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TitanJeff said:I fully agree. But how many QBs have come out of college with the credentials of Young and Leinart? I would think these two are as close to a sure thing at QB as you can get.
Even with their credentials there are still some questions about their ability in the NFL. Does Leinart have a strong enough arm? Is Young with his awkward delivery and not having to drop back from center have the ability to make those adjustments. Not to mention there are questions about Young's arm as well.
Actually, IMO neither of these guys is at the "credential" level of either of the Mannings. Seriously I doubt anyone would trade the combination of picks the Giants traded to get Manning from the Chargers for either of these guys. With that in mind didn't Ryan Leaf get graded out as good as Peyton Manning and there were questions of which one would be the better pro QB? I guess someone could say before that draft that rarely do we see two stud QBs come out of college at the same time with the potential these guys had. That just shows how the hype and glorification of these guys means little considering one is going to the HOF and the other....
Ryan Leaf was a 6'5 235 pounds. Although Manning ended up being selected first overall by the Indianapolis Colts, there were several draft "experts" that felt Leaf would be the better quarterback. In exchange for moving up one spot in the draft, the Chargers gave Arizona their first round pick (3rd overall), their second-round pick (32nd overall), their 1999 first-round pick, as well as wide receiver/kick returner Eric Metcalf, and linebacker Patrick Sapp.
Brian Griese was taken in the same draft late in the 3rd round. Matt Hasselbeck was taken in that draft late in the 6th round.
Move up one year to the 1999 draft. Again we have a couple of "can't" lose QBs. The Browns take Tim Couch to be their savior and impact player. Meanwhile the 2nd pick is booed by the Phily fans as they take McNabb.
At the 11 and 12 position Culpepper gets taken by the Vikings and the great Cade McNown is snatched up by the Bears. See what I'm seeing. 50% success rate and these guys are early 1st round picks and we have as many duds drafted in the #1 or #2 spot?
In 2000 Chad Pennington is picked #18 by the Jets (not real high and he turned out pretty good). Two guys picked up in the 6th round as hopefull backups or 3rd string guys were Tom Brady and Marc Bulger.
In 2001 the number 1 pick was Mike Vick. Vick isn't a bust but if we take Young and he isn't any better passer than Vick I would be dissapointed. Drew Brees was the first pick of the 2nd round.
2002 was another one of those wonderfull years for QBs. #1 pick was David Carr and the #3 was Joey Harrington. Nuff said.
2003 we finally get a top 3 QB that is worth a flipp in Carson Palmer who by the way IMO was miles ahead of Leinart and Young when he came out. He is far more pysically gifted than Leinart and is a true NFL drop back QB.