Will the Pats do anything at QB3 this offseason?

[ctpatsfan77]

I think it's fairly obvious that Brady is expected to be #1 next year, and Kevin O'Connell is #2.

Realistically, there are only three possible outcomes for that QB3 slot:

• Keep ERFA Gutierrez.
• Sign a veteran replacement (who, though?)
• Get a QB through the draft/as a UDFA.

Personally, I'm not sure whether the Pats will keep Gutierrez or not, but I'm not sure they really see any vets worth bringing in.

Of course, there's the fourth option, of just going with two QBs as they did in 2006, but I think that's a non-starter now.

 

[JSn]

Gutz was cut. He got called in for emergency duty, but was still #3.

I'd expect a low rounder to compete and maybe a Huardish type of guy.

 

[Angry Man]

My prediction coming from my broken 8-Ball is Gutz will be back. He already knows the playbook and the system which is a good benefit over bringing in a free agent or draft pick. We'll see.

 

[BelichickFan]

Texas A&M QB Stephen McGee.

Given the drafting of O'Connell and the cutting of Gutierrez before Brady got hurt, I don't think they see a long future for Gutierrez. So O'Connell as the #2 guy with another developmental QB behind him for me.

That's my preference. What do I think they will do ? Depends on O'Connell I guess. If they think he can be this year's Cassel then what I said above is what I think they'll do. If they think he's not ready to play then a veteran like Jeff Garcia makes more sense.

 

[unoriginal]

We don't know how Gutierrez has performed in practice this year, and we didn't know last year. If I had to guess, he did okay (they didn't send him packing before training camp and gave him a bunch of reps) but they just fell in love with O'Connell and Gutierrez no longer had a place on the team.

So I'd guess that, beyond them finding another guy they like that falls to them in the mid-rounds, they'll grab a couple late round/UDFA types to compete with Gutierrez or else stock the practice squad with. I'd be surprised if they brought in a vet QB unless O'Connell was looking real rough still, and then I'd guess it would be Huard.

 

[Ryan]

Of course, there's the fourth option, of just going with two QBs as they did in 2006, but I think that's a non-starter now.

Didn't they have Brady, Cassel, and Testaverde in '06?

 

[patsfanofNC12]

I think Gutz is back

 

[WhiZa]

Gutz is under contract per Miguel

The way I see it is we have Gutz vs (vet or UDFA). I'm leaning towards a vet as Gutz is really a PS/UDFA type of player himself.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Didn't they have Brady, Cassel, and Testaverde in '06?

At the end of the season, yes, but the season began with Brady, Cassel, ????.

 

[Spiral]

Texas A&M QB Stephen McGee.

Given the drafting of O'Connell and the cutting of Gutierrez before Brady got hurt, I don't think they see a long future for Gutierrez. So O'Connell as the #2 guy with another developmental QB behind him for me.

That's my preference. What do I think they will do ? Depends on O'Connell I guess. If they think he can be this year's Cassel then what I said above is what I think they'll do. If they think he's not ready to play then a veteran like Jeff Garcia makes more sense.

I agree. Been watching him since he was in high school. Perfect late-round developmental QB pick.

 

[Ryan]

At the end of the season, yes, but the season began with Brady, Cassel, ????.

Yeah, you're right. I forgot that they cut Vinny in pre-season and then brought him back later on.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

At the end of the season, yes, but the season began with Brady, Cassel, ????.

Other way around, actually--the Pats signed Testaverde in November 2006, and he stuck around in 2007 before being released.

 

[jmt57]

Based on the number of free agent veteran QBs available, it seems like one can be had for the vet minimum. However, I think BB is more likely to go with Gutz; just a hunch. If he does sign a vet I think it would be Huard.

Here's a list of the current NFL free agent QBs:

Charlie Batch
Kyle Boller
Brooks Bollinger
Todd Bouman
Ken Dorsey
Gus Frerotte
Charlie Frye
Jeff Garcia
Trent Green
Rex Grossman
Joey Harrington
Damon Huard
Brad Johnson
Byron Leftwich
JP Losman
Jamie Martin
JT O'Sullivan
Patrick Ramsey
Chris Simms
Marques Tuiasosopo
Anthony Wright

 

[BestQB]

I'll add another name to your list. His name is Alex Smith. He isn't UFA as yet but that's only a matter of time. I can see the Patriots look at him. He is a smart guy.

 

[farn]

Gutz. Then he comes in for a quarter when Pats are ahead by 35. Then we keep him in winter of 2010 and trade him for a high 2nd rounder.

 

[mbcoutinho]

If anyone from draft, i would like to get Graham Harrell, i like his game and he's a 6 rounder...

 

[BradyBranch39]

The thing with a lot of those FA QBs (Smith included) is that they'd be backups, not third-stringers. And (as much as I like Boller and SMith) I want O'Connell to be the backup, so we would probably be looking at this list as a #3:

Brooks Bollinger
Todd Bouman
Ken Dorsey (would avoid)
Charlie Frye
Joey Harrington
Damon Huard
Jamie Martin (would avoid)
Marques Tuiasosopo
Anthony Wright (would avoid)