Top FA Quarterbacks
Matt Schaub, RFA, Atlanta Falcons
The free agent quarterback class is light in 2007, but teams in true need of a field general may be highly interested in Schaub. He has an NFL arm and has shown flashes of possibly being a legitimate quality starting quarterback. It is likely that just a handful of teams would aggressively pursue Schaub, but if someone is willing to pay decent money and forfeit a draft pick for Schaub, he could be lured away from his spot behind Michael Vick. In the end, Schaub’s chances of re-signing with the Falcons don’t look good, as Schaub will likely pursue a bigger role in another offense. A handful of teams could look for their starter in Atlanta.
Damon Huard, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs
Huard had fallen off the NFL map somewhat in recent seasons. After starting as the Miami Dolphins quarterback in the ’99 and ’00 seasons, he played in just four games and attempted only one pass from the ’01 season through the ’05 season. An early injury to Chiefs starter Trent Green in 2006 changed Huard’s fate. Huard played in parts of nine games while Green was out, and in those nine games, he showed that he was a quite capable NFL quarterback. Huard posted a 97.6 quarterback rating with a 60.6% completion rate, and his 11 touchdown passes to just one interception had to have made an impression on someone. Huard may be asked to play second fiddle in a new town, but if he shows the same talent that he did in replacing Green, he could make a run at a starting position, if there’s a team looking to take a risk on a veteran.
Tim Rattay UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rattay seemed to show promise in San Francisco before he was traded to Tampa Bay after the 2005 NFL season. Some analysts even speculated that the former 49ers quarterback would challenge for the starting position in Tampa Bay, but Chris Simms was given the starting role. When Simms went down to injury, the door seemed to be open for Rattay, but sixth-round pick Bruce Gradkowski was given the job. Eventually, Rattay played in the final four games of the season, starting three. He posted an 88.2 passer rating against strong competition and tossed four touchdowns to two interceptions. Rattay may not be a special quarterback, and he may not find a starting role, but he is definitely a decent insurance policy. Situations in Philadelphia and Kansas City this season showed just how valuable a backup quarterback can be, so Rattay will find work somewhere and wait for his opportunity once again.
Jeff Garcia, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Garcia jumped back onto the NFL scene in 2006, when he took over for injured starter Donovan McNabb. He was able to throw for 1,309 yards and ten touchdowns to just two interceptions. The Eagles won five straight games under his leadership, and earned a playoff berth. Garcia could be a solid backup on most any NFL team, but there’s a slight chance that someone tries to tempt him with a shot at a starting role. The Eagles may look to secure his services since McNabb’s health has been a concern in recent seasons, and the team knows that Garcia can still bring success.
Other Free Agent Quarterbacks
Rohan Davey, RFA, Arizona Cardinals
Shaun King, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
John Navarre, RFA, Arizona Cardinals
Tim Rattay, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Anthony Wright, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/nfl/freeagents.html
