No longer an issue of black and white

Sporting News, The, Feb 4, 2005 by Paul Attner

One of the most intriguing aspects of the media business is how a story quickly becomes a non-story. We are terrific at reporting the moment but lousy at looking back. Never was this more true than over this past weekend, when a significant landmark in the NFL was treated almost as an afterthought. More remarkable, this treatment was correct.

A decade ago, the fact the NFL lacked black quarterbacks was a troubling weakness, a void that was correctly criticized. Viewing black athletes differently than their white peers at that position was insensitive at best, racist at worst. There was considerable speculation whether the situation ever would improve.

Last Sunday, for the first time, two black quarterbacks started the same conference championship game. At one point, that would have been front-page news. But the makeup of the quarterback position has changed so dramatically in the past five years or so that it became a minor story line for the matchup between the Eagles and Falcons. Now Donovan McNabb becomes the third black quarterback to start a Super Bowl. Again, that's not major news anymore.

So the NFL, finally, has been transformed to where a superior athlete such as Michael Vick remains a quarterback instead of being switched, upon arriving in the pros, to running back or receiver. Not that things are perfect. Jeff Blake, a reserve quarterback with the Eagles, told the media last week more of his peers should be starting in the league, complaining that the overwhelming majority of quarterbacks still are white.

But listen to what McNabb had to say about playing against Vick: "Well, the larger meaning is that we've kind of stepped over the negative steppingstone of people saying that an African American quarterback can't lead his team to a Super Bowl. This is kind of a new generation of quarterbacks who are able to do a little bit more than just sit in the pocket and pass the ball."

Where once it was groundbreaking that the Titans would select small-school Steve McNair in the first round, now no one should make note of the race of any quarterback taken in the draft. Whatever resistance there once was to building around a black quarterback seems gone. Can you imagine how stupid it would have been to believe McNabb or Vick or Daunte Culpepper was incapable of excelling in the NFL unless he played another position?

DRAFT DISH

Missouri DT CJ. Mosley is a superb natural athlete who is strong and quick. He is good against the run and is an excellent rusher who consistently gets into the backfield. He has the tools and attitude to become a very good NFL player and should be taken on Day 1. * Miami WR Roscoe Parrish (5-9, 172) was the Hurricanes' top receiver in 2004 as a junior. He is fast and has great hands but is undersized. His return skills will help him, but his size might hold him back. Look for him to go in the third round. * Louisville RB Eric Shelton (6-3,248) is a big, fast, powerful inside runner, but he's in a competitive class of running backs. The junior could have been among the top backs taken next year if he had stayed in school. He's a potential third-rounder in 2005. * Fresno State S James Sanders (5-11, 205) is a fast, physical player who was All-WAC the past two seasons. Tough and intimidating, Sanders is an excellent tackler. He's smart and a leader on the field. He's a bit undersized but plays big. Look for him to go on Day 1. * Utah QB Alex Smith (6-4, 210) has been steadily moving up, and some draft boards have him as the second-ranked quarterback. He has smarts, size and skills but needs more polish. * Oregon State CB Brandon Browner (6-4, 202), a sophomore, is big, fast and physical. He could use more college experience, but he is so physically impressive he will be among the top corners taken. * Michigan S Ernest Shazor (6-4, 229) is big, fast and a powerful hitter. He has experience and outstanding playmaking skills and is a potential second-rounder. * Houston OLB Bryant Brown is fast and has a nonstop motor. He's a tough hitter, a good tackler and is relentless in pursuit. He is a likely Day 2 selection.

(S) The complete Pro Football Draft Encyclopedia has more than 700 pages covering every pick of every draft. Order your copy at sportingnews.com/books.