My Philip Rivers Blog

If all of you were like me, you thought for sure that Indianapolis would have absolutely no problem beating the San Diego chargers. It just seemed that throughout the season the Chargers were too on and off. Their non-consistent ways, plus if you've ever been in the RCA dome you know how loud that place can get, plus the Colts being healthier and of course PEYTON MANNING!!!

Well then the game started, and it was a slow first half. I just knew when Manning got the ball next he was going to score a touchdown and I'd be twenty minutes of game time left till I cashed my betting ticket. But no that didn't happen because Rivers had to hit Chambers for a 30 yard touchdown pass in the first 4 minutes of the 3rd quarter. Still no need to worry plenty of time on the clock and it looks like Indianapolis is driving. In fact they drive all the way to the two yard line and a tipped ball is intercepted for the second time today. This just doesn't seem like my day or Mannings. Maybe I under estimated the Chargers defense as I watched them hit Addai so hard he had to leave the game for a few plays. Then on the same drive hit Keith hard enough to send him to the sidelines. And even after the interception Bob Sanders gets hit hard in the hand while trying to tackle Michael Turner. It was only a matter of 3 minutes of game time and 3 big names on Indianapolis were sucking wind on the sidelines, thanks to the hard hitting Chargers.

Well finally we get our first three and out in this game at 6 minutes left in the third quarter. So things are again looking good for my Indy -9 bet, but everything has to go right. And it does on this drive, when Reggie Wayne defies gravity at just the right moment to score a touchdown putting the Colts up 17-14. Well at this point I am pretty pleased with my Indy -9 bet ticket and I actually start to think about how I'm going to spend this money. Then 3 minutes and Rivers toss a short pass to Sproles who turns it into a 56 yard touchdown. This put the chargers up 21-17 and me further away from a winning bet ticket.

At this point I am wondering when the Chargers are going to let up and the Colts will just take off with the lead and eventually the game. My prayers seemed answered when Peyton hits Gonzalez for a 55 yard touchdown pass, putting the colts only 10 minutes away from an AFC championship game and me that much closer to my glorious win. But unfortunately no told Volek, who came in to replace Philip Rivers, my plans as he marched down the field executing a great drive before he ran it himself into the end zone from the one.

There goes any hope of my betting ticket being a winner. And with the way that the chargers played out the last 4 minutes of the game I am not sure my ticket ever had a chance. So I have been sitting here trying to think of the reasons I was so confident in a Colts victory and by more than nine. And it seemed that turnovers were the death of my betting ticket, and Indy's chances at repeating the Super bowl victory dance. Any time a team is expected to win by a number greater than six in the NFL they can not turn the ball over 3 times, it is impossible to score enough points to cover a spread like that, when you keep shooting yourself in the foot.

Now do the Chargers have what it takes to beat the undefeated Patriots?

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The San Diego Chargers have been at the top of their game over the course of the last four seasons, winning the NFL's AFC West crown in each campaign. This four-season romp through their division has marked the team's best string of success since the early days of the franchise in the first half of the 1960s. As fans of the team know, however, their appearances in the playoffs have been less than spectacular. Much of the blame for the team's inability to go deeper into the postseason and win that elusive first Super Bowl trophy has fallen squarely upon the shoulders of the Chargers' otherwise flawless kicker, Nate Kaeding.

The Iowa Native

Kaeding was selected by the Chargers in the 2004 Draft. They were only able to get him due to receiving several favorable lottery picks as part of the Eli Manning and Philip Rivers draft/trade deal done that year, and there was quite a bit of excitement surrounding his selection. After all, the Iowa City, Iowa native had earned a national reputation during his college career with the Hawkeyes - even winning the Lou Groza kicking award after the season of 2002. As a Hawkeye, he was known as "Mister Automatic", for his ability to seemingly always make his team's field goals when they were needed most. He was particularly deadly from long range, as he had a career record of 24 forty-plus yard field goals made out of the 29 he attempted. That included twenty out of twenty one made during his senior campaign.

