Anyone Need A Quarterback?... Part Three

Well, it's time for some more quarterback analysis...only two parts to go.


NFC East


Dallas Cowboys
Starter: Tony Romo
Backups: Brad Johnson, Richard Bartel
Analysis: Romo had a phenomenal season last year with 36 touchdowns, but he lost in the playoffs again. There has been a lot of speculation on whether you can pin the loss on Romo, but we shall see what he does this year. Doesn't have the greatest arm, but is very accurate and is one of the more mobile QBs in the league. Johnson is over-the-hill, but is a solid back up and mentor to Romo. His accuracy is still top notch, but he is a statue and can't throw the deep ball. Bartel needs to impress in training camp and preseason if he wishes to become the back up after Johnson retires.


New York Giants
Starter: Eli Manning
Backups: Jered Lorenzen, Andre Woodson, David Carr
Analysis: Manning is the unquestioned starter, seeing as he did win the Super Bowl last year. He still has many critics (myself included) that think they may have been in over their heads last year. Manning has yet to show great consistancy, but has looked outstanding at times. They will stick with him til the end. Carr is a former #1 overall pick who hasn't been able to stick anywhere. He has decent skills, but has also lacked consistancy, and will fill the back up role this year. Woodson is an intriguing rookie. he was outstanding at Kentucky, but had poor showings at the Combine and the Senior Bowl. he is very mobile, but lacks a good arm. Lorenzen will likely be the odd man out here.


Philadelphia Eagles
Starter: Donovan McNabb
Backups: A.J. Feeley, Kevin Kolb
Analysis: This may be McNabb's final chance in an Eagles uniform. He has a great arm, and is one of the best QBs in the league when healthy. But, that's the problem. They can't keep him on the field, so they drafted Kolb last year. Kolb looked decent when he played, but hasn't really got his chance yet. They will not hesitate to get him in there this year. Feeley has bounced around a bit over the last few years, but he does have some talent. He will make a solid number three QB this year. This job is basically McNabb's to lose at this point.


Washington Redskins
Starter: Jason Campbell
Backups: Todd Collins, Colt Brennan, Derek Devine, Sam Hollenbach
Analysis: Again, it's Campbell's job to lose. He looked pretty good in his starting role last year, and should hold on to it again this season. He has decent mobility, and a decent arm for that matter. He is not great at anything, but is solid around the board. Much of the same when you speak of Collins. He played very well in relief of Campbell last year, and could challenge for the job if Campbell falters this year. Very experienced, but not very skilled. I don't know how much more I can say about Brennan. I think he could be molded into a great NFL QB, but will need the opportunity. Devine and Hollenbach are long shots to even make the roster.


NFC North

Chicago Bears
Starter: ?????
Challengers: Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton
Analysis: This is a murky one. Grossman took them to the Super Bowl, and Orton won 10 games and led them to the playoffs. You might be asking: what's the problem? Both are EXTREMELY inconsistent, and neither has stepped up when he needed to. Grossman was pulled last year, replaced by Brian Griese, who was later pulled and replaced with Orton. Whoever it is that gets the job, it will be a mess anyway. I am a firm believer that Grossman is talented, but needs a solid running game to be successful. If he wins the job, this will be his last chance in Chicago (getting repetitive yet?). The verdict: Grossman gets the job, and doesn't look back this time.


Detroit Lions
Starter: Jon Kitna
Backups: Drew Stanton, Dan Orlovsky
Analysis: What a mess. (just kidding Lions fans, but seriously...mess) Kitna has clearly not been the answer in the Motor City, but that could also be blamed on the offensive line. It just seems like he is taking too long to make decisions back there. Anywho, he is a solid starter, and should finish out his career with the Lions. He needs to stop setting the bar so high with his predictions, but that's another story. The Lions believe they have their QB of the future in Stanton, but we have yet to see him on the field. They will look to him this year if Kitna can't get them wins. Orlovsky has been around for a while, and looked OK in spot duty. Expect more of the same from him.


Green Bay Packers
Starter: Aaron Rodgers
Backups: Brian Brohm, Matt Flynn, Craig Nall
Analysis: don't know how safe they feel with Rodgers at the helm, as they drafted two QBs. Rodgers looked great last year when Favre went down for a game, but we haven't seen that much of him. Is set up with a great offence, and learned from one of the best QBs of all time, so he could be very successful right away. Brohm was great at Louisville, and may have been the best QB drafted this year. He lacks arm strength, but is very accurate. Could move into the starting role if Rodgers doesn't cut it. Flynn and Nall will be pitted in a battle for the #3 QB slot. Nall gets it based on experience.


Minnesota Vikings
Starter: Tavaris Jackson
Backups: Gus Frerotte, Brooks Bollinger, John David Booty, Kelly Holcolmb
Analysis: Wow, a lot of average QBs here. Jackson is the starter...for now anyway. He has a great arm and is very mobile, but lacks good decision making. They brought in Frerotte to be both a mentor and a back up. Frerotte doesn't have the skills to start at this point of his career, but could fill in if needed. Booty is a rookie who could be a starter in the future. Was fairly successful at USC, and played in a pro-style offence. His arm isn't that good, but he has good decision making. It is unlikely that either Bollinger or Holcomb will be on the team at the start of the year...but you never know. Anyone could be starting at the end of the year.

Until another day...