QB's Picked 1, 2, 3 In NFL Draft

For the first time since 1971, the first three selections of the NFL Draft were quarterbacks. Cleveland had the No. 1 pick and went with Kentucky's Tim Couch after reaching a contract agreement with his agent around 3:00 a.m. this morning.

Philadelphia continued the quarterback selections by picking Donovan McNabb of Syracuse. McNabb, a three-time Big East Offensive Player of Year, joins a team whose projected starting quarterback is longtime third-stringer Doug Pederson.

The Eagles selection didn't meet with the approval of the team's fans however who wanted the team to select Ricky Williams of Texas. For much of the hour before the pick, they shouted, "We Want Ricky!" and they booed loudly when McNabb's name was called.

Cincinnati then completed the quarterback hat trick when they took Akili Smith of Oregon. Although Smith was a starter for just one college season, his arm strength and athletic ability impressed the Bengals, who already have four quarterbacks on their roster.

In 1971, the top three selections were Jim Plunkett by the Patriots, Archie Manning by the Saints and Dan Pastorini by the Oilers.