We’re not putting Jason Campbell on this list. We know he’s on the hot seat and could be elsewhere. We’re not putting the rookie quarterbacks here, either, because, well, they need time. And we’d include Vince Young except that he isn’t likely to start, barring a major turnaround.
But there are three other young quarterbacks who will be heavily scrutinized this season:
Matt Cassel » He must prove that he was not a one-year fluke and that he deserves the money. One thing we do know is that he’s no Scott Mitchell, the epitome of one-year wonders. The difference is their approach: Mitchell was not considered coachable and thought he was above certain things. It explains his downfall. Cassel is not the same sort of guy. Two of the guys who know him best wanted him. Then one of them, Kansas City GM Scott Pioli, gave him a big deal. That speaks volumes.
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JaMarcus Russell » In a couple years he will take a seat alongside Ryan Leaf and Akili Smith as major busts. The whispers out of Oakland suggest that he still doesn’t understand what it means to be a pro quarterback in terms of approach. That’s a bad sign for a guy entering his third year and it’s why Jeff Garcia will eventually start.
Brady Quinn » Entering his third season and with little playing time behind him, he must show something. Quinn’s penchant for short passes fit what coach Eric Mangini wants, likely giving him a nod over Derek Anderson. Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis has always said Quinn would be a very good NFL quarterback. Really, has Weis given us any reason not to put stock in what he says?
