Monday, April 15, 2002

Harrington should top Buffalo’s list

A potential franchise quarterback is within reach, and the Bills would make a mistake if they don't take him

By Andy Hanacek, Associate editor

Most folks who have read this column or heard me on the radio know that in the days of the big Buffalo QB controversy, I was a firm supporter of sticking with oft-injured Rob Johnson over Doug Flutie. I’d gotten into a few arguments on radio shows about the very topic.

But now, dare I say it, I think I have a solution that will make everyone happy. Draft Oregon QB Joey Harrington. Look at the possibilities here before you shoot this idea down.

First off, the Bills aren’t in as dire need at offensive tackle as they were weeks ago. Second-year man Jonas Jennings played well in 2001, and the Bills signed Trey Teague, a 16-game starter in 2001, to play the other side. If they drafted a tackle (Bryant McKinnie or Mike Williams), they’d move Jennings to guard, giving them a very solid line, especially for the future.

Now that they’ve lost out in the Grady Jackson sweepstakes, wouldn’t it be nice if the Bills took a stud defensive tackle with that No. 4 pick to play next to Pat Williams? Yes, it would, but defensive tackle is relatively deep this year, and the Bills can address that later.

The Bills have a serious need at safety, but don’t expect Roy Williams to drop past the Lions. If he does, that makes this pick even more difficult to make. But if Williams doesn’t drop, the Bills can get a solid safety later in the draft.

So, you ask, why don’t the Bills address the QB position later as well? Couldn’t they pick up a Patrick Ramsey-type prospect later and groom him behind Alex Van Pelt for a season or two? Well, my answer is yes, they could do that (and likely they will).

But if the Bills, who have given fans little reason to be excited about the 2002 season, want to create that excitement, they’ll pick Harrington and take the Texans’ potential approach with David Carr.

That approach would be to sit Harrington for several games, let Van Pelt start and show the kid the ropes, and by midseason hand Harrington the reins. That’s what I believe the Texans will do with Carr.

With a later-round QB prospect in the fold, the moment Van Pelt falters, the QB controversy begins again. With Harrington, the fans will know he’s going to get his chance sooner than later, which might keep them from squawking.

Ramsey (or whomever the Bills picked in the later rounds) might turn into a great quarterback in this league — that is possible. My point is, when you have a chance to draft a potential franchise quarterback and that’s one of your major needs, I believe you go for it. Van Pelt is by no means a long-term answer at quarterback, and the Bills are in a position to take a long-term answer. Drafting Harrington would be a great move for the future, and it would invigorate the team and its fans.

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