All about QBs in preseason
By ASA
Quarterback rotation is one of the most important spokes in the preseason handicapping wheel. How long is the starter going to play? How about the second stringer? Are they going all the way down to the fourth team QB in this game?
We like to compare the QB rotation in each game. If a team has a solid starter, a second teamer who has some nice NFL experience and even a third stringer who has taken some snaps at this level, they are worth a look.
Especially if they are playing a team that drops off dramatically from the starter to the back up. Maybe the backup is slated to be a rookie or even a player who has very little field time in the NFL. A situation like that can give you some solid go-against value.
Here are a few games this week that have interesting situations at the QB position.
Carolina vs. Baltimore – Thursday, August 12
Matt Moore is slated as the Panthers starting quarterback for the 2010 season after leading the team to three straight victories to close out last year. Moore is still raw and unproven, but don’t expect him to get any more than three series on Thursday. Behind Moore are Hunter Cantwell, Jimmy Clausen, and Tony Pike. Between the three, there’s one year of experience and zero pass attempts in the NFL.
Baltimore’s starting QB Joe Flacco will likely get 2-3 series before being relieved. The 10-year veteran Marc Bulger was picked up in the off-season to be the backup to Flacco. Bulger is long past his prime but has started 95 games in his career and has 122 touchdown passes. He’s still getting acclimated with the offense so expect him to get extended time. Troy Smith, who is the 3rd string quarterback, has started two games in his four year career.
Advantage: Baltimore
Tampa Bay vs. Miami – Saturday, August 14
Josh Freeman is the starting QB in his 2nd season as a pro. He will get 2-3 series before giving way to Josh Johnson. Johnson has started four games in his two-year career but did little to impress. Second year pro Rudy Carpenter (zero career pass attempts) is the third string quarterback. To make matters worse, Tampa’s receiving corps has very little experience (Sammie Stroughter is the leading returning receiver, with 31 catches in 2009).
Miami is expecting big things from Chad Henne in his 2nd season as starting quarterback. Henne will see 1-3 series before conceding to veteran Chad Pennington. Pennington (whom Henne supplanted last year) has 80 career starts and 102 touchdown passes during his nine years in the NFL. Five-year pro Tyler Thigpen (11 career starts) and multi-dimensional Pat White will also get their share of snaps on Saturday.
Advantage: Miami
Minnesota vs. St. Louis – Saturday, August 14
No, Brett Favre will not be starting for the Vikings on Saturday. Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels will get the majority of the snaps in the 1st half. Jackson has 19 starts in his career and Rosenfels has 12. Both veterans have been in the Vikings system for at least a year and have a good feel for the offense. Rookie Joe Webb is the 3rd stringer and will see time in the 2nd half.
A.J. Feeley will likely start for the Rams and play 2-4 series before giving way to Sam Bradford. Feeley has just 15 starts in his nine years as a pro with more interceptions than touchdowns. Bradford has only been in camp a few weeks and will likely take a bit of time to adapt to the NFL. Behind Feeley and Bradford are 2nd year QB Keith Null and rookie Thaddeus Lewis.
Advantage: Minnesota