2012 Offseason Quarterback Predictions
2012 Offseason Quarterback Predictions
Updated March 7, 2012
Follow me @walterfootball
It's another offseason, which means a number of teams will be searching for quarterbacks. Here are my predictions for how each quarterback-needy team will address the position this spring, in 2012 NFL Draft order (excluding the obvious Colts):
Cleveland Browns: Sign Matt Flynn Everyone expects the Dolphins to sign Matt Flynn, and they very well could. Of course, Miami could agree to terms with Peyton Manning. And if they don't, what if they're too focused on courting Manning while Flynn is looking for a new home? And what if Joe Philbin doesn't even want Flynn as his quarterback?
If the Dolphins are set on pursuing Manning, Flynn could easily sign with the Browns. Mike Holmgren would love to bring in Flynn to run his West Coast offense. The Packer signal-caller is perfect for Holmgren's system.
Washington Redskins: Trade for Robert Griffin I had Peyton Manning going to the Redskins in my previous update. Washington remains a strong possibility because of its cap room, but Manning may not want to play for someone like Daniel Snyder. The fact that he would have to battle his brother twice a year doesn't help matters.
If the Redskins swing and miss on Manning, there's no question that they'll become the favorites to trade up for Robert Griffin. Snyder will do everything in his power to secure a blue-chip quarterback prospect, and unlike the Browns, he won't be scared to part with a draft pick that could be relatively inconsequential in the long run.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Sign Josh Johnson Josh Johnson has been linked to the 49ers because of the Jim Harbaugh connection. I believe Jacksonville is the favorite to sign the athletic, high-upside quarterback, however.
Greg Olson, the offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers last year, was recently hired to be the quarterbacks' coach for the Jaguars. Both Olson and Johnson love working with each other, and Olson will push for general manager Gene Smith to sign Josh Freeman's backup.
Olson will understandably want his own guy to compete with Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert showed no signs of becoming a legitimate starting quarterback in this league last year, so Jacksonville will need a fallback option just in case he doesn't improve.
Miami Dolphins: Draft Ryan Tannehill I already discussed Flynn to Miami. He could reunite with his former coach, but the Dolphins seem set on pursuing Manning.
I don't think it'll be Manning. It very well could be, but there are two reasons why I think No. 18 will play elsewhere. First, Stephen Ross is the same as Daniel Snyder. He's an overzealous owner who will have trouble maintaining (or ever achieving) success because he does stupid things. Snyder signs old, washed-up players; Ross is more interested in surrounding himself with B-list celebrities and presenting the Dolphins as a show rather than a football team. Why would Manning want to play for Ross?
Second, Manning will have to battle Tom Brady twice per year as a member of the Dolphins. It'll be difficult for him to reach the playoffs under those circumstances.
As for Robert Griffin, I doubt the Rams would want to miss out on Justin Blackmon by moving down to No. 8. Jacksonville won't hesitate to snatch the Oklahoma State wideout off the board.
So, if Miami can't net Manning, Flynn or Griffin, it'll have to settle for Ryan Tannehill. Ross' B-list celebrity friends won't be too happy about that.
Kansas City Chiefs: Sign Chad Henne The Chiefs aren't really in a position to do anything with the quarterback position this offseason. Scott Pioli will give Matt Cassel another year, as his options are very limited right now.
I do think Kansas City will sign Chad Henne to be a solid backup in the event of another Cassel injury. Brian Daboll, the team's current offensive coordinator, worked with Henne when the two were in Miami.
Seattle Seahawks: Draft QB on Day 2 Pete Carroll recently stated that Tarvaris Jackson will be the starting quarterback in 2012. But that doesn't mean that he won't spend a second-day pick on a quarterback.
But which one? Most of the prospects are in play. Ryan Tannehill is very talented, but Seattle will have to move up for him in the back end of the first round to get him. Carroll still has Pac-10/12 ties, so he will likely have inside information on Brock Osweiler and Nick Foles. Brandon Weeden had a great Senior Bowl week, so he's certainly an option in Round 2.
The current favorite is Kirk Cousins. He comes from a pro-style offense, and the Seahawks have shown interest in him. USC and Seahawks beat writer Scott Enyeart tweeted, "(Pete) Carroll has been evaluating Kirk Cousins since this summer at the Elite 11 camp in Malibu, where Kirk was a counselor."
Arizona Cardinals: Sign Peyton Manning There are five reasons why I think the Cardinals are the favorites to sign Peyton Manning:
1. Larry Fitzgerald. Manning and Fitzgerald are friends, and the two of them have met during the offseason, presumably to talk about playing with each other. Manning has to love the prospect of airing it out to Fitzgerald every week.
2. Cap room. Arizona has about $22 million available, so it can sign Reggie Wayne (and perhaps Dallas Clark and Dwight Freeney if they're cut). Manning and Wayne come as a package, and the Cardinals could use a No. 2 receiver.
3. NFC West. Manning gets to avoid Tom Brady and his brother. Even better, he'll be part of a division that was won by Alex Smith last year.
4. Dome. All of the teams on this page, save for the Cardinals, play outdoors. Manning has enjoyed having a roof over his head for all of his home games throughout his career. Why change now?
5. Proven success. The Cardinals reached the Super Bowl with Kurt Warner. The coaching staff knows how to handle a veteran, Hall of Fame-bound quarterback. Manning might have this in mind when he's making this difficult decision.
