Andy Richardson
Hasselbeck, McNabb deals mean rookie QBs to hold clipboards
Posted Jul. 26 at 10:54 PM
The immediate success of the likes of Matt Ryan, Mark Sanchez and Sam Bradford had some thinking teams would throw their first-round rookie quarterbacks immediately into the fray. The lockout has changed that, as a couple of recent deals (or impending deals) make clear.
The Titans have signed Matt Hasselbeck, and he'll be their starter this year. The Vikings are reportedly close to acquiring Donovan McNabb, while the 49ers, as expected, signed Alex Smith to a one-year deal. Those moves make it clear that Jake Locker, Christian Ponder and Colin Kaepernick won't open the season as starters; all three will need injuries (possible) or poor play (equally possible in San Francisco) to see the field.
Blaine Gabbert isn't expected to unseat David Garrard this season, leaving only two rookies -- Cam Newton and Andy Dalton -- currently appearing likely to be Week 1 starters. The Bengals could still make a move to add a veteran, as could the Panthers, but those are your two odds-on favorites to be the only rookie passers in the lineup.
The mildly worrying thing for those of us who drafted Locker, Ponder or Kaepernick in our dynasty leagues is that the quarterbacks ahead of them are certainly capable of having strong seasons. (Maybe even Smith, if he picks up Jim Harbaugh's offense quickly.) If that's the case, who's to say these rookies will necessarily start in 2012, either?
Maybe these deals would have gone down even if the offseason hadn't been wiped out by the lockout. In any case, it's not a great year to invest in a rookie quarterback beyond Newton, even in a keeper league, unless you're prepared to be patient.
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Posted by DAVID DIGREGORIO | Jul. 27 at 01:27 AM
The Vikings have an easy schedule, which ought to help McNabb's value. Your thoughts?
Posted by IAN ALLAN | Jul. 27 at 02:29 AM
I have no interest in Donovan McNabb. I don't think he can play anymore. Unless you're in a league with 10-plus teams that starts two quarterbacks each week, I don't think he's even draftable.
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Jul. 27 at 02:37 AM
I'm not so sure the Vikings have an easy schedule, either. The AFC West has at least 2 and possibly 3 good teams; the NFC South would have had 3 playoff teams last year if the Packers lost in Week 17 (Saints, Falcons and Bucs). The Broncos and Panthers; those are the teams the Vikings will be favored against in those eight contests. Plus Minnesota might well be the NFC North's worst team; I don't know if they're better than Detroit right now. Maybe Ponder will replace McNabb sooner than I speculated above. Doesn't look like Minnesota gave up much to acquire him.
Posted by Richard Loppnow | Jul. 27 at 05:32 AM
I'll take the under on the AFC West having 3 good teams. Heck, I'll take it on 2. KC and Al Davis' Oakland will plexiglass back under .500, and I'm not even particularly sold on San Diego.
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Jul. 27 at 06:03 AM
OK, I'll amend that to "2 and possibly 3 teams that are better than Minnesota." Regardless, I strongly disagree with any characterization of their schedule as "easy." Most weeks, they'll be an underdog.
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Jul. 27 at 07:39 AM
Updating: Bengals sign Bruce Gradkowski, who can probably be considered a slight favorite to open ahead of Andy Dalton this year. Carolina, with 3 viable starting running backs after throwing $43 million at DeAngelo Williams, may not be planning to throw very many passes this season.
Posted by Justin Kole | Aug. 09 at 06:32 AM
I think Carolina may run the wishbone with Deangelo, J-Stew, Goodson, and Cam! And then chuck it downfield to a wide-open Greg Olsen! Lol!