An Armful Of Talent At Quarterback.

(From washingtonpost.com)

At the NFL scouting combine in February, Kyle Boller did something that seemed baffling for a quarterback who had foundered for most of his college career: He was the only quarterback (without the excuse of an injury) who didn't throw. Heeding advice from his agent, Boller, who starred at California, participated only in non-throwing drills and when reporters inquired about his arm, Boller claimed that he could throw a ball between the goal posts from the 50-yard line -- on one knee. Boller had wowed scouts, showing speed and agility uncommon for most quarterbacks not named Michael Vick. Suddenly, Boller became grouped with quarterback Byron Leftwich, who, during his final two seasons at Marshall, was considered a possible No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. When Leftwich met the media later that day, he was informed about Boller's boast. Leftwich was asked how far he could throw the ball from one knee. "Fifty-five," Leftwich said with a grin. Despite Leftwich's strong arm -- and lofty numbers while guiding a successful team -- he has had to keep from being eclipsed by a quarterback who completed less than 50 percent of his passes in college while only having one winning season. Boller and Leftwich head a strong class of quarterbacks in the NFL draft on Saturday and Sunday, a class that includes Rex Grossman (Florida), Carson Palmer (USC) and Chris Simms (Texas). Palmer reached a tentative agreement last night with the Cincinnati Bengals, who hold the No. 1 pick. Leftwich, 6 feet 5, 241 pounds, will likely be the second quarterback taken. But some scouts believe that Boller has moved up to being the third quarterback -- and possibly the second. "That's what we call getting a fever for a guy," said Charley Armey, the St. Louis Rams' general manager who has been involved in scouting for more than two decades. The surprising turnabout stems from Boller's recent performances -- a strong senior season and pre-draft workouts -- and uncertainty about Leftwich's twice-injured left leg. If their draft status were based on body of work, Leftwich would never be asked about trick throws. A quarterback at H.D. Woodson High in the District, Leftwich is considered the best pure passer in the draft. One scout compared him to a pitcher who can throw every pitch with control: fastball, curveball, slider, change-up. With a powerful arm, Leftwich guided the Thundering Herd to a 29-9 record in three seasons as a starter while winning two Mid-American Conference titles. Over his final two seasons, Leftwich completed 69 percent of his passes, throwing 68 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. But the number that teams seem more interested in is two -- as in the two injuries to his left tibia. He suffered a hairline fracture his junior year and had a steel rod inserted in his leg. Then, last Nov. 2, he broke the same tibia in a different spot when he was blitzed by an Akron linebacker. In one of the most memorable images of the college football season, he stayed in the game and had to be carried down the field by an offensive lineman at one point. He played four more games and passed for 11 touchdowns, but there are concerns about the leg. "I caught the chicken pox twice, too," said Leftwich nonchalantly. "It's just like hurting two different fingers, but it's a finger. Somehow you've got finger problems." To assuage clubs, James Andrews, a top orthopedic surgeon who examined Leftwich, sent letters deeming the quarterback healthy. Leftwich's pre-draft workout April 7 in Bradenton, Fla., was heavily attended. Scouts believe that Leftwich, who didn't throw at the combine in order to fully rehab, performed well enough to stay ahead of Boller. One concern about Leftwich, a quintessential pocket passer, had been his speed and mobility. Leftwich, who shed about ...