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NFC North's Backup QB Decisions...............
The Bears aren't the only ones with a pending issue as far as their backup QB is concerned. Th rest of the NFCN faces some tough decisions as well. The Packers stand to lose their very effective backup Matt Flynn to a starters job elsewhere and the Lions may have a choice to make between Hill and Stanton.
Does anyone think Shaun Hill might be a guy to look at in free agency assuming Kyle Orton shows no interest in returning for a second stint as a Bears backup? I would think Hill would be a major upgrade of over both Hanie and McCown.
NFC North Blog
Big Decision: Backup quarterbacks
January, 27, 2012 Jan 27
3:15
PM ET
By Kevin Seifert
Previewing some of the big decisions facing NFC North teams early in the 2012 offseason:
Our Air and Space division boasts arguably the top grouping of starting quarterbacks in the NFL. We have a presumptive MVP in the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, a 5,000-yard passer in Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions and, in the Chicago Bears' Jay Cutler, an upper-level starter who was having perhaps his best season before fracturing his right thumb in December. The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, are hoping for a big jump from first-round draft pick Christian Ponder in 2012.
The relatively settled nature of those starters overshadows what could be division-wide change in their backups. The Packers' Matt Flynn, the Lions' Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton, the Bears' Caleb Hanie and the Vikings' Sage Rosenfels are all pending free agents. Let's look at the decisions awaiting each team:
Packers: Flynn could draw interest as a potential starter from several teams, most notably the Miami Dolphins -- who hired former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin as their head coach last week. The Packers' only chance to keep him would be to use their franchise tag, requiring a commitment of about $14 million in cash and cap space. That's not going to happen. The logical successor is third-string quarterback Graham Harrell, and the Packers might have revealed their intentions by promoting him to the active roster late this season when he began receiving interest from other teams.
Lions: Quarterback depth is valuable, but you wonder if a team with tight salary cap problems can afford to keep two vested veterans behind their franchise quarterback. Hill ($3.02 million) and Stanton ($900,000) accounted for about $4 million in cap spacein 2011, and if the Lions desperately wanted to shave that figure, they could promote Stanton and sign him to a cheaper contract than what Hill was paid last season. But Hill has a longtime association with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and is generally considered one of the most reliable backups in the NFL. There are no easy answers here.
Bears: Hanie's disastrous stint as Cutler's replacement might have sealed his exit from Chicago. But the Bears will have new offensive leadership with coordinator Mike Tice and a quarterbacks coach/passing coordinator who has yet to be hired, so it's possible the new regime will have other thoughts. The Bears didn't think enough of rookie Nathan Enderle to start him in a meaningless Week 17 season finale, making it hard to imagine his ascendance to No. 2. That could leave veteran Josh McCown, another pending free agent, as an option. Or the Bears could seek help on the free agent market themselves.
Vikings: The situation in Minnesota is less clear-cut. Ponder remains the starter, and 2011 backup Joe Webb is under contract for 2012. Webb was impressive in one start and appearances in 10 other games, accounting for five touchdowns, but the Vikings' continued commitment to Ponder suggests they might look for other ways to use Webb. If he develops into a hybrid receiver/quarterback/returner, it's possible the Vikings would want an established veteran behind Ponder. That could be Rosenfels, a longtime favorite of general manager Rick Spielman, or he could come from elsewhere.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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The ideal situation would be for Kyle Orton to return to Chicago and be the backup for Cutler. I think he knows that his time is up as a starter in this league. I don't know enough about Shaun Hill to make an educated guess as to what he would bring to the table. If someone could enlighten me (and everyone else who might not know either) about Hill, that would be great.
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 
The ideal situation would be for Kyle Orton to return to Chicago and be the backup for Cutler. I think he knows that his time is up as a starter in this league. I don't know enough about Shaun Hill to make an educated guess as to what he would bring to the table. If someone could enlighten me (and everyone else who might not know either) about Hill, that would be great.
