Yates best backup QB in the NFL

[ItsMyFault]

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.

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

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...ncy-plan-worst
Interesting.

[The Pencil Neck]

I'm pleasantly surprised.

[Double Barrel]

[welsh texan]

They clearly forgot about Tebow.

So given Schaubie is all contracted up and playing well, I'm of a mind to wonder what sort of trade value TJ might have, not that I don't love the guy, just when you consider what backup QB's get traded for and the contracts they sign, better to trade him than let the market dictate too high a value for him as an FA.

Also don't want to give teams a chance to see his real value when teams have a body of film on him too, which I think may be a problem for him.

The QB class in the upcoming draft doesn't look anywhere near as good as the wealth of talent thats come through in recent years, maybe this offseason is a good time to try and shop him and go again with the old late round flyer/experienced vet backup QB competition with Case thrown in to the mix to see if he can stick.

If we can get a top half 1st out of TJ and some other pick then its really hard to justify passing it up when you look at the UFA's we've got coming up and the money we already have invested. That would have the potential to really improve our team moving forwards.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by welsh texan

They clearly forgot about Tebow.

So given Schaubie is all contracted up and playing well, I'm of a mind to wonder what sort of trade value TJ might have, not that I don't love the guy, just when you consider what backup QB's get traded for and the contracts they sign, better to trade him than let the market dictate too high a value for him as an FA.

Also don't want to give teams a chance to see his real value when teams have a body of film on him too, which I think may be a problem for him.

The QB class in the upcoming draft doesn't look anywhere near as good as the wealth of talent thats come through in recent years, maybe this offseason is a good time to try and shop him and go again with the old late round flyer/experienced vet backup QB competition with Case thrown in to the mix to see if he can stick.

If we can get a top half 1st out of TJ and some other pick then its really hard to justify passing it up when you look at the UFA's we've got coming up and the money we already have invested. That would have the potential to really improve our team moving forwards.

A top half 1st out of TJ?!

I... uh... no. That's not going to happen unless he comes out in the last game of the season and lights the Colts up. Then we could get a Matt Flynn sort of situation going. But I doubt we could move him for more than a 3rd or 4th at this point and even that might be stretching it.

[welsh texan]

Well a sports fan can dream right?

But at the same time, we've got a backup QB who's getting rated as the best in the league by actual NFL personnel executives meaning it could just be that some QB needy team sat just outside the top 10, with no hope of getting the next Andrew Luck/RGIII in this draft, may just covet a guy who's had 2 years studying under one of the better respected QB whisperer's in the league in Kubiak and has successful starting experience.

So its crazy to think we just might get a first for our backup QB, but backup QB's go for crazy deals, Cassel, Kolb, Flynn, even Schaub went for 2 seconds at a time when he wasn't really worth much to his own team (although about 2 weeks later that all changed).

[ItsMyFault]

Originally Posted by welsh texan

They clearly forgot about Tebow.

So given Schaubie is all contracted up and playing well, I'm of a mind to wonder what sort of trade value TJ might have, not that I don't love the guy, just when you consider what backup QB's get traded for and the contracts they sign, better to trade him than let the market dictate too high a value for him as an FA.

Also don't want to give teams a chance to see his real value when teams have a body of film on him too, which I think may be a problem for him.

The QB class in the upcoming draft doesn't look anywhere near as good as the wealth of talent thats come through in recent years, maybe this offseason is a good time to try and shop him and go again with the old late round flyer/experienced vet backup QB competition with Case thrown in to the mix to see if he can stick.

If we can get a top half 1st out of TJ and some other pick then its really hard to justify passing it up when you look at the UFA's we've got coming up and the money we already have invested. That would have the potential to really improve our team moving forwards.

I think I forgot to clarify, this article is based on winning teams.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by welsh texan

Well a sports fan can dream right?

But at the same time, we've got a backup QB who's getting rated as the best in the league by actual NFL personnel executives meaning it could just be that some QB needy team sat just outside the top 10, with no hope of getting the next Andrew Luck/RGIII in this draft, may just covet a guy who's had 2 years studying under one of the better respected QB whisperer's in the league in Kubiak and has successful starting experience.

So its crazy to think we just might get a first for our backup QB, but backup QB's go for crazy deals, Cassel, Kolb, Flynn, even Schaub went for 2 seconds at a time when he wasn't really worth much to his own team (although about 2 weeks later that all changed).

Cassel went 10-5 as a starter, but missed the playoffs. Flynn set a Packer's record for yardage in a game. Kolb had a few 300 yard passing games in limited playing time.

People (especially some people on this board) try to downplay Schaub but he was a very, very hot commodity. A lot of teams were trying to get him. There were a lot of people in Atlanta who thought he should have been starting over Vick because he was a better passer and a more traditional QB. IIRC, the Falcons tendered him with a 1st.

