NFL QB issues

cycloneworld · 02-26-2008, 02:08 PM

A good article summarizing teams with QB issues for next year.

ESPN - Weak signals: Several teams face QB issues this offseason - NFL

How would you rank these teams from worst to best?

Atlanta Falcons

Quandary: Michael Vick is in a federal penitentiary. And can anybody expect Joey Harrington or Chris Redman (who can become a free agent) to be the long-term answer?

Solution: Owner Arthur Blank is known for his patience, and he signed off on the Falcons' chopping a bunch of veteran players. That signaled a lengthy rebuilding process. New coach Mike Smith is going to have some time, so it makes sense to use a top-five pick on a potential franchise quarterback who can grow with a young team.

Baltimore Ravens

Quandary: Steve McNair might be washed up, and Kyle Boller can't put points on the board. Alleged offensive guru Brian Billick never got much out of this offense, and that is why he is gone. Successor John Harbaugh needs a legitimate attack.

Solution: The Philadelphia Eagles say Donovan McNabb isn't on the market, even though Kevin Kolb is waiting in the wings. McNabb-to-Baltimore rumors are out there, but in the long run, the Ravens might be better off just drafting a quarterback early.

Carolina Panthers

Quandary: The assumption is that Jake Delhomme will come back as good as or better than before. But there are no guarantees with Tommy John surgery. Matt Moore showed some promise late last year, and Brett Basanez has the potential to be a nice backup. But the Panthers need an insurance policy for Delhomme, because coach John Fox won't survive a third straight season without making the playoffs.

Solution: Amazingly, David Carr remains on the roster. But he won't for long. The Panthers need a veteran with some starting experience.

Chicago Bears

Quandary: The Bears have been wasting a potentially great defense by trying to scrape by with Rex Grossman and Brian Griese at quarterback. You can't win a Super Bowl like that.

Solution: Maybe the Bears can twist the Eagles' arms -- or wings, if you prefer -- and bring home McNabb, an Illinois native, for instant respectability.

Kansas City Chiefs

Quandary: Coach Herm Edwards makes it sound like Brodie Croyle is his guy. He also doesn't seem to be a big fan of Damon Huard. But what has Croyle done to earn anybody's confidence?

Solution: Maybe Croyle, who started nine games in 2007, will work out. But in case he doesn't, the Chiefs need to take a shot on a quarterback sometime after the first round.

Miami Dolphins

Quandary: Trent Green is gone. John Beck, who didn't show much in four starts as a rookie, still is around. After their 1-15 season, the Dolphins hold the No. 1 overall pick, giving themselves a choice of rookie quarterbacks.

Solution: Miami needs more than a quarterback. The Dolphins would be wise to deal the top choice and get more picks to help elsewhere. Beck has some potential, and a free-agent veteran could hold down the fort for the short term. Keep in mind, Bill Parcells is running the Dolphins, and Phil Simms used to play for him with the Giants. Parcells might be inclined to take a chance on Chris Simms.

Minnesota Vikings

Quandary: They have one of the game's most explosive players in running back Adrian Peterson but nothing else on offense. Tarvaris Jackson is not the answer.

Solution: McNabb's name also gets floated here because Minnesota coach Brad Childress used to work in Philadelphia. That could be a great solution. But the Vikings are a team that can afford to draft a rookie because Peterson will take away a lot of the pressure.

New York Jets

Quandary: Chad Pennington was in and out of the lineup last year, and Kellen Clemens received a lot of playing time. It might be too late for Pennington to revive his career with the Jets, and it's too early to say Clemens is the answer.

Solution: This will be a crucial season for coach Eric Mangini, but he could buy himself some time by adding a young quarterback to the competition.

Pat Yasinskas covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

cys_av8r · 02-26-2008, 02:12 PM

Personally I can't figure out why people think McNabb is the answer for the Bears. We have tried bringing in washed up QBs for years and it has never worked.

lytle3478 · 02-26-2008, 02:15 PM

I don't think McNabb is washed up quite yet, he just gets hurt all the time it seems

ISUFan22 · 02-26-2008, 02:15 PM

If the Bears go with McNabb - they totally deserve their fate. I would literally laugh - because it would be a very silly move. I don't see it happening though, being they have both Grossman for 1 year and Orton for 2 more.

I think Atlanta is in the worst spot with the Ravens and Bears nipping at their heels.

cyismydog · 02-26-2008, 02:17 PM

Just wondering, do you guys think Croyle will get the job w/ the chiefs, or will they draft a quarterback high? (Brian Brohm, Joe Flacco)

cycloneworld · 02-26-2008, 02:18 PM

With no real good free agent QBs on the market this year, several of these teams are going to struggle at QB again.

