NFL: Top QBs Who Will End Up On Different Teams in 2011 (and Where They Will Go)
2010 was the Year of the Quarterback, yet a lot of those ringleaders won't be on the team that they played (or didn't play) for this season.
With many of the teams that need QBs also needing defensive help, a lot of these teams will look to trade within the league for a veteran with experience. This will get them a solid ringleader and avoid having to use a first-round draft pick on a QB.
Trades will be in the air, and the league will never look the same again. (YouTube search: 2012 Nike Uniforms.)
10. Alex Smith
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The picture sums up Smith's career in San Francisco pretty well. Both literally and metaphorically, Smith's career has never gotten off the ground since being the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.
His rookie season was miserable; he played in nine and had a TD/Int ratio of 1:11. Since then, the not-the-seasoned vet has fought a shoulder injury and has an overall TD/Int ratio of 51/53.
This past season was arguably his best. He played in 11 games, threw 14 touchdowns to his 10 picks, and boasted a completion percentage of 59.6. Nothing record-breaking, but at least Smith has shown signs of improvement. I'll give it one more year before he can be looked at as a total bust, yet I don't think that year of success or failure will come in the bay city of San Francisco.
They want/need a change, and Smith is still worth something on the market.
Where He May Go
Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have a good rookie in John Skelton and an average one in Max Hall. If they can get Smith at the right price, he could be the perfect placeholder while these guys get their chops. Who knows? Smith could even revive his career.
9. Shaun Hill
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He's not interesting in any way, shape or form, but Shaun Hill is talented. Granted that he had Calvin Johnson to throw to this year, he still did a decent job when he started for the Lions (about one-third of the season).
He is a free agent and with Stafford expected to be healthy and Drew Stanton a solid backup, the Lions don't need nor care to re-sign Hill. The Maryland grad boasts a passer rating of 84.6 throughout his career and can be a solid backup for many teams. He could even compete for a starting role.
Where He May Go
Denver Broncos. With Kyle Orton likely to be shipped out, the Broncos want an older guy like Hill to backup and compete with Tebow. Having a guy like Hill number two of the depth chart not only forces Tebow to play better, but also provides Denver with a solid option if Tebow goes down or plays poorly.
8. Trent Edwards
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He's really, really, really boring. His career has been really average. He's just an average guy overall.
Still, Edwards is decent, and I don't see Jacksonville re-signing him.
Since no one wants to read anymore about Trent Edwards...
Where He May Go
Houston Texans. The Texans have a great QB in Matt Schaub, but Edwards could be a solid piece of security for them that they could pick up at a relatively cheap price. Nothing like a bargain!
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7. Matt Hasselbeck
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At last, a free agent this season with some credentials. I think it's universally fair to say that Matt Hasselbeck has had a very good, forgettable career in the NFL. The Boston College baldy is a three-time Pro Bowl selection, has a career TD/Int ratio of 194-135 and has consistently taken the Seahawks to the top of the lowly NFC West and into the playoffs.
It's also universally fair to say that he has peaked, and is going downhill. That does not mean, however, that he has no talent. He is a smart QB with a great arm and a ton of experience. He has been fairly accurate throughout his career and he would be a catch for any of the desperate QB-less squads out there.
Where He May Go
Seattle. Unfortunately for those desperate teams who want him as a QB, and for those ESPN junkies who want Trent Dilfer replaced, I see Hasselbeck re-signing with Seattle for at least another year.
He's been a main reason why Seattle football has been competitive for the past decade, and the 7-9 playoff squad needs to hold onto all talent they have.
6. Kerry Collins
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Like Hasselbeck, Collins is a veteran (not as bald) who has had a less-consistent (but still pretty consistent) career. He's always thrown a lot, and that includes picks. He boasts 206 career touchdowns and a whopping 195 career picks.
Nonetheless, Collins is talented and knows the game. He may drink too much and look like Billy Bob Thorton, but a lot of teams would love to have him. He has Redskins written all over him.
Where He May Go
Tennessee. Again like Hasselbeck, Collins will stay in Tennessee. They need too much help on defense (particularly linebacker) to draft a QB high, and with Vince Young out, Collins is the man. That is until Rusty Smith breaks out, of course.