There are still teams out there who would give Orton a chance at starting but the Bears aren't one of them. I don't see Kyle giving up a shot at making $5 mil or more as a starter somewhere in favor of making $2 mil to be Cutler's caddy. He may like the Bears but I doubt he likes them $3 mil + enough.
Shaun Hill damn near beat us twice in 2010 when Stafford was hurt. He was on the throwing end of the famous no catch call on Megatron. Not too old (32) but lots of experience and has had good coaching. Pretty much a career backup but a good one.
Height:6-3Weight:220Age:32College:MarylandHometown:Parsons, Kan.Experience:10 Quick Stats (2011):
TDS0 INT0 YDS33 RTG103.5
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| TOTAL | 581 | 941 | 6,209 | -- | 39 | 23 | 64 | 399 | -- | 69 | 319 | -- | 3 | 17 | 6 |
| 2011 | DET | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 33 | 11.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 103.5 | 1 | -1 | -1.0 | 0 | -- | -- |
| 2010 | DET | 11 | 10 | 257 | 416 | 2,686 | 6.5 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 113 | 81.3 | 22 | 123 | 5.6 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2009 | SF | 6 | 6 | 87 | 155 | 943 | 6.1 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 107 | 79.6 | 8 | 70 | 8.8 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2008 | SF | 9 | 8 | 181 | 288 | 2,046 | 7.1 | 13 | 8 | 23 | 148 | 87.5 | 24 | 115 | 4.8 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
| 2007 | SF | 3 | 2 | 54 | 79 | 501 | 6.3 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 31 | 101.3 | 12 | 14 | 1.2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2006 | SF | 0 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2005 | MIN | 1 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | -2 | -1.0 | 0 | -- | -- |
| 2004 | MIN | 0 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2003 | MIN | 0 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2002 | MIN | 0 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
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| 17 | @GB | L 41-45 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 16 | SD | W 38-10 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 15 | @OAK | W 28-27 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 14 | MIN | W 34-28 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 13 | @NO | L 17-31 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 12 | GB | L 15-27 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 11 | CAR | W 49-35 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 10 | @CHI | L 13-37 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 8 | @DEN | W 45-10 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 5 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56.3 | 1 | -1 | -1.0 | 0 | -- | -- |
| 7 | ATL | L 16-23 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 6 | SF | L 19-25 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 5 | CHI | W 24-13 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 4 | @DAL | W 34-30 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 3 | @MIN | W 26-23 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2 | KC | W 48-3 | 1 | 1 | 100.0 | 28 | 28.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 118.8 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1 | @TB | W 27-20 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Biography
TRANSACTIONS
- Acquired by the Detroit Lions via trade from the San Francisco 49ers March 16, 2010.
- Signed by the 49ers as an unrestricted free agent June 2, 2006.
- Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Minnesota Vikings April 25, 2002.
PRO: As a proven, veteran quarterback, Hill adds valuable depth to the team’s quarterback position. Has a 13-13 record as a starter (9-3 at home).
- Through his first 16 career starts (10-6), his career .625 winning pct. as a starter was the fourth-highest winning percentage among all undrafted quarterbacks since 1970 (min. 10 starts). All 16 starts at quarterback occurred while with the San Francisco 49ers (2006-09) and winning percentage (.625) is the third highest winning percentage in 49ers history.
- In his first NFL start, he set a record for the highest completion percentage in NFL history for a player making his first pass attempts.
- Originally entered the league as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2002 with Minnesota where he served primarily as the team’s third quarterback from 2002-05.
- While with Minnesota, he worked with Lions Offense Coordinator Scott Linehan (2002-04) who served in the same role for the Vikings.
Last edited by soulman; 01-28-2012 at 11:11 PM.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Daddy like! Maybe we can sign him as our backup. Having him and McCown would put us in pretty good shape should Cutty go down again with an injury. I wasn't sure if it was Shaun Hill who quarterbacked against the Bears in December 2010 or if it was Drew Stanton. For some reason, I was thinking like both players were in the game, but one was pulled in favor of the other since the first one was not performing well.
