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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larry
02-03-2012
01:21 pm
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i dont know about less conservative but prolly less predictable we will be running it more however this is sparano
also sanchez is younger than weeden no why would the jets get an older qb with no experience in the nfl thats me tho it could make sense to someone
lax18
02-03-2012
01:06 pm
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look at everything written about sanchez on this site up until this season, all it was about was about high great his potential is, tremendous upside, and how he's good he's played in the post season
one down year and now we have to use a 2nd round pick on a 29 year old rookie?? shottenheimer is gone, we will now (hopefully) become a less conservative/predictable offense now
Aah
02-03-2012
12:59 pm
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Peyton Manning If he palys and not for the Colts goes to Arizona and shows up with Reggie Wayne in Tow. In Washington, Shannanhan runs the O and He has to Play Eli twice a year In AZ he he runs the o and get to throw larry Fitzgerald. He's got more than enough money. He wants another ring.
Seahawks
02-03-2012
11:58 am
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Thats right the crowd is worth two men!
Seahawks
02-03-2012
11:57 am
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Plus P-man gets the 13th man and one of the best home field advantages in football. No one like to travel all the way to Seattle!
Chiefs
02-03-2012
11:38 am
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The Chiefs are going to make a move for Manning. Wait and see.
Seahawks
02-03-2012
11:28 am
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@@Seahawks!
Find me a weaker division in the NFC...sorry. The Rams are further off than you think...Jeff Fisher is not thinking year one. The cardinals are closer. Look. In comparison they're not weak when looking at the past...that's parity. But someone has to be weaker in comparison to all the teams.
idiot
02-03-2012
10:48 am
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@ indy colts. this isn't madden, a trade like that will never happen
Indy Colts
02-03-2012
09:48 am
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Here's a scenario:
Indy keeps Peyton. Indy trades the #1 pick to Cle their two #1's (4&22) + their 2nd + their 3rd Indy can then either trade up for RG3 or use the picks to restock the team for Peyton. They'd have 6 picks in the first 3 rounds: 4, 22, 34, 37, 65, 68
Browns
02-03-2012
09:38 am
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The Browns will not "lose the fan base" if they go with Colt ... they've endured Delhomme, Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, Charlie Frye, etc and still sell out game. Browns fans have faith in Heckert (not Holmgren) to make good use of the picks; the last thing they want is to squander them by moving up for RG3. Much rather stay at 4 and pick Blackmon or Claiborne or RG3 if he's there. The idea that Browns "have to make the playoffs" is nor realistic; they are in the same division as Pittsburgh/Balt/Cinn after all. Browns fans will be happy with just being competitive.
UMMM
02-03-2012
09:24 am
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So Josh Johnson has shown franchise QB potential...I don't think so. He is nothing more than a journey man/backup type.
Matt
02-03-2012
07:17 am
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flk;dsfj dsflsjfslz.;gnslfgknsgdfld
Sorry, I was just cleaning to vomit off my keyboard.
@Seahawks!
02-03-2012
04:10 am
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Seahawks division is weak? Do you even watch football.. or TV at all? 49ers, HELLO! And Rams are much like the 49ers.. yeah they had a crappy season but they're a couple good signings from being playoff contenders. They remind me of the Lions of yesteryear.
ChiefAshhole20
02-03-2012
03:48 am
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Sooooo the Chiefs arent even in consideration for Manning even though they have amongst the leaders in cap room with near $30 mil, and have a gaping hole at qb, but instead are paired with Campbell just because Zorn has a history with him? We already have a Jason Campbell on our roster and he goes by the name of Cassel. And if you truly are believing the whole "Cassel is our qb" story that Pioli is spitting, than you must have forgotten about how #5 was just simply way too high to draft a safety and yet he still drafted Eric Berry despite numerous reports of him going o-line in the 09 Draft. If KC goes with Campbell Cassel and Stanzi, people are going to be pissed.
MarkieB89
02-03-2012
03:47 am
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The Browns fans wouldn't be disappointed if the team didn't draft RG3. I'm a Cleveland fan, from Cleveland, and it seems to me that 8 out of 10 fans prefer the team to give Colt McCoy another year to proove himself. I don't blame them either, cause they revolving door of quarterbacks thing is getting reeeeeally old. I'm kinda torn, though. I wouldn't mind if they drafted Griffin, but i would be extremely pissed off if they traded up to get him. I understand that Griffin has way more upside than Colt ever could, but i definitely don't think our QB situation is so bad that we absolutely need to draft a franchise QB immediately. I say we should wait another year because if McCoy falls flat on his face, we can draft a franchise quarterback that we won't have to trade up for. So i disagree with us NEEDING to draft RG3. Taking Weeden in round 2, to compete sounds fair enough.
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