Texas franchise selects QB
by Charean Williams, Knight Ridder Newspapers

    FORT WORTH—David Carr will be the first selection in the NFL Draft next week. That is the only thing promised him.

   The expansion Houston Texans have tabbed Carr as its franchise player, announcing last week their intention to use their first pick on the Fresno State quarterback. Carr, 22, will become the 23rd quarterback selected first overall in the league’s 67 drafts.

   “It’s taking forever,” Carr said. “It seems like it’s never going to get here. April 20 seems like three years from now. Each day you’re just trying to get better, and you’re working on things, and it just drags. But it’ll be here soon enough, and I’ll have another challenge.”

   Nothing is guaranteed ... beyond his signing bonus.

   Carr will get something in the neighborhood of the six-year, $22.5 million contract—including $11 million to sign—that Michael Vick received when the Atlanta Falcons made him the first pick last year. But Carr won’t be greeted by instant gratification.

   The seven quarterbacks selected first overall since 1987 have only 13 Pro Bowl appearances among them and four Super Bowl rings, including the one Drew Bledsoe won as a backup with the New England Patriots this past season.

   As starters, they are 337-371-1 as a group, and only Troy Aikman (105-75) and Bledsoe (63-60) have winning records.

   The Texans are following the Cleveland Browns’ and the Carolina Panthers’ expansion game plans. The Browns drafted Tim Couch with the first overall pick in 1999.

   The Panthers, after trading the first pick to the Cincinnati Bengals, selected Kerry Collins with the No. 5 choice in 1995.

   Couch is 11-26 as a starter, and Collins is with his third team after going 22-20 in 3 seasons with the Panthers.

   The Texans have tried to make Carr’s life easier.

   Through free agency and the expansion draft, Houston has built a veteran offensive line that includes Tony Boselli at left tackle and Ryan Young at right tackle. They signed veteran quarterback Kent Graham to serve as Carr’s mentor.

   “It’s going to be a lot of work just like anything else,” Carr said.

   “It’s just like when a marriage starts off. It’s not easy at first, but it gets better,” he said.

   It’s hard to criticize the Texans’ choice of Carr over North Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers.

   Carr, who completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 7,849 yards with 70 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in his career, has franchise stamped on his right arm.

   The only criticism of Carr has been his low release point. He has an unusual delivery off his right shoulder. Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer has talked to Carr about changing his motion.

   “I’ve got no problem with that,” Carr said. “I’ve never really paid any attention to it.”