2013-2014 NFL Starting QB Races

Training camp has just concluded, which means it's time for four weeks of preseason football. Usually, starting quarterback races headline preseason, and this season is no different. Currently, there are four big races going on. Those races are on the Jets, Bills, Jaguars and Eagles. In this article, I will give my opinions on all of them.

Jets- Sanchez vs Smith:

In my opinion, Geno Smith should be the starter. He is young, with a strong arm, and is very mobile. The Jets desperately need a playmaker, and Geno Smith can be that guy. Their only other playmaker is Santonio Holmes, who is injured. Smith would give the Jets some spark entering the season. Sanchez has also been struggling. Since 2009, he has the worst total QBR, which is 34.7. He had the second most interceptions thrown in the 2012 season with 18. He also was 30th out of 32 in total completion percentage with 54.8%. Last year with West Virginia, Smith had a 71.2 completion percentage, and only threw seven interceptions. But, we still have to keep in mind this was in college, and the Big 12 is not the NFL. But, in a read-option heavy league, Smith fits the part of the Jets starting QB.

Bills- Manuel vs Kolb:

Again, I'm going to chose the more versatile and athletic quarterback in EJ Manuel. Kolb is a pocket passer. Manuel is a pocket passer with the ability to scramble and make plays on his feet. He fits Doug Marrone's offensive system. At Syracuse last year, Marrone ran more than he passed, and tried to give Quarterback Ryan Nassib some running chances. Nassib had 84 rushing attempts for 138 and two touchdowns. Manuel had 103 rushing attempts for 310 yards last year at Florida State. I would bet Marrone tries to utilize all of his weapons to pound some yards out on the ground, then go to the air. I would still choose Manuel over Kolb. Though, if Marrone implemented an air it out system like Bruce Arians has in Arizona, which is Kolbs former team, I would choose Kolb because that's the kind of style he plays in, and because of the experience in that kind of system.   

Jaguars- Henne vs Gabbert

This is a tough one, but I'm going to have to choose Henne. They should have Henne start, but keep Gabbert around if things go bad. These two guys are almost even, but I'm picking Henne because of experience. A struggling team like the Jaguars need a quarterback who has had experience in the league. They can't afford to have a quarterback like Gabbert, who doesn't have alot of experience. Lack of experience can result in turnovers and mistakes. Also, last year, Gabbert only played in 10 games last year, due to a forearm injury. Both Quarterbacks played in 10 games. Gabbert started the first 10 games, then Henne finished the season as the starting QB. They had the same completion percentage, but Henne threw for 400 more yards. So, statistics show that Henne is a more effective QB, and is the better choice for the Jaguars starting QB.

Eagles- Vick vs Foles

This is an easy choice. Vick is the clear choice for starter, because he fits Chip Kelly's offensive system better than Foles. Foles is a pocket passer, while Vick is a pocket passer and scrambler. In Chip Kelly's fast paced, high octance offense, a pocket passer doesn't fit. He likes to run read-options, and Quarterback runs. Last year, Marcus Mariota, the Oregon starting QB for the 2012-2013 season, ran 106 times for 752 yards. Mariota also had 5 TD's. Foles is not a QB that you want running Chip Kelly's offense. Mike Vick is the one you want. He is a successfull runner, and in Andy Reid's offense, his running skills were not used correctlly. Chip Kelly will run Mike Vick, and he will be happy, and so will Eagles fans. If this dynamic duo plays out correctly, then expect the Eagles in the playoffs

-Nick O'Connor