Hot Topic Thursday- N.F.L.

As the season quickly approaches and Tom Brady welcomes a new son into his life, I'll actually talk about the important stuff. Today's focus, the chances (or lack thereof) of the Cleveland Browns, and a dynamic QB controversy in Carolina. I'll be joined today by Gary Horton of Scouts' INC.

Brady Quinn has been playing for just over a week, and he already seems like the best option for Cleveland. That doesn't say a lot about Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson, who are competing with the rookie for the starting gig. The offense has some weapons in Jamal Lewis, Kellen Winslow, and Braylon Edwards, but they won't get the ball if it can't be thrown to them on a consistent basis. Though there is some talent on the club, the Browns will be in for a bad year because their talent doesn't stack up in a tough AFC North, according to Horton.
"I think they are headed for a very tough year, in a very good division, where they are not even close in talent to the other three teams."
The Bengals have an excellent offense, Baltimore has a top two defense, and the Steelers have nice talent on both sides of the ball. Horton then said that Lewis will be the key to this club, because if he fails, that means that the team will have to rely on the quarterbacks to succeed.
"Without a running game they maybe forced to lean on one of their QBs, and right now that position is up for grabs."
Like next year's election, the Browns job is up for grabs but lacks a clear cut solid candidate. Horton finished off the topic by saying that even a surprising Quinn won't get Cleveland to where they want to go.
"I just do not see them being very competitive in the North, even if Brady Quinn somehow emerges and becomes the starter."

Last week against the Eagles, David Carr was 7/13 for 111 yards and Jake Delhomme was 9/18 for 78 yards and a pick. Two weeks ago against the Giants, Carr was 6/8 for 83 yards and a TD while Delhomme was 5/8 for 30 yards and a TD. Do the math folks, the former Houston Texan and number one overall selection is flat out playing better then his counterpart Delhomme. This is causing quite the stir in Charlotte, as a QB controversy is emerging. Perhaps Carr was never able to reach his full potential with an awful O-line in Houston and is finally realizing his abilities for the Panthers. Gary Horton sums up the QB situation.
"I am still a little bit of a Delhomme fan. But I like both QBs. They are charcater guys, with good physical skills and I do not think Carr's situation is Houston was his fault. "
With a new start and a change of scenery if you will, Carr is showing what everyone thought he could always do, and Delhomme is showing his usual, erratic self. So does Carr have a shot at the starting job? Horton said that Delhomme would really have to mess up for Carr to win the job.
"But in my mind, Delhomme would have to really play lousy for a long time to lose this job, because he has been a good leader and a winner."
Delhomme is one of those players whose leadership skills outweighs his talent and performance. He's been to the playoffs multiple times and has won a conference title for Carolina. He's the best signal caller in franchise history, and that buys him a lot of loyalty and cred among his superiors on the coaching staff and in the front office. Carr still has a lot to prove, and will have to do a lot more to wrestle the job away.
"I do not think I would make that move yet. But that may become a very interesting QB situation to watch."
Very interesting, indeed. My thanks to Gary Horton for the wonderful insight.

The ongoing QB battle in Jacksonville continues on the national stage as they travel to Lambeau to take on the Pakcers tonight at 8pm eastern on FOX. The Panthers will be on CBS on Friday night at 8 eastern against New England, who may not have Brady for the game who just had his first child. Sunday night on NBC, the Steelers take on the Eagles and the Falcons and Bengals do battle on MNF on ESPN.