Every NFL Draft class seems to be defined by the performance of the quarterbacks taken at the top of the draft. The 2011 Draft should not be any different. There were seven quarterbacks selected in the first three rounds. Each of them will get a chance to shine, either right away or down the road. How they play will determine whether this years class was stellar or lackluster.
There were four quarterbacks taken in the first twelve picks. It could be said that each one was picked out of a combination of need, panic and desperation. Cam Newton went #1 Overall to Carolina. The Panthers have two quarterbacks on their roster that they picked just last year in Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike. Matt Moore started the season as the starter, but ineffective play and injuries put him on the sideline. Clausen moved into the starting role and fared little better. Can Newton turn the tide in Carolina? If he has to play behind the same line as Moore and Clausen it will be difficult. But it could be said that Newton was taken first as the Panthers need a new face for the franchise. He will sell tickets and jerseys. He will make a 2-14 team the talk of the league. But he will need a better supporting cast and a transitional period to adapt to the NFL. One thing that not many have been talking about in regards to Newton. He is a winner. He won the JUCO National Title and NCAA Title the last two seasons. How will he handle losing? Will it be his fault or someone else's? If he starts to throw his teammates under the bus he will find a lonely locker room in Carolina.
Blaine Gabbert was seen by many as the best of the quarterback class going into the draft. But one had to wonder where he would land when Buffalo, Cincinnati, Arizona, and San Francisco all passed on the Missouri signal caller. I'm not sure what was more surprising: who passed on Gabbert, or who selected him. Jacksonville traded up to the #10 spot to take Gabbert. But with David Garrard under contract for a few more years, Gabbert will get a chance to sit and learn. Unless the Jaguars decide that they have seen enough average play out of Garrard and move Gabbert into the lineup. What I can envision is a similar scenario that Phillip Rivers faced in San Diego. When he was selected in 2004, Drew Brees was not putting up big numbers. But with the hot rookie commodity on the bench, Brees took his game and the Chargers to new heights. Rivers sat for two seasons. It did help his case that Brees suffered what was seen as a major shoulder injury and was a free agent. Rivers got the call in San Diego. Brees moved on to New Orleans. Now they are two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. If Garrard picks his game up it may be a while before Gabbert sees the light of day. But after two seasons Jacksonville may have to decide: the proven veteran, or the untested youngster. When Gabbert gets his chance will ultimately be decided by Garrard.
The other two quarterbacks selected in Round One were Jake Locker, taken #8 by Tennessee, and Christian Ponder, selected #12 by Minnesota. There are reaches in the first round of any draft, but not many brought about gasps of disbelief as these two. Locker has the athletic ability. Ponder is well suited to adjust to the pro game. But Locker has issues with accuracy, and Ponder has injury concerns. If they had been selected in either the late first or early second round there wouldn't be much talk about the picks. But both are going to teams with serious quarterback issues. Tennessee is parting ways with Vince Young. Minnesota has seen the last of Brett Favre and Tavaris Jackson. Locker and Ponder will be starting from Day One. Their teams drafted them too high not too and, for the most part, they don't have a better option. But both quarterbacks have one thing in common. They are moving into a backfield that has a stellar running back. Chris Johnson in Tennessee. Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. Without having to carry the full burden of the offense, it will make it easier to succeed. But not much. Locker and Ponder are going to find out how brightly the spotlight shines on the quarterback position. it's like no other position in all of sports. It defines the sport and the teams. And it will define the 2011 NFL Draft Class.
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