irvin88
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1998 SI article:
The panelists raised doubts about Leaf's mental preparedness and mechanics but still liked him as a player. However, they think Manning is the superior prospect at the most important position in the game.
"Now this is a pro quarterback," the 86-year-old Gillman says admiringly as he watches tape of Manning bluffing the Mississippi defense by looking to one side of the field and then throwing a deft screen to the other. Gillman is sitting at the controls in the second-floor screening room of his Carlsbad, Calif., home. "Is that a beautiful throw, or is that a beautiful throw? I'd draft this kid in a second."
"I don't see Favre or Elway," Walsh says. "I see those guys on the next level. But Manning seems to be more pro-ready than Leaf."
The oft-quirky Walsh was the only one of the six experts who said he wouldn't take Manning with the first choice. "I'd pick another top player," he says, "and then I'd take [Michigan quarterback] Brian Griese in the second round. I think he could have the tools to be special.":laugh2:
The panelists raised doubts about Leaf's mental preparedness and mechanics but still liked him as a player. However, they think Manning is the superior prospect at the most important position in the game.
"Now this is a pro quarterback," the 86-year-old Gillman says admiringly as he watches tape of Manning bluffing the Mississippi defense by looking to one side of the field and then throwing a deft screen to the other. Gillman is sitting at the controls in the second-floor screening room of his Carlsbad, Calif., home. "Is that a beautiful throw, or is that a beautiful throw? I'd draft this kid in a second."
"I don't see Favre or Elway," Walsh says. "I see those guys on the next level. But Manning seems to be more pro-ready than Leaf."
The oft-quirky Walsh was the only one of the six experts who said he wouldn't take Manning with the first choice. "I'd pick another top player," he says, "and then I'd take [Michigan quarterback] Brian Griese in the second round. I think he could have the tools to be special.":laugh2:
