We are less then a month away from NFL training camps getting under way and with training camp comes the start of competition. Even before the actual games start with the preseason, there are position competitions. None more crucial then the competition for a starting quarterback job. There are currently four teams that have already said there will be open competition for the qb job and this thread is dedicated to those four teams and who you ultimately think will win that competition, and enter the regular season as the starting quarterback.
Arizona Cardinals: Kevin Kolb vs John Skelton- Like I predicted, Kolb was a major disappointment last year with Arizona. His numbers were nothing to write home about and the team was struggling in the standings. John Skelton's numbers were even worse then Kolb's but he did one major thing better. He won football games. Skelton went 5-2 as a starter last season compared to the 3-6 record of Kolb. Obviously a lot goes into those wins, not just the play of the qb, but it was enough to make the Cardinals qb job an open competition. In the end I see Kolb out performing Skelton in training camp and the preseason, and winning the job.
Miami Dolphins: David Garrard vs Matt Moore vs Ryan Tannehill- Right away I'm going to rule out Tannehill. I personally think Tannehill will be a bust and he reminds me a lot of Blaine Gabbert from the 2011 draft (and we all know how that has gone thus far). That leaves the incumbent starter Matt Moore and David Garrard. Moore played solid last year but he was far from spectacular. He is also learning a new offense and lost his best weapon in Brandon Marshall. Garrard is a veteran who has had success in the past and has experience in the West Coast offense. I see that experience giving him the edge in this race.
Seattle Seahawks: Matt Flynn vs Russell Wilson vs Tarvaris Jackson- This is probably the most wide open and intriguing of the four competitions. Jackson is the returning starter, Flynn signed a good sized contract, and Russell Wilson is a very talented rookie with the tools to win this competition. I think once training camp starts Flynn and Wilson will set themselves apart, eliminating Jackson from the competition and possibly leading to Jackson's release. From there I see the experience factor leading to Matt Flynn pulling away after a tough battle. However, I would not be surprised if Wilson found a way to win the competition. I see a starting qb role in his future.
Tennessee Titans: Matt Hasselbeck vs Jake Locker-- Hasselbeck got off to a great start last year but he slowed down a little towards the end and struggled with some minor injuries. Locker played well in the little time he saw but is still very raw. The Titans were in playoff contention all last season and I think they will lean towards Hasselbeck because of that. However, he will be on a very short leash and I would not be surprised if we saw Locker at some point next season as the starter.
Arizona Cardinals: Kevin Kolb vs John Skelton- Like I predicted, Kolb was a major disappointment last year with Arizona. His numbers were nothing to write home about and the team was struggling in the standings. John Skelton's numbers were even worse then Kolb's but he did one major thing better. He won football games. Skelton went 5-2 as a starter last season compared to the 3-6 record of Kolb. Obviously a lot goes into those wins, not just the play of the qb, but it was enough to make the Cardinals qb job an open competition. In the end I see Kolb out performing Skelton in training camp and the preseason, and winning the job.
Miami Dolphins: David Garrard vs Matt Moore vs Ryan Tannehill- Right away I'm going to rule out Tannehill. I personally think Tannehill will be a bust and he reminds me a lot of Blaine Gabbert from the 2011 draft (and we all know how that has gone thus far). That leaves the incumbent starter Matt Moore and David Garrard. Moore played solid last year but he was far from spectacular. He is also learning a new offense and lost his best weapon in Brandon Marshall. Garrard is a veteran who has had success in the past and has experience in the West Coast offense. I see that experience giving him the edge in this race.
Seattle Seahawks: Matt Flynn vs Russell Wilson vs Tarvaris Jackson- This is probably the most wide open and intriguing of the four competitions. Jackson is the returning starter, Flynn signed a good sized contract, and Russell Wilson is a very talented rookie with the tools to win this competition. I think once training camp starts Flynn and Wilson will set themselves apart, eliminating Jackson from the competition and possibly leading to Jackson's release. From there I see the experience factor leading to Matt Flynn pulling away after a tough battle. However, I would not be surprised if Wilson found a way to win the competition. I see a starting qb role in his future.
Tennessee Titans: Matt Hasselbeck vs Jake Locker-- Hasselbeck got off to a great start last year but he slowed down a little towards the end and struggled with some minor injuries. Locker played well in the little time he saw but is still very raw. The Titans were in playoff contention all last season and I think they will lean towards Hasselbeck because of that. However, he will be on a very short leash and I would not be surprised if we saw Locker at some point next season as the starter.