Ten most compelling QB situations (1 Viewer)

[Faust]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writ.../qbs/index.html

With the NFL draft having reshuffled a few quarterback depth charts around the league, let's take stock of the shifting arms-race landscape as we await the opening of training camps in about three months. It's a quarterbacks' world in the NFL, but it seems to change about every other week, so you have to stay current.

Here's our list of the 10 most compelling quarterback situations to watch when the season starts, and in the interest of full disclosure, we do not consider Minnesota (you know No. 4 is coming back) or Pittsburgh (it's still Ben Roethlisberger's job) as having vacancies.

1. Carolina Panthers

Starter: Matt Moore

Challengers: Jimmy Clausen, Tony Pike, Hunter Cantwell

The Upshot: After Moore went 4-1 to end the season in his first real shot at the No. 1 job, the Panthers let Jake Delhomme, A.J. Feeley and Josh McCown walk and handed the job to Moore, the former Oregon State star who stuck in the league after going undrafted in 2007. But the draft threw Carolina's quarterback depth chart in a whole new light because the Panthers went out of character and nabbed both Notre Dame's Clausen (second round) and Cincinnati's Pike (sixth). Clausen is obviously well-positioned to challenge for Moore's job from day one, and don't overlook Pike's potential to get himself noticed with some solid preseason work.

Potential For Change: I like Moore; when he's been given a chance, he has produced during his three years in Carolina. But with Clausen being a first-round talent in the eyes of many, the reality is he's going to get a chance to play at some point as a rookie. And let's not forget, Panthers head coach John Fox is in the final year of his contract, so he's not going to hesitate to make a move if Moore struggles early. The "Clausen to the Rescue'' clamor will be heard in 2010.

2. Arizona Cardinals

Starter: Matt Leinart

Challengers: Derek Anderson, John Skelton, Max Hall

The Upshot: With Kurt Warner retired, this is Leinart's team, and Leinart's time to shine. But with an ex-Pro Bowl pick in Anderson added in free agency, and the promising Skelton drafted in the fifth round, the Cardinals are intent on making the 2006 first-round pick earn it. Leinart really can't afford to show much rust in the preseason because Anderson will be itching to seize any perceived opening and exploit it. He knows all about competing with former first-round picks, and let's just say he left Cleveland without ever believing Brady Quinn legitimately beat him out for the Browns starting job.

Potential For Change: The Cardinals have a lot of time and money invested in Leinart, and he'll be given every possible chance to succeed. I made the case earlier this offseason that Leinart played better in 2006-07 than folks really remember, but all that matters now is what he does with the opportunity. Anderson can look very good at times, and Skelton, who has been compared to Joe Flacco, is a raw but intriguing talent who's intent on becoming the NFL's next Fordham Flash.

3. Oakland Raiders

Starter: Jason Campbell

Challengers: Bruce Gradkowski, JaMarcus Russell, Kyle Boller, Charlie Frye

The Upshot: When the Raiders wisely traded a 2012 fourth-round pick to Washington for Campbell on Saturday, it showed Al Davis was finally waking up and smelling the coffee in the case of the disappointing Russell. Davis will reportedly release Russell any day now, but given the Raiders owe him $3 million guaranteed this season, I'm not sure the point of whacking him now. There's time for that at the end of the preseason. Campbell walks in the door as the team's most accomplished starter, and that's saying something given the five-year ride he just took in Washington. If I'm new Raiders offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, my depth chart reads Campbell, Gradkowski and Russell, in that order. Boller and Frye look like camp arms only, or maybe the team's No. 3 if Russell is released.

Potential For Change: Oakland's starting quarterback slot has been a revolving door since Rich Gannon left town, but Campbell now gets his turn to end all the instability. He'll put in the time and the work necessary to earn the job, unlike Russell, who only won it via his contract and draft status. Gradkowski can't be completely overlooked, but Campbell's experience makes him the best of three first-round quarterbacks on the roster (Boller in 2003, Campbell in 2005, Russell in 2007).

