Surprise Packages Under Center

This was in ESPN Insider. I don't know what to make of it, particularly with freakin KYLE BOLLER being in the top five here. And funny how Tony Banks and Gus Frerrote are still hanging around.

Anyway, here it is, a blog from ESPN The Magazine's Seth Wickersham (whoever he is)

Surprise Packages Under Center

Can't wait for my phone to ring this fall with my editor, Chad Millman, on the other line saying, "We need you to do a Seneca Wallace story. Soon."

There are a few of 'em every year: the Bradys, the Penningtons, the Delhommes, the Bulgers, Breeses, and Maddoxes. They are the QBs who start the year on the bench or with no expectations and rise up to a Pro Bowl or Super Bowl near you. Here are a quick five who might some about this year.

5. Tony Banks, Houston. The Texans should be through with their diapers this year. Can David Carr get them into the playoffs? Jury is still out. Houston might need a boost come midseason, and Banks could provide it. He's got the arm to get Andre Johnson the ball and has more smarts than he's given credit for. He's thrown more TDs in his career than INTs.

4. Gus Frerotte, Miami. Nick Saban inherited A.J. Feeley. He didn't pick him. Speaking of picks, A.J. threw 15 in eight starts last year. A slow September and he'll get the hook. Frerotte hasn't played much since 2000, but has never had a season in which he's started any significant number of games and had a poor TD:INT ratio.

3. Joey Harrington, Detroit. I know, I know. He's not exactly an under-the-radar player. But no starting QB has more pressure and such low expectations as Harrington. So if he plays well, it's technically a surprise. He's got to relax in the pocket. It'll help his consistency. Last year, he had 10 games under 60% completion and two under 35%.

2. Eric Crouch ... ah, just making sure you're reading.

2. Kyle Boller, Baltimore. Didn't throw an interception in nine of 16 starts last year. Only problem was that in those seven games he threw a pick, he tossed out 11. With Jamal Lewis and Todd Heap healthy, not to mention Jim Fassel and Rick Neuheisel coaching him, Boller's efficiency rating, which last year ranked last in the NFL, should improve.

1. Jason Campbell, Washington. Does anyone really think Patrick Ramsey or Mark Brunell is going to stay ahead of this guy? I'm not saying Campbell is a better QB than either of them, but Joe Gibbs wouldn't have picked the Auburn QB to sit. Campbell can adapt to offenses (played under four different offensive coordinators in college) and has the physical tools to make a Roethlisberger-type impact as a rookie. As for his second season, well, check back next year.

you know what...as much as i believe ramsey will have a great season this year...if campbell came off the bench and pulled a roethlisberger this season i wouldn't be against it....that's for sure.

...and no i am not agreeing with this guy i just wouldn't mind seeing some W's this season.

you know what...as much as i believe ramsey will have a great season this year...if campbell came off the bench and pulled a roethlisberger this season i wouldn't be against it....that's for sure.

...and no i am not agreeing with this guy i just wouldn't mind seeing some W's this season.


The funny thing is you would have to be as good as Big Ben in college or better to realistically accomplish that feet, which Campbell was not. But we will have to wait for this to happen to settle it once and for all.

It is funny though how good Campbell became after we gave up the farm to get him, as if when you pay a premium price for a second rd talent and draft him in the first rd that in itself legitimises his talent.

Let's keep in mind the guy had 1 good season out of 4, let's also keep in mind he may have had the most talent in college surrounding him, 4 first rd picks came off his team [inc. himself], and three were top 10, not inc. himself.

I also don't want to hear the excuses about how he had 3 different cooridinators during his tenure at Auburn, nobody is cutting Ramsey that kind of slack.

The funny thing is you would have to be as good as Big Ben in college or better to realistically accomplish that feet, which Campbell was not. But we will have to wait for this to happen to settle it once and for all.

What are you talking about? Numbers? Because if you are, Jason's numbers last year are equally impressive if not more to that of Ben's last college season. Not to mention a 13-0 record.

2700 yards, 69.6% completion percentage, 20 TDs to 7 INTs and a QB rating of 172.9 is spectacular by most standards.

Gibbs play a rookie? I doubt it. THis is just the "common wisdom" about Gibbs, Ramsey, and Campbell, given the draft pick. But it ignores Gibbs long history of competition at QB while sticking (sometimes too long!) with the vet.

Ramsey #1, Brunnell #2, Campbell #3. Mark will get another shot before Campbell gets off the bench (much as I dislike that idea).

that's why i hope mark tears an acl during the preseason or training camp, and is out for the season. i mean, i like the guy, but i wouldn't put him in any more football games, unless it was a last resort. mark could provide that veteran leadership, but nothing more. then when gibbs gets pissed at patrick if he does poorly, we can have campbell step in. i really think campbell could be a top notch starter in the nfl.

that's why i hope mark tears an acl during the preseason or training camp, and is out for the season. i mean, i like the guy, but i wouldn't put him in any more football games, unless it was a last resort. mark could provide that veteran leadership, but nothing more. then when gibbs gets pissed at patrick if he does poorly, we can have campbell step in. i really think campbell could be a top notch starter in the nfl.


LOL Brunell!

I would like to know what you base your conclusion on Campbell is though?

If campbell completely lights the field up during the pre-season and we lose our first couple games(2-3) do you think that we might see him in there early next year?
Not to mention a 13-0 record. 2700 yards, 69.6% completion percentage, 20 TDs to 7 INTs and a QB rating of 172.9 is spectacular by most standards.
Sorry I had to hear it again:httr:

LOL Brunell!

I would like to know what you base your conclusion on Campbell is though?

read the post above this one, and look at his stats. not to mention he had a new offensive coordinator. are you really saying brunell would be a better starter than jason campbell? personally i would take campbell over brunell any day, but that's just me.

Unless Ramsey and Brunell both get hurt, I don't see Campbell getting a sniff of playing time this year.

Next year is another story, but I just can't see Gibbs going with a rookie this year... no way.