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**shashaffff** · 12-14-2007, 03:19 AM

33. Kyle Boller
Starting backup, Baltimore Ravens
Boller has an excellent opportunity to climb this list because he will start for the Ravens the rest of this season and possibly beyond. Boller's physical skills have never been in question. He can make all the throws with velocity and is a well-above-average athlete for the quarterback position. However, it is pretty clear that the Ravens' coaching staff doesn't have enough faith in Boller to open up the offense. He should be further along in his development.

34. J.P. Losman
Backup, Buffalo Bills
While Edwards spreads the ball around well, Losman too often focuses on WR Lee Evans. Losman is a big-time athlete and has a cannon for a right arm, but he takes too many risks and doesn't read defenses or process information well. There is still upside with this former first-round selection, and a change of scenery might do him good.

35. Brian Griese
Backup, Chicago Bears
Griese is a caretaker quarterback who turns the ball over too much. Obviously, that is not an ideal combination. However, he runs hot and cold and can come off the bench and ignite an offense. He is bright and grew up around the game. Griese is an accurate thrower but has an average arm and doesn't scramble well.

36. JaMarcus Russell
Backup, Oakland Raiders
He was the first overall choice in the 2007 draft for a reason -- he is a rare physical specimen with outstanding size, strength and the ability to throw a football through a wall. However, he is raw, even as rookie quarterbacks go, and didn't play all that much football at LSU compared to other top prospects. But wow, is he intriguing.

37. Brady Quinn
Backup, Cleveland Browns
With the emergence of Anderson as the starting QB for the Browns, Quinn's future remains uncertain. The biggest question: When will the first-round pick see action? Anderson is a restricted free agent. Quinn was a mobile QB in college who threw the ball well. While he showed flashes of potential in the preseason, whether that translates well in the regular season is unknown.

38. Joey Harrington
Backup, Atlanta Falcons
Harrington was acquired by Atlanta to back up Michael Vick but was quickly forced into the starting role. He has performed well at times behind a marginal offensive line but continues to make poor decisions in crucial situations. Harrington does have some tools to win in the league, but he is best in the veteran backup role.

39. Billy Volek
Backup, San Diego Chargers
Volek has long been considered as one of the best backup signal-callers in the league. He has a solid arm with good instincts and the ability to read coverages. Volek has the tools to move an offense and may go down as one of the more talented backup QBs.

40. Byron Leftwich
Backup, Atlanta Falcons
Leftwich's abrupt departure from Jacksonville has turned out well for the Jaguars and has put Leftwich in a bad light. He is a big, strong passer with an unconventional release and limited mobility. He hasn't performed well when given the opportunity in Atlanta and is likely to land with another franchise next season. Still, Leftwich is a young quarterback with tools to be effective, but he needs a strong supporting cast.

41. Kerry Collins
Backup, Tennessee Titans
Collins has played well when given an opportunity to move the offense. Earlier in the season there was some controversy about who should start after Collins played well in relief and Young had some subpar outings when he returned from injuries. Collins is a big, strong passer who is excellent in the veteran backup role and gives his club a chance to win if called upon.

42. A.J. Feeley
Backup, Philadelphia Eagles
Feeley had one of the best performances of his career against the Patriots in Week 12. He appears destined to be a career backup. Even if McNabb leaves, rookie Kevin Kolb likely will have the inside track to the starting job. Feeley does have a strong arm and reads coverages well but seems to make at least one poor throw per outing.

43. Sage Rosenfels
Starting backup, Houston Texans
Rosenfels is a big, strong quarterback and a classic pocket passer. He has limited mobility but can make all the throws necessary, with accuracy. When given the chance with Schaub's injury, Rosenfels performed well, and it appears there isn't a drop-off when he is leading the club.

