Ping: NFL GMs

[Kodos]

Stop giving this guy another chance:

Heisman winner to give defense another try (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=1974935&CMP=OTC-DT9705204233)

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
He's back. Yeah, again.

Former Nebraska star quarterback Eric Crouch, the 2001 Heisman Trophy winner who already has retired twice from the NFL and was released by the Green Bay Packers last summer, has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

As was the case in his last failed attempt at an NFL career, Crouch will try to make the roster as a safety, and the Chiefs will allocate him to the NFL Europe League to give him an opportunity to hone his skills at that position. Crouch worked at safety last spring with the Packers but was waived before the start of training camp.

"The kid has made the commitment to play defense," Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said. "He said he would do whatever we wanted him to do."

Details of the contract Crouch signed were not yet available. However, the deal includes the minimum base salary of $230,000 for 2005, and it is doubtful there was a signing bonus involved. It is just as doubtful that Crouch will succeed in his fourth attempt at forging an NFL career, but he has enough athletic ability and football instincts that the Chiefs were willing to afford him an opportunity, especially as there is so little risk for them.

Crouch, 26, was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2002 draft and signed a three-year, $1.3 million contract to play wide receiver. However, late in training camp -- and still with an opportunity to make the team or the practice squad -- he left the Rams, citing the difficulties of making the transition to wide receiver.

After the Rams relinquished Crouch's rights, the Packers claimed him on waivers in spring 2003, and Green Bay officials offered Crouch a chance to play quarterback. But hampered by a crowded depth chart and slowed by injuries, Crouch walked away from the Packers two days into training camp that year. Last spring, the Packers reinstated Crouch from the "reserve/retired" list and he participated in mini-camps before being released.

It was believed, after his latest release, that Crouch would not attempt to play in the NFL again and that he might pursue a career in coaching. Agent Jim Steiner said, however, that Crouch is "fired up" by the latest possibility.

"He's as excited about this opportunity," Steiner said, "as he's been about anything since he was in college."

Steiner said his client "has no more desire to play quarterback."

In a celebrated college career, Crouch appeared in 42 games for the Cornhuskers and started 38 of them. He is one of only 13 players in college football annals to both rush and pass for more than 1,000 yards in a season.

Crouch is one of only three players at the Division I-A level to throw for 4,000 yards and run for 3,000 yards in his career, and he also holds the NCAA career record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.

In addition to the Heisman Trophy, he also captured the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award for 2001 and the Davey O'Brien Quarterback Award. He is the most decorated quarterback in Nebraska history and was one of the most prolific offensive players in recent college history. He completed 312 of 606 passes for 4,481 yards, with 29 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions. Crouch carried 648 times for 3,434 yards and scored 59 rushing touchdowns.

[Eaglesfan27]

I don't know. The Chiefs certainly need defensive back help. There is no real risk to this deal if it has no signing bonus. They'll just cut him if he sucks (which he probably will.)

[Joe]

go away, crouch

[Passacaglia]

Heh, funny, I thought this thread would be about Lawrence Phillips.

[NoMyths]

aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhh

[MikeVick7]

I'm a huge Huskers fan an absolutely love this guy...but c'mon.

[Huckleberry]

I don't get the problem. No signing bonus, league minimum. Hell, every team should be willing to sign someone with athletic talent to that deal.

Sure, he'll almost certainly suck. But no loss to them.

[MikeVick7]

I don't get the problem. No signing bonus, league minimum. Hell, every team should be willing to sign someone with athletic talent to that deal.

Sure, he'll almost certainly suck. But no loss to them.
I just don't want to read yet another story about him quitting a couple days into it because he couldn't adapt to playing safety. That's my only problem.

[Huckleberry]

I just don't want to read yet another story about him quitting a couple days into it because he couldn't adapt to playing safety. That's my only problem.
Then don't read it. Seems like your problem, and perhaps the thread starter's problem, should be with the media and not the GMs.

[lytic]

He should return punts and play special teams. The dude was fast...

[Icy]

I'm curious about this guy story. Why was he drafted to play WR when he was supossed to be one of the best ever college QB? (for what i have read above)

[MizzouRah]

go away, crouch

Perfectly said GW.


Todd

[Huckleberry]

I'm curious about this guy story. Why was he drafted to play WR when he was supossed to be one of the best ever college QB? (for what i have read above)
He was an option QB at Nebraska. In no way does he have the throwing ability to play QB in the NFL.

[Kodos]

Then don't read it. Seems like your problem, and perhaps the thread starter's problem, should be with the media and not the GMs.

I'm sick of the idiot player who can't stick with any decision he makes.

I wanna play.
I'm retiring.
I wanna play.
I'm retiring.
I wanna play.
I'm retiring.
I wanna play.

But I'm also sick of GMs giving this guy a shot instead of some other player whose dream it is to actually play.