Although I love TJ and think he can start in this offense and win some games, he really hasn't put up the stats to command a high priced contract or big trade, yet. He might in a year or two, but not yet.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by welsh texan

They clearly forgot about Tebow.

So given Schaubie is all contracted up and playing well, I'm of a mind to wonder what sort of trade value TJ might have, not that I don't love the guy, just when you consider what backup QB's get traded for and the contracts they sign, better to trade him than let the market dictate too high a value for him as an FA.

Also don't want to give teams a chance to see his real value when teams have a body of film on him too, which I think may be a problem for him.

The QB class in the upcoming draft doesn't look anywhere near as good as the wealth of talent thats come through in recent years, maybe this offseason is a good time to try and shop him and go again with the old late round flyer/experienced vet backup QB competition with Case thrown in to the mix to see if he can stick.

If we can get a top half 1st out of TJ and some other pick then its really hard to justify passing it up when you look at the UFA's we've got coming up and the money we already have invested. That would have the potential to really improve our team moving forwards.

While I love draft picks, I am not giving up TJ unless Keenum is what I hope he is & I have nothing to evaluate Case upon. Yates is best back up. He did well thrust into starter role & has confidence of players & coaches. He is extremely cheap & locked in thru 2014.

[Hookem Horns]

I think TJ is a solid backup and after thinking about it I cannot think of one backup I would take over him.

I can't even think of any unemployed QBs I would take over him either.

[EVOLVIST]

No friggin' way. As easy as it is to love what Yates did for us last year, Nick Foles is the star backup in this league by far, in my opinion.

Oh, what Kubes could do with that kid!

[Hookem Horns]

Originally Posted by EVOLVIST

No friggin' way. As easy as it is to love what Yates did for us last year, Nick Foles is the star backup in this league by far, in my opinion.

Oh, what Kubes could do with that kid!

Hmm, I did forget about him. Actually Nick Foles might be a starter now. So TJ or Vick?

[HJam72]

Can we franchise a backup?

[Norg]

i disagree i thought he looked like a bum during the RAvens game last year and in the pre season people were saying hes reggresd ... and i actually like TJ but im just calling it like i see it

in the AFC i like

Ryan Mallett
matt moore

and Cincys backup is a good Vet Backup i forgot his name tho

but yeah we are in a good spot we have a good young backup hopefully he can be the succesor to Matt

and i hope he gets some playing time this week if we get a big lead hopefully Kubes plays him the hole second half since we got a THur night game right after this week

[NCTexan]

Originally Posted by EVOLVIST

No friggin' way. As easy as it is to love what Yates did for us last year, Nick Foles is the star backup in this league by far, in my opinion.

Oh, what Kubes could do with that kid!

It was of teams with a winning record.

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by HJam72

Can we franchise a backup?

New England did it with Cassel (and then traded him).

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by welsh texan

Well a sports fan can dream right?

But at the same time, we've got a backup QB who's getting rated as the best in the league by actual NFL personnel executives meaning it could just be that some QB needy team sat just outside the top 10, with no hope of getting the next Andrew Luck/RGIII in this draft, may just covet a guy who's had 2 years studying under one of the better respected QB whisperer's in the league in Kubiak and has successful starting experience.

So its crazy to think we just might get a first for our backup QB, but backup QB's go for crazy deals, Cassel, Kolb, Flynn, even Schaub went for 2 seconds at a time when he wasn't really worth much to his own team (although about 2 weeks later that all changed).

The Packers got nothing for Flynn (well- unless they end up with a compensatory pick for him). He left as an UFA. Miami (Where is old OC was the new HC) didn't want him, and Seattle gave him an "okay" deal, but nothing like the other guys you mentioned. Looks like he was still overvalued, as he hasn't set foot on the field for the Seahawks this season.

[Dutchrudder]

Of the teams mentioned in the OP, I believe Yates is the best backup. However, around the NFL I think there are some slightly to moderately better options like Colt McCoy (CLE), Nick Foles (PHI), Chase Daniel (NO) and Kirk Cousins (WASH). For the price though, you can't beat a guy on a 5th round contract. Certainly can't complain about him being on the roster, he's way better than Lienart, Orlavsky or Booty.

[Wolf]

I can't see it and if so,I am ecstatic.


Don't get me wrong Yates did what he could as a rookie and was learning on the fly.Texan offense sputtered without Matt. Defense carried the team. I am not hating on Yates, he needs seasoning and think things are overrated here

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by Hookem Horns

I think TJ is a solid backup and after thinking about it I cannot think of one backup I would take over him.

I can't even think of any unemployed QBs I would take over him either.

Wait!! What????

How is VY NOT #1??

Oh wait... Nevermind. He doesn't have a job.

Embarrassed, I'm out!