Now Smith, Leak have to prove themselves all over again



INDIANAPOLIS -- For quarterbacks Troy Smith and Chris Leak, standing tall at the NFL combine is proving to be a big challenge.

With the Heisman Trophy safely tucked away in Ohio and the national championship trophy encased in Florida, the two quarterbacks who shared the grand stage at last month's title game are trying to prove the so-called experts wrong again.

Some critics contend Chris Leak and Troy Smith aren't tall enough to excel at the next level, a line that's followed them seemingly everywhere they've played.

"You make it sound like being short is a disease or something," Troy Smith said during the NFL's annual scouting combine. "I got to meet Drew Brees and he's a great guy and I understand why he has the success he's had -- it's because he devotes himself to football."

The inference was that height had nothing to do with it.

Troy Smith, at 6-feet, and Chris Leak, who is slightly shorter, now must convince the picky scouts who pore over tapes, times and measurements to make the right calls on draft weekend.

Sometimes scouts get things wrong. Jerry Rice was branded too slow, Barry Sanders too short and Tom Brady was knocked for his arm strength.

Throughout their careers, Troy Smith and Chris Leak have routinely heard outsiders dismiss their smallish frames by saying they might be better-suited at a different spot or given the nondescript position of "athlete."

Somehow, they've always found a way to prove the detractors wrong.

Troy Smith, who started his college career as a slash back and kickoff returner, established himself as the Buckeyes starter during his sophomore season. All he managed to do was become the second Ohio State quarterback to beat Michigan three times and the seventh Buckeye to bring home a heisman Trophy. He threw for more than 4,700 yards and 46 touchdowns, 30 of them in 2006.

Chris Leak was even more productive. The Gators starter since midway through his freshman season, he finished his career with more than 11,000 yards passing, 88 touchdowns, and a national title.

"I think it speaks for itself," Chris Leak said. "I think it reflects my hard work, my dedication to the team and the coaches to achieve that and become a national champion."

But in a world where every quarter-inch and extra pound is evaluated, past successes are not nearly enough.

Troy Smith checked in Friday at 6-feet, while Chris Leak was a whisker shorter than that. By NFL standards that's short, perhaps too short.

Past performances, however, suggest it can be done.

Doug Flutie had a long NFL career despite standing just 5-10. Despite being only 6-feet, Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick topped 1,000 yards rushing last season and the 6-1 Rex Grossman led the Bears to the Super Bowl last season.

Still, coaches believe height can be a difference.

"It's somewhat important because you're in the pocket, you don't have to create throwing lanes," Rams coach Scott Linehan said. "Drew Brees is 6-1, our guy, Marc Bulger is 6-2 1/2 . ... It's not a determining factor, but it is an advantage."

Troy Smith and Chris Leak aren't the only ones trying to prove they're better than the measuring tape might indicate.

Linebacker Sam Olajubutu, from Arkansas, came in at 5-8, 227 pounds, and linebacker H.B. Blades of Pittsburgh was 5-10, 236.

Like the quarterbacks, both intend to prove that they can excel, too.

"I'm short, I can't control that," said Blades, whose father Bennie played with Seattle and Detroit. "What I can control is how hard I work."

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