August 29, 1997

QUARTERBACK CLASS OF ’95 SHINES: The storied quarterback class of 1983 -- featuring AFC standouts DAN MARINO of the Miami Dolphins, JOHN ELWAY of the Denver Broncos and recently retired JIM KELLY of the Buffalo Bills -- might have a rival in the quarterback class of ’95. Among 14 quarterbacks selected in the ’95 draft, four will start for AFC teams on Sunday and a fifth -- KERRY COLLINS -- led the Carolina Panthers to the NFC Championship Game last season.

"What you have is a very solid, very deep class," Miami Dolphins Director of Football Operations BOB ACKLES says. "With a little time and a little luck it could turn into a nice bunch of quarterbacks."

ROB JOHNSON of the Jacksonville Jaguars and KORDELL STEWART of the Pittsburgh Steelers finished first and fourth in NFL preseason passer rating, respectively, and will make their first career starts this Sunday. The other Class of ‘95 AFC starters are the Tennessee Oilers’ STEVE MC NAIR and Buffalo Bills’ TODD COLLINS, who combined for a 4-3 starting record in ’96.