| The quarterback position has always
been the most important position for any NFL team. Having a confident field general
is essential for any team that wants to go deep into the playoffs. Nowhere is that
more evident than in the AFC East. Tom Brady and the
New England Patriots have dominated the division since Brady took over for Drew Bledsoe
three games into the 2001 season. Now the Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets and the
Buffalo Bills are all trying to find that diamond in the rough like the Patriots did when
they selected Brady in the sixth round of the 2000 draft.
Daunte the Dolphin
Miami is coming off a 9-7 season and has some quality skill
position players. The Dolphins' biggest problem the last few seasons has been at
quarterback. Miami has had immortals such as A.J. Feely, Jay Fielder, Gus Frerotte
and Sage Rosenfels taking snaps in the last three seasons.
Now the Dolphins think they've solved their problem.
The Dolphins traded for former Minnesota QB Daunte Culpepper and former Detroit signal
caller Joey Harrington this off-season to sure up their weakness. The problem is,
both QBs are huge question marks. Chances are, Miami will be searching for answers
at the QB position again this season.
Culpepper will be the starter if he's healthy. The
6’4’’, 260 lb veteran was in the midst of his worst season as a pro when he
suffered a catastrophic knee injury during the seventh game of the 2005 season. He
had thrown just 6 touchdowns and 12 interceptions at the time of his injury. The
season before, however, Culpepper was an All-Pro as he tossed 39 TDs and just 11 INTs
while posting an impressive 110.9 quarterback rating. He would have been league MVP
had it not been for Peyton Manning's record-breaking season.
Back-up Plan
Culpepper is optimistic that he'll be done with rehab and
ready for the start of the season, but that's wishful thinking. Miami will probably
open the season with Harrington at the helm and that could leave the Fins in a big hole
right off the bat.
The former University of Oregon star has never fulfilled
the promise of being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft. Despite having
talented wide receivers and running backs around him, Harrington floundered in his 4 years
with the Lions, throwing two more interceptions than touchdowns while leading the Lions to
just 18 victories in 51 starts.
The Dolphins have another intriguing option in their camp:
Marcus Vick, the troubled younger brother of Atlanta QM Michael Vick. The odds are
better that Vick will be in police custody rather than a Dolphins uniform come September,
but if Nick Saban and the coaching staff can find a way to keep Vick on the field, he
could offer Miami some insurance in case Culpepper and Harrington falter. Vick will
most likely be made into a wide receiver anyway, but he could end up being used in several
roles similar to the original slash, Kordell Stewart.
Still Searching
The Jets and Bills continue to look for answers at the QB
spot as well. New York's QB job is up for grabs as incumbent Chad Pennington missed
most of last year after undergoing rotator cuff surgery. Pennington has a history of
injuries and may never be the same after his latest setback. The Jets also acquired
veteran Patrick Ramsey in a trade with the Washington Redskins in March. Ramsey has
been a disappointment in Washington where he lost his job to Mark Brunell last season.
New York's best hope may be rookie Kellen Clemens.
Clemens was having a stellar senior season at Oregon before suffering a season-ending
ankle injury. He has good size, speed and quickness, and could be the quarterback of
the future that the Jets have been looking for.
Buffalo, on the other hand, has done nothing to upgrade its
weakness at quarterback. The Bills had a terrible draft and will go into the season
with Kelly Holcomb and J.P. Losman vying for the starting job again. Neither are a
very attractive option and the Bills look to be going nowhere again.
The Standard
In order for Miami, New York or Buffalo to make the
playoffs, they will have to go through New England. The Patriots look to be even
better than last season, having drafted running back Laurence Maroney and wide receiver
Chad Jackson to add to Brady's arsenal of weapons.
The Patriots are still the kings of the AFC East and are
one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl again. Should the Patriots regain the
championship, it would be their fourth Super Bowl in six years and will cement their place
as one of the greatest dynasties in the history of the league. |