4. Cleveland Browns

Starter: Jake Delhomme

Challengers: Seneca Wallace, Colt McCoy, Brett Ratliff

The Upshot: You still wonder if the Browns viewed all of Delhomme's game film from mid-January 2009 on before giving him $8 million to play this season, but Cleveland has mystified us on the quarterback front many times before. He'll get the first crack at the starting job, but can anyone envision him keeping it for all 16 games? I still see Wallace pushing Delhomme in the preseason, and now you're going to have a groundswell of support for the people's choice: McCoy, the third-round rookie who happens to be the all-time wins leader in major college football history. Browns football czar Mike Holmgren said he doesn't expect McCoy to play this year, but that's no fun. Just let the Browns offense struggle for two games and see how fast McCoy's learning curve changes.

Potential For Change: I'd bet cash money Delhomme, Wallace and McCoy all get at least one start in 2010 because that's how things have gone for the Browns at quarterback for a while now. Cleveland should spend most of its time and energy this season figuring out if McCoy is the future, but with head coach Eric Mangini needing to win every game he can to protect his job, his goals and the team's goals might not perfectly jive on that front.

5. Seattle Seahawks

Starter: Matt Hasselbeck

Challengers: Charlie Whitehurst, Mike Teel

The Upshot: The plan in Seattle this year was to improve the team around Hasselbeck and let the veteran have one season to see what he can do as the team's clear-cut starter. But you might have noticed that plans can change rather abruptly in the NFL. Last month's surprising Whitehurst trade added an element of competition to Seattle's quarterback situation that didn't exist when Seneca Wallace was the backup, and new head coach Pete Carroll has been a bit all over the map, saying both that Hasselbeck is still the guy and the two quarterbacks will compete in camp. What that means is stay tuned, because if Whitehurst looks sharp in the preseason and Hasselbeck doesn't, nobody's going to be in the mood to wait until 2011 to see what the new guy can do.

Potential For Change: The Seahawks think they've uncovered a gem in Whitehurst, but they paid a high price to San Diego for a guy who has yet to throw a regular-season pass. I don't expect he'll beat out Hasselbeck this season, but injuries have bedeviled the Seahawks starter in recent years, and that may open the door for the ex-Clemson quarterback. Let's see what he does with his opportunity once it comes.

6. Buffalo Bills

Starter: Trent Edwards

Challengers: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Brohm, Levi Brown

The Upshot: With the exception of adding Troy's Levi Brown in the seventh round Saturday, the Bills' three-man quarterback contingent returns intact from 2009. But with a new head coach in Chan Gailey and a new general manager in Buddy Nix, nobody has much of a grip on any job in Buffalo. So the part worth watching this season will be how Gailey sorts through his passers and finds the one he's willing to live with. His history is to run the ball, play field position and not ask his quarterback to put the game on his shoulders. Edwards is still the guy who makes the most sense to start, but Fitzpatrick is Gailey's type of game-manager QB, and some folks are very interested to see if Brown can be that rare late-round pick who's more than just developmental material.

Potential For Change: In Buffalo? There's the potential for a change at quarterback every week. If I had to pick one team that could hit for the quarterback cycle this season -- starting four players -- it would be the Bills.

7. Denver Broncos

Starter: Kyle Orton

Challengers: Brady Quinn, Tim Tebow, Tom Brandstater

The Upshot: The selection of Tebow in the first round Thursday night may not wind up greatly impacting the 2010 season, but with head coach Josh McDaniels' fate now tied to the ex-Gator quarterback, it's clear that everything about Denver's future revolves around the former Heisman winner. Orton is entering the final year of his contract, and in a perfect world he plays well this year and then leaves via free agency. Quinn just had his path back to relevancy blocked by Tebow's arrival, and he's just an insurance policy in case Orton gets hurt at this point. At best he's playing for an opportunity with a third NFL team. Brandstater actually had his fans in Denver, but the field is too crowded and he's probably the odd man out.

