2009 NFL Position Battles to Watch: Quarterbacks

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

MIAMI DOLPHINS - Chad Pennington vs. Chad Henne

It appears the Miami Dolphins do not adhere to the "What have you done for me lately?" philosophy that dominates the NFL. Rather, the club seems to be abiding by the "What will you do for me in the future?" ideology.

Despite finishing as a runner-up for the league's MVP award last season, and playing a crucial role in the Dolphins' turnaround from a one-win team to AFC East division champions, Miami has been unwilling to hand Chad Pennington a contract extension. Worse yet, there is talk that the team would like to get Chad Henne, who they've already named their 2010 starter, some gametime action this season, meaning Pennington is a QB with an expiration date.

Pennington, who had a career year in 2008 with 3,653 yards passing, 20 total TDs, and just seven INTs, is currently set to start the season as the man under center for the Dolphins, but job security is lacking.

The Dolphins are dead set on Henne being their quarterback of the future, and if that means moving away from Pennington sooner than later, then so be it.

Normally, a QB, who finished ninth among all quarterbacks in fantasy points the previous season, would be someone to target in your fantasy drafts, but due to the situation in Miami, that's not the case with Pennington as we head into 2009.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS - Sage Rosenfels vs. Tarvaris Jackson

Stellar running game? Check! Spectacular defense? Check! Quarterback capabale of managing a game? Umm, has Brett Favre returned our call yet?

There's a reason the Minnesota Vikings are pursuing Favre so heavily. The pieces are there for the team to make a championship run, except at the quarterback position.

Despite a cannon for an arm, Tarvaris Jackson has yet to develop into the quarterback the Vikings have hoped he could become. In fact, things got so bad last season, that Jackson was benched in favor of journeyman Gus Frerotte.

While some would like to point to Jackson's final four games of the regular season last year, in which he went for 740 passing yards, eight TDs, and just one INT after working his way back onto the field, it is worth remembering that those games weren't against the toughest of pass defenses.

During that span, Jackson faced the Lions (27th against the pass), Cardinals (22nd), and Falcons (21st). The one team with a solid pass defense he went up against, the New York Giants, held Jackson in check to the tune of just 239 yards, one TD, and one INT.

So, don't be fooled—because the Vikings themselves aren't fooled. Hence, the trade for Sage Rosenfels, who played decently during his opportunities with the Houston Texans while backing up Matt Schaub these past two years, was probably a smart move.

Right now, thanks to better accuracy (Rosenfels has completed 62.5% of his passes over his career to Jackson's 58.4%), it seems Rosenfels will be the man in Minny this season. However, that point becomes moot if one Mr. Favre decides to return to the gridiron. 

NEW YORK JETS - Mark Sanchez vs. Kellen Clemens

You have to feel just slightly for Jet's quarterback Kellen Clemens. Last season, Clemens was primed to secure the team's starting gig, outshining Chad Pennington in training camp, only to end up holding a clipboard once the smoke from the Brett Favre saga cleared.

This season, Clemens, once again, seemed a shoe-in to take over the Jets' quarterback position, with Favre retiring, only to see the team trade up in this year's draft and choose Mark Sanchez with the fifth overall selection. 

It's been a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time for Clemens, but he still has a shot to line up under center come week one as new head coach Rex Ryan will give both Clemens and Sanchez a shot to prove who can give Ryan and the team the best shot at winning.

This is one battle that appears set to go deep into the preseason. Ryan, himself, was even quoted as saying, "We probably won't know [the starter] until ...who knows? Whenever it becomes obvious to us, we'll make the decision. Obviously, you'd prefer it sooner than later, but I don't think that's going to happen."

But, don't worry Bruno Boys Nation, because once things become finalized, the Bruno Boys will let you know.

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