Rating the replacements
Brissett, Bridgewater best of elevated QBS
Fourteen NFL passers who began summer training camp as backups already have been pressed into duty and started at least one game.
Either because the starter got hurt, or got benched.
Below, I rank the fortunate 10, based on a formula I came up, which incorporates signature QB barometer statistics, separated by pros and cons and weighted as follows:
PROS ( add)
❚ ❚ Wins as starter ( 2.0 points each)
❚ ❚ A strong completion percentage ( if 60- 64 per cent, 0.5 points; if 65- plus per cent, 1.0 points). ❚ ❚ Touchdown passes ( 0.5 points each).
❚ ❚ Times throwing for 225 yards (0.5 points each). ❚ ❚ Rushing touchdowns ( 0.5 points each).
CONS (subtract)
❚ ❚ Interceptions ( 0.5 points each).
❚ ❚ Lost fumbles ( 0.5 points each).
PRO OR CON ( add or subtract accordingly)
❚ ❚ First- down rushes minus sacks (times 0.1 points).
Here’s a synopsis of each of them, listed in order of best and worst, by my rating:
1. JACOBY BRISSETT
Indianapolis Colts
KRYK RATING: 11.3 REPLACED: Andrew Luck FIRST START: Week 1
WHY: Luck retired from pro football on Aug. 24.
FOR HOW LONG: Since Aug. 24, and for the foreseeable future.
RECORD AS STARTER: 3- 2 (.600).
STATS AS REPLACEMENT: 65 per cent completions, 1,062 yards, 10 TDS, 5 INTS. QUOTE: “You can’t play quarterback much better than he played today.” — Colts head coach Frank Reich after a 27-24 defeat of Atlanta on Sept. 22.
2. TEDDY BRIDGEWATER
New Orleans Saints KRYK RATING: 11.2 REPLACED: Drew Brees. FIRST START: Week 3
WHY: Injury to Brees (broken thumb on throwing hand). FOR HOW LONG: Brees reportedly hopes to return by month’s end.
RECORD AS STARTER: 4- 0 (1.000).
STATS AS REPLACEMENT: 69 per cent completions, 1,089 yards, 7 TDS, 3 INTS. QUOTE: “There’s a calmness about him. I think it’s contagious, if you will, in how we approach things.” — Saints head coach Sean Payton this week.
3. KYLE ALLEN
Carolina Panthers
KRYK RATING: 9.5 REPLACED: Cam Newton FIRST START: Week 3
WHY: Injury to Newton (foot sprain).
FOR HOW LONG: Newton could return to practice as early as this coming week. RECORD AS STARTER: 4- 0 (1.000).
STATS AS REPLACEMENT: 66 per cent completions, 901 yards, 7 TDS, 6 INTS.
QUOTE: “He’s been very consistent for us.” — Panthers head coach Ron Rivera.
4. MASON RUDOLPH
Pittsburgh Steelers KRYK RATING: 5.4 REPLACED: Ben Roethlisberger
FIRST START: Week 3
WHY: Injury to Roethlisberger (elbow).
FOR HOW LONG: He is expected to return as starter next week, following Pittsburgh’s bye.
RECORD AS STARTER: 1- 2 (.333)
STATS AS REPLACEMENT: 67 per cent completions, 646 yards, 7 TDS, 3 INTS. QUOTE: “Can’t say enough about Mason. We gave him a (game) ball in there.” — Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin
5. DANIEL JONES
New York Giants
KRYK RATING: 4.8 REPLACED: Eli Manning FIRST START: Week 3
WHY: Poor performance of Manning.
FOR HOW LONG: Appears permanent.
RECORD AS STARTER: 2- 2 (.500).
STATS AS REPLACEMENT: 60 per cent completions, 904 yards, 5 TDS, 8 INTS. QUOTE: “I’ve been inconsistent overall. I’ve been good and bad.” — Jones this week
6. GARDNER MINSHEW
Jacksonville Jaguars KRYK RATING: 4.5 REPLACED: Nick Foles
FIRST START: Week 2
WHY: Injury to Foles (broken collarbone in first quarter of Week 1).
FOR HOW LONG: Reports have said Foles hopes to return in Week 11.
RECORD AS STARTER: 2- 3 (.400).
STATS AS REPLACEMENT: 64 per cent completions, 1,442 yards, 9 TDS, 9 INTS. QUOTE: “He’s spinning around, he’s breaking tackles. It’s like when you’re 12 and you’re playing in the street with a bunch of guys. He’s just trying to make a play.” — Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone.
7. DEVLIN HODGES
Pittsburgh Steelers KRYK RATING: 3.1 REPLACED: Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph FIRST START: Week 6 WHY: Injury to Rudolph (concussion).
FOR HOW LONG: Looks like just the one-week cameo. RECORD AS STARTER: 1- 0 (1.000).
STATS AS REPLACEMENT: 75 per cent completions, 132 yards, 1 TDS, 1 INT.
QUOTE: “He didn’t kill us, y’know? And that’s what you need from young quarterbacks” — Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin
8. MATT MOORE
Kansas City Chiefs
KRYK RATING: 1.4 REPLACED: Patrick Mahomes FIRST START: Presumably next week.
WHY: Injury to Mahomes (dislocated right knee cap). FOR HOW LONG: At least three weeks, per reports. RECORD AS STARTER: N/A STATS AS REPLACEMENT: 52% completions, 117 yards, 1 TDS, 0 INTS.
QUOTE: “He did a nice job of stepping in there. We didn’t really have to back down on anything we had called.” — Chiefs head coach Andy Reid
9. RYAN TANNEHILL
Tennessee Titans
KRYK RATING: 0.1 REPLACED: Marcus Mariota. FIRST START: Week 7
WHY: Poor performance of Mariota.
FOR HOW LONG: This week is his first start since the Dolphins traded him to the Titans this past spring. RECORD AS STARTER: First start is on Sunday.
STATS AS REPLACEMENT: 81 per cent completions, 144 yards, 0 TDS, 1 INT.
QUOTE: “We’re trying to get a little spark.” — Titans head coach Mike Vrabel on Wednesday.
10. TREVOR SIEMIAN
New York Jets
KRYK RATING: 0.2 REPLACED: Sam Darnold FIRST START: Week 2
WHY: Illness to Darnold (contracted mononucleosis). FOR HOW LONG: Suffered a gruesome ankle injury and is done for the year.
RECORD AS REPLACEMENT: 0-1 (. 000).
STATS AS STARTER: 50 per cent completions, 3 yards, 0 TDS, 0 INTS.
QUOTE: “It was an ugly looking play.” — Jets head coach Adam Gase, after Siemian’s injury in Week 2.