Potential For Change: Orton still has a commanding edge when it comes to the starting job, but it'll be fascinating to watch how the Broncos employ Tebow in either specialty packages or getting-his-feet-wet, mid-game roles. There's certainly a chance for Orton and Quinn to feel some frustration this year because they can read the writing on the wall in Denver, and it doesn't include their names.

8. Philadelphia Eagles

Starter: Kevin Kolb

Challengers: Michael Vick, Mike Kafka

The Upshot: There should be no quarterback controversy in Philadelphia this year now that Donovan McNabb has finally met his destiny and become an ex-Eagle. The job belongs to Kolb and he's had three years to prep for this opportunity, much like Aaron Rodgers did replacing Brett Favre in Green Bay. But this being Philadelphia, I'm curious to see how long the fans remain in love with Kolb now that he's not the backup option, but has to turn his promise into production on a week-to-week basis. And could Vick's pinch-hit role in the offense increase with No. 5 out of the way, and is he willing to stay patient and quiet if he has to spend 95 percent of the time on the sideline again in 2010?

Potential For Change: We know Andy Reid doesn't do knee jerk, so Kolb doesn't have to look over his shoulder this year. But Vick can't be completely sold on the situation, and how long until someone starts agitating to see what the wonderfully named rookie late-round pick Kafka can do?

9. St. Louis Rams

Starter: Sam Bradford

Challenger: A.J. Feeley, Keith Null

The Upshot: If I had to put a buck down, I'd say Bradford's rookie season will be closer to the Matthew Stafford experience in Detroit last year than the Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez magic-carpet rides of 2008 and 2009: Some good, some bad and plenty of ugly. But that says more about where the Rams are as a team than it does about the ex-Oklahoma quarterback. Bradford doesn't have to win the starting job per se, he just can't lose it. The Rams didn't draft him first overall to sit, watch and learn while Feeley plays. He'll be center stage from day one, and in the long run, St. Louis will be better off for it.

Potential For Change: Only an injury or a complete loss of confidence will result in Bradford leaving the Rams lineup. The best thing St. Louis did for the rookie was use its second-round pick on Indiana University offensive tackle Rodger Saffold, and if you don't understand the wisdom of that move, just ask Marc Bulger.

10. San Francisco 49ers

Starter: Alex Smith

Challenger: David Carr, Nate Davis, Jarrett Brown

The Upshot: Smith's grip on the starting job got a little more secure when the 49ers passed repeatedly on Notre Dame's Clausen last Thursday and Friday nights. But it remains less than vise-like. The 2005 top overall pick is entering the last year of his rookie deal, and he's playing for his NFL future this season. He's San Francisco's clear-cut starter entering camp, but he'll be operating on a short lease this season because it's win-now time for Mike Singletary's 49ers. Should Smith struggle, you'll see Carr (another former No. 1 overall pick) and maybe even second-year man Davis given a turn under center.

Potential For Change: I liked what we saw out of Smith's career-resurrection last season, and my sense is he's by far the best option to run the 49ers offense. If San Francisco reverts back to a running-game-centric offense and gets away from what Smith does best, spreading the field and finding the open receiver, he could be back in the soup. But the 49ers are a team on the cusp, and Smith gives them the best possible chance to get where they want to go. The 2010 season is and should be in his hands.

 

[Black]

Not a bad read....I have to admit, with no news going on right now, I'd still be happy reading the side of a cereal box if it mentioned the word 'football.'

 

[Faust]

And here is the article that Don Banks makes reference to with regards to Leinart:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writ...nals/index.html

Now that Kurt Warner has made the call and thrown his last NFL touchdown pass with pinpoint accuracy, what do we know about the Arizona Cardinals once again being Matt Leinart's team, other than that's what it says right here?

