QB Race Breakdowns

As promised, let’s take a look at some of the most interesting quarterback races in the NFL this fall. QB competitions are difficult to assess and understand, but certain key factors are important to note. Unfortunately, in the world of the NFL, the business side of the game enters into the equation perhaps more than it should. Here are some breakdowns and predictions:

Cleveland Browns: Quinn or Andersen?
The Browns are in a tough spot. They have two comparable and competent quarterbacks who have had moderate success with their organization. But my nod goes to Brady Quinn, simply because the Browns have invested a lot more in Quinn than they have in Andersen. They’ll keep Andersen around as motivation for Quinn to continue to play well and work hard, but Andersen has had his chance to cement himself into the starting role and hasn’t done so. Quinn will start.

New York Jets: Sanchez or Clemens?
Having a rookie quarterback start is always a risk, but Joe Flaco and the New York Jets will take it. Because of Flaco’s success last year with a rookie quarterback, he will take a chance on Sanchez and his decision will payoff. Sanchez is the most prepared and seasoned of the rookie quarterbacks and will have a successful rookie season.

Detroit Lions-Culpepper or Stafford?
Now things get trickier. Matthew Stafford was the number one draft pick and considered by many scouts as the qb most prepared for the NFL. But Culpepper has been a proven success in the league and could perhaps revive the struggling Lions organization. However, the Lions are struggling for a reason. While I think Culpepper would be a better choice, look for the Lions to give Stafford the reins. Unfortunately for Stafford, Detroit is a black hole for rookie quarterbacks and things will not go well. Stafford has a chance if he takes the opportunity to learn from Culpepper in training camp and the Lions give Stafford the leash of a decent learning curve before mounting all of the pressure and expectations onto him that they have to rookie qbs in the past.

With these quarterback competitions and many others around the league, the tension between putting fans in the seats and winning games is an interesting dilemma. People want to see their favorite players, the ones that have been drafted and are rookies out of college, but winning games is more important in the long run. The Jets will fare the best, not only because Sanchez is a better quarterback than Stafford, but because their defense will provide the support that Sanchez needs to find is feet in the big leagues.