The NFL Quarterback Carousel Is Spinning

Added on Oct 19, 2011 by Scott in

NFL

Six weeks into the 2011 NFL season and we’re already seeing several teams push the panic button on their starting quarterback. Due to injuries and benchings, up to ten teams will be rolling out a signal-caller different than the one they began the season with. This list includes a pair of rookies, a trio of journeymen and Tim Tebow.

The Jaguars were the first team to make a call to the bullpen in Week 3 when they replaced an extremely ineffective Luke McCown with rookie first-round pick Blaine Gabbert. That same week, the Colts pulled the plug on graybeard Kerry Collins in favor of young Curtis Painter. And of course it’s Tebow Time in Denver, for better or worse.

Mike Shanahan is handing the reins to John Beck after Rex Grossman’s horrific four-interception performance against the Eagles. Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier has seen enough Donovan McNabb balls in the dirt and will turn to first-rounder Christian Ponder, making him the fourth rookie quarterback to see action this year, joining Gabbert, Cam Newton and Andy Dalton.

Oakland could go with new arrival Carson Palmer, although it’s more likely Kyler Boller will get the nod versus the Chiefs. And injuries to Sam Bradford and Tarvaris Jackson could result in A.J. Feeley and Charlie Whitehurst filling in on Sunday.

Needless to say, the most important position in football is once again under the microscope. Denver and Minnesota are heading nowhere, so making a change under center makes sense, especially considering the early success of both Newton and Dalton.

Then there’s the mess in Miami. Chad Henne was hardly a sure thing entering 2011, but now that he’s finished for the year with a shoulder injury, the Dolphins prospects rest on the right arm of Matt Moore. Not good.

Other situations worth monitoring: Tennessee and Arizona. If the Titans fall out of the playoff race, Jake Locker could get a look. Arizona faces a brutal upcoming schedule and Kevin Kolb has been less than impressive. It’s doubtful Ken Whisenhunt would make a move, but stranger things have happened in the NFL.