NFL draft/ Dan LeFevour

The nfl draft vies with the Super Bowl for the dumbest verbiage written and spoken by people who should know better. Take the 6th round draft pick of Central Michigan’s Dan LeFevour. Instead of a succinct analysis of why LeFevour, who has the second most yards gained in NCAA history and is a natural runner and passer, went at #181, we are treated to a face-off about LeFevour’s passing accuracy that tells us little about the quarterback or why the Chicago Bears drafted him.

Let’s see—could it be that his behavior at the football combine gave pause to general managers who want good little soldiers? LeFevour refused to perform the passing drills because he said he didn’t know the receivers. That’s pushing the envelope for sure, but the guy figured his stats speak volumes and he didn’t want to look as bad as those commentators on ESPN. What are those stats? In 53 games, he had 12,905 passing yards and 2,948 rushing yards. Yet we’re told his passes are “wobbly,” and then we switch to a no-surprise-here video of his parents and pals celebrating his getting drafted after three ugly days of waiting.

So can LeFevour help the Bears? Through three preseason contests, he’s thrown 32 passes for 160 yards with 15 completions. Seven passes were muffed and he threw one pick. On the other hand, he threw a touchdown pass, something the Bears have sorely lacked this preseason. He rushed 4 times and gained 33 yards, not bad for a rookie QB.

And here’s something to consider: Unlike past first-round QB picks like Alex Smith or JaMarcus Russell, LeFevour knows how to hit the ground running and passing—he did it in high school, taking over for an injured teammate, he did it in college (he was named the 2006 Motor City Bowl’s MVP as a redshirt freshman), and he could conceivably do it in the pros. So far LeFevour looks confused and out-of-sorts but so does nearly everyone else on the Bears offensive line. In three losing contests, the struggling ursines have managed to score a grand total of 36 points. Starting QB Jay Cutler says he’s not concerned but likely he should be: he threw 26 interceptions last season, and judging by the lack of offense and the number of sacks in preseason, the offensive line hasn’t gotten demonstrably better.

Recently signed Todd Collins will act as Cutler’s backup, but that third spot could be critical. The presumption at the draft was that Caleb Hanie and LeFevour would battle it out for a seat on the bench, but Hanie’s recovering from a shoulder injury. So will LeFevour have to step up and play the hero for a third time in his career? Stranger things have happened.

The face-off format has a few problems. You have four guys talking over each other, and none of them is saying a thing that stirs up your brain. The crew’s emphasis is on argument, not analysis and certainly not enlightenment. ESPN’s assumption is that people want conflict, but manufactured conflict has as much value as flat beer. Memo to ESPN: You can get spicy, but remember that meat is the first ingredient, not the garnish.

Tags: Dan LeFevour, football, JaMarcus Russell, nfl, NFL Draft