sago1
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Saw this article and thought most here would enjoy it since we one of few teams with stability at QB. Must admit my stomach did churn a little in the Vikes game when I saw Romo hobbling off the field; happily returned and seems okay. We also better off with Brad Johnson as backup. He's not Romo, but then who is, but at least we didn't have to re-sign Vinny Testeverde to start for us. Nothing against him but again, how old is he. With the way the NFL is playing musical chairs with the QB position this year, Vinny will still be playing when he's in his 60s
Stability at QB vital when it comes to winning
Houston Chronicle by McClaine
Watching so many teams change starting quarterbacks because of injury or inconsistency should make us appreciate Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady even more. If that's possible.
Favre has started 243 consecutive regular-season games. Manning has started 150 and Brady 101. No wonder their teams are a combined 18-1.
Keeping your quarterback healthy should be a team's top priority. They can do that by having outstanding pass protectors, a terrific running game or a combination of both.
At 38, Favre's durability — not to mention his luck — has been extraordinary. Without a running game, he has led the Packers to a 5-1 record entering their Monday night game at Denver.
Brady, of course, is having the best half-season in NFL history with 27 touchdown passes, two interceptions and a 137.9 rating. Against Washington on Sunday, Brady can become the first quarterback in history to throw at least five touchdown passes in three consecutive games.
Speaking of streaks, if Indianapolis defeats Carolina, the Colts will join the Packers (1929-31) as the only teams in history to start three consecutive seasons 7-0.
Other quarterbacks staying healthy and playing well for elite teams that don't rank in the Colts' and Patriots' stratosphere are Tony Romo (Cowboys), Eli Manning (Giants) and Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers). Their teams are a combined 15-5.
And then there's the other end of the spectrum. Half the teams have switched quarterbacks. Carolina has been forced to start three — Jake Delhomme, David Carr and Vinny Testaverde.
Cardinals short on bodies
Arizona has started Matt Leinart, who is out for the season, and Kurt Warner, who played with an immobilized left arm. The Cardinals were so desperate they called Testaverde, but he was on his way to Charlotte. Just how desperate have the Cardinals been? They signed Tim Rattay and Tim Hasselbeck.
If Matt Schaub isn't healthy enough to start against San Diego, Sage Rosenfels will replace him, making the Texans the 17th team to make a change.
Adam Schefter of NFL.com had an interesting statistic on quarterbacks this week. Quinn Gray of Jacksonville will be the 48th different quarterback to start. Rosenfels would make it 49. There were 50 different starters all of last season.
The NFC East is the healthiest division. Romo, Manning (Giants), Donovan McNabb (Eagles) and Jason Campbell (Commanders) have escaped the plague that has altered the playing field for other divisions.
The AFC East, where Brady is the only quarterback to start every game, is the division most affected by change at the most important position on the team. No wonder the Bills, Jets and Dolphins are a combined 3-17 to the Patriots' 7-0.
Some starters who have been lost because of injuries include Delhomme, David Garrard, Steve McNair, Trent Green, J.P. Losman, Leinart, Alex Smith and Marc Bulger, among others. Losman didn't get his job back because rookie Trent Edwards has been so impressive.
Rex Grossman and Joey Harrington were benched because of poor play.
In the NFC, the only team with a winning record to change quarterbacks is Carolina. The only losing teams not to make a switch are New Orleans and Philadelphia.
Trying to pinpoint reasons
The Cowboys are the best team in the NFC. The Packers and Giants are close behind. None rank in the same class as New England and Indianapolis.
In the AFC, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore and Kansas City have posted winning records despite changing quarterbacks.
The Texans and Bengals are the only AFC teams with losing records not to change quarterbacks. At least not yet. That depends on Schaub's status for the Chargers.
Why are teams changing quarterbacks at such an alarming rate?
One theory says that free agency doesn't allow teams to keep offensive lines together like they used to be. Change means inconsistency in pass protection, which means the quarterbacks get hit a lot because of poor protection.
Another theory says there aren't enough good quarterbacks to supply every team with one, much less two. The idea being that if a quarterback isn't good, he's going to make mistakes — the kind that can cause injury or poor play. What can be done about it? Absolutely nothing during this era of free agency and the salary cap.
