Detroit: QB Factory??
August 21st, 2009 | by detfan1979 |I read Don Banks’ article this morning regarding the backup situations of each team at the QB position. While Banks pointed out that all three of Detroits starters last year are projected to be backups somewhere at some point this season, he also missed out that there are four other former Lions QB’s expected to win a #2 job in 2009.
Does it surprise any Detroit Fans that we’ve had backups under center for the last 10 years?
Here’s how it breaks down:
- Jeff Garcia – Oakland
- Jon Kitna – Dallas
- Dan Orlovsky – Houston
- JT O’Sullivan – Cincinnati
- Charlie Batch – Pittsburgh
- Joey Harrington – New Orleans
- Daunte Culpepper – Detroit*
* he’ll be a backup at some point, barring a miracle, which I would welcome. Barring that fact that a Detroit QB will always be in Detroit, look at these numbers for a minute — of the other 31 teams in the league, roughly 20% will be counting on an Ex-Lions starter to keep their playoff dreams alive if their Franchise QB goes down. So while Detroit hasn’t really been a breeding ground for top-tier starting QB’s for the last 10 years, apparently Detroit has been a great place to raid for an experienced and solid clipboard holder.
One thing is for sure about the Quarterback position right now in Detroit, asWojo points out in this well written piece over at the Detroit News — there is genuine competition, and genuine talent at Quarterback in Detroit right now. Maybe, just maybe, this is the year Detroit finally has Starting Caliber NFL Quarterbacks leading the team, instead of backups.
By JJLions20 on Aug 22, 2009
Here is another way of looking at it. Coaches usually have a QB that they believe in. When the Coach leaves so does the QB. But the ex coach usually speaks highly of the QB. This does not apply to Harrington, but look at the others.
Garcia – Mariucci always spoke highly of him and still does. Kitna and O’Sullivan were loved by Martz. Martz even brought O’Sullivan to SF to compete for a starting job. Batch was Bobby Ross’ man. Nobody said anything bad about the guy other than he wasn’t the WCO QB Morningweg wanted.
The coaching turnover has been very large in Detroit over the past decade and when coaches leave, usually the QB will go soon after. Even with Harrington, you had Millen supporting him. In retrospect it may not have been the best guy to have in your corner.
During the Millen Era, other NFL teams had a hard time evaluating the Lions QB’s. Was the problem the QB that made the team look bad, or was it a bad team that made the QB look bad? So every time the coach turned over, a QB was available and got a 2nd chance. Also, landing a job as the back-up QB can be a very secured job. The expectations are low, and the opportunities to goof up are minimized.
By chiefger139 on Aug 22, 2009
I think the qb position is a lot determined on what the coach wants and thinks-very few are the true gems-the bradys the mannings,elway etc the favre’s cutler and rivers- we took a big chance on stafford but i seen it early on he has the tools and wowing them all-truely think hes the real deal and heard hes startin tonite-still dont understand your fantasy league-does the computer pick for you if you dont know what your doing or am i lost picking a position and who I know -if so im in deep do doo-you mean our site doesnt even rank the players best to worst your on your own??