Batch, Stewart, Delhomme, King, Detmer, Griese, Plummer

The problem I have with all of those guys is that they do not have the physical tools a QB needs in our offense. For this offense to really work you need a guy who can throw the deep ball with accuracy. That way teams can not stack up against the run. The only guy in that group with a strong arm is Krydell but he has never been accurate. I would rather bring in Testaverde that any of those guys. I know he only has a year or two left but we would draft a QB early if we did it. If I had to pick from the guys mentioned I would lean toward Delhomme.

 

Thelt....I understand your position, however I would suggest that throwing the deep ball with accuracy is not the only way to soften a defense and keep them from stacking the box. Simply being quick and mobile enough to get the ball beyond the linebackers can result in big plays when teams are crowding the box to stop the run. Simple 10-15 yard crossing patterns or slipping the tight end into an empty zone, success in any of these passing sets can cause a defense to rethink a "stack the box" strategy. I do agree with you that an accurate passer throwing the deep ball is important in our offense because that's were the big plays will come from. However, I don't see it as a critical attribute of our quarterback.

As for Testeverde, I want to float another name and get your reaction. I am not endorsing this guy, but if you start naming guys like Vinny T., I think this guy should get some discussion. Do you remember Neil O'Donnell. He has been backing up McNair now for the last four years now. He is 36 years old, and his completion percentage is 57.7 compared to Vinny's 56.1. His qb rating is 81.6 compared to Vinny's 74.8, and he has 118 touchdowns versus 67 interceptions. A very good ratio. He has no mobility, but who does when you get to his age, or Vinny's. Anyways, I have no idea what his contract status is, but if we start looking at players like Testeverde, I think O'Donnell should get a look as well.

 

I have never forgiven the rat bastage for superbowl 30. If you throw that game out he has had a solid career. I do not think he throws a great deep ball either but he is careful with the ball most of the time and wont lose many games for you. I think we could do worse. Any strategy with an old QB requires us to draft a guy early to groom.

An accurate deep thrower will loosen up the run game better than anything else. I don't know that a mobile QB loosens it up much but a short range passing game can help. If you look at the great teams of the past that had great offenses either they ran the WCO or they had a great run game with an accurate deep thrower. The 70s Steeleres with Bradshaw and the 90s Cowboys with Aikman come mind. The Redskins did that with Mark Rypien. Even the Rams who use some WCO aspects have a great deep thrower. If we are going to spend money or a high draft pick for a QB I think he needs to be able to throw the deep ball. Most of the free agents this year are more suited to the WCO where mobility and touch on short passes are more important than accurate deep and mid range throws.

 

I would not be suprised to see Fox go after Chris Redman he threw 182 passes and only 3 INTs thats pretty good he would make a good back up if nothing else.

 

he's restricted FA... if we offer him a contract the Ravens can keep him by simply matching it... plus we don't have a solid TE... and he seems to need one for checkdown situations... UNLESS we keep Walls one more year or draft Witten

 

I was not sure on his free agent status.

 

I thought he was considered the future at QB for the Ravens? I doubt they will let him leave.

 

troy aikman, anyone?

 

FUCK NO!!!!

 

you can probably add Ray Lucas into the mix of guys who will be out there. If, as has been supposed, Griese hits the market and ends up in Miami, Lucas will more than likely be cut. The next question is do we want to get into a bidding war with Parcells for his services.