These Three NFL Quarterbacks Are Running Out of Time: Alex Smith, Chad Henne, Jason Campbell

With the regular season approaching, time is running out for these quarterbacks to prove they have what it takes to be a starting QB in the NFL.

Alex Smith

San Francisco 49er fans are still waiting for Alex Smith to develop into an NFL quarterback. The former number one overall selection arrived in San Francisco in 1995 ready to solve the 49ers quarterback problems. Unfortunately, things haven't worked out that way.

The reality is Smith won't follow in the footsteps of Joe Montana, Steve Young or Jeff Garcia for that matter. Signed to a one-year contract this off-season, Smith is down to his final chance in San Francisco. With rookie Colin Kaepernick on the sidelines, Alex Smith is running out of time. Whether the former University of Utah QB has any future in the NFL depends on his performance this year. Forced to work with yet another new offensive coordinator and learn another new offense, maybe a change of scenery will benefit Smith.

Chad Henne

When the Dolphins 2011 season began, a chilly reception awaited starting quarterback, Chad Henne. Dolphin's fans booed their signal caller and made it known they preferred Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton. Things are bad for Henne in Miami.

Last season the QB lost his starting job to Chad Pennington who held the job for approximately two plays. This year Pennington and Tyler Thigpen are gone, replaced by Matt Moore and Kevin O'Connell. The Dolphins starting quarterback job is Henne's for now, with Moore and O'Connell still learning the Dolphin's playbook. The former University of Michigan quarterback has the ideal size 6' 3" 230 lbs , but looks nervous in the pocket at times. Henne has the necessary weapons at his disposal with a good receiver in Brandon Marshall and new pass catching running back, Reggie Bush. If Henne can't figure out how to use them, the Dolphins will bring in someone who can.

Jason Campbell

Was there any doubt the Oakland Raiders would select Terrelle Pryor in this year's supplemental draft? It cost Oakland a third round pick in next years draft to obtain the services of the former Ohio State Buckeye. Pryor joins Jason Campbell, Kyle Boller and Trent Edwards in Oakland. With last season's part-time starter, Bruce Grankowski moved on to the one team possibly more dysfunctional than the Raiders, the Cincinnati Bengals, this is now Jason Campbell's team. With the immediate threat to his job gone, Campbell needs to make the most of this opportunity.

Campbell is on his second NFL team and maybe his last chance. In the final year of his contract with Oakland, Campbell won't get another one if he struggles this year.

The NFL is a quarterback driven; pass happy league and these quarterbacks are running out of time to prove they belong

Sources:

http://www.nesn.com/2011/08/dolphins

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players