Winning records

Even as a Charger, Kaeding has gone on to set records. During the 2009 season, he became the most accurate kicker in the history of the National Football League with an overall percentage of field goals made that is in excess of eighty-seven percent. Throughout the regular season campaigns in San Diego, his performance in many ways mirrors what he did while at Iowa City. In one season, he missed only three total field goals throughout the sixteen-game season. Unfortunately, all of that is easily overshadowed in the minds of many Chargers fans by his inability to make the important field goals when they matter most: the playoffs.

Missing the big ones

For example, Kaeding missed a 54-yard field goal against the Patriots during the 2006 playoffs. Had he made it, he could have tied the game. Then, in 2007, a missed field goal against Tennessee and one against the Colts could have easily ended the Chargers' season. They eventually lost to the Patriots that year in the AFC title game. The worst postseason performance came in the 2009 playoffs against the Jets. In that performance, Kaeding missed the only three field goals he attempted. Had he made just one, the game would have gone to overtime - two out of three would have won it.

In the end, Kaeding is now best known by Chargers fans as the kicker who can't make the big kick when his team needs it most. Fairly, or unfairly, that reputation will continue to dog him throughout his time with the team until he once again earns the title "Mister Automatic" by making his field goals in the postseason.

Writer and editor, Freddie Brister, is a former high school coach. Check out his San Diego Chargers Watch or his New York Yankees Watch

Opening week of the 2010 NFL season has come and gone and it included everything a football fan has come to expect from the National Football League.  There were controversial plays, upsets, teams that had trouble

getting their offenses going, teams that had their defenses picked apart, and teams that started the season out right on track and ready to play.

Let's take a look back at all the games played in week one of the 2010 NFL season.

New Orleans Saints 14 - Minnesota Vikings 9

The Saints defeated the Vikings in one of the most anticipated games of week one.  Drew Brees marched his team down the field for an easy score on their first possession of the game and it looked like it would be a route, but both defenses tightened up from there on out.  In the end, the Saints defense was a little too much for an aging Brett Favre and a Vikings team missing wide receiver Sidney Rice.

Miami Dolphins 15 - Buffalo Bills 10

The Dolphins won a low scoring contest, and did so by scoring nearly every way possible, including a touchdown, extra point, field goal, and safety.  Both offenses were somewhat ineffective as neither starting quarterback, Chad Henne for the Dolphins and Trent Edwards for the Bills, were able to break the 200 yard mark in passing.  Neither team had a 100 yard rusher either.

Chicago Bears 19 - Detroit Lions 14

The Bears and Lions have played a number of times over the years and they kicked off the 2010 season together.  This was a tough battle that ended with a controversial play as the Lions thought they'd scored a go ahead touchdown but the referee's saw it differently.  Jay Cutler of the Bears also starts the season off with a 300 yard game.

Tennessee Titans 38 - Oakland Raiders 13

The Titans jumped out to a 24-6 halftime lead and never looked back.  Chris Johnson had his way with the Oakland defense as he put up 142 yards rushing.  Oakland's Darren McFadden didn't do too badly himself either as he had 150 combined yards.  The Titans added two second half touchdowns and the Raiders scored one in the fourth quarter.

New England Patriots 38 - Cincinnati Bengals 24

The New England Patriots were in complete control of their week one matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, even being ahead 24-3 at halftime.  The Bengals did get some offense going in the second half, but by then it was too little too late.  Carson Palmer finished the day with 345 passing yards and the other big star of the day was Chad Ochocinco who racked up 159 yards receiving.

New York Giants 31 - Carolina Panthers 18

Eli Manning hooked up with Hakeem Nicks for three touchdowns, yes three touchdowns, including one each in the first, second, and third quarters.  The duo took the fourth quarter off, with New York getting a rushing touchdown from Ahmad Bradshaw.  The Panthers got three field goals from the ageless John Kasay and a touchdown pass from the great Steve Smith.

