Leaf or Flutie?

[SC-Jared]

The Bucs chose Ryan Leaf over Doug Flutie....

Who would you have chosen?

My feelings is Flutie would have been perfect for 2-3 years until Shaun King is matured.

[Marc]

My feeling is the same. They should use Flutie while King improves and matures. Should something happen to Flutie, use King. But Ryan Leaf? All he does is hurt team chemistry and disrupt things.

[iFroggy]

I agree with both of you. Flutie would have been the guy to go with. Leaf, in all fairness, does deserve a chance, even though he has had many. But, if I were the Bucs, I would not have given it to him. Bringing a guy like him into an already positive situation could mean some trouble for the Bucs.

[Tom Baker]

I don't think the Bucs were looking for someone to take over for King, were they? Dungy likes Shaun King and the guy was the starter last season. It was an up and down year for him, but they made the playoffs. As long as the defense stays intact, King doesn't have to win many games for them. I think they were just looking for a reliable backup. It's amazing that Leaf, the second overall pick just three drafts ago, is now a backup and he's lucky to be even that. Even though his potential is pretty much shot, his arm strength was enough to ensure he wouldn't stay on the waiver wire long.

[iFroggy]

Another thing, the Chargers might have the right idea. If they can get Flutie, they can draft Vick and let him have a year behind an experienced guy like Flutie. Which, in my opinion, would be great and would probably do Vick some good, too.

[Tom Baker]

Absolutely, Vick can't be expected to contribute right away. For all of his potential he's one of the least pro-ready QBs to come out of college in recent memory. He needs a minimum of 1 year of seasoning behind an experienced QB -- look what that did for McNabb and Culpepper. Vick's potential is virtually unlimited, but trying to start him in his first season would be a huge mistake.

[H. Tiemann Jr.]

I agree with Flutie over Ryan Leaf. You have to go with the veteran. I also heard today that the Bucs are going to make a serious offer to Brad Johnson. That would make the Bucs have three qb's...Leaf, King and now Johnson!!

[iFroggy]

Apparently the offer was serious...

http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2001/0305/1130202.html

Johnson to TB.

[Tom Baker]

Well, very interesting.

Someone was saying this now elevates the Bucs to the position of NFC favorite.

Could be. Johnson's a good QB. But I keep thinking--weren't they saying that about the addition of Keyshawn last year??? The NFC was supposed to be between the overhauled Skins and the Bucs, but it was the Giants that came out of the pile.

Also I guess Tony Dungy lost out on his campaign to stick with Shaun King.