Quarterbacks may cash in on delayed move to NFL

Quarterbacks may cash in on delayed move to NFL
January 17
Tennessean columnist Joe Biddle
"Oklahoma's Heisman winner Sam Bradford is returning for a junior season.

Florida's Heisman winner Tim Tebow is back for his senior season.

On the other hand, Southern Cal quarterback Mark Sanchez is coming out early to enter the NFL draft.

Should they stay, or should they go?

It's a difficult decision these days. Agents and their runners are filling college players' heads with visions of grandeur. Piles of instant money await, just sign the dotted line.

I thought Bradford would come out. He is a prototypical NFL quarterback, despite the fact he played out of a shotgun formation much of the time at Oklahoma. But his accuracy is as sharp as anyone I have seen on the college level in a long time.

Some of that is because Bradford plays behind an offensive line that makes the Great Wall of China look like a rock pile.

Bradford would have been no less than the second quarterback picked in the upcoming draft. The only other quarterback that projects ahead of him is Georgia's Matthew Stafford. It is a draft void of quarterbacks who can plug right into an NFL lineup as a rookie.

Sanchez was smart to wait until the final day to make his decision. With Bradford staying, Sanchez would have been crazy to return, despite the selfish bleatings of Trojans Coach Pete Carroll.

Sanchez started only one season at USC, but he has a pro arm, is smart and now should slip into the first round on draft day.

Carroll thought Sanchez needed another year under his belt. It seems to me former USC quarterback Matt Cassel is doing just fine as New England's starter and Cassel completed only 20 passes while playing behind Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC. Leinart is a backup to Kurt Warner in Arizona and Warner had to play in the Arena Football League and work in a grocery store before he ever got an opportunity in the NFL.

Leinart's years at Southern Cal and his Heisman Trophy have yet to pay dividends.

As for Tebow, he made Gator Nation's day when he announced he would return to lead the flock one more year.

Unlike Bradford and Sanchez, Tebow doesn't project as a dead-lock cinch to have anywhere near the success in the NFL as he has enjoyed at Florida.

Tebow is a college quarterback, playing in the perfect system that allows him to pass and run. NFL purists turn their noses up at Tebow. They already pick apart his throwing motion, his footwork in the pocket, his arm strength."
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