Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Tarvaris Jackson | Minnesota Vikings | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 27.6

Jackson and the Vikings enter the 2010 season in an interesting situation. While the team waits patiently for Brett Favre to decide whether he’ll play another year, Minnesota will be forced to make a decision about Jackson given his restricted free agent (RFA) status. One thing Jackson doesn’t lack is the tools to produce at a high level. He has a cannon arm, great pocket presence and runs exceptionally well for a 6-2, 232 lbs. quarterback. In 2009, Jackson saw mop-up work in eight games and completed an impressive 14-of-21 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown. In 33 career games, Jackson has made poor decisions that have raised doubts about his ability to be a true No.1 quarterback in the league.  He has an atrocious QB Rating of 77.9, completed just 58.7-percent of his passes and a 1:1 TD-to-INT ratio.

With Minnesota prepared to let Favre sit on his future, the Vikings and head coach Brad Childress need a contingency plan that we expect them to develop “Plan B” over the off-season.. In the short-term, the Vikings will likely re-sign Jackson for another year; and if Favre were to hang them up after 19 seasons, Jackson and Sage Rosenfels would compete for the starting job. That said, we also expect the Vikings would immediately attempt to land a solid quarterback. Jackson is still maturing as a quarterback and will turn 27 in April. Although we feel it’s too early to write him off as a draft day bust, we would be shocked if he was the Vikings starting quarterback in Week 1.

OTHER FREE AGENT QUARTERBACKS

Kellen Clemens | New York Jets | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 27.4

Mark Sanchez won the job as the Jets starter in 2009 and this doesn’t bode well for Clemens desire to be an NFL starter. Moreover, if stats were the only thing that kept you in the league, Clemens might have played himself out of a job. His career 59.7 QB rating, 51.8 completion percentage and 1:2 TD-to-INT ratio are less than desirable; however, he hasn’t had enough playing time to know whether he’s grown and developed his skills. There is talk that the New York Jets plan to tender RFA Clemens an offer for another season that would require a second-round draft pick as compensation. This makes Clemens a less attractive prospect to other teams. However, should the Jets cut ties with Clemens, expect many general managers who thought highly of Clemens out of college to come calling for his services.

Bruce Gradkowski | Oakland Raiders | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 27.9

The Raiders signed Gradkowski in 2009, making Oakland his third NFL team in four years. This time around, the change of uniform appears to have jumpstarted his career. Gradkowski started in place of an ineffective JaMarcus Russell and threw six touchdowns passes over a four game stretch. While he might not be the long term answer in Oakland; look for the Raiders to re-sign Gradkowski and give him a shot at the starting job in 2010. 
 

Daunte Culpepper | Detroit Lions | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 33.9

The Culpepper “express” stopped in Miami, Oakland and Detroit over the last four years and it hasn’t been pretty. His skills have diminished, he’s thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in recent years, and injuries have taken their toll. We don’t expect much interest in Culpepper around the league however look for him to test the free agent market, insist he still has what it takes to start, and ultimately settle for a backup role on a team other than Detroit. 

Chris Redman | Atlanta Falcons | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 33.3

Redman has been a career back up who has earned a reputation for producing in a pinch. While filling in for an injured Matt Ryan last season, Redman threw for 781 yards and four touchdowns. Atlanta wasted no time in recognizing how valuable Redman is and they immediately signed him to a two-year deal worth $5 million.

Kyle Boller | St. Louis Rams | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 29.4

At this stage of his career, Boller is little more than a injury prone backup who can fill a void when needed. St. Louis is in serious need of a new quarterback and Boller does not fit into their long term plans. He might land a one-year deal elsewhere, however we wouldn’t be surprised if Boller enters the 2010 season without a job.

A.J. Feeley | Carolina Panthers | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 33.5

Feeley hasn’t thrown a pass since 2007; however, his veteran leadership in the locker room will likely keep him in the league for at least one more year. Look for Feeley to either stick with the Panthers or go to a team that is in need of a mentor to a young quarterback.

2010 Free Agent Breakdown:  QB  |  RB  | WR |  TE  |  K 

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