By
|
The Tampa Tribune
Published: February 16, 2013
Updated: February 16, 2013 - 7:16 PM
Someone's going to reach.
Book it.
No NFL draft has seen a first round pass by without a quarterback being selected since 1996, and that trend isn't about to change when the 2013 NFL draft is held in late April. At least two quarterbacks have been chosen in every opening round of the past decade, including four apiece in 2011 and 2012.
Last year's rookie crop was spectacular, led by Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson. All led their clubs into the postseason, combining for 69 touchdown passes and only 33 interceptions.
But recent drafts also generated colossal mistakes by teams using a premium pick on a quarterback who appeared to possess the right stuff.
Remember Kyle Boller?
How about Rex Grossman and J.P. Losman?
Jason Campbell is the epitome of an NFL journeyman and Matt Leinart is fading into obscurity.
And, of course, any ranking of quarterback busts must start and end with JaMarcus Russell, whose robust right arm ultimately proved no match for his robust appetite.
This year's group of quarterback prospects appears rather, ahem, underwhelming.
Instead of Luck, we have Southern Cal's Matt Barkley.
In Griffin's place stands West Virginia's Geno Smith.
In most years, Smith and Barkley would be considered third-round talents, but the 2013 draft isn't like most years.
It's a quarterback-driven league more than ever, and at least a quarter of the NFL's 32 franchises crave more stability at the game's most critical position. Topping the desperation list are the Cardinals, Bills, Browns, Jaguars, Chiefs, Jets, Raiders and Titans.
Nary a playoff spot among 'em.
As if Kansas City fans haven't suffered sufficiently, the Chiefs are unlucky enough to own the No. 1 overall pick in a year when there is no consensus No. 1 choice. The only thing we know for sure in KC is that new head coach Andy Reid isn't planning on bringing Matt Cassel back as a starter.
Smart man.
The Chiefs traded for Cassel in 2009 and signed Tom Brady's former backup in New England to a six-year deal, with $28 million guaranteed. That disastrous trade helped usher general manager Scott Pioli out of town and Reid isn't about to make the same mistake.
"I think trading out is still the best option for the Chiefs,'' ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. "There's no quarterback to remotely consider at No. 1 if you're Kansas City.''
If the Chiefs decided to trade back, they would encounter major difficulty finding suitors for the top spot in a draft lean on quarterbacks, wide receivers and impact running backs.
Still, someone's going to turn in a card with a quarterback's name on it before the first day of the draft concludes April 25. There's too many front-office jobs at stake to play it safe for another year and look for a quarterback in 2014.
"Everyone says there's no Andrew Luck or RG III in this draft,'' NFL Network's Mike Mayock said. "I guarantee you by the time we get to April, there will be three to four quarterbacks taken in the first round.''
The defensively-challenged Bucs don't figure to make one of those selections, but there's a decent chance Tampa Bay will draft a quarterback to push Josh Freeman, a first-round pick in 2009.
The top free-agent quarterback candidates include Alex Smith and Matt Flynn, who was beaten out by Wilson in Seattle. Despite making all of two NFL starts and throwing only 141 passes as a pro, Flynn remains a hot property.
Much of that allure is based on a record-setting day in Lambeau Field on the last day of the 2011 regular season ? when Flynn filled in for Aaron Rodgers and threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns against Detroit in Green Bay's 45-41 victory.
One game ? that's all it takes these days to stamp you as a quarterback on the rise.
Oh, yes. Someone's going to reach.
Source: http://www2.tbo.com/sports/bucs/2013/feb/16/nfl-drafts-qbs-lacking-the-right-stuff-ar-636631/
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