Pittsburgh Steelers 15 - Atlanta Falcons 9

All eyes were on Pittsburgh as they started the season without two time Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.  His replacement, Dennis Dixon, finished with a very respectable 18 completions on 26 attempts for 236 yards.  This was a real defensive battle as neither team's offenses could get started.  At the end of the fourth quarter it was 9-9 and the game ended on a 50 yard touchdown run in overtime by Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17 - Cleveland Browns 14

Both the Buccaneers and the Browns started the game off scoring points and the 14-10 halftime score made it appear that each team was being at least somewhat successful.  The Bucs would shutout the Browns in the second half and would score a late fourth quarter touchdown of their own to take the lead and the win.

Jacksonville Jaguars 24 - Denver Broncos 17

Last season saw the Denver Broncos start out 6-0, but this season it didn't take too long for the team to lodge it's first loss.  This was a very even game that saw Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jaguars miss a 100 yard game by two yards and Denver's Kyle Orton missing a 300 yard game by five yards.  In the end, the Jaguars fourth quarter score put them over the top.

Houston Texans 34 - Indianapolis Colts 24

In what was one of the biggest upsets of the day, Matt Schaub who was the leading passer in the NFL last season, hardly had to throw the ball at all.  Schaub would finish with just 107 yards passing while Peyton Manning would rack up 433.  The difference though was the 231 yards rushing and three touchdowns put up by second year running back Arian Foster of the Texans.

Arizona Cardinals 17 - St. Louis Rams 13

In a quarterback duel between the number one overall draft pick from 2010, Sam Bradford and Derek Anderson who wasn't named the starting quarterback until a short time ago, the Cardinals would come out on top thanks to a fourth quarter touchdown reception by Larry Fitzgerald from Anderson.  Both teams had four turnovers in a game that both coaches probably wished was played a little better.

Green Bay Packers 27 - Philadelphia Eagles 20

The Packers and Eagles battled in a much looked forward to contest that featured a great game by Clay Matthews and the Packers defense and an injury to Eagles starting quarterback Kevin Kolb that saw Michael Vick come in for some significant playing time.  The Eagles mounted a comeback, but it wasn't enough.

Seattle Seahawks 31 - San Francisco 49ers 6

Pete Carroll's first game as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks was a massive success as his team was in control nearly all game long and was never threatened after the first quarter.  The Seahawks defense held 49ers running back to 38 yards on 17 carries which was a large part in stopping them from doing what they wanted to do.

Washington Redskins 13 - Dallas Cowboys 7

In a game that was marred by a serious amount of penalties and mistakes on Dallas' side of the ball, the Redskins ended up holding off a late charge by the Cowboys and giving new quarterback Donovan McNabb his first win in a Washington uniform.

Baltimore Ravens 10 - New York Jets 9

In a game that lacked a lot of offense, not surprisingly from the Jets who are not known as a high scoring team, but somewhat surprising from the Ravens who have a good running game and three very accomplished wide receivers, it came down to the last play of the game.  The Jets defense stymied the Ravens all night long and the Jets offense stymied itself.  LaDainian Tomlinson averaged over five yards a carry on his 11 touches for his new team and wide receiver Anquan Boldin racked up 110 yards receiving for his new team the Ravens.  In the end, the Jets turned it over on downs, unable to get a key first down, and the Ravens simply ran the clock out for the one point victory.

Kansas City Chiefs 21 - San Diego Chargers 14

The Chiefs were victorious in a Monday Night Football game that was at least statistically dominated by the Chargers.  Philip Rivers finished the day just two yards short of a 300 yard game and the Chargers had more first downs, total yards, and time of possession than their opponents.  The pesky Chiefs wouldn't be put away and scored two of their three touchdowns on long plays, the first a 56 yard run by Jamaal Charles and the third a 94 yard punt return for a score by Dexter McCluster.

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Interesting and fun football facts can be found about every one of the teams listed above, and even some that no longer play or play in different leagues at IQFB.com. Finding out hard to find information and great football trivia about your favorite team or player can be a lot of fun. You can even look really smart down the road when you throw out a little tidbit of knowledge that no one else knows. IQFB... Get Football Smart.

