As the NFL Draft approaches many recognizable and successful college quarterbacks are confronted with the decision to stick with the quarterback position or convert to another position to have a chance to play in the NFL. “Are you willing to play another position to make our team?” is the question evaluators ask conversion candidates at the combine and Senior Bowl. For many quarterbacks this is a hard decision, because many have played the position since Pop Warner and they are used to being under center.
The quarterback position in my opinion is the most scrutinized position in sports in terms of measurables (fairly and unfairly). NFL personnel staffs tend to believe quarterbacks must be over 6’2, weigh at least 200 Pounds to take the constant pounding, be able to throw a minimum of 70 yards, score high on the Wonderlic test, run a 4.8 or better to avoid the rush and be a 60% accurate passer. That is a lot for an individual to have in one package, especially for a quarterback making the jump from college to the “fast” NFL game. The quarterbacks that do not fall into the classic categories tend to be called non-traditional quarterbacks, running quarterbacks, and “athletes”. I call it the “Antwaan Randle El” effect. Randle El was considered too small and lacking the arm strength needed to be an every down quarterback at the NFL level coming out of Indiana in 2002. Scouts said of him and other past non-traditional quarterbacks “He tends to float deep passes and lacks the pinpoint accuracy needed for the NFL game”. He however possessed tremendous speed and agility that equated to electrifying moves. As displayed at the combine and in Senior Bowl practices his ability to run the forty in 4.5 seconds and maneuver the cone drills with ease caused everyone to want to find a place for him on their roster as a 3rd down receiver, return man, and emergency quarterback. The Steelers picked him in the 2nd round as a wide receiver and his quarterback experience allowed the Steelers to use him as a passer in a variety of trick plays, most notably a game-clinching 43-yard fake reverse touchdown pass to Hines Ward in Super Bowl XL.
The conversion question has been asked of draft prospects for a long time. It does not matter if you are a Heisman Trophy winner (Eric Crouch) or an undrafted free agent type (Woodrow Dantzler) if your measurables are not deemed NFL caliber, decisions must be made. There are three approaches college quarterbacks tend to take when asked to convert positions in the NFL Draft:
(Quarterback Only) – “I am a quarterback and that is the only position that I have ever played and I am not converting”. These individuals want to show the NFL evaluators that they are wrong about their abilities. Each quarterback in this category has their own reasons why they believe they can play quarterback in the NFL and scouts will not change their mind. Sometimes this mentality works to a quarterback’s advantage (Rich Gannon – Developed into a MVP QB) or backfires (Major Harris – Drafted in 11th Round in 1989 and went to CFL for a short stint). This quarterback typically will go late in the draft (5th Rd or later) or go undrafted. If they are undrafted a long road awaits proving themselves in an NFL training camp, NFL Europe or in another league (CFL or AFL).
(Give me a chance) – “Give me a chance to try quarterback first and if it doesn’t workout then I will try to help the team in other ways”. This is the route that I believe coaches love, because they see that the player wants to compete, but has the “Team First” attitude if quarterback does not work out. Brad Smith was my #1 dual threat quarterback from the 2006 NFL Draft with over 3,000 yards rushing and passing in his career at Missouri. Selected by the New York Jets in the 4th round, head coach Eric Mangini dreamed up a variety of ways to use Smith including quarterback. In preseason Smith led the third stringers as quarterback, but he also took turns on special teams and as a backup WR. He became the ultimate “wildcard” for the Jets during the 2006 season showing up on trick plays, kickoffs, and WR where he showed good hands and a penchant for blocking. Currently listed as the Jets 3rd string quarterback, Smith will continue to help his team where asked, but still will receive the opportunity to try quarterback
(I know my “Role” and it is not at QB) – Quarterbacks who know immediately that they will not be a NFL quarterback and prepare to move to another position as soon as their college career ends or during their senior year. Usually these are quarterbacks, who are runners first and passers a distant second (Scott Frost). They may come from an option-oriented attack that did not emphasis the pass. With more pro-style offenses in college you are seeing less of these “3rd Running Back” type quarterbacks. In Frost’s case he was a rare 1,000-yard passing and rushing quarterback in the same season. He however completed only about 40% of his passes and was more effective as a bruising runner than as a passer. By the scouting combine, Frost swallowed his pride as a National Champion quarterback and worked out exclusively at defensive back and running back. He showed at the combine that he understood his role and his athleticism was right with the rest of the competitors at those positions. When the Jets drafted him late in draft, he and the team knew he would be a solid defensive back due to his physical nature, positive mental outlook, and speed/agility that he showed at the combine.
This year’s draft class features some players who played quarterback at one time in college and may need to think about playing another position to make it in the NFL. They include Reggie Ball (Georgia Tech), Paul Thompson (Oklahoma), Syvelle Newton (South Carolina), CJ Gaddis (Clemson), Isiah Stanback (Washington), Chansi Stuckey (Clemson), Omarr Conner (Mississippi State), and my number 1 conversion candidate Legedu Naanee (Boise State). Naanee (6’2, 225) was a little used backup quarterback at Boise State, who knew he wanted to go to the next level. He volunteered in 2006 to be the blocking WR and “Ace” on special teams for the Fiesta Bowl champs. With his strong showing at the combine (40 inch vertical and 4.41 in the forty) and his “can do attitude” I am sure there will be a place in the NFL for him.
Historical Note: Many former outstanding African American college quarterbacks were not given an opportunity to play the quarterback position in the NFL. Unfortunately there was a time when black quarterbacks were automatically converted to another position based solely on stereotypes regarding the leadership and intelligence capabilities of black quarterbacks (Definitely read the book “3rd and Mile” for more). I hope that in today’s NFL this is a “non-issue” and that a quarterback is asked to convert based only on their ability. Michael Vick is a prime example he could easily play wide receiver or defensive back with his speed, however he is now given the opportunity to develop at quarterback position. He and others like Donovan McNabb and Vince Young have proven that their abilities equate to wins on the field.
