The NFL Draft is approaching in the coming weeks and teams around the league have been making moves, as the QB position remains the focal point of priority when establishing the basis of a decent football team. Although, it is a bit early, the forecast predicts tons of QB drama over the coming months, due to discouraging play this past season and many teams still in lieu after roster moves.
With several transactions taking place in the last couple of days: such as Matt Flynn’s placement in Oakland, Carson Palmer’s move to Arizona and Ryan Fitzpatrick’s move to Tennessee controversy has begun to brew about: What exactly these teams are thinking? Additionally, QB situations are about to become more complicated as the draft approaches, while none of the names above represent marquee players or proven playoff leaders. As this is the case, youngsters such as Matt Barkley, Geno Smith and Tyler Wilson, Ryan Nassib will remain as late first early second round picks, and should be used to turn up the heat on needy depth charts. The bottom-line despite a plethora of former big names,QB talent will be needed if struggling teams decide to take the next step forward.
Teams with the biggest QB Issues still after moves…
Cardinals: Carson Palmer is simply on the downside of his career and makes horrible decisions. Ryan Lindley was a joke last year and Drew Stanton isn’t proven. The Card’s need to start rebuilding now, rather than sink with Carson Palmer.
Jets: Mark Sanchez… gets 8 million bucks wether he starts or not, but my feeling is that he won’t be able to handle the pressure once again. Greg McElroy isn’t a proven threat, but the main problem is the coaching staff won’t play probably the best athlete on the football team in Tim Tebow. Problems, Problems.
Bills: Kevin Kobb was looking good as a Cardinal, finally, with 8TD’s and 3 INT, but history suggests he may have problems. Not having weapons is another major concern here as well. The depth right now is bleak, expect a rookie.
Raiders: Matt Flynn boasts 2 starts to his career, and has a 92.0 rating, but the Raiders are a tough situation. Given the fact that he doesn’t possess a huge arm or overwhelming athletic ability the QB position likely could still be a problem.
Jaguars: With only two wins behind Gabbert last year, things are going to have to turn around quickly. Chad Henne is also not a proven solution. Drafting a rookie here may be the best bet.
A few note worthy contract notes…
Joe Flacco (3,817 YDS, 22 TD, 10 INT, 87.7 RAT): Signs six-year $120.6 million dollar contract with 52 million in guaranteed money.
Tony Romo (4,903 YDS, 28 TD, 19 INT, 90.5 RAT): Signs Six-year, $108 million dollar contract with 55 million guaranteed.
Alex Smith: (1737 YDS, 13 TD, 5 INT, 104.1 RAT): Signs Three-year, $10 million dollar contract with 5 million guaranteed
*Aaron Rodgers (4,295 YDS, 39 TD, 8 INT, 108.0 RAT): About to sign a record deal that will make him the highest paid player in the National Football League.
Personal Top 10 Best QB’s in the NFL:
Tom Brady
Aaron Rodgers
Peyton Manning
Eli Manning
Andrew Luck
Drew Brees
Ben Rothlisberger
RG3
Colin Kapernick
Tony Romo
Jay Cutler
Ranking the Rookies from Last Year Top 5:
Andrew Luck
Robert Griffin III
Russell Wilson
Ryan Tannehill
Brandon Weeden
Honorable Mention: Nick Foles, Kirk Cousins
Next Year’s 2014 Free Agents: Matt Ryan, Matthew Stafford, Jay Cutler, Matt Ryan
Starters With Most Pressure to Perform:
Tony Romo : A new contract and 1-3 playoff record to show for it, Romo will have to step up and win the big games to be considered a success. The media will be all over him and he must stop throwing absolutely horrible interceptions.
Jay Cutler: Chicago is a tough place to play and being in Aaron Rodger’s shadow is even tougher. 14 interceptions is also a lot, when compared to just 19 touchdown tosses. The stakes rise even more this year as a lot of money is at stake. Look for Jay to come out with a vengeance.
Brandon Weeden: With only 14 TD passes and a rating of 72.6 the Browns have started to think about if Weeden is the right answer. The fact however is that he will be Cleveland’s opening day starter. Will he be able to answer the call most likely throwing to sub par receivers?
