Updated: Discuss our Backup QB Situation (formerly Byron Leftwich)

[Trample the Elderly]

I've been reading that Leftwich would like to play for Washington. Seeing how he's got more gas in the tank and is just as good if not better than Collins why not pick him up?

Collins only has so much time left. Leftwich is younger and can start right away. With Zorn training him in our system he shouldn't take too long to adjust.

Collins is on his way out. Even if Colt gets the number two spot, they'd still need a number three. I personally like Leftwich. He'd be better than Colt. I say this because I've watched him over the years and I've only seen Colt during preseason.

What sayeth the Mob?

[sportscurmudgeon]

One of the adjustment problems that Jason Campbell faced in adapting to Zorn's West Coast Offense is that Campbell is not lightening fast with his delivery of the ball. Many - - not all but many - - of the passes that are basic to the WCO require immediate release by the QB.

If Campbell's delivery is "slow", then Leftwich's delivery is "glacial".

This is not to say that Leftwich cannot adjust, but it will not be a trivial matter for him.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

One of the adjustment problems that Jason Campbell faced in adapting to Zorn's West Coast Offense is that Campbell is not lightening fast with his delivery of the ball. Many - - not all but many - - of the passes that are basic to the WCO require immediate release by the QB.

If Campbell's delivery is "slow", then Leftwich's delivery is "glacial".

This is not to say that Leftwich cannot adjust, but it will not be a trivial matter for him.

Agreed. Leftwich is the poster boy for the slow release.

[sandtrapjack]

Leftwich wants to be a starter, not a backup. He has made no secret of that, By bringing him to Washington, does that mean JC gets demoted?

[sportscurmudgeon]

sandtrapjack:

And IF Campbell is demoted to 2nd string, what are the implications there?

Might Collins be #3 on the depth chart meaning that Colt the Jolt might have to find other employment? That is too horrific even to contemplate...

[sandtrapjack]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

sandtrapjack:

And IF Campbell is demoted to 2nd string, what are the implications there?

Might Collins be #3 on the depth chart meaning that Colt the Jolt might have to find other employment? That is too horrific even to contemplate...

Implications are simple....you don't pay a second string QB (who was drafted to your franchise QB) the type of money you have invested in a starter.

If someone else comes in to play as the starter, he will expect a starters salary. And the team is still under financial obligation to JC.

Now if the numbers I read are correct, Campbell will be a free agent in 2010 anyway.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by sandtrapjack

Implications are simple....you don't pay a second string QB (who was drafted to your franchise QB) the type of money you have invested in a starter.

If someone else comes in to play as the starter, he will expect a starters salary. And the team is still under financial obligation to JC.

Now if the numbers I read are correct, Campbell will be a free agent in 2010 anyway.

Normally, Campbell would be a free agent in 2010, but if theres no salary cap, he doesnt have enough "tenure" in the NFL to become one. he would only have 5 years of experience instead of the required 6. Campell is still on his rookie contract and because of that, hes one of the lowest-paid starting QBs in the league. we'll have no financial obligation to move him next season (assuming my understanding of the rules surrounding an uncapped year are correct). My biggest fear is that when Campbell fails this year, he'll hurt his image so much that his trade value plummets.

Campbell did a decent job this year, considering hes a horrible fit for our offense. his trade value will likely never be higher. He would be an excellent and cheap alternative for the Titans, Bears, and Vikings. Unless coaches see something in him that makes them SURE he will adjust to the WCO and be our undisputed Franchise QB, the smart thing to do would be to trade him now.

Otherwise, we'll be kicking ourselves in the butt for not moving him like we were with Patrick Ramsey. Miami was offering us a 1st rounder for him and we werent sold on him in our offense. By holding on to him, we confirmed our fears about him and received next to no compensation from Denver when he left. If someone offers us a 2nd rounder (or more) for Campbell, we would be fools not to take it and acquire Leftwhich. If the OP is correct and he wants to play here, he would be a decent stop-gap while we groom Brennan.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

Normally, Campbell would be a free agent in 2010, but if theres no salary cap, he doesnt have enough "tenure" in the NFL to become one. he would only have 5 years of experience instead of the required 6. Campell is still on his rookie contract and because of that, hes one of the lowest-paid starting QBs in the league. we'll have no financial obligation to move him next season (assuming my understanding of the rules surrounding an uncapped year are correct). My biggest fear is that when Campbell fails this year, he'll hurt his image so much that his trade value plummets.

Campbell did a decent job this year, considering hes a horrible fit for our offense. his trade value will likely never be higher. He would be an excellent and cheap alternative for the Titans, Bears, and Vikings. Unless coaches see something in him that makes them SURE he will adjust to the WCO and be our undisputed Franchise QB, the smart thing to do would be to trade him now.

Otherwise, we'll be kicking ourselves in the butt for not moving him like we were with Patrick Ramsey. Miami was offering us a 1st rounder for him and we werent sold on him in our offense. By holding on to him, we confirmed our fears about him and received next to no compensation from Denver when he left. If someone offers us a 2nd rounder (or more) for Campbell, we would be fools not to take it and acquire Leftwhich. If the OP is correct and he wants to play here, he would be a decent stop-gap while we groom Brennan.

So you're willing to build up the team from scratch and go into full-on rebuilding mode next season? I don't think that's going to happen.

[2BIG2BSKINNY]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

Normally, Campbell would be a free agent in 2010, but if theres no salary cap, he doesnt have enough "tenure" in the NFL to become one. he would only have 5 years of experience instead of the required 6. Campell is still on his rookie contract and because of that, hes one of the lowest-paid starting QBs in the league. we'll have no financial obligation to move him next season (assuming my understanding of the rules surrounding an uncapped year are correct). My biggest fear is that when Campbell fails this year, he'll hurt his image so much that his trade value plummets.

