Potential Rams QB options beyond 2009

by VanRam on Jul 17, 2009 7:20 AM CDT in Preseason Comment 18 comments

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

The Rams are looking for Marc Bulger to turn it around in 2009. If he doesn't they'll be looking for QBs. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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If you clicked through and read the entire page of the link I posted yesterday, in the post comparing the Rams of '09 to the Redskins of '08, there was another interesting tidbit, sure to feed plenty of rumors and angry message boarding (like water boarding, but it hurts your brain). It involves some baseless trade speculation, the kind of thing that could start getting out of control if the NFL down time runs any longer. Here's the tidbit in question:

With Marc Bulger facing a do-or-die season, the Rams are among the most likely teams to make a quarterback trade before or during camp. Bulger's never played in an offense like Shurmur's and could struggle this preseason. Tarvaris Jackson, who is expected to ask out once Brett Favre signs in Minnesota, and Kevin Kolb have played in the same system. Shurmur was Kolb's position coach in Philadelphia for the last two years. Other names of interest could be free agent Brian Griese, Todd Collins, and Vince Young or Michael Vick if the Rams really want to get creative.

Argh, the Vick thing pops up again, and Vince Young isn't a free agent, yet. Other than that, the Tarvaris Jackson and Kevin Kolb notion is kind of interesting, though pure speculation on the part of that author.

If Bulger doesn't work out this season, it's guaranteed that the Rams will be looking for a quarterback. The timeline here is way off, Devaney isn't going to start the search for a new QB during camp nor during the season, unless there's an injury. However, any of these names would be very intriguing should Bulger come up short in his make or break year.

Jackson, a second round pick from 2006, has decent career numbers, except for in the games lost to injury department. I don't know how good he really is; he lost time to Gus Frerotte last year. Before Brett Favre inseted himself in to the conversation, a battle between Jackson and Sage Rosenfels for the Vikings starting QB job was shaping up. There's even an outside chance the Jackson could be released this year if Favre signs on.

I'd be more interested in Eagles backup Kevin Kolb. A second round pick from Houston (same school as Donnie Avery), Kolb has been touted with the Eagles, and you'll remember the media's McNabb watchers said his presence meant the end of McNabb's days in green. Obviously, that wasn't the case. Kolb's contract expires after next season and McNabb has one year after that, complicating the equation of whether or not Kolb would even be available.

As for the other QBs mentioned above...do we really even need to respond? Griese, Boller's better than that. Todd Collins? The Rams don't do ancient backups anymore. Vince Young? Would he be a fit in this offense, can he play anymore? Michael Vick? We've covered that.

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FUTURE RAM Q.B.

Looking at that list, its CRAP! Those folks are losers. too old, or just not worth the money.
The RAMS screwed up not taking Harrell, period. Michael Vick? I would disown the RAMS and become a 49er fan, what an insult that would be. They had their chance for a quality QB with Sanchez and Harrell, maybe they can get COLT BRENNAN he’s a backup right now.

by California Mobile CPR on Jul 17, 2009 9:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Graham Harrell? Are you kidding?

Harrell is not a good enough to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. If he were, he would have been drafted in one of the 256 picks in the draft. The fact that not one team wanted to acquire his services in the draft is a clear indication that he is not good enough to be in the NFL. If he were even good enough to be a backup QB in the NFL, some time most likely would have taken him in one of the later rounds. Harrell is too small and was largely a product of Mike Leach’s spread offense — and of the bad defenses in the Big 12. Also, he never displayed the necessary arm strength to excel at the next level. He has already signed with the CFL, and he could be a very solid QB there, but the NFL is not the right avenue for him.

With regards to Sanchez, he would have been nice, yes, but the Rams did not have enough money to pay for Bulger’s big contract as well as a hefty contract for a top 5 QB. Remember, Sanchez received $28 million in guaranteed money from the Jets. That would have been a ton of money to devote to two QBs.

As for these potential replacements for Bulger, Kevin Kolb is the only one that intrigues me, but that is simply because he knows Shurmur’s system. He has never started a regular season game in the NFL, so it’s hard to tell just how good he can be. From what I’ve seen from him in the preseason and in mop-up duty, I think he has the tools to be a solid QB in the NFL. Tarvaris Jackson, absolutely not. Questionable work ethic and leadership, doesn’t have a great arm and is the reason the Vikings lost to the Eagles in the NFC Wild Card game last year.

by BruinFanBaby on Jul 18, 2009 12:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Harrell is hoping to play in Canada.

He tried out for Cleveland and they cut him already. No one in the NFL drafted him, and no one is interested in him even now. There is obviously something wrong with him that you aren’t seeing.

by andyrose on Jul 17, 2009 11:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Harrell is already a Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback as I type this.

Devaney & Co. didn’t think much of him to take in the draft so why would they want him now?

I still believe Bulger is our best shot for the ‘09 season. I also feel Kyle Boller is a fine backup to take over the reigns IF or WHEN Bulger gets injuried. However, I don’t think Bulger will get injured all that much with the West Coast type offense, mainly with the “three-step drop”/quick release passes and our much-improved front line.

Speaking of the “West Coast Offense”, for those of you who don’t really know what it is, here’s a nice article by FootballOutsiders.com on the Fox Sports website. It’s from way back in 2006 but it hasen’t changed much since then:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5913880/West-Coast-Offense-Simplified

I guess all this quarterback talk is just “off-season” chatter…right? I mean ya gotta talk about something don’t ya?

Go Rams!

