A year ago the closest quarterback call was in Arizona, where Kurt Warner challenged Matt Leinart while the rest of the football world yawned. It was, after all, Arizona.
But then Warner led the Cards to their first Super Bowl, and any suggestions of a quarterback competition ended. That's OK, because others are just beginning -- and we're here to visit five of the most compelling.
You won't find Warner or Leinart in this group, but you will find quarterbacks who could do for their teams what Warner did for Arizona in 2008 ... provided, of course, they win their jobs.
Sage Rosenfels vs. Tarvaris Jackson
Why It's Worth Watching: Because the Minnesota Vikings are a playoff team, and how far they go this season could be determined by this duel. A year ago, Tarvaris Jackson was the starter, but he was pulled after two games. Now the Vikings have made the position an open competition, which means Jackson must prove what he could not a year ago.
Why It's Not: Because Brett Favre could arrive at any moment and put both these guys on the bench.
Projected Opening Day Starter: Sage Rosenfels. The Vikings tried to get him a year ago, so the team has a conviction about him. I know Jackson finished with a flourish, winning three of his last four regular-season games while throwing eight touchdowns and one interception. But I also know he didn't win a playoff game. Plus, the Vikings responded by renewing their efforts to acquire Rosenfels.
Shaun Hill vs. Alex Smith
Why It's Worth Watching: Because it's the NFC West, and 9-7 has won the division the past two seasons. I know, I know, the 49ers haven't done dinky-do since Jeff Garcia was their quarterback and Steve Mariucci was the head coach. But they won four of their last five under Mike Singletary and are 7-3 with Hill as a starter.
Why It's Not: Because the 49ers haven't had a winning season since 2002 and haven't had a quarterback throw for more than 16 touchdowns in any of the past five years.
Projected Opening Day Starter: Shaun Hill. Alex Smith was drafted by Mike Nolan, not Singletary. Smith also has a history of injuries, not to mention a losing record and a reputation as a bust. When Singletary took over last season, one of his first moves was to make Hill the starter, and look what happened: The 49ers were 5-4 under their interim head coach. Tell me why you go in a different direction now. You don't.
Matthew Stafford vs. Daunte Culpepper
Why It's Worth Watching: Because the Detroit Lions invested $41.5 million in guaranteed money to Matthew Stafford and because he's the first pick in this year's draft. Some critics shredded the Lions for the move, but sooner or later they must find a franchise quarterback. Stafford can make all the throws. So let's see him make them.
Why It's Not: Because the Lions haven't had a Pro Bowl quarterback since 1972 and because they won 31 games the past seven years, or an average of 4.4 per season.
Likely Opening Day Starter: Daunte Culpepper. Just a hunch, but coach Jim Schwartz follows the blueprint laid down by Jeff Fisher when Vince Young was a rookie at Tennessee and Schwartz was the team's defensive coordinator. Kerry Collins got the start, but Young worked his way into the starting lineup by the fourth game. With the Lions opening on the road in New Orleans it makes sense to start the veteran.
Brady Quinn vs. Derek Anderson
Why It's Worth Watching: Because no one can figure out what in the name of Eric Mangini is happening with the Cleveland Browns. They trade away Kellen Winslow. They dangle Braylon Edwards and Brady Quinn as trade bait. They take field trips to Hartford. The Browns didn't produce one offensive touchdown in their last six starts, and this is what passes for home improvement? I'm not sure the winner here isn't the quarterback who sits down.
Why It's Not: Because Mangini insisted on having Brett Ratliff included in the Mark Sanchez deal, which means he could figure in this picture.
Projected Opening Day Starter: Quinn. This is based on nothing other than Cleveland's reluctance to deal the guy prior to the draft and Quinn's ties to former New England offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. I agree that it doesn't make sense to bring in another young quarterback (Ratliff) if you have a conviction about Quinn. Plus, Mangini didn't draft Quinn so he has no loyalty to him. But he didn't acquire Derek Anderson, either, so scratch him from the inside track in that department. Bottom line: Mangini appears to have an allegiance to no one except Ratliff, who reportedly is not a contender for the No. 1 job.
Kellen Clemens vs. Mark Sanchez
Why It's Worth Watching: Because the Jets were one quarterback short of the playoffs a year ago. Once 8-3, they went into a late-season tailspin, losing four of their last five as quarterback Brett Favre hit the wall. So the Jets put together a blockbuster deal to acquire USC's Mark Sanchez, a move that delighted relieved Jets fans. Sanchez was a winner at USC, but he was a one-year starter. He was also a junior. The move is a risk, but you have to dare to be great, right?
Why It's Not: Because the Jets still need someone other than Jerricho Cotchery on the outside to catch passes from either of these quarterbacks. If the season were to open today Chansi Stuckey probably would be the team's No. 2 receiver. That is what I call an issue.
Likely Opening Day starter: Sanchez. I know the Jets open on the road, so it makes sense to go with the more experienced quarterback. But when the Jets emptied the store for Sanchez the message was clear: We believe he makes us a playoff team. Remember, when Kellen Clemens battled Chad Pennington early in last summer's training camp Pennington had him soundly beaten. Then Favre arrived. The good news for Clemens: Favre and Pennington are both gone. The bad: The team didn't change its offensive coordinator, which means he still has to convince Brian Schottenheimer he can play. One other thing: When Rex Ryan was in Baltimore he saw the Ravens promote Kyle Boller to a starter immediately. OK, so the move didn't work out. But Boller didn't have a mentor. Clemens can serve that purpose here. Granted, he's been around only three seasons, but he spent all three under Schottenheimer, which means he knows the offense.
