Published Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 11:58 am EDT Last updated 16 minutes and 52 seconds ago
Tim Tebow, in his first year with the New York Jets, is back to being who he was last summer with the Denver Broncos: The most popular backup quarterback in the NFL.
Tebow is the highest-profile of eight first-round draft picks projected at No. 2 on their teams' depth charts going into 2012 season. He also is the only such quarterback who led his team to a playoff victory in '11.
Jake Locker clearly is the Titans' starter-in-waiting. How long he has to wait is up to Matt Hasselbeck. (AP Photo)
With his new team, Tebow initially was tabbed for a part-time role as both a "Wildcat" option on offense and an upback on special teams. But given Tebow's recent winning credentials, there's reason for starter Mark Sanchez to sneak a peek over his shoulder.
As for the Broncos without Tebow, they now have the least well-known backup QB in the league behind perhaps the most well-known starter, Peyton Manning.
Hopeful to start
Tim Tebow, New York Jets. Although Tebow's pure passing skills aren't at Sanchez's level, his work ethic and competitive drive will keep him ready and willing to relieve if the Jets' No. 1 struggles through a turnover-plagued start.
Chad Henne, Jacksonville Jaguars. The former promising starter in Miami stays in Florida and steps into a favorable situation behind second-year player Blaine Gabbert. If Gabbert shows he doesn't have it early in a new offense, the Jags shouldn't hesitate to give Henneâ€"who turns only 27 next weekâ€"a good second shot.
Matt Flynn, Seattle Seahawks. The former Packers backup was signed to a three-year, $19 million contract, but so far that hasn't guaranteed he will start over incumbent Tarvaris Jackson come Week 1. That could change quickly with a strong training camp.
Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans. A first-rounder in '11, Locker clearly is the team's starter-in-waiting. How long he waits depends on how much scrappy vet Matt Hasselbeck has left in the tank to keep the Titans playoff-competitive.
John Skelton, Arizona Cardinals. The Cards need a long look to see what they have in Kolb, considering they gave the former Eagles backup a six-year, $65 million contract last year. If he falters or succumbs to injury, Skelton will try to provide more of a sparkâ€"while Arizona starts scouting for its franchise QB in the '13 draft.
Thankful for a chance
Vince Young, Buffalo Bills. After showing he had some backup makeup as Michael Vick's understudy in Philadelphia, Young gets a crack behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. Although Young needs a better grasp of the offense, he still should hold off Tyler Thigpen.
Jason Campbell, Chicago Bears. Once Jay Cutler was lost with a thumb injury late last season, the Bears' playoff chances were lostâ€"they went 1-5 with the Caleb Hanie-Josh McCown combination starting their final six games. Campbell is a major upgrade as a short-term fill-in.
Matt Leinart, Oakland Raiders. Leinart steps into a USC reunion with Carson Palmer, but his only chance of seeing the field ahead of his fellow Trojans Heisman Trophy winner would be injury. Leinart didn't last long subbing for Matt Schaub in Houston last year, suffering a broken collarbone in his first and only start.
Brady Quinn, Kansas City Chiefs. It's a critical year for Matt Cassel to hold the starting job, and if he can't, then it may be Quinn's last opportunity to prove he has a place in the NFL.
Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins. Grossman re-signed before the team drafted Robert Griffin III, and even though he has the same initials, it's a completely different feel from '11, when he was seen as the default better option over John Beck. Don't be surprised if RG3's fellow rookie, Kirk Cousins, sneaks up to No. 2 at some point.
Mindful of their roles
Kyle Orton, Dallas Cowboys. Orton has had shades of starting success, both statistically and winning-wise in his career with the Bears, Broncos and Chiefs. His combination of talent and experience, however, suits him better as a No. 2, and he's a solid one replacing retired Jon Kitna behind Tony Romo.
Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh Steelers. Whether it's been Leftwich, Charlie Batch or even Dennis Dixon, it's been a credit to the Steelers' offensive coaches that they have been well prepared when Ben Roethlisberger can’t play. A former Jaguars first-rounder, Leftwich has carved out a good niche behind fellow MAC product Big Ben.
Seneca Wallace, Cleveland Browns. As rookie Brandon Weeden is projected to start, Colt McCoy is expected to be the odd man out. Having Wallace instead of McCoy, Weeden would know he has a savvy player from whom he can learn in the Browns' offense without worrying about losing his job.
Shaun Hill, Detroit Lions. The Lions should hope injury issues are a thing of the past for their bright young starter, Matt Stafford. But if Stafford has to miss time again, they should be thrilled that Hill remains in the mix to play a game or two.
