Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
Gimmedaball(sp?) asked me for the toughest task ever; rating the free agent QBs. This is tougher than college because typically these guys have already somewhat failed or they wouldn’t be available. It’s true you occasionally find a QB who benefits from a change of scenery. They have even won the Super Bowl. The trick is far more fail than succeed. I’m going to include some possible availabilities that may not materialize.
Lets start at the perceived top. Cousins is the number one guy on most lists. He is at worst a solid QB. The question is can he be a big winner? I’m not sure but I think not. He certainly didn’t fully convince Washington. He can throw. He’s sturdy. He’s decent but not great at reading defenses. He’s also expensive and would prevent fixing other critical needs. My read is he’s safe but not worth it.
Teddy Bridgewater is on the Cards list and is a good compromise choice. He won’t cost as much as Cousins and he’s actually better at reading defenses. He has a good arm, but slightly below a Cousins. He is likely not sturdy. For him to work the Cards would have to keep him from running and they must fix the O-line. Not my top chioice, but a good gamble.
Bradford is not currently a free agent but may become one. His stability is less than Bridgewater’s. He doesn’t have to run to get hurt. On the other hand if he weren’t so fragile he’d be in the discussion of the NFC’s best QB. He does everything you’d want from a pocket passer. I’d pay the money and take the chance but the Cards must also get one of the top prospects in the draft.
Foles is the most expensive since he’d be a trade. He’s talented. Maybe he’s the best, but the Cards can’t afford that price. Plus once taken forget having the money for Norwell or a pick for your QBOTF. I’ll pass.
Old friend Josh McCown is changing teams. He’s still serviceable and would be an affordable bridge to the QBOTF. He might even be good enough to make the playoffs especially if they sign Norwell.
Mike Glennon is a non-starter for me.
McCarron is the biggest unknown. I had him as the fourth QB the year he came out. He’s more of a game manager than a great athlete. However, he could be a really good game manager for a long time. With a great team, like the Pats, he could get it all done.
Tyrod Taylor may well be available for a modest price. He runs better than he throws. Could he be improved? Maybe, but I hate to give a draft pick for a project. I’ll pass.
Case Keenum changed quite a few minds last year. He didn’t change mine. He a good, but not great QB. He can make some plays but he’s been mistake prone. I’m betting that won’t change over the long run.
So I guess my list would be Bradford, Bridgewater the McCown.
Lets start at the perceived top. Cousins is the number one guy on most lists. He is at worst a solid QB. The question is can he be a big winner? I’m not sure but I think not. He certainly didn’t fully convince Washington. He can throw. He’s sturdy. He’s decent but not great at reading defenses. He’s also expensive and would prevent fixing other critical needs. My read is he’s safe but not worth it.
Teddy Bridgewater is on the Cards list and is a good compromise choice. He won’t cost as much as Cousins and he’s actually better at reading defenses. He has a good arm, but slightly below a Cousins. He is likely not sturdy. For him to work the Cards would have to keep him from running and they must fix the O-line. Not my top chioice, but a good gamble.
Bradford is not currently a free agent but may become one. His stability is less than Bridgewater’s. He doesn’t have to run to get hurt. On the other hand if he weren’t so fragile he’d be in the discussion of the NFC’s best QB. He does everything you’d want from a pocket passer. I’d pay the money and take the chance but the Cards must also get one of the top prospects in the draft.
Foles is the most expensive since he’d be a trade. He’s talented. Maybe he’s the best, but the Cards can’t afford that price. Plus once taken forget having the money for Norwell or a pick for your QBOTF. I’ll pass.
Old friend Josh McCown is changing teams. He’s still serviceable and would be an affordable bridge to the QBOTF. He might even be good enough to make the playoffs especially if they sign Norwell.
Mike Glennon is a non-starter for me.
McCarron is the biggest unknown. I had him as the fourth QB the year he came out. He’s more of a game manager than a great athlete. However, he could be a really good game manager for a long time. With a great team, like the Pats, he could get it all done.
Tyrod Taylor may well be available for a modest price. He runs better than he throws. Could he be improved? Maybe, but I hate to give a draft pick for a project. I’ll pass.
Case Keenum changed quite a few minds last year. He didn’t change mine. He a good, but not great QB. He can make some plays but he’s been mistake prone. I’m betting that won’t change over the long run.
So I guess my list would be Bradford, Bridgewater the McCown.
