Ryan Leaf would look very good in a Bears uniform. He could show the tight ends what they are supposed to look like.
Ryan Leaf would look very good in a Bulls uniform, being roughly as large as Dennis Rodman and considerably less illustrated.
Leaf has a chance to be the No. 1 NFL draft choice, certainly somewhere up in the first fistful. If Leaf allows it. He also may choose to continue wearing the blood red union suit of Washington State, in which, let’s face it, nobody looks good.
Without any obvious evidence as to why, Leaf has become the quarterback du moment, eclipsing in possibilities even the much more celebrated Peyton Manning, although Leaf has yet to have, as did Manning, any thoroughfares named in his honor, there being in Pullman, Wash., not that many thoroughfares to go around.
Leaf very well might be the greatest quarterback no one anyone knows ever has seen, just as Washington State’s Drew Bledsoe was and Timm Rosenbach and Mark Rypien and Jack Thompson, pros all and rumors in college.
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Still, not a bad neighborhood to be hang-ing out in, if you aren’t reluctant to ask for directions.
“Some places produce Heisman Trophy quarterbacks,” Leaf said. “Our place produces NFL quarterbacks. It’s our legacy.”
And we thought it was Brigham Young’s. Well, there is no arguing with a Heisman finalist.
Ah, yes, the Heisman. Leaf got votes, enough for third place, but way behind Manning and way, way behind Charles Woodson, the anti-quarterback from Michigan.
Leaf will get the chance to do what Manning could not, conquer Woodson, an appealing sidelight to an uncommonly significant Rose Bowl.
Oh, sure, there is the matter of a national title at stake, at least for Michigan. And this is the last condescending Rose Bowl, that is, one that ignores the rest of college football. But as an attraction, Leaf vs. Woodson has to go above the title.
Washington State has used two players to replicate Woodson during practices for the Rose Bowl, one on offense, one on defense.
“Is either one a Heisman Trophy winner?” Michigan quarterback Brian Griese asked.
“I’m not inviting Ryan to throw at Charles,” Washington State coach Mike Price said, “but knowing his competitiveness, I’m sure he will.”
“Ryan will do what Ryan will do,” Woodson agreed. “And we’ll be ready.”
Having witnessed Leaf only briefly in Rose Bowl practice, I cannot advise the Bears on whether to deal up for him, not as large a leap as may be imagined, possibly only two spots to No. 3. Manning still is going ahead of Leaf and maybe Woodson will as well.
Having seen Woodson at game speed twice, I can testify that he is a special talent, an impact player, and the Bears can use even one of those.
Woodson would work sooner. Leaf still needs some fertilizer. Quarterbacks bloom longer than cornerbacks.
The Bears could get one of them and how the Rose Bowl turns out will help determine which one. Winner moves up in the draft, loser goes to Chicago.
Pending actual confirmation of Leaf’s talent in the Rose Bowl, I can offer these eyewitness clues: his ball is jiggly, his aim is arbitrary, his feet are itinerate and his arm is adequate. In other words, the classic Bears quarterback.
On the other hand, there is Leaf’s resume, impressive and record-setting for yards, touchdowns and ultimate destination. He is the first Washington State quarterback to take his team to the Rose Bowl in 67 years,
“He’s the best quarterback in the history of Washington State,” Price said. “He holds all the record, he has taken the team further. He’s the best to ever play here.”
Would a coach lie?