Tarvaris Jackson, QB
Age: 31
Height: 6-2
Weight: 226
Last team: Seattle Seahawks
Scouting report
The 10-year veteran has served as Russell Wilson’s backup in Seattle for the past two seasons. He’s only thrown 14 passes since the end of the 2011 season. A former second-round pick of the Vikings, Jackson is 17-17 in his career as a starter and has played in 56 games. For his career, Jackson has completed 59.6 percent of his passes and compiled a 78.5 passer rating. He has 39 TDs and 35 interceptions. He also has 644 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.0 yards per run. He made $1.25 million last season, per spotrac.com.
Geoff’s take
To compete for a starting job? No way. To come in and back up? Yeah, sure. If Chip Kelly’s offense could convert Mark Sanchez from a QB who completed 55 percent of his passes to one who sets a franchise accuracy record, imagine what it could do for Jackson, who has Kelly’s desired mobility. Jackson is a good backup quarterback and I’d trust him as much as Sanchez to come in and win some games if the starter went down. In 2011, his last season as a starter, Jackson threw for 3,091 yards, completed 60.1 percent of his passes and threw 14 touchdowns to 13 interceptions for a 7-7 Seattle squad. Not bad. You could do a lot worse for a backup.
Roob’s take
I’ve always liked Jackson, although I always spell his name wrong. I want to spell it Tavaris. But anyway, I’d have no problem bringing him in as a No. 2, although I have no clue who No. 1 will be. Jackson is a smart, experienced veteran who’s played in a lot of systems and can run any offense. I’d rather have Sanchez, since he knows the offense, knows the players, knows the coaches and is comfortable here. And played fairly well the second half of last season. But if Sanchez finds a team to give him a chance to compete for a starting job, I’d consider Jackson as a backup.