Bills2083
02-20-2008, 01:51 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=yasinskas_pat&id=3254542
In terms of numbers and experience, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might have the NFL's best quarterback situation, with access to five guys who have started at one point during their pro careers.
But look more closely at the situation before you finish the math.
The reality is the Bucs have one sure thing at quarterback. That's Jeff Garcia, who will turn 38 on Sunday. Maybe the Bucs can squeeze another year or two out of the four-time Pro Bowler, and Garcia did say earlier this month that coach Jon Gruden wants him to play another four or five years. Even so, Garcia's age means the Bucs have a quarterback quandary as they prepare for free agency and the draft.
In addition to Garcia, they have Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski, a pair of young players who might be decent backups, at best. They also, for now, have Chris Simms. He once was viewed as Tampa Bay's quarterback for the long term, but he hasn't played a game since having his spleen removed early in the 2006 season.
The Bucs seem to doubt Simms will ever again be the player who led the team to the NFC South title in 2005, so they might trade or release him before too long. The Bucs also hold the rights to Jake Plummer, but the odds of him playing again are minimal.
So what will the Bucs do if Garcia's age suddenly catches up to him? The answer probably is not on the current roster, which is why the Bucs must look long and hard for a more youthful alternative in a free-agency class that is slim and a draft class that is led by Boston College's Matt Ryan, Louisville's Brian Brohm, Delaware's Joe Flacco, Michigan's Chad Henne and Kentucky's Andre' Woodson.
But Tampa Bay isn't the only team looking for quarterback help. Here are eight other teams facing major quarterback decisions:
Atlanta Falcons
Harrington
Quandary: Michael Vick is in a federal penitentiary. And can anybody expect Joey Harrington or Chris Redman (who can become a free agent) to be the long-term answer?
Solution: Owner Arthur Blank is known for his patience, and he signed off on the Falcons chopping a bunch of veteran players. That signaled a lengthy rebuilding process. New coach Mike Smith is going to have some time, so it makes sense to use a top-five pick on a potential franchise quarterback who can grow with a young team.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baltimore Ravens
McNair
Quandary: Steve McNair might be washed up, and Kyle Boller can't put points on the board. Alleged offensive guru Brian Billick never got much out of this offense, and that is why he is gone. Successor John Harbaugh needs a legitimate attack.
Solution: The Philadelphia Eagles say Donovan McNabb isn't on the market, even though Kevin Kolb is waiting in the wings. McNabb-to-Baltimore rumors are out there, but in the long run, the Ravens might be better off just drafting a quarterback early.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carolina Panthers
Delhomme
Quandary: The assumption is that Jake Delhomme will come back as good as or better than before. But there are no guarantees with Tommy John surgery. Matt Moore showed some promise late last year, and Brett Basanez has the potential to be a nice backup. But the Panthers need an insurance policy for Delhomme, because coach John Fox won't survive a third straight season without making the playoffs.
Solution: Amazingly, David Carr remains on the roster. But he won't for long. The Panthers need a veteran with some starting experience.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago Bears
Grossman
Quandary: The Bears have been wasting a potentially great defense by trying to scrape by with Rex Grossman and Brian Griese at quarterback. You can't win a Super Bowl like that.
Solution: Maybe the Bears can twist the Eagles' arms -- or wings, if you prefer -- and bring home McNabb, an Illinois native, for instant respectability.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kansas City Chiefs
Croyle
Quandary: Coach Herm Edwards makes it sound like Brodie Croyle is his guy. He also doesn't seem to be a big fan of Damon Huard. But what has Croyle done to earn anybody's confidence?
Solution: Maybe Croyle will work out. But in case he doesn't, the Chiefs need to take a shot on a quarterback sometime after the first round.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miami Dolphins
Beck
Quandary: Trent Green is gone. John Beck, who didn't show much in four starts as a rookie, still is around. After their 1-15 season, the Dolphins hold the No. 1 overall pick, giving themselves a choice of rookie quarterbacks.
Solution: Miami needs more than a quarterback. The Dolphins would be wise to deal the top choice and get more picks to help elsewhere. Beck has some potential, and a free-agent veteran could hold down the fort for the short term. Keep in mind, Bill Parcells is running the Dolphins, and Phil Simms used to play for him with the Giants. Parcells might be inclined to take a chance on Chris Simms.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minnesota Vikings
Jackson
Quandary: They have one of the game's most explosive players in running back Adrian Peterson but nothing else on offense. Tarvaris Jackson is not the answer.
Solution: McNabb's name also gets floated here because Minnesota coach Brad Childress used to work in Philadelphia. That could be a great solution. But the Vikings are a team that can afford to draft a rookie because Peterson will take away a lot of the pressure.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York Jets
Clemens
Quandary: Chad Pennington was in and out of the lineup last year, and Kellen Clemens received a lot of playing time. It might be too late for Pennington to revive his career with the Jets, and it's too early to say Clemens is the answer.
Solution: This will be a crucial season for coach Eric Mangini, but he could buy himself some time by adding a young quarterback to the competition.
