SB Nation - Craig Nall

Bringing a veteran QB into camp

shake n bake — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:02:34 -0000

Last year with Peyton Manning on the PUP the Colts brought in a pair of veteran backups, Quinn Gray and Jared Lorenzen. Now with Jim Sorgi out 2-3 weeks they may bring an experienced QB in again. There are still a few Quarterbacks with NFL experience remaining unsigned.

Free Agents

UFL (I don't know if there is an arrangement for the NFL-UFL on the poaching of their talent, but it's unlikely any of these guys will give up a starting UFL job for a few weeks in an NFL camp).

Brooks Bollinger (Orlando)

Quinn Gray (New York)

J.P. Losman (Las Vegas)

Jump for more info on the vets

Gus Frerotte (FA) last seen replacing a struggling Tarvaris Jackson and starting 11 games for the Vikings before a back injury took him out of the lineup. He completed 59.1% of his passes for 2,157 yards, 12TDs with 15 INTs for a QB Rating of 73.7 and ANY/A of 4.3.

Drew Henson (FA) most notable for sharing time with Tom Brady in college. Henson both thrown an NFL touchdown and has a major league hit. The downside being that he's thrown just 20 NFL passes (only 2 over the last 4 seasons) and had only 9 MLB at bats.

Craig Nall (FA) the long-time backup has the impressive statistic of more years in the league (9), than games played (7). He has played well in his few appearances holding a career QB rating of 123.8 over 48 attempts.

Marques Tuiasosopo (FA) A second round pick of the Raiders, Tuiasosopo has played just 13 games (2 starts) in 8 seasons, and hasn't posted a season with less INTs than TDs or a QB rating over 51 since his (4 attempt) rookie year. Awesome name though.

Cleo Lemon (FA) Lemon started half a season in Miami in 2007 playing well enough for an ill advised 3 year, 9 million dollar contract from the Jags, who cut him after just one year.

Brooks Bollinger (Orlando) Bollinger has played a handful of games as a backup since a mediocre half-season starting for the Jets with 56.4% completion, 1,558 yards, 7TDs, and 6INTs for a rating of 72.9 and 4.1 ANY/A

Quinn Gray (New York) We all saw Gray last year, through the first 3 preseason games he looked like the best QB of the 3 headed backup committee. Over the last two he threw 4 INTs to 1 TD and completed under 40% of his passes. He eventually caught on with the Cheifs where he had 8 very good pass attempts.

J.P. Losman (Las Vegas) The 2004 1st rounder couldn't stay healthy and regressed as a passer after a pretty good 2006 season. With Trent Edwards emerging as a viable starter and outplaying Losman, J.P. was given the boot.

Very slim pickings, Where for art thou Josh Betts? (actually he is available)

Lions Sign Will James and Lydon Murtha, Release Three

Sean Yuille — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:47:16 -0000

As preparation for training camp continues, the Lions made quite a few changes to their roster today, headlined by the signing of free agent cornerback William James. The Lions also confirmed that they have signed draft picks DeAndre Levy and Lydon Murtha. To make room on the roster for the three players, running back Antone Smith, defensive end Rudolph Hardie, and safety Tra Battle were released.

Will James, who actually played for the University of Michigan for two years (then as Will Peterson), was a member of the Jaguars, so I'm guessing James Harris is behind this move. Jacksonville released James in June, and the Lions brought him in for a workout yesterday. 24 hours or so later, he became a Lion.

James is entering his ninth season in the NFL, and the Lions are his fifth team. He started out as a New York Giant in 2001 and joined the Eagles in 2006. James spent only two seasons in Philadelphia, as he became a Bill during the offseason a year ago. After being released during the final round of roster cuts, he joined the Jaguars, where he played in 8 games. On average, he has only played in around 9.5 games a season. That is mainly due to him playing in only 10 games combined in 2003, 2005, and 2006, but the last two years he has played in 22 total games.

