(8/20/04) After Thursday’s afternoon practice , John L. discussed the quarterback scenario: “Stephen (Reaves) is a little bit behind the other two. If there are any number of individuals competing for a job and are even in the competition, I’ll always go for the young guy. The players know that.

from the ES again!

Stanton "still hurting", gets knee drained

(8/23/04)--After Monday's practice, a visibly disappointed John L Smith discussed Drew Stanton's slow process of recovery and the QB situation overall. Stanton wore a bandage on his knee with ice after it was drained over the weekend; he did not practice with the team on Monday. "Drew is disappointed. He's still hurting and healing," said John L. "There is no one individual who has separated from the others. It has delayed us in making a decision, and hopefully we'll be able to decide by next week." Stanton's swelling is not unexpected after his off-season surgery, but it is taking longer than hoped to heal. It is assumed Stanton would be the starter, but his injury throws a pitched battle between the senior Dowdell and the rookie Reaves. The ES says -- if it ain't Stanton go with youth & Reaves -- we've seen enough of Dowdell in action to know what to expect.