New York Jets: Sign Jason Campbell The Jets need some competition for Mark Sanchez. They've been linked to Jason Campbell for good reason. If Sanchez starts throwing multiple interceptions to 320-pound defensive linemen again, Rex Ryan will want to insert a quarterback with some experience. Campbell's not a great quarterback by any means, but he's solid enough to play the role of a game manager on a talented team.
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Roy
02-03-2012
06:40 pm
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Medicare, nobody has Stafford's arm strength. Kiper ranked it third greatest arm strength of all-time!
steve
02-03-2012
06:30 pm
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is weeden really going to be 29 this year??
Medicare
02-03-2012
05:37 pm
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Yes, Brandon Weeden will totally come in and run an NFL offense thanks to the great QB skills he developed at...Oklahoma State. Honestly? A run n gun QB who'll be 29 by the start of the NFL season and had Justin Blackmon to bail him out and make him look better than he really was?
Why are people buying into this guy? He doesn't have Bradford levels of accuracy or Stafford's arm strength, due to his age he's probably at his physical ceiling, and he didn't play in anything vaguely resembling a pro style offense in college. So why is the reincarnation of Chris Weinke moving up draft boards? Because he played decent at the perenially overstated Senior Bowl?
JohnnyDetroit
02-03-2012
05:24 pm
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Sorry to disagree but a Franchise QB is a must, it does not guarantee a SB but without one there is no talk,no SB talk, no face of the franchise or "buzz". It may cost a lot but it is worth it, when you have the chance at a player like Luck or RG3 you must get them. BTW with Brady, Rogers or Brees the Browns would be a superbowl contender next year imho.
Jeremy
02-03-2012
03:49 pm
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Being a life long Browns fan, I admit frustration concerning our team's situation. However, selling our picks to get a quarterback is not the answer. Why not fill in the other holes (wr,olb,rt,lg,de,cb)? Between free agency and the draft, our team could be better next season. What good does it do us to have a "franchise qb" without anyone around him? Tom Brady couldn't win in Cleveland right now!
Johnnyallstar
02-03-2012
03:34 pm
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@???@Browns... you really don't understand. Cleveland is a football city. Northern Ohio is all about football. Yeah, we sell out to see a sucky team because we love football. Even when it hurts. Not some whiny crybaby who doesn't follow a team when it doesn't win. Get off the bandwagon, and pick a team to love, through thick and thin, good times and bad.
Jra
02-03-2012
03:02 pm
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What about other things like weather, 10 dome games a year, not facing his brother, weather (did I mention that), and the fact pretty much half the retirees in the world move to Phoenix...?
??? @Browns
02-03-2012
02:41 pm
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This is what is wrong with the fan base in Cleveland. You are so worried about losing your team again that you sell out all your games for a bad team. Show some pride. It should never be enough to "just be competitive". It should always be playoffs or bust, and then when you finally have a good enough team to make the playoffs it has to be Super Bowl or bust. Things will never change in the Brown's organization until you the fans start making them accountable for years of mediocrity.
John Ridings
02-03-2012
02:34 pm
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urrrp...Chicago?
the r
02-03-2012
02:27 pm
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The redskins are not going after manning . As been stated he will not go against eli twice..With news that fisher says the number 2 pick is up for grabs. I will take dan snyder and mike s over mike holmgren and randy lerner...
Dolfan565
02-03-2012
02:22 pm
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Can't see Peyton wanting to play in Eli's division.
Peyton already owns a condo in South Beach, has Jake Long at LT, and Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess and Reggie Bush as receiving weapons. Throw in the fact that Steve Ross has declared he will find a franchise QB and you have Peyton in Miami.
Seahawks
02-03-2012
02:22 pm
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@steve...that was not even a seahawks fan. I am a Lions fan. I just think Peyton will look for a quality OLINE given his neck situation. Not delusional at all over here, actually have thought this situation out quite a bit. Peyton does not want to face ELI twice a year, and he does not care about giving the media what it wants and the Jets are way too messed up for Peyton to consider...he's no dumby! I actually would prefer that he goes to Arizona because they and the Lions have been my favorite two teams and I have followed Larry closely since College. Problem is Arizona has an atrocious OLINE. Seattle would give Peyton the Defense he's never had and an Oline he's never had. Pete Carroll has shown some good knowledge on drafting mid-rounders. Pete would also love to hand his offense over to Peyton and concentrate on the defense. Seahawks vs. Patriots...Peyton vs. Brady....Carroll vs. his old team...
Tyler
02-03-2012
02:16 pm
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Weeden would destroy Sanchez.
steve
02-03-2012
02:01 pm
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U seahawks fans are all delusional posting on here.
Cowboys, redskins, seahawks, niners, cardinals, vikings, jets, dolphins, browns, jaguars, titans, raiders, broncos, and cheifs are ALL possibilities for peyton. I don't think he wants to deal with the idiots running the redskins so I don't see hime going there UNLESS It is about the money. Cardinals seem like the best fit for him. Best chance for him to get in the playoffs for the last couple years of his career. Peyton makes recievers good. Just imagine him with one of the top in the game with fitzgerald
Bill
02-03-2012
01:31 pm
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Manning, IF healthy, will want to play in Arizona. Here he can play in a dome, with Larry F and in good weather.
With the Redskins, he has to play the Giants and their pass rush twice a year. The Eagles and their blitzes twice a yearand the Cowboys(DeMarcus Ware and Rb Ryan blitzes) twice a year. The Cards have to play 49ers twice a year and that's it. Cards will have more cap money once Joey Porter is gone, if they don't pay Kolb and rework Levi Brown's contract. |
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