By Gayle Saunders
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Drew Brees – Saints - Arguably the most accurate signal-caller in the league today, Brees epitomized the evolution of the NFL’s passing game with his record-breaking performance in 2011, and is in line for a monumental payday. A six-time Pro-Bowl selection who nearly surpassed Dan Marino’s long-held mark of 5,084 yards earlier in his career, Brees shattered the total as the leader of New Orleans’ potent offense this past season, posting MVP-caliber numbers (5,476 yards, 46 touchdowns, 14 interceptions). Drafted by San Diego in 2001, he has already won a Super Bowl in his career, but interested teams aren’t likely to have a chance at acquiring him in free agency, as the Saints are all but guaranteed to lock him up with big bucks.

Matt Flynn – Packers - Unlike Brees, Flynn is far from proven at the NFL level and has started merely two games since coming into the league as a seventh-round draft pick in 2008. However, his value skyrocketed with an eye-popping performance in relief of Aaron Rodgers to close Green Bay’s nearly perfect regular season. Though he’s faced questions regarding his size and arm strength, Flynn has flourished as an accurate passer with the Packers, lighting up Detroit for 480 yards and six touchdowns this past season. His work as an injury replacement vs. New England in 2010 has also garnered attention, and while he is nowhere near a surefire free agent acquisition, his upside as a starter is through the roof thanks to this season.

Kyle Orton – Chiefs - While he doesn’t compare to Brees and Flynn in terms of pure talent and upside, Orton brings a sense of stability to the table as one of the top free agent quarterbacks heading into 2012. At 29 years old, he’s likely still got a handful of quality seasons left, and while he’s never wowed anyone as a starter, his intermediate arm strength and experience could go a long way for a team in need of a veteran first-stringer. Originally a draft pick of the Bears in 2005, he found success in Denver after being traded to the Broncos as part of the Jay Cutler deal, but was ultimately waived after the emergence of Tim Tebow this past season. Picked up by the Chiefs, he played sparingly while battling injuries, but could land another starting gig on the market this offseason.

Quarterbacks

Drew Brees
Matt Flynn
Kyle Orton
Chad Henne
Alex Smith
Jason Campbell
David Garrard
Vince Young
Josh Johnson
Shaun Hill
Byron Leftwich
Sage Rosenfels
Brady Quinn
Drew Stanton
Donovan McNabb
Chad Pennington
Rex Grossman
Dennis Dixon
Chris Redman
Josh McCown
Charlie Whitehurst
Luke McCown
Charlie Batch
Jake Delhomme
J.P. Losman
Dan Orlovsky
Derek Anderson
A.J. Feeley
Caleb Hanie
David Carr
Kellen Clemens
Kyle Boller
Mark Brunell
Jeff Garcia
Kevin O’Connell

The Kyle Orton Era in Denver may be at it’s end or perhaps the Broncos were just getting a football ready back-up. Either way the trade between the Broncos and Browns is a done deal with Brady Quinn heading to Denver and underutilized Peyton Hillis with a few draft picks is headed to Cleveland. In 2008, the Broncos and Browns were trying to facilitate a trade when QB Jay Cutler was on the block but the Broncos decided to go with the package that Chicago offered that included Kyle Orton and 2 first round draft picks. The question now becomes who is better long term for Denver, Orton or Quinn.

Quinn gets a fresh start in the Rockies!

It’s unknown at this point if Quinn was brought in to compete against Orton for the starting spot or that McDaniels didn’t feel confident in Chris Simms as a back-up after his dismal time against Washington when the Broncos lost a game when Orton left with an injury. Simms threw 2 costly interceptions and looked very rusty after spending so much time away with a ruptured spleen that he suffered when he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hillis is Cleveland bound to add versatility in the backfield!

In the end, Quinn gets a fresh start with Denver after a rough time in Cleveland. He was taken in the 1st Round of the 2007 Draft and never quite became the QB that the City had hoped for. Just like Quinn, Hillis too gets a chance to start over again and for Bronco fans they just hope that McDaniels has as much success with this Brady that he did in New England with a QB that shared the name!

By Michelle Jarvis
Contributing Author

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The Cleveland Browns may have lost to the San Diego Chargers in Week 13, but their quarterback Brady Quinn has given all his skeptics in the “Dawg Pound” something to think about.  Quinn’s pursuit for the starting job was nothing short of rocky.  After going through a quarterback battle with Derek Anderson through training camp, it was unclear who would be leading Cleveland’s offense heading into their opening day.

After weeks of competition Quinn ended up landing the starting job out of camp.  Although, after he was named the starter, questions were asked by those around the league: did Quinn have what it takes to help this team bounce back from a 4-12 2008 record? 

The Ravens D' was too tough for the Brady Bunch!!

He started off with a 0-2 record heading into a week 3 divisional match up facing Baltimore’s stingy turn-over happy defense that lead to his benching and Anderson taking over.  Anderson, however, didn’t fare any better for the Browns and Quinn returned to the starting position in week 8. 
               
Cleveland fans had all but given up on their supposed franchise quarterback, when in week 11, facing another struggling franchise in Detroit; he threw for a career high 4 touchdowns and 304 yards.  Many chalked it up to facing a weak Lions’ defense but his performance appears to have helped him connect with his receivers and start to build a bridge of trust with them.  Bringing them into week 13 and hosting the red hot San Diego Chargers, Quinn shocked fans by quickly hitting Mohamed Massaquoi with a 13 yard touchdown to start the Browns on top of the Chargers early in the first quarter.  Quinn showed poise as he held strong in the pocket (something he has struggled with all season long) and scanned all receivers before throwing his first touchdown pass of the day.  Unfortunately the Chargers defense did not continue to bend easily, as the Browns’ offense was unable to score again until the 4th quarter. With the Chargers’ offense holding a 27-7 lead, Quinn propelled his team down the field three times and in the process threw two touchdown passes to Jerome Harrison, with the last attempt resulting in a field goal.
               
An onside kick was attempted but the Browns were unable to recover, resulting in a 30-23 loss.  While it may be yet another disappointing loss for the fans of the struggling Browns, the strides this offense was able to make against a tough San Diego defense ranked 8th against the pass and 12th overall in the league, can be considered something fans of this team can see as an accomplishment.

Quinn has the Browns looking ahead!

The emergence of Quinn, who showed a “never give up” attitude may just be what this team needs to advance to the next level.  With a team of young offensive players developing alongside Quinn, mixed in with the already dynamic Cribbs, and a Rob Ryan defense being built, this team may not be that far off from making a return to form.