[Passacaglia]

I'm curious about this guy story. Why was he drafted to play WR when he was supossed to be one of the best ever college QB? (for what i have read above)

That's a tough question to answer. Crouch played for a team that ran the option, and he rarely passed. So his passing yards were mainly because it was a surprise to the defense when they passed. From what I recall, he really wasn't all that accurate with his passes. But then again, both Vick and McNabb ran the option in college, so Crouch falls into that 'athletical' category.

[JeeberD]

I stil think an NFL team need to load up on stud college option QBs and run it in the pros. One QB gets hit too often and gets hurt? Toss another one in there!

That would be so much fun to see...

[Joe]

That's a tough question to answer. Crouch played for a team that ran the option, and he rarely passed. So his passing yards were mainly because it was a surprise to the defense when they passed. From what I recall, he really wasn't all that accurate with his passes. But then again, both Vick and McNabb ran the option in college, so Crouch falls into that 'athletical' category.

Hmm... I think we need a thread on if Crouch is hall of fame material.

[MIJB#19]

The Chiefs have good experience with NFL Europe alumni. If I recall correctly they had 14 players on roster with NFL Europe experience in the 2004 season.

With Crouch, it's simple. If the old attitude shows up, he'll be gone from the NFL Europe training camps in no time. That is if any NFL Europe team even wants him and I bet one team will give him a shot.

[General Mike]

That's a tough question to answer. Crouch played for a team that ran the option, and he rarely passed. So his passing yards were mainly because it was a surprise to the defense when they passed. From what I recall, he really wasn't all that accurate with his passes. But then again, both Vick and McNabb ran the option in college, so Crouch falls into that 'athletical' category.

McNabb might have run an option based offense in college, but that doesn't mean he didn't pass the ball. He threw for over 8000 yards in college so he was no slouch. Vick is a totally different story. He still has to show me alot more.

[Franklinnoble]

I wanna see Brock Lesnar make it somewhere.

[cthomer5000]

YES! YES! YES!

[cthomer5000]

He should return punts and play special teams. The dude was fast...
Exactly. He could be an amazing specialist if he put his mind to it.

kick holder, kick returner, gunner, and on the depth chart at QB, RB, WR, DB.

maybe draw up a couple trick plays for him even. I would love nothing more than to see him bust his ass and really pull it off. Of course he's already wasted a few years of peak athletic ability.

[MikeVic]

I wanna see Brock Lesnar make it somewhere.

Me too. :( Too bad he's apparently given up.

[MikeVic]

The Chiefs have good experience with NFL Europe alumni. If I recall correctly they had 14 players on roster with NFL Europe experience in the 2004 season.

All on defense maybe? :)

I think with Troy Brown's success, maybe the Chiefs decided to give Crouch a shot? A "WR" playing "DB" isn't such a stretch now.

[Logan]

I was in The Sports Authority the other day, browsing through the limited amount of football jerseys. Some Vick, some Moss, Manning, Giants and Jets...and Eric Crouch? What the hell?

[Ragone]

I heard him on talkradio today.. and the host pretty much grilled him about quitting in the past..

Apparently his wife was having pregnancy complications when green bay wanted to send him to europe.. So green bay just cut him then.. and in st louis i guess the db's in training camp took it upon themselves to make him look bad because he was a heisman trophy winner (this is what i gathered from that interview.. i'm hoping si or kcchief heard it too)

Crouch realizes this is his last chance, so no risk at all for the chiefs.. no bonus.., i don't see a problem with it.. no risk/possible reward

[flere-imsaho]

Seriously, the Chiefs could suit up Kermit the Frog and improve their secondary.

[Ragone]

honestly... kc's safety's are good though(but aging).. but the corners are horrible..

edit: 2,000 posts.. wee

[MizzouRah]

I would think even a backup 3rd-4th string Safety makes more money than a grocery clerk in Nebraska.


Todd

[Ragone]

I would think even a backup 3rd-4th string Safety makes more money than a grocery clerk in Nebraska.


Todd
Actually, he owns a business making prefab playground equipment for schools/churchs in omaha

[Fonzie]

Seriously, the Chiefs could suit up Kermit the Frog and improve their secondary.

It's not easy being green.

But it sure is nice to plop some green into that bank account periodically, isn't it Eric?

[Ragone]

It's not easy being trent green.




:)

[MizzouRah]

Actually, he owns a business making prefab playground equipment for schools/churchs in omaha

Maybe $60,000 a year? $75,000?

How about $230,000? Thank you KC, I'll be at practice. :)


Todd

[clintl]

I stil think an NFL team need to load up on stud college option QBs and run it in the pros. One QB gets hit too often and gets hurt? Toss another one in there!

That would be so much fun to see...

