Some quarterbacks play the role perfectly. Kerry Collins, Kurt Warner, and Brad Johnson all managed to transition from top league quarterbacks to successful backups.  They worked hard with their teams, they helped guide younger quarterbacks as they tried for success in the NFL.  And when their teams called their numbers?  Collins responded by leading the Titans to the AFC South title, Warner led the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl, and Johnson led the Vikings to a 7-2 record in games he started, just falling short of the playoffs.

Kerry Collins turned the Titans into a threat again by staying sharp despite not starting for years. Source: Jim Brown-US PRESSWIRE

These quarterbacks all stayed sharp. They all had success during their time starting for teams.  What sets them apart from the Byron Leftwiches, the David Carrs, and the Trent Edwards?  Is it all about skill?  Is it all just superior performance?  Or does it have something to do with the ability to sit down and understand one’s role?

I’m willing to argue the latter.  David Carr had a rough go of it in Houston.  He is the most sacked quarterback in his first season.  Byron Leftwich had a big arm and could read defenses.  He wasn’t the most mobile quarterback, but neither was Drew Bledsoe or Collins.  And what about Trent Edwards?  A little gun-shy, sure, but the kid could take his backup time and work harder to understand pressures and regain a starting role.

Chad Henne will be coming into a backup role in Jacksonville.  For the good of the franchise and his own professional career, it behooves the signal caller to work hard, study hard, and try to help the franchise as a whole.  If a player is truly invested in the team he plays for.  Henne won’t be as far removed from starting as Warner, Collins, or Johnson were. He never experienced the success that all three of those quarterbacks had (All three went to a Superbowl), but he has a strong arm and knows how to lead an offense.

He won’t be leading the first team offense during practice, but by working hard he will be able to improve the Jaguars chances of winning every time he steps on the field.

And if Henne is forced into the leading the Jaguars, I want him as prepared as he possibly can be.  I wish him the best of success in his learning the role of the backup quarterback.  It’s often overlooked, but the role can be considerably more beneficial than people realize.  Just ask Warner, Collins, and Johnson.

- Luke N. Sims

Source: bleacherreport.com

This is being reported by Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. He’s no Adam Schefter when it comes to how many stories he scoops, but he’s no Adam Schefter when it comes to blowing smoke up people’s behinds. If he’s reporting it, this is likely the truth.

It looks like today is the end of the David Garrard era in Jacksonville and Luke McCown will likely be starting the season under center from the Jaguars. Jack Del Rio, often referred to as Gambler Jack by former Jacksonville team writer Vic Ketchman, is known for his bold moves on both 4th down and with his roster.

This also implies that it will only be a matter of time before Blaine Gabbert is starting and his development will likely be accelerated to whatever level he can handle. Garrard would have been a bridge for the 2011 season; McCown is no bridge. He is merely a placeholder until the rookie is ready to go.

Hold on to your butts, people. The 2011 season just got pretty funky. Peyton Manning out indefinitely. Arian Foster with a hamstring injury that’s likely to linger. David Garrard out, McCown/Gabbert in. Vince Young saga over and Hasselbeck locker in Tennessee.

The AFC South is the wild, wild west. Looks like we might want to stay tuned all 16 games.

- Andrew Hofheimer

Image Courtesy: ARO Drive

Pictured left to right: Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, Tom Brady

Cruising around the web today, I noticed a reader commented with the term “franchise quarterback”. This is a term that has often bothered me. When should it really be used? How does one actually define the franchise quarterback? Most use it as a description for a quarterback that is above-average and participates in multiple playoff games. Granted, that’s not what they’re thinking when they say that, but it is the end result and by these regards, I would label current Jaguars QB David Garrard a “franchise quarterback”. Is he deserving?

Let’s define it.

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