Maybe all we really know for certain is there's much we still don't know. Drafted 10th overall in 2006, Leinart's four-year NFL career to this point gets a well-deserved incomplete. Thanks to Warner's unprecedented late-career renaissance, Leinart has been virtually off the radar screen in Arizona for more than two and a half seasons, and the prism through which we once viewed his likely career arc is in desperate need of a fresh look.

Today, from the vantage point of January 2010, it doesn't seem quite so shocking or humiliating any more that Leinart couldn't beat out Warner in their head-to-head training camp duel of 2008. But at the time, Leinart was 25 and the future; Warner was 37 and seen as the past.

In retrospect, there's certainly no shame in having made way for the Warner of 2008-2009. Losing his job to Warner didn't make Leinart a bust, just the unlucky young quarterback whose development had to be put on hold in the pursuit of a special and unique opportunity. Knowing what we know now, the Cardinals obviously made the right choice in 2008.

When considering the possibilities of the Leinart era starting anew in Arizona, I think it's instructive to review the lessons we've already learned from the unconventional and wildly unpredictable careers of Jay Cutler and Vince Young, the other two celebrated quarterbacks selected along with Leinart in the first round of the 2006 draft.

Cutler, taken just behind Leinart at No. 11, by Denver, has ridden a rollercoaster like no other young quarterback in memory. First he was a wunderkind with the Broncos, an obvious quarterbacking talent who appeared destined to be the best of the first-round threesome. Then, in order, he morphed into a turnover-prone, risk-taking enigma, the vilified personification of the spoiled, selfish athlete, the conquering savior come to Chicago, and finally took another turn as the turnover-prone enigma, this time as a Bear. And all of that in a dizzying four-year span.

As for Young, his ride has been a bit different, but wild and chaotic nonetheless. The first quarterback taken in 2006 went from being a heralded rookie of the year talent who saved the Titans season and helped revolutionize the quarterback position, to a struggling second-year player whose dedication to his craft was called into question even within his own organization. And then the bottom fell out, with Young being benched early in 2008 in favor of Kerry Collins, and seen as an immature and disillusioned young man who was viewed as a potential threat to harm himself by those closest to him. As for his team, it won and won big without him.

Then came this season, and the revival of his career after the Titans started 0-6 with Collins. A new and improved Young took over at quarterback and went 8-2 in the season's final 10 games, becoming one of the best comeback stories of the year and again cementing himself as the future of the Tennessee franchise. Once again, all of this in an eventful four-year span.

Can we really presume to know what fate awaits the still 26-year-old Leinart as he restarts his career? Can't he have the same sort of surprises, both good and bad, still in store for us? I'd say the odds are pretty good that he does.

A few other reminders seem to be in order when it comes to Leinart and where he might go from here. It's largely forgotten now, buried by three years of mostly inactivity, but he didn't fare badly at all as a rookie in 2006. Though the Cardinals went 5-11 that season in their final year of the Dennis Green coaching era, Leinart was 4-7 as the team's starter, and certainly played well enough to deserve a win in that memorable late-game meltdown against Chicago on Monday Night Football. ("The Bears are who we thought they were!'')

Leinart actually threw two touchdowns in the first quarter in each of his first two career starts, and later that season threw for an NFL rookie-record 405 yards (on 31 of 51 passing) in a 31-26 loss at Minnesota. The Cardinals won four of Leinart's final six starts, and the former USC star set the franchise record for most passing yards by a rookie (2,547) and became the first Cardinals QB in five years to post three games with a 100-plus passer rating.

In short, Leinart's rookie season was viewed as a pretty good first step. He threw 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, but he completed 60 percent or more of his passes in five of his final six starts, and had at least 200 yards passing in eight of his 11 starts. In fact, comparing Leinart's rookie season to the years just turned in by Mark Sanchez, Matthew Stafford and Josh Freeman shows Leinart threw for more yards, with a higher completion percentage and passer rating, and a better TD-to-INT ratio than all three of those 2009 rookies. And no one framed Sanchez, Stafford or Freeman as rookie-season failures.

