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Brock Huard quickly returned a phone message.

“I don’t get a chance to talk about left-handed quarterbacks much,” Huard said. "You don’t see it much. I go to a lot of youth football camps and the quarterbacks are almost always right-handed. It seems all the lefties are playing baseball. ... I’m interested to see Tim Tebow because we lefties are hard to come by.”

Huard, now a college football analyst for ESPN, is a member of a rare club. He was a southpaw gunslinger as a backup in Seattle and Indianapolis from 1999-2004. The NFL is a right-handed quarterback’s game. Only 12 left-handed quarterback have started more than 50 NFL games.

The only lefty currently slated to be a starter in 2010 is Arizona’s Matt Leinart and his status is far from solid. The only other left-handed quarterbacks currently in the NFL are backups Mark Brunell, Michael Vick, Chris Simms, Pat White and Tyler Palko.

Besides Brunell and Vick, the last truly successful left-handed quarterbacks were Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young and Boomer Esiason. Other successful left-handed quarterbacks throughout the years include Ken Stabler, Jim Zorn, Bobby Douglass and Frankie Albert.

Being left-handed is one of the reasons Tebow enters the NFL with such intense interest. The intrigue is not just whether the former Florida quarterback can prove he simply wasn’t a Saturday star with an awkward delivery. People are eager to see if Tebow can become the next lefty to succeed in the league.

“I have no doubt that he can,” said Houston quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp. "I know it can happen."

Knapp would know. He coached Young in San Francisco and Vick in Atlanta.

“I’ve seen it firsthand,” Knapp said. "Don’t tell me left-handed quarterbacks can’t make it in this league. I know it can be done.”

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Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Weekend mail call:

Jake from Sacramento: Bill, I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why Oakland is not trying to sign a veteran receiver like Torry Holt or even Amani Toomer when they have an absolutely glaring need. Russell will never have the opportunity to succeed when he is throwing to bums like Higgins, Schillens, and Walker. The same can be said for McFadden if teams are unconcerned with the Oakland passing game as they very well should be. I'm not sure a WR draft pick is the right move either, after all, its not like Calvin Johnson is in the draft and ready to jump right into the fold. But even if they draft a WR, that would compliment Holt nicely and turn around their wideout situation immediately, right?

BW: I thought Oakland would go after a veteran as well. There is still time. Amani Toomer would be a nice fit even if the Raiders draft a receiver in the early rounds, which I believe, will be the case.

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Zac from Oswego, KS: Hey Bill, Read the blog all the time. I'm a huge KC Fan and was wondering, could the chiefs trade down in the draft to get a 5-10 pick and maybe a late round Cassel?? Wow what an offense!!!! Thanks for the time, and I LOVE YOUR BLOG, Keep writing.

BW: Thanks, Zac. I could see Kansas City moving down. The Chiefs need a lot of help and they can get some nice picks by trading the No. 3 pick. But if they want Crabtree, they better not wait too long. He will be a top 7 pick, I think. And, yes, he would look good in that offense.

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devin from Aztec, NM: What do you think the chances are that Denver goes for Mark Sanchez in the draft? It would give them a shot to start with a new QB and he seems to know his stuff.

BW: Really, I think Sanchez is a great fit and if he is there at No. 12, Denver should take him. But I think Josh McDaniels would rather take his chances this year with Kyle Orton and Chris Simms and draft a quarterback in the late rounds to develop. That has been the New England way and it is clear McDaniels lives by the New England way.

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Maynard from Florida: hey i love how you feature the raiders.im a huge fan what is the possibility of the raiders getting Ramses Barden with our second round pick?

BW: Yes, I think the Raiders love this kid. But if Oakland takes a receiver in the first round (which I believe they will do) I don't think Oakland will take a receiver in the second round as well.

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Chris from Chicago, IL: Bill, I've seen reports that Denver is working out Pat White. What are the chances of grabbing him in the second/third rounds? Could he fit there as a third or fourth receiver and run a little QB in situations?

BW: Yes, Denver looking at White. I think he is a third rounder. He is an interesting prospect who can help out in a lot of different areas.

