With the NFL draft over and the offseason already in full swing, the time has come to start predicting the starting quarterbacks for the teams around the league. There are currently 7 teams without a clear cut QB: The Vikings, Raiders, Lions, 49ers, Browns, Bucs, and Jets. Some grabbed QBs in the draft, some traded, and some have returning players who will be competing for the spot. So here are my predictions for 2009.
Minnesota Vikings: In Minnesota the battle is currently between the youngster Tavares Jackson and the experienced backup Sage Rosenfels. Last year Tavares was the starter opening day, but was pulled after 2 games in favor of Gus Ferrotte. Rosenfels was the starter for Houston last year during the Matt Schaub injury, and though he had a less than stellar 6 games for the Texans the Vikings went out and traded for him during the off-season. Despite being pulled early in the year, during the last four games of the season Jackson seemed to pull it together, throwing for 8 TDs to only 1 INT. Though the Vikings clearly must have seen something in Rosenfels, Jackson will be the one behind center for the first play of the season. Unless, of course, Brett Favre comes out of retirement. Again.
Oakland Raiders: Here we have an interesting battle between the old and the young. Seasoned starter Jeff Garcia is pushing 40, but somehow is still sought after by NFL teams. Taking the stand against Garcia is JaMarcus Russell, the number one pick in the 2007 draft and the man who continues to prove that Al Davis has no idea what he’s doing come draft day. The Raiders clearly have lost confidence in JaMarcus after the 2008 season where he only managed a passer rating of 77, good for 26th in the league. On the other side Garcia led the Bucs to their second straight 9-7 season last year, just missing the playoffs after a late season collapse, which can be blamed more on the defense than anything else (Tampa gave up more than 30 points in three of the last four games). It would make sense for Garcia to be the starter on day 1, and let Russell sit on the bench and learn from a vet for another season before taking the reins.
Detroit Lions: And now we come to the worst team in football. After an 0-16 season with three different quarterbacks, Detroit is looking for a win - just one would be nice. The frontrunner for this starting job is 2009 number 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford. Going up against him is the starter of five games last year for Detroit, Daunte Culpepper. As much as we all love Culpepper and his huge arm, Stafford is going to get the starting job. There is too much hype in Detroit surrounding Stafford, and after such an awful season the city is looking for a change. They grabbed a nice new TE for him to throw to, they already have a decent back in Kevin Smith, and of course there’s always Megatron running down the field as far as he can get. Hopefully they’ll get a win next year, and I’m sorry for the team who loses to them already
San Fransisco 49ers: Probably the most uninteresting battle here between 2005 number one pick Alex Smith and the former starter Shaun Hill. San Fran has a lot invested in Alex Smith, and after a horrible year starting in 2006 I think it’s time for another shot. Hill has been an unimpressive backup for the past two years, and it’s time to try out that top pick again. With Frank Gore opening up the passing game and Crabtree running down the sideline, Smith has all the help that he needs to look good. Now its up to him.
Cleveland Browns: The Browns have two quarterbacks who can both start at the NFL level; Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson.
After a great 2007, Anderson followed it up with an awful 2008, throwing for less than 150 yards in six out of the ten games that he started. Quinn came in as the backup, and was mediocre in the three games that he was under center. In the end Anderson is more proven and I think he’s the starter for now. If he struggles Quinn is in, and at the latest, after next season one of them will be on a different team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Without Jeff Grarcia Tampa will have to look to either Josh Freeman, Byron Leftwich, or Luke McCowan to start in ’09. After they traded up two spots to grab Freeman in the 2009 draft, they obviously like him and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him starting. That being said, when he starts to struggle and become an interception machine I would look to Byron Leftwich to come in and take the starting role.
New York Jets: I saved my favorite team for last. This battle ensues between the perennial backup Kellen Clemens, and and 5th overall pick Mark Sanchez. Before the draft new head coach Rex Ryan said that he would be happy with Kellen Clemens starting, but the fact that they traded up 12 spots to go and grab Sanchez says otherwise. In any event, it has been announced as an open competition, but given Ryan’s history (coming from the Ravens who last year had a rookie head coach and QB), I would expect Sanchez to have the edge. In his year starting at USC he proved to scouts that he has the decision making, the arm, and the intangibles to succeed in the NFL in a major market. Kellen Clemens had his shot in 2007, and New York doesn’t believe in him anymore. Expect Sanchez to be the starter, and jersey sales to be through the roof.
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