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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies.sPubDate = "7/17/2008 2:57:20 PM GMT";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies.appHeader = "Tom Curran: QB Controversies Brewing in '08";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies[i-1].body = "Tapped out for conversation at your local watering hole each fall? Here’s a talk-starter. Belly-up to the bar, take a draw off your draft, look up at the TV and mutter, “(Bleepin’) Schaub.” Not living in Houston? Try, “(Bleepin’) Boller.” Or McCown, Orton or Anderson depending on your zip code. Then just wait. Someone will take the bait and ask if you, “REALLY think (bleepin’) Rosenfels could do better?” Or Beck, Grossman or Quinn depending on your zip code. And there you are, talkin’ football just like in the movies.
Which NFL teams afford the best opportunity for quarterbacking lamentations and conversations in 2008? Here’s the list.
";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies[i-1].body = "
Shaun Hill v. Alex Smith
Tale of the tape
Hall: Went 2-1 in three starts near the end of the season for the Niners and completed nearly 20 percent more passes than Smith did. Also threw five touchdowns and just one interception.
Smith: Led the Niners to a 2-0 record last season. Then got hurt against Seattle and played poorly and in pain for the rest of the year before getting put on IR. Finished the year 94 of 193 with a 48.7 completion percentage, two touchdowns, 4 picks and 17 sacks absorbed.
The skinny
It would be easier on all involved if Smith simply did what he was supposed to when he was taken No. 1 overall in the 2005 draft and played like a franchise quarterback. But he hasn’t yet. Whose fault? Who knows? But now he’s in a battle with the rugged Hill for the affection of offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Smith and Niners head coach Mike Nolan aren’t buddies but that may not matter since Nolan is a short-termer, most likely.
Edge
In a very close call, I’m taking Smith. ";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies[i-1].body = "
Kyle Orton v. Rex Grossman
Tale of the tape
Orton in 2007: 43 of 80 with three TDs and two picks in three end-of-season starts. Bears went 2-1 in those starts.
Grossman in 2007: 122 of 225 with four TDs and seven picks in seven starts before injury.
The skinny
The Bears have 20 more than enough books on Wrecks Grossman to know how he plays. Wildly inconsistent; awful more often than well. Still, Orton hasn’t exactly seized his chances with the Bears and any vote of confidence must be entered with trepidation.
Edge
Orton gets the edge but don’t be stunned if The Return of Wrecks comes if the Bears teeter close to blowing a shot at the playoffs.
";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies[i-1].body = "
Brady Quinn v. Derek Anderson
Tale of the tape
Anderson: 6-6, 230 coming off a season in which he came out of nowhere to throw 29 TDs and make it to the Pro Bowl.
Quinn: 6-4, 235 pounds coming off a rookie season in which he got to camp later than he should have after a contract squabble and never got in the mix in earnest.
The skinny
At this time last year, the Browns had more invested in Quinn, the 22nd overall pick in the 2007 draft. Now Anderson, signed to a three-year extension just before he became a free agent, is the one the Browns have married themselves to. Quinn is going to bide time and wait his turn or maybe even become trade bait if it’s clear the 25-year-old Anderson is going to be a good solution in Cleveland for the better part of the next decade.
Edge
Anderson. ";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies[i-1].body = "
Matt Leinart v. Kurt Warner
Tale of the tape
Leinart: Two seasons, 16 starts, 16 picks, 13 touchdowns. Eh.
Warner: Had 27 touchdowns and 17 picks for the Cardinals last year. Hmmm.
The skinny
I’m starting to think Leinart’s got a little Scott Mitchell in him. He has the physical tools and the intelligence to be very good but body type and lack of elusiveness are going to get him hurt on a regular basis. Warner, meanwhile, is a short-term answer who has to wait for Leinart to either suck or get hurt to get his shot. Too bad because he’s still very viable (Hall of Famer? Discuss). But it would be interesting to know who Ken Whisenhunt would rather see starting a first round playoff game for him.
Edge
Leinart because of the time and money invested. ";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies[i-1].body = "
John Beck v. Josh McCown
Tale of the tape
Beck: Second round pick in 2007 Went 60 for 107 in four starts for the Dolphins with four picks and a touchdown.
McCown: Has six years experience and 31 career starts to his credit for forgettable Lions, Raiders and Cardinals teams.
The skinny
McCown will make more plays. And more mistakes. Beck seems a shrewd and accurate player. Add in rookie Chad Henne from Michigan too and you have three B-grade quarterbacks battling each other for the right to quarterback the worst team in the NFL in 2007.