That's why Houston fans should appreciate their quarterback situation the way the Texans do. If Schaub isn't 100 percent for the Chargers, Rosenfels will get the call. And many believe Rosenfels is just as good as Schaub.
Stability at QB vital when it comes to winning
Houston Chronicle by McClaine
Watching so many teams change starting quarterbacks because of injury or inconsistency should make us appreciate Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady even more. If that's possible.
Favre has started 243 consecutive regular-season games. Manning has started 150 and Brady 101. No wonder their teams are a combined 18-1.
Keeping your quarterback healthy should be a team's top priority. They can do that by having outstanding pass protectors, a terrific running game or a combination of both.
At 38, Favre's durability — not to mention his luck — has been extraordinary. Without a running game, he has led the Packers to a 5-1 record entering their Monday night game at Denver.
Brady, of course, is having the best half-season in NFL history with 27 touchdown passes, two interceptions and a 137.9 rating. Against Washington on Sunday, Brady can become the first quarterback in history to throw at least five touchdown passes in three consecutive games.
Speaking of streaks, if Indianapolis defeats Carolina, the Colts will join the Packers (1929-31) as the only teams in history to start three consecutive seasons 7-0.
Other quarterbacks staying healthy and playing well for elite teams that don't rank in the Colts' and Patriots' stratosphere are Tony Romo (Cowboys), Eli Manning (Giants) and Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers). Their teams are a combined 15-5.
And then there's the other end of the spectrum. Half the teams have switched quarterbacks. Carolina has been forced to start three — Jake Delhomme, David Carr and Vinny Testaverde.
Cardinals short on bodies
Arizona has started Matt Leinart, who is out for the season, and Kurt Warner, who played with an immobilized left arm. The Cardinals were so desperate they called Testaverde, but he was on his way to Charlotte. Just how desperate have the Cardinals been? They signed Tim Rattay and Tim Hasselbeck.
If Matt Schaub isn't healthy enough to start against San Diego, Sage Rosenfels will replace him, making the Texans the 17th team to make a change.
Adam Schefter of NFL.com had an interesting statistic on quarterbacks this week. Quinn Gray of Jacksonville will be the 48th different quarterback to start. Rosenfels would make it 49. There were 50 different starters all of last season.
The NFC East is the healthiest division. Romo, Manning (Giants), Donovan McNabb (Eagles) and Jason Campbell (Commanders) have escaped the plague that has altered the playing field for other divisions.
The AFC East, where Brady is the only quarterback to start every game, is the division most affected by change at the most important position on the team. No wonder the Bills, Jets and Dolphins are a combined 3-17 to the Patriots' 7-0.
Some starters who have been lost because of injuries include Delhomme, David Garrard, Steve McNair, Trent Green, J.P. Losman, Leinart, Alex Smith and Marc Bulger, among others. Losman didn't get his job back because rookie Trent Edwards has been so impressive.
Rex Grossman and Joey Harrington were benched because of poor play.
In the NFC, the only team with a winning record to change quarterbacks is Carolina. The only losing teams not to make a switch are New Orleans and Philadelphia.
Trying to pinpoint reasons
The Cowboys are the best team in the NFC. The Packers and Giants are close behind. None rank in the same class as New England and Indianapolis.
In the AFC, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore and Kansas City have posted winning records despite changing quarterbacks.
The Texans and Bengals are the only AFC teams with losing records not to change quarterbacks. At least not yet. That depends on Schaub's status for the Chargers.
Why are teams changing quarterbacks at such an alarming rate?
One theory says that free agency doesn't allow teams to keep offensive lines together like they used to be. Change means inconsistency in pass protection, which means the quarterbacks get hit a lot because of poor protection.
Another theory says there aren't enough good quarterbacks to supply every team with one, much less two. The idea being that if a quarterback isn't good, he's going to make mistakes — the kind that can cause injury or poor play. What can be done about it? Absolutely nothing during this era of free agency and the salary cap.
That's why Houston fans should appreciate their quarterback situation the way the Texans do. If Schaub isn't 100 percent for the Chargers, Rosenfels will get the call. And many believe Rosenfels is just as good as Schaub.
