NFL 2009-2010 Off-Beat Rankings: Backup Quarterbacks

It's back Mark Jones here again, bringing you the second article in the three-piece series of my off-beat NFL rankings.

Last week, I covered backup running backs from around the league. I had Jonathan Stewart, LenDale White, and Reggie Bush as my top three, but common opinion in the comments showed strong love for Jerious Norwood yet no support for players like Reggie Bush or Felix Jones.

This weekend, I'm covering the replacement QBs for all 32 teams. I will count down from No. 32, and all players ranked in the top 16 (upper half) will get a few sentences of analysis each. All opinions are appreciated—go ahead and comment and tell me your perspective!

Next week you can look forward to my rankings of No. 3 WRs. Here is the list/links of my entire series:

Backup Running Backs: here

Backup Quarterbacks: read on

No. 3 Wide Receivers: coming next week

32. Todd Bouman, Jacksonville

31. Chris Redman, Atlanta

30. Kevin O'Connell, New England

29. Billy Volek, San Diego

28. Joey Harrington, New Orleans

27. Brian Brohm, Green Bay

26. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo

25. Chris Simms, Denver

24. Brett Basanez, Chicago

23. Jim Sorgi, Indianapolis

22. J.T. O'Sullivan, Cincinnati

21. Seneca Wallace, Seattle

20. Jon Kitna, Dallas

19. Kyle Boller, St. Louis

18. Dan Orlovsky, Houston

17. Charlie Batch/Dennis Dixon, Pittsburgh

16. Alex Smith, San Francisco

The 49er shared some time starting last season, and has some good qualities under his belt. Despite a disappointing season in terms of performance, Smith is still an average backup for his position.

15. Kellen Clemens, New York Jets

He's right in the middle of a battle for the starting job with Mark Sanchez, and so far he's losing. But, if the gig does go to rookie Sanchez, Clemens could turn out to be a very serviceable replacement for the Jets.

14. Brady Quinn, Cleveland

The Browns' Brady Quinn is in a very similar situation as Kellen Clemens is with the Jets, except for the fact he's battling Derek Anderson. However, like Clemens above, Quinn would be a decent backup at QB.

13. Chad Henne, Miami

The future behind center for the Dolphins, Chad Henne gets more and more time each season. He likely won't get into a rotation-like job with starter Chad Pennington, but Henne will do well in second on the depth chart.

12. Tyler Thigpen, Kansas City

Thigpen tried to hold together a crumbling Chiefs team last season, and did a decent job in the stats column, even as a starter. But now KC has brought in former Patriot Matt Cassel, who bumps Thigpen down to second.

However, he's a good bet to step in and do well if Cassel has issues.

11. David Carr, New York Giants

David Carr looked fine with the Texans several years ago, but his '07 job with the Panthers was disastrous. The Giants then picked him up, and he's looked quite good in his limited preseason playing time.

10. Colt Brennan, Washington

The best quarterback to ever (by far) come out of a non-lower 48 state, former Hawaii QB Colt Brennan has greatly exceeded expectations in both of his preseasons with the NFL. If Campbell struggles for the 'Skins, expect Brennan to step in and handle the game well.

9. Matt Leinart, Arizona

Leinart has never really come close to living up to expectations after a sensational trip through college at USC, but he's a good backup for the Cards. If Kurt Warner has problems due to his age, Leinart could still possibly lead Arizona to a division title in a division so weak.

8. Matt Moore/Josh McCown, Carolina

Carolina has a quiet but effective group of backups for the slumping Jake Delhomme. Young Matt Moore was great at Oregon State several years ago, and he filled in well for Delhomme at the end of the '07-'08 season.

Also accompanying him is former Raider Josh McCown, who has a lot of starting experience, and late-round draft pick Hunter Cantwell from Louisville.

7. Vince Young, Tennessee

The college superstar has had a bumpy road through professional football so far, but if things settle down, Young could end up as a big-time upper-end quarterback. Anyways, he's certainly top-ten caliber for backups.

6. Jeff Garcia, Oakland

Jeff Garcia is probably secretly about 65-years old now, but he sure doesn't show it. After successful one-year stints in Philly and Tampa Bay, Garcia is now among the candidates to fill-in for JaMarcus Russel if he is among the bottom of the league again.

5. Josh Freeman/Luke McCown, Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay has a terrible starter in Byron Leftwich, but behind him, it looks pretty good.

Josh Freeman has had a lot of hype after being drafted as their No. 1 overall pick, and Luke McCown is also there for insurance. Either one could be a fine starter for Tampa if they decide to bump out Leftwich.

4. Troy Smith/Cleo Lemon, Baltimore

The former Ohio State star crumbled in the National Championship, and no one heard of him after that. Until now.

Troy Smith has looked excellent in his preseason games, and is sparking some articles that he deserves a chance to compete with young Joe Flacco. Cleo Lemon is also a very recent addition from Jacksonville.

3. Travaris Jackson/Sage Rosenfels, Minnesota

They were the most ridiculed quarterbacks in the league a couple months ago, but now they should fit in well as backups behind Brett Farve (no need to say anything about him...ESPN's already got it way over-covered)!

Travaris Jackson may not be the best passer, but he's an excellent scrambler. Rosenfels also had some good experience in starter six games for up-and-coming Houston last year. Together, they make up a top-three backup duo.

2. Matthew Stafford, Detroit

The top pick in the draft is ranking high among fantasy players, and he has a chance to beat out Dante Culpepper before the season even begins. Otherwise, it's just a high-level ranking on the backups list.

1. Michael Vick, Philadelphia

I seriously doubt Michael Vick needs any more media coverage. All I'm going to say is my opinion, and it looks pretty good. Vick could be an above-average starter in some places.