Feast and Famine in `99 QB Class

As Smith remains on the Cincinnati Bengals` bench wondering about his short- and long-term future, McNabb is thriving with the Philadelphia Eagles.

McNabb is a strong candidate for league Most Valuable Player. In his first full season as a starter, McNabb has accounted for 75 percent of the Eagles` net offense. He has blossomed after waiting nine games as a rookie to get his first start.

"I had the chance to sit back, see what was going on around me and then play when I had some help on the field," said McNabb, who has thrown for 20 touchdowns and run for 6 more this season. "By the time I played, the supporting cast around me was ready to help me."

Akili has had some troubles along the way. "I`m sure his future is still bright. He just has to be strong through the tough times," McNabb said.

McNabb, booed when he was made the NFL`s second draft choice in April 1999, has won the Eagles` fans over with his play. One of the truly talented young quarterbacks to emerge, he is the Eagles franchise.

The 1999 draft was rich with quarterback talent. Tim Couch was the first one taken, No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Browns. Then McNabb went to the Eagles, followed by Smith, from Oregon, to the Bengals.

By the end of the first round, Daunte Culpepper (Minnesota) and Cade McNown (Chicago) were also selected.

But a strange thing happened on the way to stardom for Smith. He has an NFL-low 52.8 quarterback rating and hasn`t played since Oct. 13.

"I`m still under evaluation and I guess that`s the only fair thing right now," Smith said Friday. "I don`t want a trade. I want to be the quarterback here and win over the fans. I hope I`m the starting quarterback when we go to training camp and if they draft another quarterback, then I plan on beating him out because I`ll be in my third year."

McNabb is far beyond that point. He`s got the Eagles in the playoffs and pointing upward.

"Some things happen faster for some guys. I happened to be in a more stable situation and with a team and a head coach (Andy Reid) who has some experience bringing along young quarterbacks," McNabb said. "I feel great about the way things have worked out here. I couldn`t be happier."

(Copyright 2000 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Author: AP