Black Ball Sports

After reading William Rhoden’s book, Third and a Mile, I decided to rank and discuss most current NFL Black QB, before and after the season.  The NFL is still struggling with developing and handling black QBs.  But this isn’t really a surprise considering how awful the NFL develops and handles QBs of any race.

The following is my ranking of notable black QBs and their potential to start.  I have intentionally left out some of the deep backup QBs (the type that will likely end up on practice squads, or never have an impact this season).

1. Donovan McNabb, Eagles (100% chance) - If he can stay healthy over the next 4-5 seasons, McNabb will become the 2nd greatest black NFL QB, just behind Hall of Famer Warren Moon.   In a watershed year for the Eagles, they were unable to give him another quality receiver and he’ll have to depend again on an average at best corp.  Even with a lack of receiver, McNabb has consistently put up quality numbers across the board, and when he did have a star receiver, he put up amazing numbers.  He’s not a surefire Hall of Famer, but very, very close; either a Superbowl win or a few more quality seasons and he’s in.
2. David Garrard, Jaguars (100%) - He surprised most observers with his quality play as starter after the release of Byron Leftwich in the preseason.  Last year, he benefited from their quality running game, and took care of the ball with an impossible 18-3 td-int ratio.  If he can improve on this success, he could take the Jaguars deep into the playoffs.
3. Jason Campbell, Redskins (100%) - There is a great drop off after McNabb and Garrard, mostly due to the lack of experience at the position.  Campbell has shown he’s capable of playing at this level and now has a QB “guru” as coach in Jim Zorn.  However, he was injured last season, and his backup, journeyman Todd Collins led the Redskins to the playoffs.  If he struggles, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear similar doubt out of Redskins fans as Eagles fans have had the last few years since Jeff Garcia’s playoff run when McNabb was hurt.  However, he’s got the talent to move himself up this list, even surpassing McNabb.
4. Vince Young, Titans (100%) -   The Titans are committed to Young, but he too is hindered by his receiving corp.  They do not even have a WR on their roster with 60 or more receptions in a season.  Young still has to work on his pocket passing, but with this receiving corps, it’s going to be hard for him to do such.  He needs to play like Garrard in order to be successful this season, rely on the running game and keep the turnovers to a minimum.
5. Tarvaris Jackson, Vikings (100%) - Since Brett Farve was moved to NY, the path is clear for Jackson to start. While he clearly struggled passing the ball, the Vikings were 8-4 last season when he played, 0-4 when he didn’t.  Brad Childress is a very good coach and comes from the Eagles where he had noted success with McNabb.  Jackson could surprise people this season, entering his second full season as a starter.  If develops a relationship with Bernard Berrian, he’ll be on solid ground.
6. JaMarcus Russell, Raiders (100%) - Since he’s played little, there is not much to rate him on.  However, he has a gun for an arm and has imposing size.  The Raiders are clearly trying to build around him, adding Javon Walker and Darren McFadden in the off-season.  We’ll know more about the kid after he gets his first season as a starter under his belt.
7. Byron Leftwich, Steelers (0%) - With the injury to Charlie Batch, the Steelers brought both Daunte Culpepper and Leftwich in for a trial.  Leftwich “won” the competition.  I still can’t figure out what happened to Leftwich.  While in the pros, he never quite was a great passer, he was considered a very good leader.  His Jaguars won with him, and generally seemed supportive.  An injury later, and he’s cut.  There is an interesting trend in the NFL, especially amongst Black QBs.  If the QB gets hurt, and his replacement plays well, then there is an outcry to keep the replacement and move on from the original starter.  This scenario happened to McNabb, Culpepper, Campbell and Leftwich, with Culpepper and Leftwich actually being moved quickly.   Just a thought that ran through my head.  Back to Leftwich, he has an opportunity to extend his career here, and he probably needs to forget about starting for the forseeable future, and find himself a job as a career backup, and hope someday he gets the chance to start again for a good team.
8. Quinn Gray, Colts (0%) - He’s Payton Manning’s backup now, but has flashed some ability when given a chance.  We may never see him play other than garbage time, as Manning has never been hurt.
9. Seneca Wallace, Seahawks (0%) - Another backup who has shown some skill, but buried behind an intrenched starter.  He really seems ready to start, and if Seattle is unable to keep him after the season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him given a chance to start elsewhere.  He could be the next Garrard.
10. Troy Smith, Ravens (50%) - I have him ranked low in comparison to others who have less of a chance to start, primarily because he’s shown very little thus far.  He’s only a second year player and playing for a miserable offense.  I don’t think he’ll amount to much as a pro, but if he learns to be a backup, he could become Charlie Batch (ie. the permanent backup for a team).

Other unranked notables:

• Daunte Culpepper, FA - Like Leftwich, Culpepper can’t seem to get a stable job.   People seem to forget how good he was the last time he was a regular healthy starter: 2004, 69.1%, 39 tds, 11 ints.  Fine, he also played with Randy Moss that year, and they promptly traded Moss after the season, but still isn’t he worth a look for a quarterback hungry team?  His biggest problem as far as I can tell, is he doesn’t want to be a backup, and usually the teams that need a QB are terrible.
• Charlie Batch - Steelers - the ultimate backup is on the shelf after a preseason injury.  His roster spot may be threatened by the younger Leftwich.
• DJ Shockley - Falcons - possibly on the chopping block with Matt Ryan, Chris Redman and Joey Harrington on the team.  He’s not a first rounder like Ryan, he’s inexpensive and has zero experience.  Sounds like a practice squad player.
• Dennis Dixon - Steelers - Clearly they view him as project, as they didn’t hesitate to seek a veteran to replace Charlie Batch, instead of promoting Dixon to the backup role.  Just as well, Dixon is coming off a major injury which kept his Oregon Ducks from a chance at a major bowl and himself from a Heisman last season.   They also don’t view him as a “Slash” or as a player to convert.  They drafted him to be a QB.
• Anthony Wright - Giants - He’s in a battle with David Carr to be the backup, and does have a leg up considering he was in that role in 2007, however, just the fact that they brought Carr in, tells you he might not be there this year.
• Andre Woodson - Giants - He started out the draft campaign as a maybe low 1st round to 3rd round pick.  However, his stock plummeted and the Giants got him in the 6th.  He likely won’t play this year, but he does have size and strength, so he might get a chance in the future.

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