5. Vince Young
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Vince Young's drama-filled pro career in Tennessee is officially done. The Titans opted to stick with coach Jeff Fischer and in case you didn't know, Fischer and Young don't get along.
The former-Texas star has had his bright seasons in the pros and has shown cynics again and again that he can overcome injuries and personal obstacles. The skeptics may argue otherwise, but Young is a talented athlete who could easily lead a team to a playoff season.
Where He May Go
Minnesota Vikings/Miami Dolphins. Minnesota needs a QB more, but Chad Henne is clearly not the next Dan Marino in Miami. I think Minnesota actually does draft a QB, and I'll say that in 2011, Young and Brandon Marshall form a nice relationship.
4. Carson Palmer
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Carson Palmer is a mystery. Statistically, he's been a consistently good QB. Yet ever since his knee surgery in 2005, he has been unable to win with a fairly talented team. (2009 was more Cedric Benson than anyone else on that offense.)
This year, with two top-tier receivers, the Bengals were remarkably disappointing. They went 4-12 and Carson threw 18 interceptions. Still, somehow Marvin Lewis kept his job as head coach. Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are likely not coming back, and Palmer seems as up in the air as it comes.
Where He May Go
Carolina. Carson's a starter wherever he goes, which could be Cincinnati, yet I see him being shipped out. I say Carolina passes up on drafting a QB high, builds the defense and places Palmer ahead of Jimmy Clausen on the depth chart.
3. Kyle Orton
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Orton may be the league's most underrated QB. He was unimpressive in Chicago, written off and replaced by Rex Grossman during their Super Bowl season in 2006. He then was shipped off to Denver, who appeared to get the short end of the stick, giving Jay Cutler to Chicago.
Orton has blossomed in Denver, however. In his two seasons there, he has passer ratings of 86.8 and 87.5, and has thrown for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in both seasons. He only threw nine picks this year. Denver was pitiful this year, but it was in no way Orton's fault.
Still, Tim Tebow appears to be the future there, and Orton can be shipped out with a high price tag.
Where He May Go
Minnesota. Minnesota may still draft a QB, but Orton will certainly be on their radar. He knows the NFC North from his years with the Bears, and could be wildly successful working with Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice.
2. Donovan McNabb
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Poor Donovan McNabb. No one ever likes him and he can never win the big game. He was a top-tier QB in Philly for 10 years. He brought them to five NFC championships and a Super Bowl, yet they still hate him. His career is arguably Hall of Fame worthy, yet he was still benched for Rex Grossman this year!
The Redskins owe McNabb a lot of money ($100 million), so they will try to ship him out, pay him what he is guranteed, and get someone else (see next slide). Whoever gets McNabb and appreciates him will be lucky. He wasn't good on Washington this year, but Peyton Manning would not have been good on Washington this year.
Where He May Go
San Francisco. San Francisco needs a QB badly. They are on the verge of letting a good team go to waste, and they need someone with experience in to save them. I think Harbaugh will pursue McNabb heavily, and he will finally get the respect he deserves with a West Coast team. I also think him and Crabtree will develop a nice relationship.
1. Kevin Kolb
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At last, the man himself. Oddly enough, the most demanded QB in the NFL this offseason will be Kevin Kolb. He's played in only 18 NFL games and started only six of those. He also has thrown more picks than touchdowns (11 to 10) and his career passing yards total just under 2000.
Still, Kolb is only riding the bench because Michael "Superman" Vick became the starter this year with a comeback season. On any other team, Kolb is a starter and has potential to be an elite QB, and that is what he may be next year.
Where He May Go
Washington. Why wouldn't the Redskins sign another former Eagle? The Redskins love repetition. Kolb should work out nicely for them. Anthony Armstrong could have a breakout year with Kolb throwing him the rock, and if the Redskins D can hold up, they can, believe it or not, become contenders.
We'll See...
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The 2011 offseason will certainly be a good one for all you football fanatics out there. As always, there will be plenty of wheeling, dealing, stealing, and of course, plenty of good feeling.
For the sake of the fans of the Panthers, 49ers, Cardinals, Bengals, Vikings, Redskins, Seahawks and Titans, I hope you find your guy. A team is nothing without a solid QB, and Rex Grossman is not one.
Perhaps it's only a matter of time before No. 4 is out of retirement and back on the field, this time in a ______ (desperate team name here) jersey.
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