Rookie of the Year Meter
Edwards stealing the thunder of Russell, Quinn
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.
Comment