Philip Rivers is one of the brightest up and coming star quarterbacks in the entire National Football League. Some may even say that he is no longer an up and comer, but that he is already one of the stars in the league. He has played extremely well during his brief career and is a fan favorite of the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers seem to get better and better each and every year, and much of the credit belongs to their great young quarterback.

In Philip Rivers first full season as the starting quarterback for the San Diego Chargers, he completed a very respectable 22 touchdown passes. He completed 21 the next year and then really lit it up with 34 TD throws in 2008. Last year he threw 28 touchdown passes, again a very good year. This kind of thrower in the pocket makes it a lot easier on the running game too. He has been blessed with having some great receivers to work with as well. Who though has been his favorite receiver during his NFL career?

Through the 2009 NFL season, no player has caught more touchdown passes than tight end Antonio Gates. His 32 touchdown passes to Gates puts him seven ahead of the number two name on that list. The Chargers have had good seasons since Philip Rivers became the starting quarterback, but a lot of that credit should also go to the great receivers the team has had too. With Rivers and this arsenal of talented ball catchers, the Chargers should be a force to be reckoned with for quite sometime.

More San Diego Chargers trivia can be found at IQFB.com! You can even find out a little bit more about the other players who have caught Philip Rivers touchdowns too. Use the knowledge found there to impress your friends, win bets, or even just for general information. Football trivia is popular with a lot of people whether they are fans of the NFL, USFL, Arena Football, Canadian Football, College Football, or any other level of the game. IQFB... Get Football Smart.

Tier 1

1. Peyton Manning(Colts) bye week: 6 age: 31

-The consensus top choice at QB, Manning once again was nothing short of brilliant in 2006 throwing 31 touchdown passes while logging 4,397 passing yards. Still in his prime and a lock to play 16 games, Eli's big brother is the surest of bet when it comes to the QB position. Whether you want to be the guy to draft a QB in round 1 while everyone else snags a RB is the only decision you will have to make when it comes to this machine. Nothing short of a top pick will suffice if you hope to grab him.

2. Carson Palmer(Bengals) bye week: 5 age: 27

-2006 was a season of redemption for Carson Palmer in that he put all doubts to rest regarding how he would fare in his return from reconstructive knee surgery. All he did was go out and throw for 28 td's along with 4035 passing yards. Blessed with a howitzer for an arm, Palmer is poised to possibly overtake Peyton Manning this year as the best fantasy QB in football. With Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmanzadeh as his two main weapons, Palmer could possibly challenge the 40 TD mark. Advice: wait on Manning and grab this guy in round 2 if you are one of those who take a QB early.

Tier 2

3. Drew Brees(Saints) bye week: 4 age: 28

-Don't let the dislocated elbow Brees suffered in the Pro Bowl impact how you view this crafty veteran going into the season. All reports indicate Drew is right on schedule to be fully ready to go from day 1 of training camp and that means another season of big numbers from the Saints' leader. Don't expect Brees to put up another 4,500 yard season but something along the lines of 4,000 with 25 TD's sounds about right. Surrounded by outstanding weapons in RB's Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, along with last year's sensation WR Marques Colston, Brees will prove to be a smart buy for those who wait a few rounds to take their QB. A third round pick is the latest however he will last.

4. Tom Brady(Patriots) bye week: 10 age: 30

-New England's favorite son disappointed fantasy owners last year who dealt with Brady's inconsistent performances throughout the year. Despite throwing for a solid 24 TD's, Brady's passing yardage was down considerably from the year before. However one must only look at the weapons brought in by the front office to see that Tom is poised for a big year. Along with prized recruit Randy Moss, NE signed long-range bomber Donte Stallworth, possession receiver Wes Welker, and solid reserve Kelly Washington. All this adds up to possibly a 30 TD season along with Brady's second 4,000 yard season in three years. Also like Manning, you never have to worry about whether or not Brady will suit up as he owns the fourth longest streak of consecutive starts. Third to fourth round draft choice.

