Would You Play Campbell vs Ravens?

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by angryssg

With all of this talk about QB's I did a little research this evening. Some of it is random so bear with me.

First I realized that 2002 was the year of the Career Back up QB, and that is being generous. Of all the 16 QB's that were drafted in 2002 only 8 are still in the league to this day. Of those 8 only 7 actually play QB. Of those 7 only 2 may be starting this year, Harrington and McCown (Due largely to lack of a better player). Only 1 of 3 QB's drafted in the first round that year are starting this year (Harrington thanks to Vick). Those that aren't starting are the number 2 for their club until you get past the 4th round. Of those late round QB's still active, none of them are any higher than a number three QB. The one active 7th rounder is now a starting Wide Receiver with Oakland.

I brought 2002 up because it resembles the average NFL QB Draft class and is far enough back to somewhat evaluate active players fairly. If the trend from 2002 holds true for 2007, then our little Jordan Palmer will be nothing more than a 3rd stringer in five years if he is lucky enough to be in the league. If that isn't enough to make a believer out of you then consider this. Never in the history of the NFL has a 6th round QB been inducted in the HOF. There are only 4 QB's ever drafted past the 6th round to be inducted (Unitas 9th, Staubach 10th, Blanda 12th and Star 17th). Only once has an Undrafted QB been worthy of induction (Warren Moon).

My point is this Jordan Palmer is a long shot to even stay in the league past 2 years. To suggest that we would be wise to get rid of Collins or Brunell because of this 6th round rookie is absurd. To get rid of Brunell because of his hefty contract and replace him with someone cheaper with some experience makes more sense. Palmer should stay on the practice Squad all year and compete for a backup role next season if at all. While I agree that we should develop the young guy do you really want him backing up Collins or Brunell in the event that Campbell goes down this year?

I know somebody is going to mention the fact that Tom Brady was a 6th round pick and is an outstanding QB. To you I say you are correct, but as I've mentioned before it is very rare for a QB drafted that low to amount to anything. Tom Brady was already the excecption to the rule for this generation. It is highly unlikely that Jordan Palmer will be the next Tom Brady.

I think you bring up some good points, and I'm not trying to counter those points as much as expand on a couple of thoughts.

Since 2002, I think you would agree, accross the league there is a youth movement at the quarterback position. It hasn't exactly been OJT, but teams are more willing to groom a young, even a rookie quarterback, straight out the gates instead of him riding the pine for a few years. So I think the attitude toward the readiness and preparedness of young quarterbacks has changed some since 2002 and will continue.

Just as you pointed out that no QB drafted in the sixth round QB has ever made it to Canton, on the other hand, many of them who were drafted in the first round haven't amounted to anything either. In fact, many in recent history, have been straight up flops or busts. The list is pretty long too, you know who they are. So I think the round in which the QB was drafted isn't the sum total of the argument. Let's face it, it takes a pretty special guy to end up in Canton, regardless of the round he was drafted in.

I think nowadays (is that a word?) we have to look at the program the QB came from, not the actual round they were drafted in. That's the biggest knock on J.Palmer, he came from a small program and played against, what scouts believe, inferior competition at the collegiate level. That being said, it's not all that absurd to dump Brunell or Collins for what we can get for them. Teams have been capitilising on our desparation the last couple of years, why can't we return the favor? Look Brunell, will be a cap-casualty next year, so I think why the moment is in our favor, we should be open to what we can get for him.

Additionally, there's not that much risk in making Palmer a third string in my opinion. They generally don't take snaps with the first team anyway, and it's a good way to transition him into the system. Whether or not he'll be a lifetime third stringer remains to be seen. But we've seen a ton of quarterbacks shuffle through DC in the last 15 years that were total garbage.