We're entering a dark period of the NFL life right now. Nothing is going on. Players and coaches are on vacation. With that we look at 10 quarterback situations worth looking at before training camps start in late July, because, well, it's always about the quarterback.1. Detroit. Matthew Stafford vs. Daunte Culpepper.
The situation: It's the same old argument. Do you start the rookie or the veteran? The No. 1 pick of the draft is Stafford, but the vet with a chance to win a few games is Culpepper. Stafford is the future but you don't want to damage it. For every Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco there's a Ryan Leaf and Vince Young.
Solution: Start Culpepper and wait until 2010 for Stafford.
2. Minnesota. Sage Rosenfels vs. Tarvaris Jackson.
The situation: On the roster right now, it's Sage vs. Tarvaris. Rosenfels might have the advantage as the starter but some Vikings coaches think Jackson's athletic ability gives the team a better chance to win games. But when Brett Favre signs, and he will, things change. Will it change for the better?
Solution: Sign Brett Favre and hope you win a playoff game.
3. New York Jets. Kellen Clemens vs. Mark Sanchez.
The situation: It's the same here in the Big Apple as it is in Motown. The veteran or the top draft pick? In New York, it's a little different because there's pressure on coach Rex Ryan to start Sanchez. The Jets should have reached the postseason if not for Favre's arm troubles last season. The talent on offense is still good with the running game but not having Laveranues Coles is going to hurt.Solution: Start Sanchez and hope the defense wins at least three games.
4. Oakland. JaMarcus Russell vs. Jeff Garcia.
The situation: In the barber shop the other day, the boys said Garcia is going to start eventually. Russell is determined to make sure this is his job. Yet, Garcia is confident enough in his abilities he will start. Russell is taking the QBs on a fact-finding mission. That's nice and all, but Garcia knows where to look for offense and it starts at quarterback. Russell did play well in the regular season finale, so there is hope.
The solution: Start Garcia. That's why you signed him.
5. Tampa Bay. Byron Leftwich vs. Josh Freeman vs. Luke McCown vs. Somebody else.
The situation: Jon Gruden left a mess of things for coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski at the quarterback position. Freeman is not as polished as Stafford or Sanchez, so sitting him is smart. But Leftwich left the Steelers to become a starter and helps the Bucs win more than nine games. But this roster is younger and better with the additions of Derrick Ward and Kellen Winslow II.
The solution: Leftwich is the man, but if he struggles, give Freeman some starts late in the year.
6. San Francisco. Shaun Hill vs. Alex Smith.
The situation: We like what the 49ers did in the draft, from Michael Crabtree to Scott McKillop, but some of the veterans we don't like. Hill finished 28th in completions and yards last season. But, Hill was tied for the sixth fewest picks in the league. Smith just needs a fresh start now that Mike Nolan is history and his arm is healed.
The solution: Smith is more talented than Hill. It will show come training camp. Expect Smith to start.
7. Denver. Kyle Orton vs. Chris Simms.
The situation: The Broncos had a quarterback in Jay Cutler but screwed it up and were forced to trade him. Now, they're stuck with Orton -- and he's no Matt Cassel, somebody who Josh McDaniels groomed last year in New England. Simms is now 100 percent healthy and should make things interesting in training camp.
The solution: McDaniels will start Orton, but Simms will finish the year as No. 1 on the depth chart.
8. Cleveland. Brady Quinn vs. Derek Anderson.
The situation: It's time for somebody to deliver something. The Browns are paying Anderson like he's a starter while Quinn is still on his rookie contract. It's a bad situation. Really. Expect the Browns to mess this up because they have Eric Mangini as coach.The solution: Quinn is more athletic yet doesn't have as strong an arm; his inexperience will also hurt the teams' chances in winning close games.
9. Arizona. Kurt Warner vs. Matt Leinart.
The situation: There really isn't any. Warner signed a new two-year deal to finish his career in the desert with Leinart waiting in the wings. But Warner never does anything easy. Health and ineffective play could happen at any minute.
The solution: Warner is the guy, even if he struggles. But if the Cardinals fail to reach the playoffs, we wonder if Leinart becomes the man in 2010.
