2011 NFL Free Agency and Trade Speculation: Ideal New Locations for Six Vet QBs

Every year in the NFL quarterbacks switch teams. 2011 will be no different. There are more starting quality quarterbacks available this year than I can remember. Couple that with a 2011 NFL draft that produced 7 quarterbacks within the first 74 picks and it seems like anything can happen. Only time will tell how many of these rookie quarterbacks will be day one starters and how many teams will opt for a veteran mentor instead.

Last year, there were a few QBs to change homes, most were unsuccessful in their new destinations. Derek Anderson, Trent Edwards, Todd Collins all had at least 1 start for their new teams and played terribly. Donovan McNabb and Jason Campbell had some modest success with their new teams. Only Campbell in Oakland seems poised to be the starting quarterback going into the 2011 season.

That doesn't bode well for the quarterbacks looking for new jobs in 2011, but I think it will be different this time around. Some of these quarterbacks will be put in the right situations to be successful. A lot of this depends on scheme, team chemistry, coaching, and the ability to adapt on both the team's and player's part.

This year we have quarterbacks who have overstayed their welcome with their respective teams, some who want out of their current situation, others that just want a chance to start, and some that just don't fit that team's offensive system.

There are some very talented quarterbacks that will be available when the lockout ends. There are several teams that need quarterbacks to lead their team, mentor their young quarterbacks, or both.

Whatever the case may be, one man's garbage is another man's treasure. I'll breakdown which quarterbacks should go where and why.  I'll focus on just 6 of the quarterbacks that I think would do really well in a different uniform.

Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to throw the ball during pregame before taking on the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

I think the best fit for Hasselbeck is Minnesota. The Vikings have a decent defense and outstanding running game with Adrian Peterson leading the way. Hasselbeck would excel using play action, reading defenses, and be an effective game manager. He would be the perfect stopgap quarterback for the development of Christian Ponder.

This would also give the Vikings incentive to keep WR Sidney Rice. Hasselbeck had some success throwing to WR Mike Williams in Seattle who is a big target just like Rice.

He is also an exceptional leader and should mesh well with that locker room. He fits the west coast system very well and won't bring all the drama that Brett Favre did during his time with the Vikings.We might never know how good a fit this is because Hasselbeck may remain in Seattle.

Donovan McNabb, Washington, D.C.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins talks with Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals before the preseason NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. T

A pairing of Donovan McNabb and Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona would benefit both players immensely. McNabb was at his best statistically when he had a big-bodied all-pro to throw to in Terrell Owens. Fitzgerald was at his best when he had an established veteran tossing him the football in Kurt Warner.

In addition to all that, McNabb already owns a home in the Arizona area. This would allow John Skelton to hold a clipboard and learn from a veteran without taking the pounding of an NFL season. Of the quarterbacks available, it is my belief that McNabb has the strongest arm and can make every throw. This would allow these receivers to flourish. Combine that with his ability to scramble and the Cardinals offense would be dynamic under McNabb.

Despite all this, it seems that the Arizona Cardinals are not interested in McNabb for reasons I probably cannot fathom. Another great fit would be Minnesota.

QB Vince Young, Tennessee

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans drops back to pass against the San Diego Chargers in the game at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Titans 33-25. (Photo by

Vince Young's best possible fit is in San Francisco for new head coach Jim Harbaugh. He likes athletic quarterbacks as proven with college QBs Andrew Luck and Josh Johnson. He showed his affinity for athletic quarterbacks extends to the NFL when he drafted Colin Kaepernick. Of the players available, who is more athletic than Vince Young?

Being a former NFL quarterback himself, Harbaugh will get the most out of Young. He could help mentor Young and help him mature in this league. This is assuming they set Alex Smith free to find greener pastures which is seeming less and less likely as the lockout extends.

If not, Young could wind up being Chad Henne's competition in Miami. This would be the best option for the Dolphins. Both quarterbacks are talented and a competition could bring out the best in one of them. The way the Dolphins went through quarterbacks last season, it couldn't hurt to bring in some talent, especially after not drafting a quarterback in the 2011 NFL Draft this past April.

Hey, Miami might actually get the wildcat QB they had envisioned when they spent a 2nd round draft choice on Pat White in 2009.

Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia

Al Bello/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes against the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

If the Arizona Cardinals are truly not interested in Donovan McNabb and are willing to trade a draft pick or picks, Kevin Kolb could be their guy.

I could see Kolb being the long-term solution at quarterback for the Cardinals. He's only 26 years old and has shown he can succeed on the NFL level. All he has to prove is he can sustain that level of play over an extended period of time.

The Cardinals do have the players to facilitate Kolb. He would have some attractive places to go with the football, Larry Fitzgerald being the most attractive of all. If Kolb proves to be a legitimate quarterback, then the Cardinals could be contending for NFC West titles for quite a few years.

If the Cardinals don't trade for for Kolb he could go to Seattle. That is if Hasselbeck leaves and other options don't present themselves for Seattle.

Alex Smith, San Francisco

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 02: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

A change of scenery would do Alex Smith some good. If Smith was presented with the right situation he could be an above-average starter in the NFL. I always thought he'd be the perfect quarterback for the system that Josh McDaniels ran with the Denver Broncos, but he ended up going with Kyle Orton.

However, there is another place I think Smith can succeed. He can pack his bags and head to D.C. Far, far away from the bay area. He would have to compete with incumbent Rex Grossman and John Beck, but I think being under coach Mike Shanahan could resurrect his career.

Shanahan did this years ago in Denver with quarterback Jake Plummer. Alex Smith could duplicate Plummer's success with Shanahan and even make a pro bowl or two. This probably won't happen because Alex Smith isn't highly regarded around the league and the lockout complicates matters even further.

The 49ers seem like they would welcome Smith back, so that remains a strong possibility. I could see him doing well under Jim Harbaugh, but he'll be hard pressed to erase his mediocre history in San Francisco.

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

MIAMI - JANUARY 2: (L-R) Alfonso Cueto, Immediate Past President of the Orange Bowl committee, head coach Pete Carroll, Troy Polamalu #43, Carson Palmer #3 and Athletic Director Mike Garrett of USC celebrate the victory over Iowa in the FedEx Orange Bowl

One of the best stories of next season could be the reunion of Carson Palmer and Pete Carrol, his former college coach at USC. I think Carrol could reinvigorate Palmer in Seattle.

The Seahawks have weapons to throw to, including fellow USC alum, WR Mike Williams. Palmer would have fun with football again. With the expected improvement of the offensive line in Seattle and the solid running game Palmer would have every chance to succeed.

I think Carson Palmer is still a very gifted quarterback. If he is traded to the Seahawks he'd be in a perfect environment to have success. He is familiar with the system that Carrol runs from their time together at USC. WR Mike Williams looks like he is the real deal. They have young receivers ready to step up in Deon Butler, Golden Tate and Ben Obomanu.

I could see the Seahawks winning the NFC West comfortably with the addition of Carson Palmer. However, the Bengals may not give into Palmer's trade demands. Palmer might be doomed to play for Cincinnati or retire like he's been saying. I hope not, because Carson Palmer has a lot of football left in him.