Where Have All the QB’s Gone?

How do you have 209 total yards, 32 yards rushing, convert 1 of 14 third downs and have a chance to win a football game? Easy, play in the talent diluted NFL.

Last night’s football game between the Vikings and the Bears was tough to watch. It was two teams on a mission to lose a game despite their defenses best efforts.

The game got me to thinking. I don’t understand how the NFL has reached this point. It used to be that it seemed like there were only 33 punters and 33 kickers that could play at the NFL level. You would see a kicker or punter get cut and then picked up the next week. It seemed like there was only one punter or kicker that would be out of football at a time and they were next on the list to take over for the next cut. Very little new blood was brought into these two positions.

Now it seems that the NFL quarterback position has fallen into this same pattern. When Tavaris Jackson and Kyle Orton are the starting quarterbacks in a late season NFL game that has playoff implications for not only the two teams playing but for four other teams I think it’s a sign that the NFL is lacking talent at QB.

Jackson has shown that he has potential in his young career but Kyle Orton? He hasn’t started in two years and this is the guy the Bears trot out in an effort to stay alive in the NFC playoffs? When you look across the NFL the Bears situation is not unique. The Redskins are relying on Todd Collins to make a playoff run. Collins just set the record for the longest time between NFL starts, almost 10 years. The Giants have their superstar Eli Manning leading them into a quagmire. Phillip Rivers has performed average at best this season. The most exciting and arguably best performer in the NFC this season is Brett Favre who is arguably back from the dead. I saw Cleo Lemon throw the winning touchdown this past weekend for Miami. Never heard of him.

Yes the league has David Garrard, Tony Romo, and Derek Anderson. It appears that the league has future stars in these young Quarterbacks. But Brodie Croyle? Kyle Boller? Trent Edwards? Maybe competent professionals in the future but I just don’t see it.

In the end the Vikings pulled out a victory last night despite 4 turnovers, 3 of them interceptions thrown by Jackson. This eliminated all the 6 and 8 teams in the NFC with the exception of one, the Carolina Panthers. I think this slams the point home regarding quarterback talent in the NFL. The only 6 and 8 team with a chance to still make the playoff is lead by 44 year old Vinny Testeverde. When Kyle Orton is the QB the defending NFC champ’s start in an important game like last night I think it begs the question…Where have all the QB’s gone?

Just my humble opinion...Philly Sports Dude.