It goes to show you how important the physical attributes are to an NFL QB. In the year that Leak was a HS Sr. There was no higher rated QB around, he was the plum of that class. He had a good college career, but 6'0" without a cannon for an arm = not much chance at an NFL career. Then there is Jamarcus Russell who was highly recruited comming out of HS, as well and had sort of a up and down college career (but overall very good) the NFL was in love with his incredible arm strength and size so he's a #1 draft choice. I have a feeling that he doesn't have the Mannings work ethic and may eat himself out of a job. But I could be wrong. CFL has been a good place for QB's like Leake though. I don't think they make all that much money but I'm sure he's doing it to get on the field and hopefully do very well and get another shot at the NFL.
Qb Leak <t>After all the hype Leak had, in the end, the QB from that particular class that will come out on top in the NFL is none other than Brady Quinn.</t>
Weren't Warren Moon and Joe Thiesman in the CFL. For that matter wasn't Doug Flutie? Leak may still play himself into the NFL. Unfortunately for him, it has to be on talent and not stature. Were there any more physically imposing physical specimines at QB than Ryan Leaf?
Warren Moon, Joe Theisman, Doug Flutie, Tom Clements all played in the CFL as did Joe Kapp. It's a legit way to get some snaps and show that you can throw the ball. But over the years not many CFL QB's have ever made it to the NFL.
Add Vince Ferragamo to Terry's list. re: "A lot of the great QBS of yesteryear would have trouble making the rosters today." Oh yeah. Some would be in their 80's or 90's :wink:
In Joe Theisman's autobiography he discusses his time in the CFL, and how he chose the CFL over the Dolphins. The chapter was titled "How I traded three Super Bowls for a ferris wheel" or something like that. Pretty funny.
I'm serious about my statement. Can you see Sonny Jurgenson making it today? How about Johnny U? Bart Starr? Jack Kemp? etc. I loved those guys as players but they were of average size and slow footed. In today's game they would be road kill, even at their playing ages.
If those guys grew up today they would have had the benefit of better coaching, better training, better nutrition, etc. They would have been better than they were back then, because football is a 12 month deal now. Back when those guys were playing everything was different. Just like todays kids they would benefit from personal trainers, personal QB coaches, etc.
I also think the game has changed so much that what they were really good at is being done by someone in the press box. Johnny Unitas called all of his own plays. He did it based on his own observations and an occasional update from the coaches. Of course we know that that doesn't happen anymore. Yes audibles still exist but the qb doesn't call a series of plays to set up a particular play anymore. Also Unitas and Berry practiced relentlessly on the basics together. They knew each other's abilities and characteristics like their own. The players could not jump from team to team like they can now, the qb was able to really become the coach on the field if he had the leadership abilities and the desire. The bottom line, in my opinion, is that there were a lot of guys with better physical abilities than guys like Unitas, but not many were football smarter, and I don't think any worked harder (smarter).
Chris Leak was a winner at Florida. The kid played with so much heart and determination and he led UF to some great victories even under Ron Zook. Trouble is he also had to live with some screwed up gameplans in a few dumbfounding losses under Zook and suffered also in transition with Meyer. He never lacked confidence in himself however and I have a ton of respect for what he did at Florida and the MVP award he won vs. Ohio State in the NC game is a fitting end to his career. If his good qualities matter in the NFL he may yet play somewhere in the league if he keeps trying but his physical limitations could ultimately keep him from that goal.
It's always possible that he'll get his shot, Doug Flutie did and he certainly was height challenged. Also Drew Bree's has been successful and I think he's 6' nuttin. So it could happen. But like you I have had qb's on my favorite teams that were great college QB's and never did anything in the pro's. It doesn't diminish what they did in college.
I hope that nobody thought this to be a negative post from me. Although I can't stand his father, Chris never did anything to me except play well against Tennessee. I think it is fantastic that he is getting this opportunity.