Category: QB Index
QB Index – Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
Projected Record: 10-6, #4 NFC seed
(Written by Keith Reid-Cleveland)
What works: The stacked offense. The Falcons have assembled an offense that has threats from all angles. Quarterback Matt Ryan has made a name for himself as a potential elite QB; he just needs to break deep into the playoffs. He has countless receiving options in receivers Julio Jones and Roddie White, and top tight end Tony Gonzalez. On teams with this kind of passing potential, the run-game can easily go forgotten, but not with running back Mike Turner coming off of a 1,300-yard/11 TD season. The Falcons offense is definitely something to watch out for this season.
Wide receiver Julio Jones
What doesn’t: Honestly? Not much doesn’t work this year for the Atlanta Falcons, things could go their way this year. They have a soon-to-be elite/franchise QB in Matt Ryan with unlimited receiving options, and an above average RB in Mike Turner. The defense doesn’t have many weaknesses. Their main deficiency last season was pass defense, but with this stacked secondary of Dunta Robinson, Asante Samue, and Brent Grimes, that may not be too much of a worry anymore.
Impact rookie: The Falcons really focused on the O-line in this year’s draft. Which is something every team should do every few years; but with that, you sacrifice the excitement of having immediate impact rookies. This year the new acquisition with the most immediate potential would have to be cornerback Asante Samuel, who the Falcons got from Philly for just a 7th round pick.
On the rise: Ray Edwards, DE
Edwards had a “bad” season with 33 tackles and 24 solo tackles last season, his first year with the Falcons. He still was consistent on the pass rush but wasn’t able to tally up the 50+ tackle numbers he did back in Minnesota. This year Edwards is expected to be an integral part in the defense that was the 6th-best at defending the rush last season.
On the decline: Brent Grimes, CB
Grimes was expected to peak in 2011 after a 2010 season that showed improvement, until injury cut him down to 12 total games. He may still be a very valuable part of the secondary, but he may be the odd man out in the playing time triangle that’s sure to take place between Grimes, Dunta Robinson, and Asante Samuel. The Falcons are sure to either trade or neglect one of these CBs. It’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
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QB Index – Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
Projected Record: 7-9, No playoffs
(Written by Keith Reid-Cleveland)
What works: The secondary. The Chiefs can boast on an above average secondary that includes strong safety Eric Berry, cornerback Brandon Flowers, and free safety Derrick Johnson. They’re enough to make teams remain aware that if they throw a “not-so-good” pass anywhere further than 20 yards from the line of scrimmage, the Chiefs could be running the other direction for six points.
Defensive back Eric Berry
What doesn’t: Everything outside of the secondary. Keeping in mind the feelings of the Chief fans I know and encounter on a regular basis, I’ll be gentle. Outside of the secondary, and a couple of right-side linebackers, the defense doesn’t have much to show. The offense is pretty much a big mess. They really don’t have anything that can be looked at as being a reliable source of productivity.
Impact Rookie: Dontari Poe, DT
Poe was grabbed with the 11th pick in he 2012 draft from Memphis. With the status of the current D-line, the Chiefs may need to get Poe some reps and see if he can be productive and give QB’s some pressure. They really can’t afford not to at least experiment with the option. If he does well, Poe may have a starting position mid-way through the season.
On the rise: Dwayne Bowe, WR
Bowe has had two consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. He may be the best option that KC has in their receiving corps this year. He’s the No. 1 target and that won’t change anytime soon. Let’s just hope that Matt Cassel can get the ball to him enough.
On the decline: Matt Cassel, QB
Cassel only played 9 games last season because of a broken hand. Before that he was only mediocre. The Chiefs brought in Brady Quinn as a backup for a reason. The only downside to that is that both QB’s don’t seem to have what it takes to lead a franchise. Taking away the inury of last season, Cassel was still on pace to continue the three season decline he’s faced since leaving the Patriots.
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QB Index – Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
Projected Record: 4-12, No playoffs
(Written by Keith Reid-Cleveland)
What works: The big news for the Redskins this season surrounds off-season acquisitions. They not only got a potentially threatening pass/run option in rookie QB Robert Griffin, but they also managed to get an extremely reliable receiving option in Pierre Garcon. The Redskins also have a surprisingly dependable defense in 15-year veteran LB London Fletcher—who doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all—and 9-year veteran CB Deangelo Hall, who has spent two seasons as a recognizable pass defender and has been stacking numbers with consecutive 90+ tackle seasons.