10. Miami. Chad Pennington vs. Chad Henne.
The situation: It's documented that this is Pennington's last year. He saved the Dolphins last year in helping them reach the playoffs with his poise under pocket and his 97.4 QB rating, good for second in the league. But Henne is the future. Pennington is playing for another contract and it's not going to be here.
The solution: If it turns south in South Beach, move Henne in. For now, it's Pennington's job.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-03-2009 @ 10:09PM
playerpiano said...
Which Chad?
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7-03-2009 @ 8:32PM
Mr.G said...
Quinn has a stronger arm than Derek Anderson?Did Quinn get a transplant in the offseason?When did this happen?I'm not bashing Quinn,it's just that Anderson probably has the strongest arm in the league.Period,bar none.Anderson's problems are accuracy and leadership,NOT arm strength.Quinn will be the starter in Cleveland,but not because he has a stronger arm.Also,Mangini was a genius until Favre's arm fell off at the end.You don't win in this league without a decent QB,I don't care who you are,or what else you have. - Calvin Watkins has no information worth reading,unless you like misinformation.
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7-03-2009 @ 10:10PM
ivo610 said...
Anderson with the strongest? Hmm first time I ever heard that. Cutler? Russel? Shit even old man favre? Stafford has a rocket but not in the same area as cutler. Reguardless the rocket arm isn't very important
7-07-2009 @ 2:50PM
mikeskirox said...
"Quinn is more athletic yet doesn't have as strong an arm;"
Doesn't = does NOT
7-03-2009 @ 10:08PM
bjstiles331 said...
Here's how I'd do it if I were these teams:
1. Stafford.
2. Jackson (until as mentioned, Favre eventually signs).
3. Sanchez.
4. Garcia.
5. Freeman.
6. Smith.
7. Orton.
8. Quinn.
9. Warner.
10. Pennington.
I realize I'm in the minority on this, but I truly believe if you're going to use a first-round pick on anyone (especially at quarterback), you throw them to the wolves ASAP. Granted, not every team is going to be like the Falcons last year with Matt Ryan, and there are the rare circumstances where teams like the Raiders don't reach deals right away with their signal-caller. But if you look at Peyton Manning (who was 3-13) and Troy Aikman (who was 1-15) as a rookie, eventually they led their teams to the promised land. The more regular season games you see a rookie QB in, the more you'll know going into the next offseason about how to build your team around that individual. The Colts started building their team around Manning and got guys like Edge, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark. You saw the Falcons go out and acquire Tony Gonzalez from KC and add to what was a pretty potent offense last season. I'm just saying...
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7-03-2009 @ 10:17PM
Faboy said...
Stop throwing a hissy fit and learn to read Mr. G. The sentence is incorectly worded and constructed. It would read better like this: Quinn is more athletic but doesn't have as strong an arm; his inexperience will also hurt the teams' chances in winning close games. In addition to the poorly worded sentence, too many sentences in this article start with the word but. Poor writing aside, I agree with the writer that Mangini will mess thing up. Sorry Mr. G. It might be time for you to get some tissues.
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7-03-2009 @ 11:47PM
Mr.G said...
Faboy; Before you even read the initial article,Calvin changed the wording to say that Quinn DOESN'T have the arm strength of Anderson.That is not what he initially posted.I know exactly what I read and have no need for tissues, or an English lesson from a twit.Your low opinion of Mangini is based on what?That he took a 4 win team and in less than 3 years had them rolling toward the playoffs until his QB broke down?Mangini wasn't given a fair chance in NY and they will pay the price for it.He now takes over another sucky team,but everything I have read has been positive and his approach makes perfect sense.I just don't see any reason to be bad mouthing this guy,when he has proven he can turn things around.It's not his fault Favre blew up.
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7-04-2009 @ 2:23AM
Gurn Z b said...
alex smith might be more ATHLETIC, but he is hardly more telented than shaun hill. don't compare hill's stats to the rest of the league, and then not throw out smith's who is hovering around a 50% completion percentage, and throws tons of picks. he might be quick on his feet, but hill can move and has the mental capacity to not make the mistakes the smith does. hill for starter please.
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7-04-2009 @ 3:45AM
claytor said...
Lmao, Alex Smith better than a proven and competent Shaun Hill? Really.
The guy is a rap sheet away from being the second coming of Ryan Leaf. What a horrid number one overall pick. No accuracy. No ability to read pro defenses. Not as mobile as originally thought. Throws a lot of picks.
