Potential Quarterbacks Available (Thought Hurney could use a Hand)

[jramsey4]

We have got to find a QB there is no doubt in my mind. I like Moore but I don't think he is anything more then a band-aid on a broken leg. The same I could say about McCown as a possible starter. No our QB is on another team. Here are a few of my favorites.

RFA's

Troy Smith – Ravens (25)

Here is a guy that until the National Championship was considered the best of college footballs QB's. It's amazing how one game can change a players entire future. In the 2006-2007 college season, he completed 203 of his 311 (65.3 percent) passes for 2,542 yards, trowing in 30 touchdowns while only 6 interceptions. Smith not only won the Heisman, but he also racked up an unheard of 86.7 percent of the first-place votes, a new record. His margin of victory (1,662 votes) was also the second largest in the history of the award, eclipsed only by O.J. Simpson who won by 1,750 votes. After his disastrous 41-14 loss to the Gators, with just 4 of 14 passing for 35 yards, 1 INT, 1 fumble, but was sacked five times, his stock was plummeting. To Smith’s credit, he had absolutely no blocking in that game. Left tackle Alex Boone looked as if he had blocks of cement strapped to his cleats as Jarvis Moss continually beat him to the edge. He also was without his favorite target, Ted Ginn Jr., who left the game after the opening kickoff with a sprained left ankle.

After that questions began to fly could he play against NFL completion? And of course his height (6'0”) only further weakened his draft stock. In the end he fell all the way to the last pick in the 5th round and the entire time I as screaming at the TV “Dammit, Draft him Panthers!!” Troy Smtih is a lot of things but he is not your prototypical QB. He is not a stand in the pocket passer. If you want to see Smith rip open this league a new one you do what they did in College and HS, you roll him out. This kid is one of the best throwers I have ever seen when he is on the run. He shows uncanny accuracy on the run and can throw it across his body. Everybody is good at something at QB in this league. Tom Brady is the best at hitting the deep bombs. Peyton is just good but he doesn't have the strongest arm. Brees can make any old receiver look like a all-pro (Colsten and Henderson). Smith is the best in the league on the run. So if we do get him our offense must adapt which is unlikely in a Fox run team. But Smith is by far my favorite candidate of conceivable available QB's. It would most likely take at least a 5th to get Smith as I don't see the Ravens letting him walk.

Tarvaris Jackson - Vikings (26)

This is one if the “No CBA” under 6 years of playing rule. I thought this was a real possibility as a late preseason trade. We were in need of a QB and Jackson could be had for cheap and had shown considerable improvement since he got his starting job back last year. Then when Favre came around and his starting chances went to zilch. I thought his price was around his value as he does have starting exp and has considerable upside. But we didn't oh well. I saw a lot of improvement in his game last year so I think he still has a lot of upside but it depends on what his tender will be. I added him as an option but more as a if every other option doesn't pan out.

Free Agents

Chad Pennington – Dolphins (33)

Ah Mr. Pennington when are you going to stay healthy? A lot of things must happen for this signing to be a likely event. There is no CBA so Jake can be cut (no cap no cap penalties). McCown would most likely have to not be retained. And obviously the Phins would have to not resign him (the way Henne has been playing that's unlikely). Then we would be in need of a vet that is responsible with the ball. Pennington in Mr. Reliable he is incredibly accurate. Of course we all know his major shortcoming his weak arm. Maybe he has one more comeback player of the year award yet again.

Trade Possibilities

Josh Johnson – Bucs (23)

In the draft was one of my favorite QB's. His coach at San Diego State was none other then Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh (one of the best QB coaches in the game). Harbaugh once made a comment that has stuck with me “If there was an SAT for football Josh would crush it.” For a guy that knows his QB's thats high praise. To most they view Johnson as a Vick/Young scrambling QB. While he does have that kind of ability he is so much more.

This year he might have struggled but I saw a QB that even under relentless barrage against the Eagles still looked calm. And if not for a lot of drops and tipped passes (from the WR) directly into a defenders hands he most likely would still be starting. He has very good touch and can throw a good deep ball. Can make any throw really. And of course there is the ability to take one to the house every time he touches the ball. No matter how you look at this kid in one season had 43 TDS and only 1 ints (which was deflected from a receivers hands) his senior year. He has off the charts potential and will almost assuredly be available for a late round pick as the Bucs seem to be content with Freeman.

[unicar15]

No thank you...

[Sultan33g]

troy smith is the only one on the list I would consider...for maybe a 3rd or 4th round pick tho

[jramsey4]

At the moment theres not much to choose from. Smith in the right system would be unreal (think Brees I'm not joking) but I don't think its here. I think Johnson fits our system far more and who knows the Bucs might end up just cutting him, unlikely but possible.

[Sultan33g]

im not a big fan of johnson

[jramsey4]

im not a big fan of johnson

Im one of the few. He has talent like crazy. You start him in our offense the way we have been playing other then QB we might have made the playoffs. I think he can come in and start immediately with the right gameplan.

[Lout]

3 of those options are horrible.. first, Troy Smith was never projected to be a good NFL QB prospect, even before his horrible NC game.

Tarvaris Jackson, benched for Favre because he wasn't getting it.. you don't sit a franchise QB and stunt his growth for a stopgap QB like Favre.. period.

Chad Pennington, said he is more than likely never going to play again.

Josh Johnson, is the only decent option, but I don't think we could get him for a lower pick than what he was drafted. We already have so few draft picks.. and any new coach here next year will want to bring his own people in through the draft to fit his scheme.

[PantherBrew]

I'd rather have Matt Moore than all of the above.

[Samuel L. Jackson]

Jason Campbell all the way

[scpanther22]

I would take Troy smith but..no way the bucs trade us Josh Johnson.

