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Published on 08/12/2008 at Tue Aug 12 12:00.
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Patrick Ramsey vs Brad Johnson

Posted Tue Aug 12th by

Patrick Ramsey

So, last year many of you will remember that I was very high on bringing in Brad Johnson to backup Cutler. Yes, Brad is old enough to be my father, but he still has a strong arm and has spent time in quality programs that I believe try to mirror Denver’s success (like John Gruden’s). Mike Shanahan was definitely interested in Johnson when he was available last year, but Dallas ended up convincing Johnson he had a better chance at playing time over in the lonestar state.

However, there have been some rumblings recently that the Dallas organization isn’t happy having Johnson be their insurance plan. On Saturday the Chargers second string defense killed the Cowboys second team o-line and the results were predictable. Johnon still completed 8 of 15 passes for 89 yards, but he was sacked twice and intercepted once.

There have been calls (much like the ones here in Denver over Ramsey) to get rid of Brad. Wade Phillips is still sticking with his backup QB and will, reportedly, give him some time with the first string offense this week to see if Johnson looks better when surrounded by better protection. But all this drama makes this week very interesting.

Consider this… For several practices and then a preseason game on Saturday, Mike Shanahan and his coaches will get a very good look at Brad Johnson. Johnson was a player they liked as a seasoned veteran backup for Cutler (who could learn much from Brad). Ramsey has been playing average ball at best and Hackney is pretty short for a pro QB. Could this trip end up being a sales pitch to 17 year veteran?

Mark my words. If Brad Johnson would be released from the Cowboys, Denver will make a play for him.

If I was Shanahan, I’d try to show off Ramsey all week and hope he has a great game this weekend. Maybe Ramsey could look appealing enough to have Jerry Jones giving a QB swap some consideraton?

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What do you think? Would a guy Brad’s age worry you more than Ramsey? Would you like having a vet with Brad’s experience in the lockroom? If you were playing Madden 09 and could just make the switch, which backup would you rather have?

Photo Courtesy: AP/David Zalubowski

  • andy b.

    Umm, is “(C) None of the above” one of the choices?
    Honestly, I might go with Hackney over either one of them. I dunno. The concern for me with Johnson is that you don’t really want your plan B to be that fragile. What’s the point of putting in your backup only to have that guy get injured anyway? On the other hand, if you’re MAKING us choose between the two, I guess I prefer the devil I don’t know to the devil I do: Johnson over Ramsey.

  • Jordan

    If Hackney is playing well, then his height seems like a minor issue, unless Cutler goes down in week two for the year. But then, how many sacks could Johnson take, being so old (in football terms)? Keep Hackney, cut Ramsey, and stay away from Johnson despite his accrued wisdom. I would be great to keep three QBs, but have you tried to get the team down to 53? It’s tough to choose who stays and who gos.

  • http://www.broncomadness.com Garret Barnes

    Brad Johnson any day of the week. But I like Hackney more than both.

  • orangecrush74

    Neither. I would prefer Brian Griese over both of them.

  • nybronco

    Sorry Jonathan, but I’m with everyone else. If Hackney is getting the job done (despite his height) then why go with the fossil? I’ve never been real impressed with Johnson. I’d rather give Hackney a shot…

  • Person

    I’m down with giving Hackney a shot as well. Like I said before, I grew up in Virginia (and still live there) and I remember when Patrick Ramsey was the Redskin’s starter. He was so god awful they brought in the an old man named Mark Brunnel to take his spot. Even though Ramsey sucks I dont see the point with signing a guy who could retire/die at any second. We need to make a move on a back up QB during FA next season and NOT in the draft.

  • http://81trucolors.livejournal.com/ Truman

    BJ would be an upgrade. What about Chris Simms? Could probably get him cheap.

  • andy b.

    To echo everyone else’s sentiments re: Hackney– I’m so friggin’ tired of NFL scouts et al. placing TOO much emphasis on a player’s physical size, or even worse, stupid stats like how one guy is .04 seconds faster on a 40 yard dash than the next guy. WHO CARES? That was why I was thrilled the Broncos took Dumervil. Admittedly, he hasn’t been a huge star or anything, but wasn’t the guy kind of a steal that far down the draft? I mean, the guy lead the NCAA in sacks, whatever size he happens to be. Hackney, in the admittedly limited amount of I’ve seen of him, appeared to be able to do some decent things for us. That’s all I care about. Height be damned!

  • AKscott

    To me, it depends.. Either way Ramsey sucks and should be shown the door. If we are talking just a roster spot, give it to Hackney since he already knows the system, and has by all accounts outplayed his competition.
    If jay were to go down for the sesaon tomorrow, I cant say I would feel too comfortable giving Hackney the reigns for an entire season, but I would feel better about Johnson taking over being smart and managing the game, and still giving us a shot to win.

  • LorDog

    We got Dewayne Robertson from the Jets…maybe we can get Brett Favre, too?
    Just kidding…I’m a conservative so if I have to choose between the two I stay with Ramsey and pray like crazy JC doesn’t go down. I’m with the others in fearing that one hit would put the aged Brad Johnson out anyway.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    If Cutler goes down early in the season, it’s pretty much over any way. Naturally, we’ve yet to see Hackney in any real game action – but based on practice and preseason, I’d rather him lead the team than either Ramsey or Johnson.

  • Jason

    Josh McCown will most likely be released soon in light of the Pennington pick up. We should pick him up. I’ve liked this kid since I saw him with the Cardinals.

  • http://merlinofchaos.livejournal.com E. Halsey Miles

    Hey if Cutler goes down early in the season I think Culpepper is still available. =)

  • Jason

    I do like Hackney though. Not Simms please, I don’t think I could stomach the son of the ‘other’ QB I would rather not remember. It’s bad enough I have to listen to his ignorant drivel during games.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Jonathan Douglas

    I personally agree with you all on Hackney’s height. I tend to value Heart, Spirit and Desire above physical stats. I mentioned that purely because the Denver media keeps bringing it up and the Bronco’s front office seems to lack the desire to really give him a serious shot at being the full-time back up.

    I guess my main point was that I believe Shanahan will be watching Brad closely this week and I also think he would pursue Johnson if he’s released.

    From your responses, I gather that option is in no way going to make the backup QB position any less an issue for most fans. :)