All this supposition regarding Leftwich (or any talk of drafting another college QB) would still seem to be based on the theory that McCown is not the long term answer.
So far, it would also appear that the Cards still feel that he might be. There has never been anything intimated otherwise at all.
Some people have criticized the team for not playing McCown more last year. I certainly was not one of them. When the Cards drafted McCown they knew what they were getting. Using that maahvelous hindsight (which in this case is foresight). . . Jake still had a year left on his contract. He had finished up the latter part of the 2001 season fairly strongly, and even some of his harshest critics were easing up a bit. Josh was drafted as a talented project from day 1... I would say a nice long term insurance project regardless of what was to evolve in regards to Jake.
In spite of what many have espoused I don't think it was etched in stone that Jake was leaving, even after the season ended.
I believe that last year was to be the determining factor as to the direction the team would be going in regard to Jake. By the end of the year, I think it was, for the most part, evident to just about everyone that - as long as a suitable replacement could be found- that it was probably to both the Team's and Jake's best interest to go separate directions.
But there were a couple of major caveats here. .
After the devastating losses to the Raiders and Chiefs and the losing streak, Jake was still being judged (at that point) and was still the best bet to win. No one in their right mind realistically expected McCown to be ready this year. So why throw the kid to the wolves at that point? Salvaging overall team confidence by staying competitive and not just "throwing in the towel" took priority over rushing Josh into something he wasn't expected to be ready for anyway. In fact may even have set him back more than helped him.
After the season ended, the team didn't just toss Jake. They gave him a contract offer, with strings attached. I was taught, in business, by one of my mentors "you don't throw the old razor blade away UNTIL you have a new one to replace it."
Even after he went to Denver, even Jake, himself, didn't immediately jump on the offer, he was still giving lip service to "giving the Cards an opportunity to counter any offer" or words to that effect.
In the meantime Kordell had been brought in, made a lukewarm offer to - EVERYONE still trying to hedge as many bets as possible.
Jake was supposed to go to Chicago also, while at the same time, Blake had come in. Jake then announced his signing in Denver. The Cards jumped on Blake. Kordell got the booby prize.
Through all this nothing has changed in regard to McCown.
He's still a viable possibility, at least to the Cards, and that's what really counts.
I predict McCown will indeed get playing time here and there this year...he's already ahead of schedule there, and has been a pleasant surprise with his progress. I see maybe Josh getting some consideration as a starter during training camp next year, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Blake still the man, with Josh starting to get the majority of the playing time and starting sometime during the year next year.
By the end of this year, I say the Cards will have proven to themselves, at least whether Josh is indeed the man of the future. If not....THEN they can look to the draft, yet still knowing they have Blake.....and Parsons.
