Flaws cause pause



Even in the ultra-competitive world of the NFL, winning isn't everything.

Chris Leak won three high school state titles, a national championship at Florida and has more college victories than any other quarterback entering next week's NFL Draft. Yet the Gators' record-setting quarterback is likely to be ignored until the latter stages of the two-day draft.

In fact, despite all those victories, history is working against Chris Leak .

Since the inception of the Bowl Championship Series system in 1998, just four of the eight quarterbacks who led their teams to a national championship remain in the league today. Of the 16 starting quarterbacks in those games, four never played a down in the NFL, and six weren't selected until the second day of the draft. Chris Leak likely awaits a similar fate, despite his 35 victories in 47 career starts.

"The best way to describe me, I think, is battle-tested," Chris Leak said at the NFL Combine. "I mean, I played in the toughest conference in the SEC. My track record of having a great record at Florida and being a great passer, I think that speaks for itself."

The question is, how many NFL teams are listening?

Chris Leak ranks first in UF history in pass attempts (1,458), completions (895) and yardage (11,213). His 88 touchdown passes rank second on the school's all-time list to Danny Wuerffel's 114.

Like Wuerffel, a 1997 fourth-round pick who flamed out after an unspectacular NFL career, Chris Leak has been categorized by draft publications as merely a system quarterback destined to struggle in the pro game.

"No matter what you say about him, you've got to take a lot of consideration in his winning record," said an AFC player personnel executive, who requested anonymity because of the secretive nature of NFL drafting.

Last season, a talented freshman came in [Tim Tebow], and everyone wanted him to play, but Chris kept his poise through that situation. Then he played well down the stretch. He's been a winner his whole career, from high school through college."

Yet Chris Leak is projected to be a late-round selection for several reasons. At 5-foot-117/8, Chris Leak falls an eighth of an inch short of 6-feet. That's too short by NFL standards. Some scouts said he possesses questionable arm strength, a tendency to throw into coverage and a slow throwing motion. San Diego Chargers coach Norv Turner tutored Chris Leak at the Senior Bowl and eased his concerns about height, saying that Chris Leak had the ability to play at the next level.

But there are other concerns. He reportedly scored extremely low at the NFL Combine on the Wonderlic test (results are supposed to be kept confidential), which is an exam used to determine a player's intelligence. Keep in mind, Chris Leak was listed on the SEC academic honor roll in each of his semesters at Florida.

Chris Leak 's toughness and decision-making have been questioned, too.

"People are looking at his body and arm strength," the AFC executive said. "He's more of an anticipation passer and doesn't drill the ball. I think he can overcome his physical limitations. Because what you're getting is a guy that was outstanding in high school and if you look at his history, he's been very productive. He's capable of playing in this league."

Chris Leak 's peers seem to think so, too. Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith has also received harsh criticism in draft publications, despite leading the Buckeyes to the national title game.

"The people who make opinions don't have a team that is choosing players," Troy Smith said. "Chris Leak is going to be a leader at the next level. He deserved everything he got [during the] season."

Chris Leak said he's neither discouraged nor motivated by the negative scouting reports, some of which said he won't be drafted at all. In fact, he hasn't expressed the slightest hint of trepidation about his NFL future.

"I really haven't paid too much attention to the ratings because everybody's opinion is going to change," Chris Leak said. "I've always been the type of guy who motivates himself and keeps himself hungry. I'm just trying to do my best; that's all I can do."

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