Gunzlingr
04-29-2003, 08:16 AM
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Iowa quarterback Brad Banks will get a chance in pro football after all. And his old coach says not getting drafted may not be all that bad.
Banks, who wasn't selected during the NFL draft over the weekend, signed with the Washington Redskins as a free agent on Sunday.
Coach Kirk Ferentz said Banks' decision to sign with the Redskins may give the AP national player of the year more opportunities than if he'd been selected in the late rounds.
The favorite to start for Washington is Patrick Ramsey, but Ferentz said backup jobs have yet to be determined.
"Sometimes it's better not to get drafted, where you have the matter of choice and pick your spot a little bit," Ferentz said.
Banks was runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting to Southern Cal quarterback Carson Palmer, the first pick in the draft.
MORE (http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/articles/20030428/471083.html)
Banks, who wasn't selected during the NFL draft over the weekend, signed with the Washington Redskins as a free agent on Sunday.
Coach Kirk Ferentz said Banks' decision to sign with the Redskins may give the AP national player of the year more opportunities than if he'd been selected in the late rounds.
The favorite to start for Washington is Patrick Ramsey, but Ferentz said backup jobs have yet to be determined.
"Sometimes it's better not to get drafted, where you have the matter of choice and pick your spot a little bit," Ferentz said.
Banks was runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting to Southern Cal quarterback Carson Palmer, the first pick in the draft.
MORE (http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/articles/20030428/471083.html)