Chris Leak Explains What It's Like to Be 5'10"

One of the worst things about the NFL Combine is that NFL coaches, scouts and front-office executives have preconceived ideas of what physical characteristics best correlate with successful professional athletes. And any college kid who doesn't possess these physical attributes is branded with the football equivalent of the scarlet letter.

On average, I guess, the system works. But there are many examples of where it fails miserably. One of the big issues at this year's combines -- at least it's a big issue for those guys trying to get drafted -- is how tall does an NFL quarterback need to be to be successful? Generally, scouts like QBs to be at least 6'3" though that's kind of the starting point. If a kid doesn't hit 6'0", then forget about it. Yesterday, Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith had to answer the inane questions about his height. And so did Florida's Chris Leak, the guy who beat Smith in the National Championship Game.

"Well, height's not an issue for me," Leak said. "Playing four years at Florida, all my offensive linemen have been between 6-5 and 6-8. So I'm very familiar with how you have to see through lanes, and how you adjust your drop controls that.

Leak measured 5'10 7/8", which to some NFL coaches and scouts might as well be 3'10 7/8." Dumb? Sure. But it's important to remember that coaches, by nature, are very conservative. The first job of an NFL head coach is to not get fired. Taking needless risks -- like starting a diminutive quarterback with a 6'5" high-round specimen on the bench -- could be a career killer. Fair enough ... I can understand that. But Drew Brees is Exhibit A for short QBs. And although the perception that in order to succeed in the NFL as a little guy you have to run around, again, Brees is the counterexample.

I have no idea what type of pros either Smith or Leak might be, but it seems silly to automatically assume they can't win football games just because they don't look like Eli Manning. We should be high-fiving them for that stroke of good luck.