One of the big questions for the Raiders this season is whether they should look for a QB if/whenever free agency hits. They re-signed their third-string quarterback from 2010, Kyle Boller. Still lingering are 2009 and 2010 back-up, Bruce Gradkowski, and 2009 third-stringer, Charlie Frye. If you remember, Frye was placed on IR early in 2010. I think the best option for the team is to look somewhere else for a QB because they didn’t like the Gradkowski or Frye option when they could have signed one of them before. Those two quarterbacks have studied Hue Jackson’s playbook for a season and Gradkowski actually ran it a few times. Still, the starting quarterback only has a one year contract and he’s still iffy. On that note, the best option may be a young fellow who can spend most of the year, if not all of it, learning. If Frye and Grads make their exit, who are the top five best options for the Raiders in free agency?
1. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers
Here’s what I think about Alex Smith: he is a good QB prospect who found himself in some bad situations in San Francisco. He is not JaWalruss; he doesn’t come with all that baggage. There’s no way anyone is going to be giving him a huge contract. Here’s a kid who obviously has some talent, but hasn’t been in an ideal situation with all the offensive unsteadiness. Also, Hue Jackson’s offense is a productive one that stands to be one of the better offensive units in the league running the football. That takes a lot of pressure off the quarterback. This option could be ideal for Smith, who wouldn’t have to travel far to get to his new job. It could also turn out really well for the Raiders, and we all know how Al Davis loves former first round picks.
2. Dennis Dixon, Pittsburgh Steelers
I just know Levi Damien will love to see an Oregon Duck at number two on my list. All kidding aside, Dixon has really good upside. He actually reminds me a lot of Vince Young. There’s just something in his eyes, he’s got that desire to win inside him. A torn ACL in 2010 will need time to heal in 2011, but the Raiders may have the right tools to make him their emergency QB for a season. He won two games at the beginning of the season and looked like he had potential in the NFL. He’s a restricted free agent, so the Raiders would have to give up a fifth round pick for him and the Steelers could match the offer, which might drive the price up.
3. Troy Smith, San Francisco 49ers
Smith was my favorite quarterback in the 2007 draft. The Raiders could have had Calvin Johnson, one of the best wide receiver prospects ever drafted. But noooooo! Smith went in the fifth round to the Baltimore Ravens – a team that used to staff Hue Jackson and Al Saunders. Smith won the Heisman, but was blasted in his teams’ bowl game by JaMeatloaf’s LSU Tigers. In my opinion, he should have been drafted a lot higher. But people worried about his size at the next level. Like Dixon, Smith is a winner, but it remains to be seen whether or not he can win those big January and February games. Perhaps in Oakland he can develop into a solid back-up quarterback, or more. The 49ers are rumored to be very interested in Dennis Dixon themselves.
4. Drew Stanton, Detroit Lions
Stanton may have some potential at this level, but the Lions never really had confidence in him to become their starter and ultimately limited him to third string behind Matt Stafford and Shaun Hill. He does have the tools to succeed at the NFL level if he is given the right opportunity. To be honest, I’m not really sure how Stanton and Smith ended up ranked lower than Brady Quinn or JaMoney. Oh, actually I do know, it was a bad senior season for Stanton, followed by an injury. In the limited action in Detroit, Stanton was never given the opportunity to show whether or not he could get the job done. But he’s a smart kid with some skills, so if the price is right, get him in at least for preseason.
5. Trent Edwards, Jacksonville Jaguars
Edwards just plain got a raw deal in Buffalo. I’m not sure why he was shunned and shown the door, but Buffalo made no bones about it — they wanted Ryan Fitzpatrick to be their guy. Edwards was decent in relief of Jags’ QB David Garrard last year, but the Jags just drafted another quarterback at ten overall in the draft. I don’t think they are going to buy the Edwards real estate. But as far as being a guy with some talent that could develop and be productive, Edwards gets a B-plus in my book. He has shown the leadership ability NFL coaches like to see and could definitely develop into a reliable back-up option. Of the guys on this list, Edwards may not have the most upside, but is probably the most ready to start tomorrow if the Raiders needed him to.
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