National Football League

NFL's lefty QBs battle for acceptance

Published Jun. 3, 2010 5:11 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

Peter Schrager

“God made everyone right-handed, the truly gifted overcome it.”
-- Anonymous

I recently sat in a midtown Manhattan hotel suite with a crew from NFL Films recording several takes for the NFL Network’s upcoming season of “Top 10.” For the “Top 10 Left-Handed Quarterbacks of All-Time” episode, I couldn’t help but wince when hearing the list of names the producers rattled off. Scott Mitchell? Cade McNown? Jared Lorenzen? Yuck. Yuck. Double D-sized Yuck.

Of those three luminaries, only Mitchell made the actual list (No. 10), but even that was a mildly shocking revelation. Scott Mitchell shouldn’t be on any “Top 10” lists outside of, perhaps, “Top 10 Dan Marino Backups." And even then, he’s somewhere behind Bernie Kosar, Scott Secules and Damon Huard. Scott Mitchell's one of the top 10 lefthanded quarterbacks of all-time? Really?!

Ah, the southpaws. They’re a unique bunch, to be certain.

Though the numbers aren’t official, roughly 40 lefty quarterbacks have suited up in NFL games since 1942. Some -- Steve Young and Kenny “The Snake” Stabler -- have defied the odds by winning MVP awards and Super Bowl rings. Others -- Todd Marinovich, Tony Graziani, and Erik Wilhelm, to name a few -- have defied no such odds.

After 17 NFL seasons, Mark Brunell -- arguably a top-five all-time southpaw slinger -- got his Super Bowl ring as Drew Brees’ backup in New Orleans last season. “It was just great, we’ve been waiting a long time for this,” Brunell told reporters in the Saints' locker room after February’s Super Bowl. “You get 17 years and you just wonder if you’re ever going to be a part of something like this.”

Currently unsigned, the 40-year-old Brunell’s NFL future remains unknown. In his wake remain seven lefty quarterbacks on NFL rosters across the league.

Amazingly, each southpaw’s at a different point in his career. Each one has something to prove.

Each one will be worth watching for one reason or another in 2010.

The members of the Magnificent Seven? Let's get to know them.

THE GAMBLE

Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos

Outside of Brett Favre, there may be no quarterback more closely followed during the summer than the 25th overall pick out of Florida. Slated by ESPN draftnik Todd McShay as a third-round talent in January, Tebow defied the odds after a horrendous Senior Bowl week performance and ended up as Denver’s first-round selection just two months later. The pick -- chided by some, lauded by others -- was the headline-grabbing story of draft weekend.

It also was a major gamble. With highly touted Notre Dame junior Jimmy Clausen and NCAA all-time wins leader Colt McCoy still on the board, Broncos coach Josh McDaniels and GM Brian Xanders rolled the dice on a guy that many scouts viewed as a better tight end prospect than starting quarterback. "He's a quarterback. That's all he's going to do,” McDaniels sternly told reporters days after selecting the 2007 Heisman winner in April.

Expected to serve as the third-string QB in Denver behind Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn in 2010, Tebow should find his way on to the field at some point this season. And when he does, all eyes will be on him. And McDaniels. And Xanders.

And if Clausen lights it up in Carolina and McCoy delivers wins in Cleveland? Well, there will be some questions to be answered up in the Rocky Mountains.

And that's regardless of how many No.15 jerseys were sold along the way.

THE MENTOR

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

When Michael Vick was drafted first overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2001, many expected him to start right away. He didn’t. Chris Chandler, a steely 17-year veteran who also happened to mentor Steve McNair during his rookie year in Houston, started the first eight games of '01 and showed the new kid the ropes. Vick had Chandler, a trusted veteran to lean on. Nine years later, Vick will be expected to serve as Philly starter Kevin Kolb’s senior voice on the sideline and in the film room in 2010.

Kolb is this year’s Aaron Rodgers; a backup replacing a legend in a football-crazed city. Vick? Well, he’s this year’s wild card. If forced into action due to injury or insufficient play out of Kolb, Vick could end up being the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year. If he remains on the bench, aside from the same kind of spot duty he saw in 2009 -- he could turn out being just as valuable to Philadelphia.

Michael Vick knows football. He’s beaten Brett Favre in Lambeau on a Saturday night in the playoffs. He’s played in an NFC championship game. He’s made the Pro Bowl three times. We know he can play this game. But can he share his knowledge, experience and tips of the trade with the still-green Kolb?

However it all turns out in Philadelphia this year, Vick’s role in the team’s success or failure will undoubtedly be a fascinating storyline to follow.

THE REPLACEMENT

Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals

Replacing a Hall of Fame quarterback is never easy. Replacing a Hall of Fame quarterback who was your backup four years ago is even harder.