In terms of numbers and experience, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might have the NFL's best quarterback situation, with access to five guys who have started at one point during their pro careers.
But look more closely at the situation before you finish the math.
The reality is the Bucs have one sure thing at quarterback. That's Jeff Garcia, who will turn 38 on Sunday. Maybe the Bucs can squeeze another year or two out of the four-time Pro Bowler, and Garcia did say earlier this month that coach Jon Gruden wants him to play another four or five years. Even so, Garcia's age means the Bucs have a quarterback quandary as they prepare for free agency and the draft.
In addition to Garcia, they have Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski, a pair of young players who might be decent backups, at best. They also, for now, have Chris Simms. He once was viewed as Tampa Bay's quarterback for the long term, but he hasn't played a game since having his spleen removed early in the 2006 season.
The Bucs seem to doubt Simms will ever again be the player who led the team to the NFC South title in 2005, so they might trade or release him before too long. The Bucs also hold the rights to Jake Plummer, but the odds of him playing again are minimal.
So what will the Bucs do if Garcia's age suddenly catches up to him? The answer probably is not on the current roster, which is why the Bucs must look long and hard for a more youthful alternative in a free-agency class that is slim and a draft class that is led by Boston College's Matt Ryan, Louisville's Brian Brohm, Delaware's Joe Flacco, Michigan's Chad Henne and Kentucky's Andre' Woodson.
But Tampa Bay isn't the only team looking for quarterback help. Here are eight other teams facing major quarterback decisions:
Atlanta Falcons
Harrington
Quandary: Michael Vick is in a federal penitentiary. And can anybody expect Joey Harrington or Chris Redman (who can become a free agent) to be the long-term answer?
Solution: Owner Arthur Blank is known for his patience, and he signed off on the Falcons chopping a bunch of veteran players. That signaled a lengthy rebuilding process. New coach Mike Smith is going to have some time, so it makes sense to use a top-five pick on a potential franchise quarterback who can grow with a young team.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baltimore Ravens
McNair
Quandary: Steve McNair might be washed up, and Kyle Boller can't put points on the board. Alleged offensive guru Brian Billick never got much out of this offense, and that is why he is gone. Successor John Harbaugh needs a legitimate attack.
Solution: The Philadelphia Eagles say Donovan McNabb isn't on the market, even though Kevin Kolb is waiting in the wings. McNabb-to-Baltimore rumors are out there, but in the long run, the Ravens might be better off just drafting a quarterback early.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carolina Panthers
Delhomme
Quandary: The assumption is that Jake Delhomme will come back as good as or better than before. But there are no guarantees with Tommy John surgery. Matt Moore showed some promise late last year, and Brett Basanez has the potential to be a nice backup. But the Panthers need an insurance policy for Delhomme, because coach John Fox won't survive a third straight season without making the playoffs.
Solution: Amazingly, David Carr remains on the roster. But he won't for long. The Panthers need a veteran with some starting experience.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago Bears
Grossman
Quandary: The Bears have been wasting a potentially great defense by trying to scrape by with Rex Grossman and Brian Griese at quarterback. You can't win a Super Bowl like that.
Solution: Maybe the Bears can twist the Eagles' arms -- or wings, if you prefer -- and bring home McNabb, an Illinois native, for instant respectability.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kansas City Chiefs
Croyle
Quandary: Coach Herm Edwards makes it sound like Brodie Croyle is his guy. He also doesn't seem to be a big fan of Damon Huard. But what has Croyle done to earn anybody's confidence?
Solution: Maybe Croyle will work out. But in case he doesn't, the Chiefs need to take a shot on a quarterback sometime after the first round.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miami Dolphins
Beck
Quandary: Trent Green is gone. John Beck, who didn't show much in four starts as a rookie, still is around. After their 1-15 season, the Dolphins hold the No. 1 overall pick, giving themselves a choice of rookie quarterbacks.
Solution: Miami needs more than a quarterback. The Dolphins would be wise to deal the top choice and get more picks to help elsewhere. Beck has some potential, and a free-agent veteran could hold down the fort for the short term. Keep in mind, Bill Parcells is running the Dolphins, and Phil Simms used to play for him with the Giants. Parcells might be inclined to take a chance on Chris Simms.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minnesota Vikings
Jackson
Quandary: They have one of the game's most explosive players in running back Adrian Peterson but nothing else on offense. Tarvaris Jackson is not the answer.
Solution: McNabb's name also gets floated here because Minnesota coach Brad Childress used to work in Philadelphia. That could be a great solution. But the Vikings are a team that can afford to draft a rookie because Peterson will take away a lot of the pressure.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York Jets
Clemens
Quandary: Chad Pennington was in and out of the lineup last year, and Kellen Clemens received a lot of playing time. It might be too late for Pennington to revive his career with the Jets, and it's too early to say Clemens is the answer.
Solution: This will be a crucial season for coach Eric Mangini, but he could buy himself some time by adding a young quarterback to the competition.