QBs in AFC
- Thread starter 4bubba
- Start date
(May 30, 2003) -- It's pointless to list all the reasons the quarterback position is the most critical on any team. Anyone who watches the game or works inside the NFL knows it's true. As we begin to frame what 2003 will look like, there are many interesting QB storylines around the league.
A number of teams aren't yet completely set on who will be at the wheel this season. Others have to be very nervous about who's driving their team. Even on clubs where it's obvious the starter will go unchallenged for 16 weeks barring injury, there are still questions.
It's nothing new in the NFL, but each season has its own unique set of circumstances. I asked a number of front-office people, coaches and players around the league for a quick synopsis of each situation in an attempt to clear up the 2003 picture and get an idea of what to look for from the most important player(s) on each team.
AFC EAST
1. Buffalo, Drew Bledsoe -- He's the uncontested starter with talent around him at the skill positions. The loss of Peerless Price will hurt but with a vastly improved defense, Bledsoe will get more opportunities on a shorter field. The Bills are in a very good position entering the season.
2. Miami, Jay Fiedler /Brian Griese -- Fiedler should be the starter and keep his job as long as winning happens. But one coach told me, "Griese gives them options they never had before." My question: Why is Miami the destination for Griese when other teams like Chicago, Dallas or Baltimore could have been clear shots to the starter's role?
3. New England, Tom Brady -- He's the man for the foreseeable future. A few more offensive weapons wouldn't hurt his performance.
4. New York, Chad Pennington -- He took a big step in his development last year and most people I spoke with feel he'll take another big step this year. Losing wide receiver Laveranues Coles won't hurt Pennington.
OVERALL -- The AFC East is one of the most stable divisions in the league. There could be at least three Pro Bowl signal-callers emerging from this group.
AFC NORTH
1. Baltimore, Chris Redman/Kyle Boller -- I wouldn't want to enter a 16-game schedule with the playoffs as a goal with these young, untested kids as my choices under center. The return of Ray Lewis on defense will help, but Redman and Boller are both bound to make mistakes that Trent Dilfer didn't make back in Baltimore's Super Bowl season.
2. Cincinnati, Jon Kitna -- Marvin Lewis knows the value of a veteran QB and has put the issue of Carson Palmer to bed for the short term. It's how Tennessee's Steve McNair and Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb were handled and it's a wise choice. If the season fizzles out in December, Palmer can get a few games under his belt. As one Bengals coach said, "Palmer looks great and has the most talent of the group, but I hope we wait."
3. Cleveland, Tim Couch / Kelly Holcomb -- It's nice to have competition, but neither guy has really won anything yet in the NFL. One general manager said, "I would give the job to Couch and if he fails, I would turn it over to Holcomb and not look back, just like Pittsburgh did with [Tommy] Maddox and [Kordell] Stewart."
4. Pittsburgh, Tommy Maddox -- He's the starter for now. The future will be determined at a later date if Charlie Batch is ever ready to give it another try.
OVERALL -- The AFC North is one of the weaker divisions at the QB position. I don't expect to see any of these guys in Hawaii in February.
AFC SOUTH
1. Houston, David Carr -- He'll be under center in Houston for years to come and it appears there will be enough protection and offensive weapons to give him a chance to take a significant step in his development this season. One defensive coordinator said, "He can easily get to the middle of the QB pack in 2003 if he doesn't get hurt."
2. Indianapolis, Peyton Manning -- Coaches and GMs around the league love this guy. He's solid in every aspect of the game but it's time to win a division and go deep into the playoffs. One retired quarterback coach said, "I would take a lot of the audibles out of the Colts system, not because he can't handle them, but his teammates need it made more simple."
3. Jacksonville, Mark Brunell/Byron Leftwich -- Brunell has a big cap number, Leftwich is a first-round pick for a new front office and coaching staff. The veteran players sound like they still want Brunell under center. This scenario will unfold all season long. If Brunell is a lame duck, I suggest getting him out of there as soon as the team has lost eight games.
4. Tennessee, Steve McNair -- He was courageous last season and could easily have Tennessee back in contention for postseason play this year. The Titans don't get a lot of national attention, but insiders feel McNair and company will be playing into late January. I hope the receivers are good enough to give him a chance.
OVERALL -- Two perennial All-Pros and a young emerging star in Houston make this a division where you better have a good one under center or you're in trouble.
AFC WEST
1. Denver, Jake Plummer -- I think this could be one of the most interesting pickups in a long time in the NFL. Coach Mike Shanahan is just what the doctor ordered for Plummer. Some say he'll be the next Trent Dilfer; I say he has a chance to be the next Steve Young. In addition to a solid defense, there are many more weapons in Denver for Plummer to lean on. The change of scenery will do him good.
2. Kansas City, Trent Green -- He got better in 2002 and as long as Priest Holmes is in the backfield, he will be a quality starter in the league. Coach Dick Vermeil believes in him and the Chiefs score enough points that everyone else should too.
3. Oakland, Rich Gannon -- He's at the top of his game and is a great example of placing a guy in the right situation. One AFC defensive coordinator said, "The Super Bowl was an example of letting the passing game outweigh the running game as the season went on. If they get back to balanced, Gannon is one of the best."
4. San Diego, Drew Brees -- He established himself as the starter but must take the team to a better record in 2003 or the whispers will begin. Coach Marty Schottenheimer usually builds an offense around more than the quarterback, so he should be OK. One personnel guy said, "Drew could turn into a Brian Griese on the field who could be pretty good or fall back to average."
OVERALL -- Gannon is the most productive player but there is some potential for others to rise up and make this division exceptional.