In 2007, Leinart broke his collarbone in Arizona's fifth game, ending his year. But he helped lead the Cardinals to a 3-2 start in those games, albeit sharing time with Warner in some situations, when new head coach Ken Whisenhunt chose to insert the veteran to run the hurry-up or two-minute offense. Warner started the season's final 11 games and went on to throw 27 touchdown passes that season, setting up the 2008 training camp competition.

And there's one more recent footnote that should give Cardinals fans some hope in the post-Warner era: In the only start he made in 2009, Leinart played superbly, completing 21 of 31 for 220 yards without an interception in Week 12 at Tennessee. The Cardinals were in position to win until the final play of the game, but Leinart's fine performance was completely lost in the shuffle once his '06 classmate and collegiate nemesis, Vince Young, led the Titans on a breathtaking 18-play, 99-yard drive to win 20-17.

The worst that can be said about Leinart is he has proven himself to be less than effective in relief or mop-up situations playing behind Warner the past two seasons. He certainly didn't make the most of those situations and seems to play better when he opens the game, as he did against the Titans. Given Leinart's gaudy 37-2 record as a starter at USC, it makes sense that's where his comfort and experience lies.

My sense is the Cardinals will continue their transition to more of a running team under Leinart, asking more of lead back Beanie Wells than they did in his rookie season of '09, and taking some of the burden of the offense off Leinart's shoulders. They won't expect him to pick up right where Warner left off and execute the passing game to that level after almost three years of rust.

If Leinart is lucky, and best served by the Cardinals, they'll look at him anew, and reassess where his strengths and weaknesses lie as this fifth and pivotal next season of his career unfolds in Arizona. It's a good time for all of us to do the same, updating our perception of Leinart based on what we know now that we didn't know then.

He's not a first-round bust. Not yet, anyway. Just a guy who couldn't beat out a future Hall of Fame quarterback who was in the midst of maybe the greatest late-career resurgence of all time. Looking at it through that prism, Matt Leinart still has a chance to wind up being the right call for the Cardinals after all.

 

[Sweet Love]

My random breakout pick this year is Mike Teel. guy was always good in college and even with Whitehurst in the wings, I just see this guy getting some kind of shot this year. Crazier things have happened, but Hasslebeck is made of paper mache, so you are looking at a competition between two guys with zero experience (i.e. 50/50).

 

[hangman]

I have not been impressed by Leinart at all. Every time he had a chance to play with Fitz and Boldin, arguably two of the best receivers in the league he has come up short. If I was forced to take him in draft, I would definitely handcuff Anderson to him. 21 of 31 for 220 yards and an interception comes up to 8 fantasy points in most scoring systems, that does not do much for me.

 

[Bob Magaw]

thanx, that was a cogent article on to the ever-changing QB-scape from year to year...

he noted that fox was in last year of his contract... i'd draw a different conclusion... if moore does well, being in the last year of a contract would be an excellent reason to NOT start a rookie QB. new HCs are seemingly more likely to get a grace period developing a rookie QB for a few years...

 

[Faust]

Bucky Brooks with a similar article:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true

Five teams face pivotal decisions surrounding passers

By Bucky Brooks | NFL.com

Analyst

The NFL has long been regarded as a quarterback-driven league, and the 2009 regular season further provided proof that having a quality triggerman is essential to reaching the postseason.

Of the top 10 passers in the league (according to passer rating), eight led their respective teams into the playoffs, and seven of those eight also accomplished those feats while amassing 4,000-yard passing seasons.

Given the increasing importance of the passing game on the chances of a team reaching the postseason, the identification of the right quarterback to guide the offense is the biggest issue facing several teams over the summer.

