Drama adds to QB needs in NFL Draft

by Dan Kadar on Nov 22, 2010 12:51 PM EST in 2011 NFL Draft

The Tennessee Titans need a new franchise quarterback. It can't be stated more clearly.

Vince Young showed on Sunday he doesn't have the maturity to be a franchise quarterback. Jeff Fisher might have showed it's time for him to go as well.

(Also see: Music City Miracles wants both gone)

The Titans currently project to have a pick in the teens. Depending on what happens ahead of them, Ryan Mallett of Arkansas and Jake Locker of Washington could be available. But there are some caveats to a good quarterback being available for the Titans.

First, the Vikings might have to figure out what they have in Tarvaris Jackson. With the firing of Brad Childress, that may happen.

The 49ers also have to decide what they have in Troy Smith and Nate Davis. The same with Buffalo and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Or Carolina with Jimmy Clausen. Arizona could also be in play for a signal caller.

Then there's the ultimate wild card in Auburn's Cam Newton. Will the junior enter the draft? And if so, someone will probably pull the trigger in the first round.

Of course, Titans six rounder Rusty Smith could make the whole thing moot for Tennessee.

So this is where I turn it to you. What do you think the quarterback storyline in Arizona, Buffalo, Carolina, Minnesota, San Francisco and Tennessee is going to be this offseason? Out of all these unproven players, which has the best chance of being that team's starter in 2011?

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The Titans owner loves Young, I’m not sure they’d draft a QB

by The Legend on Nov 22, 2010 1:28 PM EST reply actions

I think Fisher goes before Young does.

I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.

"It would be tough for me to care less about their opinion, to be honest with you." Mike Tomlin

by Steel in FL on Nov 22, 2010 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

Its a tough predicament

Titans may have no choice but to can both. However, Titans have seemed to favor mediocrity over change, as the article alludes to. It’ll definitly be an interesting storyline for the draft

by DBroncs1414 on Nov 22, 2010 2:22 PM EST reply actions

agreed

I don’t understand why Fisher is still coaching the Titans. Tom Coughlin is on the hot seat every season here in NY… and he won the SB just 3 yrs ago.

by jdaking123 on Nov 23, 2010 7:16 PM EST up reply actions

I'd say San Francisco and Carolina stand pat this year

Tennessee, Buffalo, and Minnesota all grab first rounders. Luck to the Bills, Mallett to the Vikes, and Locker to the Titans. Newton will go to the Dolphins, and Ponder to the Jaguars.

by dbcouver on Nov 22, 2010 3:43 PM EST reply actions

Dolphins should stick with Henne

Henne is not the problem. The guy calling for only 3 rushes each for Brown and Williams with their 3rd string QB playing is the problem. The Dolphins abandoned the run game.

by ct17 on Nov 22, 2010 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

Completely agree

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by TheAngelsColts on Nov 22, 2010 9:04 PM EST up reply actions

Bills will not be picking first, no way.

Why do they put the Gideon Bibles only in the bedrooms, where it's usually too late, and not in the barroom downstairs? ~Christopher Morley, Contribution to a Contribution

by garcia76 on Nov 23, 2010 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

Arizona needs a QB the most

Anderson is Anderson and Hall is not a long-term solution.

by ct17 on Nov 22, 2010 4:36 PM EST reply actions

Hall is playing like an undrafted rookie QB

I still don’t understand why anyone would want to start him.

by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Nov 23, 2010 12:32 AM EST up reply actions

Fitzpatrick deserves a starting job next year. He’s playing very well.

***FREE FREEBRADSHAW***

by TheRealSlimShady on Nov 22, 2010 6:02 PM EST reply actions

*With no blocking

You have to respect the guy for just being alive.

by ct17 on Nov 23, 2010 12:29 AM EST up reply actions

It's better than you'd think

Starting the official Buffalo "Draft Owen Marecic in 2011" campaign.

by Der Jaeger on Nov 23, 2010 10:05 AM EST up reply actions

He's good, but that shouldn't stop Buffalo from drafting a QB

Fitzpatrick puts Buffalo in a prime position to draft a QB. This past decade, three first round QB’s have been drafted and sat the bench: Palmer, Rivers, and Rodgers. All have been successful, with Palmer tailing off due to injury.

Fitzpatrick is Buffalo’s version of Kyle Orton: short term starter that bridges to the franchise QB. With Buffalo’s receiving corps, the situtation bringing in a rookie QB is nearly ideal.

Starting the official Buffalo "Draft Owen Marecic in 2011" campaign.

by Der Jaeger on Nov 23, 2010 10:05 AM EST up reply actions

Orton comparison

So you are also waiting for the arrival of Rex Grossman, Savior?

by ct17 on Nov 23, 2010 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

By short term I'm hoping you mean 3 yrs

The Bills should increase their talent before even drafting a QB. Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing good and that’s because the talent around him increased. He’s a smart guy and the more the talent increases, the better he’ll be.

by jdaking123 on Nov 23, 2010 7:19 PM EST up reply actions

Kevin Kolb is for sale. Price tag: Same ball park as Matt Schaub in 2007, likely higher as Kolb has proven a lot more. Rumor has it the Cardinals are willing to give up their first.

by d-jackfan10 on Nov 22, 2010 6:54 PM EST reply actions

unless clausen plays very well (for a rookie)

we should get Luck… we could end up like SD when they had Drew Brees and Philip Rivers… I’d say both are not too shabby lol

by vitzeng on Nov 22, 2010 8:04 PM EST reply actions

I think it is a very flawed QB class

After Andrew Luck & maybe Ryan Mallet there seems to be a big drop-off in talent. Cam Newton is loaded with talent but really raw as a prospect, Locker is having a lousy year, is it him or his supporting cast ?? I think Carolina picks first & takes Luck even tho they already have Clausen. I think that it is a bad year to need a QB

by ENsDad27 on Nov 22, 2010 8:55 PM EST reply actions

Every year is a flawed QB class

Every year the following year will be much better. Does anyone else remember when we were looking forward to blue chip prospects like Snead and McCoy?

by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Nov 23, 2010 12:34 AM EST up reply actions

That is true

by ENsDad27 on Nov 23, 2010 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

how many QBs does it take to make a 'good class'?

Seems that one like 2004 is one that’s great given the 3 QBs drafted in the top 15 are franchise guys.

To me it seems that there’s 2 excellent prospects at the top (Mallett and Luck kinda seems like Leaf vs. Manning, tho I doubt Mallett’s a nipplehead like Leaf). I think both are fairly ready enough to start right away too.

And then you have Locker and Newton. Locker’s obviously further along, but Newton’s only hurt by his offensive scheme..he shows when he throws that he can do it and its generally fairly accurate and he’s got a cannon too.

That’s 2 developmental QBs that a team with a stop-gap may want to draft and allow them to sit for a few years and learn.

To me it seems like a good year for QBs cuz its got something everyone wants. And I almost forgot about Ponder who’s experience but may be a 2nd rounder cuz he’s a bonehead.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Nov 23, 2010 7:15 PM EST up reply actions