| As a University of Illinois alum,
I was quite peeved several years ago to learn of prized QB recruit Chris Redman’s
desire to back out of his commitment to the school when offensive coordinator Greg Landry
was fired. I blame former Illini head coach Lou Tepper for that gaffe. Landry played a
key role in bringing Redman to Champaign, and Redman was looking forward to working with
the former NFL player and coach.
But Tepper fired Landry, seemingly because the two couldn’t see eye-to-eye on
offensive philosophy. Redman caught wind of that and asked to be allowed out of his
commitment, and Tepper kindly obliged.
It turned out to be a brilliant move for Redman, who became a star in the QB-friendly
offense of Louisville. Illinois’ offenses after Landry’s departure were anything
but QB-friendly. In fact, they were downright mean.
While the Illini were running in circles, Redman was rolling up the numbers, passing
for 7,689 yards and 58 touchdowns in his final two years at Louisville (1998 and
’99). But it’s not the numbers that have caught my eye in watching Redman
blossom into a top college quarterback.
It’s what’s inside, and his primary competition in the 2000 draft class,
Marshall QB Chad Pennington, doesn’t have it.
Redman’s nature is that of a top competitor. He’s as tough as nails, and his
work ethic is one of extreme dedication. Whereas Pennington’s character has been
questioned in the past, Redman’s hasn’t.
As PFW personnel expert Joel Buchsbaum wrote in his Nov. 21 preview of the top college
quarterbacks, "One former college coach who has evaluated both Redman and Pennington
called Redman a winner but says he would not want to go to war with Pennington. That coach
describes Pennington as a spoiled, pampered player who will fall short on the next level
unless he grows up and shows he wants to compete against the best."
But there’s more to Redman than what’s inside. He was one of the best passers
— if not the best — in the college game. According to Buchsbaum, Redman
has "above-average arm strength and excellent timing, touch and accuracy when he gets
in the groove. When he’s in a groove, he will throw the ball as accurately as
anyone."
The biggest criticism of Redman has been his mobility. His 40-yard-dash time of 5.35
seconds at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine drew winces from the personnel people in
attendance. But Redman reportedly improved that clocking at his most recent workout and
showed off his arm in the process.
The bottom line is this: What Redman lacks in mobility, he makes up in toughness.
Rather than scramble and try to force a play, Redman will stand in the pocket, with the
patience of Job, and find the open man. He may take a beating in the process, but
that’s just the kind of player he is. Give him a brick wall for an offensive line,
and he’ll be that much better.
Pennington definitely has some comparable and even better physical tools, but
Redman’s intangibles vastly exceed Pennington’s. Redman is the Brett Favre to
Pennington’s Trent Dilfer in the areas of guts and leadership.
In the end, though, that blasted 40-time, one of scouts’ most trusted measuring
sticks, will come back to stab Redman in the back. Most mock drafts, including PFW’s,
predict Pennington will be taken far ahead of Redman. But the team that drafts Redman
shouldn’t feel cheated. In fact, it may even come out ahead. |
