After months of speculation regarding player movements, the lockout has been lifted and it has only taken two days for the quarterback landscape to settle in the NFL.
With new quarterbacks signed and studying playbooks, several surprise signings have bought into question team direction.
As expected, the Washington Redskins released Donovan McNabb, who immediately signed with the Minnesota Vikings, his original destination of choice when departing Philadelphia. McNabb is expected to start with rookie Christian Pondor to be groomed throughout the season.
Ruled out of competing for the starting job at Minnesota, Tavaris Jackson has moved to the weakest QB division – NFC West. In Seattle, Jackson will be competing with Charlie Whitehurst for the starting job, but it is not this acquisition which has sent Seattle fans into rejoice.
Signing the biggest wide receiver free agent, Sidney Rice, the Seahawks look set to challenge for the division title once again.
Not part of Seattle’s plans for the future, ten-year veteran Matt Hasselbeck has agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans to fill the enormous gap left by Vince Young and Kerry Collins. There are no guarantees Hasselbeck will start in week one.
Titans’ coaches are expecting big things from Jake Locker, the eighth overall draft pick. Hasselbeck is an excellent fit to mentor Locker who has a similar read and throw pattern.
With all eyes on Carson Palmer and Cincinnati’s response to Palmers ultimatum to trade him or watch him retire, the Bengals boldly signed Bruce Gradkowski from the Oakland Raiders.
Palmer is now certain not to be a Bengal this season. With limited opportunities in Oakland due to rotating QBs all season, Gradkowski will be given an opportunity before rookie Andy Dalton.
Fuelling further speculation Kyle Ortan will be joining Miami, Dolphins back up QB Tyler Thigpen has surprised many by signing a three year deal with Buffalo, a team not in need of a QB.
Joining Ryan Fitzpatrick who had a breakout season throwing over 3000 yards for 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, Thigpen would have been given greater opportunities at other teams.
Remaining unrestricted free agents expected to be given starter opportunities include: Vince Young, Alex Smith, Marc Bulger, Trent Edwards, Rex Grossman and Matt Moore.
Following the early frenzy of signings, the only remaining teams with uncertainty at the starting QB position are Arizona, Oakland, Washington and San Francisco.
Kevin Kolb’s trade to Arizona looks a mere formality while the bunch of aforementioned QB’s will have to compete at training camp for their chances to start in week one.
Having lost McNabb, and Grossman unlikely to return, Washington surprised many by not drafting a QB with its early draft picks. Washington looms as the easiest place to gain a starting job at QB.
Oakland can afford to start with Jason Campbell who had a very inconsistent 2010 season. Ending the year very well will see him start in week one but if he goes down, there is no backup. Expect to see a young QB bought in.
Locking in QB’s is the most important pre-season task because it gives the QB time to learn the play book. It also allows coaches to sign an offence best capable of playing with that QB. This year has been the weakest QB free agency period in years but the biggest winner so far on the QB front looks to be Tennessee.
Tennessee has taken the first steps to build a team around Jake Locker, who is shaping to be an impressive rookie QB.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Very strange move. No chance they'll keep 3 starting CB's. DRC is the worst of the three IMO but considering how highly they valued Kolb, they must value him pretty highly too. Card's were never going to give up two picks for Kolb, so I'm guessing Philly will want to on trade either Samuel or DRC for a first rounder. Samuel is 30yo, All Pro last two years but age is a factor. DRC is 25yo and a one time Pro Bowler. Samuel can easily play for another three or four years. I reckon DRC is gonna go for a second and fifth. Don't think it would bother them too much when they look at their remaining CB's.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
And the Iggles come from way out in left field to sign Nmandi ...
