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The QB Carousel!
Heading into the 2003/04 NFL Season, there should be no fewer than seven teams with the dreaded "quarterback controversy". The teams with the best chance to really stir the kettle should be St. Louis, Cleveland, and Miami.
RAMS: The St. Louis Rams will probably have the most heated battle of all the NFL teams with incumbent Kurt Warner looking over his back the entire season. The fickle fans of St. Louis have already made up their minds that Marc Bulger is the answer to the Rams recent offensive woes. Yes, it's true that Bulger did a great job while Warner was nursing another injury to his throwing hand, but let's not write off one the most prolific gunslingers of our time just yet! Head Coach Mike Martz has made it very clear that for now, Warner is his starter and assures everyone that the Rams former MVP is 100% healthy and ready to get back to his old ways. Warner has become vulnerable the last two years, plus if he has more than two bad games in a row, Martz may have to succumb to the fans and put his rising young star (Marc Bulger) in and give him a shot at righting the ship again. With a healthy Marshall Faulk back, this team is poised to make another run at the Super Bowl regardless who the quarterback is at the helm. If you are in a Fantasy Football League, do not draft one QB without the other. Warner could be the steal of your draft or the bust!
BROWNS: This is sure to get messy before the season even gets started. For now, it appears that former No.1 draft pick Tim Couch will be the starter, but that will probably not last too long in C town? Couch has untapped potential and a host of quality receivers to throw to, but he just can't seem to play with any consistency that would derail a quarterback controversy. To make matters worse for Couch, backup Kelly Holcomb came in last year and shredded the hated Pittsburgh Steelers defense for over 400 yards in a playoff loss. Holcomb only started three games last year, but they were quality starts as he compiled 953 yards, eight touchdowns and threw for 62.5 percent. We think that Couch is the most gifted of the two, but that will not keep Holcomb out of the line up if Couch does not produce. Once again, if you are a Fantasy Football owner, you will want to pick up both players just in case, but in the later rounds.
BENGALS: Jon Kitna has been assured by new Head Coach Marvin Lewis that he will be the starter this year despite the fact that the Bengals used the No.1 pick overall on USC quarterback Carson Palmer. Kitna deserves the chance to start this year as evidenced by his performance last year from week 8 to week 14. Kitna threw for an amazing average of 268 yards per game and had 14 touchdown passes while throwing only 4 interceptions during that seven game stretch! Plus, Kitna has developed a nice rapport with talented WR Chad Johnson. However, we are reminded that he also has 73 interceptions over the last four years! Let's don't forget though that this is Cincinnati and the first time Kitna throws two interceptions, the fans will be shouting for Palmer. "The grass is always greener on the other side". Or is it?
JAGUARS: The once proud and confident Mark Brunell now finds himself in a situation that can only get worse for him as the year progresses. Brunell sees the writing on the wall after Jacksonville drafted the multi talented Byron Leftwich out of Marshall. The two things that tend to stick out in our mind, is the fact that his numbers have continually declined the past three seasons, plus he looks too often for perennial All-Pro Jimmy Smith. In his defense, he doesn't have many viable options to throw to. Bottom line, even though we expect Brunell to have his best year in quite sometime, management is set on getting the young Leftwich in as soon as possible as rumor has it that Brunell's contract will not be renewed at the end of the season. Look for Leftwich to take over near the end of the season or maybe even sooner depending on if the Jaguars are not in position to contend for the playoffs.
DOLPHINS: Fiedler vs Griese? Who cares? You have Ricky Williams on your team who will probably rush for over 2000 yards this year! This free agent signing by the Dolphins really baffles us folks. Why you ask? Keep in mind, Jay Feidler is injury prone and Brian Greise is also another very fragile quarterback, so why go and sign another gimpy QB? Obviously, Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner saw something about Greise that he liked. Oh well, Fiedler will no doubt head into camp as the clear-cut No. 1 quarterback. He has always had a long leash regardless of his inconsistent play and injuries. Plus, it's not like Brian Greise comes to Miami with enormous credentials on his resume. This is Brian Greise, not Bob Greise. Look for Feidler to hold down the No.1 spot until he gets injured again.