44. Gus Frerotte
Starting backup, St. Louis Rams
Frerotte is with his seventh club and is clearly on the back side of his 13-year career. He is a crafty veteran who can win in a backup role. Frerotte doesn't have enough skills to carry the load at the position but has enough arm strength and experience to be a valuable veteran in mentoring a young signal-caller.

45. Trent Dilfer
Starting backup, San Francisco 49ers
Dilfer has lengthened his career because he has continued to be an effective backup quarterback. It would appear that his 14-year career is winding down, but Dilfer is valuable as a reliable veteran who is a good decision-maker. Dilfer's skills are diminishing, but he still has enough arm strength and instincts to be effective as a backup with a strong supporting cast.

46. Charlie Batch
Backup, Pittsburgh Steelers
Batch has proved to be a valuable backup for the Steelers the past few years. He has an adequate arm and makes solid decisions, but perhaps even more importantly, he knows his limitations and manages to avoid hurting the team when he plays.

47. Brodie Croyle
Starter, Kansas City Chiefs
Croyle has been easing into the starting job in Kansas City and appears to be the heir apparent. He has a good arm to go along with adequate size and scrambling ability. He has improved on his ability to look coverages off and is willing to go to his checkdown receivers when the downfield routes are not there.

48. Todd Collins
Starting backup, Washington Redskins
Collins, playing for the injured Jason Campbell, had a good opening outing in the win against the Bears in Week 14 and must remain as consistent as possible and limit the mistakes if the Redskins are going to win and keep their slim playoff hopes alive. His arm strength is adequate and he's able to scramble if there's trouble in the pocket.

49. Damon Huard
Backup, Kansas City Chiefs
Huard is a career backup who has made good use of the limited opportunities he's had as a starter. He is above average in almost all aspects of the game but does not stand out in any one. He understands the game and does not try to do more than he is capable of doing.

50. Kelly Holcomb
Backup, Minnesota Vikings
Holcomb is a gutsy performer who understands the game and knows his cast. He can make all the throws but has lost a lot of mobility over the years and can make it easy on pass-rushers. Holcomb is a valuable backup.

51. Brad Johnson
Backup, Dallas Cowboys
Johnson seems to be fighting the age issue every year. At 39, he lacks mobility and a big-time arm but makes up for it with his understanding of the game. He is almost like a coach on the field and provides a lot of leadership from the sidelines.

52. Seneca Wallace
Backup, Seattle Seahawks
Wallace is an excellent athlete who has done a solid job stepping in when Hasselbeck has been hurt. He has learned how to play within the system in Seattle and has improved his accuracy and ability to find passing lanes. His size (5-foot-11) makes it difficult for him to see or throw over the top of offensive linemen. He adds the dimension of being able to run when the pass is not there.

53. Quinn Gray
Backup, Jacksonville Jaguars
Gray is a good-sized QB with a very strong arm. He has struggled with accuracy over the years, but he showed a huge improvement in his ability to fit the ball into tight windows when he replaced the injured Garrard for three games (winning two of them) earlier this season. He throws a nice deep ball that allows his receivers time to run to it and catch it in stride.

54. Jim Sorgi
Backup, Indianapolis Colts
Sorgi has been Manning's backup for the past four years and has done a great job of learning the system in Indianapolis. He has a fragile-looking frame but an above-average arm; he can make the short to intermediate throws with velocity and accuracy. He sometimes struggles with the deep balls when he does not have time to get his feet settled.

55. John Beck
Backup, Miami Dolphins
Beck is a decent-sized QB who appears to have the tools to play, but he is still learning how to use them. He is a touch and rhythm passer who seems to improve as the game progresses. He seems to be living off the checkdown passes so far and needs to take some shots downfield.

56. Luke McCown
Backup, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
McCown has been a backup for most of his career but can fare well when called upon to start (such as in a Week 13 win). He's always had a strong arm and is mobile. His biggest drawback in the past has been his decision-making. McCown is still considered a young QB with upside.