On top of signing James, the two draft picks, and releasing three players, the Lions also brought in quarterbacks Cleo Lemon, Brooks Bollinger, and Craig Nall for a workout. Before training camp begins, the Lions obviously want to make sure that there isn't a free agent backup QB they have missed out on. I expect them to stick with Drew Stanton as the third-string QB, but the Lions may very well see a need to add a player to the competition.

N.D. Kalu Cut To Make Way For Craig Nall

Tim — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:21:45 -0000

In my original post yesterday, I didn't mention how the Texans created room for Craig Nall to join the team. That wasn't a deliberate oversight; I simply didn't know and frankly didn't even think about it at the time. Today's Chronicle has the answer: N.D. Kalu was handed his walking papers.

Even though this move is hardly surprising (Kalu has seen very little action this year), I'm still bummed. I've always liked Kalu. Super Mario and Amobi Okoye repeatedly said what a great mentor Kalu was to them, and N.D.'s been nothing but a class act his entire career. From everything I've read about the guy, his career numbers don't really do justice to the impact he had on the team. I for one am sad to see him go.

Best of luck in wherever you go and whatever you do from here, N.D. Thanks for being a guy who was easy to root for.

BREAKING NEWS: Craig Nall Is The Newest Texan!

Tim — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:33:10 -0000

Huzzah!

In an equally interesting and inspiring story, I had chicken lo mein for lunch. It was delicious.

Upon further review, I take it back. My lunch choice was far more inspiring than the idea of Craig Nall being a heartbeat away from quarterbacking your Houston Texans.

All Schaub. All The Time.

Tim — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:03:31 -0000

Some quick hits as Sage Rosenfels prepares to take the helm against a fierce Baltimore defense:

-The Texans sent tape of the two (2) Jared Allen low-blows to the league office for review. Personally, I think a fair sentence would be letting Mario hit Allen low. With a machete.

-Awwwww, Duane Brown feels bad about letting Allen spend so much time in the backfield. Don't beat yourself up too much, Duane. Ephraim Salaam got pancaked by Allen on at least one occasion that I clearly recall, and he was the LT of record for the second shot to The Schaub's knee. Pass some of that useless remorse Salaam's way.

-McClain says the Texans will bring Tim Rattay, Bruce Gradkowski, and Craig Nall in to audition for the part of backup to Sage. Be still my beating heart. Nall had a cup of coffee as a Texan last year, so you might be inclined to think he'd be the favorite, but I wonder whether Mike Sherman's departure levels the playing field.

-Finally, a depressing observation, echoed by John McClain: 'Dre had a sprained knee last year. He missed seven (7) games.

Assuming I don't jump out a window, the Post-Game Breakdown will be up later this afternoon.

Real Solutions To The Kansas City Quarterback Problem

Joel Thorman — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:51:17 -0000

So, here's the deal. The feelings regarding our quarterback situation are mixed. However, I feel that a majority of folks are looking to make a change and then some of that group wants to make a change NOW.

I'm on record as saying there's nothing we can do to better the quarterback situation now. Trade scenarios, while always an interesting discussion, almost never come to fruition. There's a reason talented quarterbacks never hit the open market.

Below is a list of quarterbacks who are currently free agents. Keeping this list in mind, I want to hear real solutions to the quarterback problem. Pretend as if trading is not an option (because realistically it's probably not). Anyone can say 'Hey it's not working dump 'em all!' But that's not the way it works.

Tell us who you want and WHY. The latter is key. Would any of these players help us now? Do we currently have the best options on staff?

Player Name	Years Experience	2007 Team
Daunte Culpepper	9	Raiders
Bruce Gradkowski	2	Bucs
Tim Hasselbeck	6	Cardinals
Kelly Holcomb	11	Vikings
Jared Lorenzen	3	Giants
Jamie Martin	13	Saints
Craig Nall	6	Packers
Tim Rattay	8	Cardinals
Lester Ricard	1	Jaguars
Brian St. Pierre	7	Jets
Chris Weinke	8	49ers