This reminds me of one of my favorite NFL moments. 1987, Monday Night Football, the 49ers vs. the Giants during the strike, and the 49ers had signed an option QB as one of their replacement players. I think it was in the second half when Bill Walsh put the guy into the game, and the 49ers lined up in a wishbone formation. As soon as the 49ers lined up, Walsh and Bill Parcells were pointing at each other across the field and laughing.

[Ragone]

Maybe $60,000 a year? $75,000?

How about $230,000? Thank you KC, I'll be at practice. :)


Todd

Thats all we want, and if he doesn't make the team outta training camp.. i think he doesn't get much

[MizzouRah]

Thats all we want, and if he doesn't make the team outta training camp.. i think he doesn't get much


Hmmm... I thought that was guaranteed? I guess that's a bonus, which looks like he's not getting.

Todd

[Pumpy Tudors]

Well, I'm gonna go try out for the Browns. I ain't got nothin' better to do.

[Ragone]

Hmmm... I thought that was guaranteed? I guess that's a bonus, which looks like he's not getting.

Todd

It's a pro rated portion.. which if he got cut after training camp.. wouldn't be much

[sterlingice]

I heard him on talkradio today.. and the host pretty much grilled him about quitting in the past..

Apparently his wife was having pregnancy complications when green bay wanted to send him to europe.. So green bay just cut him then.. and in st louis i guess the db's in training camp took it upon themselves to make him look bad because he was a heisman trophy winner (this is what i gathered from that interview.. i'm hoping si or kcchief heard it too)

Crouch realizes this is his last chance, so no risk at all for the chiefs.. no bonus.., i don't see a problem with it.. no risk/possible reward
I was listening to that until about 5:20 when the signal dies so I can't hear it here in Lawrence. He seemed contrite but he also seemed to make quite a bit of excuses. It's kindof a win/win- he either impresses and improves or they lose nothing when he falls flat on his ass in Europe. I don't know why Soren was so down on this move. That said, don't the Chiefs have 2 safetys who are good already and no corners?

This reminds me of one of my favorite NFL moments. 1987, Monday Night Football, the 49ers vs. the Giants during the strike, and the 49ers had signed an option QB as one of their replacement players. I think it was in the second half when Bill Walsh put the guy into the game, and the 49ers lined up in a wishbone formation. As soon as the 49ers lined up, Walsh and Bill Parcells were pointing at each other across the field and laughing.
That's awesome!!! I would pay to have a tape of that.

SI

[Abe Sargent]

Teams get a roster exemption during training camp on the cutdown numbers for each player sent to NFL-Europe. As a result, many teams try to send bodies to NFL-E just to see what sticks, to have bodies in training camp for longer periods of time, to help with scout teams, and whatnot. It costs the Chiefs nothing to do this, and they gain the exemption, so there is no reason not to do this.

-Anxiety

[cthomer5000]

Teams get a roster exemption during training camp on the cutdown numbers for each player sent to NFL-Europe. As a result, many teams try to send bodies to NFL-E just to see what sticks, to have bodies in training camp for longer periods of time, to help with scout teams, and whatnot. It costs the Chiefs nothing to do this, and they gain the exemption, so there is no reason not to do this.

-Anxiety Exactly. So not only does he get the playing time in Europe, but he basically gets a free pass to the last (or is it second-to-last?) cutdown. All the more chance to put it together.

Still, I have to feel the odds are against him.

[MikeVic]

This reminds me of one of my favorite NFL moments. 1987, Monday Night Football, the 49ers vs. the Giants during the strike, and the 49ers had signed an option QB as one of their replacement players. I think it was in the second half when Bill Walsh put the guy into the game, and the 49ers lined up in a wishbone formation. As soon as the 49ers lined up, Walsh and Bill Parcells were pointing at each other across the field and laughing.

I want to see a video of this!!

[TLK]

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td> Eric Crouch's NFL Europe Diary </td> <td align="right">
</td></tr> </tbody> </table> <!-- T8325570 --><!-- Sesame Modified: 03/25/2005 09:36:58 --> <!-- sversion: 1 $Updated: rdavis$ --> March 25, 2005
NFL Europe



<table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="150"> <tbody><tr> <td width="150"> http://images.nfl.com/photos/img8325569.jpg </td> <td width="15"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="150"> Eric Crouch and his Sea Devils teammates have finally arrived in Hamburg. (waynepaulo.com) </td> <td width="15"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> Hamburg Sea Devils former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Eric Crouch will write a weekly diary through the NFL Europe season to give fans an insight into his move from quarterback to safety, and life on the Sea Devils team. The Kansas City Chiefs allocated player’s latest column comes from Hamburg, where he and his teammates have finally arrived after a grueling training camp in Tampa.

