5 Quarterbacks With Something to Prove in 2013

[michael89156]

Five NFC Quarterbacks With Something to Prove in 2013
 
By Daniel Hutchinson



February 06, 2013 9:24 am
 



Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is floating on cloud nine right now after leading his team to a 34-31 win in Super Bowl XLVII and being named that game’s MVP.

However, quarterbacks of 31 other teams are not as happy because their season ended without the Lombardi Trophy.

Some quarterbacks have more to prove than others and in this article I focus on five NFC quarterbacks who have something significant to prove to themselves, their team’s and the NFL in 2013.




Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
 1 of 5








Statistically, 2012 was quarterback Josh Freeman’s best season in the league; however he has still left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with something to be desired.

In the middle of the season Freeman could seemingly do no wrong as he passed for a total of 2,014 yards, 17 touchdowns, and led his team to 5-2 record, the bottom fell out in the second half of the season.

In Weeks 12-17, the Buccaneers finished with a record of 1-5 and were outscored in those losses 147-80.

Additionally in the last six games of the season Freeman completed only 53 percent of 239 pass attempts while throwing six touchdowns in comparison to 10 interceptions.

I understand that the Buccaneers finished last in the league in 2012 in total passing yards allowed, and third from last in passing touchdowns allowed, so that Freeman is not total responsible for Tampa Bay’s poor play in the second half of the season.

However, the quarterback is the leader of a team’s offense and is one of the most scrutinized positions on the field.

Fair or not, Freeman is going to feel the brunt of frustration from Tampa Bay fans.

News around the league is that Freeman is not going to get a contract extension this offseason, fueling a growing debate on whether or not Freeman will return to Tampa Bay following the 2013 season.

Head coach Greg Schiano was quoted in an article published on ESPN.com as saying, “The one thing I do believe in is competition at every spot, including the quarterback, so I want to have as many good football players on our team as we can at every single position.”

This statement suggests that despite a 4,000-yard passing season in 2012 by Freeman, Schiano is not convinced that Freeman is the Buccaneers' franchise quarterback, and will do everything in his power to have a healthy quarterback competition in training camp.

This competition could either help Freeman step up and be consistent throughout the 2013 season or it could spell the end of his role as a starting quarterback and as a player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.






Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
2 of 5
 







The Dallas Cowboys have not been to the playoffs since the 2009 season when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild-Card round, but lost to the Minnesota Vikings by 31 points in the Divisional round.

In the past three seasons Dallas has managed a regular season record of 22-26 with most of the blame and frustration centering around quarterback Tony Romo.

Despite spectacular statistics, 25,737 passing yards and 177 touchdown passes since 2006, Romo is accused by many as being unable to get the job done, as his poor play in fourth quarters has seemingly cost Dallas wins and chances to help Dallas make the playoffs.

Two notable examples are 2011 season games against the Detroit Lions, and a 2012 game against the Washington Redskins.

In the 2011 game against Detroit, Romo threw three second half interceptions, which helped Detroit outscore Dallas 31-3 in the second half, which also eventually led to a 34-30 win for the Lions.

In the 2012 finale with a trip to the playoffs on the line, Romo had a completion percentage of 54, while throwing for only 218 yards.

Additionally, Romo threw three interceptions, the last of which came with less than four minutes left in the game and led to a Redskins touchdown and a 28-18 Washington win.

Romo is scheduled to be a free agent following the 2013 season and unless Dallas makes it to the Super Bowl we will be seeing an end of an era in Dallas.

That is if Jerry Jones and the Cowboys do not use Romo for draft time trading bait.






Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
3 of 5
 






This might be a surprise choice especially since two of the other quarterbacks in the NFC North are Jay Cutler and Christian Ponder; however, Matthew Stafford is going to have lots on his plate this season.

After a 2011 season in which Stafford threw for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns, and the Lions finishing with a record of 10-6 and their first playoff berth in over a decade -- in 2012 the Lions returned to normal finishing with a record of 4-12.

In 2012, Stafford finished with 4,967 passing yards, only 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

Part of the reason for the backward fall was problems around Stafford on offense.

The running game finished 23rd in average rushing yards gained per game and in total rushing touchdowns scored.

When it comes to receivers only one, Calvin Johnson, had more than 600 receiving yards, and no receivers had double digit touchdowns.