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 Daddy like! Maybe we can sign him as our backup. Having him and McCown would put us in pretty good shape should Cutty go down again with an injury. I wasn't sure if it was Shaun Hill who quarterbacked against the Bears in December 2010 or if it was Drew Stanton. For some reason, I was thinking like both players were in the game, but one was pulled in favor of the other since the first one was not performing well.
Hill played most of the year unless he was hurt. Not 100% positive but he started the last 10 games for them after Stafford went down. Anyway he's in that category of guys we should be looking at. The Lions have big contract deals to do with Megatron and Avril if they want to keep him and paying Hill $3 mil to keep the score for Stafford is a bit steep.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Originally Posted by
soulman Hill played most of the year unless he was hurt. Not 100% positive but he started the last 10 games for them after Stafford went down. Anyway he's in that category of guys we should be looking at. The Lions have big contract deals to do with Megatron and Avril if they want to keep him and paying Hill $3 mil to keep the score for Stafford is a bit steep.
I could see a Detroit connection to Chicago much like the one that we had with the Cowboys this past year. I don't think that the former Lions will be quite as prone to acts of mischief as the Cowboys were, but one never knows.
Please, PLEASE say that the Lions won't try to resign Avril. I'd give up the symmetry of having a left nut just to avoid drafting one in the first round. And, I would love to have Shaun Hill on the squad as well. So for once, Detroit is looking like a place where some really talented players are sprouting up. It couldn't be because of all of those years they were bad, now could it? LOL
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 I could see a Detroit connection to Chicago much like the one that we had with the Cowboys this past year. I don't think that the former Lions will be quite as prone to acts of mischief as the Cowboys were, but one never knows.
Please, PLEASE say that the Lions won't try to resign Avril. I'd give up the symmetry of having a left nut just to avoid drafting one in the first round. And, I would love to have Shaun Hill on the squad as well. So for once, Detroit is looking like a place where some really talented players are sprouting up. It couldn't be because of all of those years they were bad, now could it? LOL
The thing about Avril is that the Lions can always franchise him if they can't sign him. The more I think about it the more I believe he's never gonna see FA. I'm tellin' ya' good pass rushers are hard to find unless you draft them. If Pep hadn't wanted out of Carolina so badly we'd never have gotten him either. But on the other hand Hill is as good as gone from that team. Megatron is due for an extension and with needing to re-sign Avril a $3 mil backup is most likely a luxury they can't afford.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Originally Posted by
soulman The thing about Avril is that the Lions can always franchise him if they can't sign him. The more I think about it the more I believe he's never gonna see FA. I'm tellin' ya' good pass rushers are hard to find unless you draft them. If Pep hadn't wanted out of Carolina so badly we'd never have gotten him either. But on the other hand Hill is as good as gone from that team. Megatron is due for an extension and with needing to re-sign Avril a $3 mil backup is most likely a luxury they can't afford.
I wouldn't be shocked to see Hill signed by the Bears to a solid deal. That being said, no mock draft I've seen has projected the Bears taking a DE in the first round in several weeks. Most have said the Bears are going to take someone like Adams, Floyd, or Dennard in the first round. Adams is one of the more recent picks that I have seen, so that should be interesting.
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I'll just put it this way. Usually the backup is a guy with limitations no : guys who can throw but don't have good wheels - or guys who can run but lack in the passing dept. If they somehow shore up LT then get a backup who is a passer. If they don't then the backup better be able to run.
What should you call any : Fumble , Hold , Interception , Three and out , or Sack ?
A " F.H.I.T.S " ? or a J'Marcus ?
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
Blue Horse-shoe I'll just put it this way. Usually the backup is a guy with limitations no : guys who can throw but don't have good wheels - or guys who can run but lack in the passing dept. If they somehow shore up LT then get a backup who is a passer. If they don't then the backup better be able to run.
Too bad that we can't have Vince Young as our backup quarterback! LOL 
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