Quick QB Repair
Week 3 in the NFL brought several changes to starting QB's around the league. Some were performance related and others due to injury. With the bye weeks coming up it is time to make sure you have coverage for when your every week starter is off and your backup has a bad matchup. Here are my evaluations on the new starting QB's next week.
Tampa Bay -- Byron Leftwich --> Josh Johnson
Despite failing to hold the starting job in Jacksonville and now losing it in Tampa Bay, Leftwich is actually a pretty decent passer. His biggest problem is his lack of mobility, something that haunted him as far back as the college level. He also becomes lazy with his throws, not finishing them off and thus allowing defenders to catch up to them and make plays on them.
Josh Johnson will give himself a better chance to avoid the pass rush by using his exceptional mobility. This should take some of the pressure off a under performing offensive line for the Bucs and also give their slow-footed WR's a bit more time to get open. Johnson is nowhere near as accurate as Leftwich, but he will be able to make plays with his feet as well as his arm and that is something the Bucs offense desperately needs.
With Antonio Bryant now back and Kevin Winslow playing well, Johnson should be able to post some average passing numbers and provide some extra fantasy points with his rushing yards and possibly a couple rushing TD's as well. There is an obvious tradeoff here but it was a move that had to be made in order for this offense to have any chance to succeeding.
Miami -- Chad Pennington --> Chad Henne
I have never been a fan of Chad Pennington's lollipop throws or below adequate arm strength. He is a very competitive player however and made up for his diminished skill set with grit and determination. But, that hasn't nor will it ever translate into fantasy success. You cannot score points in fantasy football with good vibes.
Enter Chad Henne, a big, strong kid with a big time arm who was being groomed for the starting QB role in 2010 anyways. Henne has the tools to be a good NFL QB, but he isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. He performs drills and makes throws like a star, but has trouble identifying and reading defensive packages which can be big trouble for a young QB. Head coach Tony Sparano and team president Bill Parcells both believe that Henne has what it takes to learn how to read a defense and check out of plays at the line of scrimmage. That will remain to be seen.
The immediate impact for the Dolphins is that they will be able to go down field more often and with more authority now behind Chad Henne. I look for either Ted Ginn or Davone Bess to develop into a downfielt now and become a somewhat usable fantasy option.
Cleveland -- Brady Quinn --> Derek Anderson
Brady Quinn's development has taken a major hit since being drafted by the Browns. The team has not brought in any veteran players or specialty coaches to mentor Quinn as most teams with young franchise QB's do. The constant battle between Quinn and Derek Anderson has fractured the locker room, coaching staff and front office of the Browns completely. Eric Mangini is a lousy developer of talent and Quinn doesn't stand a chance as long as the two are together.
Derek Anderson had great success working with former offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and appeared on his way to being a star QB in the NFL but took a giant leap backward last season. Anderson is a streaky player who can make certain throws such as timing and crossing routes as good as anybody but then lacks accuracy on the more simple sideline routes. He is an enigma who is fully capable of racking up great fantasy numbers or fully imploding this season.
The Browns have a good offensive line and some playmakers such as Braylon Edwards, Josh Cribbs, James Davis and Jerome Harrison. If they can get some considtent QB play this could actually be an above average offense but so far that hasn't been seen this year. Eric Mangini is the most over rated head coach of all time and is not equipped to coach younger players.
St. Louis -- Marc Bulger --> Kyle Boller
This is one I called from the get go after watching the Rams QB drills in training camp with my own eyes this summer. The difference in skills between Bulger and Boller is staggering. Kyle Boller is a prototype NFL QB. He can make all the throws, has the instincts, the moxy and intelligence to be a starting QB in this league. Marc Bulger was a perfect timing route system QB because of his quick release and ability to lead a receiver. While that worked in the Mike Martz system, Bulger has failed and actually looked quite awful in trying to play in either Scott Linehan or Steve Spagnuolo's offensive scheme.
Bulger has what is being called a bruised rotator cuff and will likely miss at least 1-2 games. That will be all the time that players, coaches, fans and anybody else interested in the St. Louis Rams need to realize that Kyle Boller gives the team the best chance to win. Bulger makes a ton of money but will not be back with the Rams next season.
While I like Kyle Boller a great deal, he is left with nothing but scraps to work with here in St. Louis. Chances are he will find his own WR or TE who he is comfortable with. Randy McMichael is a sure bet to get increased looks with Boller at the helm. Losing Laurent Robinson for the season is a big loss. Donnie Avery is a solid downfield threat but they need to find somebody that will get open consistently and who can make plays especially in the red zone. Keenan Burton will get the first look but I believe Ruvel Martin is the guy to now own in St. Louis. Keep an eye on him and his progress with Boller of the next couple of weeks.