With that thought in mind, let's take a look at some intriguing quarterback battles that are taking place during the summer:

Denver Broncos

Starter: Kyle Orton

Competition: Brady Quinn, Tim Tebow

The Broncos acquired Orton in the Jay Cutler trade, and the sixth-year pro responded by posting career highs in nearly every passing category. Orton started strong, leading the Broncos to sizzling 6-0 start, but his faltering ways down the stretch contributed to the team losing eight of its last 10 games. Orton tossed 11 interceptions over the team's final nine games, and his inability to throw the ball down the field allowed opponents to suffocate the Broncos' aerial attack.

In the offseason, the team added Quinn to provide some competition. Although he comes over to the team after three dismal seasons in Cleveland (Quinn sports a putrid career passer rating of 66.8 and has only completed 52.1 percent of his passes in his career), but he is a good fit in Josh McDaniels' quick-rhythm pass attack. While he is a little scattershot with his accuracy, he has a good feel for taking advantage of his weaponry, and the Broncos' use of more spread sets plays to his strengths.

Quinn showed flashes of his potential in late-season games against the Detroit Lions (304 passing yards, four touchdowns) and the San Diego Chargers (271 passing yards, three touchdowns), and he gives McDaniels a Matt Cassel-like project to develop over the summer. Insiders have been effusive in their praise of Quinn, and he could make a push for the job with a strong performance during OTAs (organized team activities) and training camp.

If adding Quinn wasn't enough to jumpstart the quarterback competition, the Broncos used a first-round pick on Tebow. While he is viewed as a developmental prospect, the Broncos' head man has reportedly been smitten with the former Heisman Trophy winner since interviewing him at the NFL Scouting Combine, and has every intention of letting him compete for the starting job if he shows that he is capable of performing from the pocket.

In the final analysis, the starting job appears to be Orton's to lose, but based on his fading performance down the stretch last season, it wouldn't surprise anyone to see Quinn unseat him as the starter prior to the season.

Arizona Cardinals

Starter: Matt Leinart

Competition: Derek Anderson

Kurt Warner's retirement was supposed to pave the way for Leinart to assume control of the Cardinals offense, but the addition of Anderson ensures that Leinart will have to earn the job with a strong preseason performance.

Anderson, who went to the Pro Bowl following the 2007 season, excels at throwing the ball down the field, and that affinity for the vertical passing game works well with the Cardinals' current cast of receivers. Larry Fitzgerald specializes at winning jump-ball situations, and Anderson has shown a willingness to throw the ball up to his No. 1 receiver during his time in Cleveland with Braylon Edwards. Although that courage could endear Anderson to his receivers, the consistent risk-taking has led to the numerous turnovers (45 interceptions in 39 games), which has resulted in his paltry 69.7 career passer rating.

Leinart, who was drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, hasn't really earned the confidence of the team's current coaching staff with his play over the past three seasons. After surprisingly being supplanted by Kurt Warner as the team's starting quarterback in 2007, Leinart has been relegated to mop-up duty since the demotion, and questions have persisted about his work ethic, confidence and leadership skills. While he has shown some flashes (21-for-31 for 220 yards against the Titans in Week 12) at times, he has also been disappointing in key moments (13-for-21 for 96 yards against the Packers in the regular-season finale), and that has made his nomination as the team's starting quarterback tenuous at best.

In looking at his game, Leinart is best described as a rhythm passer with average arm strength. Though he doesn't possess a strong arm, he is effective when he gets rid of the ball on time and anticipates open windows to deliver the ball to receivers.

While he will occasionally throw the ball to the opposition, Leinart is a fairly conservative decision maker at the position, and his ability to avoid the big turnover may be the deciding factor in a quarterback battle for an Arizona squad making a transition to a more conventional style of offense in 2010.

Buffalo Bills

Starter: TBD

Competitors: Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Brohm and Levi Brown

The Chan Gailey era starts with numerous questions at quarterback, and the new head coach will use the remainder of the offseason to come up with some answers.

Surprisingly, the solution will most likely come from the cast of characters that manned the position last season. Edwards and Fitzpatrick are vying for the post, and based on their past performances it looks like a coin flip may determine the winner.