A number of teams aren't yet completely set on who will be at the wheel this season. Others have to be very nervous about who's driving their team. Even on clubs where it's obvious the starter will go unchallenged for 16 weeks barring injury, there are still questions.
It's nothing new in the NFL, but each season has its own unique set of circumstances. I asked a number of front-office people, coaches and players around the league for a quick synopsis of each situation in an attempt to clear up the 2003 picture and get an idea of what to look for from the most important player(s) on each team.
AFC EAST
1. Buffalo, Drew Bledsoe -- He's the uncontested starter with talent around him at the skill positions. The loss of Peerless Price will hurt but with a vastly improved defense, Bledsoe will get more opportunities on a shorter field. The Bills are in a very good position entering the season.
2. Miami, Jay Fiedler /Brian Griese -- Fiedler should be the starter and keep his job as long as winning happens. But one coach told me, "Griese gives them options they never had before." My question: Why is Miami the destination for Griese when other teams like Chicago, Dallas or Baltimore could have been clear shots to the starter's role?
3. New England, Tom Brady -- He's the man for the foreseeable future. A few more offensive weapons wouldn't hurt his performance.
4. New York, Chad Pennington -- He took a big step in his development last year and most people I spoke with feel he'll take another big step this year. Losing wide receiver Laveranues Coles won't hurt Pennington.
OVERALL -- The AFC East is one of the most stable divisions in the league. There could be at least three Pro Bowl signal-callers emerging from this group.
AFC NORTH
1. Baltimore, Chris Redman/Kyle Boller -- I wouldn't want to enter a 16-game schedule with the playoffs as a goal with these young, untested kids as my choices under center. The return of Ray Lewis on defense will help, but Redman and Boller are both bound to make mistakes that Trent Dilfer didn't make back in Baltimore's Super Bowl season.
2. Cincinnati, Jon Kitna -- Marvin Lewis knows the value of a veteran QB and has put the issue of Carson Palmer to bed for the short term. It's how Tennessee's Steve McNair and Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb were handled and it's a wise choice. If the season fizzles out in December, Palmer can get a few games under his belt. As one Bengals coach said, "Palmer looks great and has the most talent of the group, but I hope we wait."
3. Cleveland, Tim Couch / Kelly Holcomb -- It's nice to have competition, but neither guy has really won anything yet in the NFL. One general manager said, "I would give the job to Couch and if he fails, I would turn it over to Holcomb and not look back, just like Pittsburgh did with [Tommy] Maddox and [Kordell] Stewart."
4. Pittsburgh, Tommy Maddox -- He's the starter for now. The future will be determined at a later date if Charlie Batch is ever ready to give it another try.
OVERALL -- The AFC North is one of the weaker divisions at the QB position. I don't expect to see any of these guys in Hawaii in February.
AFC SOUTH
1. Houston, David Carr -- He'll be under center in Houston for years to come and it appears there will be enough protection and offensive weapons to give him a chance to take a significant step in his development this season. One defensive coordinator said, "He can easily get to the middle of the QB pack in 2003 if he doesn't get hurt."
2. Indianapolis, Peyton Manning -- Coaches and GMs around the league love this guy. He's solid in every aspect of the game but it's time to win a division and go deep into the playoffs. One retired quarterback coach said, "I would take a lot of the audibles out of the Colts system, not because he can't handle them, but his teammates need it made more simple."
3. Jacksonville, Mark Brunell/Byron Leftwich -- Brunell has a big cap number, Leftwich is a first-round pick for a new front office and coaching staff. The veteran players sound like they still want Brunell under center. This scenario will unfold all season long. If Brunell is a lame duck, I suggest getting him out of there as soon as the team has lost eight games.
4. Tennessee, Steve McNair -- He was courageous last season and could easily have Tennessee back in contention for postseason play this year. The Titans don't get a lot of national attention, but insiders feel McNair and company will be playing into late January. I hope the receivers are good enough to give him a chance.
OVERALL -- Two perennial All-Pros and a young emerging star in Houston make this a division where you better have a good one under center or you're in trouble.
AFC WEST
1. Denver, Jake Plummer -- I think this could be one of the most interesting pickups in a long time in the NFL. Coach Mike Shanahan is just what the doctor ordered for Plummer. Some say he'll be the next Trent Dilfer; I say he has a chance to be the next Steve Young. In addition to a solid defense, there are many more weapons in Denver for Plummer to lean on. The change of scenery will do him good.
2. Kansas City, Trent Green -- He got better in 2002 and as long as Priest Holmes is in the backfield, he will be a quality starter in the league. Coach Dick Vermeil believes in him and the Chiefs score enough points that everyone else should too.
3. Oakland, Rich Gannon -- He's at the top of his game and is a great example of placing a guy in the right situation. One AFC defensive coordinator said, "The Super Bowl was an example of letting the passing game outweigh the running game as the season went on. If they get back to balanced, Gannon is one of the best."
4. San Diego, Drew Brees -- He established himself as the starter but must take the team to a better record in 2003 or the whispers will begin. Coach Marty Schottenheimer usually builds an offense around more than the quarterback, so he should be OK. One personnel guy said, "Drew could turn into a Brian Griese on the field who could be pretty good or fall back to average."
OVERALL -- Gannon is the most productive player but there is some potential for others to rise up and make this division exceptional.
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I think Griese went to Miami because he has a solid chance to win there. He should be the starter right away, he's a better QB than Fiedler.
No matter, this team still has a lack of killer instinct which seems to trickle down from their coach.
No matter, this team still has a lack of killer instinct which seems to trickle down from their coach.