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Tampa Bay -- Byron Leftwich --> Josh Johnson
Despite failing to hold the starting job in Jacksonville and now losing it in Tampa Bay, Leftwich is actually a pretty decent passer. His biggest problem is his lack of mobility, something that haunted him as far back as the college level. He also becomes lazy with his throws, not finishing them off and thus allowing defenders to catch up to them and make plays on them.
Josh Johnson will give himself a better chance to avoid the pass rush by using his exceptional mobility. This should take some of the pressure off a under performing offensive line for the Bucs and also give their slow-footed WR's a bit more time to get open. Johnson is nowhere near as accurate as Leftwich, but he will be able to make plays with his feet as well as his arm and that is something the Bucs offense desperately needs.
With Antonio Bryant now back and Kevin Winslow playing well, Johnson should be able to post some average passing numbers and provide some extra fantasy points with his rushing yards and possibly a couple rushing TD's as well. There is an obvious tradeoff here but it was a move that had to be made in order for this offense to have any chance to succeeding.
Miami -- Chad Pennington --> Chad Henne
I have never been a fan of Chad Pennington's lollipop throws or below adequate arm strength. He is a very competitive player however and made up for his diminished skill set with grit and determination. But, that hasn't nor will it ever translate into fantasy success. You cannot score points in fantasy football with good vibes.
Enter Chad Henne, a big, strong kid with a big time arm who was being groomed for the starting QB role in 2010 anyways. Henne has the tools to be a good NFL QB, but he isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. He performs drills and makes throws like a star, but has trouble identifying and reading defensive packages which can be big trouble for a young QB. Head coach Tony Sparano and team president Bill Parcells both believe that Henne has what it takes to learn how to read a defense and check out of plays at the line of scrimmage. That will remain to be seen.
The immediate impact for the Dolphins is that they will be able to go down field more often and with more authority now behind Chad Henne. I look for either Ted Ginn or Davone Bess to develop into a downfielt now and become a somewhat usable fantasy option.
Cleveland -- Brady Quinn --> Derek Anderson
Brady Quinn's development has taken a major hit since being drafted by the Browns. The team has not brought in any veteran players or specialty coaches to mentor Quinn as most teams with young franchise QB's do. The constant battle between Quinn and Derek Anderson has fractured the locker room, coaching staff and front office of the Browns completely. Eric Mangini is a lousy developer of talent and Quinn doesn't stand a chance as long as the two are together.
Derek Anderson had great success working with former offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and appeared on his way to being a star QB in the NFL but took a giant leap backward last season. Anderson is a streaky player who can make certain throws such as timing and crossing routes as good as anybody but then lacks accuracy on the more simple sideline routes. He is an enigma who is fully capable of racking up great fantasy numbers or fully imploding this season.
The Browns have a good offensive line and some playmakers such as Braylon Edwards, Josh Cribbs, James Davis and Jerome Harrison. If they can get some considtent QB play this could actually be an above average offense but so far that hasn't been seen this year. Eric Mangini is the most over rated head coach of all time and is not equipped to coach younger players.
St. Louis -- Marc Bulger --> Kyle Boller
This is one I called from the get go after watching the Rams QB drills in training camp with my own eyes this summer. The difference in skills between Bulger and Boller is staggering. Kyle Boller is a prototype NFL QB. He can make all the throws, has the instincts, the moxy and intelligence to be a starting QB in this league. Marc Bulger was a perfect timing route system QB because of his quick release and ability to lead a receiver. While that worked in the Mike Martz system, Bulger has failed and actually looked quite awful in trying to play in either Scott Linehan or Steve Spagnuolo's offensive scheme.
Bulger has what is being called a bruised rotator cuff and will likely miss at least 1-2 games. That will be all the time that players, coaches, fans and anybody else interested in the St. Louis Rams need to realize that Kyle Boller gives the team the best chance to win. Bulger makes a ton of money but will not be back with the Rams next season.
While I like Kyle Boller a great deal, he is left with nothing but scraps to work with here in St. Louis. Chances are he will find his own WR or TE who he is comfortable with. Randy McMichael is a sure bet to get increased looks with Boller at the helm. Losing Laurent Robinson for the season is a big loss. Donnie Avery is a solid downfield threat but they need to find somebody that will get open consistently and who can make plays especially in the red zone. Keenan Burton will get the first look but I believe Ruvel Martin is the guy to now own in St. Louis. Keep an eye on him and his progress with Boller of the next couple of weeks.
Sign up for my Email List. You will be the first in line to receive breaking news, injury updates and other important information. Just email me at thefantasyscout@gmail.com and put MAILING LIST in the subject line.
Got a tip or a question for me? Email me at thefantasyscout@gmail.com
Follow me on Twitter: fftonight
posted by Jeff Mans at
3:40 PM
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