Nate Hornblower
Guest
The Patriots have pulled off a couple of savvy moves as usual, trading peanuts for Redskins DT Albert Haynesworth & Bengals WR Chad Ocho Cinco. Colt McCoy will be the Browns starting QB in 2011, he showed enough last year that the Browns have started building around him. After RB DeAngelo Williams signed a big contract to stay in Carolina, its led a number of high profile RB's (Titans Chris Johnson, 49ers Frank Gore) to holdout from the start of training camp. Some talk that Bears RB Matt Forte might also join them. Good summation overall AlfredC of the first few days of free agency, keep it coming, great to see some NFL stuff on the Roar. btw, Alex Smith re-signed with the 49ers soon as free agency started. Other note worthy moves: RB Reggie Bush traded to the Dolphins RB Darren Sproles signed with New Orleans Kansas City Chiefs Sign WR Steve Breaston
Nate Hornblower
Guest
Carson Palmer has not "officially" retired. Bengals owner Mike Brown is the posturing fool who won't trade Palmer.....yet the hypocrite just traded Chad Ocho Cinco to the Patriots. VY was never going to have any offers because of his current contract status, which is why the Titans released him. Once he clears waivers, he will end up in Philly.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Thank you very much! Colt McCoy did some very impressive things, will be hoping to see more out of him this year. The Brown's first and second-strings from last year were about as disappointing a result as anyone is likely to see. Good to see Peyton Hillis will still be suiting up for the Browns too, the dual threat will be potent. And I just noticed that Hillis actually was picked as cover athlete for Madden 12, that was a surprise! I have a soft spot for 49ers, so either of them or the Jets picking up Asomugha would be good to see. No love for Braylon Edwards.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Cleveland Browns - Yet to make a play for a Vet QB. Colt McCoy has been leading player workouts during the lookout and is poised to start after an impressive rookie season. - Delhomme will be released and Sennaca Wallace will back up Colt McCoy. - Little is expected from the Browns after #1 target Sidney Rice signed with Seattle. - WR will continue to be addressed but the FA WR pool is weak - Browns will need to trade for one. - DeSean Jackson did not report for camp in Philly so he could be a big name WR on the market, watch this space. New York Jets - All eyes are on Nnamdi Asomugha. - Texans out of the race after signing Johnathon Joseph. - Asomugha is now a two horse race between 49ers and Jets. - Chance to team up with Revis means suggests he will be a Jet and be biggest shutdown duo in the league by a mile. - Signing NA will see Braylon Edwards leave. - Rex Ryan is open to the idea of signing Randy Moss but looks unlikely.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Any news on the Browns or Jets?
Alfred Chan
Expert
Albert Breer has just reported VY will signing a 1 year deal with Philly. 2 years would have made more sense. Vick will miss a game or three with injury. VY can still play. He'll show enough as a backup to be considered a starter elsewhere - IF he gets his act together.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Ian, great comment. Always good to see NFL enthusiasts on The Roar. The reason I said VY and Collins leave a big gap is simply, no one else has run the offense in the last four years. The two continuously replace each other and rely on CJ2K to pull yards. Rusty Smith looks hopeless too. With no one capable of talking a rookie QB through a brand new system (new head coach), there is no way Locker would be able to perform. Hass isn't there to play 16 games this year. He's there to talk Locker through running an offense. The Cardinals did the same thing with Kurt Warner when Matt Leinart was a high draft pick. VY and Collins may not have performed great, but they know how to run the Titan offense and have been doing it for the last four years. As for Kolb, I think its a win-win scenario. There was no way Fitz would stay on unless Kolb was signed and Philly were not going to deal him for anything less than a first and second. DRC is a late first pick at best and there was no way Patrick Peterson was gonna be traded.
Roger G.
Guest
Young and Collins left an enormous gap? Really? Collins was on his last legs and hasn't been any good in three years, while Young is a headcase who was never going to lead the TItans past the divisional round at best, with his interception problems. I think Young goes to Philly to replace Kolb as backup.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
AlfredC, Palmer is officially retired. Cincinatti owner Paul Brown, being a fool with an entitlement complex the size of the Colosseum, is refusing to trade him, so Carson Palmer is sitting by his pool in California enjoying life. I think Arizona overpaid for Kolb - a second rounder, a decent corner and a $8m a year contract for a backup who hasnt shown that much ? He could turn into another Hasselbeck, but Im happy my Hawks didnt sign him. 35 year old Hasselbeck was a good signing for the Titans, despite the fact he's been crap for the last three years - and Vince Young and Kerry Collins dont leave that enourmous a gap. Its notable that no-one has made even a token offer for Vince Young, the sort that Tavaris Jackson got (8m over 2 years - this is less than the *kicker* Olindo Mare got from the Panthers, who got $12m over 4 years). Personally, Im expecting VY to join the QB merry go round in Seattle. Peyton Manning is the shoe waiting to drop as far as QB contracts go. Hes franchised at $23m right now, and is 35, and Indy has Curtis Painter backing him up (ouch ouch ouch). Under the new CBA, rookie QBs will get paid about $4m a year for four years, so I dont see anyone wanting to pay $23m a year and two first round picks for a 35 year old QB. I see him being allowed to walk next year, and then being re-signed for much less money somewhere else on a 2 year deal Finally, leave off the 'Jake Locker is shaping to be an impressive QB' until he's played at least two preseason games - I believe a college QB with his accuracy was a horrible, horrible risk as a #8 pick.