Speed Reads

So I venture off to nfl.com and find the question de' joure on page one. Which of these NFC quarterbacks is under the most pressure? Followed with the options Michael Vick, Brett Favre, Chris Simms, and Rex Grossman. So let's look at some quick looks on each player on why or why not they'd be the most pressured. In reverse order...

4) Chris Simms, Tampa Bay - If the pressure bar could go under zero this is exactly where his would land. Chris Simms is looking at the backups of Bruce Gradkowski, the pre-season wonder, Tim Rattay, the 49ers dropout which says a lot for his credibility as a good passer, and the injured Luke McCown. He is inheriting a nice receiving corps with starters Michael Clayton (1,100 yards 2 years ago) and Joey Galloway (10 touchdowns last year) with former back to back 1,000 yard receiver, David Boston, in the slot. He should have no problem with a healthy offense eclipsing the 3,000 yard mark or the 20 touchdown mark. The only pressures may be 1) Making the playoffs again and not slumping in his second starting season, and 2) Living up to the expectations of the pedigree as Phil Simms son.

3) Michael Vick, Atlanta - This man barely slipped to number 3 and may be 30th in the league for pressure. The pressure really all is in making the playoffs and being a successful leader and passer in the NFL, neither of which has been accomplished. It is safe to say the defence got this team where they have been in the past 4 years and Vick was lucky enough to be at the helm when he signed a 10 year, $130 million contract extension 2 years ago. That is reason one though for his reasons not to worry. No team will front you a $30 million signing bonus and put Matt Schaub ahead of you on the depth chart. On top of it, number 7 is one of the most charismatic quarterbacks in the league and he does it with little time in front of the camera crews. Vick may not see 3,000 yards this season or ever reach a 60% completion rate, but with the money invested in this stud he isn't going anywhere.

2) Rex Grossman, Chicago - Alright, here is some actual pressures. Bring up a guy who has started 7 games in 3 years, has been struck by nagging injuries throughout his fledgling career, and watched his team draft a quarterback last season [Kyle Orton] and sign a hot free agent this year [Brian Griese]... and finally you have pressure. On top of all of that rippling through his mind every snap, his receivers are of the lack luster variety with an aging Panther, and a set of young unaccomplished players. His one hope is that the defence pounces down again this year and can keep him at number one.

1) Brett Favre, Green Bay - Who else could it have been? Brett Favre is striking the ripe age of 37 in October, and has a former first rounder breathing down his back [Aaron Rodgers]. The aging and experienced Favre has almost nothing going for him right now. He is quickly becoming the new Doug Flutie, has made the media faux pas of saying this was the best Packer team he had worked with ever, has no one to throw to but Donald Driver, and is tiring out Packer fans with his increasing number of interceptions and decreasing number of comebacks and big wins. What does he have going for him you ask? A nice pension is all I can see in his near future.