Campbell did a decent job this year, considering hes a horrible fit for our offense. his trade value will likely never be higher. He would be an excellent and cheap alternative for the Titans, Bears, and Vikings. Unless coaches see something in him that makes them SURE he will adjust to the WCO and be our undisputed Franchise QB, the smart thing to do would be to trade him now.

Otherwise, we'll be kicking ourselves in the butt for not moving him like we were with Patrick Ramsey. Miami was offering us a 1st rounder for him and we werent sold on him in our offense. By holding on to him, we confirmed our fears about him and received next to no compensation from Denver when he left. If someone offers us a 2nd rounder (or more) for Campbell, we would be fools not to take it and acquire Leftwhich. If the OP is correct and he wants to play here, he would be a decent stop-gap while we groom Brennan.

All year I watched as other teams attacked the defense down the field and we do not. JC had a decent year! Int"s down and fumbles were not a problem! If you want him to succeed let him attack the defense... even with no results then we can make a clear determination of the ability of JC as starting QB!

At least we would know what we have then!

I really thought when the offense got bogged down after the mid year we would go no huddle some and let jason play without thinking... Maybe we are to busy trying to plan a way to win then just going out there and doing what these players have done since they were kids...play football!

[MTK]

And people think JC has a slow release??!!

[BigHairedAristocrat]

I read on PFT that approximately 1/3rd of the league would be interested in Leftwich as a starter... but i havent heard anything about him wanting to play here. I think some people assume that because he grew up in DC, but i havent seen it anywhere.

I dont think Campbell is the answer at QB here if we keep Zorns West Coast Offense, but Leftwich would not really be that much of an upgrade. One of the reasons the Jags got rid of him was that he wasnt doing well in Musgraves WCO... what makes you think he would do well in our offense here?

The only way id bring in Leftwich is if we, realizing Campbell is an ill-fit for the WCO, had already traded Campbell to someone for draft picks and we needed a stop-gap starter for 1-2 years while Zorn grooms Brennan. In that scenario, Leftwich would come cheaper than any of the other QBs with WCO experience on the market. I certainly wouldnt hand the job over to him though. Id make him compete with Collins for the job and it wouldnt surprise me one bit if Collins won. And thats not because i beleive in Collins - it shows my complete lack of confidence in Leftwich. That said, i'm 100% behind any plan where our FO trades Campbell for a 2nd round pick.

[Trample the Elderly]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I read on PFT that approximately 1/3rd of the league would be interested in Leftwich as a starter... but i havent heard anything about him wanting to play here. I think some people assume that because he grew up in DC, but i havent seen it anywhere.

I dont think Campbell is the answer at QB here if we keep Zorns West Coast Offense, but Leftwich would not really be that much of an upgrade. One of the reasons the Jags got rid of him was that he wasnt doing well in Musgraves WCO... what makes you think he would do well in our offense here?

The only way id bring in Leftwich is if we, realizing Campbell is an ill-fit for the WCO, had already traded Campbell to someone for draft picks and we needed a stop-gap starter for 1-2 years while Zorn grooms Brennan. In that scenario, Leftwich would come cheaper than any of the other QBs with WCO experience on the market. I certainly wouldnt hand the job over to him though. Id make him compete with Collins for the job and it wouldnt surprise me one bit if Collins won. And thats not because i beleive in Collins - it shows my complete lack of confidence in Leftwich. That said, i'm 100% behind any plan where our FO trades Campbell for a 2nd round pick.

I read it in the Washington Times the other day. Leftwich was quick enough to beat us this year. I'm waiting until next season to have my final say on Campbell. The FO is too.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by Trample the Elderly

I read it in the Washington Times the other day. Leftwich was quick enough to beat us this year. I'm waiting until next season to have my final say on Campbell. The FO is too.

The Steelers dont run the WCO. their offense doesnt require quick releases. Their offense is the kind of offense we should have stuck with if we wanted Campbell to succeed here.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I read on PFT that approximately 1/3rd of the league would be interested in Leftwich as a starter... but i havent heard anything about him wanting to play here. I think some people assume that because he grew up in DC, but i havent seen it anywhere.

I dont think Campbell is the answer at QB here if we keep Zorns West Coast Offense, but Leftwich would not really be that much of an upgrade. One of the reasons the Jags got rid of him was that he wasnt doing well in Musgraves WCO... what makes you think he would do well in our offense here?

The only way id bring in Leftwich is if we, realizing Campbell is an ill-fit for the WCO, had already traded Campbell to someone for draft picks and we needed a stop-gap starter for 1-2 years while Zorn grooms Brennan. In that scenario, Leftwich would come cheaper than any of the other QBs with WCO experience on the market. I certainly wouldnt hand the job over to him though. Id make him compete with Collins for the job and it wouldnt surprise me one bit if Collins won. And thats not because i beleive in Collins - it shows my complete lack of confidence in Leftwich. That said, i'm 100% behind any plan where our FO trades Campbell for a 2nd round pick.

Are you sure that wasn't 1/33rd?

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by SC Skins Fan

Are you sure that wasn't 1/33rd?

ProFootballTalk.com - LEFTWICH IN DEMAND?

Per Chris Mortensen, Leftwich’s spot duty with the Steelers might have resurrected his career.

Mort speculates that up to a third of the league will be interested in talking to Leftwich about becoming or competing for the starting job...

That said, the one-time first-rounder of the Jaguars still has a catapult-slow delivery, and he has compensated for it of late by making lightning-fast decisions regarding where the ball will go.

That said, there are plenty of bad quarterbacks in the league. So there should be plenty of teams interested in bringing Leftwich aboard.