Modern-day quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders prefer to keep it a mystery.
The Colorado product helped resurrect two collegiate programs, first at Jackson State and the last two years doing a Lazarus project with the left-for-dead Buffaloes, but didn’t throw a pass, measure his throwing velocity or put his pocket footwork on display at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last week.
Instead, he came and flashed at the podium.
Sanders showed his opinions and silver tongue are fitting for a cable sports network morning show.
Or, if this football thing doesn’t work out, perhaps as a slick-talking heel on WWE Monday Night Raw.
He took a few measurements—he’s a little shorter and lighter than advertised, but nothing in his measurables will wave a red flag. Height: 6-foot-1 ¼, Weight: 212, Hand: 9 ⅜, Arm: 31 1/2, and Wingspan: 76 3/4.
That’s what the combine has become for the top players and quarterbacks—a closed-door interview and a snappy soundbite. It’s awful. I hate it, but it’s absolutely the right thing for the best of the best to do.
While it would be awesome to see Sanders zipping passes to receivers he doesn’t know, playing catch in shorts and a T-shirt with players he didn’t have an entire season to build rapport with and get to hone in on their timing coming in and out of routes is just too big of a risk.
What if a couple of those receivers drop a pass? Hit the top of the post route at 13 yards instead of 15?
Does that take some of the luster off the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner’s draft stock?
In Sanders’ mind—and in the minds of many top-flight players over the last several years—it sure would. The risk outweighs the reward. Like Sanders said, he’s already done it on the field. Look at the tape, look at my smile and listen to the words I say as the future savior of your franchise.
“We went from Jackson State to Colorado and changed two programs back to back, so you don't think I can come to an NFL franchise and change a program again?” Sanders said. “It's history. We done it again. It's always going to repeat itself.
“That's the plan. If that's not what you're trying to do, don't get me. If you ain't trying to change the franchise or the culture, don't get me. So, you should know history repeats itself over and over and over, and I've done it over and over and over, so it should be no question why a franchise should pick me.”
Let’s take a look at what Sanders did in Colorado. This fall, he threw for 4,134 yards and completed 74% of his passes. He tossed 37 touchdowns with 10 picks, good for a 168.2 rating.
Gaudy, video game stats he built tossing passes to Heisman Trophy winner and future high draft pick Travis Hunter. With speedster Jimmy Horn Jr., LaJohntay Wester and Will Sheppard, Sanders lined up a track team to attack opponents' defensive backs.
Sure would have been nice to see what he does with some “normal receivers” in Indianapolis. It also would have been worthwhile to see some footwork drills and maybe a 40-yard dash time.
Sanders was sacked 42 times last season. In a 38-31 overtime win against Baylor, he went down eight times. It was a thrill ride with Sanders as he evaded defenders, twisted, turned and ran around the pocket before launching a pass downfield.
If he didn’t get dragged down, he’d often take a lick just as he released a pass. Can that pocket presence last in the NFL? Does he have Lamar Jackson’s strength, speed and slickness?
We didn’t get any hints at the NFL Combine. Guess we’ll find out next season on the field.