Yeah, hell show those Niners coaches come training camp time, lol. More like, whats he going to show now that he has epic failed to show ever since he was drafted and gift wrapped 60 million?
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7-04-2009 @ 1:03PM
acstavrinos said...
Ok Mr. G and Faboy....
The column has some grammatical errors. I am not sure if it was changed or not but in any case Quinn has a decent arm, just not as strong as Andersons. Quinn should be a better leader...and I disagree that he will cost the Browns any games. Quinn is the future and it sounds like Braylon is onboard for the long hawl...as long as he catches the damn balls.
Mangini has a lot of upside and is trying to bring a lot more discipline to a laid back bunch.
I think he made some errors while in NY in his approach and trying to be Bellichic Jr. First you have to earn the respect of your players and win something...then you can be a jerk and they will still lay it on the line for you.
I think The Browns have done a lot of good things in the off season and am hopefull they can vastly improve and make the playoffs this year.
I still think they should have taken Lerunaitis or the other USC middle LB with their first second round pick and still could have drafted Robisky with the second 2nd rounder. Bowens is good but the other guys are tackling machines.
GO BROWNS!!!
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7-04-2009 @ 1:45PM
acstavrinos said...
almost forgot....
Faboy was 100% correct about strongest arm qb's
Cuttler and Russell by far have the strongest arms in football...maybe ever. Not sure which is #1 but they are cannons. Favre in his prime out threw Elway, Marino, and Cunningham.
I've seen Marino and Elway throw and they had amazing arms. Cunningham threw a longer ball than both....and Favre threw 8 yds longer than him. It was a celebrity qb competition.
Prior to injury Favre still had a rocket.
Stafford also has a cannon as does Flacco and maybe Ryan. Anderson falls more in this category in arm strength.
Russell may have the strongest arm in history...and was the # 1 pick in the draft like Stafford...and that and a penny might just send him to the bench this yr in favor of average arm Garcia. Cuttler might have a historically strong arm...but he is no Elway.
it takes a lot more than a strong arm to play in the NFL....ask former Ravens qb Kyle Boller..etc.
Quinn has a chance to be a very good qb. Braylon is very talented and the two rookie wr's are talented, fast and tall. If all three are 6'3" and 210 and run 4.4-4.5 with good routs....how can you guard against that. They are a year away from gelling and making a strong run. They also will need a new power rb.
GO BROWNS!!
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7-04-2009 @ 9:45PM
Puck said...
I understand there's a rhythmn to the game...but I don't understand why there has to be a #1 QB that plays every play unless there's a blow out, and he pouts if he gets yanked here and there. I'd play both QB's, just for a change of pace and to keep both sharp with game experience. If a team can respond to only one QB what kind of team is that?
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7-05-2009 @ 12:45PM
haringkm said...
You forgot too mention that Shaun Hill only started 9 game and had a higher QB rating then Big Ben, Eli Manning, McNabb and a few other big name QB’s.
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7-07-2009 @ 2:34PM
ozfraud said...
Agree that This is Penny's team to lose but you also forgot that Pat White is on the team.
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7-07-2009 @ 2:56PM
mikeskirox said...
As a true-Honolul-Blue Lions fan I would love to see Stafford start. But please let's not see the same thing in Detroit over and over again. We have yet to build up our O-line. Culpepper is a much, much bigger guy who, even though old, can take a beating. We need to develop Stafford until he has eyes in the back of his head because he is going need to watch that blind side. Please Detroit, take your time with this guy the last thing we need is another Joey Herrington or even worse Andre Ware. Andre Ware hahahhahaha....Sorry I couldn't come up with anything funnier than his NFL career.
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7-07-2009 @ 4:17PM
freakbynature said...
There is no way in hell that Alex Smith should start in front of Shaun Hill! Although Hill does not look the greatest when he is dropping back to pass, he gets the job done. Smith looks like a deer in headlights when he is playing. Never comfortable, thus the bad decisions. Singletary better learn from Nolan's mistake and do so by STARTING HILL AT QB! Go Niners!
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7-23-2009 @ 3:28PM
farspur said...
Seems to me that if the Dolphins drafted Pat White hi in the second round maybe they see something in Hennie that hasn't developed as they thought it would
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