Maximum Exposure

San Diego Charger coach Dan Henning arrives to put Elkins through a workout. He introduces Elkins to a new drill. Henning has him stand behind the back of the end zone and throw the ball over the goalpost crossbar to a receiver on the five-yard line. This is supposed to simulate the trajectory required to throw a ball over the head and arms of a defender. "You can't think of the bar," says Elkins. "You just throw it."

On Tuesday, March 28, Tampa Bay Buccaneer coach Ray Perkins drops by. "We go outside," says Elkins, "and he picks up a handful of rocks from a drainage ditch. He says that he noticed I've been inconsistent, and suggests that by throwing rocks, I could get my form back. Pretty weird."

Cincinnati coach Sam Wyche offers a helpful hint on Wednesday. "He told me to visualize myself releasing the ball high and way out in front of my body," says Elkins. By the time Joe Pendry, Kansas City's offensive coordinator, comes to town the next day, Elkins is throwing effortlessly. "I'm killing it," he says. "I have a lot of velocity, and I'm right on the money."

Later in his apartment, Elkins admits that until today, he hasn't been motivated to play football. He points to the Appalachian State fallout. "I thought about getting professional help," he says.

On April 4, Rod Dowhower, the Falcon offensive coordinator, helps Elkins with his footwork. He is impressed with Elkins's improvement since Indianapolis and writes a favorable report. "I have a feeling Mike may emerge as a pretty good NFL player," writes Dowhower. He predicts Elkins will go in the third or fourth round.

Wednesday, April 12
Richard Woods of Mobile wins the agent lottery. "Out of the hundreds of phone calls," says Elkins, "his was the first Southern accent. He made me feel comfortable. He's quiet and understated. He reflects my personality. I feel so good right now. I was driving in my car today, thinking, Man, I have an agent. As a kid, that was something movie stars and athletes had—famous people. How far have I come?"

Friday, April 14

Elkins sends thank-you notes to those who have worked him out, an unusual courtesy by a draft prospect, and forwards a seven-minute highlight video to 11 teams that have shown interest. The tapes cost $300 to make and mail.

He grows increasingly introspective, and he wonders why more teams haven't worked him out. "The NFL has forgotten about me," Elkins says. "Indy was a big weekend. If I had shown my ability, they wouldn't have questions about me. But I'd never been through it. I had no idea of the magnitude of the whirlwind that would happen to me. I'm worried I won't graduate. I have to make some moves on some teachers.

"For months I've had no control over my own destiny. I can't give Kay a commitment. I'm just part of manipulative games teams play with each other. I have a good feeling about the Giants, Colts, Vikings, Chiefs, Steelers and Chargers. My gut feeling all along has been that I'm a third-round pick."