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Veteran QBs: Picking the right one


MHS831

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I have read people wanting to bring in Alex Smith, Matt Leinhart, Brady Quinn, etc., hoping that a change in staff or scenery will change things. We tried this in the past with David Carr, for example, and it usually doesn't fair too well.

Is Shula the guy who will bring out the best in a bust? He did pretty well with Feeley and Garrard--made them both winners and sent Garrard to the pro bowl. Maybe so. He can start with Clausen and Pike.

Another philosphy is bringing in a veteran. However, the dearth of QBs in the NFL these days rarely allows talented QBs to hit the free agent market until they are 35 or so, seeking a fourth contract. No time to build rapport, an offense around a franchise QB. Milking skills out of a aging pre-retiree. Rodney Peete, for example.

Finally, scouring the rosters for backups who fit your system. Trading a need player for a second teamer--or giving away a draft pick for an unproven commodity. Jake Delhomme, for example.

I think we often jump at the big name players when there are QBs on benches who were seasoned properly that are better risks. Most teams would make a trade for the mere purpose of giving a player a chance to start if they offered no such opportunity. These guys have worked on weaknesses and learned pro football before being thrown to the wolves. They are probably better than when they came out of college. They watched and learned. Matt Flynn, for example. Everyone was so surprised when he nearly pulled out a big win in an offensive shootout. One game told me a lot about him.

If you don't like Pike or Clausen, you draft a QB with good measurables late in the draft and plan on looking at him in 2013. Sign a veteran for now, but start developing QBs and you get a seasoned player who has known the system for three years. In the NFL, the QB position needs to be a process.

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According to FootballsFuture.com who actually track these things...

After this season there will be

39 Free agent CB's

34 Free agent DE's

56 Free agent LB's

35 Free agent WR's

25 Free agent DT's

19 Free agent TE's

28 Free agent QB's

With less DT's, TE's, and QB's than the other positions, and the fact that the QB's who are free agents include P.Manning, Hasselbeck, and Vick who will all be resigned by their respective clubs as soon as there is a new CBA...Is it actually more important to draft these positions and sign FA's from the other positions?

If so, wouldn't a high draft pick for a QB be in order seeing as how the class for DT's is pretty deep?

I don't see the Panthers taking a QB at #1 overall...but trading down to the middle or late first round and getting one could actually be a good possiblity.

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According to FootballsFuture.com who actually track these things...

After this season there will be

39 Free agent CB's

34 Free agent DE's

56 Free agent LB's

35 Free agent WR's

25 Free agent DT's

19 Free agent TE's

28 Free agent QB's

With less DT's, TE's, and QB's than the other positions, and the fact that the QB's who are free agents include P.Manning, Hasselbeck, and Vick who will all be resigned by their respective clubs as soon as there is a new CBA...Is it actually more important to draft these positions and sign FA's from the other positions?

If so, wouldn't a high draft pick for a QB be in order seeing as how the class for DT's is pretty deep?

I don't see the Panthers taking a QB at #1 overall...but trading down to the middle or late first round and getting one could actually be a good possiblity.

'cept other than newton the project i don't really see anyone worth a first round pick.

there are some in the later rounds i wouldn't mind taking a flyer on, but not first rounders.

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According to FootballsFuture.com who actually track these things...

After this season there will be

39 Free agent CB's

34 Free agent DE's

56 Free agent LB's

35 Free agent WR's

25 Free agent DT's

19 Free agent TE's

28 Free agent QB's

With less DT's, TE's, and QB's than the other positions, and the fact that the QB's who are free agents include P.Manning, Hasselbeck, and Vick who will all be resigned by their respective clubs as soon as there is a new CBA...Is it actually more important to draft these positions and sign FA's from the other positions?

If so, wouldn't a high draft pick for a QB be in order seeing as how the class for DT's is pretty deep?

I don't see the Panthers taking a QB at #1 overall...but trading down to the middle or late first round and getting one could actually be a good possiblity.

you can never expect many FA QB's that are real franchise QBs to ever hit the market.. Jay Cutler was an extreme exception..

so I wouldn't draft a QB solely based on that info...

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Here's the question. Do you sign a FA QB with the idea that you're going to start him, or are you looking for someone who can be a quality backup in case Jimmy Clausen struggles?

If it's the former, then you want to find a Jake Delhomme somewhere. Maybe you go after Hanie in Chicago or Dixon in Pittsburgh. If it's the latter, then Volek makes sense. Then again, they may try to split the difference, in which case you can expect someone like Brody Croyle or Rex Grossman.

Just my 2p...

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