Rookie quarterbacks often are fantasy poison. At best, they normally are inconsistent — think Colt McCoy this year or Mark Sanchez last year. At worst, they are downright miserable — think Jimmy Clausen.
Even Ben Roethlisberger,
who was 13-0 as a starter in his first season, was not a fantasy gem — throwing for 300 yards just once with no more than two touchdowns in one game in 2004.
So why is the Tracker high on Rams rookie quarterback Sam Bradford? After all, he plays on a bad team and he comes from spread system at Oklahoma in college, a system that doesn’t have a good track for producing NFL-worthy quarterbacks.
For one, maybe the Rams aren’t that bad, at least not in comparison with their NFC West counterparts. In fact, we expect Bradford to lead them to a division title, though they might be able to do it with a 7-9 mark.
Also, that fact he played in a spread offense doesn’t disqualify him, it just provided an additional hurdle — having played almost exclusively in the shotgun in college, he needed to learn better footwork to routinely take snaps under center.
More than those things, though, it is his on-field performance since donning his horns. He has just two multiple-interception games — three picks in the opener vs. the Cardinals and two in Week 5 at Detroit. Last week, he threw three TDs and no picks on the road in Denver.
The only really tough matchup remaining for Bradford in Week 14 at New Orleans. So if you’re struggling at quarterback, don’t be afraid to bench signal callers on the level of Donovan McNabb or Brett Favre or, based on matchups, start Bradford ahead of Matt Schaub, Eli Manning, Ryan Fitzpatrick or Sanchez.
dloftis@nypost.com
BIG WEEKS
Matt Cassel, QB
Chiefs, vs. Broncos
Has thrown multiple TDs in six of the past seven games. Broncos have yielded 23 passing TDs vs. just six INTs.
Mike Williams, WR
Buccaneers, vs. Falcons
Expect the Bucs to attack the Atlanta pass defense, ranked 27th, rather than test its strong run defense.
Felix Jones, RB
Cowboys, at Colts
Getting more touches in Dallas’ re-invigorated offense. Colts have trouble stopping ground game, plus Jones is effective in the passing game as well (seven catches last week).
Malcolm Floyd, WR
Chargers, vs. Raiders
With WR Vincent Jackson out and TE Antonio Gates questionable, look for Floyd to finally recapture early-season form after dealing with a hamstring injury.
Toby Gerhart, RB
Vikings, vs. Bills
Starter Adrian Peterson is nursing an ankle injury. Even if AP plays, expect Gerhart to get a heavier share of the load against a weak Bills run defense.
SMALL WEAKS
Calvin Johnson, WR
Lions, vs. Bears
Drew Stanton is in at QB for the Lions vs. a pass defense that has picked off 16 while allowing just eight TDs through the air. With no running game, expect Bears to blanket Detroit’s only offensive weapon.
Ray Rice, RB
Ravens, vs. Steelers
Pittsburgh has allowed the fewest rushing yards in the league, by a wide margin, and given up just four TDs on the ground this season. Plus, Rice isn’t guaranteed goal-line carries.
Chad Ochocinco, WR
Bengals, vs. Saints
The Saints have given up a league-low seven passing TDs. Bengals QB Carson Palmer has not looked sharp. And if Terrell Owens can’t go, more attention for Ocho.
Brian Westbrook, RB
49ers, at Packers
Having ankle trouble after breakout game as sub for injured Frank Gore. It doesn’t help that Green Bay has allowed just five rushing TDs and only two backs to top 100 yards all season.
Donovan McNabb, QB
Redskins, vs. Giants
Big Blue are allowing fewer than 190 passing yards a game, and fierce pass rush should keep McNabb on the run.