Atlanta’s re-signing of Chris Redman continues a curious off-season quarterback trend.
The grass wasn’t greener for six players who could have left elsewhere.
Redman joins Billy Volek (San Diego), Todd Collins (Washington), Rex Grossman (Chicago) and Shaun Hill (San Francisco) as quarterbacks who are returning to their respective club despite having a chance to leave as unrestricted free agents. Derek Anderson (Cleveland) also tested the market as a restricted free agent for about 10 hours today before re-signing.
With the exception of Anderson, there is the possibility none of these players will enter this season as a starter. And even in Anderson’s case, he may be playing elsewhere in several years if Brady Quinn proves ready for the job.
What to make of this?
A) Hill, Grossman, Collins and Redman must believe they have a better shot at starting with their current team than elsewhere.
B) Those same clubs with a fluid starting situation didn’t believe there were better options via trade or free agency. Atlanta and possibly Chicago are expected to have interest in selecting a quarterback early in April’s draft.
Hill and Collins toiled in obscurity for years before cashing in with new contracts, but neither was more off the NFL’s radar than Redman. Out of the league for most of the previous three years, Redman was signed by Atlanta in 2007 because of his familiarity with then-coach Bobby Petrino’s offense from when both were at Louisville. Redman played well enough to show he is at least a competent NFL backup.
See: Petrino did do something good for the Falcons after all.
* Will Tampa Bay wide receiver Michael Clayton and running back Cadillac Williams ever get their acts together?
After promising rookie seasons, both first-round picks had another rough outing in the Buccaneers' 24-3 victory over St. Louis.
Clayton was cussed out on the sideline by coach Jon Gruden during the second quarter after dropping one pass and fumbling on his only reception (the Bucs recovered). Clayton threw some nice downfield blocks, but that alone isn't why the Bucs made him the 15th player chosen in 2004.
Williams wasn't even Tampa Bay's third-best runner Sunday, as backups Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham were more effective. A lost fourth-quarter fumble overshadowed Williams' 12-carry, 46-yard performance.
Although he wouldn't use bruised ribs as an excuse, Williams failed to showcase the same explosive running style that made him the No. 5 overall pick in 2005. The biggest question surrounding Williams coming out of college was whether he could handle the physical punishment inherent in being a feature running back. The answer is becoming obvious, with Williams battling injuries for a second consecutive season.
* San Diego fans panicking after the Chargers' 1-2 start should remember what team president/CEO Dean Spanos told FOXSports.com in August:
"It doesn't matter what your record is -- just get back to the playoffs and win that first game. If you're 9-7 or 8-8 and win that first game, it's better than 14-2 and out. I know everybody is thinking that way. You just don't want to look too far ahead."
Spanos is right, as San Diego's impressive records in 2004 and 2006 didn't translate to postseason victories. But in my two preseason trips to Chargers headquarters, I sensed San Diego players felt the playoffs were a given because of all the talent amassed by general manager A.J. Smith. A second consecutive loss Sunday to Green Bay should bring the Chargers back to earth.
* Oakland should feel encouraged by the play of quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who guided the Raiders to a 26-24 victory over Cleveland. Playing the second half in relief of injured starter Josh McCown, Culpepper led two scoring drives and didn't commit a turnover in an 8-of-14 passing performance.
After the win, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin wouldn't immediately commit to naming a starting quarterback for this Sunday's game against Miami. But I'm hoping Kiffin gives Culpepper the nod, if only to ####e up a game between teams with a combined 1-5 record. Culpepper will want to show Dolphins coach Cam Cameron made a huge mistake when releasing him in July without letting him compete against Trent Green for a starting spot.
*"And with the first pick in the 2008 draft, the Buffalo Bills select ..."
I can already hear those words coming from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's mouth. The Bills are so decimated by injuries, especially on defense, that I can't see Buffalo winning more than three games. The latest blow was promising rookie linebacker Paul Posluszny suffering a broken forearm in Sunday's 38-7 loss to New England.
Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com . He's covered the NFL for 13 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