Once upon a time, the starting gig was Matt Leinart’s in Arizona. He struggled, Ken Whisenhunt shuffled between him and Kurt Warner, and the latter eventually got the job. In three years as the full-time starter in the desert, Warner took Arizona to its first and only Super Bowl, started in five more playoff games than the franchise had appeared in since 1975 and captured two NFC West division titles.

Now retired, Warner leaves the job in Arizona to Leinart. With great power comes great responsibility. And responsibility isn’t exactly what Leinart’s best known for around the league. The infamous "beer bong" photos are a thing of the past and the Paris Hilton era is even longer ago. But the public’s perception of Leinart as a party boy without the game to back it up hasn’t changed.

Yet.

First things first: He needs to beat out recently acquired veteran Derek Anderson in training camp.

Do that, and then we can start talking about the Hollywood redemption story.

THE JOURNEYMAN

Chris Simms, Tennessee Titans

Perhaps no current nine-year league veteran has been forced to overcome more career setbacks than Titans third-string gunslinger Chris Simms. Unfulfilled expectations in his first years out of Texas, a life-threatening injury, and a resume that now boasts four stops in his last four seasons.

Now, Simms finds his way back to Tennessee for a second stint under Jeff Fisher in 2010. The latest Simms news? He recently acknowledged that he is a former patient of embattled Canadian sports doctor Anthony Galea, accused of illegally distributing HGH and linked to several pro athletes.

"I didn't do anything," Simms told reporters last week. "If I'm on HGH, I'm getting ripped off because I don't really look the way I should with my shirt off."

As was the case when he first signed on as a backup quarterback in Tennessee in 2008, Simms will be asked to help starter Vince Young, a fellow Texas Longhorn, do all that he must do to succeed.

"Just from when I was here two years ago to now, he is better in all phases of the game," Simms said of Young to The Tennessean last week. "He throws the ball more consistently, and he has obviously become more comfortable in the offense ... I think you are going to see good things from him this year.''

Sounding like a true veteran.

THE EXPERIMENT

Pat White, Miami Dolphins

Of the 49 snaps Pat White took in his rookie season, he gained just 133 yards. The one game in which he was given the keys to the car after a Chad Henne eye injury, White was knocked out of the game with a concussion after looking completely overwhelmed for a few drives.

To be certain, White’s rookie campaign didn’t redefine the way we look at football or cause any defensive coordinators the nightmares so many originally feared when Miami drafted him in the second round back in 2009. Wildcat Schmildcat. White's impact was hardly felt last season.

Since Week 17 of the ’09 season, however, White’s put on 10 pounds of muscle, worked diligently on improving his throwing mechanics and become a geek in the film room.

And yet, the second-year man is by no means a lock to make the ’10 Dolphins roster.

Henne will start, Chad Pennington’s still around and Tyler Thigpen -- an intriguing guy who’s had some success in the past in Kansas City -- could be the No. 3.

Pat White’s going to have to earn whatever playing time he gets in 2010.

Hopefully he does more with it than he did in 2009.

THE ROOK

Sean Canfield, New Orleans Saints

It took seven rounds, but an NFL team finally took Oregon State southpaw Sean Canfield with the 239th pick in the April’s draft. Ironically enough, New Orleans -- the same franchise that employed Brunell for the past two seasons -- was that team.

Canfield has a good shot at making the active roster as the third quarterback down in Nola. He'll have the opportunity to learn from one of the league's very best in Drew Brees.

THE HUSTLER

Tyler Palko, Kansas City Chiefs

Though he’s just three years out of college at Pitt, Tyler Palko’s resume reads like a well-traveled journeyman’s. There’s a stint with the Saints, a cup of coffee with the Cardinals, some time in camp with the California Redwoods of the UFL, a bit of time with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, a gig backing up Dennis Dixon in last year’s memorable Steelers-Ravens Sunday night game -- and now, a legitimate shot to make the Chiefs roster coming out of training camp.

Palko’s been a lot of places, but hasn’t been able to call a single one of them home. Could K.C. be the place? We’ll have to wait and see.

And then, there’s the future ...

Kellen Moore, Boise State Broncos

Perhaps the most promising young left-handed quarterback of all is the guy who has yet to even start his junior season in college. Kellen Moore is the QB for a Boise State team that returns 21 of 22 starters from an undefeated Fiesta Bowl championship squad in 2009.

As a sophomore last season, the Prosser, Wash., native threw 39 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. He finished the year with a 167.3 passer rating, the best in all of Division I.

You’ll hear a lot of Heisman buzz for Moore if his Broncos can get past Virginia Tech on national television Labor Day evening, Sept. 6.

Add him to this quirky fraternity and who knows?

Maybe someday, he can take Scott Mitchell's place on the list.

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League