Wrapping Up NFL Quarterback Snap Gaps

Only 32 quarterbacks can win the starting job out of preseason, and some quarterbacks don't have to worry about job security, like Tom Brady and Drew Brees.

But others, like Brady Quinn and Daunte Culpepper, are working their tails off to gain (or keep) that starting job. We are going to run through some teams that have close battles for the quarterback position.

Cleveland: Derek Anderson vs. Brady Quinn

In my opinion, this is the closest quarterback battle in the NFL.

Derek Anderson shined in 2007, taking the starting job and throwing for 3,787 yards with 29 touchdowns and only 19 interceptions.

However, last season he stumbled, throwing for 1,615 yards with just nine touchdowns and eight interceptions.

When Brady Quinn came in, he actually didn't do a bad job; though he only threw two touchdowns and two interceptions, he was able to throw for 518 yards. He also had a great game versus Denver, throwing two touchdowns and gaining 239 yards.

Expect Quinn to win the job, but also expect a quarterback by committee for these two guys.

Tampa Bay: Byron Leftwich vs. Luke McCown

Both of these men have played at least six seasons, with Byron Leftwich in his seventh. But Leftwich has far more experience as a starter.

He has started 47 games in his career while Luke McCown has started only seven.

The Buccaneers have the hardest schedule in the NFL, playing the Cowboys, Giants, Patriots, Saints twice, and Falcons twice.

Obviously, you want the experience. Last year McCown threw one pass for an incompletion while Leftwich threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns.

Buy Leftwich and sell McCown in your fantasy league if you are desperate for a backup.

Just don't forget, the Buccaneers haven't had a strong passing game in a while.

New York Jets: Kellen Clemens vs. Mark Sanchez

One of my favorite battles every year is the rookie versus the backup, especially when the rookie comes out of the most respected school in college football this decade.

In his final season with USC, Mark Sanchez threw for 3,207 yards, 34 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions while Kellen Clemens has thrown for 1,555 yards with only five touchdowns and 11 interceptions in the last two seasons!

Plus, were any of you watching the Jets preseason game? Did anyone see that 48-yard pass to Dave Clowney on his first play? I did. And I don't think Clemens will be able to gun that ball like Sanchez did.

Expect Sanchez to finish the preseason as the starter, and remain there for the duration of the regular season.

Detroit: Daunte Culpepper vs. Matthew Stafford

Ahhh, another rookie versus veteran battle, except this time the veteran has the edge.

Daunte Culpepper's best season was in 2004. That season he threw for 4,717 yards with 39 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. But he has only thrown 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in the last three years combined.

Last year, Matthew Stafford threw for 3,459 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the University of Georgia.

The Lions want to win a game so bad that they will be forced to start Culpepper at the beginning of the season. But don't expect Stafford to wait too long for the starting job. He will be the starter this season, just not right away.

Tennessee: Kerry Collins vs. Vince Young

This battle is very intriguing. Kerry Collins hasn't had a great time since joining Tennessee, but neither has Vince Young.

Collins' best season with this franchise came last season with 2,676 yards, but only 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Young's best season came in 2006, throwing for 2,199 yards and 20 touchdowns, but he also threw 21 interceptions.

This preseason, Kerry has thrown two interceptions and a total 37 yards, while Vince threw one touchdown for 131 yards. Kerry will win the starting job, but by the end of the season, watch for the cocky youngster to become the new starter.

Denver: Kyle Orton vs. Chris Simms

Not that many people could have seen this battle coming, with Chris Simms being old and washed up and Kyle Orton is in his prime. After all, they traded their franchise quarterback for this guy.

But Orton was nothing but a disappointment in his first preseason game. The newly acquired quarterback threw nine completions in 16 attempts with 89 yards
and three interceptions.

Simms was a surprise that game, going 11-for-17 with 142 yards and two touchdowns. Don't look for Simms to make a run at the starting job right away, but you can't rule him out for the whole season.

San Francisco: Shaun Hill vs. Alex Smith vs. Damon Huard

Here is our only three-quarterback battle between Shaun Hill, Alex Smith, and Damon Huard.

I'm not going to say that Hill had a bad preseason game; he went 2-for-2 with 41 yards and two sacks. However, I am going to say that Smith and Huard had good preseason games.

Smith went 5-for-7 with 33 yards, but he did get a touchdown. Huard was on fire against the Broncos, going 7-for-9 with 98 yards and a touchdown.

This is probably more of a battle between Smith and Huard for the No. 2 spot. However, we can't be surprised if we watch a San Francisco quarterback stumble.

Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell vs. Jeff Garcia

My team. My boy JaMarcus Russell is against the man from Tampa Bay, Jeff Garcia. Russell has been given enough chances to show up, he just hasn't been able to.

You can't blame the kid though; his best receiver on the team has been the tight end, Zach Miller. This year, Darrius Heyward-Bay could be just the wheels that Russell needs.

Russell threw for 2,423 yards, but with only 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Garcia is coming into his 11th season. Last year he threw for 2,712 with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Raiders will give Russell one more chance, but he has to perform quickly.