“Who is the best quarterback from the NFL draft?” It’s a question that plagues the minds of professional football fans from the preparation for the NFL draft until the next year’s Superbowl. And then, seldom to be contemplated unless, retrospectively, a goldmine of talent is exposed years later through a comment like, “Did you know Tom Brady was drafted 199th overall, after 6 other quarterbacks were drafted, including Chad Pennington?” Or, “Who do you think lucked out from Eli Manning’s ‘hissy-fit’ to get out of going to San Diego (dude, it’s San Diego!) in 2004? Chargers or Giants?”
So far, it’s mid-season in the NFL. Six games remain, and the question is valid for another 3 months, only to be thrown into the obsoleted abyss, by the next year’s draft class. Without further ado, “Which quarterback from the 2011 NFL Draft will have the greatest career?”
We’ve been given hints that two candidates are up for selection from the polls associated with public opinion: Andy Dalton, who’s (6-4) Bengals have just recently let the AFC North division out of their grasp, and Cam Newton, whose struggling (2-8) Panthers look to have an optimistic language about their play, in spite of a bitter record. So, who’s better?
The Most Successful – Andy Dalton
In the microwave sports reality that ESPN has furnished thanks to watered down shows like “First Take” and “Tony Romo is Burning,” we are led to believe that Andy Dalton must be the quarterback with the brightest future because he has had the quickest response to the roles associated with being a successful quarterback. I mean, for goodness sake, the kid took a (4-12) team to the top of the division they share with the Ravens and the Steelers at (6-2) in week 8. He came into a fractured organization that had been plagued with ‘iffy’ decision-making for years, as the guy necessary to replace the star-quarterback who was still in town, however, would’ve rather retire than play for the team.
Well, all of the reasons I just mentions AND the fact that, regardless what you think of him now, a good majority of sports fans really didn’t want Cam Newton to succeed at one point. If he hadn’t been so endearing in the way he changed the morale of the Panther offense, people would’ve been delighted by now that someone other than Cam Newton would be the more viable candidate for ‘Rookie of the Year.’ Flash-forward 6 months and you can’t resist delight in the guy’s touchdown celebrations. But, back to Dalton…
On the year, Opie has a 59.3 completion percentage with over 2,200 yards and 15 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. With that, the Cincinnati Bengals stand at a solid (6-4) with 3rd place in a tough division. Maybe that isn’t the grandest stat of a quarterback ever, but all this is coming off a season in which Chad Ochocinco bailed for a chance at a ring with the Patriots. Meanwhile, arguably the most underrated quarterback of the modern era, vowed to retire early rather than wear the uniform again. Oh yeah…and he’s a rookie. He’s a rookie that has turned his team completely around from their former selves. The Bengals finished last season at a despicable (4-12) and this season they were, and are, actively competitive in the division with a 1½ game trail behind the Steelers and Ravens. But, Dalton hasn’t been this successful, relatively speaking, without a little help from the players around him. The wide-receiver tandem-of-the-future was brought to Cincinnati in the rookie talents of A.J. Green and the maturing athlete with the skeletons in his closet, Jerome Simpson (AND he’s a local). Together, the two have combined for 75 completions, 1197 yards, and 8 touchdowns on the season. With assistance from solid Tight End and Running Back positions, the Bengals really aren’t that bad this year. Funny, the team Colin Cowherd constantly suggested has the clumsiest possibility at success this year, really isn’t that bad. (But, be honest, Colin Cowherd wasn’t the only one) So, as he stands, Andy Dalton’s future does look bright. But, I would be willing to guess that it will be as bright as the team exists around him can be.
In other words, between the two of them, Andy Dalton brings less to his team than the affectionately despised Cam Newton. Which brings me to my next point…
The Most Valuable Player – Cam Newton
What can be worse than a 2-14 season, finishing at the bottom of the pack of professional football teams after playing in a Superbowl less than a decade prior? Having just as many wins in the win column as the previous year with only 6 more chances to improve the record, (2-8)? I would beg to differ. Have you seen the Panthers play recently? The team that got two wins last year (both of which came against NFC West opponents and one taking place after a BYE week) is the same team that has been competing aggressively with a revamped team…style…culture altogether. Yeah, these guys are (2-8), but of their 8 loses, five came down to a touchdown or less (one of which was against the undefeated Superbowl Champion, Green Bay Packers). Last season they were outscored 196-408. This season, 225-286. That really provides empirical evidence that something is different about this team. And the circumstantial change that has taken place could be credited to a single person, however, is it that single person credited if he inspires a change in the whole team?
Truly, Cam Newton is only responsible for how he plays the game of football. But let’s be real. When was the last time Steve Smith was considered a top-5 receiver with complete conviction? In the last 2 seasons, Steve Smith hasn’t been able to break the 1,000 yard mark, something we all thought would be a common occurrence after the 2008 season. This year, a little more than half the season is gone and he’s only 8 yards shy of the mark. Not only that, but Smith is also on pace to reach 1,563 yards in a season; a career best he set in 2005. Along with that, DeAngelo Williams seems to be making modest improvements towards the athlete he used to be. With the running back tandem of the once upon a time Stewart-Williams and a couple positions filled on both lines, this Panther team could be a serious contender for the NFC Championship.
