Quarterback class of 1999 down to Culpepper, McNabb

PHILADELPHIA — Both quarterbacks have strong arms, quick feet and plenty of wins on their resumes.

One other thing Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper have in common: They’re the only two of the five heralded quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 1999 draft still in the NFL.

While McNabb and Culpepper are looking to lead their teams to the Super Bowl, Tim Couch, Akili Smith and Cade McNown are looking for jobs.

McNabb, drafted second overall by Philadelphia in ‘99, and Culpepper, the No. 11 pick by Minnesota, will oppose each other tonight when the Eagles host the Vikings.

How do they explain their success?

“It’s kind of hard to say,” McNabb said. “I don’t know if we were just put in great positions, great situations, the coaches that we’ve had, coming to a great staff or a great organization. It could be a lot of those things.”

Culpepper also credited his situation.

“Timing is huge. The timing was good when I got here,” he said. “I have guys around me who can play.”

The first quarterback chosen among the “can’t miss” crop of ‘99 was Couch, who went to the Browns with the first overall pick. Smith was selected third by the Bengals and McNown went to the Bears at No. 12.

Considered the surest pick by many draft experts, Couch had moderate success with the expansion Browns. But he eventually lost his job to Kelly Holcomb, was released in June by Cleveland and was cut by the Packers earlier this month.

Smith and McNown quickly proved to be busts, making 32 combined starts. Smith was released by the Bengals and Packers. McNown had brief stints with Miami and San Francisco after Chicago let him go.