NFL training camps are sprouting up all over the place, a sure sign that we're about to hit the dog days of summer, which is not a dated reference to Michael Vick.
As much fun as it was to watch LeBron burn bridges to Cleveland and see A-Rod frozen forever at 599, all other sports merely fill the time between our two favorite seasons: NFL and NFL Draft.
While there are multiple storylines at every NFL camp, this year nothing is more fascinating than the quarterbacks.
A dozen teams sit rock solid at QB, starting with the big three of the Colts' Peyton Manning, the Saints' Drew Brees and the Patriots' Tom Brady.
But, more interesting are the teams where the quarterbacks are on the spot, where things could be great or disastrous.
Here are seven quarterback questions as training camps open:
Can Kevin Kolb make Eagles fans forget Donovan McNabb?
No one faces more scrutiny than Kolb. Much like the Packers' Aaron Rodgers, Kolb was groomed as the eventual successor to a big-name leader. Like Brett Favre, McNabb was sent packing with a “thanks for the memories, now get out of town” abruptness. Rodgers thrived, but not without enormous pressure.
Kolb is part of a youth movement in Philly, which also parted ways with running back Brian Westbrook. And Kolb showed some spark when he was on the field last year. He already seems to have a connection with wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who caught a pair of long touchdowns from Kolb last year.
Media highlights of Kolb opening training camp show him embracing his new role. Several TV stations didn't bring enough videotape to record all his interviews. If he struggles, Philly fans will no doubt be as understanding as always.
Will Matt Leinart bloom or bust?
Good news: Leinart hasn't been told to give back his Heisman Trophy and Kurt Warner has vacated the starting spot at Arizona. Bad news: Leinart, a BMOC at USC, has been MIA in the NFL. But here's his next big chance. Derek Anderson is breathing down his neck with the confidence that comes from being dumped by the Browns, so Leinart must prove he can come into his own.
I will say this: Any quarterback who has Larry Fitzgerald at wide receiver has one big advantage. But Leinart must find a second reliable receiver to replace the departed Anquan Boldin. Where's Reggie Bush when you need him?
Will the Steelers survive until Big Ben returns?
While word on how long Roethlisberger's suspension for being an idiot off the field will be remains an issue, it's guaranteed the Steelers will start the season with someone else at the helm. The most-likely candidate is veteran Byron Leftwich, a decent but not elite quarterback.
The scenario forces the Steelers into a situation of early season limbo. Can the defense, which remains a strength, carry the heavy load while Leftwich tries to chip away with ball control and avoid turnovers? The early schedule includes the Falcons, Titans and Ravens, so there are some big obstacles for a backup to navigate.
And, how will Roethlisberger's inactivity during the early games factor in when he eventually returns? Can he regain his leadership voice with the offense?
If I'm a Steelers fan, I'm nervous about this becoming a lost season.
Will Jay Cutler and Mike Martz be a match made in heaven or a continuation of Bears quarterback futility?
This is a question that raises another question: Who knows?
There's no one out there who can possibly figure out what the future holds for Cutler. He's talented. He's explosive. He can complete passes to both teams with equal zest.
Martz has proved he knows how to coach a great offense, and both Martz and Cutler say they are excited about working together. Martz's passing game, however, requires throwing to a spot. Cutler tends to wait longer and try to use his massive arm strength to hit a receiver already in the spot. The adjustment, or non-adjustment, to that mind-set will be one factor in whether the marriage succeeds. It'd also be helpful if the Bears had a dynamic wide receiver. Do you believe in miracles?
Now that everyone expects him to win, can Mark Sanchez avoid a sophomore slump?
This is a bit misleading. Sanchez's stats weren't that great as a rookie during the regular season. Can you slump from mediocrity? He threw an AFC-high 20 interceptions. Most of the Jets offense was predicated on ball control and Sanchez not botching the handoff. Then Sanchez came alive in the playoffs, producing a 92.7 passer rating.
Sanchez has a new playmaking receiver in Santonio Holmes. So that's a help. But the Jets were a surprise team last year. This year, adding Jason Taylor and LaDainian Tomlinson, they're expected to reach the AFC title game, minimum. Pressure to win always falls on the quarterback.
Can Jake Delhomme make Cleveland forget its troubles?
What's the best way to answer this?
No.
Browns coach Eric Mangini says the starting quarterback job is Delhomme's to lose. He'll lose it. He showed last year in Carolina that he was a quarterback with his best days behind him. He has no playmakers around him and no atmosphere of winning. Not only will Delhomme have a hard time keeping the job over Seneca Wallace, I wouldn't be surprised if he retires at halftime of the first game. (That's an exaggeration. He'll wait till the end of the third quarter.)
Tim Tebow's potential: fact or fiction?
Denver coach Josh McDaniels believes in Tebow. So does Jockey, which signed him to an underwear endorsement deal. If Kyle Orton gets off to a good start, then it's safe to say Tebow's playing time this fall will be – what's the word? – brief.
