Drew Bledsoe or Rick Mirer? Rick Mirer or Drew Bledsoe?
Back and forth the speculation went until New England coach Bill Parcells revealed his decision - Bledsoe. Parcells made him the first pick in the NFL draft. Seattle then took Mirer second.Now fans can decide for themselves. The top two choices, who carry the hopes of last year's bottom two teams, face each other in their third pro game when Seattle (0-2) plays at New England (0-2).
Comparisons are inevitable, if invalid, since more than the quarterbacks' talents will determine whether the Patriots or Seahawks shake their winless label.
"I know there will be some comparisons," Parcells said. "I think that's an exercise in futility."
Both are starting their pro careers and early judgments may change as they develop. They have different strengths - Bledsoe has the stronger arm, Mirer is more elusive. And they won't be on the field at the same time.
"I'm playing against their defense. He's playing against ours," said Bledsoe, a Washington State product who nearly stayed close to home. "We play two different styles of football and so on, so you've got to throw the comparisons out."
Mirer feels the same way.
"I don't think too many things he does are going to affect me," Mirer said. "I have to worry about their defense more than I have to worry about him."
Bledsoe and Mirer are the foundations for rebuilding the NFL's two worst offenses. Seattle gained the fewest yards last season and tied the Patriots for the worst record, 2-14.
The players who will meet in the first significant matchup of rookie quarterbacks since Buffalo's Joe Ferguson faced Baltimore's Bert Jones 20 years ago have shown potential to fulfill high expectations.
Bledsoe has completed 53.2 percent of his passes for three touchdowns and two interceptions and is ranked 8th among AFC passers. Mirer has thrown 49 passes, 30 fewer than Bledsoe, and completed 69.4 percent for no touchdowns and three interceptions. He's rated 9th in the conference.
Parcells diplomatically declined to say why he preferred Bledsoe.
"We did what was best for us," he said. "I would have been very happy to pick Rick Mirer also."
Talented players were rare for both teams last season. New England lost its first nine games and last five. Seattle was 1-12 after beating the Patriots in the third game of the year.
Both are 0-2 now and facing probably their best opportunity for a victory.
"This is a big game for us because, in a way, we have two teams that are very similar," Seattle coach Tom Flores said. "Both are 0-2. Both have come close to winning. Both have young quarterbacks and relatively young offensive lines.
"Both of us need a win. We need a win to keep the programs climbing up the mountain."
But that's not an easy task for any rookie, no matter how high he was drafted. Still, with just two games into the season, both teams are happy with the quarterbacks they chose.
"He's given us some leadership," Flores said of Mirer. "There are going to be some rookie mistakes but he is a very mature young man."
And Parcells, in a statement about the Seahawks that also applies to the Patriots, indicated that at least one position has been taken care of.
"Having the quarterback in place that it looks like they'll play with for a while is certainly an indication that they're ready to make some progress," he said.