With the NFL season fast approaching, you would think that many teams have their quarterback position set? Not the case. Many teams still have questions about their field general.
Atlanta Falcons
Rookie Head Coach Mike Smith has to decide if the future is now or later. The Falcons drafted Matt Ryan with the third overall pick in this years draft and hope he will be what they want. After the Michael Vick fiasco, Atlanta is looking for a new direction and believes that Matt Ryan can lead them. Their only other logical choice is journeyman Chris Redman, who was signed last year after being a car salesman and not in the NFL since 2003. Ryan is the only quarterback to throw a touchdown pass in the preseason for the Falcons.
Starter – Matt Ryan
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins signed Chad Pennington after he was released by the Jets and probably figures to be the starter, for now. But who is next in line? Second year man John Beck was drafted last year, but Bill Parcells, the new executive vice president of football operations, didn’t draft him. Journeyman Josh McCown has only thrown eight passes during the preseason and is with this third team in as many years. Rookie Chad Henne has looked decent during the preseason and will probably be the future of the franchise. It looks like Josh McCown will be cut, with John Beck not far behind.
Starter – Chad Pennington Heir Apparent – Chad Henne
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore has not had a true quarterback since they were the Colts in the 1950’s. After drafting two quarterbacks in the past two years, they hope to have struck gold with rookie Joe Flacco, the 18th overall pick out of the University of Delaware. Flacco is competing for the starting job and has looked good in the preseason. That being said, he’s still adapting to different defenses, and has not played above the Division 1AA level. The veteran of the staff, Kyle Boller, is entering his sixth season and has not developed the way the Ravens have hoped. He has only started every game one season out of those five and this season will not be any different. Troy Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner, is more of a running back than a quarterback, and his game is not suited for the NFL.
Starter – Kyle Boller Heir Apparent – Joe Flacco (Sooner than later)
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have been looking for a quarterback since Steve Young. Alex Smith was drafted first overall in 2005 out of Utah and was going to be that guy. Inconsistency, however, along with new offensive coordinators every year and no supporting cast has left doubts in the minds of many. JT O’Sullivan, who has been with six different teams since 2004, has an awkward throwing motion but finds a way to get the ball to a weak receiving core. The 49ers are tired of losing seasons, and want wins now. Smith should be given one more year, then sent packing if he cannot produce.
Starter – JT O’Sullivan Heir Apparent – ?
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona drafted Matt Leinart in 2006 to be the man. After being very successful at USC, he is starting to realize that this is not college. Kurt Warner split time with him last year until Leinart was hurt and shut down for the year. Warner is an experienced quarterback with a Super Bowl ring, and will continue to mentor Leinart. If Leinart is as serious as he says he is this year, he will have no problem leading the Cardinals to victories.
Starter – Matt Leinart
Buffalo Bills
JP Losman enters his fifth season with the Bills. In 2005 it looked like he would be the starter for years to come, starting 8 games that year and all 16 in 2006. Last year, however, he was benched in favor of rookie Trent Edwards. Looking like a rookie last year, Edwards had his ups and downs. This year, he knows the offense that much better, and he is a better pure passer than Losman. If Edwards is healthy by the beginning of the season, he should get the nod.
Starter – Trent Edwards (If he is 100% healthy)
