Imminent QB Carousel

The following blog originated from a friend's "I told you so" e-mail to me about Josh Freeman. He had lauded Freeman all year as a solid fantasy play, and I dogged him. The time is here to take my medicine...Freeman was solid, throwing 25 TD's with only 6 INT's. It's rare for an NFL QB to have fewer than 10 INT's these days, especially one who is in only his 2nd season.

Josh Freeman is the real deal. I sure as hell can't do that with a football.

The next question posed to me was about his draft stock for 2011 fantasy leagues. He finished as the 7th overall QB fantasy-wise. You'll get some people who are high on him, some who laud him as a sleeper, and some who will declare him a one-year-wonder. By my estimation, he’ll probably go between rounds 6-9 in most leagues. Guys like Matt Schaub, Matt Ryan, and Eli Manning will get taken ahead of him based on sustained success alone, but he could start to sneak up the ladder.

More interesting, I think, is TIM TEBOW for next year. He scores 20 points even when he throws picks….he rushes for 60-80 yards a game, sometimes with a score. He's essentially their goaline back, which boosts his value, and hurts that of Knowshown Moreno. I'm hailing Tebow as a sleeper starting QB, maybe someone to take late as a QB2 but could surprise by year’s end…

Is Denver ready for full-time Tebow Time?

There are some bold ideas kicking around here, so it got me to thinking. There are A LOT of unsettled QB situations out there to go along with the one in Denver. Solution? BLOG ABOUT IT!!!!Without further ado, here are the most burning QB issues around the league as we head into this offseason:

Will the Bills stay with Fitzpatrick?

Fitzpatrick was above average at times this year, and has earned the Pepe Vibe "You Could Do Worse" tag. I think they will, but they'll make a push to trade up to #1 to grab Andrew Luck.

So this is what Ryan Fitzpatrick looks like...

Will the Dolphins give Henne another year before pulling the plug?

They have to...Henne showed signs of life last year, but regressed big time this year. Something has to happen with this offense. They are too good to be as inept as they were at the end of 2010. Look for the Dolphins to bring in someone to compete with Henne (a la Alex Smith)

Is Colt McCoy the midseason version that led the Browns to strong performances against the Saints, Pats, and Jets, or the late season version that struggled yesterday versus the Ravens?

He's somewhere in between. I see McCoy as a potential Chad Pennington type - a good leader who doesn't have blue chip physical skils, but will be a winner at the NFL level.

Is Carson Palmer done in Cincy? Does he get cut and become the hottest free agent commodity for teams like OAK, CAR, SF, SEA?

Boy, he sure looks like he's done there. If you saw the end of the Cincy-Baltimore game, you know what I am talking about. Something tells me he will be back, but they need to find some way to give themselves a "fresh start". Consider Marvin Lewis, Benson, TO, and Ochocinco on alert.

What will the Broncos do? Do they trade Orton, or keep him around as an unhappy camper and backup who would start for a lot of teams?

One thing is certain - Brady Quinn will definitely be there as a backup. The question is, does Orton remain also, or do they jettison him to give Tebow a shot. That's my bet. Regardless of how you feel about Tebow, you don't take a first round pick and send him to the bench when he's started games for you (end of this year). Orton will be QB-ing in the NFC West next year. 

Raiders…do they give Campbell one more year before cutting their losses?

Campbell stays, but they'll draft a QB in the second/third round - perhaps a Jake Locker type. They'll have to trade up to land any of the big names, as New England has their first round pick from the Seymour trade. 

Will the Eagles shop Kevin Kolb to one of the QB-needy teams?

The only way they don't is if they are not confident in Michael Vick's ability to stay healthy. If they plan on getting anything for Kolb in a trade - now is the time. They may have a hard time finding a suitor, but Kolb lands somewhere out west (SF or AZ).

Is Rex Grossman the future (hahahahhahahaha) in Washington?

Starting to think Shanahan is just a really average NFL coach who happened to encounter John Elway and Terrell Davis at the same time. Grossman opens the season as Washington's starter, and Shanahan arrogantly defends the decision.

Right on Rex! Rex Grossman seems ready to take over in Washington.

Will Matthew Stafford ever be healthy?

No. Detroit's hands are tied. They better hope that he can. He's a rarity in that he shows the intangibles of a winning QB, but he's in danger of becoming a "bust" because he can't stay healthy. 

Vikings….what a mess…Should they start from scratch at QB?

Introducing the new starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings - Donovan McNabb. Why not? They are in the business of reviving aging QB careers. Vikes will be a team to watch this offseason....anything is possible.

Will the Panthers go after Andrew Luck, or continue to try their “luck” with Jimmy Clausen, perhaps bringing in a Carson Palmer/Donovan McNabb-type to help him develop?

Andrew Luck, welcome to Carolina. Tony Pike, Matt Moore, and Brian St. Pierre are out the door. Clausen stays as a QB3 (in training to be a QB2), and the Panthers sign a 2nd/3rd tier veteran to help get Luck ready to start (Alex Smith, Sage Rosenfels).

Maybe they should've been practicing their throws instead of their handoffs. A whopping 9 TD and 21 INT for the Panthers QB's this season. 2300 yards and an eye-popping QB rating of 57.0.

The NFC West will have a huge overhaul. Matt Hasselbeck, Troy/Alex Smith, Derek Anderson, and even Charlie Whitehurst could all be gone. Will we see a McNabb-Orton matchup next year when the 49ers play the Cardinals?

You can count on every NFC West team having a new QB at the start of next season (except the Rams, of course). The question is, who lands where? I think Orton's a foregone conclusion to join one of those teams, while McNabb lives in Arizona in the offseason.



I don't even think they eat Chunky Soup in Arizona!

2011 - Who will start?
Teams of Interest
Bills: Ryan Fitzpatrick (draft Blaine Gabbert #3)                                 
Dolphins: Chad Henne                                 
Bengals: Carson Palmer                                  
Browns: Colt McCoy                                                              
Jaguars: David Garrard                                 
Titans: Vince Young
Raiders: Jason Campbell
Broncos: Tim Tebow
Redskins: Rex Grossman (draft Ryan Mallett #10)
Vikings: Donovan McNabb (draft Cam Newton #12)
Panthers: Andrew Luck
Seahawks: Charlie Whitehurst
49ers: Kevin Kolb
Cardinals: Kyle Orton (draft Jake Locker in 2nd Round #37) 

It’s going to be an interesting offseason….Coaching vacancy blog is next up...