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123456bt
Joined: 1/16/14 Posts: 14,832
Drew Bennett was once a quarterback
Posted Sun, Oct 29 10:01 pm
Does Schlee have any hands? The kid is strong and has wheels.
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JimT
Joined: 2/09/05 Posts: 972
Memory fades with my old age
Posted Mon, Oct 30 6:06 am
In response to Drew Bennett was once a quarterback (123456bt)
I know he was a receiver I the NFL but I do not recall his moving to receiver at UCLA.
reggbruin13
Joined: 1/12/14 Posts: 233
Yes he played WR at UCLA
Posted Mon, Oct 30 6:39 am
In response to Memory fades with my old age (JimT)
He had a huge catch against Oregon in 98
Flat 4
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 4,022
50yds passing and 96 yds receiving his Sr year
Posted Mon, Oct 30 10:15 am
In response to Yes he played WR at UCLA (reggbruin13)
Drew was just getting started on the transition. Pretty amazing that he was able to make it in the NFL.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,201
His measurables were eyepopping
Posted Mon, Oct 30 3:33 pm
In response to 50yds passing and 96 yds receiving his Sr year (Flat 4)
IIRC, he had the highest vertical jump in the combine, and some of the fastest run times. Bennett was a great track athlete in high school (I recall that Cade McNown was also a good pole vaulter in high school).

At UCLA, Bennett was used more to stretch the defenses vertically after switching to WR. He hadn't yet developed as a receiver who could catch the ball in traffic or make big gains after the catch. As a QB, Bennett was a gangly and awkward runner. Once he got into the NFL, he took greater advantage of his athleticism and developed into a really good receiver. Should have made the Pro Bowl in 2004 when he caught 80 passes for 1,247 yards and 11 TDs.
carloschivo1954
Joined: 8/31/19 Posts: 147
Yes ... Schlee should see the field more somehow ...
Posted Mon, Oct 30 8:01 am (Edited Mon, Oct 30 8:05 am)
In response to Drew Bennett was once a quarterback (123456bt)
Strong runner makes good reads on his runs!
123456bt
Joined: 1/16/14 Posts: 14,832
He can run away and through defenders
Posted Mon, Oct 30 9:59 am
In response to Yes ... Schlee should see the field more somehow ... (carloschivo1954)
in space… not stiff..has enough jiggle in hips to make some miss

A playmaker
BRUINS 1
Joined: 1/28/05 Posts: 19,782
I watched Schlee last year
Posted Tue, Oct 31 11:11 am
In response to He can run away and through defenders (123456bt)
It’s funny bc my son was saying this is a guy UCLA should get. I knew that he would make his way onto the field, he’s dynamic and elusive. Also, he can throw the ball as well so look for some longer pass plays in what the D thinks to be an obvious running situation.

Also, mix up your defensive signs this week.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,201
Bennett was also the best athlete on the team
Posted Mon, Oct 30 10:25 am
In response to Drew Bennett was once a quarterback (123456bt)
Bennett had the highest vertical leap and was one of the fastest guys on the team. That speed and leaping ability helped him last 9 seasons in the NFL. He was still pretty raw when he switched to WR at UCLA, but from the start he was a good route runner.

I would assume that a QB has at least decent hands, since they handle the ball more than anyone.

I don't know how Schlee grades out by comparison, but Wayne Cook on the radio call said that Schlee's moves and change of pace look more like a RB than what you typically see from a QB. I don't recall Bennett having that kind of cutback ability when he played QB.
nylasbruin
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 5,606

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Good point Woochifer that would work.
Posted Mon, Oct 30 12:02 pm
In response to Bennett was also the best athlete on the team (Woochifer)
nm
nylasbruin
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 5,606

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To add to Bennett's storyI never thought he saw
Posted Wed, Nov 01 11:49 am
In response to Good point Woochifer that would work. (nylasbruin)
the playing field nearly enough during his career At UCLA.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,201
He won the starting QB position, but wasn't effective
Posted Wed, Nov 01 3:27 pm (Edited Wed, Nov 01 3:27 pm)
In response to To add to Bennett's storyI never thought he saw (nylasbruin)
Hard to come into a season as the heir apparent to Cade McNown, especially with the off-season distractions coming off the Miami hangover and the handicapped parking placard scandal. Bennett won the starting QB competition, but got benched after about (I think) the 4th game. He did not look comfortable out there, especially in that Ohio State game at the horseshoe. He was purportedly the best athlete on the team, but he could not elude a pass rush and looked awkward when scrambling.

Freshman Cory Paus picked things afterwards and wasn't much better. At that point, I think the coaches were looking more towards Paus and Ryan McCann, and Bennett didn't get another shot at QB.

FYI, here's an interesting article about the winding path that led Bennett to a productive career in the NFL. Some amusing stories about how often he came within a hair of getting cut but somehow was able to stay long enough to get a fair shot. He managed to stay on the Titans' roster when their drafted WR didn't want to return punts, while Bennett agreed to do that even though he'd never returned kicks before.

https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1626/Miramonte-and-UCLA-alum-Drew-Bennett-reflects-on-time-in-NFL.html

He's returned home to the East Bay, and now has two daughters who play on an all-girls flag football team competing in a boys league. With the CIF adding the sport, and LA28 adding men's and women's flag football as well, we're going to hear a lot more stories like this.
nylasbruin
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 5,606

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There was another player similar to Bennett
Posted Wed, Nov 01 6:54 pm (Edited Wed, Nov 01 6:58 pm)
In response to He won the starting QB position, but wasn't effective (Woochifer)
was it like Sellers or am i way off?Although this player didn't switch posistions I believe he went to the Patriots and had a productive career. but always wondered why he didn't play much at UCLA of course that probably goe for quite a few college players.I think he returned punts and kick offs and was a receiver.
cd
Joined: 12/28/06 Posts: 2,206
Slater…. nm
Posted Wed, Nov 01 8:59 pm
In response to There was another player similar to Bennett (nylasbruin)
nm
Spun
Joined: 2/09/05 Posts: 1,612
Same mistake was made then, as was made this season
Posted Wed, Nov 01 7:17 pm
In response to He won the starting QB position, but wasn't effective (Woochifer)
We went through Spring and fall giving 4 QB's the same chance, the same amount of reps. That's a recipe for failure. You've got to narrow it down to 2 or 3 at the very most (3 is really too many), and 2 at most cgoing into fall.

Bennett never had a chance to develop.