Where will Leaf fall?
QB says Indianapolis, San Diego both suitable homes
Posted: Wed April 15, 1998 at 12:22 PM ET
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Leaf now spends his time preparing for the rigors of life in the NFL
(CNN/SI)
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PULLMAN, Washington (CNN/SI) -- Ryan Leaf's days of throwing footballs for the Washington State Cougars are over. So are the private workouts for NFL scouts.
Now, Leaf's time is spent in the gym getting ready physically and mentally for the challenges that lies ahead in the NFL and whether his new address will read Indianapolis or San Diego.
"I want that stability," said Leaf, the 1997 Pac-10 offensive player of the year. "It's a stability that kind of will like level everything out and kind of give you a good impression of what's going to go on. You know you'll know who you're playing for. You know what you need to do. I'm excited for it."
Leaf and Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning are undoubtedly the class of this year's draft. In fact, San Diego gave up two first-round picks, a second-rounder and two players to move up one spot in the draft and guarantee they'll get whichever quarterback Indianapolis does not select.
"We felt we had to do it," said San Diego Chargers head coach Kevin Gilbride. "We could only feel that way if we felt either quarterback could come in and be that type of quarterback that would make us playoff competitive for the foreseeable future."
At 6-foot-5, Leaf has the size NFL teams are looking for.
His arm strength is considered better than Manning's and he threw a Pac-10 record 33 touchdowns last season while playing in the same sophisticated Washington State offense that primed Drew Bledsoe for NFL success.
"He gets rid of the ball quickly and he just kind of flicks it," said Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Mora. "I mean it's not like its effortless motion. When he throws the ball it's just BOOM it goes through the air at a pretty good pace -- that impresses me."
Manning is considered to be the more mature quarterback thanks in part to the influence of his dad, 14-year NFL quarterback Archie Manning. Leaf credits his upbringing with giving him the passion to play the game.
"My father wasn't a hall of fame quarterback," said Leaf. "He's an insurance man from Great Falls, Montana. He's just been supporting me my whole life. They just said, 'Ryan play football, play football. [If] you want to play basketball, play basketball. Just have fun, enjoy it.'"
Leigh Steinberg, Leaf's agent, said his client possess all of the qualities to be a number one quarterback and step in to contribute immediately.
"With Ryan, you've got someone that has tremendous leadership qualities, whose teammates love him, who's unselfish in terms of spreading the praise around. He's as ready to go as any young quarterback can be, meaning that there's still going to be a learning curve."
Regardless of who selects him, Leaf is ready to play and ready to have fun.
"Competitive wise, the way I am, I want to play right away, but you know if I'm put in a situation where I can sit and learn from a veteran quarterback for a year or two, I welcome that as well. I think whoever gets me next is going to have fun."
Either Indianapolis and San Diego will bank their future on that.
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