Stafford now has two complete seasons under his belt and after having a taste of success in 2012; the expectation he will have to live up to is consistent winning in Detroit.

Stafford will be with Detroit for at least two more seasons, and has a $15-million option for 2015, so he should have time to show what he can do.

Unfortunately, unless Detroit gets help on offense he and Johnson might have to continue going it alone.





Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
4 of 5
 






From November 19th through January 20th, everyone was singing the praises of Colin Kaepernick who was the quarterback sensation that guided San Francisco to a 7-2 record, while passing for 2,104 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also rushing for 440 yards and four touchdowns.

However, things did not go so well for Kaepernick in the Super Bowl.

In the first half San Francisco managed only two field goals, while Kaepernick completed only eight passes for 139 yards, while being sacked twice and becoming the first San Francisco quarterback to ever throw an interception in a Super Bowl.

Kaepernick did better after the Superdome power outage as he threw a touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree, which was followed up by a rushing touchdown by Frank Gore.

Additionally, Kaepernick added a 15-yard touchdown run early on in the fourth quarter making the score 31-29, in favor of Baltimore.

However, the truest mark of a good quarterback is their ability to lead a game-winning drive late in the big game, and Kaepernick would get that chance.

After a lengthy Baltimore drive and field goal, Kaepernick would get the ball back with a little over four minutes left in the game with his 49ers down by five.

On that final drive, Kaepernick completed one of four passes, with his last pass of the game being an incomplete pass on fourth-and-goal on Baltimore’s five-yard line.

Not only was Kaepernick the quarterback to throw an interception in the Super Bowl but he was also the first to not lead San Francisco to a win in the Super Bowl.

For those two reasons alone Kaepernick will have lots to prove in 2013.

Kaepernick will also have to prove he has what it takes to continually be a starting quarterback in the NFL, and will get his chance with Alex Smith most likely leaving this offseason.






Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
5 of 5
 






Robert Griffin III had a great rookie season as he was able to lead his Washington Redskins to a 10-6 record, which included a 7-0 run to finish the season, and the team’s first playoff berth since the 2007 season.

In that rookie season, Griffin III threw for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns while also running for 815 yards and seven touchdowns.

In Washington’s playoff loss to the Seahawks, Griffin III passed for 84 yards, two touchdowns, while running for 21 yards.

However, Washington did finish the season ranked 20th in total passing yards, and Griffin III dealt with injury throughout his first season, with backup Kirk Cousins relieving Griffin III in a few games, and replaced Griffin III as a starter in one game.

No injury was more serious than the one Griffin III suffered in the playoff game against the Seahawks.

As Griffin III was trying to make a play on a bad shotgun snap his knee gave out on him and that play was Griffin's last play in the game.

Since then Griffin III had surgery in early January to repair his MCL and LCL and faces a long rehab process.

Griffin III will most likely start training camp on the PUP list, and is shooting for a return date of the first week of the regular season.

Adrian Peterson returned this season, after suffering a knee injury in 2011, and rushed back to win the 2012 MVP award. No doubt that Griffin III is hoping for similar results.

Griffin III will have to prove that he can come back strong while overcoming both his injury and a sophomore curse.

It will be interesting to see if fear of being injured again will hamper any of Griffin's style in 2013.





http://www.footballnation.com/content/five-nfc-quarterbacks-with-something-to-prove-2013/21334/

[jerseybucsfan]

Not the best list.

[DEBUCSOWN]

"Statistically, 2012 was quarterback Josh Freeman’s best season in the league; however he has still left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with something to be desired. "

maybe he had the most TD's and or yards..but in 2010 he had the 8th best touchdown to interception ratio ever(25/6). So i disagree completely with that

[tbc_bucs]

"Statistically, 2012 was quarterback Josh Freeman’s best season in the league; however he has still left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with something to be desired. "

maybe he had the most TD's and or yards..but in 2010 he had the 8th best touchdown to interception ratio ever(25/6). So i disagree completely with that

This.

Freeman may have had his hottest stretch as an NFL qb but not his best overall season. He collapsed. It was almost like he had a combo season, both 2010 and 2011 combined, so schiano really doesn't know who he is... Or is this freeman? Wildly good one game, horridly bad the next...