5. Marc Bulger(Rams) bye week 9 age: 30

-At press time there were rumblings that Bulger may be considering holding out in the hopes of landing a big contract. However don't let this deter you from drafting this incredibly solid performer. Despite not having the best arm, Bulger excels with what he has which is incredible accuracy, solid field smarts, and the ability to go with the hot reads. In his second year in coach Scott Linehan's system, Bulger should exceed the Pro Bowl numbers he amassed last season. If I were a betting man, I say Bulger leads the NFL in passing yardage. Grab him in round 3 with 5 being the latest if you're lucky.

6. Donovan McNabb(Eagles) bye week: 5 age: 30
-No QB in fantasy football will cause more consternation when it comes to drafting him than the Eagles' leader. On his way to an MVP-type season last year, McNabb suffered a season-ending knee injury which now brings him to 19 missed games over the last two years. The tools are still there such as the nimble feet and cannon arm. However Philly didn't draft Kevin Kolb because they wanted him to look pretty on the sidelines. There is some doubt as to whether Donovan can be the player he used to be. I say he can be and the motivation to prove his nay-sayers wrong will lead to a comeback season for McNabb. A potential championship pick due to the fact you may be able to snag him as late as the seventh round due to the questions surrounding his status.

Tier 3
7. Matt Hasselbeck(Seahawks) bye week: 8 age: 31

-poised to join the top five fantasy QB's going into last season, instead Matt Hasselbeck struggled throughout the year with injuries and inconsistency. With only 18 TD's and 2,442 yards to show for it, Hasselbeck was nothing but a disappointment for his owners. Despite last year however, I believe Hasselbeck will rebound and post his usual 22-25 TD's along with 3.500 yards. Having RB Shaun Alexander healthy is huge along with a better offensive line in front of him. Snag him in the fifth round or so.

8. Philip Rivers(Chargers) bye week: 7 age: 25

-After having to sit and wait two years while predecessor Drew Brees garnered back-to-back Pro Bowl bids, last year Philip Rivers showed everyone he was worth the wait. Joining Brees in Honolulu, Rivers displayed great poise and decision-making in his first year at the helm of the league's top club. Now with a year under his belt, look for Rivers to exceed the 24 TD's he amassed last season. Draft with confidence in round 5-6.

9. Matt Leinart(Cardinals) bye week 8 age 24

-you may be surprised by how high I have him ranked but when you look at the whole picture, this second year wonder will more than likely ascend to the top tier of fantasy quarterbacks this season. Coming from an NFL-caliber offense where he did nothing but win at USC, Leinart steps into a potentially explosive offense with Pro Bowl caliber receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, along with RB Edgerrin James in what could become one of the most efficient passing games in the league. Though he doesn't have a cannon for an arm, Leinart is arguably one of the most intelligent QB's in the league who has great accuracy. Look for a big step forward in his second year under center. You might be able to nab him as late as round 9.

10. Vince Young(Titans) bye week: 4 age: 24

-after taking the league by storm as a rookie last season, this second-year wonder is poised to do even better things for Tennessee. Combining great quickness along with a strong arm, Young proved his naysayer's wrong by sparking the Titans to a respectable season under his guidance. One negative is the fact that the Tennessee front office failed to find offensive help for their franchise QB and in fact weakened the offense by letting WR Drew Bennett leave as a free agent. Expect some growing pains for this still raw Titans team which could negatively impact Young's numbers. However when you look at rushing yardage from a QB along with his passing ability, Young has now surpassed the troubled Mike Vick in this ranking. Draft him in round 6-8.

Tier 4
11. Tony Romo(Cowboys) bye week: 8 age: 27

-With Drew Bledsoe struggling early last season, coach Bill Parcells made the move many expected when he inserted pre-season's perennial star Tony Romo. Once handed the job, Romo proceeded to put up a Pro Bowl season with 23 TD's and 3,600 yards in 10 starts. Look for Romo to put up similar numbers now that he has the benefit of knowing he will be starting from day one. When I mean similar, I mean around 23 TD's for the whole season and not 10 games. Some regression to the mean is expected with him this year. Draftable in round 7-9.

