QBs On The Hot Seat

Given we now have a couple of NFL QBs fighting for their jobs, most of whom were drafted, possibly as a QB1, I felt the need to detail the potential impact here.

Derek Anderson - Anderson has actually been playing bad since late last year, but his overall numbers looked very good, masking some of those problems. He's been flat-out horrible this year so far, completing 46.2% of his passes with an abysmal 2:5 TD:INT ratio. He has played DAL, PIT, and BAL so far, which all boast pretty solid defenses, so it is true that he has faced a tough schedule so far. Still, with a first round pick in Brady Quinn on the bench waiting for his turn, Anderson's job is undeniably on the line in week 4. Luckily he faces Cincinnati, whom he torched for 579 yards and 7 TDs, although they did get him for 4 INTs in the 2nd meeting. If he starts slowly, Quinn will be playing before the game is up. Do NOT start him in week 4, and Quinn will be featured in my waiver wire article tomorrow. A change from Anderson will likely revitalize the offense, but Quinn won't bomb it deep to Edwards like Anderson did last year, although it's questionable whether Edwards would even catch it at this point. Consider a move to Quinn a good thing for Edwards/Winslow/Lewis.

Matt Schaub - Schaub was one of my favorite sleeper QBs and I highly recommended him in my draft guide prior to the season, but he has been a disaster so far through 2 games. He has faced PIT and TEN, which both boast top defenses, so there is a somewhat built-in excuse. He's also completed 60% of his passes, but sports a dreadful 1:5 TD:INT ratio. Andre Johnson dropped 2 TD passes yesterday, including a potential 50 yarder, so while that certainly didn't help Schaub's number, it also doesn't explain 5 INTs with a lost fumble as well. His offensive line isn't helping either. His leash isn't quite as short as Anderson's, I think, but he's still on job security alert. There's rumors that if he doesn't perform well in week 4, Sage Rosenfels will take over in week 5. Unfortunately Schaub gets a very tough matchup against JAX this week, so he'll have his work cut out for him. A move to Rosenfels, as proven last year, would not hurt AJ/Daniels/Slaton.

Jon Kitna - Kitna sprained his knee in week 3 and didn't return to the game, but his performance thus far has been very shaky despite having 2 supremely talented WRs to throw to. Kitna has completed 57.7% of his passes, but only has a mediocre 5:5 TD:INT ratio. In week 2, with the Lions down 27-25, Kitna threw 3 consecutive INTs that lead to 21 GB points to completely blow a winnable game against a divisional rival. In week 3, his 146 yard, 1 TD, 1 INT performance well into the 4th quarter was horrible, although Mike Martz undoubtedly gave the SF defense the knowledge they needed to shut him down. Detroit is in panic mode, and at 0-3, they have little to lose by trying talented youngster Drew Stanton, which seems to be the media's choice over current 2nd stringer Dan Orlovsky. With a bye in week 4 and an ailing Kitna, a potential new starter would have 2 full weeks to get ready, which would be ideal if they make a QB change. Given the lack of experience that Orlovsky and Stanton have, plus the new offensive system they learned this offseason, I would downgrade CJ and Roy a bit if a change is made.

Gus Frerotte / Brian Griese - Frerotte and Griese have already taken over for Tavaris Jackson and Jeff Garcia, respectively. Both are low upside QB2 candidates, but I'd highly prefer Griese, because as he showed yesterday, TB will pass the ball a lot more than MIN will. Just don't expect Griese to be tossing it 60 times again.

Kansas City Chiefs - I thought Damon Huard was supposed to be on speed dial in week 3? Instead, Herm Edwards allowed Tyler Thigpen to stink up the joint. Thigpen did settle down after a disgusting 2/13, 12 yards, 3 INT start. Damon Huard undoubtedly gives KC the best chance to win right now, but clearly the Chiefs aren't concerned about winning right now. I don't even known why I'm wasting everybody's time writing about bad QBs who run a puke offense anyways. Dammit.