QB battles: time to make the call

This week in the preseason schedule differs in comparison to the rest of training camp. Meetings become more specific, and scout teams are introduced for a couple of practices as teams prepare to play their starters for the entire first half, and even into the third quarter, of this week’s preseason games.

In saying that, it’s time to wrap up these quarterback battles that have been taking place around the league and get to work. As I wrote this morning in my post about the Vikings, there will always be a division in the locker room when it comes to the position — but the coach still has to make a call. And when he delays that decision, it can be detrimental to a team’s success in September.

Let’s check in on the battles and see where they stand.

APSmith is heading back to the bench again in San Fran.

San Francisco 49ers

Head coach Mike Singletary named Shaun Hill the starter on Monday and the Niners are moving forward. This was a great opportunity for former No.1 pick Alex Smith to show the franchise — and the league — that he could win a competition and lead this team in ’09, but he just didn’t get the job done. He was average at best during the first two weeks of preseason action, and now he’ll watch from the bench — again. Hill gets the job, and we get to see how long he holds it — and only winning does that.

New York Jets

It’s hard to judge the battle between rookie Mark Sanchez and veteran Kellen Clemens when they’re playing the Ravens — they both made some big mistakes — but I would want head coach Rex Ryan to name Sanchez the starter this week. Clemens is a dependable backup, but I don’t see him as a starter any time soon in this league. Plus, there was a reason the Jets traded up to draft Sanchez. Add in the fact that this is a defensive team that runs first and passes second, and it makes sense to put Sanchez — who has more talent — on the field. Check out Lombardi's Diner for more opinion on the Jets.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I mentioned this Monday afternoon, but I don’t know what rookie head coach Raheem Morris is thinking by dragging this competition on because in my view, Byron Leftwich is the right choice. He’s a natural leader, and he’s willing to throw the football down the field. Luke McCown is a safe choice, but he isn’t going to challenge defenses enough to win the job. What’s interesting is that rookie Josh Freeman, who had plenty of hype heading into August, isn’t even mentioned in the discussion. But the time is now. Another week and the veterans on this team will start to question Morris’ decision-making skills.

Cleveland Browns

APCan Quinn hold off Anderson in Cleveland?

Another decision being put off until later — and another decision I’m not going to agree with. I understand that this is a big decision for the Browns under new head coach Eric Mangini, but this is another example of Mangini making the wrong call — in an offseason of moves that came into question. Brady Quinn is the obvious favorite if you want your quarterback to throw the football in the short-to-intermediate passing game. But with Derek Anderson, you have a quarterback who has the ability to throw the deep ball with accuracy (which Quinn can’t do), and you have a quarterback with more experience at this level. Quinn is the sexy pick, but if I’m running the Browns, I might have to give Anderson the nod to start the season. This team will struggle to score points, and the deep ball needs to be a part of their Sunday game plan. Either way, make a call and move on — the season will be here before you know it.

Detroit

Just like the Jets, the Lions are faced with the decision about whether to start a rookie over a veteran. Matthew Stafford had a rough night against the Browns last weekend, and that could be the deciding factor, because as much as I’m against the idea of playing Daunte Culpepper this season, if he gives the Lions the best chance to win in September — which is looking more and more like a possibility — then the club has to go with him. Stafford, without a doubt, is the future of this franchise, but if he isn’t the best choice on the roster, then he has to sit. If anything, the deep ball will still be in vogue with the Lions because Culpepper can chuck it down the field. Calvin Johnson, anyone?

APRussell won by default in Oakland.

Oakland

The battle between JaMarcus Russell and veteran Jeff Garcia never took place because of an injury to Garcia. The Raiders will go into the season with Russell under center after he was given the job due to a lack of competition. But don’t count out Garcia in the regular season. I would have a quick hook on Russell if he struggles in September.

Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41

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