12. Eli Manning(Giants) bye week 9 age: 26

-Peyton's little brother continued to drive fantasy owner's nuts due to his inconsistency but 24 TD's is not bad at all. The problem with Eli is the lack of accuracy and the breakdown in his mechanics when things begin to go wrong. With time to throw and little pressure in his face, Eli would rival his brother as fantasy football's top QB. However the G-Men's O-line is weak and Manning will once again have to deal with opposing players in his face so more struggles are sure to follow him around most of the year. If you draft him expect one week of 300 yards with 4 TD's along with another of 180 yards and 4 INT's.

13. Jake Delhomme(Panthers) bye week: 7 age: 32

-Delhomme struggled throughout the year last season due to injuries and poor protection. An injured thumb was the main culprit as Jake was only able to muster 17 Td's. Expect a rebound this year though as favorite target Steve Smith is fully healthy himself this season and the fact that Delhomme will be extra focused due to the presence of newly signed David Carr. If he struggles however, don't be surprised if Carr gets the call rather quickly. Risky pick here but good upside to gamble on.

14. Jay Cutler(Broncos) bye week: 6 age: 24

-one of the NFL's rising stars at the position, Cutler got his feet wet towards the end of last season as he showed great poise in throwing 9 TD's against 5 INT's. With Jake Plummer now in retirement, the job is the cannon-armed second year man's to himself. Already people are whispering that he could be the second coming of John Elway and with the good speed, great arm combo, who are we to argue? Fantasies aside, Cutler is a rising gem and could be a top 7 guy by the end of the year. If you're going to reach for one player on offense this year, this guy is the one. Highly recommended sleeper.

The Rest (Should Be Drafted as Backups in 12 Team Leagues)

15. Brett Favre(Packers) bye week: 7 age: 37

-still has some juice left in that arm of his and despite his age, Favre could still put up more than decent numbers this year. With star WR Donald Driver there to catch his bullets, Lambeau's favorite son should be a good but not great option. Works best as a bye week starter or injury replacement. Two things you could always count on with Favre: he will start (he never misses a game) and he will throw interceptions. Take the good with the bad.

16. Michael Vick(Falcons) bye week: 8 age: 27

-at press time, Vick was being indicted on felony charges of financing a dog fighting ring. Due to this development, Vick is dropped all the way down to this mediocre ranking. Stands a good chance of being suspended, with the possibility of being placed in jail. Don't count on him for this season. Pass.

17. Jon Kitna(Lions) bye week: 6 age: 34

-was on many sleeper lists heading into last season and despite the over-the-top hype, Kitna's season was not terrible. He passed for over 4,000 yards and 21 TD's which alone would be terrific. However when you factor in the 22 INT's he threw, the light dims on the shine of his season. With tremendous weapons at his disposal in WR's Roy Williams and rookie Calvin Johnson, Kitna will have his big games. However his turnover-prone ways will always be lurking to hurt your team at every corner. Ride him while he is hot but dump him as soon as the inevitable slump hits.

18. Ben Roethlisberger(Steelers) bye week: 6 age: 25

-Big Ben had a season to forget in 2006 as a motorcycle accident that nearly killed him combined with his appendix emergency ruined whatever momentum he had coming off the Super Bowl. New coach Mike Tomlin preaches the run game so Roth could have a tough time cracking the 20 TD mark. Way too many questions surround this talented but inconsistent passer. Let him be someone else's problem.

19. JP Losman(Bills) bye week: 6 age: 26

-with a wickedly strong arm and sometimes crazy risk taking, JP Losman evokes many people to say he is the next Brett Favre. Though Losman is talented, to say he is the next coming of Favre does injustice to the Hall Of Famer. JP however showed last season he could play in the NFL but leading a number of big comebacks with batterymate WR Lee Evans. A poor offensive line and lack of playmakers outside of Evans however will limit Losman's upside for this year. Maybe in a year or two.

20.Alex Smith(49ers) bye week: 6 age: 23

-after looking like a colossal bust two season's ago, the former number 1 overall draft pick showed last season he has a place in an NFL locker room. Showing off the speed and accuracy he used to star at Utah, Smith led his team to a near playoff spot in coach Mike Nolan's first year on the job. Look for Smith to add to his 18 TD's and to be a possible fantasy starter by midseason.