"We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now." --- Bruce Coslett, New York Jets Head Coach circa 1990s

by Nbr1RamFan on Jul 17, 2009 3:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Stick with Bulger

I say stick with what we have and if it doesn’t work out with Bulger/Boller we’ll have another top 5 pick anyway. If that happens the Rams can look to bring in a top shiny brand new QB that fits the Shurmur mold.

by Gabriel#18 on Jul 17, 2009 6:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

am i the only smart person

I like almost all of the options besides Collins and Harrell(???) Bulger is a back-up! His careers stats are thanx to Holt, Bruce, and Steven Jax. How can u not b intrigued by Michael Vick, Uh……moble, cannon for an arm, and a defensive coordinaters nightmare! Vick, Steven Jax, new o-line and young quick recievers. Sound way better than Bulger, Jax, new oline and young receivers for sure. Bulger will nt b remembers from the gridiron. Vick on the other hand has already thrilled the football world and set records, and i promise he’s not done

by Dj Oxygen on Jul 18, 2009 4:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Rams fromt office already gave a big "NO" to Vick...

He doesn’t even come close to fitting Spag’s mold (the “four pillars”).

I suspect if Marc Bulger has a good year you’ll probably say it was only because he had a great o-line, the young WRs steped up their game and big number 39 had his best year.

Go Rams!

by Nbr1RamFan on Jul 18, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

me and you

I agree with you 100 o/o ! Bulger is an overpaid underachiever!

by ramsmom on Jul 18, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who..?

Brian Griese, Tavaris Jackson…..yecch! They make Bulger look good, and that ain’t easy. Vick is the only credible QB mentioned. He and Jax could be a Super Bowl tandem.

by edpjr on Jul 18, 2009 6:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just saw a story on Vick.

He has never thrown for even 3,000 yards in a season, and never reached 55% on his completion percentage. He is not an NFL quarterback. What’s more, he hasn’t been in a football conditioning program for two years. Even if he is allowed to play this year, he probably won’t be in shape to do much. The only people who seem to think he has a chance to succeed see him running the Wildcat. Why should the Rams waste a roster spot on him this year, even if he is allowed to play?

by andyrose on Jul 18, 2009 9:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I realize one can't convince a Bulger apologist of anything, but...

…if Vick is so bad how did he lead the Falcons to a 48-17 victory over our Rams (and Bulger) in our last playoff appearance??? Also, I’d much rather have a guy that passes for 3000 yards and a 55% completion percentage and can also run like a scalded dog than an immobile 32 yr old QB that throws off his back foot.

by edpjr on Jul 18, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What makes you think he can still run?

I’m not a Bulger apologist. He has been bad the last two years. I just don’t think Vick is the answer. What it sounds like you are wanting is to sign him so we might win another game or two this year if he is in shape to play, but give up on any development of a team approach to football and following a successful system. I would rather build the team to be a success in two or three years rather than throw that away for maybe another win or two this year. If Vick is so wonderful, why didn’t the Falcons make the playoffs every year he was there?

by andyrose on Jul 18, 2009 11:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Vick is only 28 years old...

…so why would his running skills have diminished? A full training camp and a few games could get him back up to speed. Vick could, and likely will be, a long-term QB for some lucky NFL team eventually. btw, Bulger is 32 now, who will be the QB for the successful Rams team you see taking 2-3 years to build? And, not even Brett Favre, Tom Brady or Kurt Warner can make the playoffs every year.

by edpjr on Jul 19, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Four pillar

Spags said his football team would live by the four pillars, So if u go to the rams u must live by these 4 pillars. He didnt say that he was building a team based on those pillars but that if u are on the rams u would live by them. People make mistakes. People also change and in some situations learn from there mistakes. Forget about the damn pillars, people are goin overboard with that! If u build a team full of square asses ur team would suck. This is a violent sport. Bulger….is a far from tuff and is very bad under pressure. I want talent! he’s a timing QB. We’ll go no where with bulger. Qoute that!

by Dj Oxygen on Jul 19, 2009 12:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well put, well said!

by edpjr on Jul 19, 2009 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm gonna put a list together which involves some draft picks

FAs JP Losman
Draft picks next year Colt Mccoy or Tim Tebow

I know im gonna get roasted by u guys but there it is!!!

"There's no substitute for guts."
-- Paul "Bear" Bryant

by cincyboy on Jul 19, 2009 9:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jason Boltus Is Someone We Could Have Tried Out

Considering that he is a top 10 college QB (in all college divisions) in passing yards, total yards and passing TD’s, I don’t know why we didn’t go after Jason Boltus as an undrafted free-agent?

Maybe he wouldn’t beat out Keith Null for the 3rd-string QB job, but maybe he would.

He’s certainly more athletic. He has great size at 6’3 and 215 pounds.

He passed for 13,276 yards and 134 passing TD’s in his college career.

Would he be guaranteed to one day be our starting QB and be one of the best starting QB’s in the NFL? No. But I’ll bet Keith Null isn’t either. I think we should have brought him in for a tryout even though he wasn’t overly impressive at the combine. With the right trainers and coaches, he may still one day be a quality backup NFL QB at the very least.

I’m concerned that we’re going to go after a Tavaris Jackson, Vince Young or Jason Campbell type of QB instead of drafting one.

Yeesh.

A Boltus Link:
http://espndb.go.com/nfl/draft/player/profile/_/playerId/23959/jason-boltus

by HORNHEAD13 on Jul 20, 2009 7:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Last Night

After last night’ game I was reminded of the lack of emotion and leadership Bulger shows. Half the time his head is down and he looks like a deer in the headlights. I didn’t feel like he was into the game or that he was excited.. or actually much of anything….

Null had great poise, but the qustion is, is he that talented and special or is Bulger just that pathetic? Don’t get me wrong, I think he is a great guy and all, but dang it I wanna win!!!

by VTramsFan on Aug 15, 2009 7:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs