@duck: der wird evtl. von den packers gedraftet:
Rex Grossman's draft stock is rising quickly
INDIANAPOLIS -- The question came from the rear of the media pack.
How aware are you of the teams that need quarterbacks?
Rex Grossman broke into a smile that beamed with the trademark confidence that bubbled throughout his three eventful seasons at Florida.
"I know what's going on," he said.
The NFL knows what's going on with Grossman, too. He is climbing on draft boards across the league. Once projected to go anywhere from late in the first round to the middle of the second, Grossman now is considered no worse than the third-best prospect in a deep 2003 quarterback class and probably will go somewhere in the first 20 selections April 26.
"He'd be a guy you'd want in a street game," said Jim Goodman, director of college scouting for the Denver Broncos, in between sessions Friday at the NFL Combine. "He's got accuracy, he's got arm strength and a never-say-die attitude. And he never makes excuses. I like that."
Denver, which is expected to release starter Brian Griese in June, along with Cincinnati, Chicago, Arizona, Carolina, Jacksonville, Baltimore and Green Bay, are teams that will be looking for quarterbacks either through free-agency or the draft. Packers consultant Ron Wolf, one of the most respected personnel men in the game, has gone so far as to hail Grossman, at his current stage, as the closest thing he has seen to a young Brett Favre.
USC's Carson Palmer and Marshall's Byron Leftwich are expected to go before Grossman, with Texas' Chris Simms, California's Kyle Boller, Louisville's Dave Ragone, Texas Tech's Kliff Kingsbury and Miami's Ken Dorsey falling later among a position group that personnel types are rating as the best since the '99 draft, when five quarterbacks were taken in the first round.
Where Grossman could distinguish himself is during Sunday's workout inside the RCA Dome, a place where he won a state championship as a senior for Bloomington (Ind.) South, just 40 miles away.
On the advice of their agents, Palmer, Simms and Boller have told teams they will not throw during the designated quarterback session. Leftwich, who is recovering from a broken leg, won't throw, either, meaning all eyes will be on Grossman.
"I want to throw. That's my specialty. That's what I do. That's what I'm going to do in the NFL," Grossman said. "I guess you can say I'm trying to show off, though I don't mean that in a cocky way. We're here to work out. I've been concentrating on throwing so much. I want them to see what I can do."
Don't think teams aren't appreciative.
"You're thrilled that he's actually working out," Ravens Coach Brian Billick said. "A lot of guys don't."
What Billick and everybody else will see is the rifle arm and quick, compact release that allowed Grossman to throw for 9,164 yards and 77 touchdowns during his UF career. Since announcing early last month that he wouldn't return for his senior season, Grossman has spent a good chunk of time in Tampa working with former NFL quarterback Steve DeBerg.
"He's taught me a lot of good footwork technique," Grossman said. "He's also taught me how to break down a defense and watch tape and do some little things that an 18-year [NFL] veteran would be able to teach you."
What Sunday's workout won't show is the moxie, attitude and feel for the game that Grossman had at Florida -- particularly during his two seasons with Steve Spurrier on the sideline. Last season -- with a new coach (Ron Zook), a new coordinator (Ed Zaunbrucher) and a new offense (with an emphasis on the short passing game) -- Grossman struggled as the Gators went 8-5. But learning a new offense and dealing with adversity might not have been a bad thing.
"I think that made me have to be a stronger person and stronger quarterback," he said.
Grossman's mental makeup and arm strength aren't questioned. If there's any knock on him, it's his height. He measured in at 6 feet 1.
"If he was 6-2 or 6-3, everybody would be in love with him," said Spurrier, now coach of the Washington Redskins. "But he's [6-1] so nobody's sure about him."
Given his track record, it's a safe bet the surest person about Rex Grossman is Rex Grossman. In fact, he says he'd love to take his new team's first snap next September.
"If a coach asked me to play, I would not shy away," he said.
Another question came from the back of the pack.
You're pretty confident, aren't you?
Grossman smiled.
"You got to be."
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