Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Buyer beware: Henson looks the part of a quarterback, but .

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Buyer beware: Henson looks the part of a quarterback, but . . .

By CHAREAN WILLIAMS

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

FORT WORTH, Texas - Drew Henson looks like a franchise quarterback.

But so did Heath Shuler. And Ryan Leaf.

We know how they turned out.

Henson has been compared to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, whom Henson backed up at Michigan for two seasons.

But Henson started only eight games in three seasons at Michigan. He hasn't played football since 2000 after opting for a baseball career with the Yankees, who signed him to a six-year, $17-million deal. "I would have told him to never go into baseball," said Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, who gave up baseball in the Yankees' system to become the top pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. "Now, hopefully, it won't set him back. But any time you give up the game for a couple of years, it can set you back."

Henson was worth the gamble to the Texans, who drafted him in the sixth round last year with intentions of trading him before the 2004 draft. Henson is tempting enough that one of the 20 teams that watched him throw Thursday in Houston will fork over a first-day pick.

The Packers appear to be the team that could most afford Henson. Green Bay won't get a player with as much potential with the 25th pick, and it needs an heir apparent for the aging Brett Favre, who would be the perfect mentor for Henson.

It is more likely that the Texans will get a second-round pick for Henson, and for any quarterback-challenged team, he would be worth that gamble. He is 6-foot-4, 233 pounds and can make all the throws.

"He's a young, talented guy," Texans general manager Charley Casserly said. "I don't think since Brett Favre have you had a guy with this kind of raw talent available in a trade situation. ... I'm not saying he's going to be Brett Favre, but he's a young, talented quarterback who's available outside the draft process. If you're a team that needs a young quarterback, this is a way you beat the system. This is how you get a Brett Favre or Steve Young, one of those guys. You beat the system."

Some team will beat the system, but only if Henson turns out better than Shuler and Leaf.

Patriots need a back

The Patriots decided not to pay running back Antowain Smith a $500,000 option bonus that would have extended him for the 2004 season. He would have counted $3.9 million against their salary cap. By letting him go, New England will take slightly more than a $2 million hit on its cap in "dead money."

The Patriots also will be in the market for a running back.

The contracts of current running backs Kevin Faulk, Patrick Pass, Mike Cloud and Larry Centers expire at the end of the month.

Faulk still could figure in their plans as a third-down back, but it would have to be at the Patriots' price. He just finished the final year of his original contract, which counted $914,700 against the cap last season.

McAlister a franchise player?

The Ravens could franchise cornerback Chris McAlister again this off-season. McAlister's agent, Mitch Frankel, said the sides remain far apart and don't expect to close the gap before the Feb. 24 deadline to designate franchise players.

McAlister is believed to be seeking a signing bonus of between $16 million and $19 million, which would top Patriots cornerback Ty Law's $14.2 million bonus in 1999.

McAlister, 26, earned $5.9 million last season as the Ravens' franchise player. He would make $7.1 million this year as a franchise player, a 20 percent raise.

The Ravens' 1999 first-round pick went to his first Pro Bowl this month after intercepting three passes - returning one for a touchdown - and shutting down some of the league's best receivers, including Rod Smith, Jimmy Smith, Torry Holt and Terrell Owens. He also got benched in the third week of the season for missing curfew.

All about the QBs

Sonny vs. Billy. Billy vs. Joe. Jay vs. Doug. Heath vs. Gus. Brad vs. Jeff. Washington likes nothing better than a quarterback controversy. The Redskins have another one, and it's only February.

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs has expressed his admiration for quarterback Patrick Ramsey, who is heading into his third season and his second as the team's starter. But for Gibbs, experience has always been critical. Other than Jay Schroeder, who was pressed into service when Joe Theismann broke his leg in 1985, Gibbs' No. 1 quarterbacks were usually 30-somethings.

So Gibbs is actively looking for a veteran passer, having traveled to St. Augustine, Fla., to meet with Jacksonville Jaguars lame duck quarterback Mark Brunell last week.

Though Gibbs has said he's "excited to have a chance to work with" Ramsey, who threw for 2,166 yards and 14 touchdowns in 11 games as the starter last season before going on injured reserve with a broken foot, it's hard to see the Redskins spending $6.5 million - Brunell's base salary - on a backup. Brunell had a 19-7 touchdown-interception ratio in his last 18 games, while completing 60 percent of his passes.

Everyone loves Brunell

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith is a big fan of Mark Brunell, and wants to make a run at the 11-year veteran. In fact, Smith created a mini-controversy last week when he acknowledged he was "more than definitely interested" in pursuing a trade for Brunell, of whom Smith added: "I admire him. He's a good quarterback and has some time left (as a starter)."

If Brunell works out a deal with Washington as expected, Smith will have to mend fences with Chargers quarterbacks Drew Brees and Doug Flutie, who were not pleased with the general manager's comments.

It is unknown if Smith will pursue another veteran quarterback in free agency if Brunell is off the market. Smith had said that acquiring an experienced quarterback would be one of his pressing needs in the off-season, but none of the possibilities excited him more than Brunell.

If San Diego decides against pursuing another veteran, it's possible the team could use the No. 1 pick in April's draft on a quarterback - not because it wants to, but because no other player is worthy of the top spot. The Chargers also might try to trade down, although that doesn't address their need at quarterback.

Fine by him

Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna had received about $100 in $5 and $10 checks from supporters around the country after the NFL fined him $5,000 for wearing a cap emblazoned with a Christian cross Dec. 14. After having the fine rescinded by the NFL, Kitna said he would return the money with a letter of thanks.

Several Christian stores ordered similar caps, and some 10,000 were sold, Kitna said.

"It's interesting how the cross of Christ works," Kitna said.

Seeing red

The Falcons are switching back to red home jerseys for the first time since 1989. The team wore black from 1990 through last season.

The Falcons wore an alternate red jersey twice last season and received positive feedback from players, coaches and fans. It may not sit well with all fans, though. It will be the third home jersey in as many seasons, which is a lot of Michael Vick jerseys to buy. The Falcons re-designed the jerseys last season with an updated logo and three-color sleeves.

The team is also raising ticket prices. It was spun that the Falcons' average seat price will remain the second-cheapest in the league, but raising ticket prices after a 5-11 season isn't going to win a lot of fans.

What about Holcomb?

Browns quarterback Kelly Holcomb is under contract for $975,000 in 2004. But if Tim Couch accepts a pay cut and retains his starting job, the Browns likely will grant Holcomb his wish and trade or release him.

"You can't really worry about it," Holcomb said. "What's going to happen is going to happen. You just have to deal with it."

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