AFC NEWS ‘N’ NOTES

YOUTHFUL AFC QBs PRIMED FOR 2002

The most challenging and glamorous position in all of sport may be “NFL Quarterback.”  Scrutiny and criticism come with the job.  Requirements include skill, intelligence and a passion to win -- traits uncommonly found all in one young person, but it is the uncommon athlete who is a quarterback in the NFL. 

Seven, or nearly half, of the AFC’s 16 starting quarterbacks are 27 years old or younger, with an average age of 28.7. 

Debates regarding which young AFC passer will lead the new generation of signal-callers begin with Super Bowl XXXVI MVP TOM BRADY, 25, of New England.  In 2001, Brady became the youngest quarterback to win the Super Bowl honor, earned an AFC Pro Bowl selection, was the conference’s third-rated passer (86.5) and finished 14-3 as a starter.

“There was always something about Tom that made you notice him,” Patriots center-guard DAMIEN WOODY says.  “Even when he wasn’t No. 1 or No. 2, there was something there that made guys notice.  His demeanor.  The way he carried himself in the huddle.  He’s very energetic. 

The Colts’ PEYTON MANNING, 26, and Titans’ STEVE MC NAIR, 29, may also make today’s NFL record book obsolete before new calendars are hung on walls. 

Manning, with another 4,000-yard passing season, will become the first NFL quarterback to throw for more than 4,000 yards in four consecutive years.  Only two other passers, Hall of Famers DAN FOUTS and DAN MARINO, threw for 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.  Fouts accomplished the three-year feat at age 30.  Marino, like Manning, was 26. 

McNair needs to throw for 1,965 yards and rush for 406 this season to become the youngest quarterback to amass 18,000 passing yards and 3,000 yards rushing in a career.  Only four players have accomplished the feat in NFL history: RANDALL CUNNINGHAM (at age 30), JOHN ELWAY (36), FRAN TARKENTON (31) and STEVE YOUNG (34).

Two 23-year-olds account for the AFC’s youngest starting quarterbacks: San Diego’s DREW BREES and Houston’s DAVID CARR.  Chargers head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER named Brees the club’s starter after tight preseason competition with veteran DOUG FLUTIE.

“I’m only going to get better,” says Brees, who set career Big 10 passing records at Purdue in yards (11,792), touchdowns (90), total offensive yards (12,693), completion percentage (.611), completions (1,026) and attempts (1,678).  “Each snap, I feel like I’m going to get better.  I expect nothing less of myself.” 

Houston has had ample time to decide if Carr has the engine to drive the Texans.  Replacing the starter is not anticipated.

“The great players in all sports have vision about the game that is beyond the average player’s,” Texans offensive coordinator CHRIS PALMER says.  “They just see things.  David seems to be that way.”

Cleveland’s TIM COUCH (25), Denver’s BRIAN GRIESE (27) and Baltimore’s CHRIS REDMAN (25) are three additional next-generation quarterbacks poised to realize the Super Bowl hopes of NFL tradition-rich cities. 

AFC EXTRA POINTS:  RB RICKY WILLIAMS is the first Heisman Trophy winner to play for Miami……For the fourth consecutive season, Indianapolis TE MARCUS POLLARD will wear his “lucky” thigh pads despite ragged edges and sweat marks……The New York Jets will stay at a lower Manhattan hotel this season before home games.  “I felt we should stay there as a tribute to what happened there,” says head coach HERMAN EDWARDS……Jets rookie safety JON MC GRAW has played the violin since age 5.  He also plays the guitar……Cleveland rookie WR FRISMAN JACKSON, a quarterback for most of his Western Illinois career, amazed teammates in training camp by throwing footballs more than 80 yards (81 and 83).