 
Leaf sidearms some
passes, while Manning is more of a prototypical overhand
thrower. Manning bounces in the pocket, exactly the way
former San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh says he would teach him, and he's ready to throw in
an instant. Leaf isn't as disciplined, but any criticism of
him in this area would be nitpicking. In the tapes, Manning
threw a consistently perfect spiral, a type of pass that
will pay off in windy conditions. Leaf's ball, however,
rarely spiraled cleanly.
"Both are lucky to be going
to either a dome or a
good-weather place," former New York Giants Pro Bowler Phil Simms says. "Tight spirals will pay
off in bad weather. Believe me, I know." Simms points
out that the pro ball is slightly fatter than the college
ball, and is usually slicker because more new balls are
used in a pro game than in a college
game. "You get a better grip on the college
ball," he says. "Both will have to get used to
that."
Photographs by V.J. Lovero (left), Damian Strohmeyer
MOBILITY | DROP | PRESENCE | DELIVERY | ROUTES | INTO COVERAGE
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