 |
 |
 |
|
OK, I get it. If there are unsettled quarterback situations in Baltimore and New York -- and I just spent this week writing about them -- it must mean there's something here that deserves league-wide attention without the help of Sen. Arlen Specter.
And there is.
There are quarterback controversies/problems throughout the NFL, with more teams than just the Ravens and Jets hung up on the most important position. I'm sure most of you know where they are, but just in case you don't, here's a map of my top five hot spots:
|
|
| Kyle Orton doesn't have the better arm, just the better head. (Getty Images) |
Chicago
The Bears didn't draft a quarterback A) because they're satisfied with what they have; B) because they weren't satisfied with this year's draft class or C) because they plan to unretire Jim McMahon. I'm not sure it's any of the above, either, but I do know the Bears reached the playoffs with Kyle Orton and the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman. So they know either of these guys can take them places.
The question is: Just where is that?
Grossman floundered last season and was replaced by Brian Griese -- who, in turn, was replaced by Orton. Grossman is operating on a one-year deal, so it's all or nothing for him. He returned to Chicago, coach Lovie Smith said, because he believes it's the best place for him. Maybe. But Grossman must cut down on his mistakes to convince Smith he should trust him. Otherwise it's Orton, who won two of his last three starts and put the Bears into the playoffs in 2005 by not committing the errors that hound Grossman.
If I'm the Bears I hope Grossman wised up with last year's demotion and plays as he did the first half of 2006. Wisely, they're taking no chances. Grossman has the better arm; Orton has the better head. You make the call.
Miami
Talk about turning into a used part overnight. In one offseason, quarterback John Beck went from the Dolphins' "quarterback of the future" to their quarterback of the past.
I don't care what anyone tells you, when a club exercises a second-round draft pick on a quarterback -- especially with a new coaching staff -- his predecessor is usually a dead man waiting to happen. OK, so Chad Pennington fought off second-rounder Kellen Clemens for a year in New York. Look what's happening there now.
If the Dolphins had a conviction about Beck they wouldn't have drafted a quarterback and signed a veteran free agent at the position. John Beck at quarterback makes as much sense for Bill Parcells as Jeff Beck does on drums. Anyway, with Josh McCown and Chad Henne on board, you have to believe that Parcells goes in a different direction -- with McCown the favorite, based largely on his experience. No, I don't think he's the second coming of Phil Simms. But I know Parcells is looking for answers beyond John Beck. McCown looks like the short-term solution.