LIONS: The Detroit Lions attempted more passes than any other club did last year. That's right, even more than St. Louis's "Greatest Show on Earth" pass happy team. Problem is, they had rookie Joey Harrington & Mike McMahon throwing those lame ducks. Detroit used the number three overall pick in last years draft on Joey Harrington and many experts feel he is more talented than the No.1 pick of the Texans, David Carr. We don't know about that, but you can be sure that Harrington will get every opportunity to win that starting job again this year. Still, management is faced with a very tough decision as backup, Mike McMahon has impressed everyone in early drills so far with his new found pinpoint accuracy. With all the off-season signings to bolster their porous defense, you can be assured that new Head Coach Steve Mariucci will not hesitate to replace Harrington if the team struggles out of the gates. Keep in mind, Mariucci was not with the team last year when the Lions drafted Harrington No. 3 and therefore will be more apt to go with McMahon if he so chooses.
COWBOYS: The "Big Tuna" is in "Big D" and one thing is certain......he will do things his own way regardless of what the media and fans want. Carter, who is entering his second year, showed once again that he is extremely inconsistent at best. Carter was able to show flashes of greatness at times, but overall we think he is not going to be the answer for the Cowboy's offense. Jerry Jones personally went out and signed free agent Chad Hutchinson. Translated, he wants to make sure that Chad gets every chance to make Jerry look good. Hutchinson is a real man, as evidenced by his frame of 6-5 and 236 pounds! He was an outstanding QB at Stanford, but has been playing in the minor leagues for four years with the St. Louis Cardinals organization before playing part time for Dallas last year. We're not sure if Chad is the answer either, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Jones will give his prized free agent the starting job in camp. Also, with Emmit Smith gone, look for RB Troy Hambrick to take a lot of pressure off the quarterback, as he should be featured in Bill Parcell's run oriented attack. The Cowboys D is good enough to carry this team a long way this year. How bout dim Cowboys?
Article provided by Paul Prestridge of Bullseye Handicapping
www.bullseyehandicapping.com
FREE PICKS 1-800-298-6510
Heading into the 2003/04 NFL Season, there should be no fewer than seven teams with the dreaded "quarterback controversy". The teams with the best chance to really stir the kettle should be St. Louis, Cleveland, and Miami.
RAMS: The St. Louis Rams will probably have the most heated battle of all the NFL teams with incumbent Kurt Warner looking over his back the entire season. The fickle fans of St. Louis have already made up their minds that Marc Bulger is the answer to the Rams recent offensive woes. Yes, it's true that Bulger did a great job while Warner was nursing another injury to his throwing hand, but let's not write off one the most prolific gunslingers of our time just yet! Head Coach Mike Martz has made it very clear that for now, Warner is his starter and assures everyone that the Rams former MVP is 100% healthy and ready to get back to his old ways. Warner has become vulnerable the last two years, plus if he has more than two bad games in a row, Martz may have to succumb to the fans and put his rising young star (Marc Bulger) in and give him a shot at righting the ship again. With a healthy Marshall Faulk back, this team is poised to make another run at the Super Bowl regardless who the quarterback is at the helm. If you are in a Fantasy Football League, do not draft one QB without the other. Warner could be the steal of your draft or the bust!
BROWNS: This is sure to get messy before the season even gets started. For now, it appears that former No.1 draft pick Tim Couch will be the starter, but that will probably not last too long in C town? Couch has untapped potential and a host of quality receivers to throw to, but he just can't seem to play with any consistency that would derail a quarterback controversy. To make matters worse for Couch, backup Kelly Holcomb came in last year and shredded the hated Pittsburgh Steelers defense for over 400 yards in a playoff loss. Holcomb only started three games last year, but they were quality starts as he compiled 953 yards, eight touchdowns and threw for 62.5 percent. We think that Couch is the most gifted of the two, but that will not keep Holcomb out of the line up if Couch does not produce. Once again, if you are a Fantasy Football owner, you will want to pick up both players just in case, but in the later rounds.
