No help on the way

For some teams, backup QB situation more dire than starter

Tom Brady seemed to come out of nowhere to lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl victory last season. Teams relying on lightning to strike in a bottle again are in dreamland. I don't know one GM or head coach who believes he will survive very long in the NFL merely by hoping that the Brady phenomenon happens to his team.

After taking a look at the six teams with the biggest question marks at quarterback (see chart, below), I realized that the backup signal callers on these clubs combined for 53 pass attempts last year. I wouldn't exactly say there's a guy waiting in the wings who's ready, willing and able to step in. For coaches trying to create options should their starters fail, that's a scary situation.

The Cowboys are excited about Chad Hutchinson, and from what I hear they should be. From all indications, he has the best chance to pull another Brady, but it's been a while since he played football, and the NFL has become notorious for rushing quarterbacks along too quickly. Quincy Carter had a 63 rating last year and threw only five touchdowns to seven interceptions; Hutchinson may be pressed into action sooner rather than later.

Dick Vermeil believes Trent Green can get it done, and I respect the coach's opinion. But really, what choice does he have if Green throws 24 interceptions again or is on his way to being sacked another 39 times? Backup Todd Collins has only attempted four passes in the past five years.

New Carolina coach John Fox is committed to Chris Weinke even though the team went 1-15 with him under center in 2001. Weinke stood tall under fire last year while throwing just 11 touchdowns to 19 interceptions. Backup Rodney Peete who hasn't thrown a pass in two years and probably should be coaching rather than playing in the NFL. There are no choices for the Panthers if Weinke doesn't improve. Heck, I don't even think they can give him a rest.

In Atlanta it's time for Michael Vick to take over, but he will struggle. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft may need some relief at times so his confidence won't be completely shattered. Backup Doug Johnson did not attempt a pass last season. Sounds like Vick goes no matter what.

When Jon Kitna faltered last year, the Bengals realized they had no place to turn, so they brought in Gus Frerotte in the offseason. Frerotte has the most game experience of all the backups mentioned with a whopping 48 pass attempts and a 1-1 record as a starter last season. At least he has some recent history to fall back on.

The Ravens' scenario is even more interesting. New starter Chris Redman didn't launch a pass last year and new backup Jeff Blake only had one throw all season in New Orleans. (Blake, however, is a proven veteran with 302 attempts in 2000.) Can you imagine Brian Billick working with two QBs who combined for one pass last year?

Look, other teams have backups with little or no experience too, but not many of them have a starter as questionable as the above mentioned.

Redman has the least amount of experience of all the starters mentioned above, so I believe Blake will eventually become the No. 1 guy in Baltimore (this move will also help convince Ray Lewis and Co. that the club is trying to win). And I think Frerotte will come off the bench in Cincinnati as soon as Kitna struggles. But still, these relief pitchers will be rusty.

When you study these situations, you begin to understand how depth at the quarterback position is critical to any team's success. Clubs will be calling Elvis Grbac to come out of retirement before Labor Day, and Charlie Batch will look real good to some team before long.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNNSI.com.

 

Related information

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video