Quarterbacks to ponder

Andrew Schrum

I hate to say it, because when the Bills took Edwards in the 3^rd round of the draft a few years back, I was a big Trent fan. Bill Walsh recommended him and I hated Losman. What a terrible move up the board that was. We gave up a future first for that undersized bum. I won’t go any farther because I’ll get sick.

Anyways, here we are again; a crappy team with a terrible coach and a timid QB. I’d like to give Trent the benefit of the doubt due to our awful coaching staff, but it wouldn’t hurt to look into the crystal ball and see what is going to be available through the draft and free agency for the Bills next year.

2010 NFL Draft: (List taken from ESPN.com and Scouts Inc Top 32 Draft Prospects List)

Sam Bradford, Oklahoma- BOOOOMMMERRRR! Would have been the #1 pick with the Lions last year. I think he will still go high to a team in the top 3.

Jake Locker, Washington- Under the radar because of the West Coast, but he is playing well and did beat USC, even though USC always has a let down Pac-10 loss. This is a guy to keep your eye on.

Jevan Snead, Mississippi- He beat Florida last year, but hasn’t lived up to the Heisman Hype this year. His numbers aren’t great, but has a cannon and is a good-sized man. Thanks, but no thanks.

Colt McCoy, Texas- Straight up gunslinger. He can air it out better than anyone in NCAA D1 right now. He is a tad undersized, and no Texas QB has made an NFL impact this decade, so I’m shying from him, for now.

Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame- Too small, nice arm, but that’s it. Does win games, but just not what the Bills are looking for.

Two guys that are not on the current list, but I feel will be come draft time are Tony Pike from Cincy and Dan LeFevour from Central Michigan. The thing I like about these two guys are their size 6’6 and 6’3 repeatedly but more importantly is they are cold weather QB’s. Losman and Trent were warm weather guys and look where that got us. Now I’m not saying that’s the underlying reason, but it’s my reason. Pike is putting up big numbers in a weak Big East, but numbers don’t lie and “it’s division one fooootbaaalll.” LeFevour’s numbers are unmatched by anyone in football right now. He can scramble and stand in the pocket and throw, and it is the MAC, but again, “it’s division one fooootbaaalll.”

2010 Free Agent QB’s:

Jason Campbell- Washington Redskins, his career is what it is. Soft, terrible and it is now clear he was just a product of the double head monster running game of Cadillac and Ronnie at Auburn.

Kyle Orton- Denver Broncos, his career has peaked. The Broncs gave up Cutler for him too, which doesn’t say much, but I feel Orton is worse than Trent.

Chad Pennington- Miami Dolphins, No No No NO NO. He’s old, and is the original Captain Check Down. Last thing we need.

Other Free Agents not worth looking at:

Charlie Batch, Pittsburgh Steelers (34)


Kyle Boller, St. Louis Rams (28)


David Carr, New York Giants (30)


Kellen Clemens, New York Jets (26)


Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions (32)


Jeff Garcia, Oakland Raiders (39)


Rex Grossman, Houston Texans (29)


Joey Harrington, New Orleans Saints (30)


Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota Vikings (26)


Jon Kitna, Dallas Cowboys (36)


Matt Moore, Carolina Panthers (25) – Restricted FA


Patrick Ramsey, Tennessee Titans (30)

Brett Ratliff, Cleveland Browns (24) – Exclusive Rights

Troy Smith, Baltimore Ravens (25) – Restricted FA

No to all of these guys too.

The only other option that I could come up with is trading for a back up behind an actual good QB. My reasoning for this is the Aaron Rogers Experiment. He sat behind #4 for a few years and actually is a good QB. The guy I’m referring to would be Jim Sorgi (Peyton Manning). He is really the only backup that I like. We did grab Fitzy who sat behind Palmer for a bit, but I don’t think he’s the answer in OBD. Billy Volek was an option a few years ago, but he signed a nice deal to soak up some sun and surf in SD.

In my opinion, which doesn’t hold much value, I think we wait for the draft and then select a QB. Pike, LeFevour McCoy would be my choices. But who knows what our “GM” is going to do before the season comes to an end.