San Diego Chargers: The Search for a Backup QB
by John Gennaro on Jan 20, 2011 2:12 PM PST
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PrintDid you know that the San Diego Chargers only have one QB on their roster currently? It's true, Billy Volek is an unrestricted free agent and Jonathan Crompton was stolen away by the New England patriots at some point.
Many people are expecting the Chargers to bring back Volek, a solid backup and a friend of Philip Rivers, but should Volek get an opportunity elsewhere (Arizona?) there's no guarantee he'll want to come back. In addition to that, as a veteran of the league Volek typically gets paid more than most young NFL backups. Basically, it's time to kick the tires of free agency and see what else is out there.
Randomly-Selected Options:
Brodie Croyle - Wouldn't that just stick in the craw of Todd Haley? Croyle is a young guy with excellent potential and a big arm. After his game against the Chargers this season, it's doubtful he gets any offers to be a starter. A few years of learning from Norv Turner and Philip Rivers could get him a shot down the line though.
Marc Bulger - This would be like signing a cheaper (I think) Volek. They're essentially the same age and probably regarded about the same around the league.
Peyton Manning - Okay, hear me out......just kidding, but it'd be fun, wouldn't it?
Sage Rosenfels - Similar to Volek (34) and Bulger (33), Rosenfels (32) is a guy that probably won't find a better job than Philip Rivers' backup.
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alex smith
if we dont get billy back.. . i see the Chargers going after alex smith. he has struggled in san fran and he has a history working under norv turner up there.
- Ernie Padaon
I would love it if they could sign Smith
But I think there are so many places that he could go and compete for a starting job I just don’t see him signing into a role where he knows he will be a back-up.
Yeah...
Especially at 26 years old. Settling for being a backup now would be a bad sign.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 20, 2011 2:44 PM PST up reply actions
Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn
might have something to say about that.
by Cake or Death on Jan 20, 2011 3:01 PM PST up reply actions
It’s a bad sign for them
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 21, 2011 10:41 AM PST up reply actions
Right,
but Alex Smith has already had far longer to prove himself than those two.
by Cake or Death on Jan 21, 2011 12:43 PM PST up reply actions
What about Matt Leinart?
He was 3rd string in Houston at the end of the season. He would probably take a chance to watch for a year or two then get a chance to start again. He or Alex Smith would be good. Maybe a 7th rd pick or UDFA again this year for a 3rd QB.
Both will look more at
Arizona
Tennessee
Minnesota
Miami
San Francisco (well not Smith)
Jacksonville
Cleveland
Carolina
Denver
Washington
Seattle (especially Leinart)
where they can compete for the starting job instead of ending up in SD where they know they can’t.
Troy Smith
Why not combine the Heisman Winner / 49ers cast off ideas? I think Troy is the ideal backup QB. His strengths are leadership and improvisational skills — exactly we need if Rivers gets hurt at a crucial moment. A 2nd string QB won’t have had the reps to execute the offense perfectly, so you might as well stop chasing that ideal and find someone who can make you some plays in other ways. As Troy should with the Niners, he can step in and win some games, even if he isn’t a prototypical NFL QB. Also, he would be cost-effective.
by Grivo242 on Jan 20, 2011 3:09 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Won't the Niners try to keep him though?
He was pretty successful for them this year in the games he played. I don’t know anything about his contract: is he available? I think he’d be a good pickup, but I’m not sure we could get him.
How about that Vincent D'Onofrio guy
hanging out next to Volek in the pic. He’s pretty good.
by Cake or Death on Jan 20, 2011 3:30 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
'Cause no Manning will ever play in San Diego, dammit!
:)
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 20, 2011 5:22 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Panthers fans really want him.
Not to start 100% outright but mostly to actually teach our young QB’s which Foxy and company did not.
East Carolina Pirates - No Quarter
Trent Edwards
I thought we should have traded for him last year, the Bills probably would have accepted a ham sandwhich considering they ended up waiving him. He is only 27, is from so cal I think, and can launch the football. Granted he has been a guy who has looked lost in the past, and inaccurate down the field. But he can spin the football, and has never had any talent around him. I think he does offer a tiny glimmer of upside. Reminds me of the clipboard actually
IMO
Was never impressed by his arm strength.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 21, 2011 10:43 AM PST up reply actions
if Norv can make Alex Smith look good, he can make Edwards look good.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jan 21, 2011 12:02 PM PST up reply actions
Wow
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 21, 2011 10:42 AM PST up reply actions
That's all he's good for...
Sorry Bolts fans, but if you really want Croyle, take him please. His injury bug will drive you nuts. He’s athletic, mobile, has a GUN for an arm—and right as you need him to play, he’ll sprain his ankle trotting on the field, leaving you with nothing under center. Believe me: I’ve spent five seasons waiting for this prodigy to turn into something. It hasn’t happened yet and it won’t happen anytime soon—bet on it. Taking Brodie doesn’t stick in anyone’s craw; it opens a roster spot for us to find a legit backup. But you think what you want to think there.
However, Kelli Croyle? Yes. Definitely yes.
"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"
-Marty Schottenheimer
by go_saleaumua on Jan 22, 2011 6:40 PM PST up reply actions
I can't get excited w/ Volek
the guy is inaccurate. Because of that, the offense is unable to establish rhythm when he’s in.
BRING BACK DREW BREES
That would be perfect. Wait, what?
Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."
by Superduperboltman on Jan 21, 2011 6:46 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
What about Kevin O'Connell?
Shouldn’t cost us more than a 7th round pick…or wait until he gets released by the Jets as they carried like 4 QB’s last year…coming back from injury and unlike Volek still unproven at the NFL level but there’s a reason the same organization that drafted Tom Brady and Matt Cassell picked him in the third round…they also released him so…I like signing Leinart and think getting him back in So Cal will help him if that makes any sense…Leinart hasn’t been as bad as most think – he just got beat out by a very special player…but if Rivers got hurt – you need someone that can not the lose the game and keep us alive for however long he’s out…other name I’d throw out is Kyle Boller…Alex Smith is another local kid who might revive after he’s brought home…
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