There are a handful of QB battles that are getting a lot of attention in the NFL right now.
These are my predictions on who will win these battles:
1. Mark Sanchez vs Geno Smith (Jets QB)
Everybody knows what Mark Sanchez can and cant do. He is heavily scrutinized for his poor decision making (and the butt-fumble) but he is still looking like the best option going into the regular season. He needs to work on his decision making and really try to become the leader of this football team. But, some people make it hard to forget that he did lead the jets to back-to-back AFC championship games.
This kid looked like a stud and a future top draft choice as he threw for 24 TD's and 0 interceptions on the way to leading West Virginia to a 5-0 start in their first season in the Big 12. Then he hits a wall as he finishes the final 7 games with 16 tD's and 6 interceptions. While that is not bad by any measure, his team spiraled down and lost 5 of their last 7 games, including 5 in a row. Many people blamed WV defense for the losses (which was a big factor) but, Geno did not look the same and couldn't lead his team to points the way he did in the first 5 games.
This competition is by far getting the most attention around NFL camps this preseason. While some thought that Sanchez's job was done when the Jets drafted Geno in the 2rd of the draft, it really has not turned out that way. Smith's performance in camp and his ankle injury make him a long shot to get the starting nod. Unless, Sanchez seriously falters or suffers an injury he is going to win this job.
Verdict: Sanchez
2. Mike Vick vs Nick Foles vs Matt Barkley (Eagles QB)
When he has been healthy with the Eagles he has been his normal self slicing and cutting defenses through the air and with his legs. The eagles just extended his contract in the off season and it really does not make sense to me why they would bring him back if he is not going to start. In 2010 Vick made 12 starts while throwing for over 3000 yards and rushing for nearly 700 more. He combined to score 30 touchdowns while only throwing 6 interceptions.
The second year kid out of Arizona has had his ups and downs (more downs) in the 7 games he played in last year. He looked great in a win @ Tampa Bay, throwing for 380 yards and 2 touchdowns. Then he had games like against the Redskins where he completed under 50 percent of his passes for 200 yards and 2 interceptions in a 31-6 loss. He is very slow with his feet, not really "football fast" and doesn't seem like the right fit for Chip Kelly's new offense.
Barkley had a very good college career at USC and if he had come out a year earlier, he would've been a top 10 draft pick. But, a sub par senior season to go along with a broken collarbone plummeted his draft status as he fell to the Eagles in round 4. He is intriguing option because he is a leader on the field and can really sling the ball. But, reports from eagles camp say that he cant really throw the deep ball. Plus, he is not to quick just like foles.
Chip Kelly is bringing his high flying Oregon offense to the NFL and hopes to run it with the same success he had with Marcus Mariota at the helm. Vick is the prime option to run this offense because he is very quick and can also throw the deep ball. Plus, having Vick in the backfield with Shady McCoy can create nightmares for opposing defenses.
Verdict: Vick
3. EJ Manuel vs Kevin Kolb (Bills QB)
EJ had a very solid career at Florida State as he won a bowl game in all four years while completing over 65 percent of his passes. He knows how to manage an offense and just keep it moving down the field. He also can incorporate QB runs into his game and is a pretty big guy (a la Cam Newton)
He gets signed in the off season by the bills to try to solidify the starting QB position. But, the bills draft Manuel with the 16 pick in the draft bringing up the question why did they sign Kolb? Kolb has had a rough career being a backup, becoming a started, getting hurt has been a trend. Plus, he has had a rough preseason so far, missing camp with injuries and for family matters, which has limited his opportunity to prove himself.
To go along with Kolb's rough preseason, Manuel has been efficient but not spectacular in leading the bills to 2 early preseason wins. He also seems to fit better into Nate Hackett's new hurry-up offense scheme because of his running ability. But, Manuel just had minor surgery on his knee and will miss the rest of the preseason leaving the door open for Kolb.
Verdict: Manuel
Any thoughts and comments I would like to hear them.
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