Analyzing the Biggest QB Controversies Heading into NFL Week 12

Quarterbacks make or break NFL teams' chances every year, so it's no surprise that we have a handful of quarterback controversies midway through the 2012 season. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs are all dealing with different levels of controversy regarding their respective quarterbacks, and all five teams will likely be looking to upgrade in next year's draft.

For now, these teams need to make do with what they have, so let's take a look at what they're working with and determine which player makes the most sense for the rest of the season. 

Mark Sanchez vs. Tim Tebow

The quarterback controversy that just won't go away is a pretty easy one to call right now—especially since Mark Sanchez played efficiently and effectively in Week 11 against the St. Louis Rams.

The New York Jets are 4-6 and likely out of the playoff hunt, but putting Tim Tebow in at this point in the season isn't going to turn things around for this team. After all, nobody in the Jets' locker room has any faith in Tebow, if you believe the latest rumors (h/t New York Daily News). 

Verdict: Sanchez is this team's quarterback, for better or worse, no matter how badly he plays.

Nick Foles vs. Michael Vick

The Philadelphia Eagles are 3-7 with no hope of righting the ship in 2012. 

The team has not played as one unit since Week 4, and Andy Reid seems to have lost his locker room.

And as a result of injuries and poor personnel decisions, the team's offensive line is as worthless against a heavy pass rush as a Lamborghini on an off-road course. 

Furthermore, LeSean McCoy is now dealing with a concussion, and it's not known when he'll be ready to play. It's not like there's any rush to get him back on the field, either, given the team's record. 

We know what Michael Vick brings to the table. It's time for the Eagles to find out what they've got with NIck Foles.

Verdict: Foles needs to keep playing for the Eagles to see if he's worth investing in going forward. 

Matt Cassel vs. Brady Quinn

A team with two quarterbacks has no quarterback (ancient NFL proverb). 

Such is the case for the Kansas City Chiefs this season. Neither Brady Quinn nor Matt Cassel is capable of winning games once in a blue moon—let alone on a consistent basis. 

Both quarterbacks are prone to turn the ball over, and neither one is particularly accurate or good under pressure. 

Verdict: Why not give Ricky Stanzi another shot? He can't play any worse than Quinn or Cassel, can he?

John Skelton vs. Ryan Lindley vs. Kevin Kolb

The Arizona Cardinals don't have a single starting-caliber quarterback on the roster.

Kevin Kolb started out the season on fire, but he quickly broke down. His greatest flaw is that he is extremely inaccurate—especially when plays break down. He is still out with his rib injury, and there is still no timetable for his return (h/t Darren Urban).

John Skelton was benched in Week 11 after he missed Larry Fitzgerald, who was wide open in the end zone. For the game, he completed just two out of seven passes for six yards. For the season, Skelton has thrown just two touchdowns while throwing five interceptions.

Rookie Ryan Lindley is nowhere near ready to take over as the team's starter, as his poor performance last Sunday indicated. That said, Ken Whisenhunt may be ready to see what kind of play he gets out of the young man, as he doesn't have any better options right now. 

Verdict: The Cardinals should play Lindley at least until Kolb can return from his rib injury. If Lindley improves every week, the team should let him finish the season. 

Blaine Gabbert vs. Chad Henne

How many four-touchdown games does Blaine Gabbert have on his resume?

That's a big fat zero, for all of you who didn't know the answer. In fact, Gabbert hasn't ever had a single three-touchdown game. 

Chad Henne injected life into a dead Jacksonville Jaguars offense this past week, throwing for 354 yards and four touchdowns against the Houston Texans—a team with the NFL's No. 3-ranked pass defense before that game.

He got Justin Blackmon involved in the offense for the first time all season long. There's no way Blaine Gabbert deserves another shot at playing as long as Henne's healthy. 

Verdict: Henne needs to start the rest of the season so the Jaguars can determine if he's good enough to build around for at least a couple of years.

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