Well, after a five-hour bus ride to Miami and a 10-hour flight to Germany, with one stop in Frankfurt, we arrived in Hamburg around 10:00 a.m. Tuesday. We were greeted by several fans and members of the media in the airport, so it was a nice welcome. This is a new experience for me being over in Europe, being in Germany. The food’s different; the time is different, so there are a lot of changes that we have to adapt to. As far as the people and the atmosphere, everybody has been very nice, and I’ve enjoyed the short time I’ve been here.

I haven’t learned much of the language yet. “Moin Moin,” which is specific to Hamburg and means “Hello” or “What’s up,” is about all I know, but I’m sure I’ll pick up some things as time goes by. I knew the language was going to be different, but that’s probably the hardest part to adjust to because I’m so used to just being able to walk outside and know where to go and how to find something. The words are a little bit longer, so I can’t understand them very well. All the signs are in German, so it’s a little frustrating not being able to read everything. You want to know where to go or how to get somewhere, but the language barrier makes it difficult. You’re kind of out there on an island. It’s good though that there are people at the front desk of our hotel who can help with things like getting to the bus stop or getting to the train station. Also the Sea Devils front office has planned weekly outings for the players, this week’s being a playoff hockey game and a boat tour, so we’ll have a chance to see some of the city and become more comfortable with the surroundings.

When we moved into the hotel, right away it felt like I was in a dorm room or in a college setting again. Luckily that wasn’t too long ago that I was in college, so I still kind of remember what that feels like. But I’m still used to being at home and being with my family, and now I’m kind of by myself, but the good thing is I’ve met a lot of people. I’ve already become great friends with a lot of the players here, so that will make things much easier for me.

As far as football goes, we’re definitely excited as players to be here. Training camp is a difficult time because you’re beating your body up a little bit and you’re playing the same players every day. You don’t see any new faces except for scrimmages, so right now that’s where my focus is, preparing for that first game. I can’t wait to step on the field. It’s been since August of 2002 since I’ve played in a game, so I’m very excited to be out there. I mentioned how we have several things to adjust to, but we have to put those aside and focus on what our job is, and that is to compete and win football games. That’s what my mindset is right now, to do everything I can to win some football games and get everybody on this team playing as one. If that happens, I don’t see any problems. I think we’ll just go out and enjoy ourselves and it will be a good season over here in Germany. All in all I just couldn’t be happier to be in this situation right now with a new program playing this game.

Well it’s time to wrap this up for the week. Next Friday we’ll be one day away from our first game, so I’ll discuss that, and I’ll have more thoughts on Germany and the city of Hamburg by then as well.

Until next time,

Eric Crouch


http://www.nfleurope.com/teams/story/HAM/8325570

[judicial clerk]

P.S.

I quit.

[Franklinnoble]

P.S.

I quit.


I love you.

[MikeVic]

Eric Crouch sighting!!

Watching the Raptors/Spurs NBA game, and they were talking to Pinball Clemons (Argos coach of the CFL), and he was with Eric Crouch... Pinball answered that seeing them together is indeed a good sign about him coming to the Argos. Crouch answered that he's always seen himself as a QB, and Pinball agreed.......

I hae an interest in this guy's career, and I don't know why.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Hmm, another Nebraska QB in the CFL. Anyone remember Jerry Tagge (B.C. Lions) and Turner Gill (Toronto Argos)? I'm sure there are a few others, but those are off the top of my head.

[dawgfan]

Edit: never mind, just scanned the post dates.

Good luck to Crouch in the CFL.

[Hurst2112]

Who wants to bet a little...

Eric Crouch will not make an NFL roster come final cut day.

[Simms]

Hmm, another Nebraska QB in the CFL. Anyone remember Jerry Tagge (B.C. Lions) and Turner Gill (Toronto Argos)? I'm sure there are a few others, but those are off the top of my head.Tommie Frazier played for Montreal, IIRC.

[Swaggs]

Hmm, another Nebraska QB in the CFL. Anyone remember Jerry Tagge (B.C. Lions) and Turner Gill (Toronto Argos)? I'm sure there are a few others, but those are off the top of my head.

Turner Gill is the new head coach of the Buffalo Bulls.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Tommie Frazier played for Montreal, IIRC.

Hmm. I knew they signed/drafted him, but I didn't think he actually suited up.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Turner Gill is the new head coach of the Buffalo Bulls.

Congrats Turner!

[Simms]

Hmm. I knew they signed/drafted him, but I didn't think he actually suited up.Digging around, it looks like Frazier played one season in Montreal (1996). Now he's coaching an NAIA school.

Also, from the "duh, how could I forget?" category...Johnny Rodgers. I *know* he played for Montreal. :)

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Rodgers was not a QB, so you're ok on that one.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Ok, Vince Ferragamo was another (Montreal again), but I think that's it.

[Simms]

Rodgers was not a QB, so you're ok on that one.I knew that. Honest. :)