BENGALS: Jon Kitna has been assured by new Head Coach Marvin Lewis that he will be the starter this year despite the fact that the Bengals used the No.1 pick overall on USC quarterback Carson Palmer. Kitna deserves the chance to start this year as evidenced by his performance last year from week 8 to week 14. Kitna threw for an amazing average of 268 yards per game and had 14 touchdown passes while throwing only 4 interceptions during that seven game stretch! Plus, Kitna has developed a nice rapport with talented WR Chad Johnson. However, we are reminded that he also has 73 interceptions over the last four years! Let's don't forget though that this is Cincinnati and the first time Kitna throws two interceptions, the fans will be shouting for Palmer. "The grass is always greener on the other side". Or is it?
JAGUARS: The once proud and confident Mark Brunell now finds himself in a situation that can only get worse for him as the year progresses. Brunell sees the writing on the wall after Jacksonville drafted the multi talented Byron Leftwich out of Marshall. The two things that tend to stick out in our mind, is the fact that his numbers have continually declined the past three seasons, plus he looks too often for perennial All-Pro Jimmy Smith. In his defense, he doesn't have many viable options to throw to. Bottom line, even though we expect Brunell to have his best year in quite sometime, management is set on getting the young Leftwich in as soon as possible as rumor has it that Brunell's contract will not be renewed at the end of the season. Look for Leftwich to take over near the end of the season or maybe even sooner depending on if the Jaguars are not in position to contend for the playoffs.
DOLPHINS: Fiedler vs Griese? Who cares? You have Ricky Williams on your team who will probably rush for over 2000 yards this year! This free agent signing by the Dolphins really baffles us folks. Why you ask? Keep in mind, Jay Feidler is injury prone and Brian Greise is also another very fragile quarterback, so why go and sign another gimpy QB? Obviously, Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner saw something about Greise that he liked. Oh well, Fiedler will no doubt head into camp as the clear-cut No. 1 quarterback. He has always had a long leash regardless of his inconsistent play and injuries. Plus, it's not like Brian Greise comes to Miami with enormous credentials on his resume. This is Brian Greise, not Bob Greise. Look for Feidler to hold down the No.1 spot until he gets injured again.
LIONS: The Detroit Lions attempted more passes than any other club did last year. That's right, even more than St. Louis's "Greatest Show on Earth" pass happy team. Problem is, they had rookie Joey Harrington & Mike McMahon throwing those lame ducks. Detroit used the number three overall pick in last years draft on Joey Harrington and many experts feel he is more talented than the No.1 pick of the Texans, David Carr. We don't know about that, but you can be sure that Harrington will get every opportunity to win that starting job again this year. Still, management is faced with a very tough decision as backup, Mike McMahon has impressed everyone in early drills so far with his new found pinpoint accuracy. With all the off-season signings to bolster their porous defense, you can be assured that new Head Coach Steve Mariucci will not hesitate to replace Harrington if the team struggles out of the gates. Keep in mind, Mariucci was not with the team last year when the Lions drafted Harrington No. 3 and therefore will be more apt to go with McMahon if he so chooses.
COWBOYS: The "Big Tuna" is in "Big D" and one thing is certain......he will do things his own way regardless of what the media and fans want. Carter, who is entering his second year, showed once again that he is extremely inconsistent at best. Carter was able to show flashes of greatness at times, but overall we think he is not going to be the answer for the Cowboy's offense. Jerry Jones personally went out and signed free agent Chad Hutchinson. Translated, he wants to make sure that Chad gets every chance to make Jerry look good. Hutchinson is a real man, as evidenced by his frame of 6-5 and 236 pounds! He was an outstanding QB at Stanford, but has been playing in the minor leagues for four years with the St. Louis Cardinals organization before playing part time for Dallas last year. We're not sure if Chad is the answer either, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Jones will give his prized free agent the starting job in camp. Also, with Emmit Smith gone, look for RB Troy Hambrick to take a lot of pressure off the quarterback, as he should be featured in Bill Parcell's run oriented attack. The Cowboys D is good enough to carry this team a long way this year. How bout dim Cowboys?
Article provided by Paul Prestridge of Bullseye Handicapping
www.bullseyehandicapping.com
FREE PICKS 1-800-298-6510
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