Panthers Talking to Two Tedford QBs Not Named Akili

The Carolina Panthers are talking to the agents of David Carr and Joey Harrington. As Chris Clark of Sports Radio 850 the Buzz in Raleigh puts it, "Would You Like a Punch in the Face, or a Kick in the Crotch?"

Sure, Carolina needs a backup for Jake Delhomme after Chris Weinke proved his lack of worth and was released, and these two are probably the best guys available. Neither has been particularly impressive at the NFL level, though, and both carry the reputation of being protégés of one Jeff Tedford, who is currently the head coach at the University of California.

Tedford has a knack for producing great college quarterbacks who fall flat on their faces once they turn pro. Notable Tedford busts include Harrington, Kyle Boller, Akili Smith and Trent Dilfer, who was so highly regarded in Baltimore after Super Bowl XXXV that Brian Billick dumped him for Elvis Grbac. Carr worked with Tedford for only one year at Fresno State, and that seemed to be enough to poison his pro career thus far.

Can GM Marty Hurney not find anyone else? Well, look at who's left aside from these two. The list includes Drew Bledsoe, Tim Rattay, Anthony Wright, Doug Johnson and Todd Bouman. It's enough to make a couple of Tedford QBs a lot more appealing. It's also enough to make you wish you could wave a magic wand at Brett Basanez and magically turn him into Frank Reich. Come to think of it, can we try that first before signing Carr or Harrington?