7 teams interested in Leftwich (1 Viewer)

[TheBradyBunch]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/footbal...,0,942858.story

Ravens give Leftwich a look

Newsome: Team has had 'a couple of small conversations' with former Jags QB

By Jamison Hensley | Sun reporter

1:52 PM EDT, September 3, 2007

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Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Furl Google Newsvine Reddit Spurl Yahoo Print Single page view Reprints Reader feedback Text size: Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome told The Sun today that the team has had "a couple of small conversations" with Byron Leftwich's agent.

The Ravens are believed to be one of seven teams to have preliminary talks with Leftwich, a four-year starting quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars who was cut Saturday after the team decided to go with David Garrard.

Like the other teams that have had conversations with Leftwich, the Ravens aren't expected to make a hard push for him, and they have to decide whether adding Leftwich would be a distraction for a team that has enjoyed a smooth preseason.

Even if the Ravens picked up Leftwich, he likely would come in as the No. 3 quarterback this season. He could have better opportunities of playing this season elsewhere.

It was only four years ago when the Ravens thought they had Leftwich. The Ravens completed a last-minute trade with the Minnesota Vikings to jump three spots up to No. 7, but they got a busy signal when trying to inform league headquarters as time expired and couldn't complete the deal in time to draft Leftwich.

Instead, the Jaguars took Leftwich with the seventh pick and the Ravens selected linebacker Terrell Suggs with the 10th. The Ravens later traded back into the first round to draft quarterback Kyle Boller.

In the past, the Ravens have resisted showing interest in other available quarterbacks because they seemed set with Steve McNair as the starter and Boller as the backup.

But the Ravens could be thinking about whether Leftwich is a fit for the future. McNair will turn 35 after the season, and Boller is in the final year of his contract (although the Ravens haven't ruled out re-signing him). The other quarterback on the roster is Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith.

Leftwich, 27, is looking for a fresh start after four rocky and injury-filled seasons with the Jaguars.

Because of ankle and knee problems, he hasn't played a full season in the NFL and missed 15 games the past two years.

He publicly clashed with Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, questioning his decisions to the media. Del Rio said Leftwich lied to him several times about his health.

In 46 games, Leftwich has completed 58.7 percent of his passes for 9,042 yards. He has thrown 51 touchdowns and 36 interceptions for a 80.5 quarterback rating.

Last season, he missed 10 games because of an oft-injured left ankle. He then had an erratic preseason this year, completing 19 of 38 throws for 226 yards and a touchdown.

"At this point, we have had a couple of small conversations, but that's been the extent of it," Newsome said.

 

[bluesclues]

I would have to think if thePhins could do it over they may choose Leftwich over Trent Green until Beck can take over.

Also, the Skins may want a decent back up in case Jason Campbell is not all that.

 

[Jeff Tefertiller]

With McNair's age and Boller a UFA in 2008, this is a great fit for Leftwich. Being tutored by McNair for a year could help quite a bit, too

 

[LHUCKS]

Good move by Del Sucko cutting his former first rounder and not getting anything in return.

 

[OCC]

Good move by Del Sucko cutting his former first rounder and not getting anything in return.

I didn't realize Del Sucko was the GM of the Jags. And before the season even starts, the LHUCKS QB over/under are starting to fall apart.

 

[Balco]

With McNair's age and Boller a UFA in 2008, this is a great fit for Leftwich. Being tutored by McNair for a year could help quite a bit, too

I think this is the perfect fit for Leftwich. He can backup McNair, and immerse himself in the playbook. He can step into the starter's role in 2008. I still think he is a starter in the NFL. Surprised the Jags got rid of him for nothing. Obviously they had no leverage when they announced Garrard would be the starter. But you would think you could at least get a 5th rounder for him.

 

[Kleck.]

Good move by Del Sucko cutting his former first rounder and not getting anything in return.

I didn't realize Del Sucko was the GM of the Jags. And before the season even starts, the LHUCKS QB over/under are starting to fall apart.

He's just bitter since all he has left for QB in the staff/MB auction league is Tarvaris Jackson.

 

[packersfan]

The Vikings should be doing everything they can to sign Leftwich. He may not be a great player but he would be a HUGE upgrade over what they currently have at QB.

 

[Balco]

The Vikings should be doing everything they can to sign Leftwich. He may not be a great player but he would be a HUGE upgrade over what they currently have at QB.

I can't understand why everyone is knocking JAckson so bad. The guy got thrust into a starter's role as a rookie last year, and his transition from tiny college to NFL obviously did not go well. It is his 2nd year. I actually think he might be pretty good, if his receivers can hold on to the ball. And I am a Packers fan saying this!!

 

[az_prof]

The Vikings should be doing everything they can to sign Leftwich. He may not be a great player but he would be a HUGE upgrade over what they currently have at QB.

The Vikings consider TJax their QB of the present and future. They traded up to get him last year, and they let Brad Johnson go, and they didn't go after FA QBs like Green or Garcia, nor did they trade for Schaub; they didn't draft a QB to compete with him. They just signed Holcombe to be backup and tutor; I see no need for Leftwich in MN.How about KC? They have nothing. Brodie sucks and Huard is a stop gap starter.

 

[packersfan]

The Vikings should be doing everything they can to sign Leftwich. He may not be a great player but he would be a HUGE upgrade over what they currently have at QB.

