It's always important to have a backup plan.
This is a lesson the 2011 Indianapolis Colts learned the hard way. After not missing a game for 13 seasons, starting quarterback Peyton Manning was forced to miss the entire 2011 season because of a neck injury. The Colts had gone years without carrying a suitable backup on their roster and they paid for it -- dearly. They went from a 10-6 playoff team in 2010 to a league-worst 2-14 in 2011.
Week 10 provided another example of why it's important to have a serviceable backup quarterback. The San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers were all forced to rely on their No. 2 signal-caller following injuries to their respective starters. The results were mixed: The Eagles and Bears suffered tough losses, the Steelers eked out a win in overtime and the 49ers fought to a draw.
The Steelers must make do without starter Ben Roethlisberger in this Sunday's rivalry bout against the Baltimore Ravens, according to Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer. At the time of this article's posting, it was unclear how many of the other three teams will be forced to start their backup quarterbacks in Week 11.
When it comes to backup quarterbacks, different teams have different needs. Some prefer to have an experienced veteran who can help in the meeting room as well as on the field. Other teams prefer to fill the spot with a younger, more talented player who could eventually develop into a starter. Most teams used to carry three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, which allowed room for both a veteran backup and a developmental prospect. But nowadays, more teams are electing to carry just two quarterbacks on the roster.
With the playoff picture beginning to crystalize now that we're in the second half of the season, I did some homework on the backup-quarterback situation for every team with a winning record. I created a ranking system, with a little help from some folks in the know ...
The point system
» I reached out to three highly respected personnel executives and asked them to give each of the 14 backup quarterbacks on winning teams a letter grade of A, B or C.
» Each A grade = 3 points
» Each B grade = 2 points
» Each C grade = 1 points
» After totaling the points, I separated the quarterbacks into five different tiers.
Only one player received straight A's. Despite starting just five games in his young career, Houston Texans backup T.J. Yates has the confidence of all three executives I surveyed. At the other end of the spectrum, two current division leaders (Atlanta and Baltimore) can ill afford an injury to their starting quarterback.
Here are the complete results:
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Tier 1 (9 points)
T.J. Yates, Houston Texans
Age: 25 Career Starts: 5
"He did a solid job last year. He has the trust of his team after leading them to a playoff win." -- NFC personnel executive
Tier 2 (7 points)
Jason Campbell, Chicago Bears
Age: 30 Career Starts: 70
"He's won several games in this league. He is very capable of getting a team through a small stretch of games." -- AFC personnel executive
Matt Flynn, Seattle Seahawks
Age: 27 Career Starts: 2
Flynn has only started two games in his career, but he put up huge numbers for the Green Bay Packers in those contests. He doesn't have a big-time arm, but he's smart, accurate and makes good decisions.
Ryan Mallett, New England Patriots
Age: 24 Career Starts: 0
Mallett has all the tools, but he lacks starting experience. According to sources, the Patriots are very happy with his development.
Tier 3 (6 points)
David Carr, New York Giants
Age: 33 Career Starts: 79
Carr is one of the NFL's more experienced backups, but he hasn't started a game since the 2007 season.
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Joe Webb, Minnesota Vikings
Age: 25 Career Starts: 3
"He gives the Vikings a chance to survive for one or two games. His athletic ability poses a threat." -- NFC personnel executive
Tier 4 (5 points)
Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
Age: 25 Career Starts: 0
"I'm not as high on him as the media seems to be. He's a gadget guy. They won't be as effective without Alex Smith." -- AFC personnel executive
Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh Steelers
Age: 32 Career Starts: 49
"He still has a strong arm, but his long delivery and lack of mobility are problems. They will run the ball a lot more with him in the lineup." -- AFC personnel executive
Drew Stanton, Indianapolis Colts
Age: 28 Career Starts: 4
He's a very average passer, but he can run around and make a few plays. I bet he wishes he didn't ask to leave the New York Jets following the Tim Tebow trade. He might have been named the starter by now.
Brock Osweiler, Denver Broncos
Age: 21 Career Starts: 0
The jury is still out on Osweiler. He was an accurate passer at Arizona State, but his arm strength didn't match his enormous size.
Tier 5 (4 points)
Graham Harrell, Green Bay Packers
Age: 27 Career Starts: 0
"He's a very average talent. I don't think he has the arm strength to play in bad weather, either." -- AFC personnel executive
Luke McCown, Atlanta Falcons
Age: 31 Career Starts: 9
McCown started two games for the Jaguars last year, but he hasn't thrown a touchdown pass since the 2007 season.
Dan Orlovsky, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age: 29 Career Starts: 12
Last year, Orlovsky started the Colts' final five games and led them to their only two victories of the season.
Tyrod Taylor, Baltimore Ravens
Age: 23. Career Starts: 0
"He's a great athlete, but Baltimore would have to completely alter their offense for him. He's not ready to start at this point in time." -- AFC personnel executive
Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.