Every offseason, teams switch quarterbacks in hopes of finding that special quarterback to lead them to victory. Most of this activity is in the backup quarterback role, as teams want to secure a quality quarterback who has enough experience and talent to step in on their team in the event the real quarterback fails. starting field is injured. Of course, this doesn’t apply in Chicago even after it costs them dearly every season. This offseason was no different, as a host of teams changed backup quarterbacks and some brought in new starters.
starters
Carson Palmer (AZ) – Spoiler alert! Carson will be listed as my QB Sleeper of the Year. I love this move for the Cardinals and for Palmer. Arizona has wasted solid defensive efforts since Kurt Warner left by not having anything like a quality QB under center. Granted, they haven’t been able to keep a healthy starting RB during this time to help the QB in the passing game, but it really hasn’t mattered. In 2013, they added Rashard Mendenhall’s knee to Ryan Williams’ pair of knees and cut Beanie Wells. Wisely, they recruited Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington so they would have someone healthy enough to provide a mix for Palmer. My enthusiasm for Palmer comes from the receiving body. I thought the treatment of Larry Fitzgerald has been criminal since Warner left, but he will run the field like he did at Pitt this year. On the other side of the field, Andre Roberts has proven to be a valuable collaborator, but I see Michael Floyd having a coming out party this year, which will help Fitz quite a bit. Palmer will throw for more than 4,500 yards and more than 30 TDs this year.
Alex Smith (KC) – My excitement for this position is over. “Game Manager” Alex Smith is a weak QB2. KC likes to run the ball and is weak at WR. Dwayne Bowe is very good and should get back to his 2010-11 numbers, but they don’t have anyone else to pitch to. Dexter McCluster is an exciting player, but his enthusiasm doesn’t add to Smith’s for me.
kevin kolb (BUF) – This is a shot in the air. If he gets a strong QB1, he could take a late traveler on Kolb as a QB2 or late QB3 if he has room. EJ Manuel is Buffalo’s future starting quarterback, but Kolb’s contract pretty much guarantees the first shot this year. Palmer has a lot more weapons, but Kolb has a lot more than Smith. Stevie Johnson should be at full strength and ready to put up big numbers again. Rookie Robert Woods could surprise. I loved his game at USC, although I ignored him because of the excellence of Marquis Lee. Hell, Kolb could beat Alex Smith’s numbers just by throwing the ball to CJ Spiller.
The change of starters doesn’t happen as often as it used to, as more QBs are coming out of college and ready for the NFL right away. Let’s take a quick look at the backup QB merry-go-round and how it impacts us as fantasy football players.
Backups
Ryan Fitzpatrick (TENN) – Fitzpatrick had a nice short career in Buffalo, but he couldn’t continue after receiving an insanely big contract. Tennessee did well to grab him as Jake Locker looks a bit fragile. If Locker goes down, Fitzpatrick could put up good numbers. However, Locker is a QB2 and it’s rare for one to take a backup from a QB2 unless he’s in a very, very deep league. With Nate Washington, Kendall Wright and Kenny Britt at wide receiver, either or both QBs should do surprisingly well this year.
drew stanton (AZ) – The Cardinals thought they would review the QB position. Hell, Stanton would have been a lot better than some of the downtown bums in years past. Since I love Palmer this year, I’d add Stanton if I drafted Palmer.
bruce gradkowski (PITT) – Given that Big Ben gets hit every year and misses a few games, the Steelers finally did the smart thing and released Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich. Of course, Gradkowski won’t scare off any opposing defensive coordinator, but he’s definitely a step up. He would consider adding him at QB3 if he drafted Roethlisberger and had a deep league.
Matt Hasselbeck (IND) – Hasselbeck is definitely on the downside of his career and quarterbacks at Indy rarely leave the field. But, you have to like what’s going on in Indy and its receivers. I’d consider adding him at QB3 if he drafted Luck and he had a deep league.
Lucas McCown (NO) – Drew Brees makes the Saints’ passing game what it is. A reasonable backup can produce half of what Brees does. After 7 seasons in the league, McCown has 22 games and 2,000 yards to his name. He would back Brees with any starter outside of the Jets before adding McCown.
Daniel Chase (KC) – Another review. I really like Daniel, but I hate anyone who is under center in KC.
matte casserole (MINN) – I wouldn’t want Christian Ponder, so I can’t recommend Cassel. Minny’s WRs are worse than KC’s.
