Seattle Seahawks and NFL Teams with Biggest Messes at QB

If an NFL team has more than one potential starting quarterback battling for the job, then that team has an important decision to make.

The Seattle Seahawks are a team right now seemingly headed down that path, as the three-way competition continues. In an interview with NFL Network via Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com, Pete Carroll said:

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We don’t know yet. We’re going to stay with Tarvaris as No. 1; he maintained that through the OTAs. But Matt is really ready to go, and so is Russell. They performed very well in our camps, their numbers were really close. They just deserve the chance to keep battling.

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Still, the clock is ticking as we close in on July with training camp just around the corner. To that end, let's look at some other NFL squads that join Seattle in having a messy quarterback situation.

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are in a bind right now.

Yes, the hope is Drew Brees comes aboard and is under center for the 2012 season. However, the Saints also have to be preparing for the worst-case/just-in-case scenario as well.

The concern there is whether Luke McCown, Chase Daniel or Sean Canfield can quickly learn the offense.

McCown is an NFL veteran, but he has never played in more than five games in any one season. Last season, he lost the starting role in Jacksonville to Blaine Gabbert after throwing zero touchdowns to four picks through the first two games.

Daniel has been the Saints backup since 2010, but he has attempted just eight passes in two seasons.

As for Canfield, he was a seventh-round pick in 2010 and has yet to see the field.

New Orleans desperately needs Brees to suit up, because if not, one of the three aforementioned quarterbacks will have to lead without a true head coach.

Fortunately for the Saints, if Brees does get on the field, this disastrous quarterback situation will have been averted.

Miami Dolphins

Much like the Seattle Seahawks, the Miami Dolphins have three quarterbacks with the potential to be the No. 1 quarterback.

First, there's David Garrard, who is the most accomplished pro. Despite his age (34), Garrard has four legit seasons under his belt (2007-2010), where he compiled 71 touchdowns to just 41 picks and a 63.0 completion percentage.

Matt Moore was Miami's savior last season as he filled the void for Chad Henne and tossed 16 touchdowns to only nine picks. In addition, Moore almost hit 2,500 yards in 13 games and finished with an 87.1 rating.

Then there's rookie Ryan Tannehill, the No. 8 overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft. Although he didn't come from a pro-style offense, Tannehill has the size, strength and mobility to develop in the pros.

All this said, in an article by Brian Biggane of the Palm Beach Post, the battle appears to have narrowed:

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With all three quarterbacks getting a day with the starters this week, both the stats and the “eye test” led to the conclusion that Moore and Garrard put themselves in position to battle for the No. 1 job when training camp opens in five weeks.

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Time, however, is of the essence; Miami needs someone to pull ahead of the pack sooner than later. Otherwise, the beginning of the season will be frustrating.

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are in a rough situation.

Colt McCoy never had the talent around him to truly develop. However, he still managed to throw for over 2,500 yards and 14 scores to just nine picks through the first 12 games last season.

That's damn impressive considering all the injuries and lack of talent to work with. Now though, Cleveland appears to be all in with Brandon Weeden since it selected him at No. 22 overall in Round 1.

According to May Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer earlier in June, the Browns may deal McCoy or Seneca Wallace after the season kicks off:

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Mike Holmgren acknowledged that the Browns will consider trading Colt McCoy or Seneca Wallace sometime before the trading deadline, which could be as late as the eighth week of the season.

He said, "right now the plan is not to" move McCoy or Wallace off the roster and that the quarterback position is strong.

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It's not easy, because with injuries being a part of the game, the Browns do need a reliable backup to count on. McCoy and Wallace have that capability, but we also have yet to see either under center with better talent on offense.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks' three-way competition is like a mix between what the Dolphins and Browns are going through.

Tarvaris Jackson is the most proven quarterback of the group, as he played respectably well in 2011 with over 3,000 yards and 14 touchdowns to 13 picks. It was his most productive season as a pro and the most games Jackson has started in his six-year career (15).

Matt Flynn, on the other hand, may have been a hot commodity after thrashing the Detroit Lions in Week 17, but it was an exaggerated performance. The Lions had a weak pass defense and both teams had already clinched a playoff spot, so Flynn had no pressure to put on a show.

Russell Wilson, however, is the most dangerous quarterback of the three. He quickly adapted to the pro-style offense in Wisconsin and was as impressive as any quarterback in college football last year. Considering his positional competition, Wilson isn't far behind and has better odds than what meets the eye to win the starting role.

Jackson needs to build off last season, Flynn must get used to living up to expectations and Wilson is a rookie still needing to develop. All three have their flaws and it's what makes Seattle's quarterback controversy so compelling.

Regardless of who begins the year at the helm, he'll be on thin ice because the other two aren't going to be far behind.

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