The Vikings consider TJax their QB of the present and future. They traded up to get him last year, and they let Brad Johnson go, and they didn't go after FA QBs like Green or Garcia, nor did they trade for Schaub; they didn't draft a QB to compete with him. They just signed Holcombe to be backup and tutor; I see no need for Leftwich in MN.

And therein lies the problem. Jackson doesn't look ready; Bollinger definitely isn't the answer and Holcomb is a journeyman. The Vikings' QB situation is a disaster just waiting to happen. If they brought in Leftwich he could be a decent stopgap until Jackson is ready - assuming he ever is (I'm highly skeptical of that). The QB position could very well doom the Vikings to fourth-place in a weak division.

 

[Colin Dowling]

The Vikings should be doing everything they can to sign Leftwich. He may not be a great player but he would be a HUGE upgrade over what they currently have at QB.

The Vikings consider TJax their QB of the present and future. They traded up to get him last year, and they let Brad Johnson go, and they didn't go after FA QBs like Green or Garcia, nor did they trade for Schaub; they didn't draft a QB to compete with him. They just signed Holcombe to be backup and tutor; I see no need for Leftwich in MN.

And therein lies the problem. Jackson doesn't look ready; Bollinger definitely isn't the answer and Holcomb is a journeyman. The Vikings' QB situation is a disaster just waiting to happen. If they brought in Leftwich he could be a decent stopgap until Jackson is ready - assuming he ever is (I'm highly skeptical of that). The QB position could very well doom the Vikings to fourth-place in a weak division.

Holcomb is a pretty good journeyman.64%, 6.7, even TD/Int ratio on some pretty poor teams.

 

[packersfan]

The Vikings should be doing everything they can to sign Leftwich. He may not be a great player but he would be a HUGE upgrade over what they currently have at QB.

The Vikings consider TJax their QB of the present and future. They traded up to get him last year, and they let Brad Johnson go, and they didn't go after FA QBs like Green or Garcia, nor did they trade for Schaub; they didn't draft a QB to compete with him. They just signed Holcombe to be backup and tutor; I see no need for Leftwich in MN.

And therein lies the problem. Jackson doesn't look ready; Bollinger definitely isn't the answer and Holcomb is a journeyman. The Vikings' QB situation is a disaster just waiting to happen. If they brought in Leftwich he could be a decent stopgap until Jackson is ready - assuming he ever is (I'm highly skeptical of that). The QB position could very well doom the Vikings to fourth-place in a weak division.

Holcomb is a pretty good journeyman.64%, 6.7, even TD/Int ratio on some pretty poor teams.

With Leftwich, I think they have a chancAnd it's not because I think Leftwich is great (I don't). It's because I think the Vikings' QBs are putrid.

 

[code]

John Clayton was on NFL Live and said only two teams (Ravens and ??) were significantly interested and with week one games approaching it may not happen until next week...

 

[Traders2001]

What about the Chiefs i mean Huard and Croyle are nt NFL qb's it 's a real joke that they would start the season with those guys at #1 and #2 .

 

[shamrock84]

The Vikings should be doing everything they can to sign Leftwich. He may not be a great player but he would be a HUGE upgrade over what they currently have at QB.

The Vikings consider TJax their QB of the present and future. They traded up to get him last year, and they let Brad Johnson go, and they didn't go after FA QBs like Green or Garcia, nor did they trade for Schaub; they didn't draft a QB to compete with him. They just signed Holcombe to be backup and tutor; I see no need for Leftwich in MN.

And therein lies the problem. Jackson doesn't look ready; Bollinger definitely isn't the answer and Holcomb is a journeyman. The Vikings' QB situation is a disaster just waiting to happen. If they brought in Leftwich he could be a decent stopgap until Jackson is ready - assuming he ever is (I'm highly skeptical of that). The QB position could very well doom the Vikings to fourth-place in a weak division.

What have you seen from TJax that makes you say these things?

 

[Rogi]

Maybe the Raiders will sign him to motivate JaMarcus Russell.

 

[code]

What about the Chiefs i mean Huard and Croyle are nt NFL qb's it 's a real joke that they would start the season with those guys at #1 and #2 .

Chiefs claim QB Thigpen off waivers

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs claimed quarterback Tyler Thigpen off waivers from Minnesota, and he will replace the recently-released Casey Printers as the No. 3 quarterback.

The Chiefs appear to have no interest in Byron Leftwich, who was released by Jacksonville on Saturday.

To make room for Thigpen, the Chiefs released wide receiver Bobby Sippio but planned to add him to their practice squad if he cleared waivers.

Link

 

[Wadsworth]

Good move by Del Sucko cutting his former first rounder and not getting anything in return.

Would have been tough to handle the situation much worse. I think the hater fans finally won. There were large number of fans that just plain hated Leftwich and were refusing to buy tickets while he was the starter. It was really really out of hand. For exmaple, on staurday morning the local paper had on the front pape in huge font, " HE'S HISTORY". Not "Garrard Named Starter", "Garrard Finally gets his Chance" or "Del Rio Makes Change at QB". It was all about hating on Leftwich. For what, I have no idea. I'm sure Byron is thrilled somewhere right now. Sure he lost out on 5m in sure money, but he gets a chance to start his career over somewhere that he might actually have a chance. The Jags and Jacksonville have really given themselves a black eye on this one.