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Sports Title: Being No. 1 overall doesn't ensure QB success For all the pertinent and impertinent questions surrounding Cam Newton before the Carolina Panthers chose him No. 1 overall in last week's grab bag of college talent, the only question now is this: What will he accomplish as an NFL quarterback? Will he soar to the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Will he level off as more solid than spectacular? Will he deteriorate into a backup? Will he be a bust? Over the years, other quarterbacks chosen No. 1 overall, no matter how touted or scouted they were, have been the answers to all those questions. In the 81 previous drafts, counting six American Football League stock shows in the early 1960s, 29 quarterbacks were selected No. 1 overall, but only three are in the Hall of Fame: Terry Bradshaw (Steelers, 1970), John Elway (Colts, then traded to Broncos, 1983) and Troy Aikman (Cowboys, 1989). Of the recent No. 1 overall quarterbacks not yet eligible for the shrine in Canton, Ohio, only Peyton Manning (Colts, 1998) is assured of being bronzed. That adds up to only four "Hall of Fame" quarterbacks out of 29, not an impressive ratio considering the annual hoopla over the No. 1 overall choice and the significance of the quarterback position. But if Newton is wondering about the most direct route to the Hall of Fame, the answer is simple enough: win the Super Bowl. Even better, multiple Super Bowls. Of those four No. 1 overall quarterbacks in or on the way to Canton, Bradshaw earned a record four Super Bowl rings, Aikman three, Elway two, Manning one. Of the other quarterbacks taken No. 1, several had memorable careers, notably Jim Plunkett (Patriots, 1971). He led the Raiders to two trays of Super Bowl rings, but for whatever reason, he has not attracted nearly enough votes from the Hall of Fame selectors. Neither has Billy Wade (Rams, 1952), who guided the Bears to the 1963 NFL title. Or Drew Bledsoe (Patriots, 1993), who took New England to the 1997 Super Bowl. Or Vinny Testaverde (Buccaneers, 1987), who lifted the Jets to the 1998 AFC championship game. Of the other active quarterbacks chosen No. 1, Eli Manning (Chargers, traded to Giants, 2004) has the best early line in his eventual Hall of Fame resume: the surprise Super Bowl upset in 2007 of the previously unbeaten Patriots. Michael Vick (Falcons, 2001), despite his prison term, has an opportunity with the Eagles to gild his career. Carson Palmer (Bengals, 2003) has said he doesn't want to stay in Cincinnati but has time to flourish elsewhere. With the rules geared to reward the pass in the current pro game, it is no wonder that quarterback has been the most popular position for the No. 1 overall choice in recent years. Beginning with Peyton Manning, a quarterback has been the No. 1 choice in nine of the last 11 years, and in 11 of the last 14. The only non-quarterbacks taken No. 1 in that time were offensive tackle Jake Long (Dolphins, 2008), defensive end Mario Williams (Texans, 2006) and defensive end Courtney Brown (Browns, 2000) Considering how Newton, last season's Heisman Trophy winner, led Auburn to the national championship, it's doubtful he'll be a bust, but you never know until he has to prove himself. The day of the draft, JaMarcus Russell (Raiders, 2007) and Tim Couch (Browns, 1999) got rave reviews, too. Of all the positions among the 13 No. 1 overall picks in or on the way to the Hall of Fame, running back has provided the most, five, but none since Earl Campbell (Oilers, 1978). The others were Bill Dudley (Steelers, 1942), Charley Trippi (Cardinals, 1945), Paul Hornung (Packers, 1957) and O.J. Simpson (Bills, 1969) Another overall No. 1 running back, Bo Jackson (Buccaneers, 1986), might have been on his way to Canton, but a hip injury ended his two-sport career with the Raiders and baseball's Kansas City Royals. Over parts of four seasons, he rushed for 2,762 yards, averaged 5.4 yards a carry and scored 16 touchdowns. As an All-Star outfielder with the Royals, he hit 32 homers and drove in 105 runs in 1989. Four defensive players chosen No. 1 are in the Hall of Fame: linebacker Chuck Bednarik (Eagles, 1949, selected as a center before emerging as pro football's last full-time two-way player), tackle Buck Buchanan (Chiefs, 1963), end Lee Roy Selmon (Buccaneers, 1976) and end Bruce Smith (Bills, 1985) Of the offensive linemen taken No. 1, Ron Yary (Vikings, 1968) is the only one with a bronze bust in Canton, although the retired Orlando Pace (Rams, 1997) is now a worthy contender. And Long could develop into one. Pace and Long were the only No. 1 offensive linemen since Yary. But if you're a quarterback branded as an overall No. 1 choice, your Heisman Trophy and your national college championship team don't mean much. Once you're in the NFL, as Cam Newton will discover, it's all about how willing you are to work hard enough to polish the raw talent that got you there. Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11120/1143344-66-0.stm#ixzz1L4MdbtAs
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 3.
#3. To: war (#0)
In five years check Cam Newton against Jake Locker. Vince Evans'll knock some sense in to you.
#4. To: socalv8 (#3)
(Edited)
Evans "survived" because he was a perennial back-up who could spot start for you when your #1 guy faltered or got hurt. He wasn't the first overall, in fact he wasn't even the 100th overall. IF Newton has an Evans type career...he's a bust. Evans having an Evans type career is a player overachieving.
My money says Locker is a sure thing. IF there is an NFL season and it pans out as I believe it may then he's going to end up in Phoenix.
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