Edge
Ummm, McCown? I guess. ";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies[i-1].body = "
Chris Redman v. Joey Harrington v. Matt Ryan
Tale of the tape
Redman in ‘07: In four starts, he threw 10 touchdowns and five picks for an awful Falcons team playing out the string.
Harrington in ’07: Started 10 games for Atlanta and wasn’t horrible (215 for 348 with 7 TDs and 8 picks).
Ryan in ’07: A Heisman Trophy candidate for Boston College and the first QB taken in the 2008 draft.
The skinny
In April, Redman was signed to a two-year deal based on his late-season performance. He’s a tough, seasoned kid who keeps working his craft. He’ll never be the future of a franchise but he could be a capable temp. Harrington takes too many sacks. Once it’s clear the Falcons OL won’t get Ryan killed and he has a grasp of what NFL defenses will try to do to kill him, the job is Ryan’s.
Edge
Redman. A reasonable bet is that Ryan will be playing by Thanksgiving. ";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies[i-1].body = "
Chad Pennington v. Kellen Clemens
Tale of the tape
Pennington: Arm of noodle, guts of iron. Went 179 for 260 in eight starts last season with 10 TDs and 9 picks before getting the hook so the floundering Jets could ogle Clemens.
Clemens: In eight starts went 130 of 250 with five TDs and 10 picks. Three of four Jets wins came with Clemens making the start.
The skinny
I think Pennington could have been a superstar. He had the head, the cool, the accuracy, the touch, it just didn’t happen and doesn’t figure to now at 32. As for Clemens, he’s cut from a different cloth. More of a gambler. More of a feel player. It won’t be a surprise to me if Clemens starts with a short leash to be replaced by Pennington.
Edge
Clemens based on age and upside";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies[i-1].body = "
Aaron Rodgers v. History
Tale of the tape
Rodgers in 2007: Coming in cold in a huge November game with the Cowboys, Rodgers got the Pack back in it with a stirring performance.
History (career): They don’t call them the “good” old days for nothing.
The skinny
Rodgers has the physical tools and – seemingly – the mental makeup to play well at the quarterback position in the NFL. Can he withstand the “yeah, buts” and breath-by-breath scrutiny he’s going to have aimed at him? History can just sit around and look ominous.
Edge
History. Although it’s hard to root against Rodgers – a huge underdog in this battle. ";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies[i-1].body = "
JaMarcus Russell v. Andrew Walter
Tale of the tape
Russell: 6-5, 270 pounds; 36 for 66 for 373 yards with two TDs and four picks in his rookie year.
Walter: 6-5, 234 pounds, 5 for 8 in 2007.
The skinny
Nobody will suggest that Walter is a better player than Russell. But in moments of rawness – and there should be several for Russell this season – the notion he might be better off watching someone else play the position (even Walter) will be floated.
Edge
Russell. ";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies[i-1].body = "
Joe Flacco v. Kyle Boller
Tale of the tape
Boller: 6-3, 220 pounds, with 42 career starts, 45 TDs and 44 picks in six seasons. The 19th pick in 2003.
Flacco: 6-6, 230 pounds with two years starting at Division 1-AA Delaware. The 18th pick in the 2008 draft.
The skinny
To keep the Ravens QB job for which he was groomed but never adequately filled, Boller now has to hold off his doppelganger, Flacco.
Edge
Unless something bizarre happens, Boller will be the starter coming out of camp and will remain in the role until the Ravens face plant. Boller could blossom this year. But if and when he is replaced by Flacco it will be because of Flacco s combination of superior athleticism and arm strength. Boller just takes too many sacks (24 in eight starts last year). ";
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spt_NFL_QBcontroversies[i-1].body = "
Matt Schaub vs. Sage Rosenfels
Tale of the tape
Schaub in ’07
192 of 289 for 2,241 yards with 9 TDs, 9 picks, 16 sacks, an 87.2 rating and 4-7 record as starter
Rosenfels in ‘07
154 of 240 for 1,684 yards with 15 TDs, 12 picks, 6 sacks, an 84.8 rating and 4-1 record as starter.
The skinny
Schaub, one of the big acquisitions of the 2007 offseason, started off well enough for Houston but his rep cooled with three straight losses before a spate of injuries reduced his effectiveness and workload. Houston was 1-5 in the last six games started by Schaub. Rosenfels, meanwhile, captured imaginations by throwing four TDs in a barnburner against Tennessee. Houston won three of its last four and Rosenfels started during that span.
Edge
It still goes to Schaub. He didn’t turn in a large enough body of work to declare he can’t be the starter and – while Rosenfels is at least a very capable backup – you need to give Schaub time to fall flat on his face for a long stretch before making the switch. Too much money invested in Schaub to pull the plug. ";
// END editorial data