57. Cleo Lemon
Starter, Miami Dolphins
Lemon is a mobile QB who has a good arm but doesn't have the skills to be a starter. He can still be a viable backup in the NFL.

58. Matt Cassel
Backup, New England Patriots
He was pulled from a game by coach Bill Belichick after throwing an interception, so it's obvious Cassel is not ready to be a starter for any NFL team. He has just a decent arm and average pocket presence and needs to work on his decision-making. If anything happens to Brady, Cassel may be only the short-term answer.

59. Dan Orlovsky
Backup, Detroit Lions
Orlovsky is the typical drop-back passer whose strength is in the pocket. He has a good arm and is able to make the necessary throws needed to be an NFL quarterback. His release isn't as quick as it needs to be, and he must be in the same offensive system long enough to be effective.

60. Ryan Fitzpatrick
Backup, Cincinnati Bengals
Fitzpatrick is an intelligent young QB who picked up the Cincinnati system very quickly. He is undersized but can make the throws needed to finish a game and manage the clock. He's had some starting experience in the NFL and makes for a viable backup.

61. Anthony Wright
Backup, New York Giants
Wright is a mobile, veteran QB in his ninth year in the NFL. He is capable of coming in to finish a game if starter Eli Manning is injured. The former South Carolina star is reliable in running the system and can make the necessary throws.

62. Patrick Ramsey
Backup, Denver Broncos
Ramsey is a veteran QB who has seen starting action in the past. He has a good arm and decent pocket presence. His release is inconsistent and his quickness in reading coverages is lacking.

63. David Carr
Backup, Carolina Panthers
Carr was expected to come to Carolina and back up Delhomme, but an injury to Delhomme forced Carr into the mix early in the season. His pocket presence is still suspect and he doesn't make good decisions, something we also saw in Houston. His future is uncertain and teams may be hesitant to take a chance on him now.

64. Jamie Martin
Backup, New Orleans Saints
Martin is a veteran QB who's been in the NFL for 13 seasons. He can complete the short and intermediate throws needed to finish a game.

