Backup Quarterback
 

Anyone less than comfortable entering the season with Dan Orlovsky as the backup?

The Vikes had been rumored earlier this spring to be willing to part with Sage Rosenfels. If Brett Favre confirms his return, then Rosenfels resumes his role as a pretty expensive #3 QB behind the purple dino and Tarvaris Jackson.

Worth a late rounder to buy the insurance before camp opens? Or should the Texans stay the course and hope Orlovsky is ready to be a heartbeat away? Are memories of the Rosencopter still too fresh?

fwiw, Rosenfels has 2 years left on his contract with base of $2.6 million this year. Orlovsky also has 2 years left with a base of $2.25 million this year.

I was a bit uneasy with the decision to let Grossman loose, who was
promptly picked up by little Shanny in Washington. Why would you let the guy
go who beat-out Orlansky as the backup QB when we know there's still got
to be some concern about Schaubs durability and uncertainty about Orlovshys reliability ?

QB is the only place the Texans really can't have an injury. I guess I don't feel uncomfortable as it seems pretty binary. With Schaub, Texans have a chance to win. Without, I'll be watching the games to see how the young guys develop. I don't see a potential QB that could save the day on the market at Texans prices.

I've always been the type of guy that doesn't worry when there isn't a good solution to a problem. Just pick a bad solution and waste your time worrying about something that can be changed.

There's no doubt that the Orlovsky of last preseason was a big step down from Rosencopter. He wasn't as accurate and his decision making was suspect. But a few months ago Kubiak said he is expecting Orlovsky to be significantly better this year.

Since Kubes is supposedly great at developing quarterbacks, I am willing to assume Orlovsky WILL BE much better this season. But believe me, I'll be watching him in preseason very closely. If it looks like SS/DD, I'll be very worried if Schaub goes down.

Let's not forget we have the legendary John David Booty in reserve, too. :rolleyes:

But, there's usually a buyer's market for backup QBs so I'm not worried. If the Texans think they need a better backup, they'll go out and get one.

Heard QB coach Greg Knapp on 790AM earlier this week, and Orlovsky came up. Knapp mentioned that this will be the first time as a pro Orlovsky has been able to stay in the same system. So yeah, that should really be a boost for him.

Need to see the improvement early in camp though. Without the game experience last year (outside of a couple quarters in preseason), his timing would have to be a bit behind. For a great as Schaub was, even he had his slows starts, inconsistency, and weirdly poor decisions at times his first year as a starter here. It just takes time.

Still wonder if that 3rd qb if Dan looks shaky isn't a retired guy on speed dial like a Brian Griese, Mark Brunell, Jake Plummer, etc.

I'm just hoping Schaub stays healthy. If he doesn't, all bets are off for the playoffs.

Agreed. Generally speaking, losing your starting QB craters your chances of making the playoffs or going very far if you do sneak in (I realize there are exceptions, but I think they are just that, exceptions). If Schaub goes down, the season is likely over regardless of whether we have Dan, sexy Rexy or Sage.

Most teams would be in trouble if the number one guy goes down for extended time.

Who do the Colts have as a backup? No one with any real time. Name 5 teams that have a solid one two punch at QB? And that team has to have a solid number 1 guys, not a team with two guys and neither one is a leader.

I think most people are making to big a deal about the number 2 guy.

But I agree an older vet is better than an unproven kid. but remember Sage's resume when he got here was not much better than Dan O's.

I wasn't necessarily knocking Dan O, it is just that he is still an unknown.

I have wondered for a long time now, how Peyton Manning has stayed so healthy for so long with the Colts. I know he has had pretty good protection throughout his career, but it just seems the odds would have caught up to him more than it seems to have.

A quick release is part of the solution and making rushers suffer with constant completions to Dallas Clark and others is another part.

Jeff Garcia will be on speed dial in case Schaub has to miss some games.

I watched Orlovsky a little this morning, perhaps not quite as accurate as Schuab, but he has a strong arm and threw several tight spirals for completion in tight coverage at practrice this morning. Have to see more to be sure, for sure.

Backup QB
 

Seems like there has been much teeth gnashing about the state of our backup QB and, in my opinion, I just don't get the emphasis some have put on it. Are we really in the minority in our backup situation and do most teams have great QBs just sitting on their bench waiting for a chance? I decided to go looking for the answer and found this - a link which has every team's depth chart -

http://subscribers.footballguys.com/apps/depthchart.php

Browsing this list, I would say we're in about the same boat as everyone else. For most teams expecting to make a run at the playoffs, injury to their QB would effectively ruin their chances and that's just the way it is. This is particularly true for teams who rely heavily on a passing offense. Just briefly, in NE, Brady is backed up by somebody named "Brian Hoyer," Peyton by Curtis Painter, Brees by Patrick Ramsey, Aaron Rodgers by Matt Flynn, and Romo by Jon Kitna. Sounds like everyone has a crappy backup just like us. Now, would I like to have a badass just sitting there? Of course, but it's pretty clear that this just isn't a luxury that can be reasonably expected in today's NFL. Thus, I just don't get the complaints. I have no doubt that someone will explain it to me though.

I agree with you on this one, I do not get the obsession with the backup QB being a scab. Almost all the backup QBs are scabs.

The Colts are done if Peyton goes down, and so are we....

I think we panic more because we still question Shaub's durability.

D'oh! When I started the new thread, I didn't realize there was already a thread going (and I had even commented on it, no less).

In any event, here is a new article on cnnsi about the state of backup QBs in the league. Oddly enough, Orlovsky is praised as one of the best out there.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...html?eref=sihp

Good read... Arlovski keeps showing signs of improvement so thats always a good thing.