Akili Smith was picked behind Tim Couch and cried racism and that he would come back every year to prove that pick wrong. And yes it was because he was white because McNabb was picked number 2 and he didn't have a problem with the Eagles taking McNabb over him. Tim Couch actually wasn't as bad as people make him out to be. He showed promise his rookie year, he was on a pathetic team and got injured quite often because of the line. He at least threw for 3k in one season and led his team to one playoff appearance before injuries pile up, I think he tore his rotator cuff and was never the same. Akili had the occasional highlight play early on (like 3 or 4) in his brief career, but for the most part sucked and was out of the league with only 17 starts in 4 years.
McNabb was drafted into a great environment, something that Couch didn't have, and something that Newton won't have with Carolina.
The concerns about Smith? his inexperience, he started at qb in a d1 program for only one year, and many concerns were if he a one year wonder. Sound familiar? I think Smith would be a better comparison for Newton rather than Jamarcus. Jamarcus was big with an arm like Mallet, with less accuracy and horrible work ethic, even while he was in college there were concerns. Smith also had similar athleticism to Newton, running around a 4.6
So as far as black qbs being the number 1 overall pick, I think its a recent trend, im pretty sure only Newton and Russel.
Falcons really screwed p by giving up so much to get a wide receiver.
Edited by: snow
