Rex Grossman is a Top Ten Back-up QB - David Carr and Orlovsky Didn't Make the List

by Rip Jersey on Jul 11, 2009 3:28 PM CDT

Sure, the Summer is long, but you can never run out of Top Ten and Top Five Lists! Clark Judge, Senior Writer for CBSSports.com has posted his Top Ten No. 2 QB's List and there are some notable exceptions, plus the writer also takes a few liberties and puts some "currently" starting QB's on the list, which I guess opens up another topic for debate.

Judge didn't number his list, nor is it in alphabetical order, so he has left it to us to interpret who he thinks is the top of the top ten. The first name he lists is Jeff Garcia of the Oakland Raiders. I can't really argue about Garcia. In recent years he has had occasion to step in for the Philadelphia Eagle and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and he has lifted those teams to the playoffs. The only question about Garcia, now, is his age and his ability to support the vertical-type of offense that the Raiders have built.

I'm just jumping around Judge's list, now. I see he has already relegated, unfortunate Sage Rosenfels to the backup role in Minnesota as he lives out the Bret Farve rollercoaster soap opera going on there. Will Sage be a supportive back-up for the future Hall-of-Famer? Tune in next month for the stunning conclusion of As The Viking Turns. Oh, by the way, Judge also includes Minnesota's OTHER back-up QB, Tavaris Jackson, on the list! Can you have two No. 2's, I ask?

Speaking of two No. 2's and as I mentioned in the title, newly acquired Houston Texan Rex Grossman made the list, based on having pitched for the defensively-dominant Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. However, Houstons higher paid No. 2, Dan Orlovsky is mentioned but receives no love from Judge. So, Houston has their own QB soap opera, even if it doesn't get the same national ratings that the Minnesota QB spot is getting.

I also mentioned David Carr in the title, seeing how he toiled in Houston for too many years as the anointed starter. Carr is still listed as the No. 2 for the NY Giants, but Judge failed to mention him and I don't think I will find much argument over that on these pages. Giants fans have to be praying that the "gloved-one" stays on the sidelines. I can imagine how they would feel if Carr gets the call!

Overall, I thought Judge gave us a good list. There are some quality back-up QB's in the NFL. Personally, I like Charlie Batch of the Steelers. He plays on a perenially contending team with an established, winning QB starter in Ben Rothlesberger. But Roth is one for stretching out plays, often exposing himself to taking a big hit resulting in a concussion. Roth has been known to go down and need replacing while he shakes off the cobwebs. Batch is returning to the No. 2 role that he has filled so well in previous seasons after missing some time himself last year while Byron Leftwich filled in for him. Leftwich has now departed to the Buccaneers where he is expected to resume starter duties.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Orlovsky under Kubiak > Orlovsky under Marinelli

Chris - www.HoustonDiehards.com

by HoustonDiehards on Jul 11, 2009 3:59 PM CDT reply actions

Chris - Do you think the fact that we overpaid for Dan O

means that Kubiak considers him a 1a and that his chances of having to start 4-5 games is a real possibility given Schaub’s track record of nondurability? Of course I would love to see Schaub start all 16 and lead us to the playoffs, I just have a hard time understanding the magnitude of Dan O’s contract. Factor in bringing Grossman to camp and the situation gets even more confusing. What’s the dang deal?

It took the Astros 44 years to get to the Series, the Oilers-Texans are due to get to the big dance...Go Texans!!!!!

by oiler-texan diehard on Jul 12, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not Chris

And I don’t have my own blog anymore…but to me Safety Dan’s contract and the Grossman signing can only mean one of two things.

1. As you suggested they saw him as a 1a and saw him as a potential starter of the future if Schaub’s durrability doesn’t improve. The signing of Grossman can then be seen as a backup for Dan / a guy to keep Orlovsky active and on his toes so he doesn’t get complacent while not starting.

2. Smithiak jumped the gun a bit on the free agent QB market, maybe they thought the QBs would leave the shelves faster than they did. Maybe it was just a matter of getting that position filled fast with someone they thought could do the job well…and in hindsight they may not have done the same thing. They signed Dan right out of the gate practically before the market had much of a chance to develop. If thats the case Texans-Brocos post below might be right, and if Dan-O doesn’t live up to his billing he may be gone sooner than later in a cap dump.

Honestly Dan’s fate, like that of most backups, depends more on what happens to Schaub this year then what he is or isn’t worth. If Schaub proves he can shrug off the hard hits Orlovsky and his bloated deal might be gone regardless of how much Kubiak thinks of him.

Currently Listening to: Leroy - Good Time

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that." - Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice

by last texans fan on Jul 12, 2009 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions

I absolutely think it’s because that no matter what the reasons for Schaub being hurt – cheap shots or not – the fact is, in two years, he’s been hurt. So I agree that part of overpaying for Orlovsky is that the Texans absolutely cannot be caught with their pants down if Schaub goes down for four games, or even one game.

I also think that they didn’t just hitch their backup-wagon to any guy they think might be adequate. I think they see something in Orlovsky, and the fact that he’s essentially the same size and has the same type game as Schaub – means that they think he’s a perfect fit for the system and would make for an easier transition than a backup who wasn’t as similar. Obviously, Orlovsky is nowhere NEAR as good as Schaub – but I think they feel they can mold him into the same type of quarterback with more coaching and experience.

I know Orlovsky was the QB for the worst team in history last year, but as I said before – Orlovsky is going to be in a MUCH better situation here. It’s a run-first team, there’s a better line, he has one of the most respected QB gurus as a coach, he’s still young, etc., etc.

IMO, with the cutting of Alex Brink, we’re pretty much a lock to keep all three QBs. There are worse things in the world than having two very capable backups.

Chris - www.HoustonDiehards.com

by HoustonDiehards on Jul 13, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

If Schaub goes down this year....(again)...

It will be interesting to see who can rise to the occasion, I have no doubt one of them would but I don’t know which. I feel a lot safer with these two knuckleheads then I did with Sage…even though Sage did have his moments.

Currently Listening to: Leroy - Good Time

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that." - Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice

by last texans fan on Jul 12, 2009 10:22 AM CDT reply actions

Grossman may be a cap saver

I think it is possible that they brought in Rex, so they can cut Dan latter if the need to make cap room for some of the deals they are trying to strike on the OD, Ryans, and Dunta fronts. He gives them a solid guy if they end up in a position to need to make cap room.

by Texans-Brocos on Jul 12, 2009 4:24 PM CDT reply actions

That's a lot to pay for a cap dump

Orlovsky’s signing bonus was $2.4 million. Based on that, I really think they brought him in to be the apparent No. 2. That doesn’t guarantee he will be and it doesn’t guarantee he won’t be cut, I know. But that signing bonus tells me they seriously think he will work out.

The opportunity to sign Grossman to a one year $620,000 contract was probably just too good to pass up as added insurance. You can buy a lot of aspirin for what they saved by bringing in Grossman. And, as one other poster pointed out previously, it is quite possible they have their new long snapper/tight end on the team, freeing up a spot for the third QB. Makes sense. Sounds like they can carry Orlovsky and Grossman and no one has to second guess Smithiak’s decision…until Schaub goes down and Orlovsky is handed the ball.

It will happen

by Rip Jersey on Jul 12, 2009 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions