Thread: Addressing 10 teams with issues at QB

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d...eams-with-need

Expect a lot of QB movement given number of teams with need

Ten teams, or nearly a third of the NFL, have quarterback situations they need to address -- or at least should address -- during the offseason.
Here's a closer look at them, in alphabetical order:

Arizona Cardinals

What they have: Derek Anderson, John Skelton and Max Hall. In other words, no one they can call a legitimate starter. It seems inevitable that the Cardinals will address the position through a trade, free agency or the draft.
What they should consider: Trading for Philadelphia's Kevin Kolb, Green Bay's Matt Flynn, Denver's Kyle Orton, or Cincinnati's Carson Palmer. Younger players such as Kolb and Flynn would figure to interest the Cardinals the most because coach Ken Whisenhunt would likely be able to mold him into his kind of quarterback. The Bengals insist Palmer isn't available. Washington's Donovan McNabb and Tennessee's Vince Young are expected to be, but the Cards can't be encouraged by the recent difficulties they've had with their respective teams. With the fifth overall pick of the draft, the Cards could select Missouri's Blaine Gabbert or Auburn's Cam Newton. Baltimore's Marc Bulger is a free-agent possibility, as is Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck.

Buffalo Bills

What they have: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Brohm and Levi Brown. Fitzpatrick did a nice job after replacing Trent Edwards early in the season. At times during his 13 starts, he performed exceptionally well, providing hope that the Bills might finally have found the starter they've been seeking since Jim Kelly's retirement. But there were other times when it looked as if the Bills still needed a quarterback upgrade. The Bills will probably stick with Fitzpatrick as their starter for one more year, but it would be wise for them to give serious thought to getting better at the position long term through the draft.
What they should consider: Using a draft pick on a quarterback. Word around the league is that general manager Buddy Nix is extremely high on Newton. Whether that means the Bills would invest the third overall choice in him is uncertain, but that's a distinct possibility. So is using a lower pick on him, or perhaps another quarterback. Arkansas' Ryan Mallett and Washington's Jake Locker also are possibilities.

Carolina Panthers

What they have: Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike. The Panthers made Clausen a second-round draft pick last year with the intention of him eventually becoming their starter. But he struggled badly enough in the 10 starts he made last season to raise serious questions about whether he truly is the long-term answer.
What they should consider: It was widely assumed that if Stanford's Andrew Luck had chosen to enter the draft as a junior, the Panthers wouldn't have hesitated to select him with the No. 1 overall pick of the draft. Even if they don't use that choice on a quarterback, they should take a hard look at grabbing one somewhere along the line.

Jacksonville Jaguars

What they have: David Garrard. Coach Jack Del Rio and general manager Gene Smith have repeatedly said that the Jaguars can win with Garrard, but it's hard to envision him carrying the bulk of the offensive load. How far would the Jaguars' offense go without the running of Maurice Jones-Drew? Not very far.
What they should consider: Drafting a quarterback. At the very least, they need to look at acquiring one to improve their depth at the position.

Miami Dolphins

What they have: Chad Henne. Henne regressed last season, to the point where he was temporarily benched. Regardless of their contract extensions, coach Tony Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland are under extreme pressure to keep their jobs beyond the 2011 season. They can't afford to have much patience with their quarterback and are likely more inclined to look for a replacement than hope Henne can emerge as the franchise player they once expected him to become.
What they should consider: Getting a quarterback, either through trade or free agency, who is ready to start immediately.

Minnesota Vikings

What they have: Joe Webb and Rhett Bomar. Webb showed enough flashes last season that the Vikings will give him a legitimate chance to compete for the starting job. However, the Vikings -- after saying goodbye to Brett Favre once and for all -- fully realize they still have more questions than answers at the position.
What they should consider: Vikings coach Leslie Frazier has made no secret of the fact that the team has made drafting a quarterback a top priority.

San Francisco 49ers

What they have: Alex Smith, Troy Smith and David Carr. New coach Jim Harbaugh will no doubt want to start fresh with his own quarterback rather than one he inherited from a fairly weak group.
What they should consider: Drafting a quarterback, which seems like a lock. They'll also look at landing one in free agency.

Seattle Seahawks

What they have: Very little. Matt Hasselbeck is expected to exit via free agency and Charlie Whitehurst hasn't shown that he will offer a whole lot as a starter. Even if there is truth to the rumblings that the Seahawks could re-sign Hasselbeck, they still have to find a replacement for the oft-injured veteran.
What they should consider: Drafting a quarterback or acquiring one in a trade or free agency.

Tennessee Titans

What they have: Not much. Vince Young and Kerry Collins, the two most accomplished quarterbacks on the roster, are expected to be gone.
What they should consider: Every means possible to add multiple quarterbacks: Draft, trade, free agency.

Washington Redskins

What they have: Not much. Last year's big trade for Donovan McNabb was a disaster, and the Redskins are looking to either unload him via trade or (more likely) the waiver wire. Mike Shanahan benched McNabb for Rex Grossman, but he doesn't give the Redskins a viable starting option.
What they should consider: Exploring all avenues for a quarterback.