[jramsey4]

3 of those options are horrible.. first, Troy Smith was never projected to be a good NFL QB prospect, even before his horrible NC game.

Tarvaris Jackson, benched for Favre because he wasn't getting it.. you don't sit a franchise QB and stunt his growth for a stopgap QB like Favre.. period.

Chad Pennington, said he is more than likely never going to play again.

Josh Johnson, is the only decent option, but I don't think we could get him for a lower pick than what he was drafted. We already have so few draft picks.. and any new coach here next year will want to bring his own people in through the draft to fit his scheme.

There are so many things wrong with that post in my mind.

Number 1, I said plain as day that Smith was not a prototypical NFL passer. See when I look at a player I look at talent then system. I think a good coach finds guys that he can easily get and adapts there system to his strengths. Smith has tremendous talent when he is on the run. In our offense we could fit that in easily. The play action roll out would be unstoppable with Smith to Smith and the threat of Dwill. It would really play to all our O's strengths.

Favre, is a stopgap. 26 TD's and only 6 ints is a stop gap. To me Favre is having an MVP type season and he is only a stop gap. Yeah he will only be around for this maybe next year but he gave them the best opportunity to make a Super Bowl push. It doesn't mean TJ's trash.

I'll give you Pennington, but I want you to look at who is a potential FA or RFA or a possible trade option and find better options. Its not easy to find QB's.

[Lout]

There are so many things wrong with that post in my mind.

Number 1, I said plain as day that Smith was not a prototypical NFL passer. See when I look at a player I look at talent then system. I think a good coach finds guys that he can easily get and adapts there system to his strengths. Smith has tremendous talent when he is on the run. In our offense we could fit that in easily. The play action roll out would be unstoppable with Smith to Smith and the threat of Dwill. It would really play to all our O's strengths.

Favre, is a stopgap. 26 TD's and only 6 ints is a stop gap. To me Favre is having an MVP type season and he is only a stop gap. Yeah he will only be around for this maybe next year but he gave them the best opportunity to make a Super Bowl push. It doesn't mean TJ's trash.

I'll give you Pennington, but I want you to look at who is a potential FA or RFA or a possible trade option and find better options. Its not easy to find QB's.

Here is Troy Smith's Scouting Report:

Weaknesses:

Smith measured 6'0 at the Senior Bowl, about what was expected, but still below the ideal height for a NFL quarterback. He will likely get the ball knocked down at the line of scrimmage at the next level and will have trouble finding his passing lanes. Smith's mechanics need some work, as he has a tendency to get sloppy. His accuracy is not outstanding for a passer who will be forced to rely on short to medium routes. He has had off the field issues at Ohio State.

Overall:

Troy Smith may be the latest in Heisman winning quarterbacks who do not succeed at the next level. His lack of height will be a major factor and he does not have one quality that really stands out. Smith must hope he is placed in a system that does not force him to carry the team. He is still raw after only starting for two seasons and must work on improving his pass reads.

So what I read from this is that he doesn't have the accuracy or the arm strength for this playaction to Steve Smith you are referring to.

Favre is definately a stop-gap, they are essentially giving up on Tarvaris to give Favre the opportunity to win a championship, because Tarvaris was incapable. Also, Tarvaris made in clear (publicly), that he would seek a trade if they brought Farve in.. I guess there were no takers for Tarvaris.. which doesn't say much on his value.

And, my point was, not me finding better options at QB.. my point was, our current QB, is not on another team's roster right now.

[jramsey4]

Here is Troy Smith's Scouting Report:

Weaknesses:

Smith measured 6'0 at the Senior Bowl, about what was expected, but still below the ideal height for a NFL quarterback. He will likely get the ball knocked down at the line of scrimmage at the next level and will have trouble finding his passing lanes. Smith's mechanics need some work, as he has a tendency to get sloppy. His accuracy is not outstanding for a passer who will be forced to rely on short to medium routes. He has had off the field issues at Ohio State.

Overall:

Troy Smith may be the latest in Heisman winning quarterbacks who do not succeed at the next level. His lack of height will be a major factor and he does not have one quality that really stands out. Smith must hope he is placed in a system that does not force him to carry the team. He is still raw after only starting for two seasons and must work on improving his pass reads.

So what I read from this is that he doesn't have the accuracy or the arm strength for this playaction to Steve Smith you are referring to.

Favre is definately a stop-gap, they are essentially giving up on Tarvaris to give Favre the opportunity to win a championship, because Tarvaris was incapable. Also, Tarvaris made in clear (publicly), that he would seek a trade if they brought Farve in.. I guess there were no takers for Tarvaris.. which doesn't say much on his value.

And, my point was, not me finding better options at QB.. my point was, our current QB, is not on another team's roster right now.

I meant its not Jake, Moore, AJ, or Mccown. Our QB is not on our roster. And did you read my OP I stated that TJ was only an option if all other options didn't pan out. I think he has potential but is still a work in progress. And sure every Scouting Report on the internet said the same things about Smith. No one looks at production all they can see is that 6'0" and that means he is inaccurate because he can't see over the line. I told you how to get all of his potential into production get him outside the pocket and let him make plays.

[Lout]

I meant its not Jake, Moore, AJ, or Mccown. Our QB is not on our roster. And did you read my OP I stated that TJ was only an option if all other options didn't pan out. I think he has potential but is still a work in progress. And sure every Scouting Report on the internet said the same things about Smith. No one looks at production all they can see is that 6'0" and that means he is inaccurate because he can't see over the line. I told you how to get all of his potential into production get him outside the pocket and let him make plays.

I think Smith can make some plays outside of the pocket, you are right about that.. but if you can't make the throws while inside the pocket.. defense's will contain, and force him to stay in the pocket..