Edwards has completed more than 61 percent of his passes, but has only compiled a 77.9 passer rating while passing for an average of 171.8 yards in only 30 starts. In addition to those pedestrian numbers, Edwards' game has seemingly regressed over the past year. He rarely pushes the ball up the field, and his decision to repeatedly settle for check downs allows opponents to squeeze the Bills' aerial attack.

However, Edwards' problems can be attributed to the team's woeful offensive line, and their last-minute coordinator switch prior to the 2009 season further complicated the fourth-year pro's issues. Given Gailey's reputation for maximizing the talents of unheralded players, Edwards could finally fulfill the promise that many expected when he entered the league in 2007.

If Edwards is unable to put a stranglehold on the position, Fitzpatrick could sneak into the spot as the unlikely starter. The fifth-year pro has started 20 games over past two years for the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, and he has played decent in spots in those contests. While his career numbers fail to match Edwards' production, the Bills' offense seemingly moved better last season under his direction. Fitzpatrick took more chances down the field, and his willingness to take a few risks led to more plays from the unit. However, those few moments aren't enough to make him the starter, and he will have to display more accuracy and consistency to emerge as Gailey's top quarterback.

While those options likely won't appease a rabid Bills' fan base looking to crack the postseason for the first time in more than a decade, Gailey's track record with developing quarterbacks should inspire confidence among the team's supporters. He has transformed unlikely players such as Jay Fiedler, Kordell Stewart, Mike Tomczak and Tyler Thigpen into solid players, and it is quite possible that a darkhorse candidate such as Brian Brohm or Levi Brown could emerge as the team's franchise quarterback.

Brown, the Bills' seventh-round pick, is an interesting candidate given his impressive résumé at Troy University. He directed the Trojans' high-octane spread attack with outstanding precision, and his skills (excellent intangibles and decision-making ability) are ideally suited to thrive in Gailey's system. He had outstanding success tutoring Thigpen during his time as the offensive coordinator in Kansas City, and Brown possesses the same ability and potential.

The Bills have several dogs in the hunt for the top spot, and there doesn't appear to be a clear favorite at this point. Regardless of who eventually secures the post, it is very likely that he will maximize his potential under the tutelage of Gailey.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Starter: Ben Roethlisberger

Competitors: Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon

Roethlisberge's suspension forces the Steelers to trot out a new quarterback for the first four to six weeks of the season, and the team's decision on the interim starter will go a long way toward determining its postseason chances.

The three players (Leftwich, Batch and Dixon) battling for the role have filled in admirably at various times for Roethlisberger in the past, but the importance of getting off to a great start without their franchise quarterback under center puts each under the microscope during OTAs and workouts this summer.

Batch appears to be first in line for the position based on his annual status as the team's No. 2 quarterback, but he last started a game in 2007 and hasn't played a meaningful snap in the past two seasons. Still, he is a strong contender for the job due to his extensive experience in the team's system and his solid decision-making skills. While he lacks the flashy playmaking ability of his counterparts, his steady play could comfort a coaching staff looking to avoid pivotal mistakes on the offensive end.

While Batch was entrenched as the team backup for seven seasons, Leftwich, re-acquired in a trade with the Buccaneers this spring, is attempting to reprise his role as the top substitute at the position and gives the team another experienced veteran to trot out in Roethlisberger's place. He performed well in spot action in 2008, and his comfort level running the Steelers' shotgun offense could allow the team to fully use their playbook in the season's opening weeks. Although Leftwich's exaggerated release could lead to more sacks behind the Steelers' offensive line, the team's reported decision to incorporate more runs into the game plan will provide more time for the veteran and allow him to take advantage of his superior arm strength.

Although Dixon flashed some promise while logging one start last season, he is considered the darkhorse. The third-year pro is an outstanding athlete with the movement skills to act as a dual threat on the edge. While he shows solid skills as a passer, he still is acclimating to the pro game, and is susceptible to making errors in the passing game due to his unfamiliarity reading complex coverage. Given the slate of tough games facing the Steelers out of the gate, Dixon might not be the best choice for the team in this situation.

