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| (The Dolphins have just one of the many QB controversies to watch this off season and thanks to HBO's "Hard Knocks" we are invited to watch it first hand. Photo Courtesy: ) |
Miami Dolphins- Returning Matt Moore vs. Newly Acquired Free Agent David Garrard vs. Rookie Ryan Tannehill- Oh Miami, your looking for a QB every off season since Dan Marino retired. Miami finally grabbed who they believe is their starter in the 2012 Draft with Ryan Tannehill. Because of Tannehill's lack of experience (he only started 19 games during his college career), it is highly unlikely that the Dolphins will start him immediately. Despite this, the Dolphins have shown a commitment to him by hiring Mike Sherman, former Texas A & M Head Coach, as their offensive coordinator. But it is still highly unlikely that Tannehill will start right away. The Dolphins signed for Jaguars free agent QB David Garrard. It wasn't Garrard's performanec at Jacksonville that got him cut, it was his back injuries. Garrard was normally a very solid QB for Jacksonville, throwing 89 TD and 54 INT. For what its worth he is 39-37 as a starter. But overall it is likely Matt Moore's job to lose. Matt Moore started 12 games for the Dolphins last season and was 6-6 as a starter. Overall Moore was solid as a starter, throwing 16 TD and 9 INT with almost 2,500 yards. According to NFL.com, Dolphins Head Coach Joe Philbin, said, "I think it's very close," Philbin told Joe Rose on WQAM-AM, via ProFootballTalk.com. "I think it's very close. I think they all bring different attributes to the table. I will say that the room itself, the quality of the individuals in the room, I think is excellent."
New York Jets- Returning Mark Sanchez vs. Newly Acquired Tim Tebow- The City of New York has forgotten about the Giants because of the Jets big move of trading for Tim Tebow after the Broncos acquired Peyton Manning. There are questions about what the Jets are going to do with Tebow, who wants to play QB, but the Jets already have Mark Sanchez. Everyone knows about what Tebow can and can't do. Its very bizarre because although the Broncos scored more points when Orton was the QB, the Broncos won more games with Orton. Tebow has stated that his going for the starting job, not wildcat, not special teams. Then there is Mark Sanchez. While all QBs go through phases of inconsistency, Mark Sanchez had his worse season last season. The Jets went 8-8 last season, after going to the AFC Championship two years in a row. Mark Sanchez showed last year that of he needs to throw the ball and carry the team, that he can't. It has often been said that Mark Sanchez is best when he is in the play-action. In order to do play action, the Jets will have to do better than 105 yards/game. It is likely Mark Sanchez's job to lose, but the first time he doesn't play well, be ready to hear the Tebow chants to start. According to Profootballtalk.com here is what Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan has to say: “There’s no quarterback controversy here,” Ryan told WFAN, via Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. “Mark is our starting quarterback.”
Cleveland Browns- Returning Colt McCoy vs. Rookie Brandon Weeden- The Browns are very similar to the Dolphins in that they are constantly looking for that franchise QB. They may have found him in Oklahoma St. QB Brandon Weeden, except for one drawback, he is 28. Colt McCoy has also stated that he wants to be the QB and does not want to be traded, which is a notion the Browns have toyed with. It is very likely that Brandon Weeden is going to be the starter, not only because of his age, but because he is a first-round pick. Colt McCoy's numbers have been less than impressive and likely will be traded. Profootballtalk.com reports that Browns Head Coach Pat Shurmur told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer Shurmur called Weeden “our guy going forward."
Arizona Cardinals- Returning Kevin Kolb vs. Returning John Skelton- Now this is going to be interesting competition. Both QBs were solid for the Cardinals last year, except Kolb has durability issues. While the Cardinals won with Skelton at the helm more, Kolb is the guy the Cardinals paid big for before the 2011 season. So who do you start? Cardinals fan site revengeofthebirds.com blogger broke down the numbers and it is very even. Kevin Kolb was pretty even both at home and on the road. John Skelton was better at home, when 10 of his 14 INT came in away games. But Kolb's completion percentage plummets in the second half of games while John Skelton stat's reflect his reputation last year of being a comeback player. Profootballtalk.com reports Ken Whisenhunt on "The Jim Rome show" " “They’ve both been working hard at it. It’s been good to get out on the field and actually work on techniques and fundamentals with these guys. At times last year they both showed they can do good things. But consistency at that position is something we’ve got to improve on. So hopefully the competition between both of them will sharpen up one of them enough that he’ll be a good starter for us.”
Seattle Seahawks- Returning Tarvaris Jackson vs. Free Agent Signee Matt Flynn vs. Rookie Russell Wilson- This could've been a more bizarre situation if Charlie Whitehurst hadn't gone back to San Diego. But the Seahawks have Tarvaris Jackson who has been a long-time backup who plays good when he has to relieve somebody. Next to Kyle Orton, Tarvaris Jackson is probably the best backup QB a team could ask for. But nobody wants to be "that guy." Tarvaris Jackson actually led the Seahawks to a 7-7 record in the games he played last season. But his TD/INT ratio is less than desirable being 14/13. The Seahawks believe Matt Flynn is the solution to their below .500 issue the last several seasons. Matt Flynn has only two starts in his NFL career being a backup to Aaron Rodgers. But in both starts Matt Flynn has been impressive. Against the Lions last year Matt Flynn threw for 518 yards and 6 TD. The Seahawks are hoping he can be their franchise QB and if he isn't they are certainly hoping Russell Wilson, rookie QB out of Wisconsin, is. It appears to be Matt Flynn's job to lose though. NFL.com reported via The Associated Press,"I've been really pleased with the way they've worked," Carroll said at the conclusion of minicamp, "They've busted their tails to get their stuff done. They've all been able to run the club and function in the huddle and make their adjustments and the calls."
Tennessee Titans- Returning Matt Hasselbeck vs. Returning Jake Locker- This is one of the least talked about competitions. The Titans were one of the more solid teams last year with Matt Hasselbeck at the helm, but when Jake Locker had to come in and play, they were still good. It is widely believed though, that the Titans will stick with Hasselbeck, but if they get into a position where they are losing, Jake Locker could easily come in and relieve Hasselbeck. Here is coach Mike Munchak on the situation via foxsportstennessee.com "You have to factor everything in, so sure, you're thinking about that. I could sit here and put a paper of pros and cons of who should start in that first game and there's a lot of reasons for both of them. That would not be influencing why we would do what we do. We've got to go with the guy who is ready to help us win," Munchak said.