Ultimately, I believe, that is why the bucs are not talking extension this offseason. He has to put it all together.

[JDouble]

"In Weeks 12-17, the Buccaneers finished with a record of 1-5 and were outscored in those losses 147-80.

Additionally in the last six games of the season Freeman completed only 53 percent of 239 pass attempts while throwing six touchdowns in comparison to 10 interceptions"


But....but....we missed the playoffs cause the defense!!! 

Allowing an average of 24.5 points per game is not good, so the defense shares the blame for sure, but the offense averaging 13.3 points per game is why we missed the playoffs. The saddest part about that, is during that six game stretch we played some of the worst defenses in the NFL....and people wonder why so many have seen enough of Freeman. Go on game rewind, watch the those 6 games, and tell me with a straight face that you really want Freeman back. Most people won't make it past the 41-0 Saints game before they have to stop watching.

[Legend]

If your name is not Brady, Rodgers, Manning ,Brees or Big Ben, you have something to prove every season.

[ingey1968]

Not sure you can put big ben in that list

[JC5100]

"In Weeks 12-17, the Buccaneers finished with a record of 1-5 and were outscored in those losses 147-80.

Additionally in the last six games of the season Freeman completed only 53 percent of 239 pass attempts while throwing six touchdowns in comparison to 10 interceptions"


But....but....we missed the playoffs cause the defense!!! 

Allowing an average of 24.5 points per game is not good, so the defense shares the blame for sure, but the offense averaging 13.3 points per game is why we missed the playoffs. The saddest part about that, is during that six game stretch we played some of the worst defenses in the NFL....and people wonder why so many have seen enough of Freeman. Go on game rewind, watch the those 6 games, and tell me with a straight face that you really want Freeman back. Most people won't make it past the 41-0 Saints game before they have to stop watching.

The season was over after we lost to the Eagles that put as at 6-7, so for you, or anyone, to use stats from the last 3 games as to why we missed the playoffs is beyond stupid.

First 7 losses
Average score: Bucs 21.4 Opponents 27.7
Average yardage allowed: 422.4 yards per game
Blown late 4th qtr leads: 4
Freeman's TD/INT ratio: 11/5

Freeman's overall numbers before Eagles game
231/422  3192 yards (7.6 yards per attempt, that's excellent for you goobers who don't know), 25 TDs, 8 INTs  91.1 rating

[JDouble]

The season was over after we lost to the Eagles that put as at 6-7, so for you, or anyone, to use stats from the last 3 games as to why we missed the playoffs is beyond stupid.

We had no way of knowing if 9-7 would get us into the wildcard or not. It was a log jam and it was obvious that some 9 win and 10 win teams were going to get in. So who is really being beyond stupid here? Don't try to discard the facts that hurt your argument simply because you don't want to deal with them. It invalidates your entire post. The stats from the final 3 or 4 games are just as valid as the rest of the season. Picking and choosing doesn't make sense.

[JDouble]

If you wanna break it down, if someone wnats to take the time, I'd love to see Freeman's stats broken down into three categories. First four games, the next six after the bye when we went on a tear verse the NFL's worst teams, and then finally his last 6 games. It would be interesting to see those three chunks next to each other for comparison and contrast, because it was kinda like we had three different seasons in one. We were mediocre for the first four, really good for the middle six, and horrible for the final six.


It would also be interesting to see how Martin did during those same three chunks. Defense too.

[BucfanNC12]

Terrible list.

[danimal09]

This list is garbage. Where is Jay Cutler, Cam Newton, Mark Sanchez, Brandon Weeden? They all have more to prove next year then most on this list. Only ones they got right was Romo and Freeman.

[danimal09]

This list is garbage. Where is Jay Cutler, Cam Newton, Mark Sanchez, Brandon Weeden? They all have more to prove next year then most on this list. Only ones they got right was Romo and Freeman.

Just realized this is NFC only but still bad list

[Detrimental]

All I know is, I want  Teddy Bridgewater if Freeman doesn't play well next year. I'd be willing to make a Redskins-esque trade to acquire him.

[danimal09]

All I know is, I want  Teddy Bridgewater if Freeman doesn't play well next year. I'd be willing to make a Redskins-esque trade to acquire him.

+1

That kids looks impressive.