NFL – Quarterback Carousel Gets Underway

Quarterback controversies are the juiciest debates in NFL football. Look at the crap storm that Brett Favre started when he came in five minutes before the start of the season to kick Tavaris Jackson to the bench and tell me I’m wrong. Now that the season has started, a few guys are risking the chance to start for their teams. Who’s on the short list?

Tampa Bay – Goodbye Leftwhich, Hello Josh (not that Josh, the other one)!

The Bucs had an outside shot of being a Wildcard threat, but all those hopes of flown out the window thanks to an 0-3 start. After leading the Bucs to the fourth best offense in the league, Tampa was held to 86-yards of total offense against the Giants. Leftwich went 7-of-16 for 22 yards and a pick, and was quickly demoted to third on the depth chart behind Josh Johnson and rookie Josh Freeman.

Johnson is a quick footed passer, who stands at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. I sure as hell hope he’s as fast as they say he is, because Tampa’s offensive line is a revolving door of pain and hatred. Run for your life, Josh. Run for your damn life.

Miami Dolphins – Chad Henne Takes Over For Injured Pennington

Chad Henne was a monster at Michigan, and was supposed to be the heir apparent until Chad Pennington become suddenly available thanks to Favre’s arrival in New York last NFL betting season. Pennington’s shoulder took a big hit on Sunday, and considering the health history on this guy’s shoulders, it’s not a great sign for him at all. Enter Chad Henne, a guy who can hopefully sync with Tedd Ginn Jr. in a hurry.

Henne threw 10-of-19 for 92 yards and a pick against San Diego, but he brings power to a position that has lacked it with Pennington at the helm. Henne has not developed in to the gamer that Miami hoped for, but he’s their best shot at quarterback. Miami needs a jumpstart after going winless and Henne might be the ticket, but Miami’s woes lend themselves to a tough schedule. Pennington was not the biggest hole in the team.

POTENTIAL BENCH WARMERS

Jason Campbell – Washington Redskins (1-2)

I really didn’t things could get worse after the Redskins barely beat the St. Louis Rams in Week 2. Then Washington lost to the Detroit Freaking Lions. Jason Campbell was pretty good in the game, throwing for 340 yards and two scores, but he was anything but a general on the field. The Redskins have invested so much time and money in to Campbell that Snyder won’t pull the plug soon. Todd Collins is their only real option as a backup, but he was also the guy that gave the Redskins the best results at the position in the last two seasons.

Donavan McNabb – Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)

The Eagles are in desperate trouble with McNabb and Westbrook on the injury report, and they don’t have any apparent savior. Three years ago, Jeff Garcia was that man, but he couldn’t last in Tampa or Oakland. Everyone seems excited about Michael Vick, but those same people seem to forget that this guy was a horrible quarterback when he was in Atlanta.

Desperate teams pull desperate triggers, and McNabb has been under fire for a few seasons now. Don’t forget that he was benched last year by Andy Reid at one point. A permanent spot can always be made if he doesn’t bounce back from injury.

Jake Delhomme – Carolina Panthers (0-2)

Jake has been getting abused by teams named after birds, throwing a billion costly interceptions. The Panthers are behind Delhomme, but they probably don’t want to discourage the $20 million they invested in Jake this summer (again, I can’t figure out why). Delhomme has a chance to bounce back against Dallas, but third-year youngster Matt Moore is waiting for his chance to supplant Delhomme. Is it time yet?

JaMarcus Russell – Oakland Raiders (1-2)

The 6-foot-6, 260 pound pigskin passer was supposed to be a savant in Oakland. At LSU, he was a beast. In Al Davis’ eyes, he’s a savior. But in the eyes of his sports betting backers, he’s a complete disaster. JaMarcus completed 12-of-21 passes for 61-yards, including two first quarter picks against Denver. Good thing for JaMarcus that The Cable Guy and Emperor Davis are too senile to see how bad you are. Oakland is on “buyer beware” status until further notice.

Kerry Collins and Kurt Warner

It’s not so much that either guy is bad. Despite the evil hands of Father Time witling them away physically, both of them can produce. It’s just that they can’t produce in the win column. Both old timers tossed a pair of interceptions, despite playing well. You can hardly blame the Titans’ woes, or the Cardinals losses, on either man. But the issue here is the next guy on the depth chart.

In 2006, both teams drafted two guys who were supposed to become the future of the NFL. Instead, Matt Leinart and Vince Young became clipboard jockeys, losing out on the starting jobs because Collins and Warner simply knew how to win games. With both teams getting off to slow starts, how close are we to seeing VY and Leinart get thrown in to the fray?

At some point, the Titans and Cardinals are going to have to figure out just how good these guys are. A couple more losses, and they may be forced to. It’s one thing to trudge forward with an aging quarterback who’s had his best days pass by. It’s another to bank on unproven commodities like Young and Leinart.