| The alarmists always like to howl that the sky
is falling when it comes to quarterbacks. There aren’t enough of them, they wail.
When the aging elite retire, there won’t be anyone to take their place, they moan.
Phooey.
John Elway and Dan Marino may have traded in a football for a 9-iron, but the NFL will
manage just fine. It always does.
Now in particular, I think the league is positioned to deal with a changing of the
guard. Thanks to the wonderful QB class of ’99, the answer to the league’s
prayers are about to come true.
The 1999 draft had a smorgasbord of delights for teams in need of a quarterback.
Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith, Daunte Culpepper and Cade McNown all went in
the first round. Shaun King was selected in the second round.
All have shed the training wheels that go with being a rookie and are ready for their
second seasons as pros. Naturally there will be a learning curve. Naturally there will be
some painful moments. That said, all of them have reason for optimism.
Let’s take a closer look at this six-pack of young quarterbacks (in order
drafted).
Tim Couch
What I know: The Browns improved under Couch last season. He has good accuracy as a
thrower and good tools as an athlete.
What I think of his friends: The Browns still do not have their long-term answer
in place at running back. The team is developing a nice corps of wide receivers, but I
don’t think they have their No. 1 threat on the roster as yet. For all the resources
the Browns put into their offensive line last season, it wasn’t anything to get
excited about.
What I predict: Couch will continue to improve in 2000, but it may be baby steps
instead of giant steps because of the lack of talent around him. Over the long haul I
think he will be a star if he can survive the beating he figures to endure while waiting
to be surrounded by better players. I say he’ll do just that in time. There are those
who say Couch may not be another Peyton Manning, but I would counter that very few
quarterbacks are. Look for him to develop into a star one notch below the Manning level.
Donovan McNabb
What I know: Great athlete, great competitor, great leader. He can frustrate the
opponent with both his arm and legs. He improved during his rookie season.
What I think of his friends: RB Duce Staley may not be the most exciting runner
in the league, but he is very productive, strong, aggressive and breaks a lot of tackles.
WR Todd Pinkston was a nice addition in the second round of this year’s draft, but
the receiving corps leaves a lot to be desired. McNabb needs more help in the
pass-catching department. The Eagles have a solid offensive line, especially at the OT
spots where they will line up Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas.
What I predict: McNabb’s athletic ability will allow him to make some
exciting plays, and he should be somewhat improved over last year, but the lack of
firepower at receiver will cause him to struggle a fair amount this season. The
team’s ability to get him more quality targets will go a long way toward determining
how good McNabb becomes during his career.
Akili Smith
What I know: Smith has outstanding tools. You name it, he has it — size,
speed, atheletic ability and a rifle for an arm.
What I think of his friends: Even if Carl Pickens is sent packing, Smith has a
terrific group of wideouts to throw to. Peter Warrick should be a star. Darnay Scott is
coming off a 68-catch, 1,022-yard season, and he possesses excellent size, speed and
jumping ability. If the Bengals come to their senses and give RB Corey Dillon the money he
is worth, Smith will be golden. Dillon is a star-caliber player now who could become a
superstar. The offensive line is slightly better than ordinary.
What I predict: If the Bengals sign Dillon, Smith can’t help but eventually
become a star. Add Dillon to Warrick and Scott, and Smith will have amazing skill-position
talent to work with. If Dillon holds out for the bulk of the season, though, Smith could
struggle in 2000 since the running game will not scare anyone with the Bengals’ other
backs carrying the ball.
Daunte Culpepper
What I know: Almost nothing. The guy didn’t throw a pass during the regular
season last year. Culpepper has unusual size for a quarterback, athleticism and arm
strength, but word is that he was not ready for prime time last year.
What I think of his friends: Any young quarterback who gets to throw to Randy
Moss and Cris Carter and hand the ball off to Robert Smith is the luckiest guy on earth.
The offensive line took some hits in free agency.
What I predict: If Randall Cunningham could set the league on fire a couple of
seasons ago, we shouldn’t dismiss Culpepper. I suspect that he still is not ready for
this assignment, but playing in a QB-friendly system and throwing to the likes of Moss and
Carter will allow him to make a lot of plays. I suspect he will have some weeks when he
really struggles and others when his weapons make him look sensational.
Cade McNown
What I know: He has terrific intangibles, tons of confidence and is playing in Gary
Crowton’s wide-open passing attack.
What I think of his friends: The jury is still out on RB Curtis Enis. This is a
make-or-break year for Enis who was viewed as a franchise back coming out of college. If
Enis can shake off the aftereffects of his rookie-season knee injury, the Bears’
offense can really catch fire. If he doesn’t become a star this season, I
wouldn’t be surprised if another hot-shot running back is brought in for the 2001
campaign. The Bears have more quality wide receivers than Santa Claus has hard-working
elves. Marcus Robinson became a star last season. Bobby Engram is steady and productive.
Eddie Kennison has blazing speed. Marty Booker and D’Wayne Bates are young players to
keep an eye on. The offensive line is solid.
What I predict: If McNown is the starter all season, he could have a big season,
given Crowton’s system and all of the quality receivers. If Enis becomes an
above-average back, McNown could really do some exciting things. All of that said, there
is no guarantee that McNown will be the yearlong starter with Jim Miller lurking. Miller
may not have a great pedigree, but he posted some huge numbers when he played last season.
Shaun King
What I know: He may not have ideal size for a quarterback or a cannon for an arm,
but he has all the intangibles, poise and leadership qualities that the Buccaneers are
looking for.
What I think of his friends: King may be in the best situation you’ll ever
see for a young quarterback. All he has to do is avoid mistakes. He benefits from playing
on a team with a dominant defense. On an offense that does not have to do a lot to win
games, King now gets to throw to superstar Keyshawn Johnson. Mike Alstott and Warrick are
better-than-capable running backs. The offensive line is not going to win games on its
own, but it was upgraded during the offseason.
What I predict: King won’t post huge numbers, but he’ll do exactly
what he is asked: Get the ball to Keyshawn and don’t lose games.
Bonus analysis: Brock Huard
What I know: I don’t include Huard with the previous six quarterbacks, because
I don’t think Huard will be the starter for the Seahawks in 2000. I think Jon Kitna
will be the guy, and I think he’ll do just fine. Nonetheless, Kitna struggled down
the stretch last season, and if he falters this year, Huard could get a look. Huard has a
terrific arm, and the Seahawks are said to have eliminated the problems in mechanics he
developed his final season in college.
What I think of his friends: If Huard becomes the starter, head coach Mike
Holmgren will be his best friend. Holmgren is a star-maker at the QB position. Whoever
starts at quarterback will have a great ground game with veteran Ricky Watters and rookie
Shaun Alexander on the roster. The receivers will post solid numbers, but that is more
because of Holmgren’s system than any star power on their part. The offensive line is
decent overall but very strong on the left side with OLT Walter Jones and OLG Pete
Kendall.
What I predict: Kitna will hold on to his starting job, and Huard will ride the
bench. |
