The truth is, there just aren’t enough good passers to go around. It isn’t even close. That’s why every year quarterbacks are taken higher in the draft than their talent dictates. In April, Matt Ryan of Boston College and Brian Brohm of Louisville probably will be top 10 picks, and Andre’ Woodson of Kentucky also has a chance to be taken in the first round.

But no matter what most teams do to try to improve at the quarterback position, they still will be can nots. God only makes so many like Tom Brady.    

Q: Overall, what do you think will become of Eli Manning? Should my Giants look for a new QB as Eli’s Contract is up in ’09?
— Chris, Maryland
A: If I were running the Giants, I would try to draft a quarterback in the middle rounds who I thought could develop into an eventual starter. Manning played wonderfully against the Patriots — until the defining moment of the game when he threw an interception. I’ve always thought Manning would become a very good starter, but it hasn’t happened in 55 starts. I suppose it still could happen, but if I were the Giants I would want to hedge my bet at this point.

Q: Do the Panthers need a new head coach? Their predictable play-calling even with a new offensive coordinator and rotating through numerous QBs seems to leave that position as the only common denominator.
— Mike, Charlotte, N.C.
A: I think John Fox is a very good head coach, and I don’t think the Panthers could get a better one.  There isn’t a team in the NFL that could go through quarterbacks the way the Panthers did this year and contend. No coach could have made the 2007 Panthers into a winning team. The only reason to replace Fox would be if the Panthers felt they needed to make a change for the sake of change.

Q: Does Shaun Hill have a chance to stay as the 49ers’ starting QB next year?
— Alex, Alameda, Calif.
A: Right now I think you’d have to say anything is possible. The 49ers are going to have a new general manager and probably a new offensive coordinator at the very least. Both could have something to say about Hill’s future. Alex Smith’s future with the team also will impact Hill. We have to see if Smith and head coach Mike Nolan can co-exist.

Q: What are the chances Bill Cowher could end up in K.C.?
— Clay, Kansas City, Mo.
A: It isn’t going to happen this year. Could it happen next year? Possibly. I believe Cowher will return to the NFL in 2009. I could see him being attracted to the Chiefs. It’s a strong, stable organization and he has ties there, having been an assistant in Kansas City under Marty Schottenheimer for three years before becoming the Steelers’ head coach.

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