Mike Brown's Track Record Drafting Quarterbacks Since 1991 Should Scare You

James Walker wrote a similar piece on the history of quarterbacks drafted by the Bengals dating back to 1991. We actually had an article prepared to post this afternoon before his was published which holds a similar point of view.

Bengals owner Mike Brown loves his quarterbacks. He drafted Akili Smith, who posted more touchdowns passing and more yards during his senior year than this year's prospect, Cam Newton. During Smith's first 18 games, the quarterback would fail to throw a touchdown in all but four games. His best game in his career came during his first NFL start during an 18-17 win over the Cleveland Browns. Smith completed 25 of 42 passes for 221 yards passing and two touchdowns. It would be the only time Smith would record multiple touchdowns in his career.

Mike Brown drafted David Klingler, who posted 83 passing touchdowns and 8,564 yards passing during his final two years at Houston. Klingler had a far more successful career compared to Smith, but that's relative. Klingler posted 16 touchdowns during his four-year career with the Bengals. Some could argue that Klingler's disappointment in the NFL could be related to his pass protection. Klingler was sacked once every 8.3 times he dropped back.

Dating back to 1991, Bengals owner Mike Brown has drafted nine quarterbacks. You have the big three (aka first rounders) in Smith, Klingler and the team's most recent first round draft pick, Carson Palmer. After that, you have a collection of six quarterbacks drafted in the fourth round or later, posting three total touchdowns and 668 yards passing out of 24 games played. And of the six quarterbacks, not including the big three to start a regular season game, Donald Hollas is the only quarterback who started at least one game.

Now. Take away Carson Palmer's numbers and combine the performances of Mike Brown drafted quarterbacks since 1991.

The issue is a potential disaster in the making. Not because the prospects this year aren't particularly strong. Rather it always comes down to Mike Brown. If the Bengals elect to draft a quarterback, which in all likelihood they'll be forced to do, they'll have options. Unfortunately, you're like me. You have that feeling in your stomach that Brown will make the wrong one, don't you?