I think you are mistaken.
Texas Tech's Graham Harrell headed to Cleveland
10:35 AM Mon, Apr 27, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
There's a report on the Internet that Texas Tech's Graham Harrell signed with the Cowboys, but that isn't correct. Harrell will participate in the Browns' rookie minicamp, according to his agent, Chad Speck.
Speck said he had some contact with the Cowboys, but an offer didn't come from Valley Ranch.
The Cowboys selected their developmental quarterback when they took Texas A&M's Stephen McGee with the first pick of the fourth round. McGee readily acknowledges that his college career was extremely disappointing. Harrell, on the other hand, won a ton of games and set a bunch of records at Texas Tech.
McGee spent most of his senior season as a backup, but his stock soared after an impressive showing at the scouting combine. Ennis' Harrell spent his senior season as a Heisman Trophy contender, but his stock dipped after a rough showing in the Senior Bowl, seemingly cementing the dreaded "system quarterback" knock on him. Chase Daniel, the Southlake Carroll product who had a spectacular career at Missouri, is a short "system quarterback" who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Commanders.
When I chatted with Tech coach Mike Leach late in the draft, he laughed when I asked for his thoughts about Harrell still being available. Leach, who reiterated his stance that Harrell was the best quarterback in the draft, said he was no more surprised than when Tom Brady slipped to the sixth round.
"The truth of the matter is that the NFL drafts quarterbacks notoriously bad," said Leach, pointing to all the late-round and undrafted quarterbacks that have become elite players. "That's indisputable. ...
"I don't have an answer for why they don't have a skill for drafting a quarterback. Well, I think the priorities are out of order. Accurate and makes good decisions needs to be a priority, not something they need to teach him, because they don't do that very well.
"Arm strength is so overrated. I've got defensive ends with great arm strength, but they aren't accurate. Hey, maybe Brandon Williams can help them at quarterback. He's got a really strong arm."