I'd rank the them from worst to best
1. Atlanta - new coach, new system. No QB.
2. Minnesota - Jackson doesn't appear to be the solution. I don't even know who else is even an option on their roster.
3. Bears - Grossman has shown some potential as has Orton.
4. KC - Croyle is just a baby and did show some flashes last year.
5. Jets - Pennington may not be washed up just yet. And Clemens wasn't terrible.
6. Baltimore - McNair & Boller can still be serviceable for another year.
7. Carolina - I still think Delhomme is a solid starter when healthy.

djcubby · 02-26-2008, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by cys_av8r

Personally I can't figure out why people think McNabb is the answer for the Bears. We have tried bringing in washed up QBs for years and it has never worked.

Agreed, but even if he was the McNabb of 5 years ago, he still wouldn't have any descent recievers to get the ball to, no quality running back to hand it off to, etc.

The best weapons they have going for them are defense, a good tight end, and special teams.

BryceC · 02-26-2008, 02:19 PM

22, did you see Croyle and Huard last year? And they lose more offensive lineman... it could get ugly in KC.

lytle3478 · 02-26-2008, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

Just wondering, do you guys think Croyle will get the job w/ the chiefs, or will they draft a quarterback high? (Brian Brohm, Joe Flacco)

The sports talk radio shows down here seem to split on what the Chiefs should do with their #5 pick, some want them to take a OL and some want them to take a QB there. Personally I think you need to give Croyle some more time with a bolstered OL as they were just god awful this year and he always seemed to be getting knocked around. It would be hard for anyone to be successful behind the garbage they called an O-Line this year.

So I think Jake Long would be the way to go with their pick

ISUFan22 · 02-26-2008, 02:21 PM

I didn't get to watch KC much last season. I do know they have more options on offense than Atlanta, Chicago and Baltimore...helping the QBs look a little better.

j_crow · 02-26-2008, 02:34 PM

As a Falcons fan, I've been hearing about this for the last year (for good reason

), but I think we have stronger needs on the OL and DL that we need to address before QB. I don't think any of these QBs (Ryan included) have shown enough to warrant the #3 pick and I think we'd be better long-term by drafting Jake Long (OT), Glenn Dorsey (DT) or Sedrick Ellis (DT) (or even better yet, trying to trade down!). We'd be better off picking up Henne, Flacco or Josh Johnson in the 2nd-3rd round and sitting them behind Chris Redman for a year. Everyone knows the Falcons aren't going to make the playoffs in Mike Smith's first year anyway...better to plan for the long-term.

ISUFan22 · 02-26-2008, 02:38 PM

The Falcons and Fish are not in that different of positions. Both desperately need a lot of players, including quarterback. It would be a miracle for either team to be in the playoffs before the '10/'11 season.

taco2000 · 02-26-2008, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by lytle3478

The sports talk radio shows down here seem to split on what the Chiefs should do with their #5 pick, some want them to take a OL and some want them to take a QB there. Personally I think you need to give Croyle some more time with a bolstered OL as they were just god awful this year and he always seemed to be getting knocked around. It would be hard for anyone to be successful behind the garbage they called an O-Line this year.

So I think Jake Long would be the way to go with their pick

I'm hoping they go OL myself. I hope Long is closer to Joe Thomas than they last tackle they took in the first round from Michigan. Oh Trezelle Jenkins where have thee gone?

ajk4st8 · 02-26-2008, 02:55 PM

Sage needs a shot somewhere.

jdoggivjc · 02-26-2008, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by j_crow

As a Falcons fan, I've been hearing about this for the last year (for good reason ), but I think we have stronger needs on the OL and DL that we need to address before QB. I don't think any of these QBs (Ryan included) have shown enough to warrant the #3 pick and I think we'd be better long-term by drafting Jake Long (OT), Glenn Dorsey (DT) or Sedrick Ellis (DT) (or even better yet, trying to trade down!). We'd be better off picking up Henne, Flacco or Josh Johnson in the 2nd-3rd round and sitting them behind Chris Redman for a year. Everyone knows the Falcons aren't going to make the playoffs in Mike Smith's first year anyway...better to plan for the long-term.

I completely agree. We all know what happened last time we took a stud QB in the first round (#1 overall)

Honestly, we need help everywhere. We need OL that can block, new RBs, receivers that can catch, and basically a fresh start on defense. At this point I'd rather not draft a stud QB early and watch him get turned into the next David Carr...