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Quarterback Controversies to Watch
Headed into week four, the most popular player in town in several NFL cities was the backup quarterback. Wins in some cases (Derek Anderson), and strong performances for others (Matt Schaub) may have quieted the furor but quarterback controversies continue to simmer across the league. Here are the top five to watch as the season goes on:
1. Cleveland: Derek Anderson vs. Brady Quinn?
In Cleveland where the Browns have started sluggishly, local-boy Brady Quinn was already a fan favorite entering the season. But spurred by the offensive ineptitude of the Browns and the struggles of incumbent Derek Anderson, the calls for Quinn have grown steadily louder. Anderson leads the AFC in interceptions and the team is averaging just 11.5 points per game after averaging more than 25 in 2007. Quinn, a 2007 first round draft pick out of Notre Dame is considered by many inside of the organization to be the franchise’s long-term answer at the position. The question of changing quarterbacks isn’t if, but when and if the Browns and Anderson continue to play poorly, Quinn will become the team’s starter in the coming weeks.
2. St. Louis: Trent Green vs. Marc Bulger?
The Rams finally put head coach Scott Linehan out of his misery, firing him Monday after yet another loss. Linehan, desperate to save his job, started Trent Green Sunday against Buffalo in place of former Pro Bowler Marc Bulger. The experiment with Green who hadn’t won as a starter since 2006 likely went out the door with Linehan, especially given the fact that Bulger is in the second year of a six year, $65 million dollar contract.
3. Miami: Chad Pennington vs. Chad Henne?
Fresh off a bye week and their big win against New England, a change in quarterbacks is probably the last thing people are thinking when they consider the Dolphins. But Pennington was pulled after a horrendous performance against Arizona in week two. And against New England in week 3, it was the wildcat formation and Ronnie Brown that helped produce the victory. The Dolphins are going to want to find out about second-round pick Chad Henne before the season is over. He relieved Pennington and completed 7-12 passes for 67 yards, leading the Dolphins to their lone scoring drive against Arizona and figures to get more opportunities to play as the season progresses.
4. Baltimore: Joe Flacco vs. Troy Smith?
A less noticeable but still intriguing quarterbacking issue resides in Baltimore where the 2-0 Ravens travel to Pittsburgh Monday night. QB Joe Flacco, the rookie out of Delaware has started the season under center for the Ravens due to injuries to both Kyle Boller and Troy Smith. Flacco has led the team admirably but the passing game has been anemic. Flacco threw two horrendous interceptions last week against a mediocre Cleveland defense, and is up against a strong Pittsburgh defense at home in Heinz Field. With Smith nearing full strength after a tonsil infection, keep an eye out for the 2006 Heisman winner out of Ohio State in the coming weeks as the Ravens schedule toughens considerably with games against Tennessee and Indianapolis in the next two weeks.
5. Detroit: Jon Kitna vs. Drew Stanton?
The general feeling among Lions fans about their hapless 0-3 team is euphoria. Europhia, you wonder? Yes, fans are absolutely ecstatic over the firing of Matt Millen who somehow lasted as the general manager for more than 7 years despite a dismal 31-84 record under his leadership. With the Lions going nowhere in 2008, the Lions may decide to give 2007 second round pick Drew Stanton a chance to find out whether he can be the team’s starting quarterback in 2009 or if the Lions need to add the position to their long list of off-season needs.
# posted by Nate @ 1:50 PM
