The Top 10 Backup Quarterbacks in the NFL

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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 11: Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos at Cowboys Stadium on August 11, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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Football fans always seem to be talking about who are the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

But what happens when a team's play caller goes down with an injury? The Matt Cassel answer for the New England Patriots in 2008 is not common among all NFL teams.

This is my list of the NFL's top 10 backup quarterbacks. The guys who need to step into the biggest role on the field at a second's notice.

Honorable Mentions

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 11: Tyrod Taylor #2 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during their pre season game on August 11, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Ima

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

All six of the guys that I have listed here have the potential to be great quarterbacks someday.

But for now they are all too young to tell if they are going to be great starting or backup quarterbacks, so they land on the honorable mention list.

Tyrod Taylor - Baltimore Ravens

Jake Locker - Tennessee Titans

Blaine Gabbert - Jacksonville Jaguars

Christian Ponder - Minnesota Vikings

Ryan Mallett - New England Patriots

Dennis Dixon - Pittsburgh Steelers

10.) Brett Favre*

MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 7, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Brett Favre is not currently on a NFL team, but by no means does that mean that we will not be seeing him on the field this year.

I could definitely see a team like the Washington Redskins or the Buffalo Bills employing his services for 2011.

9.) Brian Hoyer

FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 11: Brian Hoyer #8 of the New England Patriots passes the ball in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 11, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Elsa/Getty Images

Brian Hoyer showed this preseason that he is a very capable backup quarterback.

After seeing what the Patriots did with Matt Cassel, and how they groomed him into a starting NFL quarterback, I think New England has done the same with Hoyer.

He would be able to take on Tom Brady's role if necessary and he could definitely be potential trade bait in the future.

8.) David Carr

FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 01: David Carr #8 of the New York Giants calls out the play in the second quarter against the New England Patriots on September 1, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Elsa/Getty Images

David Carr was just named as the official backup for the New York Giants.

If Eli Manning were to ever go down, the Giants would be in trouble, but it is nice to know that a veteran QB such as Carr is waiting to get into the pocket if necessary.

7.) Tim Tebow

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos scrambles with the football during the preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Card

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Tim Tebow may have lost the starting job for the Denver Broncos to Kyle Orton, but last season Tebow proved that he is perfectly capable of running the team's offense.

His ability to run and throw the ball has made him a valuable asset and should Orton falter or get injured, it will be Tebow's show.

6.) Tyler Thigpen

ORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGUST 27: Tyler Thigpen #4 of the Buffalo Bills readies to throw against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ralph Wilson Stadium on August 27, 2011 in Orchard Park, New York .Buffalo won 35-32 in overtime (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

It would not surprise me if Tyler Thigpen gets the starting job for the Buffalo Bills at some point this season.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is the current starter but Thigpen is easily just as worthy of the job. In 2008 with the Kansas City Chiefs, Thigpen threw for 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while rushing for an additional three touchdowns.

Thigpen is definitely a reliable backup.

5.) Matt Flynn

GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 19: Matt Flynn #10 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 19, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Scott Boehm/Getty Images

When Aaron Rodgers went down due to injury during the 2010 season, it was Matt Flynn who came in as the Green Bay Packers' replacement at QB.

Rodgers is without a doubt the star of the Packers and they desperately need him, but if I was a Green Bay fan I would definitely feel comfortable with Flynn distributing the football if he is needed.

4.) Vince Young

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 25: Vince Young #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against the Cleveland Browns during their pre season game on August 25, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Vince Young has been given another chance with the Philadelphia Eagles as the backup to Michael Vick.

Everyone has their doubts about Young, but last season when he played in nine games the quarterback had 10 touchdowns against only three interceptions for a QB rating of 98.6.

Vince Young can still play football, and if Vick gets hurt this season I bet that Young will surprise a lot of people with his play as the backup.

3.) Derek Anderson

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 01: Teammates Derek Anderson #3 and Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers celebrate after Anderson throws a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on September 1, 2011 i

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The Carolina Panthers have both Cam Newton and Jimmy Clausen, but Derek Anderson in the most experienced quarterback of the three.

Both Newton and Clausen are young and inexperienced, and Anderson could get some quality snaps this year if either of them aren't ready to run an offense in 2011.

2.) Jon Kitna

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Quarterback Jon Kitna #3 of the Dallas Cowboys prepares to snap the ball during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Jon Kitna is no stranger to the backup quarterback role.

Kitna filled in for Tony Romo last year for the Dallas Cowboys when Romo went down with an injury and performed admirably. Kitna's experience will be valuable to the Cowboys if Romo were to get injured again.

1.) Kerry Collins

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen and injured quarterback Peyton Manning talk with Kerry Collins #5 during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Kerry Collins has been manning the offense for Tennessee the last few seasons while Vince Young tried to sort out his personal issues.

He may be old, but he has proven that he can still throw the ball. Unfortunately for the Colts, he may have to start week one of the season in place of the injured Peyton Manning.

No Colts fan wants to hear this, but if there was one guy that the Colts could have replaced Manning with, Kerry Collins was the guy they needed.

I hope you enjoyed, and share your thoughts!

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