Louisville’s Jackson justifies staying at quarterback
INDIANAPOLIS » As promised, former Louisville quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson spent Saturday at the NFL scouting combine slinging it and not winging it.
Jackson didn’t show off a big arm like Wyoming’s Josh Allen, the other prime prospect in his throwing group Saturday.
But nobody else did, either: Allen wowed the coaches with a 66-yard pinpoint pass at one point during the first of two sessions with the quarterbacks and wide receivers at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Jackson, though, was much more explosive than Allen in his drops, consistently getting 7 yards deep on five-step drills whereas Allen made up for his poorer footwork with superior arm strength.
Jackson never caught a single pass at Louisville, where he threw for 9,043 yards and 69 touchdowns, ran for 4,132 yards and 50 TDs in 38 games. On Friday, he dismissed widespread speculation about him running routes with the receivers here. “No sir. I’m a quarterback,” he said. The buzz began building when former Colts executive Bill Polian told ESPN he thought Jackson should switch to receiver because he’s not as accurate, tall or strong as the other hopefuls in this year’s deep class of college quarterbacks. Polian suggested Jackson should make the switch sooner than did Terrelle Pryor, the ex-Ohio State QB who switched to wide receiver at age 26.
Such a notion was met by skepticism from several teams this week, and Jackson said he won’t switch positions even if asked. And he said he’s not interested in just running wildcat plays, where he’d take the direct snap and zip around the tackle, either.
“No wildcat,” Jackson said. “This is not the Dolphins with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. No sir.”
Jackson decided not to run dash at the combine.
“Film speaks for itself as far as showing off my speed and showing I can make people miss,” Jackson said. “I’ve just got to show off my arm — because that’s where they’re doubting me.” the 40yard
Sources: Saints add Coleman
NEW ORLEANS » Two people familiar with the situation say the Saints and free-agent safety Kurt Coleman have agreed to terms of a three-year contract.
Coleman, 29, is an eight-year veteran out of Ohio State who has played for Carolina and the Eagles.