Focus: Josh McCown
A weekly expository look at players who have momentum

Each week, Daniel Gilford reviews a player who has performed well recently. Daniel analyzes the player’s past performances, evaluates his present value, and projects his future significance as a fantasy football player. In week 5, Josh McCown finds the focus spotlight. This Arizona quarterback has certainly had his ups and downs, but his newfound starting role could prove to be a boon for fantasy football owners.

Past

Josh McCown’s football career began at Jacksonville (Tex.) High School. As a senior in high school he was an excellent passer and had 30 touchdowns and only nine interceptions, leading his team to a 12-1 performance.

Josh went on to SMU (Southern Methodist) and later transferred to Sam Houston State to complete his degree … and to play football. As a college player he broke nearly every school record, and averaged a passing completion percentage of 60.2%, second all-time in school history. In his last six games as a college football quarterback, he threw for over 300 yards five times. He was considered as one of the 16 players to receive the Walter Payton award.

In 2002, Josh was drafted with the 16th pick of the third round by the Arizona Cardinals. In his rookie season he rode the bench, throwing only 18 passes all season. But in 2003, McCown got an opportunity. He completed 57.2 percent of his throws, played in 10 games, and threw for five touchdowns and six interceptions.

Despite his slow start, McCown showed some promise in 2004. Playing in 14 games, he racked up over 2500 yards and threw 233 completed passes. Most importantly, he started to get the feel for leading an NFL team, and starting his team on the path to winning games.

But in spite of all this, Dennis Green benched McCown near the end of the 2004 season, just when Josh was starting to get his rhythm going. It seemed time would tell if McCown would be able to ever be a consistent starter for an NFL team.

Performance

During the off-season, the Cardinals acquired Kurt Warner, the veteran quarterback who has played in many playoff games. They believed that he would provide that push that Arizona needs to make the playoffs this year. No dice. After three games as a starter, Warner averaged 232 yards a game, and had only thrown one touchdown pass.

An injury to Warner in Week 3 set the stage for Josh McCown to take the field. Last week McCown took over the starting role once more. Unfortunately, he had a rough start.

In the very first play from scrimmage, Josh stepped back to pass. Out of nowhere came a San Francisco defensive lineman. In a second, Josh McCown was lying on the ground, watching helplessly as Derek Smith walked into the end zone for a touchdown on the fumble.

But the game didn’t end there. McCown was able to rally his team and win the game, 31-14. He also electrified the first ever foreign crowd by throwing for 385 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, McCown did not throw a single interception during the game.

Potential

With the Cardinals having only one season with a winning record in the past twenty years, it is imperative that this team get something going.

Josh McCown showed us in Mexico that he has what it takes. Even though he was playing against the worst secondary in the NFL, he still showed brilliance beyond average play.

In the weeks to come, McCown will have his opportunity to win the starting job back for good. His mentor, Kurt Warner, will be out till week 7 according to reports, which gives McCown one more game to solidify his role in this offense.

Playing against the Carolina Panthers this week, McCown could emerge as the starter, and I think he will. Although the Panthers are only giving up an average of 226 passing yards a game and 24 points a game, I like McCown’s odds this week. Carolina has only picked off three passes and doesn’t get all that many sacks, which gives a young quarterback a prime opportunity to light it up.

Why will he do well? Besides the favorable matchup this week, he has two excellent young receivers to throw to. This is the primary reason McCown has a great shot at making an impact. Who wouldn’t want to play with Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald as their wide receivers?

If Josh McCown can throw for about 250-275 yards this week and two scores (which I think he can), I believe he will retain the starting quarterback position for the Cardinals. I suggest that if you need quarterback help on your fantasy team, McCown is the guy to look to.

But be mindful of Dennis Green. He is the wild card in all of this. He has made several odd calls in his career, and he may pull McCown out of the starting role, even if the boy does continue to hurt defenses.

Bottom line: McCown could be a great fantasy play this week vs. Carolina, and if you need help at quarterback, you should pick him up. If you do grab him, just keep a watch on the news of Warner and the Cardinals in general. The news out of that locker room in the next few weeks could very well shape McCown’s destiny.

Prediction: I believe McCown will be the starter for the Cardinals and continue to produce solid numbers. With receivers like he has and a starting role, Josh should throw for 2500-2700 yards this season, on 160-180 completions. I also expect him to rack up 15-18 touchdowns, with only 6-8 interceptions during the remaining 12 games.

Start or Bench: Week 5 vs. Carolina – Start Week 6 – Bye Week Week 7 vs. Tennessee – Start Week 8 at Dallas – Bench Week 9 vs. Seattle – Bench Week 10 at Detroit – Bench Week 11 at St. Louis – Start Week 12 vs. Jacksonville – Bench Week 13 at San Francisco – Start Week 14 vs. Washington – Bench Week 15 at Houston – Start Week 16 vs. Philadelphia – Bench Week 17 at Indianapolis – Bench

(The underline indicates the best and worst Starts & Benches)

 
Daniel Gilford is a hardworking Communications major at St. Petersburg College. When he is neglecting his college work, you’ll find him posting under the name danleroi22 in the forums. Daniel also enjoys taking an active role in the Fantasy Football Cafe’s contests and games as well as football trivia.

Questions or comments for Daniel? Post your thoughts in the Cafe’s forums!