Pro Football Weekly and Riddell present ...
2002 NFL draft
Spurrier special
New coach gives Redskins wild flavor
By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor of special projects
April 20, 2002
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| Did you expect anything less from Steve Spurrier, a former
Heisman-winning quarterback, than spending his first draft pick on a quarterback? The
eccentric, offensive-minded coach is the antithesis to former Redskins head coach Marty
Schottenheimer, who believes in the old-school, outwork, outpractice, run-the-ball system
that the Redskins employed last season.
Spurrier drafted Tulane QB Patrick Ramsey with hopes of sparking his offense. Spurrier
said Ramsey was impressive at the Combine and individual workouts, is tough and courageous
and will compete for the starting job.
Don’t be surprised if he wins it, with no quarterback on the Redskins roster with
much NFL experience. QB Sage Rosenfels was an unheralded fourth-round pick last year who
spent his rookie season carrying a clipboard. Danny Wuerrfel has limited arm strength, as
does former Gators and Chicago QB Shane Matthews, who the Redskins are still interested in
acquiring.
Ramsey may be the most talented of the bunch, works hard and learns quickly. The knock
on Ramsey after the season was that he lacked mobility, so he lost weight — 13 pounds
— after the season and increased his speed. If he can pick up Spurrier’s system
quickly, he may have the best chance to start of the three quarterbacks drafted in the
first round because of the lack of depth at the position in Washington.
Ramsey put up huge numbers at Tulane after taking over for the graduated Shaun King,
throwing for more than 6,000 yards and 71 touchdowns in three seasons. While he
didn’t play in a big-time program in college, he will receive a lot of attention
playing under Spurrier. One thing is for certain, the Redskins will not finish at the
bottom of the league in offensive efficiency this year. |
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