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(6-3 1/8 223, 4.9e) Michigan State
Notes: Started 3 games in 2000 and completed 103-of-197 passes for 1,365 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions. As the ful-time starter in '01, he was 166-262-2,579-21-9. Started the first seven games games in '02 before admitting to substance-abuse issues and missing the last five games. In seven games, he tossed 114-203-1,593-13-10. Returned to the team in sping '03 and regained the starting job by fall. Started 13 games and completed 302-488-3,395-21-14, completing 61.9 percent of his passes. Named secend-team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and the media.
Positives: Resilient and tough. Re-established himself as the starting quarterback. Adequate setup and foot quickness. Quick release. Good short-to-intermediate accuracy. Good snap and velocity. Better in '03 at going through progressions. Improved his pocket awareness but still lacks good feel for pressure and when to step up.
Negatives: Lacks poise and struggles with pressure in his face. Locks onto primary target. Shows some pocket awareness but lacks foot quickness to avoid the rush. Arm thrower who must learn to drive the ball using his legs. Deep balls float. Lacks accuracy on the move and is not a scrambler to create a play. Past issues with substance abuse are a concern. His accuracy was off at the Hula Bowl, and he struggled to drive the ball downfield at the Combine.
Summary: Tools to be a solid No. 2. Made tremendous strides in 2003 and has improved his draft status. Based on talent, he's a mid-to late-round pick, but character concerns has wiped him off many team's draft boards.
Jeff Smoker
Notes: Started 3 games in 2000 and completed 103-of-197 passes for 1,365 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions. As the ful-time starter in '01, he was 166-262-2,579-21-9. Started the first seven games games in '02 before admitting to substance-abuse issues and missing the last five games. In seven games, he tossed 114-203-1,593-13-10. Returned to the team in sping '03 and regained the starting job by fall. Started 13 games and completed 302-488-3,395-21-14, completing 61.9 percent of his passes. Named secend-team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and the media.
Positives: Resilient and tough. Re-established himself as the starting quarterback. Adequate setup and foot quickness. Quick release. Good short-to-intermediate accuracy. Good snap and velocity. Better in '03 at going through progressions. Improved his pocket awareness but still lacks good feel for pressure and when to step up.
Negatives: Lacks poise and struggles with pressure in his face. Locks onto primary target. Shows some pocket awareness but lacks foot quickness to avoid the rush. Arm thrower who must learn to drive the ball using his legs. Deep balls float. Lacks accuracy on the move and is not a scrambler to create a play. Past issues with substance abuse are a concern. His accuracy was off at the Hula Bowl, and he struggled to drive the ball downfield at the Combine.
Summary: Tools to be a solid No. 2. Made tremendous strides in 2003 and has improved his draft status. Based on talent, he's a mid-to late-round pick, but character concerns has wiped him off many team's draft boards.
Jeff Smoker
J/K
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