Vince Young and the 13 Worst Backup Plans in the NFL

The most valuable thing in the NFL just may be a solid backup quarterback. Unfortunately for many teams, they lack value in that department and have the worst backup plans in the league. 

Nothing is more detrimental to a team's confidence than a backup that comes into the game and doesn't look worthy of donning the teams' colors. Some teams simply don't have a chance with their backup quarterback calling the shots.

The NFL is a cut-throat place for a backup quarterback. Although some may think they have a sure thing in their backup plan, many teams are in deep water if and when their leading man goes down to injury. 

Here is Vince Young and the 13 Worst Backup Plans in the NFL. 

Honorable Mention: Jon Kitna

Dallas Cowboys' backup quarterback Jon Kitna has been doing the "Tebow" since Tim Tebow was in Sunday school.

Kitna is an experienced, 15-year veteran in the NFL, but he's now 39 years old. Despite having 29,745 career yards, he only has 87 this season. 

With the Cowboys making a push for the playoffs, fans better pray that starting quarterback Tony Romo doesn't get hurt in the last month of the season.

If he does, the Cowboys will need more than just a higher power to put them in the win column with Kitna at the helm. 

No. 13: Jacksonville Jaguars

Judging by this photo, Jacksonville Jaguars backup quarterback Luke McCown looks like he belongs in the movie Zoolander rather than the NFL. 

To be honest, the Jaguars screwed themselves when the released former starter David Garrard just hours before the 2011 season began. 

That left the team with McCown, who only started the first two games of the year before throwing Jaguars' rookie Blaine Gabbert to the wolves. 

Gabbert has struggled mightily, but McCown has a quarterback rating of 39.0 this season. For now, the Jaguars' fans have little confidence in their quarterbacks. 

No. 12: Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers may have hit the jackpot with quarterback Cam Newton, but they better keep their fingers crossed that he doesn't get hurt. 

Not too long ago, the Panthers drafted Jimmy Clausen to become their franchise quarterback. Quickly realizing that he's not the answer, Newton was brought aboard. Clausen is only in his second year in the league, but he only has three touchdowns to nine interceptions in his career. 

The Panthers also brought in veteran Derek Anderson to cheer on Newton this season. Does anyone believe in Anderson? Didn't think so. 

No. 11: Seattle Seahawks

Known as "Clipboard Jesus," Charlie Whitehurst knows the Seattle Seahawks' playbook like no other. Too bad he can't execute it on the field. 

Whitehurst is 0-2 in his two starts this season, and he has only completed 48.2 percent of his passes. He has one touchdown, one interception and two fumbles. 

Seahawks' fans should be banking on the team drafting a quarterback in the upcoming draft. As for Whitehurst, he should stick to the sidelines. 

No. 10: Arizona Cardinals

OK, so the Arizona Cardinals may have beaten the St. Louis Rams in Week 12, but it wasn't because of their backup' quarterback John Skelton. 

Skelton was only 12-of-23 for 114 yards with two interceptions. Skelton has thrown seven interceptions in just 117 attempts this season. 

The Cardinals were thought to be improved when they traded to make career backup quarterback Kevin Kolb their starter in the offseason.

With Kolb injured and underwhelming fans, the Cardinals appear to be back to the drawing board when it comes to quarterbacks. 

Just in case you were wondering, the Cardinals have Max Hall, a second-year quarterback from BYU as the backup to Skelton right now. Ugh. 

No. 9: St. Louis Rams

Before 2011, the last time A.J. Feeley threw a pass in the NFL was 2007. 

The St. Louis Rams are dependent on Feeley to be ready when and if their franchise quarterback Sam Bradford gets injured again. The Rams have taken a step back this season, and Bradford has already missed time because of being hurt.

Feeley is 1-1 as a starter this season, but the Rams' fans don't want to see Feeley. He's experienced with 11 years of NFL service, but he's not the answer.

The answer is Bradford, but his sophomore slump is evident and the Rams may want to think about upgrading at the backup quarterback position for the future. 

No. 8: Chicago Bears

With starting quarterback Jay Cutler on the sidelines due to a thumb injury, the Chicago Bears were forced to hand the ball to fourth-year man, Caleb Hanie. 

Hanie became known in 2010 when he came in for Cutler in the NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers. No one expected much that day, but Hanie won a bit of respect because the Bears only lost that game, 21-14. 