With the Steelers' quarterback race coming down to the two veterans, the production and big play ability of Leftwich may be enough to sway Mike Tomlin's vote in his favor.

Carolina Panthers

Starter: Matt Moore

Competitor: Jimmy Clausen

Moore headed into the offseason under the impression that he was the Panthers' quarterback of the future after the team dumped Jake Delhomme at the start of free agency.

However, after an unexpected turn of events on draft day, the team has created competition at the position with the selections of Clausen and Tony Pike. Though both rookies will get plenty of reps during camp, Clausen's draft position and talent makes him the most likely challenger to Moore for the team's starting quarterback position.

Clausen, who was selected with the 48th overall pick after a stellar three-year career at Notre Dame, steps into a system that is very similar to the scheme he played in under Charlie Weis, and he enjoys the luxury of serving as a game manager in the Panthers offense. With a strong running game, stout offensive line and a dynamic No. 1 receiver in place, Clausen could thrive as the director of this offense. He has the arm strength to make all of the requisite throws, and his accuracy rates as one of the strengths of his game.

Although Moore remains unheralded on the national scene, he has quickly developed into a star-quality player in the minds of scouts and coaches within the organization. He efficiently runs the offense by cleverly picking apart a defense with an assortment of short and intermediate throws, but he is more than a "small-ball" passer. Moore gets the ball out of his hands quickly and has enough arm strength to stretch the field on deep throws. More importantly, he is a winner with the moxie to lead his team to wins.

Given Moore's 6-2 career record and his proven leadership skills and intangibles, it is high unlikely that Clausen will make a serious run at Moore's job prior to the season. However, a slow start by the unheralded signal caller will open the door for the rookie, and he could prove to be too talented to keep on the bench once he gets his chance.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Good read.

 

[simey]

1. Carolina PanthersStarter: Matt MooreChallengers: Jimmy Clausen, Tony Pike, Hunter CantwellClausen is obviously well-positioned to challenge for Moore's job from day one, and don't overlook Pike's potential to get himself noticed with some solid preseason work.

Cantwell is said to have the best arm out of the 4 QB's, so he shouldn't be overlooked either.

 

[zed2283]

I'm not sure I'd use the word "compelling" for any of these situations...

 

[Idiot Boxer]

1. Carolina PanthersStarter: Matt MooreChallengers: Jimmy Clausen, Tony Pike, Hunter CantwellClausen is obviously well-positioned to challenge for Moore's job from day one, and don't overlook Pike's potential to get himself noticed with some solid preseason work.

Cantwell is said to have the best arm out of the 4 QB's, so he shouldn't be overlooked either.

Will be interesting. Not sure they'll get away with trying to stash Pike on the PS...but I'm also not sure they want to go into the season with Moore, Clausen and Pike as their 3. My guess is they end up trading Pike at some point.

 

[Matt Waldman]

Not a bad read....I have to admit, with no news going on right now, I'd still be happy reading the side of a cereal box if it mentioned the word 'football.'

LOL

 

[Faust]

thanx, that was a cogent article on to the ever-changing QB-scape from year to year...he noted that fox was in last year of his contract... i'd draw a different conclusion... if moore does well, being in the last year of a contract would be an excellent reason to NOT start a rookie QB. new HCs are seemingly more likely to get a grace period developing a rookie QB for a few years...

Fox has demonstrated that he has loyalty to his veteran players time and time again. This coupled with his shaky future as a HC for this team makes it almost a virtual certainty that Moore will be the guy barring an epic failure at QB.

 

[Sabertooth]

I tend to think if your team has a compelling QB situation, that's not really a good thing. Indy, Green Bay, Nawlins, San Diego, New England, these teams have the least compelling QB situations in the league.