Cam Newton: With all the hype comes pressure and Cam Newton is going to have to have a winning season in order to be considered worth his acclaim; (7-9 is simply not good enough). He will be fun to watch either way, as statistically he has been impressive, especially on the ground. Adding wins here is more important than his play.
* If he starts Mark Sanchez: Last year, was a nightmare( (13 TDs, 18 INTS), but due to contract woes the Jets are locked in. This will be a media firestorm once again, I just hope it isn’t any worse than last year. If so I expect Sanchez to be out of a job midway through next season.
*If he starts Blaine Gabbert: With most of his draft class already boasting playoff victories, Blaine Gabbert will be under the most scrutiny of his career as he will try to shed, the “Blame Gabbert” talks in Florida. Could Tebow be on his way?
Matthew Stafford: With a rating of 79.8 and 17 interceptions, Stafford will have to make better decisions and better throws if he expects to remain the long term answer in Detroit. In addition, four-wins this past year is not tolerable and Stafford is partly to blame; as often times he is erratic.
Sam Bradford: After four years in the league and a (7-8-1) record this past season Bradford will begin to feel the pressure in St. Louis despite playing statistically sound. 2013 marks a huge year as the Rams are at a crossroads with Bradford and his future.
Most Likely QB Battles: Cardinals (Carson Palmer, Rookie, Drew Stanton), Titans (Jake Locker, Ryan Fitzpatrick), Bills: (Ryan Fitzpatrick, Rookie), Jets: (Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow) Eagles: (Mike Vick, Nick Foles), Jaguars: (Blaine Gabbert, Chad Henne)
Projected Starter in bold. *Rookie Most Likely to Enter Situation
*Arizona Cardinals: Acquire Carson Palmer, Sign Drew Stanton, Re-signed Bryan Hoyer, Ryan Lindley
Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, Luke McCown, Davis Dominique
Baltimore Ravens: Re-signed Joe Flacco, Tyrod Taylor
*Buffalo Bills: Signed Kevin Kolb, Tavaris Jackson, Aaron Corp
Carolina Panthers: Cam Netwon Re-signed Derek Anderson, Jimmy Clausen
Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler, Re-sign Josh McCown
Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton, Signed Josh Johnson, Zac Robinson
Cleveland Browns: Brandon Weeden, Signed Jason Campbell. Thaddeus Lewis
Dallas Cowboys: Re-signed Tony Romo, Kyle Orton , Nick Stephens
Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning Brock Osweiler
Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill, Kellen Moore, McLeod Bethel-Thompson
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers, Graham Harrell, BJ Coleman
Houston Texans: Matt Schuab TJ Yates, Case Keenum, Stephen McGee
Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, Signed Matt Hasselbeck, Chandler Harnish
*Jacksonville Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert, Chad Henne
Lions: Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill, Kellen Moore
Kansas City Chiefs: Signed Alex Smith, Signed Chase Daniels, Ricky Stanzi
Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, Re-sign Matt Moore, Pat Devlin
Minnesota Vikings: Christian Ponder, Signed Matt Cassel, Joe Webb
New England Patriots: Tom Brady, Ryan Mallet, Mike Kafka
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees Signed Luke McCown
New York Giants: Eli Manning, Re-sign David Carr, Curtis Painter
*New York Jets: Mark Sanchez, Signed David Garrard, Greg McElroy, Tim Tebow, Matt Simms
Oakland Raiders: Acquire Matt Flynn , Terrell Pryor
Philadelphia Eagles: Mike Vick, Nick Foles, Dennis Dixon, Trent Edwards, G.J. Kline
Pittsburg Steelers: Ben Rolisberger, Signed Bruce Gradkowski, Claim John Parker Wilson
St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, Austin Davis
San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers, Charlie Whitehurst
San Francisco 49ers: Collin Kapernick , Signed Colt McCoy, Scott Tolzien
Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson
Tennessee Titans: Jake Locker, Signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, Rusty Smith, Nate Enderle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Freeman, Dan Orlovsky, Adam Weber
Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins
Matt Leinart to Seattle?
Scrap Pile for Now: Charlie Batch, Rex Grossman, Byron Leftwich, John Skelton, Brady Quinn, Matt Leinart, Kellen Clemens, Tyler Thigpen, JaMarcus Russell, Jordan Palmer,
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