2011 NFL Predictions: 8 QBs Who Will Miss Games This Season

Nothing devastates a team as suddenly and absolutely as losing their starting signal caller to injury.  Not every team is able to call upon a credible backup to provide a spark.

Each coach and general manager will be fervently hoping that their man under center can survive the rigours of the new campaign and perform to his maximum capacity.

Equally nothing hinders a team's chances of achieving a postseason berth more than an ineffective passer.  Certain franchises face uncertainty at arguably the most crucial position on the team.

Here are eight quarterbacks who seem destined to miss games either through injury or in different form during the 2011 season.

8. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

Taking over the reigns of the NFL's worst team from a year ago is a tall order for number overall pick Cam Newton.

Making things tougher still for Newton is the fact that he enters one of the league's strongest divisions in the ultra competitive NFC South.

Most rookie quarterbacks endure a tremendous amount of punishment in their rookie seasons.  The increased ferocity and aggression of pro defenses, often leaves first year passers in need of an extended spell on the sidelines.

Newton's combative, daredevil style of play makes him a prime candidate to sustain injury sometime in 2011.

His propensity to take off on the run will be met with severe reprisals at the pro level.  Newton will have to quickly learn when to take himself out of the firing line in what promises to be an arduous rookie campaign.

7. Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos

Orton may have edged ahead of Tim Tebow in the competition to win the Denver Broncos starting quarterback job.

But the controversy surrounding who is the ideal quarterback to lead the Broncos back to the summit of the AFC West, will continue long into the season.

If Orton struggles early then the calls for head coach John Fox to insert Tebow into the starting lineup will grow louder and louder.

The Broncos face an uphill battle to surpass the other teams in their division.  Orton is no longer in the pass first offense favoured by the departed Josh McDaniels.

With a tough schedule involving games against the NFC North and AFC East, Orton could falter.  Tebow's ability to make plays with his feet as well as his arm may fit better with the new regime's emphasis on the running game.

6. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

2009 number one overall pick Matthew Stafford has struggled to remain healthy in his first two seasons.  Keeping Stafford upright is a top priority for a young Lions team many feel is finally primed to make a real push for the postseason.

But Stafford already has the worrying look of an injury prone player.  He has only been sacked 28 times in his short career, yet he's still been limited to a mere 13 starts out of a possible 32.

The single most worrying aspect of Stafford's game is his unfortunate habit of holding onto the ball for too long.  The former Georgia standout often freezes in the pocket and as a result takes plenty of unnecessary hits.

The Lions have failed to adequately strengthen their offensive line, particularly at the tackle positions, Stafford's primary sources of protection.

This is not good when the team is relying on Stafford to put the ball in the air often to take advantage of play makers Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew and Titus Young.

5. John Beck, Washington Redskins

John Beck's lack of playing time makes injury or demotion distinct possibilities for this season.  Beck must prove himself durable enough to withstand the pressure he can expect in the rugged NFC East division.

Beck's lack of arm strength could stifle his chances of successfully leading the offense.  Mike Shanahan's offense is reliant on a legitimate deep threat.  His team needs to stretch the field to create space for his favoured zone based running game.

The presence of Rex Grossman places more immediate pressure on Beck.  Grossman is a favourite of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and is familiar with the offensive scheme.

Mike Shanahan has put a lot of public faith in Beck, but the fiery coach will not hesitate to make a change if his anointed man falters.

4. Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee Titans

Matt Hasselbeck has struggled mightily with injuries during recent seasons.  The talented veteran is under pressure to produce a quick turnaround for the Tennessee Titans.

Hasselbeck's checkered durability history is not good news as he enters an AFC South division loaded with some of the league's most dangerous pass rushers.

Hasselbeck will have to face sack artists Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Mario Williams twice.  The Jacksonville Jaguars also pose a dangerous threat to the brittle trigger man, particularly after adding fearsome linebackers Paul Posluszny and Clint Session in free agency.

3. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

New head coach Jim Harbaugh moved quickly to offer Alex Smith a future with the San Francisco 49ers.  But patience in the 2005 first overall pick is likely at an all time low heading into the 2011 season.

Harbaugh moved to secure Nevada prodigy Colin Kaepernick in the draft.  Smith's margin for error is minute on a 49ers team desperate to return to the playoffs.

Playing for a former pro quarterback could prove to be double edged sword for Smith.  Harbaugh's initial understanding could quickly turn to frustration from a coach who knows how things ought to be done.

With a strong running game and impressive defense, the 49ers are better set up than most teams to accommodate a rookie signal caller.

If Smith is still unable to make the job his own, look for Kaepernick to quickly be give a chance to shine.

2. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick is always going to be a prime target for defenses.  His fleet footed scrambling style often allows defenses to treat Vick like a running back rather than a quarterback.

The vicious hits put on Vick by linebackers and safeties are ample proof of this.  Vick's eagerness for extra yards and confidence in his own ability to make a play, consistently places him in harms way.

The Philadelphia Eagles have taken appropriate steps in both the draft and free agency to try and take better care of their prized asset.

But tempering Vick's instinct and inclination to make plays on the run is an impossible task.  Even with a stronger line, the league's most exciting dual threat is in for another heavy beating in 2011.

1. Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins

Chad Henne is putting on a brave face in response to the frenzied demands from Miami Dolphins fans for him to be replaced.

Henne enters the season under enormous pressure to prove his doubters wrong and ease the anxieties of an increasingly agitated fan base.

The Dolphins posses a strong defense but the key to their efforts to book a return to the postseason is the play of Henne.

Henne's chances have not been helped by the loss of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown in free agency.  Without the security of a strong ground game, Henne could struggle in the tough AFC East.

The trade for Reggie Bush adds another explosive weapon to the Dolphin offense.  The team needs Henne to perform at a high level in order to take advantage of the play making talents of Bush and Brandon Marshall.

The Dolphins signed Matt Moore for insurance and have been linked with a host of other alternatives.  Henne needs to quickly make a solid impression.  If he can't then under fire head coach Tony Sparano will be forced to make a change.

There is simply too much pressure on coach and quarterback to imagine Henne surviving all 16 games without being benched.

Every team is heavily reliant on their quarterbacks functioning well in 2011.  But these eight teams are most at risk of seeing their season's scuppered thanks to their main men missing time.