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Class of '99 honor roll
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Starts
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Couch
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14
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Pass yds
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Couch
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2,447
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Yds/Att
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McNown
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6.23
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Longest pass
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McNown
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80t
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TDs
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Couch
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15
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TD/Int
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King
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7/4
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Pct.
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King
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82.4
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Rush yds
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McNabb
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313
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Rush avg.
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Couch
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7.1
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Longest run
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Couch
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40
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Rewind to a year ago when all the post-draft talk focused on five hot shot arms taken in the first round. They were the future of the NFL -- counted on to ring in the new millennium of quarterbacking.
By season's end, we were left wondering what all the commotion was about. The biggest splash from the 1999 draft's quarterback crop actually came from a second-round pick, Tampa Bay's Shaun King, who proved that Trent Dilfer could be most valuable in a baseball cap.
With all of its comparisons to the quarterback class of all quarterback classes (yes, 1983's), the class of '99 collectively didn't live up to the hype. Its freshman final grade was an incomplete at best. Deep down, we knew not to expect much from these kids.
But now the Fab Five Plus One faces its sophomore year. No more excuses about making the adjustment from the college game. No more talk about the complexities of an NFL playbook. Year Two means progress and even greater expectations (see Daunte Culpepper). Still, things are looking up. Here's why:
Tim Couch has a defense. Like any right-thinking quarterback, Tim Couch openly lobbied for the Browns to draft a wide receiver, namely Peter Warrick, with the No. 1 overall pick. For Carmen Policy and Dwight Clark -- the former braintrust of the pass-happy San Francisco 49ers -- you could see how they would grant Couch's wish. Warrick didn't make as much sense as Courtney Brown, though. Couch will see the logic in taking a defensive end, too. He'll see it when Brown beats his man and gets to the quarterback to force a punt. Couch should get more chances to make plays and more importantly win games thanks to an improved defense anchored by Brown.
Donovan McNabb has an offensive line. Donovan McNabb discovered just how little Veteran Stadium's field resembles artificial turf last season. He suffered 28 sacks last season (or one every 7.7 pass attempts) and spent most of his time scrambling when he didn't want to. Now he has two mammoth bookend tackles in free agent Jon Runyan and third-year man Tra Thomas. Both are in the 6-foot-7, 330-pound range. Even though the O-line as a whole is still developing, Runyan and Thomas should give McNabb the opportunity to stay on his feet.
Akili Smith has Peter Warrick. It's not like Akili Smith didn't have quality receivers to throw to. He just has a quality receiver to grow with now. Warrick takes the place of the outgoing Carl Pickens and will give Smith that mismatch in the slot quarterbacks love so much. All Smith has to do is put the ball in Warrick's hands and watch him slice through the secondary. Now only if Smith can talk Corey Dillon into sticking around Cincinnati.
Daunte Culpepper has margin for error. Only if Daunte Culpepper knew Dennis Green's plans a year ago. He could've started preparing for not only this season but this offseason. One week he's slated to back up Dan Marino or Jeff George. Next thing he knows, he's handed the keys to the car before even getting his driver's permit. After not throwing a single pass last season, Culpepper will find out just how quarterback-friendly the Vikings offense is with Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Robert Smith. Still, it won't be Culpepper's fault if things don't go swimmingly. The state of Minnesota is already on coach Dennis Green's case.
Cade McNown has the starting job. From day one, Cade McNown walked and talked like a starter. He just needed the experience to play like one on TV. Now he's the man in Chicago after offensive coordinator Gary Crowton named McNown the starter going into training camp. McNown is acting like the team's anointed leader, too. He's putting in extra hours watching film which has helped him feel more at ease with the offense and, more importantly, earn the respect of his teammates. Even Blake Brockermeyer, the left tackle who was critical of McNown last season, is starting to warm up to the ex-UCLA star.
Shaun King has Keyshawn Johnson. Shaun King has the best situation of them all. The Buccaneers are set up to contend for the NFC title again now that they've found a legitimate, play-making wide receiver. Keyshawn Johnson gives King the medium-range, over-the-middle, red-zone target he desperately needed last season. King also has two new Pro Bowlers in front of him in center Jeff Christy and guard Randall McDaniel. Now only if Tony Dungy trusted his kid QB to throw the ball downfield.
Joe Lago is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.
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