Profootball Weekly giving Trent Edwards props!

[mysticsoto]

Rookie of the Year Meter

Edwards stealing the thunder of Russell, Quinn

In the months leading up to last season’s draft, one particular debate dominated all draft-related NFL talk. From the newspaper pages to the airwaves to the sports bars, the question regarding which quarterback should be taken No. 1 overall took center stage. There were two choices. The first was the rocket-armed gunslinger from LSU, JaMarcus Russell. There was a lot to like about him, but no attribute was more attractive than a right arm with strength that reached almost Biblical proportions.

The other choice was the fiery leader from one of the most storied college programs in the country. There was a lot to like about Brady Quinn, too. He also was strong, though not Russell-strong, and was believed to be years ahead of the learning curve because of his collegiate indoctrination in Charlie Weis’ NFL-inspired offense.

Russell ended up going first, but the expectations for each remained similar. Few expected the two of them to start immediately, but most believed that they would assume the reins by at least midseason. It hasn’t happened. Russell has appeared in just one game where he threw seven passes. Quinn’s envious. The only times he has been spotted since being crowed the savior of the Browns has been tossing Subway sandwiches from a float in a TV commercial.

Meanwhile, up in the NFL periphery in Buffalo, a middling prospect from a moribund college program has not only beaten out a 2004 first-rounder for the starting QB job, but has the Bills on the brink of the playoffs. But go back to Draft Day, and you would be mocked for even suggesting that Trent Edwards of Stanford would emerge as the premier rookie quarterback in the league. Quinn and Russell may very well wind up having better careers than him, but for now, Edwards holds the ultimate trump card: He has actually produced.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Features/Rookie+of+the+Year+Meter/2007/rookie121107.htm

[Mahdi]

Re: Profootball Weekly giving Trent Edwards props!

Rookie of the Year Meter

Edwards stealing the thunder of Russell, Quinn

In the months leading up to last season’s draft, one particular debate dominated all draft-related NFL talk. From the newspaper pages to the airwaves to the sports bars, the question regarding which quarterback should be taken No. 1 overall took center stage. There were two choices. The first was the rocket-armed gunslinger from LSU, JaMarcus Russell. There was a lot to like about him, but no attribute was more attractive than a right arm with strength that reached almost Biblical proportions.

The other choice was the fiery leader from one of the most storied college programs in the country. There was a lot to like about Brady Quinn, too. He also was strong, though not Russell-strong, and was believed to be years ahead of the learning curve because of his collegiate indoctrination in Charlie Weis’ NFL-inspired offense.

Russell ended up going first, but the expectations for each remained similar. Few expected the two of them to start immediately, but most believed that they would assume the reins by at least midseason. It hasn’t happened. Russell has appeared in just one game where he threw seven passes. Quinn’s envious. The only times he has been spotted since being crowed the savior of the Browns has been tossing Subway sandwiches from a float in a TV commercial.

Meanwhile, up in the NFL periphery in Buffalo, a middling prospect from a moribund college program has not only beaten out a 2004 first-rounder for the starting QB job, but has the Bills on the brink of the playoffs. But go back to Draft Day, and you would be mocked for even suggesting that Trent Edwards of Stanford would emerge as the premier rookie quarterback in the league. Quinn and Russell may very well wind up having better careers than him, but for now, Edwards holds the ultimate trump card: He has actually produced.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Features/Rookie+of+the+Year+Meter/2007/rookie121107.htm

Lynch is ranked way too low on that list....

[Forward_Lateral]

Re: Profootball Weekly giving Trent Edwards props!

That list loses all credibility by ranking Willis ahead of Peterson.

Joe Thomas should be 2nd, IMO.

[Ed]

Re: Profootball Weekly giving Trent Edwards props!

2007 is looking like a pretty good draft class overall. A lot of rookies around the league are making an impact.

[TigerJ]

Re: Profootball Weekly giving Trent Edwards props!

The fact that Buffalo has two guys that are even in the conversation, plus a third who would be had it not been for injury speaks volumes about the Bills' draft last April.

[LifetimeBillsFan]

Re: Profootball Weekly giving Trent Edwards props!

While you can argue that both Russell and Quinn missed the opportunity to have an impact this season by holding out, instead of getting into TC on time, and that both (especially Russell) are likely to show a lot more than they have thus far down the road, Edwards was hardly the guy that anyone would have predicted would have the kind of impact that he has had for the Bills as a rookie. Still, there is no doubt that he is at the head of this year's rookie QB class.

And, I also think the headstart that Edwards has got on his QB draft-classmates will serve him well down the line and may allow him to maintain the lead that he has over them at this point.

Just call Edwards Bill Walsh's dying gift to his old friend Marv Levy. Thank you, Bill Walsh!

And, credit to Marv Levy for taking Edwards when he was still on the draft board in the 3rd round. A lot of Bills fans--myself included--were not exactly overjoyed when Marv used that pick on a QB who was 0-7 his senior year instead of a CB like D.Hughes or a WR like J.Jones. I guess he knew more about what he was doing than I certainly did!

I'm already really interested in seeing what kind of progress Edwards is able to make between this season and next. IMHO that's going to say a lot about what kind of potential and future he is going to have in the NFL.

[theanswer74]

Re: Profootball Weekly giving Trent Edwards props!

That list loses all credibility by ranking Willis ahead of Peterson.

Joe Thomas should be 2nd, IMO.

Its not that crazy. The guy has almost 20 tackles more than any other player.

I hope we dont regret taking Poz over David Harris.