12-14-2007, 03:19 AM	#2
shashaffff Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 457 Senior Member	33. Kyle Boller Starting backup, Baltimore Ravens Boller has an excellent opportunity to climb this list because he will start for the Ravens the rest of this season and possibly beyond. Boller's physical skills have never been in question. He can make all the throws with velocity and is a well-above-average athlete for the quarterback position. However, it is pretty clear that the Ravens' coaching staff doesn't have enough faith in Boller to open up the offense. He should be further along in his development. 34. J.P. Losman Backup, Buffalo Bills While Edwards spreads the ball around well, Losman too often focuses on WR Lee Evans. Losman is a big-time athlete and has a cannon for a right arm, but he takes too many risks and doesn't read defenses or process information well. There is still upside with this former first-round selection, and a change of scenery might do him good. 35. Brian Griese Backup, Chicago Bears Griese is a caretaker quarterback who turns the ball over too much. Obviously, that is not an ideal combination. However, he runs hot and cold and can come off the bench and ignite an offense. He is bright and grew up around the game. Griese is an accurate thrower but has an average arm and doesn't scramble well. 36. JaMarcus Russell Backup, Oakland Raiders He was the first overall choice in the 2007 draft for a reason -- he is a rare physical specimen with outstanding size, strength and the ability to throw a football through a wall. However, he is raw, even as rookie quarterbacks go, and didn't play all that much football at LSU compared to other top prospects. But wow, is he intriguing. 37. Brady Quinn Backup, Cleveland Browns With the emergence of Anderson as the starting QB for the Browns, Quinn's future remains uncertain. The biggest question: When will the first-round pick see action? Anderson is a restricted free agent. Quinn was a mobile QB in college who threw the ball well. While he showed flashes of potential in the preseason, whether that translates well in the regular season is unknown. 38. Joey Harrington Backup, Atlanta Falcons Harrington was acquired by Atlanta to back up Michael Vick but was quickly forced into the starting role. He has performed well at times behind a marginal offensive line but continues to make poor decisions in crucial situations. Harrington does have some tools to win in the league, but he is best in the veteran backup role. 39. Billy Volek Backup, San Diego Chargers Volek has long been considered as one of the best backup signal-callers in the league. He has a solid arm with good instincts and the ability to read coverages. Volek has the tools to move an offense and may go down as one of the more talented backup QBs. 40. Byron Leftwich Backup, Atlanta Falcons Leftwich's abrupt departure from Jacksonville has turned out well for the Jaguars and has put Leftwich in a bad light. He is a big, strong passer with an unconventional release and limited mobility. He hasn't performed well when given the opportunity in Atlanta and is likely to land with another franchise next season. Still, Leftwich is a young quarterback with tools to be effective, but he needs a strong supporting cast. 41. Kerry Collins Backup, Tennessee Titans Collins has played well when given an opportunity to move the offense. Earlier in the season there was some controversy about who should start after Collins played well in relief and Young had some subpar outings when he returned from injuries. Collins is a big, strong passer who is excellent in the veteran backup role and gives his club a chance to win if called upon. 42. A.J. Feeley Backup, Philadelphia Eagles Feeley had one of the best performances of his career against the Patriots in Week 12. He appears destined to be a career backup. Even if McNabb leaves, rookie Kevin Kolb likely will have the inside track to the starting job. Feeley does have a strong arm and reads coverages well but seems to make at least one poor throw per outing. 43. Sage Rosenfels Starting backup, Houston Texans Rosenfels is a big, strong quarterback and a classic pocket passer. He has limited mobility but can make all the throws necessary, with accuracy. When given the chance with Schaub's injury, Rosenfels performed well, and it appears there isn't a drop-off when he is leading the club. 44. Gus Frerotte Starting backup, St. Louis Rams Frerotte is with his seventh club and is clearly on the back side of his 13-year career. He is a crafty veteran who can win in a backup role. Frerotte doesn't have enough skills to carry the load at the position but has enough arm strength and experience to be a valuable veteran in mentoring a young signal-caller. 45. Trent Dilfer Starting backup, San Francisco 49ers Dilfer has lengthened his career because he has continued to be an effective backup quarterback. It would appear that his 14-year career is winding down, but Dilfer is valuable as a reliable veteran who is a good decision-maker. Dilfer's skills are diminishing, but he still has enough arm strength and instincts to be effective as a backup with a strong supporting cast. 46. Charlie Batch Backup, Pittsburgh Steelers Batch has proved to be a valuable backup for the Steelers the past few years. He has an adequate arm and makes solid decisions, but perhaps even more importantly, he knows his limitations and manages to avoid hurting the team when he plays. 