webopedia or whatever you do. You might have to dig a little, but you will find it’s true: Peyton Manning was great. Me, I remember it well, like it was only last year, because it was just last year.
The day was Nov. 23, 2014, and Peyton Manning was a fantasy giant. He carved up the Dolphins that day, throwing four touchdowns and 257 yards in a 39-36 shootout win. And others enjoyed the fruits of Manning’s prowess. Demaryius Thomas hauled in three TDs. That was the same day we were introduced to running back C.J. Anderson, who racked up 167 rushing yards and a touchdown. Everything Denver was fantasy gold.
And now? Well, now that fantasy has vanished. Manning hasn’t had a huge fantasy week since. He limped to the finish last year, a thigh injury that lasted a couple weeks contributing to the malaise. But many thought he would bounce back this year, at the age of 39. That didn’t happen.
After Sunday’s historically bad outing, in which his interceptions (four) nearly matched his completions (five), if you haven’t punted on Manning, you have no more excuses. He scored 20 points in his best fantasy outing of the season, Week 2 against the Chiefs. Six QBs average more than that. His fantasy totals trail journeyman backup-turned-Browns-starter Josh McCown. And McCown has missed three games!
Manning is dealing with rib and foot injuries, which made the decision to sit him easy for Broncos coach Gary Kubiak. But it should have been easy anyway. Whatever Brock Osweiler is, it’s got to be better than what we’ve seen from Manning. If you have Manning on your fantasy team, and somehow you still are alive, then you likely already found a solution. If not, you might as well grab Osweiler.
The more pressing issue is the impact on other Broncos. Osweiler is an athletic quarterback who can buy time in the pocket. This bodes well for Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and possibly, eventually, new tight end Vernon Davis. If anything, the receivers get a slight upgrade. But the running game likely won’t change. The offensive line isn’t getting better. Anderson, whose fantasy nosedive rivals Manning’s, isn’t getting any faster. Ronnie Hillman is, well, Ronnie Hillman.
For your QB fix, check in to see if Tony Romo is sitting quietly on the waiver wire. Otherwise, pick from the scraps that are there — Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston, Mark Sanchez, even Case Keenum.
Holy cow! Did I just recommend Peyton Manning for Case Keenum? The guy who couldn’t beat out Nick Foles until this week? Nick Foles is soooo bad.
But that is what this fantasy world has come to. Oh, but for the good ol’ days.