Now, let’s talk some Newton -The guy we all thought had a few rough spots around the edges coming into the NFL Draft. Whether it was because he stole and destroyed his roommates laptop at Florida, or because he couldn’t name a single play he’d run at Auburn for John Gruden, a little part of us all wanted this guy to fail. But he hasn’t. In fact, I’ll be the first to admit… His success has been extremely endearing. He electrifies the Panther offense in a way that is visible on the field and in the stands. Newton has rushed for 9 Touchdowns this season, and, if you haven’t seen one yet, the celebrations really do make you happy for the guy. Not only that, but along with 411 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns, his work as a passer isn’t so bad. In fact, 219 completions, 2,885 yards and 12 touchdowns is pretty good for a Rook’. On the other hand, 14 interceptions and 3 fumbles ain’t winning many championships. It’s okay, he has a great prospect for the future, let’s not forget how many issues he had in the preseason. One at a time, please.
Alright, so these must be the two Quarterbacks that will lead the most successful careers in the coming years?
“Not so fast”
-Lee Corso
The Dark Horse – Jake Locker
In fairness, I will do what I can to reveal to you that I am not a hypocrite. (I’m citing the “microwave sports reality” created by ESPN from earlier) Scout’s honor, I have had several conversations about my expectations for Jake Locker, prior to his success Sunday night. I am, unashamedly, a Seattle Seahawks fan. And before the 2011 NFL Draft, I was desperate for the fumblin’ bumbling’ Seahawks front-office to trade up in an effort to get Jake Locker because a lot of things about this guy led me to believe he will be the real deal in the future.
Let’s be honest on two points.
Point #1 -Which of the quarterbacks in the 2011 NFL Draft were the most consistent from the beginning to the end of their college career?
…Catching on?...
Point #2 –Despite how you feel about the man personally, was Brett Favre not one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, not just his era?
Jake Locker’s career at Washington was as successful a quarterback’s career can be at the failing football program. Every year, since the first time he threw a ball too high after scoring a touchdown, which costs him the game, we heard about the talent in Seattle that was going to be a professional commodity. Before Andrew Luck was Andrew Luck, scouts were desperate to see this guy come out after his Junior season, to which he decided to return to his Alma Mater and struggle through another season. That’s a lot tougher to do when your chances at a national title aren’t as feasible as Standford’s were this year. No, the Huskies finished at 7-6 and remained outside the Top-25 all season.
It was that attribute in Locker that looked so appetizing and leads me to my next point. There’s a place where talent meets personal love of the game, and that place is sincerely beautiful…
Just look at Brett Favre’s career. I challenge anyone that payed the slightest bit of attention to professional football between 2005 and 2010, to suggest that Brett Favre doesn’t love the game. Not only do Brett Favre and Jake Locker have that in common, though.
Many would suggest the two’s playing style is uniquely similar, as well (if that makes any sense). For nearly two decades, Brett Favre relied on his quick feet and his cannon of an arm to put passes where they needed to be for the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, and, with more time, the Atlanta Falcons to begin his career. There is something to be said for quarterbacks like Brett Favre; those that have a unique ability to create as the pocket is breaking down…to be able to have collapsed protection and, through sheer intuition, be able to avoid the sack and hurl it 40 yards downfield for a wide open receiver. Well, many would argue Jake Locker has that ability. He was duly noted for it as NFL drafts revealed themselves on the horizon to ESPN analysts in 2010 and 2011. But more remains to be seen from the young Locker.
Ironic how at the end of last football season, I envisioned a Seattle Seahawks team, led by the veteran Matt Hasselbeck with an Aaron Rogers-esque QB-in-waiting like Jake Locker. Over the coming years, I imagined Hasselbeck, who learned from Favre, to teach this young talent with qualities of Favre, how to be a great NFL quarterback, like Favre (Shwew!). Funny how that scenario took place, only not for my team…
But last Sunday, it happened…Hasselbeck went down with a short-lasting injury while losing to the Falcons 23-3 in the third quarter. With about 3 minutes to play in the third quarter, Jake Locker ran onto the field for Matt Hasselbeck who had accumulated 124 yards and an interception in 3 and a half quarters of play. When Locker took the field, he looked like a seasoned veteran with the skill set to win the game. From there, he threw for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns to come up just short of the falcons 17-23. Not bad for your first game, kid. Not bad.
Of course, more remains to be seen from these doe-eyed leather slingers. Who knows what will happen to the quarterback class of 2011. Superbowls? MVPs? Do I dare mention, Hall of Fame? We will have to conference again after a lengthy period of time, when all the dust has settled on their career milestones. But…I have to say… With the utmost accountability and resistance from hypocrisy as possible…
I’m takin’ Locker…
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