Turning some heads
Posted: Monday March 08, 1999 05:26 PM
Click here if you
have a question for Donovan McNabb. He'll answer a question or two in each
week's diary entry.
We brought in all the pro scouts to Syracuse last week for personal
workouts, and I was happy with the way things turned out. I had about two
hours of workouts and drills, with more individual interaction than what we
had time for in Indianapolis.
The scouts weren't there just to see me -- there were other Syracuse
seniors working out, like wide receiver Kevin Johnson and fullback Rob
Konrad. I thought they did really well. To see those two perform well was
something I expected, but it might have turned some scouts' heads. It
really brought a smile to my face, to think how hard we've all worked. It
was great to have receivers like Kevin and Darryl Daniel working out with
me -- I felt very comfortable throwing the ball with them. I feel like I
did well in the 40 and the vertical leap -- my best time was a 4.45 in the
40, and my best jump was 35 inches.
I had a lot of contact with Cleveland and Philadelphia, who have the first
two picks in the draft. The Eagles' offensive coordinator, Rod Dowhower,
and their quarterbacks coach, Brad Childress, basically ran the workouts
and directed things -- it's a good sign, hopefully, for them to have that
kind of interest in me. I knew Coach Childress from when he was at
Wisconsin and we played against them, so I had a chance to talk with him a
little. Next week, I get to meet with Cincinnati.
It's been such a privilege to see these teams showing an interest in me.
I've gotten to know some of the coaches on a personal level -- going out to
dinner, getting to know them better. I've been really relaxed and
comfortable talking with them -- I've had a lot of fun with that aspect of
the draft process.
There's been some speculation that quarterbacks could go 1-2-3 in the
draft, which hasn't been done since 1971. If we could do that, there would
definitely be some pressure on us to perform well, but I love pressure. I
drive off of pressure -- I use it as added motivation. Draft
Mailbag
I was wondering if you would rather go to a team as the immediate
starter, or would you like to take a half year or a whole year to get
acclimated to the NFL before you began to play? -- Luke Driscoll, Fort
Collins, Colorado
With any organization I'm selected by, I'll visualize myself as the starter
-- I'll practice like I'm the starter, I'll sit in meetings like I'm the
starter and just try to make something happen. I'd love to be the starter
from the very beginning -- I think any quarterback wants that, because
that's how you gain experience. You're going to make mistakes, yes, but
what's important is how you deal with it.
People talk about Ryan
Leaf's situation in San Diego, but I think it all depends on the
individual. I don't know if he didn't study the playbook or what, but for
him to put himself in a situation where he's yelling at a reporter --
that's something you can't do. If you're not relaxed and ready to learn,
you're going to have nothing but downfall.
If you could be drafted by a bad team where you knew you had an
excellent chance of starting, or if you could be drafted by a better team
with a entrenched quarterback where you may have to sit on the bench for a
couple of years, which would you prefer? -- Evan Rosenthal, Olney, Maryland
I don't think there are any bad teams in the NFL. There are teams that have
been struggling recently, but teams like Philadelphia or Washington or
Cincinnati have all had great teams that have been to the Super Bowl
before. Teams might be in a drought now, but they might just need a
playmaker or two to turn the tide. I've always dreamed of playing in the
NFL, so all I want is a chance to compete.
Donovan McNabb is expected to be a high first-round draft pick in the
1999 NFL Draft in April. Check back each Monday for another draft diary
from him at CNNSI.com.
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