Week 12 wasn't so impressive as Hanie threw three interceptions. The Bears are 7-4 and look to be heading south without Cutler behind center. 

Oh, just for laughs, the Bears recently signed quarterback Josh McCown should Hanie get hurt. It looks like running back Matt Forte will have to do it all for the team if they're to make the playoffs. 

No. 7: Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have a big question mark at the backup quarterback position. Rookie Tyrod Taylor is their backup quarterback and has yet to take a snap in the NFL. 

Taylor made his mark as a member of the Virginia Tech Hokies as an option quarterback.

This style of is the polar opposite of the drop-back passing style of Ravens' starting quarterback Joe Flacco. 

If Flacco were to go down in the near future, the Ravens would be in trouble because Taylor's inexperience. Ravens' fans better hope that Taylor is a quick study at the quarterback position.

No. 6: Kansas City Chiefs

With the injury to starting quarterback Matt Cassel, the Kansas City Chiefs are left with Tyler Palko, rookie Ricky Stanzi and newly acquired backup, Kyle Orton. 

In other words, the Chiefs have nothing. Palko has started two games in which he's thrown six interceptions. The Chiefs have only scored 12 points in those two games, and things look grim for the Chiefs the rest of the season.

Every Chiefs opponent from here on out has a winning record. At this point, the Chiefs look like they could lose nine straight to end the season.

For all of you Kyle Orton fans out there, get ready because he should get what may be his last shot in the NFL soon. 

No. 5: Houston Texans

Despite being 8-3 on the season, the Houston Texans are living somewhat of a nightmare right now. 

With starting quarterback Matt Schaub out for the season, the team began the Matt Leinart era in Week 12. That quickly ended when Leinart went down with a collarbone injury.

Surprise, surprise, it's now the T.Y. Yates era in Houston.

Who? Yates is a rookie, fifth-round pick out of the University of North Carolina. In his time on the field in Week 12, Yates went 8-of-15 for 70 yards with a fumble.

Yates will most likely start in Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons, but fans should expect the team to sign someone with some NFL experience soon. For now, there must be an ample amount of head scratching in Houston.   

No. 4: Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins are stuck with seemingly two backup quarterbacks this season.

While head coach Mike Shanahan has juggled his quarterbacks this season and the team stinks. At 4-7, the Redskins are a massive disappointment after their 3-1 start.

It can be said the Rex Grossman is the starter—for now, with John Beck as the backup. Beck has completed 60.6 percent of his 132 attempts this season but only has two touchdowns.

Redskins' fans have to preparing to riot if the team fails to select a quarterback in the upcoming draft.  

No. 3: Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts make the list because it's impossible to replace Peyton Manning at quarterback. The team's 0-11 record is proof of that. 

Backup quarterback Curtis Painter isn't a terrible backup, but he's only completed 54.3 percent of his throws this year. 

With the Colts on their way to a possible 0-16 season, the team is the front-runner for Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck.

For now, the Colts are just plain miserable. 

No. 2: Denver Broncos

Somehow the Denver Broncos are 6-5 on the season. They feel so comfortable with Tim Tebow leading the charge that they dumped quarterback Kyle Orton. 

Now the Broncos have to rely on Brady Quinn if Tebow is to fall to injury. Quinn is in his fifth NFL season, but hasn't seen much playing time. He has 1,902 yards to go along with 10 career touchdowns. He's no one to be excited over. After all, he was traded to Denver from the Cleveland Browns. 

Given, the Broncos won't need Quinn as long as Tebow keeps walking on water, but fans shouldn't be too thrilled with the situation. 

No. 1: Philadelphia Eagles

While it's true that Vince Young has thrown for 658 yards in two starts since Michael Vick's injury, he's also thrown four interceptions. 

Truth be told, Vince Young can't make the big throw when he needs to. Young threw for a career-high 400 yards in Week 12's loss to the New England Patriots, but the Patriots are weak on defense.

Much of Young's production came too late to make a difference. He just doesn't look comfortable at quarterback. Young has had plenty of opportunities in the league and has yet to capitalize. If he's to make it much longer, he has to become tenacious. He appears to be riding a continuous roller coaster of emotions. 

It's apparent that Vince Young isn't fit to be a starting NFL quarterback. The Eagles may want to look elsewhere in the offseason in terms of a backup quarterback.