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John from Shingle Springs, CA: What do you think it would cost the Chargers to get Peters from the Bills? If they were able to do so, I see Peters being the LT and McNeill moving to RT. What do you think about this?

BW: Jason Peters will cost a lot. Buffalo wants a ton in return for him. It would cost San Diego, at least, its No. 16 pick in the draft. I don't think it'd be worth it. The Chargers should use their resources on defense or on a top offensive player who falls in the draft.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Catching up on the AFC West after the Jay Cutler bombshell:

• The Lions had a great private workout with Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. Does that mean they will not be part of the Cutler sweepstakes? Denver would love that No. 1 pick if the Lions are willing to part with it in a Cutler deal.

• Add Connecticut running back Donald Brown to the running backs San Diego is studying prior to the draft.

• Larry Johnson has a good attitude about staying a Chief. That could go a long way in him staying in Kansas City.

• Quarterback Matt Cassel finally has a number in Kansas City. He will wear No. 7. He wore No. 16 in New England, but that number is retired in Kansas City. Legendary quarterback Len Dawson wore it.

• Among some of the more interesting names on Denver's pre-draft visit list? Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji, West Virginia quarterback Pat White and Pitt running back LeSean McCoy. Denver is also visiting with Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells.

• The Broncos cut running back Corey Boyd, who signed with the team last year when it suffered several in-season injuries at the position. Boyd almost started a game last season but ended up playing in just one game for Denver.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Justin from Yucca Valley, CA: Hey Bill,I am a die hard and long suffering Raiders fan. What do you think of the Raiders drafting Pat White in the 3rd round? The so called "draft experts" have him playing wide receiver at the next level. If this is true with his speed and athletic ability, could he play an offensive role similar to that of Antwan Randle EL when he was in Pittsburgh? With the wildcat formation all the rage these days, this sounds like a good fit.

BW: It's an interesting idea, Justin. White is zooming up the draft boards, so someone is going to likely use him in the role you described. Could it be the Raiders? Why not. They could use the help, sure.

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Aaron from Syracuse: Would Cassel, Vrabel, Aaron Curry,a drafted or FA Offensive Linemen, Bobby Engram, and a pass catching RB be enough to keep Tony Gonzalez in KC? If so, what are the chances of making all of that happen? If not, what compensation do you think the Chiefs will get for him in a trade?

BW: I don't think these moves are going to be enough to convince Gonzalez to stay. Now, I'm not saying he is going to want to leave because of these moves, but from talking to Gonzalez about the subject a couple of times I know he wanted to see major upgrades on the defensive side of the ball. Other than the addition of Vrabel, significant defensive improvements have not happened. Gonzalez could still stay in Kansas City, but I know he'll want to see better players coming to town on the defensive side of the ball.

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Anthony from Napoleon, OH: Bill, How do you think people are going to look back on the Cutler/Cassel situation at the end of this next season if Cassel crashes in Kansas City? Personaly I don't think Cassel will do as well in Kansas City. Mainly because he just doesn't have the supporting cast as he did in New England. but here's my perdiction... Shanahan goes to Dallas in 2 years after they fail to make the playoffs and Cutler gets the call to come and replace Romo. But in all honesty, being the Bronco fan that I am, I really wish Bowlen would have stayed with Mike

BW: I think Cassel and Cutler will be compared as long as they are still in the same division and as long as Cutler is coached by Josh McDaniels. It is going to be a circus every time the Broncos and Chiefs play.

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Coos Bay: Even if LT restructures his contract..still need to beef up the RB position..what about Michael Bush - Raiders..Didn't the Chargers try to claim him off waivers last yr and Al pulled him back in...he was great at Louisvile..then broken leg sidelined him..big, fast back that could really be the future primary back in SD.

BW: San Diego almost acquired Bush from Oakland during the season. There were reports that Bush was on the trading block last week. Still, I don't think Oakland will trade him unless it gets a high draft choice in return, and I'd still be surprised if the team pulled the trigger and sent him to San Diego.