There is an epidemic sweeping the nation, and perhaps the entire world. Symptoms of the epidemic include mindlessly wandering around the living room on Sunday afternoons, sweaty palms that throb whenever we hold a remote control, and a refrigerator bereft of our favorite beer. The epidemic has reached such draconian levels that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a nationwide alert to warn people of the implications of the ravaging disease.
I am talking about NFL withdrawal.
Nothing can mitigate NFL withdrawal symptoms; not another Tiger Sunday meltdown, an engaging game of college basketball, or scantily clad women playing a game that looks like football. We have hit the dead season on the sports calendar, a time when our sports fix comes in the form of watching our neighbor’s cat chase after pudgy squirrels. We look forward to church during the football season, knowing the payoff is ten hours of NFL action. Now, the money that we normally save for the bookie finds its way into church coffers.
NFL football addicts do not have much to discuss between now and draft day, which is why we shall provide a public service to help ease the pain of a blank television screen on Sunday afternoons. Despite the lack of NFL action, the league has become a year-round extravaganza. The first post Super Bowl item on the agenda starts March 23, when the league’s free agents seek the pot of gold under the NFL rainbow. No position has more suitors than the quarterback position.
NFL franchises typically lock up their quarterbacks with long term contracts. This is why you rarely see quarterbacks such as Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers on the free agent market. 2012 deviates from the norm in that there are some quarterbacks on the free agent list that can make an immediate impact on whatever team lands their services. Since we do not know Peyton Manning’s status, his name must stay off the list, at least for the time being. If the Colts do not exercise the bonus clause in his contract, Manning will be able to join the free agent fray. Healthy or not, expect at least eight teams to offer Manning multi-year contracts.
Here are the top 2012 NFL free agent quarterbacks:
Drew Brees
Brees is one of the three elite quarterbacks in the NFL. In 2011, he completed 71.2 percent of his passes for 5,476 yards, which broke Dan Marino’s nearly thirty-year record. The NFL’s version of “The Machine” pulled a Pujols during the regular season, by stating that he would not discuss his contract situation until the end of the season. The end of the season is here. Where is Drew Brees taking his talents?
Expect Breese to remain with the Saints by signing his last professional football contract. The Saints will offer him the type of money that not only does Brees deserves for his on field exploits, but also for his involvement in the New Orleans community. Brees, along with a handful of other Saints players, made a tremendous impact helping New Orleans stand on its feet again after Hurricane Katrina. Moreover, Breese has mastered the complex offensive scheme installed by Saints head coach, Sean Payton. He has chemistry with his teammates that would take years to build with another franchise. Brees stay put and the Saints will win one more Super Bowl before he retires.
Kyle Orton
Perhaps no quarterback gets less respect than Orton does. Displaced in Chicago at one point for Rex Grossman, the Kansas City Chief’s quarterback packed his bags after Tim Tebow took over the signal calling in Denver. Orton has a strong arm and an uncanny football sense. He struggles with mechanics at times, but many football experts attribute that to poor coaching. In the right system, Orton can help a team reach the playoffs. He can help the Chiefs, Seahawks, 49ers (if Alex Smith leaves), or Browns.
Alex Smith
Dear Mr. Smith:
You had a career last year, at least for you. For Tom Brady, a year like that would equate to a decline in stature, Nonetheless, you finally emerged as a bonafide NFL quarterback. Do you think that you will have another year like that playing in a different system, under a coach other than Jim Harbaugh? Admit it, Alex. Your “career year” was the result of Harbaugh’s motivational and coaching genius. You are not a franchise quarterback and should take whatever the 49ers offer you, as long as it is more money than what Vince Young makes.
Matt Flynn
Flynn’s name jumped near the top of this list after his scintillating performance during the Packer’s last regular season game against the Lions. He moves well in the pocket and has a deft touch, especially on sideline routes. The 480-yard, 6-touchdown performance against Detroit was no fluke. Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin took the vacant Dolphins head coaching position. Flynn needs to fit into the type of west coast offensive system that Philbin ran in Green Bay. Pencil Flynn in as the Dolphins next starting quarterback
Jason Campbell
Campbell possesses all of the tools required to be an elite NFL quarterback: size, arm strength, and accuracy. He has thrown for over 14,000 yards and 74 touchdowns in six seasons. Yet, he has bounced around from one poorly managed team to another, with the Raiders being the last stop on his resume. Freed from the player graveyard known as the Oakland Raiders, Campbell can now judiciously choose where he plays next. With the Dolphins off the board, Campbell should consider Washington, Tampa Bay (Josh Freeman is a flash in the pan), St. Louis (Brittle Bradford), and New York Jets (Sanchez’s days are numbered).
Vince Young
From a distance, Young looks like he has everything to be a top ten NFL quarterback. However, like fellow draftee Matt Leinhart, Young lacks the inner fortitude to bring his play up to elite status. While he throws a great deep ball, Young has been unable to master even the most basic NFL playbook. He is a back up, pure and simple. The question is will any team outside of Philadelphia take a chance on this locker room cancer.
Chad Henne
While Orton gets an unfair bad rap, for some reason, some scouts view Henne as the second coming of Marino. Yes, he is strong and has a live arm, but he lacks the capacity upstairs to manage an NFL game. He makes boneheaded decisions at the worst possible times. He rarely looks off receivers, instead telegraphing his passes to defensive backs. Tony Sparano lost his job because of his belief in Henne. Now, the time has come for Henne to find a nice back up job, where he can take up space on an NFL team’s bench.
Some of the remaining free agent quarterbacks include Rex Grossman, David Garrard, and Byron Leftwich. Teams should hold off on the rest of the pack until all of their quarterbacks succumb to injury during the 2012 NFL campaign. Neither of these quarterbacks are worthy of carrying the third-string quarterback’s clipboard. Therefore, the free agent question comes back to Peyton Manning.
Manning has most likely played his last game in a Colts’ uniform. Irsay will not part with $28 million dollars, when he has Andrew Luck tabbed as the first pick in this year’s draft. Manning will be a great fit in a number of places, including Houston (imagine Manning to Johnson combo), Tennessee, and Jacksonville, all division opponents of the Colts. The Washington Redskins would be the one team to reap immediate Manning dividends. Mike Shanahan has the offensive acumen to complement Manning’s incredible football savvy. We can watch Peyton and Eli go toe to tow at least twice a year.
Stay tuned for more of “As the Manning Turns.”