A look back at why Case Keenum went undrafted

[joseephuss]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...a-look-back-at-why-case-keenum-went-undrafted


A look back at why Case Keenum went undrafted
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
October 18, 2013 12:08 am ET

Sunday won't merely be Case Keenum's first start of his NFL career, it also will be the first game of his pro career. After going undrafted in 2012 and spending all of last season on the Houston Texans practice squad, Keenum is getting a chance with Matt Schaub out injured.

An Abilene, Texas, native, Keenum left the University of Houston as the NCAA's all-time leader in passing yardage (19,217) touchdowns (155). But due to his lack of ideal physical tools, Keenum didn't hear his name called in the NFL Draft and has yet to be active for a NFL game.

That will change on Sunday as Keenum's first NFL start comes against the Kansas City Chiefs in one of the more hostile venues in the league for a visiting team -- Arrowhead Stadium.

Why did Keenum go undrafted? Below average size (6-1, 208), average-at-best arm strength and limited mobility to do much with his legs. His ball appears to flutter, especially when he doesn't have a chance to wind up and step into his throws. Keenum holds several NCAA passing records, but those numbers came in an offense that inflated his statistics and allowed him to take advantage of a quick passing attack where he didn't need to make extensive pocket reads. He wasn't asked to consistently make NFL throws as the Cougars quarterback and at the end of the day, his lack of ideal physical tools were enough for teams to pass.

 

[joseephuss]

Keenum will become the 10th QB to start a game this season who went to high school in Texas. None played college ball for the University of Texas.

Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
Andy Dalton, TCU
Andrew Luck, Stanford
Matt Flynn, LSU
Nick Foles, Arizona
Drew Brees, Purdue
Robert Griffin III, Baylor
Matthew Stafford, Georgia
Christian Ponder, FSU

 

[coogrfan]

Hmm.

"Below avg size"? True.
"Average at best arm strength"? Probably.
"Limited mobility"? Imo, dude is completely off base on this one. Case ain't Wilson or Kaepernick, but one thing he provides that the Texans' other qb's do not is the ability to extend plays with his feet.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

The Texans were a preseason SB pick. Now they're in full out panic mode.

 

[DFWJC]

The Texans were a preseason SB pick. Now they're in full out panic mode.

As obnoxious as they were in the offseason, can't say it upsets me too much.

 

[coogrfan]

The Texans were a preseason SB pick. Now they're in full out panic mode.

You do realize that Keenum is getting the start because Schaub is out with an ankle injury, right?

 

[BoysFan4ever]

You do realize that Keenum is getting the start because Schaub is out with an ankle injury, right?

Yes I realize that & you must know they have lost what 4 games in a row right?

I think most "experts" considered that team a legit SB contender.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

As obnoxious as they were in the offseason, can't say it upsets me too much.

Me either. I love JJ Watt but I think they lose tomorrow. And that's ok with me.

 

[coogrfan]

Yes I realize that & you must know they have lost what 4 games in a row right?

I think most "experts" considered that team a legit SB contender.

Yes, and they've looked awful doing it. Getting blown out by the Rams last week might have been the low point in the Texans history. If they are in "panic mode", can you really blame them?

 

[coogrfan]

Interestingly enough, the op left out the second half of that article:

So why should Texans' fans be encouraged with Keenum at the helm of the offense? He's resilient, tough and very smart -- all qualities that cannot be measured by a scale or 40 time. Keenum makes quick decisions with astute pre-snap reads to have a clear understanding of what the defense is doing and where to distribute the football. He has a natural feel for the field and pocket with good passing vision despite his stature that is a shade under 6-foot-1. A mature, determined individual, Keenum is the son of a coach and has battled through multiple injuries, including an ACL tear in 2010 that ended his season.

If you compare Keenum to other quarterbacks in the NFL, he won't match-up because his physical tools just aren't up-to-par. But his resolve and heart are why he's still collecting a NFL paycheck and why he will start and play in his first professional game on Sunday.

Are the intangibles enough for him to overcome his shortcomings and find success at the pro level? The deck is stacked against him, but few thought he would ever start a game in the NFL so why not?

 

[BoysFan4ever]

Yes, and they've looked awful doing it. Getting blown out by the Rams last week might have been the low point in the Texans history. If they are in "panic mode", can you really blame them?

Nope. I expect heads will roll if they don't make the playoffs. And I think they won't.

 

[joseephuss]

You do realize that Keenum is getting the start because Schaub is out with an ankle injury, right?

What about Yates? Why are they skipping right past their 2nd string QB and going to the 3rd guy? I find that part peculiar.

Interestingly enough, the op left out the second half of that article:

There is nothing interesting about it. I don't post full articles. I don't think anyone does. I provided the link to the full story, so it isn't as if I was trying to hide something. I thought the entire article was interesting and shared it with everyone.

 

[coogrfan]

What about Yates? Why are they skipping right past their 2nd string QB and going to the 3rd guy? I find that part peculiar.

They've already seen Yates on multiple occasions. The guy is, at best, a less capable version of Matt Schaub. Kubiak sees Keenum as the QB equivilent of a change of pace rb. He's hoping a different style of QB will spark the offense.

There is nothing interesting about it. I don't post full articles. I don't think anyone does. I provided the link to the full story, so it isn't as if I was trying to hide something. I thought the entire article was interesting and shared it with everyone.

So the fact that your post contained only the negatives while omitting any positives was mere coincidence? All right then.

 

[joseephuss]

They've already seen Yates on multiple occasions. The guy is, at best, a less capable version of Matt Schaub. Kubiak sees Keenum as the QB equivilent of a change of pace rb. He's hoping a different style of QB will spark the offense.



So the fact that your post contained only the negatives while omitting any positives was mere coincidence? All right then.

It isn't even a coincidence. I posted a good article. Forum rules prohibit posting full articles. That is why I included the link to the entire article, which I found very interesting. You are just trying to find conspiracy in something that isn't there. For the record, I like both Keenum. Rooting for the kid. I also like Yates. In fact I only came across this article while searching for any statements as to why Houston went with Keenum instead of Yates. I thought it was one of the better articles I came across. It provided much more info than the other ones I read.