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The arms race for free agent quarterbacks will be an interesting story this off-season. There are many teams that need a starting QB and it is yet to be seen if they will seek players in free agency or take a chance on an unproven commodity in the upcoming 2009 draft.
It is fairly certain that Detroit will fulfill its needs at QB with either Matthew Stafford (Georgia) or Mark Sanchez (USC) and after that the decisions are up in the air. Kansas City, Minnesota, New York Jets, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and possibly Carolina and Arizona could be in need of a quarterback. There are talks of Sage Rosenfels (Houston Texans) being traded to Minnesota in order to be a “caretaker” for that offense, in other words “hand the ball to AD and don’t throw it to the other team and don’t jump up in the air and fumble it like you did against Indy last season!”.
Minnesota is one team that would reap HUGE benefits from having steady QB play. They have an All-Timer in Adrian Peterson and they also posses one of the most feared defenses in the league. So if they can bring someone in to just basically not lose the game (see Trent Dilfer in Baltimore '01) then they could push for the NFC Championship game in 09.
The Philadelphia Eagles are also in an interesting situation. There is a chance that Donovan McNabb will not come back to the Eagles if they are not able to bolster the WR corps during free agency. McNabb is already going to lose L.J. Smith, his starting TE, and has not had a legitimate #1 WR since Terrell Owens gripped and complained his way out of Philly. It will be interesting to watch the Marvin Harrison situation in Indianapolis and if he is released do not be surprised if Philly tries very hard to convince Marvin to join forces with the Eagles in order to keep McNabb somewhat happy. That being said, if Philly doesn’t make a move with a top wide out then I wouldn’t be surprised to see Donovan bolt to another contender.
Kurt Warner just led the Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl……yes I said the Arizona Cardinals! And it looks like he will not be playing for the same team next season. Warner is a proven winner and leader who can still air it out with the best of them. He has probably two good seasons left in him and he would be a great mentor for a young QB to learn under. Does Warner go back to St. Louis?? I see this as a pretty good fit but I also see a fit with the NY Jets. The Jets just went through “As the Favre Turns” and all they have waiting in the wings is unproven: Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff. Ok, Ok, Brett Ratliff did tear it up in the preseason but let’s be honest, it’s the preseason. I think Warner would be a good fit here to bridge the gap between Favre and the future, whoever that may be.
Then you have Derek Anderson, the same Derek Anderson who looked to be the future of the Cleveland Browns two seasons ago was quickly benched in favor of hometown kid, Brady Quinn. It seems that Anderson’s ’07 season will indeed get him paid but it is tough to tell where. Tampa Bay could be a fit for Anderson, with Garcia leaving that QB race wide open. If I were the Kansas City Chiefs, I would make a push to get Anderson and try to take a great weapon at the #3 pick in the ’09 NFL Draft, instead of Stafford or Sanchez. Michael Crabtree, Dwayne Bowe, and Larry Johnson(if he stays) would be a pretty good start to turning things around in KC.
History shows that taking a QB in the top ten picks of the NFL Draft is anything but a sure thing. Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, Heath Shuler, Joey Harrington, and David Carr just to name a few. I would like to sit down with some of these GMs who are drooling over Stafford and Sanchez and let them know. ”Hey!, if you take one of the QBs in the top few picks of the draft just expect to wallow in mediocrity for another 3 years or so, is that what you want?” Go with the proven commodity: Warner, Anderson, or maybe even Donovan McNabb and you won’t be working on your resume after next season.
Peace,
Young Reynolds
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