47. Brodie Croyle Starter, Kansas City Chiefs Croyle has been easing into the starting job in Kansas City and appears to be the heir apparent. He has a good arm to go along with adequate size and scrambling ability. He has improved on his ability to look coverages off and is willing to go to his checkdown receivers when the downfield routes are not there. 48. Todd Collins Starting backup, Washington Redskins Collins, playing for the injured Jason Campbell, had a good opening outing in the win against the Bears in Week 14 and must remain as consistent as possible and limit the mistakes if the Redskins are going to win and keep their slim playoff hopes alive. His arm strength is adequate and he's able to scramble if there's trouble in the pocket. 49. Damon Huard Backup, Kansas City Chiefs Huard is a career backup who has made good use of the limited opportunities he's had as a starter. He is above average in almost all aspects of the game but does not stand out in any one. He understands the game and does not try to do more than he is capable of doing. 50. Kelly Holcomb Backup, Minnesota Vikings Holcomb is a gutsy performer who understands the game and knows his cast. He can make all the throws but has lost a lot of mobility over the years and can make it easy on pass-rushers. Holcomb is a valuable backup. 51. Brad Johnson Backup, Dallas Cowboys Johnson seems to be fighting the age issue every year. At 39, he lacks mobility and a big-time arm but makes up for it with his understanding of the game. He is almost like a coach on the field and provides a lot of leadership from the sidelines. 52. Seneca Wallace Backup, Seattle Seahawks Wallace is an excellent athlete who has done a solid job stepping in when Hasselbeck has been hurt. He has learned how to play within the system in Seattle and has improved his accuracy and ability to find passing lanes. His size (5-foot-11) makes it difficult for him to see or throw over the top of offensive linemen. He adds the dimension of being able to run when the pass is not there. 53. Quinn Gray Backup, Jacksonville Jaguars Gray is a good-sized QB with a very strong arm. He has struggled with accuracy over the years, but he showed a huge improvement in his ability to fit the ball into tight windows when he replaced the injured Garrard for three games (winning two of them) earlier this season. He throws a nice deep ball that allows his receivers time to run to it and catch it in stride. 54. Jim Sorgi Backup, Indianapolis Colts Sorgi has been Manning's backup for the past four years and has done a great job of learning the system in Indianapolis. He has a fragile-looking frame but an above-average arm; he can make the short to intermediate throws with velocity and accuracy. He sometimes struggles with the deep balls when he does not have time to get his feet settled. 55. John Beck Backup, Miami Dolphins Beck is a decent-sized QB who appears to have the tools to play, but he is still learning how to use them. He is a touch and rhythm passer who seems to improve as the game progresses. He seems to be living off the checkdown passes so far and needs to take some shots downfield. 56. Luke McCown Backup, Tampa Bay Buccaneers McCown has been a backup for most of his career but can fare well when called upon to start (such as in a Week 13 win). He's always had a strong arm and is mobile. His biggest drawback in the past has been his decision-making. McCown is still considered a young QB with upside. 57. Cleo Lemon Starter, Miami Dolphins Lemon is a mobile QB who has a good arm but doesn't have the skills to be a starter. He can still be a viable backup in the NFL. 58. Matt Cassel Backup, New England Patriots He was pulled from a game by coach Bill Belichick after throwing an interception, so it's obvious Cassel is not ready to be a starter for any NFL team. He has just a decent arm and average pocket presence and needs to work on his decision-making. If anything happens to Brady, Cassel may be only the short-term answer. 59. Dan Orlovsky Backup, Detroit Lions Orlovsky is the typical drop-back passer whose strength is in the pocket. He has a good arm and is able to make the necessary throws needed to be an NFL quarterback. His release isn't as quick as it needs to be, and he must be in the same offensive system long enough to be effective. 60. Ryan Fitzpatrick Backup, Cincinnati Bengals Fitzpatrick is an intelligent young QB who picked up the Cincinnati system very quickly. He is undersized but can make the throws needed to finish a game and manage the clock. He's had some starting experience in the NFL and makes for a viable backup. 61. Anthony Wright Backup, New York Giants Wright is a mobile, veteran QB in his ninth year in the NFL. He is capable of coming in to finish a game if starter Eli Manning is injured. The former South Carolina star is reliable in running the system and can make the necessary throws. 62. Patrick Ramsey Backup, Denver Broncos Ramsey is a veteran QB who has seen starting action in the past. He has a good arm and decent pocket presence. His release is inconsistent and his quickness in reading coverages is lacking. 63. David Carr Backup, Carolina Panthers Carr was expected to come to Carolina and back up Delhomme, but an injury to Delhomme forced Carr into the mix early in the season. His pocket presence is still suspect and he doesn't make good decisions, something we also saw in Houston. His future is uncertain and teams may be hesitant to take a chance on him now. 64. Jamie Martin Backup, New Orleans Saints Martin is a veteran QB who's been in the NFL for 13 seasons. He can complete the short and intermediate throws needed to finish a game.
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