Potential Falcon Free Agent Target: QB Brett Ratliff

by Dave Choate on Mar 14, 2010 8:00 AM EDT in NFL News Comment 20 comments

It isn't every day that a talented young backup quarterback becomes available, but it looks like that'll be happening very soon.

The Cleveland Browns are cleaning house with the arrival of Mike Holmgren, and while the team has brought aboard Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme, it's pretty likely they're going to get rid of all their backup quarterback. Derek Anderson is already on the market, but he's been a subpar quarterback for two years. Brady Quinn is also on the market, but I don't really want to give anything up for a guy whose arm has been unfavorably compared to cooked spaghetti, either.

So that leaves Brett Ratliff, who is almost certainly on his way out of Cleveland now. I know that a backup quarterback is neither a major need right now or a sexy one, but Ratliff is only going on 25, has terrific athleticism for a QB, a strong arm and a quick release. He hasn't played a regular season down in the NFL, but he's got the potential to be a very solid option and comes with better physical tools than incumbent #3 guy John Parker Wilson.

I'm a firm believer that the Falcons should always be looking for upgrades, even to seemingly non-essential positions like your third quarterback. In a couple of years, Chris Redman won't be around, and if we have a guy groomed who can carry Matt Ryan's clipboard effectively and play well in a pinch, I'd be pretty happy. Maybe JPW can become that guy, but I hope the Falcons will at least kick the tires on Ratliff if/when he becomes available.

As I said, you can always get better. What do you think, gentle readers?

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This wouldn't be a bad idea

I like the line of thinking. A team always needs to be on the lookout for all positions and since he is 25 he is young and could develop into a decent backup.

He could battle with JPW but I bet Tloz won’t like the ex-Crimson Tide’s place on this team jeopardised.

Australian Atlanta Falcons Fan EST 2003

by Grayson on Mar 14, 2010 8:16 AM EDT reply actions

falcon off the chan

go falcons ////// i want brandon marshall

by dirtybird199 on Mar 14, 2010 9:55 AM EDT reply actions

Seems to get along pretty well with shorter guys, based on that photo.

Longest Atlanta Falcons winning-seasons streak: 2008 - current
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by Jason Kirk on Mar 14, 2010 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

If it improves the team

it’s fine with me. I don’t know much about him though

by Fear Me on Mar 14, 2010 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

Competetion is what it's all about...

Bring in guys and let them win jobs. Remember how much of a laugh we all got when the Falcons sign JPW last year?

"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath

by NaGaNole on Mar 14, 2010 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

Good idea.

After looking at my favorite team’s qb roster i see we dont have alot of powerful names in there. Its like looking in your fridge and seeing the the chicken you got from the store a few days ago(redman) and the not really interesting veggies(john parker) and some cheesecake(matt ryan). The cheesecake is good but it needs something good to make it special. Wow now im hungry.

by LORD91 on Mar 14, 2010 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

Given the tools, it would be a good acquisition for the scout team.

Neither Redman or JPW have the kind of “rocket cannon” arm that we face regularly. Nice upgrade, I think.

How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!

by AnOldBird on Mar 14, 2010 8:20 PM EDT reply actions

It could happen

Unfortunately, it looks like my man DJ Shockley has become practice squad material
Redman is a solid backup, but he’s only a temporary solution at backup QB. He led us to a win over the Bucs, but then we got crushed by Philly. I’m not sure how good JPW actually is either. I heard this guy showed a lot of potential, and actually almost started when in Cleveland.

Oh and Cleveland traded Quinn today. Good for them, seems like Holmgren is going to make them better after all.

"That's my teammate, man... That's my quarterback"

by TurnerTheBurner on Mar 14, 2010 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

Don't be so sure (about Holmgren making them better)

He dumped Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn so he could bring in… Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme. Ugh.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on Mar 15, 2010 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Harrison and Hollis make a nice combo...

Surrounding himself with west coast guys at QB. Neither Andserson or Quinn fit what he wants on offense.

"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath

by NaGaNole on Mar 15, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Back-Up QB's for our Dirty Birds

I don’t know about you all but I think we need two reliable back ups for Ryan. Last year when Redman played, he just didn’t make it happen like I wanted him too. I think a back up QB should be just as good as the starter. Maybe I’m asking for too much but I hate when we loose. I don’t even like close games but as long as we win, I’m ok. I don’t dislike Redman but I think there are better options available. What do you think?

by jontay04 on Mar 14, 2010 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

Than Redman?

Probably not this year. It’s definitely time to start thinking about his successor, though.

by Dave Choate on Mar 14, 2010 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the feedback, all

Just kicking the tires on the idea during a slow part of the season. Frankly, I think any free agency moves from here on out will be extremely low key, so this fits in with that idea. I’m not married to the idea of bringing Ratliff aboard, but I think we could do better than JPW at #3.

by Dave Choate on Mar 14, 2010 11:30 PM EDT reply actions

Well.....How many #3s are out there

that really ARE better than JPW? He did well in limited action last preseason, and Redman is rated higher than some teams #1 QBs. How many teams can say that? Very, very few, I’m sure. If anything, our #3 should be our future #2. That would be my suggestion. No need to create any more instability in the team than we have to make.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on Mar 15, 2010 3:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Right

And that’s my reason for suggesting Ratliff. I think he could hold that position down easily. The Browns and Jets kept placing him behind people that in my personal opinion were less talented than he is.

by Dave Choate on Mar 15, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

um

except that Redman sux. I dont see how 2 decent games makes a guy a world beater. He couldnt start for any team. He wouldnt last 4 games. Not to mention the fact that he is an ass in person. (refused to sign my sons falcons cap)

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Mar 17, 2010 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm torn

I agree with your basic principle of upgrading whenever possible, but I don’t want to bring any bad karma onto the Good Shipe Falcoholic from that sinking wreck that is “The Browns.”

by blackertai on Mar 15, 2010 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

CAN U SAY UPGRADE BOYS AND GIRLS! LOL! RATLIFF WOULD BE A STEAL! DO U HEAR THAT MR.BLANK?

by zboe69 on Mar 15, 2010 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

Good idea but...

I think he’s a good QB who, in my opinion, isn’t that far away from being a starter on another team. I have no quarrels with him being our #3 and possibly our #2 next year, being that Redman signed a 1 year deal and might not be back next season. But I think whenever the time comes that he is traded or signed when he becomes a free agent, he would want to sign with a team he thinks he would have a chance to start for.

I’m very glad we resigned Redman but if we didn’t I wouldn’t have minded signing someone like AJ Feeley, who ended up going to the Rams.

by cajunfury on Mar 16, 2010 2:40 AM EDT reply actions