The Football Diner Big Top 5
Quarterback Controversies
by Jody Jamieson
8/10/2008
 
Last year as the season wore on we saw a lot of chopping and changing at the quarterback position. Some teams used as many as 4 different starters under center, and with many more using 3, it set a standard for this year. Only this time round those untried, untested signal callers came into the team on Opening Day hoping to make an impact. This Week on Top Fives we rate the 5 more high profile quarterback controversies and how these guys have performed 5 weeks into 2008.
 
5. Matt Cassel
 
OK so this was neither a quarterback controversy or a week 1 starter, but with the season barely minutes old, reigning MVP Tom Brady went down and was ruled out for the entire season. Step forward Matt Cassel. A quarterback who hadn't made a start since high school and his biggest contributions to the Patriots had been taking kneel downs during blowouts and performing so poorly when brought in during another blowout in Miami that the Pats put Brady back on the field. Many pundits wrote off New England and understandably so as while the Patriots squeaked by Kansas City, you wondered what kind of season they could have without Brady. Things looked a little brighter as he managed the game well at the Meadowlands against the Jets, but while he obviously can't be blamed for the loss to Miami, he didn't play particularly well. Coming off the bye week in San Francisco was a bit of a trap game with the way they've played, but they handled it well and Cassel finally figured out how to do what will save his job while Brady is out. He got the ball to Moss.
 
Matt Cassel isn't going to be anything other than a career backup in my view. He's mobile enough to keep a play alive, but he's looked shaky to me when asked to do anything complicated. I know it's not his fault that he's in this position, but he is what he is.
 
JJ's Rating - 3/5 - Hardly terrible, and has managed the game nicely for the most part, but he's so limited that the Patriots offense is going to be restricted while he's in.
 
4. J.T. O'Sullivan
 
A pleasant surprise. Along with Detriot and Atlanta, San Francisco was a team I had no hope for going into this season. Detriot are no hopers, and I'll get to Atlanta later, but the 49ers have had a really positive start to the year. With Alex Smith injured again, you really wondered if it was going to be another season of inconsistencies at the quarterback position. Defensively they were always going to be ok, but you wondered if the offense would score enough points to be competitive. O'Sullivan, who is offensive co-ordinator Mike Martz' "guy" was always going to get the nod over Shaun Hill and he's paid off thus far.
 
Sure, he doesn't always make the right read, but I like the fact that he doesn't allow himself to get flustered in the pocket. Sure, he'll roll out when the pressure dictates he should, but he's willing to stand in against the blitz and make a play. He may not be the long term answer, but if Alex Smith ends up the bust he's threatening to be, O'Sullivan can certainly solidify the position for the meantime.
 
JJ's rating - 4/5 - Much better than expected.
 
3. Joe Flacco
 
The guy with the huge arm has had an up and down time in his rookie season thus far. He's had his moments where he looks very good, but he's still made those expected rookie mistakes. 2 of them came in the game on Sunday against Tennessee when he refused to give up on a play and threw a couple of needless interceptions. He'll hopefully learn from this and while there's been a mix of good and bad, which is to be expected, the potential is there.
 
One thing that has pleased me so far is offensive co-ordinator Cam Cameron seems to be coaching him well. He looked really supportive and almost fatherly on Monday Night Football in Pittsburgh last week, and seems to be doing his best to help him learn without putting him in tough situations. It must be hard to resist play-action and then a deep bomb when you have a guy with such a cannon, but Cameron seems to be letting him make the simple throws, and then trying something a bit more expansive just to keep the defense off balance. I like it.
 
In truth Flacco could go either way. After winning his first two starts of his career (check out the Trivia Question) everything looked rosey. He's had some struggles, but there's no doubt that he has the potential. If Baltimore can get the best out of him then he could be a star.
 
JJ's rating - 3/5 - Will make mistakes which are part of the learning curve, but definitely has some upside.
 
2. Matt Ryan
 
Not many guys can go into Lambeau Field in their rookie season and come away with a victory. Even fewer guys can do it with such poise as Matt Ryan, who in my eyes has been the most impressive rookie in the opening few weeks of the year. Ryan made a statement in Week 1 by tossing the pigskin 62 yards for the touchdown the first time he ever dropped back in the NFL, and despite a tough day against Tampa Bay, he's rebounded nicely and while it would be folly to say he's proving his money's worth, he's certainly justifying being 3rd overall in the Draft thus far.
 
In truth I thought Ryan was one of those quarterbacks leading up to the Draft who was getting big reviews due to the fact that there really wasn't a standout at the position coming into the Draft. His interception total (19 in his senior year) really concerned me, but thus far he's taking care of the football, and is adding a vertical passing game to the Falcons.
 
