Surprise Packages Under Center

[SmootSmack]

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.