Anyone Have A Quarterback?

That is the burning question for a surprising number of teams this offseason. In part one of my quarterback analysis series, it's time to see what every has (or doesn't have).



AFC East


Buffalo Bills

Starter: Trent Edwards
Challengers: J.P. Losman, Gibran Hamden, Matt Baker
Analysis: Well, Edwards will be the starter, and is the assumed future of the team. He is smart, mobile and could develop into a great leader. However, he lacks a strong arm, and that is Losman's best trait. Losman possesses a big arm, but lacks the consistancy the Bills need. He has been on-again/off-again in his starting role in the past. If Edwards struggles, the Bills wouldn't hesitate to switch to Losman. Hamden was a stud in NFL Europe, but has never seen action in the big league. Baker needs to have a good preseason to stick around, but he has struggled to get anything done in the past.

Miami Dolphins

Starter: Who knows?
Challengers: Chad Henne, John Beck, Josh McCown
Analysis: No one really has the edge in this battle. At this point last season, Beck was the QB of the future for the Dolphins. He played below-average during his starts last year, but come on, look at the team he had. He lacks a big-time arm, and will struggle to stay consistant. McCown looks to be the favourite, due to his starting experience in the past. He has a decent arm, but has been inconsistant in the past. Henne was the 'phins second round pick, and looks to be the new QB of the future. He doesn't have a big time arm either, but had four years of starts at Michigan. Any of these three could be the starter on opening day, but I think the edge goes to McCown.

New York Jets

Starter: Again, who knows?
Challengers: Kellen Clemens, Chad Pennington, Erik Ainge, Brett Ratliff
Analysis: Ratliff and Ainge are long shots, but the real battle, for the second year in a row, will be between Pennington and Clemens. Pennington has won for them in the past, and has the inside track to be the starter. But, his arm stinks. He has no distance, but is deadly accurate. If the Jets change to a short yardage offence, Pennington could be successful. Clemens is much of the same. He has a little more arm power than Pennington, but also would be best in short yardage situations. Clemens is also more mobile, but he really struggled during his starts last season. I give the edge, though I don't want to, to Pennington.

New England Patriots

Starter: Tom Brady (duh)
Backups: Matt Cassel, Matt Gutierrez, Kevin O'Connell
Analysis: There is no question here, unless the Pats stop wanting to score touchdowns. Brady was sensational last season, throwing for 50 touchdowns, a NFL record. He excels in every part of his game, with great power and accuracy, and also has decent mobility. There is no way another QB touches the field unless Brady gets hurt or they are up by 50. Cassel is a career back up (even when he was in college). He has looked efficient in mop-up duty, and could be a great fill in for Brady. Will likely never be a starter. That also goes for Gutierrez and O'Connell, who are buried so deep here they can't even smell grass anymore.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Starter: Kyle Boller
Challengers: Troy Smith, Joe Flacco
Analysis: Boller's job is about as safe as walking into a building while is is being imploded. He has been brutal when starting in the past, and may not have much time at the helm this year to make a last-ditch effort at a career. The team moved up to draft Flacco, who has great size and amazing arm strength. Many believe he is the QB of the future, and possibly the first great QB this team has ever had. Smith just wants a shot. He started the last few games last year, and didn't wow anyone. Is a smaller Mike Vick, with a little less arm strength. Very mobile and agile, but will struggle because he is short. The job goes to Boller, but Flacco plays by week 8.

Cincinnati Bengals

Starter: Carson Palmer
Backups: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jordan Palmer
Analysis: Carson is the unquestioned starter, and will not be challenged by either Fitzpatrick or his younger brother. Palmer has great arm strength, and his accuracy is top notch. If his wide receivers stick around, they will have a great offence again. Fitzpatrick is smart (he went to Harvard) and possesses decent arm strength, but has never really been any more than a back up. He would be OK to jump in if needed. Jordan Palmer is an interesting find. He was cut by the Redskins, and signed up to back up his brother. The younger Palmer lacks the big arm, but could be molded into an effective backup.

Cleveland Browns

Starter: Derek Anderson
Backups: Brady Quinn, Ken Dorsey
Analysis: After his amazing breakout season in 2007, Anderson is the unquestioned starter...for now. Anderson signed a lucrative three-year contract, and will have to keep it up to remain the starter. He has great size, and can throw it anywhere on the field. But, if he struggles, the Browns will have to make the move to Quinn. Drafted two years ago in the first round, Quinn has the intangibles to be great. He lacks arm strength, but has the accuracy and mobility to be a solid starter. And, they aren`t paying him for nothing. He is just biding his time now, but could request a trade if he is force to ride the pine again. Dorsey is a bum. He lacks arm strength or accuracy, and will continue to be a emergency QB for the remainder of his career.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Starter: Ben Roethlisberger
Backups: Charlie Batch, Dennis Dixon
Analysis: Big Ben is back for another year, and he looked great last season. His decision making is a lot better than a few years ago, and he seemed to carry the team on his shoulders at times. His arm strength and mobility make him a great option, and is no longer just a game manager. Batch is a reliable veteran, and has been able to fill in greatly when needed. Never was much of a gunslinger, and has marginal skills, but has always been a solid backup and mentor. Dixon is a wild card. He could have won the Heisman last year, but a knee injury sidelined him. Fully recovered, he provides an interesting skill set for the Steelers. Word is, they may turn him into a QB/WR hybrid, much like they did with Kordell Stewart in the 90s. He could be a very dangerous weapon, and could be a starter at some point of his career.

Stay tuned for more QB analysis.