21. Rex Grossman(Bears) bye week: 9 age: 27

-this is make-or-break time for Grossman as last year's Jekyll and Hyde act wore thin by season's end. Many felt Chicago made the Super Bowl last year in spite of him and I am not one to argue. Until he starts to show some sort of consistency, let him pass you by in your draft.

22. Chad Pennington(Jets) bye week: 10 age: 31

-the NFL's Comeback Player Of The Year showed that he still has what it takes to be a starter. What's good for the Jets however is not good for your fantasy team as Chad's noodle arm won't light up the scoreboard. Let him go.

23. Trent Green(Dolphins) bye week: 8 age: 37

-once one of my favorite fantasy QB's, Green's star has dimmed due to the concussion that sidelined him for half the season, along with the poor play that followed upon his return. Age could be a factor here and the he no longer has an All Pro offensive line in front of him as he did in KC. Could move up this list if healthy but too many question marks to trust. Good backup however.

24. Matt Schaub(Falcons) bye week: 10 age: 26

-finally has a starting gig to himself as his trade to Houston got him out of Michael Vick's shadow. Great arm but has not shown much in his limited time in the league. Draft him for his potential but have a better starter to use while you wait him out.

25. Jason Campbell(Redskins) bye week: 4 age: 25

-another young QB with potential but questions marks. Showed enough last season in limited time to relegate veteran Mark Brunell to the bench permanently. Track his early progress but don't draft.

26. Steve McNair(Ravens) bye week: 8 age: 34

-age and injuries have relegated McNair to nothing but ordinary status. Don't count on him to produce like he did during his MVP season.

27. Byron Leftwich(Jaguars) bye week: 4 age: 27

-this one-time potential beast has been relegated to also-ran status. Injuries and poor mechanics have held Byron back with no solution in sight.

Don't Draft

28. David Carr

29. Daunte Culpepper

30. Charlie Frye

31. Damon Huard

32. Jeff Garcia

33. Josh McCown

34. Tarvaris Jackson

35. Chris Simms

36. David Garrard

37. Kyle Boller

38. Joey Harrington

Cofounder of http://www.yourwinningpicks.com in our tenth year of supplying sports handicapping and fantasy sports information.

Philip Rivers was born on December 8, 1981 in Decatur, Alabama. Rivers is one of the best young quarterbacks in the world, and he has proven this time and time again on the field. Not only does he have all of the physical tools needed by a good quarterback, but he is also one of the smarter players in the game as well. When you combine these two things it is easy to see why he will be a great player in the NFL for many years to come.

Rivers attended Athens High School, and excelled both in the classroom and on the football field. As a senior he played both safety and quarterback, and this led to him being named the Alabama Football Player of the Year.

After high school Rivers chose to take his game to North Carolina State University. During his days playing for the Wolfpack, Rivers broke nearly every school and conference record. Perhaps his greatest record is that for most games started by a college quarterback with 51. This not only showed his consistency, but also his determination to lead his team game in and game out. Rivers led the Wolfpack to four bowl games, and came home with wins in three of them.

Rivers was drafted by the New York Giants with the fourth pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. Shortly thereafter he was traded to the San Diego Chargers for fellow quarterback Eli Manning. After a bit of a delay, Rivers finally signed a six year contract worth $40.5 million.

During the 2004 season Rivers saw limited action, appearing in only two games. The 2005 season was more of the same as he was not able to beat out Drew Brees for the starting quarterback position.

Rivers was finally named the starting quarterback in 2006 after Brees departed for New Orleans. During his first season as a full time starter Rivers put up solid numbers. He did a very good job managing the game which was evident by the Chargers 14-2 record, and AFC West Championship.

Bob writes for DraftDayPicks.com and AllProZone.com. Where you can purchase a Philip Rivers Jersey or get information about a Philip Rivers Jersey [http://www.fanfrenzyzone.com/nfl/philip_rivers_bio.html]