Ryan Mallett Over Brian Hoyer and Other QB Battle Picks by Erik Lambert 6h ago 
There is no more important position maybe in all of sports than the quarterback of a football team. Those that have one will win a lot of games. Those that don’t must struggle to do so. A number of teams will try to figure their situations out through straight competition between two or even three players on the roster. Based on current information, which ones have the best chance to come out on top?Houston Texans: Ryan Mallett def. Brian HoyerHere is something people need to remember. Brian Hoyer already had his shot at starting in the NFL. Two of them in fact. He got a quick look in Arizona which didn’t pan out and then got a chance with two different coaching staffs in Cleveland. While he did go 10-7 in his career as a starter, it wasn’t enough.Ryan Mallett is younger and frankly more talented than Hoyer is. His first opportunity was cut short by a poorly timed injury. He showed signs of progress before that. The size and big arm he boasts are all benefits Bill O’Brien can’t ignore for his offense. If this is about the long-term, then Mallett is going to win that job.
May 26, 2015; Berea, OH Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) during organized team activities at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports Cleveland Browns: Josh McCown def. Johnny ManzielThe smart play would be for the Cleveland Browns to get Johnny Manziel back on the field to continue learning, this time with a smart veteran like Josh McCown there to help him. Probably the worst thing they could do is play him and then relegate him back to the bench after he worked hard to get himself clean. What he needs is experience.It won’t happen though. The Browns coaches are under pressure to win. McCown, even at age 35 gives them a better chance in 2015. Their hope is likely that he plays this season while Manziel learns on the sideline. It’s possible, but the trends aren’t in their favor. McCown has never produced a winning season as a starter in pro football.
May 26, 2015; Orchard Park, NY Buffalo Bills quarterback Jeff Tuel (7) and quarterback Matt Cassel (16) during the organized team activities at the ADPRO Sports Training Center. Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports Buffalo Bills: E.J. Manuel def. Matt CasselRex Ryan may be the new head coach in town, but Doug Whaley remains the GM for the Buffalo Bills. He invested a 1st round pick with the plan that E.J. Manuel become their quarterback of the future. The team never got a definitive answer under Doug Marrone, who benched the kid last season after a 2-2 start in favor of Kyle Orton.It’s not like Manuel has played horribly. He’s thrown more touchdowns than interceptions in his career and has a 6-8 record. That’s just over one season of work. It takes more than that for a quarterback to learn the pro speed. Matt Cassel may be the veteran with the Pro Bowl history, but he isn’t that player anymore. Whaley will urge Ryan to give Manuel one more shot.
May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJNew York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) and New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports New York Jets: Geno Smith def. Ryan FitzpatrickTodd Bowles has insisted from the beginning that the starting quarterback job is Geno Smith’s to lose. He finished 2014 on a high note and now has an offense around him teaming with a mix of young and veteran talent. Removing him now could stunt his growth beyond repair.At the same time, Ryan Fitzpatrick was brought in to push him. He has a prior relationship with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. One might see that as a reason to remove Smith. In truth it may be the New York Jets’ way of putting somebody behind the young quarterback who knows the system and can help accelerate the learning process. With promising project Bryce Petty stowed away for 2016, why not give Smith his last chance?
May 26, 2015; Ashbury, VA Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) and Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins warm up during the Redskins OTA at Redskins Park. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III def. Kirk CousinsIn truth these two have been going to war for the Washington Redskins starting job for three years. Robert Griffin III has that 1st round pick aura and the Pro Bowl history but has regained that form since injuring his knee his rookie season. Kirk Cousins has taken some swings of his own with a mixed bag of results. At times he looks great, others not so much.What it will come down to is which one head coach Jay Gruden believes can run his West Coast system more efficiently, or which one he’s pressured into playing. Owner Daniel Snyder is known for being active in such issues. He’ll be urging the team to figure out how to get a return on RGIII given that kings’ ransom of draft picks they gave up for him.
Dec 18, 2014; Jacksonville, FLTennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) looks on from the bench during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Tennessee Titans 21-13. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Tennessee Titans: Zach Mettenberger def. Marcus MariotaThis may be the upset of the year. Anybody who thinks #2 overall pick Marcus Mariota isn’t going to play must be crazy, right? In truth this move shouldn’t be that surprising from the Tennessee Titans. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt knows that for all his talent, Mariota comes from a spread offense at Oregon. He rarely, if ever took snaps from under center and isn’t used to it.Why subject him to the pounding of NFL defenses before he’s ready? Better to put Mettenberger in as the short-term starter, let Mariota learn from the sideline and then when the situation dictates, put him in. This is the future of the franchise after all. They must be smart about it.link
