Potential Jets: Jason Campbell

When looking at realistic quarterback options for the Jets to pursue, I think Jason Campbell of the Raiders should be at the top of the list. The 30 year old is not a franchise quarterback. He would probably not be an available free agent if he was. He is an adequate quarterback, though.

Campbell is not necessarily a guy who will hit really difficult passes for huge gains. He can hit enough to move the chains, though, and give a passing game credibility. He has a career completion percentage of 60.8% and a passer rating of 82.8. Just as significantly, he protects the football. His 2.3% interception rate ranks him in a tie for sixth all time. The ideal situation would be for the Jets to have a dynamic passing game. What the Jets need at a minimum is simply a credible passing game that does not turn the ball over and gives the defense a chance to control the game. Campbell can do that. As an added bonus, going back to his college career, he has had a new offensive coordinator almost every year so he is adept at learning new offenses quickly.

Campbell probably wants a starting job, but he frankly is probably not good enough for some team to just hand him one, particularly coming off a broken collarbone which ended his 2011 season in October.

In some of these posts regarding quarterbacks in the past, I have noticed some imply guys like Campbell would not be interested to come in and be the backup. I am not suggesting he should be the backup. I think he (or any other quarterback) should be put on equal footing with Mark Sanchez and be given a chance to win the job if he plays better in camp and preseason. If Sanchez is not better than a middle of the pack guy like Campbell by his fourth year, he should not be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets. This team is ready to win now. If Sanchez is not going to be able to carry his share of the load, the Jets need to be able to plug in a guy who can.