Five Quarterback Throws That Need To Be Made In Week Two

Throwing a football is easy, right? 

Okay sure, it's not as easy in front of 80,000 screaming fans. Or in the rain. Or with a bruised elbow. Or with Ray Lewis charging at you like a crazed bull. But it's simple enough, especially if it's your job!

Well, you wouldn't think so watching some of the quarterbacks in the NFL's opening week. Yes, the throwing motions looked right. The spirals held tight. Heck, even the receivers seemed confident the passes would arrive.

And yet, on more than one occasion last weekend, the ball fell short, drifted, sailed high, or inexplicably escaped its intended recipient - even when they were open.

You or I could have made some of those missed throws, and I don't just mean with a Nerf across the living room.

There clearly needs to be sharper quarterback play than what we've seen. Here are five throws that need to be executed in week two for these respective quarterbacks to succeed. 

Chad Henne's 40-Yard Bombed Bomb

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 12: Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins readies to pass against the Buffalo Bills during the NFL season opener at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 12, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

As Brandon Marshall tore down the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium last Sunday, he must have thought, 'this Miami gig is looking pretty sweet.' Who could possibly have stop The Beast in the cool open air of the afternoon. Chad Henne and his terribly under thrown ball, that's who.

Derek Anderson's Lousy Lobs

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 12: Derek Anderson #3 of the Arizona Cardinals passes against the St. Louis Rams during the NFL season opener at the Edward Jones Dome on September 12, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Rams 17-13. (Photo by Dilip

Derek Anderson is being praised for getting the job done against St. Louis last Sunday. Good for him. He barely completed 50% of his passes and worse yet, missed numerous open targets.

Pick out any number of his throws to the world's greatest set of hands, Larry Fitzgerald, or even some his very short passes to the likes of Early Doucet. These are just throws that need to hit their bullseye - especially when you're 6'6 and a six-year veteran. 

Mark Sanchez Missing Down The Middle

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during their home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty

Mark Sanchez likes to check the ball down. We know that. Maybe that's what he's being asked to do. But when you're in a position to throw a touchdown as the Jets were early against the Ravens, you need to convert.

Sanchez rolled out of the pocket and slung a perfect front row ball beyond and open Braylon Edwards. It's these types of misses that produce 74-yard passing days.

McNabb's Inaccuracy

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LANDOVER - SEPTEMBER 12: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins passes during the NFL season opener against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on September 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins defeated the Cowboys 13-7. (Photo by Larry French

Santana Moss tends to leave the ground behind him alight, somewhat like the DeLorean in Back to the Future. Pity Donovan McNabb doesn't have plutonium in his arm to match this speed.

It's surprising that McNabb miscues on so many deep routes when he does have good arm strength. His Sunday night second-quarter-floater to No.89 was just poor. And poor throws are the reason why the new Skins QB completed just 47% of his passes against a sloppy Cowboys defense. 

Joe Flacco Back To Throw...to Nobody

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass against the New York Jets during the home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Image

The Ravens - Jets game was a brilliant defensive display, but very light on offense. Joe Flacco's maddeningly overthrown end zone pass to LeRon McClain embodied the lack of attacking prowess on show.

Joe, the man was wide open. You only had to toss into the air anywhere in his vicinity and it would have been six. Instead, you put too much zip on it and never gave your receiver a chance. I'm not sure how this is possible from an NFL quarterback.