A Look Back At Why Case Keenum Was Not Drafted

[Boston Ram]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...a-look-back-at-why-case-keenum-went-undrafted

NFLDraftScout.com
A look back at why Case Keenum went undrafted
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
October 18, 2013 12:08 am ET

Sunday won't merely be Case Keenum's first start of his NFL career, it also will be the first game of his pro career. After going undrafted in 2012 and spending all of last season on the Houston Texans practice squad, Keenum is getting a chance with Matt Schaub out injured.

An Abilene, Texas, native, Keenum left the University of Houston as the NCAA's all-time leader in passing yardage (19,217) touchdowns (155). But due to his lack of ideal physical tools, Keenum didn't hear his name called in the NFL Draft and has yet to be active for a NFL game.

That will change on Sunday as Keenum's first NFL start comes against the Kansas City Chiefs in one of the more hostile venues in the league for a visiting team -- Arrowhead Stadium.

Why did Keenum go undrafted? Below average size (6-1, 208), average-at-best arm strength and limited mobility to do much with his legs. His ball appears to flutter, especially when he doesn't have a chance to wind up and step into his throws. Keenum holds several NCAA passing records, but those numbers came in an offense that inflated his statistics and allowed him to take advantage of a quick passing attack where he didn't need to make extensive pocket reads. He wasn't asked to consistently make NFL throws as the Cougars quarterback and at the end of the day, his lack of ideal physical tools were enough for teams to pass.

So why should Texans' fans be encouraged with Keenum at the helm of the offense? He's resilient, tough and very smart -- all qualities that cannot be measured by a scale or 40 time. Keenum makes quick decisions with astute pre-snap reads to have a clear understanding of what the defense is doing and where to distribute the football. He has a natural feel for the field and pocket with good passing vision despite his stature that is a shade under 6-foot-1. A mature, determined individual, Keenum is the son of a coach and has battled through multiple injuries, including an ACL tear in 2010 that ended his season.

If you compare Keenum to other quarterbacks in the NFL, he won't match-up because his physical tools just aren't up-to-par. But his resolve and heart are why he's still collecting a NFL paycheck and why he will start and play in his first professional game on Sunday.

Are the intangibles enough for him to overcome his shortcomings and find success at the pro level? The deck is stacked against him, but few thought he would ever start a game in the NFL so why not?
Topics: Houston Texans, NFL, NFLDRAFT

 

[-X-]

A mature, determined individual, Keenum is the son of a coach and has battled through multiple injuries, including an ACL tear in 2010 that ended his season.

 

[dieterbrock]

Wonder how he would have fared throwing to Mike Evans & Ryan Swope, with an O-line of Joeckel and Matthews

 

[F. Mulder]

I don't have a problem with the pick up short-term. That said, I've watched enough of him to believe that he has a below average arm at best and really has to rely on his wits more so than his physical attributes. I'd be surprised if he were on the team next year and it does nothing to remove the bigger need of finding a new starting QB next season. I don't mean to knock him, just trying to be realistic about expectations of him.

 

[sugar land]

Keenum actually did pretty good last year considering his right tackle played injured and could not pass block to save Keenum's life. They running backs were injured and out most games. When they were in they could not pick up blitzing players. He is good at hitting the long ball and often hits receivers in stride, but sometimes lost fumbles when buried under defenders. Keenum may surprise a lot of people if given some good blocking.

 

[den-the-coach]

IMO Keenum is a nice back-up, however, IMO Davis actually has more upside although Keenum might throw a better deep ball. Understood why O'Brien wanted to bring in "His Guy" a bigger QB with a better arm, however, Mallett has not had the experience Keenum was thrust into.

Overall the Rams were looking for a Quarterback that had some game day experience and in Keenum they have that and going forward they have Davis and Gilbert too. Again Keenum is part of the equation, but not the solution. The solution is playing college football right now and he might be playing this Saturday at 8:00 pm as the Oregon Ducks and Marcus Mariota take on Michigan State and Connor Cook.

To the old ram guard Connor Cook dons number 18, it sure would be nice to see a Ram quarterback donning 18 again.

 

[ramsince62]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...a-look-back-at-why-case-keenum-went-undrafted

NFLDraftScout.com
A look back at why Case Keenum went undrafted
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
October 18, 2013 12:08 am ET

Sunday won't merely be Case Keenum's first start of his NFL career, it also will be the first game of his pro career. After going undrafted in 2012 and spending all of last season on the Houston Texans practice squad, Keenum is getting a chance with Matt Schaub out injured.

An Abilene, Texas, native, Keenum left the University of Houston as the NCAA's all-time leader in passing yardage (19,217) touchdowns (155). But due to his lack of ideal physical tools, Keenum didn't hear his name called in the NFL Draft and has yet to be active for a NFL game.

That will change on Sunday as Keenum's first NFL start comes against the Kansas City Chiefs in one of the more hostile venues in the league for a visiting team -- Arrowhead Stadium.

Why did Keenum go undrafted? Below average size (6-1, 208), average-at-best arm strength and limited mobility to do much with his legs. His ball appears to flutter, especially when he doesn't have a chance to wind up and step into his throws. Keenum holds several NCAA passing records, but those numbers came in an offense that inflated his statistics and allowed him to take advantage of a quick passing attack where he didn't need to make extensive pocket reads. He wasn't asked to consistently make NFL throws as the Cougars quarterback and at the end of the day, his lack of ideal physical tools were enough for teams to pass.

So why should Texans' fans be encouraged with Keenum at the helm of the offense? He's resilient, tough and very smart -- all qualities that cannot be measured by a scale or 40 time. Keenum makes quick decisions with astute pre-snap reads to have a clear understanding of what the defense is doing and where to distribute the football. He has a natural feel for the field and pocket with good passing vision despite his stature that is a shade under 6-foot-1. A mature, determined individual, Keenum is the son of a coach and has battled through multiple injuries, including an ACL tear in 2010 that ended his season.

If you compare Keenum to other quarterbacks in the NFL, he won't match-up because his physical tools just aren't up-to-par. But his resolve and heart are why he's still collecting a NFL paycheck and why he will start and play in his first professional game on Sunday.

Are the intangibles enough for him to overcome his shortcomings and find success at the pro level? The deck is stacked against him, but few thought he would ever start a game in the NFL so why not?
Topics: Houston Texans, NFL, NFLDRAFT

I think it was a prudent choice, especially under the circumstances.

 

[OnceARam]

It was a great pick up. I can't wait to see if he is able to learn how to read defenses, especially blitzes. Not sure a QB can 'learn' that without game experience. Where is NFL Europe / a developmental league when we need it?