David Garrard, Miami Dolphins. While it's a good bet Matt Moore holds off Ryan Tannehill and Garrard for the starting job to begin the season, in that scenario, it would make sense to make the experienced Garrard No. 2 over the green Tannehill. That is, at least until the Dolphins fall out of contention by midseason and decide to roll with Tannehill.
Chris Redman, Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons know exactly what they'll get from Redman if Matt Ryan needs to be spelledâ€"a similar steady hand who simply will execute the offense and minimize mistakes.
Derek Anderson, Carolina Panthers. Anderson's best days in the NFL came while working with offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski in Cleveland, making him a solid choice to return as Cam Newton's best backup.
Kellen Clemens, St. Louis Rams. Clemens' greatest asset behind Sam Braford is the fact he had five years of experience playing for first-year Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schotteneimer while Clemens and Schottenheimer were with the Jets.
Dan Orlovsky, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Orlovsky joins tight end Dallas Clark in coming over from the Colts' passing game. Josh Freeman needed a new backup, and Orlovsky earned it with the five-game spark he provided to keep Indianapolis from going winless in '11.
Charlie Whitehurst, San Diego Chargers. Whitehurst rejoins the team that originally drafted him in '06 after two seasons and four starts for the Seahawks. He provides about the same backup material Billy Volek did behind Philip Rivers.
Pocketful of potential
T.J. Yates, Houston Texans. Yates was thrown into the fire as injuries befell the Texans' quarterbacks, and he responded surprisingly well in helping the team get to the divisional playoffs. Schaub is on track to be back healthy as the No. 1, but Houston should be pleased with the good seasoning Yates got as a rookie.
Bruce Gradkowski, Cincinnati Bengals. The gritty Gradkowski has a good skill set for the West Coast offense and works well as a complement to fine second-year starter Andy Dalton. The Pittsburgh native and Toledo product also was built to play in the AFC North.
Tyrod Taylor, Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens love this second-year player, who continues to develop his passing skills to better match his athleticism and intangibles. Although at 6-1, Taylor is five inches shorter than durable Joe Flacco, Baltimore has no problems if Taylor needs to sub for Flacco for a bit in '12.
Drew Stanton, Indianapolis Colts. Stanton spent one week as Sanchez's backup before the Jets traded for Tebow and then traded Stanton to the Colts. In Indianapolis, the former Detroit Lions No. 3 has an important job sitting behind first overall pick Andrew Luck.
Joe Webb, Minnesota Vikings. Webb won't have a chance to unseat second-year first-rounder Christian Ponder, but because Webb will become a free agent in 2014, the 6-4, 220-pounder has a couple of seasons to show he's worth a flyer elsewhere.
Josh Johnson, San Francisco 49ers. Johnson (6-3, 205 pounds) had been a nice young backup for Freeman in Tampa. Reunited with former University of San Diego coach Jim Habaugh in San Francisco, Johnson gives the Niners a much more experienced insurance policy for Alex Smith. Johnson's presence also buys '11 second-rounder Colin Kaepernick more time to develop.
Respectful of their place
David Carr, New York Giants. The '02 first overall pick just got a Super Bowl ring as the No. 2 to the 2004 first overall pick, Eli Manning. Even though Manning gets dinged often, he's been the most durable quarterback in the league with 119 consecutive starts since his rookie season. Carr obviously got plenty banged up during his time in Houston.
Brian Hoyer, New England Patriots. Having learned well behind Tom Brady, Hoyer will get his chance to see if he's starter material elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent in 2013. In '12, he'll stay right behind Brady as the team keeps working to develop Ryan Mallett to be the new No. 2.
Chase Daniel, New Orleans Saints. Daniel is recovering from a thumb injury, and his recovery before camp is important as long as the team’s contract stalemate with Drew Brees continues. Daniel is much like Brees in that he's smart, undersized (6-0, 225 pounds) and has a background in the spread offense (Missouri).
Graham Harrell, Green Bay Packers. With Flynn cashing in to join the Seahawks, Harrell slides up to be Aaron Rodgers' top reserve. Like Daniel, Harrell (Texas Tech) played in a high-paced passing game in college, and that suits him well to absorb great knowledge under Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy.
Mike Kafka, Philadelphia Eagles. Kafka completed 11 of 16 passes in relief as a rookie last season, but they added up to only 107 yards and included two interceptions. With Young gone, Kafka's ahead of Trent Edwards in showing that he's the best option behind often-banged-up 32-year-old Michael Vick.
Adam Weber, Denver Broncos. There's a big dropoff for the Broncos if Peyton Manning can't stay on the field after an entire season lost to his neck injury. Weber, who connected well with wide receiver Eric Decker while at the University of Minnesota, so far has the edge in the offense over Hanie and rookie project Brock Osweiler. Denver had better hope Manning goes back to being his old durable, highly productive self.
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