On another note, I really hope Matt Ryan works out if only for Arthur Blank. The Falcons owner is one of my favourite figures in football (try saying that fast) and seems like the nicest guy you could ever meet. After the Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino situations, the guy deserves a break, and I hope he gets everything he hopes for with Matt Ryan.
 
JJ's Rating - 4/5 - Will likely have the best rookie season for a quarterback this decade by a guy not named Ben Roethlisberger.
 
1. Aaron Rodgers
 
It all started so promisingly for Aaron Rodgers after an excellent performance against Minnesota and then a high scoring effort against the Lions, but since then, he's had a few tough weeks. Everyone was concerned about all the scrutiny he would face replacing Brett Favre, but the other big concern was his injury history. Despite limited playing time behind Favre, Rodgers had a history of getting banged up. You can't knock his heart or his courage, but the fact is the injury bug has come back to bite him and it's threatening to undermine his season. The Packers started brilliantly, going to 2-0 with a couple of big wins, but 3 losses in a row since have the Packers under pressure.
 
One thing you notice when watching Rodgers play is the resemblance to Favre. Even when you listen to him go through his cadence it's the same as Favre's. His ability to keep a play alive is Favre-like, and he's not afraid to take a risk, which is never something you want to see from a quarterback in most instances. But in Favre's case, and now with Rodgers by the looks of things, he can get away with it. Rodgers needs to get healthy and stay healthy, and if he can, Green Bay have a gem.
 
JJ's Rating - 4/5 - Great ability, makes good decisions for the most part, but health is the key.
 
The Top Fives Random Trivia Question
 
After Joe Flacco won his first two starts in the NFL this season it was the first time it had been done for a while by a rookie. Who was the last rookie quarterback to go 2-0 in his first two starts in the NFL? ( Answer at bottom of page. )
 
Random Thoughts
 
Is Jeremy Shockey making strides as a team player? During last years improbable run to the Super Bowl, the injured Shockey cut a forlorn figure on the sideline as Eli Manning flourished in his tight ends absence. This year after surgery you wondered if the same level of apathy Shockey seemed to show last year would be on display. However on Monday Night Football Shockey played the role of a disturbingly ugly but very enthusiastic cheerleader as the Saints marched up and down the field against the Vikings, and looked to be supportive as they continued to cough up scoring chances. Sometimes in sports a change of scenery is great for the focus of an athlete. In this case it seems a change of scenery has done the world of good for an attitude.
 
Kerry Collins didn't have one of his better days on Sunday, but he got it done when it mattered. But the big story with the 5-0 Titans is defense, and the stats are sensational. Amazingly through 5 weeks of the season their defense has been responsible for more takeaways than points per game allowed. 14 takeaways against 11.2 PPG allowed. They've given up 1 TD pass and made 10 interceptions. The numbers are ludicrous. And on Sunday even when their defensive line got decimated, they still made the plays to keep the Ravens at bay and set up the game winning drive. Even though a bad call helped out the Titans on the game winning drive, you can't argue with the fact that this team is for real.
 
And Finally...
 
As an Eagles fan, I'm not one of those Andy Reid haters as he's done a great job over the last 10 years. Reid to me is one of those good coaches who occasionally makes mistakes in key areas. Unfortunately the last two weeks have been 2 of his tougher weeks as a coach. Last week in Chicago I felt he got quite badly outcoached by Lovie Smith, and this week he made some baffling choices. The fact that the electric DeSean Jackson lost a lot of playing time to the talented but horribly inconsistent Reggie Brown was puzzling, and the offensive play calling left a lot to be desired.
 
Last week at Soldier Field they wouldn't run a QB sneak on the goalline with McNabb because he was banged up. So on 3rd and 1 from the Washington Redskins goalline what happened? Another run up the middle like in Chicago. The problem? Not only is it horribly predictable, but to not QB sneak with McNabb because he is hurt and then expect Westbrook to power up the middle with 2 broken ribs is ridiculous. Sure, he may not have known the damage on Westbrook at that time but he was clearly hurting and stuff like that just gets on your nerves.
 
But I don't want to take anything away from the Skins. Last week I talked about their playcalling, and it came through again. Philly got a little pressure on Campbell early, and the Redskins made the right adjustments. Campbell threw off a lot of three step drops, and when Portis established the run the writing was on the wall.
 
The Top Fives Random Trivia Answer
 
So who was the last quarterback to go 2-0 in his first two NFL starts in his rookie season? It was none other than the potential Hall of Famer from the 1st round of the 1998 Draft.... Ryan Leaf!
 
At least Flacco wasn't responsible for 1/15 and 4 passing yards and 5 turnovers in his third start!