Slim Pickings - 2007 Free Agent QBs

As we get closer to training camp starting, the likelihood that we get another QB this season keeps diminishing. With the current pool of free agents, it will take either a trade or someone to get cut from a current NFL team. Tim Rattay is currently the highest paid backup QB in the NFL and if he ends up #3 on the depth chart, then he might end up getting cut to save his $1.25 million salary. This is not very likely, but he is the most likely QB to cut get that is at all capable.

Looking ahead to 2007, the options available will be very slim, but we might find a decent backup in this group to free up Seneca Wallace and give us someone with at least a few NFL starts that could play in an emergency. It should also be noted that Seneca Wallace will be an UFA in 2007. One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of QBs get thrown into their first action and play horribly because they have no experience (Alex Smith, John Elway) and then once they get a second chance after they have learned from their experience they are much better (Matt Hasselbeck).

The 2007 UFA options at QB for the Seahawks:

Starter Caliber
- Chris Simms, TB - No real chance at him as he will be signed to start somewhere (most likely Tampa Bay) at top dollar. (12 starts, 11 TDs, 10 INTs)
- Patrick Ramsey, NYJ - Not much chance of landing him either unless we want to shell out a lot of money for a backup that is not the best fit for our system. If Pennington does not recover from his injury completely or gets hurt again, then he will be the Jets starter and will not be on the market. (24 starts, 34 TDs, 29 INTs)

Quality Backup
- Tim Rattay, TB - He has west coast offense experience and will get more again this year in Tampa Bay. The Seahawks have seen him in our division over the years, so they should know if he has what it takes or not. (16 starts, 28 TDs, 18 INTs)
- Jeff Garcia, PHI - He only signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia for $710,000. Yes he is old, but he can still get the job done at a decent level, is great in the west coast offense, and could bridge the gap as we develop Greene and Hamdan for another year or two. (86 starts, 126 TDs, 71 INTs)

Possibly Decent
- Anthony Wright, CIN - You might be thinking he was a disaster in Baltimore last year, but given how horrible that offense was he did make some good plays. He did go 5-2 when he started the final 7 games in 2003 and started a playoff game. He makes plays with his feet, but does make too many poor decisions and throws a lot of INTs. (20 starts, 20 TDs, 25 INTs)
- Marques Tuiasosopo, OAK - He also played horribly in his only action, but can run well and make plays when healthy. He is a UW guy and could get a second chance to show off his skills in Seattle. (2 starts, 1 TDs, 5 INTs)

Restricted Free Agents
- Matt Schaub, ATL - He will likely get a qualifying offer from Atlanta requiring a 1st and 3rd round pick as well as outbidding Atlanta if we want him. He is expected to land a pretty fat contract somewhere as a starter. He started 1 game for Atlanta last year and threw for 3 TDs, 0 INTs, and 298 yards.

I would not mind seeing Tim Rattay or Jeff Garcia in a Seahawks uniform. Anyone else is either a really huge question mark or would come at too high of a cost.