Strikebreaker Kramer Makes NFL Debut in Familiar Surroundings

SUWANEE, Ga. â€”  Erik Kramer, who in two seasons became the all-time leading passer at North Carolina State, is beginning what might be a short professional career in the same stadium in which he wound up his college career.

Kramer, one of two quarterbacks signed by the Atlanta Falcons for the duration of the NFL players’ strike, played his final college game last New Year’s Eve in the Peach Bowl at Fulton County Stadium. His first regular-season NFL game will be in the same stadium Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“That’s really quite a coincidence,� said Kramer, who will share time with Jeff Van Raaphorst. “I hope the outcome Sunday is better than my last appearance in Atlanta.�

He completed 12 of 19 passes during N.C. State’s 25-24 loss to Virginia Tech.

Considering the circumstances, the Falcons appear to have competent quarterbacks in Kramer and Van Raaphorst. Kramer, a former All-American at Pierce College and Burroughs High standout, threw for 4,757 yards and 31 touchdowns during two seasons at N. C. State. Van Raaphorst threw for school records of 6,450 yards and 42 touchdowns in three seasons at Arizona State.

Kramer, the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year in 1986, was signed as a free agent by the New Orleans Saints but released at the end of training camp. Van Raaphorst signed as a free agent with Denver before being cut.

Falcons Coach Marion Campbell said either or both quarterbacks might have made the cut with slightly higher roster limits. He did not say who would start.

Kramer, however, had something to say on the subject.

“Whoever starts should stay in there as long as he’s getting the job done,� Kramer said. “Even though that might not work out in my favor, I believe you have to go with one guy. It’s going to be confusing enough out there without switching quarterbacks back and forth.�

Kramer was a graduate assistant at N. C. State when the Falcons called. He said the situation reminds him of an all-star game.

“You’ve got all these people in here who really don’t know one another, who haven’t played together before and don’t know what to expect from each other,� he said. “We’ve come into camp with a week and a half to put an offense in and that’s why we’re trying to keep things fairly simple.