How many early NFL entrants have signed an agent?

[uihawk82]

Didn't think Long's arm was NFL material. Vlasic's was. Always thought Vlasic was better, but what a problem to have as a coach.

Long would have been much better off of course not going to Detroit, which was not a good team, but also to a more up and coming West Coast offense type of team which needed accurate, quick release QBs. West Coast didnt focus as much on throwing the bomb or the continual long out patterns that Long may not have had the zip for.

Instead a lot of medium throws to TEs and running backs and fullbacks, and then the quick slants and curls like the 49ers and other West Coast offenses

 

[Northside Hawk]

Didn't think Long's arm was NFL material. Vlasic's was. Always thought Vlasic was better, but what a problem to have as a coach.

Long had an adequate NFL arm, but not as strong as Vlasic's, as we have discussed before. Long did not have NFL mechanics and needed a coach who knew how to teach them, like Mike and Kyle Shanahan or Mike Holmgren or Andy Reid. Long kind have had a three quarters motion and threw across his body, which slowed his release. He tended to get passes batted down at the NFL level. Not overly mobile, he also needed a strong O-Line. He drew the short end of the straw when he was drafted by the Lions.

 

[HawkGold]

Long had an adequate NFL arm, but not as strong as Vlasic's, as we have discussed before. Long did not have NFL mechanics and needed a coach who knew how to teach them, like Mike and Kyle Shanahan or Mike Holmgren or Andy Reid. Long kind have had a three quarters motion and threw across his body, which slowed his release. He tended to get passes batted down at the NFL level. Not overly mobile, he also needed a strong O-Line. He drew the short end of the straw when he was drafted by the Lions.

Fry also taught a drop back that was fairly old school and not commonly used. Long kept his shoulders straight with the line of scrimmage. Fry thought that gave a better field of vision.

Long did not readily pass over the middle, which in the NFL would be sorely missing. We disagree on arm strength though. When a QB throws across their body, it is to get mover leverage. It does give some deception. Therefore the lack of arm strength was masked somewhat. He just did not have a strong NFL arm. The QBs coming out of Illinois and Purdue were much better passers. It was a great time. Never understood why Long got into the first Rose Bowl. Apparently that didn't matter on eligibility.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Fry also taught a drop back that was fairly old school and not commonly used. Long kept his shoulders straight with the line of scrimmage. Fry thought that gave a better field of vision.

Long did not readily pass over the middle, which in the NFL would be sorely missing. We disagree on arm strength though. When a QB throws across their body, it is to get mover leverage. It does give some deception. Therefore the lack of arm strength was masked somewhat. He just did not have a strong NFL arm. The QBs coming out of Illinois and Purdue were much better passers. It was a great time. Never understood why Long got into the first Rose Bowl. Apparently that didn't matter on eligibility.

It was actually a "retroactive" ruling that allowed him the fifth year. In a sense, the "4-games-whenever" redshirt rule we have now would be similar.