What doesn’t work: THE RUN GAME. 151 attempts for 640 yards and 2 TDs; those are the numbers from Roy Helu, Jr., the best the Redskins had to offer from the running back position in 2011. Shanahan must have something under his sleeve that he’s waited two entire seasons to reveal, because no one can seem to explain why the Redskins running game is so mediocre. The next best thing the ‘Skins seem to have is Tim Hightower, who managed to rush 84 times for 361 yards and 1 TD. Long story short, the Redskins have almost no running game. Not to mention that this preseason both options are already injured. Hopefully 6th round draft pick Alfred Morris can step up, if need be, and capitalize on the opportunity.
Quarterback Robert Griffin III
Impact rookie: Robert Griffin III, QB
Not surprised? No one is. Griffin is coming off of a Heisman-winning season as Baylor’s starting quarterback who couldn’t be defended. Not only did he have amazing speed for the QB position, but he had severely underrated accuracy from the pocket that made his receivers look like they were pro-level.
Another rookie to be on the lookout for: Alfred Morris. At this rate, the Redskins are looking to be in the middle of another season filled with a mediocre to sub-par run game. As of right now, all three of the listed RBs ahead of Morris are suffering from minor pre-season injuries. Even with all of the injuries, I wouldn’t expect for Morris to be starting any time soon, but he could be the sleeper that gets enough reps to get bumped up to second string.
Player on the rise: Pierre Garcon, WR
The huge free-agent acquisition has been on a steady incline in receptions and yards ever since he stepped into the league in 2008. Last season Garcon managed to nearly close in on 1,000 reception yards from 70 receptions; on a Manning-less Colts offense, at that. Garcon could be the reliable receiver that rookie QB Robert Griffin needs.
Player on the decline: Santana Moss, WR
Last season Moss was only able to gather up 46 receptions in 12 games, due to a broken hand. That’s the lowest since he joined the Redskins back in 2005. In 2010 Moss came off of arguably his best season with 93 receptions for 1,115 yards. In 2011, those stats were nearly cut in half. Moss’ stats could be on a slight increase with the assistance of RGIII, but he’s far from the explosiveness that he had only two seasons ago. I don’t expect Moss to break the 60’s in receptions category anytime soon.
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QB Index – New York Jets
New York Jets
Projected Record: 7-9, No playoffs
(Written by Keith Reid-Cleveland)
What works: Their defense. Yes, Revis Island is real. There’s probably going to be an entire side of the field that quarterbacks will have to be aware of. That will be whichever side of the field cornerback Darelle Revis is defending. But right next to Revis Island we also have strong safety Yeremiah Bell and free safety LaRon Landry, who are arguably two of the best players at their respective positions. Let’s not forget about linebacker Bart Scott either. As long as the defensive line can do their part and put pressure on the quarterback, I can see a lot of things going right for The Jets defense this year.
What doesn’t: The entire offense. I usually don’t use the preseason for anything outside of something to hold me off until real football starts. But some signs you just can’t ignore. The most notable thing about the Jets this offseason is the fact that, even with Sanchez and Tebow, they were unable to produce a single offensive touchdown. The Jets have two too many unproven quarterbacks. This problem could either be solved on its own (with someone stepping up), or it’ll have to be dealt with when it’s too late to save the season.
Impact rookie: Quinton Coples, DE
Coples was picked up with the 16th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Coples has the kind of speed, strength, and athleticism that could lead to immediate impact on the D-line. Looking at what was there last year, Coples could potentially gain the starting position and help make the defense more intimidating than it already is.
Quarterback Tim Tebow
On the rise: Shonn Greene, RB
Greene is going into his fourth season in the league and is coming off of a 1,000+ yard season rushing. Whenever a back can get into the quadruple-digits in rushing yards, it’s something to be appreciated. The production on the field was probably a result of Greene’s touches doubling. That won’t be going away anytime soon when you think about the Jets newfound passing ability. Let’s just hope that the Jets don’t try and put Tebow in at running back as an experiment anytime this season; he may be good at it.
On the decline: Rex Ryan, Head Coach
Where is my “The Jets are going to win the Super Bowl” prediction? I think Rex is starting to lose a little confidence in his team. Either that, or he’s finally smartened up.
But seriously, wide receiver Santonio Holmes is on the decline. He hasn’t even scraped the better side of 50+ receptions ever since his last seasons with the Steelers. He’s coming off of his best season with TD’s, but his worst with average yards per catch (12) and total yards (654). That was in a complete 16-game season, unless you want to consider his “quitting” at the end of Game 17. Holmes is only going into his seventh year in the league but has already gone through an entire cycle of the typical receiver career path; incline, peak, decline.
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