Scouting the Jets' potential replacement QBsBy Jeremy Green
ESPN Insider
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The Jets lost more than just a game Sunday. In the process of another tough defeat, they also lost two quarterbacks, with starter Chad Pennington possibly done for the season with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Whether it's torn or not, it has been painfully apparent in the first few weeks of the season that Pennington's shoulder is just not right. His throws have lacked zip on the deep outs and curls, and Sunday at the Meadowlands it looked like he was playing with a lot of discomfort.
Not to be lost in the Pennington issue is the injury suffered by backup Jay Fiedler. The former Dolphins quarterback also apparently has a shoulder injury that will keep him out of this week's game, if not a lot longer.
Five days away from a big game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Jets have serious issues.
In instances like these, a team's pro personnel department becomes an extremely important asset. As director of pro personnel with the Cleveland Browns, it was my job to prepare and maintain an up-to-date emergency list, which was distributed every Friday to key front office people in case injuries arose. The list included 10-15 players at each position, ranked based on how their abilities could help us. It contained each player's name, height, weight, speed, age, medical history, most recent team he played for, contact information and his agent's name and contact information.
As the Jets coaches try to get Brooks Bollinger prepared to play this week, the personnel department is at work scouring its emergency list to find the best possible candidates to try out this week and possibly add to the roster.
The Jets filled one need with Vinny Testaverde, the most experienced QB available. He is a smart, reliable veteran who brings a lot of leadership to the table. He has played in numerous offensive systems, and of any QB the Jets could bring in, he probably would have the least trouble picking up the system. Testaverde is a big pocket passer who still has a good enough arm to make the throws he'll need to make in their system. While he has very limited mobility and his release isn't as quick as it once was, he is experienced at beating the blitz and can get the ball where it needs to go. Moreover, his leadership and the respect he would garner from veteran players give the Jets the chance to win.
The team still is expected to bring in veteran free agents Doug Johnson, Jonathan Quinn and Jesse Palmer. Here is a look at those options, as well as some other names the Jets could consider.
First options
Doug Johnson: He is a tough, competitive QB with good size and average to above-average arm strength. He is tough and will stand in and deliver the ball with defenders in his face, and he shows solid quickness in his set-up and delivery. The biggest issue with Johnson is that he doesn't consistently make good decisions. He will force the ball into traffic, and he gets rattled too easily under duress. He will struggle with touch throws, and his overall accuracy is below average. He is more of a pocket passer with limited athletic ability and mobility. While Johnson is just an average QB at best, his past starting experience may give him a leg up on other contenders.
Jonathan Quinn: For a 30-year-old veteran, he has not seen a lot of regular-season game action. He has solid size and very good arm strength, and like Testaverde and Johnson is a big pocket passer. He is not a mobile guy and struggles if he has to roll out and throw on the move, but he can be effective when he gets time in the pocket. He is smart, will go through his progressions and will generally get the ball where it is supposed to go. He does not have a quick trigger, though, and one of his big problems is the ability to beat the blitz. While he could pick up the offense quickly, the Jets may be better suited to go with a player with more game experience.
Jesse Palmer: The former New York Giants quarterback has spent the majority of his career as a No. 3. He has seen very little action, and when he did play, he struggled mightily. He has good size and average arm strength, but he needs to improve his touch on shorter underneath routes. He is not very accurate and can be late delivering the ball to the proper spot. He tends to fold under pressure and spends too much time looking at the rush instead of downfield. Of the QBs the Jets reportedly are bringing in, he may give them the least chance of winning should he be forced into action.
Worth mentioning
Quincy Carter: The last team he played for was the New York Jets. While they have a different system than the one in which he was in, new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger's system may suit Carter better than the West Coast offense he played under with Paul Hackett. The strength of Carter is his ability to throw the ball down the field, which Heimerdinger would like to do. Of all the QBs we'll talk about, Carter is also the best athlete. His foot quickness in the pocket is excellent, and when using a QB who does not know your system, it is extremely important that he has the ability to run out of the pocket and pick up first downs to keep drives alive.
Rohan Davey: He has no starting experience in the NFL, but he is a "winner." He won in college at LSU, and he led the Berlin Thunder to the NFL Europe championship while earning the league's offensive MVP award. Davey is a good athlete with a strong arm. He needs to work on his touch and accuracy on shorter to intermediate throws. While Davey is worth mentioning with this group, he's likely unavailable. I have learned he is currently on a flight to Arizona and could be signed by the Cardinals as early as today as they look for a No. 3 quarterback to help fill the void after the injury to Kurt Warner.
Tim Couch: I was with Couch in Cleveland, and he was one of the toughest players on the team during my tenure there. He proved he can stand in the pocket and take a hit. With Couch, though, you have to check his medical history and the status of his right elbow. In Cleveland he missed a lot of practice time with that injury, and if he were to sign with the Jets, he'd need a lot of practice reps to get prepared. Being unfamiliar with the Jets' system, he would need those reps in order to learn it quickly.
Mentioned, but unlikely
Billy Volek, Tennessee Titans: He would like to be a starter, and when given opportunities with Tennessee he has played very well. It would be a serious stretch to imagine the Titans parting ways with Volek. He is one of the better backups in the league, and while McNair is the guy right now, his health is always an issue. The Titans know they'll probably need to call on Volek at some point this season. While he is not the guy in Tennessee now, Volek will get his chance should McNair retire soon, which he reportedly considered last spring.
Patrick Ramsey, Washington Commanders: According to ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli, the Jets have inquired about the disgruntled QB, but the Commanders aren't interested in a trade. The Commanders drafted rookie QB Jason Campbell in the first round last spring, but he is not ready to play right now and is best served remaining the No. 3 guy. Had the Commanders not started 2-0, this trade would be a lot more likely. Should the Commanders be in the hunt late in the season and were starter Mark Brunell to go down, Ramsey is the guy on their current roster who gives them the best chance to win. For this reason, don't look for the Commanders to move Ramsey any time in the near future.
Jeremy Green has been an NFL scout for 10 years. Most recently, he was director of pro personnel for the Cleveland Browns.
