I'll start off by saying that I don't have all that much to say about the Super Bowl. In fact, I've been almost completely avoiding football since the Super Bowl, I just can't take all the hype surrounding Green Bay. It's hard to overhype a Super Bowl Champion team, but somehow the sports press is managing to do it. Green Bay's already the favorite by many to win the Super Bowl next year, and Chicago is already being predicted as a flash in the pan. Wait and see, though, wait and see. Frankly, in my mind, the favorite to win our division is neither team, it's Detroit (you heard it here first). They have a lot of explosive playmakers on offense, and if they can stay healthy on that side they'll be dangerous. Their defense looks to be absolutely dominant. Suh had an amazing rookie season, Vaden Bosch was as good as ever, and the other ends they rotated in performed above expectations as well. Not to mention, they came very close to beating Green Bay once and actually did beat them in the second game. They'll be dangerous next year, count on it.
So if you want to crown the Packers' asses then crown their asses, but Rashard let them off the hook. Sorry to hate on the hometown man, but he is the goat of that game. A win is still a win is still a win, but next time a Green Bay fan complains about the Packers losing because of penalties or turnovers I'll be quick to point out how Green Bay has won some big games the same way. Anyways, enough about the wet dream team. A big issue for many teams this offseason is quarterback and every analyst is throwing around speculation about this team and that team. I'll break down the individual teams, but I'll first say that a change might not be a good thing. There are a couple of teams, Cleveland and Carolina in particular, that have some young quarterbacks who show potential. They may not be performing at the same level as, say, Sam Bradford, but not every QB coming out of college is going to take a sub-.500 team from the previous season on a playoff run in their first season. Maybe this isn't the in vogue opinion in the NFL right now, but spending high-round draft picks on quarterback year might not be the greatest idea. Developing young quarterbacks and focusing on positions of need in the draft may not be the flashy move, but in many cases it's the right one. Enough of the generalities, though, and let's get to specific teams.
Arizona Cardinals
This is one team that I don't think has a viable option at quarterback right now. Anderson's best years are behind him, and Skelton and Hall still have a lot to prove, even if they are at least a step up from Matt Leinart. Arizona is a team that is built to win now, so if anyone should go for a solution via trade or free agency it should be them. Two names they should consider are Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb, either would be a big boost to their team. Marc Bulger is another possibility, but honestly, considering how long its been since he's been relevant in St. Louis, I'd prefer one of the former two. The draft is also a possibility, but I think Arizona is in a better position to acquire a QB elsewhere as opposed to taking a chance in the draft. Kolb and McNabb are simply safer bets.
Buffalo Bills
This team should consider every option. If McNabb is available, get him. If the asking price for Kolb isn't too high, get him. Hell, maybe even Vince Young is a possibility here. Ryan Fitzpatrick probably has enough trust now to be considered a starting quarterback, but his hold on that title is tentative. Bringing in another quarterback who can compete for the job might be the best option, and if VY doesn't work out you can cut him loose. I did say the draft is an option, but they should try to look at it as a last resort. They have, frankly, one of the least filled-out rosters in the league next to Carolina and need desperately to upgrade at a wealth of positions. The only reason the draft is an option is because if they can't find a quarterback any other way, they at least need to draft one to keep Fitzpatrick on his toes and have some insurance on hand. Brian Bohm and Levi Brown would certainly spell another season of disaster if Fitz went down or had to be pulled.
Carolina Panthers
Why spend draft picks trading for or drafting a quarterback? You took Jimmy Clausen int he second round last year, do you really want to draft a quarterback in back to back years, especially with so many holes on both sides of the ball? You need your picks for other positions, take this year off at quarterback. Give Clausen a full season as starter, put all your support behind him, and if he fails, well, you probably weren't going to win too many games anyways and you can draft a QB next year. If he succeeds and develops into a solid starter, though, you just went from possibly going through years of trying to find the right quarterback to having a starter for years to come. Patience, my young failure of a team, you must learn patience.
Miami Dolphins
You're a wildcat team, how about acquiring a wildcat quarterback? Vince young or Donovan McNabb might do well here, although McNabb is getting less mobile with age. He still knows how to throw it, though, and their offensive line isn't half bad. With a decent running game behind him again, McNabb could do some impressive things. Cam Newton is also intriguing, though he probably won't drop that far.
Minnesota Vikings
They're in trouble. Forgive me for asking, but what about Tavaris Jackson? He seemed to perform well at the end of the season before getting injured, and with the rest of the QBs on the roster you would think keeping him would be a good short-term move. Picking up other teams' scraps might also be a decent move until they can get their hands on another franchise guy. Chad Henne and Marc Bulger could fit well if they're available. Kevin Kolb is another possibility, but do the Vikings have the guts to pull that kind of trade off? Drafting might be out of the question, as many of the big names could be off the board by then. One plus for them is that they don't have a lot of gaping holes at other positions, and therefore can afford to invest in the position.
San Francisco 49ers
What's wrong with Alex Smith? Yes, I know he has struggled at times, but this is one situation where I think standing pat, while unpopular, may be the right move. Can you build a successful team around Alex Smith? Yes. Do you have all the right parts? Yes. Is he going to be a quarterback who pulls it all together? Probably not, but that doesn't matter because you have a pretty good coach coming in who can. I blame last year more on Mike Singletary than Alex Smith and I think Smith has to be given one more chance, if only for the fact that I don't see a whole lot of other viable alternatives out there. Kolb might fit int heir system, but do you really want to pay the asking price for him?
Seattle Seahawks
Either hope that Hasselbeck can stay healthy for another season or try to find a QB somewhere else. Not a lot of options for a team picking as low in the draft as them.
Tennessee Titans
One thing with Tennessee, they don't need a great QB but they could definitely use a mobile one. Of course, they may be plotting to change their offense after the failures of last season, but a mobile QB still seems the best way to complement Chris Johnson. The person who makes the most sense to me, Cam Newton. He might fall to number ten, but if I were the Titans I'd do everything I could to get him on my team. If that means giving up a few later picks to move up, then so be it. Like the Vikings, they can afford it as they don't have a ton of gaping holes at other positions.
Washington Redskins
I know that everyone says the sky is falling, But I say slow down. Frankly, I think they should Keep Donovan, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. In that case, go with Grossman for a year. Like Alex Smith and Jimmy Clausen he's had problems, but he's also shown some potential. Look, no one is a bigger Grossman detractor than me, but the 2006 season really says everything about him. in some of those games he was amazing, and in some he was downright horrible. If you can get some stability out of him he can at least be a competent starter. Granted, he probably isn't the best suited to a west coast offense, but I don't see a lot of alternative for the Redskins. They have too many other holes to fill to be drafting a quarterback or trying to trade for one, they need every pick they can get. Like Clausen, at the very worst you have one bad season and go for a quarterback next year.
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