Steve Beuerlein spent 15 years in the NFL as a quarterback for six teams, most notably the Carolina Panthers. He's been a CBS NFL analyst since 2004.
And for the past five years, Beuerlein has been a dedicated Fantasy Football owner.
He plays in a league with family members, and he's an active participant on the waiver wire. He also does his homework, but not just for his analyst job.
Beuerlein wants to win a Fantasy title.
"I have yet to wear the crown," Beuerlein said.
He made the championship game once and was the No. 1 seed last year, and he's hoping for a playoff run again this season. But he needs some help.
His team is 4-6 after a rough start due to injuries and poor play. Through trades and moves on the waiver wire, his roster consists of Matt Schaub and Carson Palmer at quarterback, Frank Gore, Beanie Wells, LeSean McCoy and Clinton Portis at running back and Wes Welker, Derrick Mason, Lee Evans and Laveranues Coles at wide receiver.
The good thing, Beuerlein said, is "no one is running away with it." And he knows about the frustration we all go through when we make a mistake as a Fantasy owner.
For example, he played McCoy in Week 10 at San Diego and kept Wells reserved against Seattle. Wells had the better game, and Beuerlein hopes to make the right decision this week (he's leaning toward Wells).
Beuerlein isn't worried about his quarterbacks, which is an area he knows well. He is going to ride Schaub the rest of the way, but he also has confidence in Palmer.
We decided to catch up with Beuerlein to get his thoughts on 10 quarterbacks who Fantasy owners might have questions about. And since he plays Fantasy Football, Beuerlein knows what you are looking for from your starting option.
But first, Beuerlein has a prediction about his own Fantasy team.
"I never throw in the towel," Beuerlein said. "Am I going to make the playoffs? You can quote me as yes."
Question facing Fantasy owners: Can McNabb play at a consistent level, especially now with Brian Westbrook (concussion) out?
Beuerlein says: "I like him. I always have. I like the way Donovan spreads the ball around, and I tried to get Jason Avant this week. He played well against San Diego. Donovan will use everyone with DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek and now Avant. He will go where the defense takes him. LeSean McCoy brings a good element to the game, and he should help replace Westbrook. ... I do think he'll play well at Chicago. I would start him." Matt Schaub
Question facing Fantasy owners: Will the loss of Owen Daniels (torn ACL) ruin Schaub's season?
Beuerlein says: "They have so many other weapons with Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and those running backs. They'll play more three wide receivers with Jacoby Jones. He could become more of a factor down the road. Do they lose without Daniels? Sure. But I don't expect they'll fall off. I'm sticking with Schaub. He's my guy. He's going to spread the ball around to all his guys." Carson Palmer
Question facing Fantasy owners: Can Palmer finish the season as a No. 1 Fantasy option?
Beuerlein says: "Oh yeah. He's only (31) Fantasy points behind Schaub. His stats are respectable, and he's on pace for (23) touchdowns. If you have the luxury of two guys like Schaub and Palmer then it becomes a gut call every week. I like Schaub, but I wouldn't hesitate to go to Palmer. ... His guys are playing well. Coles is an interesting play this week (at Oakland). (Chad) Ochocinco is going to get Nnamdi Asomugha, and Coles has a lot of confidence going right now. I'm using Coles as my third wide receiver this week." Brett Favre
Question facing Fantasy owners: When will Fantasy owners buy in and start Favre in all leagues?
Beuerlein says: "He's proved me wrong. I'm still not convinced that six weeks from now he will still be at this level. But I never saw this coming. He's made Sidney Rice into a great football player. He's given Percy Harvin a chance to make plays. He's telling these guys to get open, and he'll give them a chance. He's making plays. ... With Favre, I thought we'd see more of what we saw last year with the Jets. I knew last year he was going to struggle with a new system and new coaches. And after missing all offseason this year I didn't expect him to compete at a high level. I didn't want anything to do with him in my Fantasy league. But I would take him now. If he was on my team I'd absolutely be playing him." Matt Ryan
Question facing Fantasy owners: When will the Ryan we saw last year and early this year emerge again?
Beuerlein says: "I like him a lot. I had him earlier this year, but I traded him as part of a deal to get Palmer. I think this is a good week to play him (at the Giants). I think he's going to respond well. Not having Michael Turner (ankle) in there, they are going to make a concentrated effort to get the ball to Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. I'm going by my gut here with Ryan. On the surface he's got a tough matchup, but I think he'll bounce back." Jay Cutler
Question facing Fantasy owners: Can he limit the turnovers and return as a No. 1 Fantasy quarterback?
Beuerlein says: "I don't see that clearing up any time soon. I don't think he has a lot of confidence right now. I don't think there are a lot of positive vibes right now with Cutler. Early this season he was trying to show he was something special. But now he's gotten out of his comfort zone. I see Jay Cutler trying to force things. Those turnovers in the red zone, they'll absolutely break your back. They are not making it look easy in Chicago." Joe Flacco
Question facing Fantasy owners: Is this sophomore slump just going to last for a few weeks or will it last for the rest of the season?
Beuerlein says: "I like the kid a lot. I was surprised he started as hot as he did, but I don't think he can keep that up. Realistically, when the weather is a factor, the Ravens will go back to running the ball. He'll be about 225 yards per game, or in that range. I don't think you'll see a lot of big stats from him." Eli Manning
Question facing Fantasy owners: Is the foot injury still a cause of concern for Manning?
Beuerlein says: "The bye week was good for him. I don't think he's concerned about it. He's going to be fine. Like his brother, I know he's going to turn it on when his team needs him, which is now. I would expect the Eli Manning of the early part of the season to show up. He'll be fine." Matt Hasselbeck
Question facing Fantasy owners: Can Hasselbeck play consistent enough and avoid injuries to make him a regular starting option?
Beuerlein says: "He's not a clear cut guy. I think Justin Forsett makes that offense better. That could free him up a little bit if they can improve the running game. I'm a fan of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but he's not a No. 1 guy. But getting someone like Forsett in there will open things up for the passing game. Hasselbeck will play better with Forsett out there, and he should try to get him the ball in space. ... He's a streaky guy. When he's playing well, history shows you can ride him." David Garrard
Question facing Fantasy owners: Can Garrard play consistent enough to make him a regular starting option?
Beuerlein says: "He's got a nice rhythm going with Mike Sims-Walker. I did the Kansas City game (in Week 9), and he looks like he's playing more consistently. But he's a hard guy to figure out. He's too risky in my opinion. I wouldn't go into any week with him as my starter. Jacksonville wants to run the ball with Maurice Jones-Drew. They don't want Garrard to throw the ball 30 times a game. ... I tried to get Sims-Walker myself. He's a solid No. 1 wide receiver right now."
