husker rob
New member
i got this emailed to me from huskernumerouno, i thought it was interesting what Sam's father had to say about Sam so i thought i would share it with the board
Sam Keller mobility Reply
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I don't post very often but I thought a little factual information (OK its coming from a players father!!, but I do have some credentials)about Sam's physical testing might be of interest to Cornhusker followers.
I often joke with Sam that because I have scouted in the NFL, USFL, NFL Europe and XFL you can't fool me when talking about football measureables.
I have measured Sam at exactly 6' 3 7/8. That was while he was being recruited...he may have grown an 1/8th of an inch so I would be confident that he is a true 6'4".
Sam has weighed as much as 240 while a collegiate player. His best weight is about 230...what he was when this season began. Thats a pretty solid weight...he's carrying less than 8% body fat.
His best 40 yard dash time is right at 4.8...on grass. On field turf it may be a half of a tenth better. he's not a down field runner but could get yards when needed.
The area he really excells is small area quickness. In short shuttle drills at ASU Sam was one of the top four on the team...including RBs, DBs and WRs. Consider, at 6'4" and 230 lbs he was quicker than all but four team members...a fact my NFL scouting friends were amazed about. This foot quickness factor is a plus when moving in the pocket, resetting feet and never throwing off balance. If a QB has a quick release he can be hard to stop.
One final note and this might also be one of his real strengths...he has really outstanding vision...an opthamologist friend of mine said it was "fighter pilot" level. That, along with the fact that he prides himself with always keeping his vision downfield despite the risk and the toughness to throw with people in his face...good things can happen.
Sam's weaknesses besides the aforementioned lack of downfield running is his over confidence at times and desire to win games by himself. Last year he had a swagger before he was hurt. His swagger has been tested these past few weeks. He is so much looking forward to getting a chance to play when it counts again. I know he wants to do really good things with the Cornhuskers next year.
HSFBFAN
Keller90
ASUDevils.com
Post #549 Re: Sam Keller mobility Reply
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First of all, I really do appreciate the positive comments on Sam. I also understand that these young men carry with them alot of people's high expectations...none of your expectations are as high as the young men expected to compete for an entire state, however.
It would be hard to describe the hell that Sam was forced to endure this fall. We agreed that the only comment we would make on the ASU episode would be that it is now in the past and the future is all that matters. Sam is delighted with the way he has been treated by everybody since he landed on the U. of Nebraska's campus in August.
Obviously, he hates not playing but he also knows that these are the cards dealt him and I think it is making him even more determined to play well next year...competing for a chance for playing time. He knows that his job now is to work on the scout team and help wherever he can.
I would like to make a comment about the perceived difficulty of the west coast offense and how Sam will react to it. It is difficult for most young players to grasp because it puts alot of responsibility, not only on the QB, but also on the receivers and blockers. Many reads and adjustments...but when it clicks, it can be unstoppable. The offense that ASU employs is just as complicated as the WCO. It has caused many a young "Elite 11" QBs at ASU to crash and burn. Mike Affleck, in Sam's recruiting class, and Derek Shaw (#1 or 2 National QB recruit in 2004) both just hit the wall trying to learn it. Sam picked up the offense in two weeks during his freshman year in Tempe. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Sam's a rocket scientist. I am saying that he has been around football all of his life and it has always been really, really important to him. He was also tutored by former college and pro QB coach Roger Theder. Theder had six of last season's starters in the PAC 10 as students. So, the point is Sam has always learned passing offenses quickly because he just gets it...along with good preparation. Coincidentally, Theder was hired by your Eric Couch to get ready for the NFL draft a few years ago. That all went downhill when Eric wasn't given a chance to complete as a QB.
I asked Sam about the offense and he said that he is familiar with most of it...it will just be a matter of learning the new verbiage and terminology. I encourage all Cornhusker followers not to worry about whether Sam will learn it or not. Sam's challenge will be to get on the same page with the backs and receivers next spring and summer. Its all about timing and knowing that people will be where they are supposed to be when they're supposed to be there. I think Sam's arm strength and release will allow him to get the ball into their hands.
I've got a million stories from my days at Michigan w/Schembechler through Tom Landry with the Cowboys. I also worked with d!(k Butkus, Mike Ditka and dozens of great football personalities over the last 35 years. I am particularly proud of working with Bob Deveaney...coached by Monte Kiffin as a linebacker and the rest of the Nebraska coaches in the 1972 College All Star game against the Dallas Cowboys. Interestingly enough, after playing for the All Stars against the Cowboys...I got on the plane the next morning to fly back with them to training camp as a 3rd round draft choice.
One final story and I'll quit boring everyone...Sam has made a great new friend on the team, in Corey McKeon. I checked Corey's bio and saw that his Dad was a former Illinois player. Checking further, I found that his dad and I had played against each other in a Michigan vs Illinois game in 1969. Corey's dad went on to coach and I went on to pro football...now the great circle closes with our boys being team mates and friends.
How great is that!
HSFBFAN
Sam Keller mobility Reply
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't post very often but I thought a little factual information (OK its coming from a players father!!, but I do have some credentials)about Sam's physical testing might be of interest to Cornhusker followers.
I often joke with Sam that because I have scouted in the NFL, USFL, NFL Europe and XFL you can't fool me when talking about football measureables.
I have measured Sam at exactly 6' 3 7/8. That was while he was being recruited...he may have grown an 1/8th of an inch so I would be confident that he is a true 6'4".
Sam has weighed as much as 240 while a collegiate player. His best weight is about 230...what he was when this season began. Thats a pretty solid weight...he's carrying less than 8% body fat.
His best 40 yard dash time is right at 4.8...on grass. On field turf it may be a half of a tenth better. he's not a down field runner but could get yards when needed.
The area he really excells is small area quickness. In short shuttle drills at ASU Sam was one of the top four on the team...including RBs, DBs and WRs. Consider, at 6'4" and 230 lbs he was quicker than all but four team members...a fact my NFL scouting friends were amazed about. This foot quickness factor is a plus when moving in the pocket, resetting feet and never throwing off balance. If a QB has a quick release he can be hard to stop.
One final note and this might also be one of his real strengths...he has really outstanding vision...an opthamologist friend of mine said it was "fighter pilot" level. That, along with the fact that he prides himself with always keeping his vision downfield despite the risk and the toughness to throw with people in his face...good things can happen.
Sam's weaknesses besides the aforementioned lack of downfield running is his over confidence at times and desire to win games by himself. Last year he had a swagger before he was hurt. His swagger has been tested these past few weeks. He is so much looking forward to getting a chance to play when it counts again. I know he wants to do really good things with the Cornhuskers next year.
HSFBFAN
Keller90
ASUDevils.com
Post #549 Re: Sam Keller mobility Reply
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First of all, I really do appreciate the positive comments on Sam. I also understand that these young men carry with them alot of people's high expectations...none of your expectations are as high as the young men expected to compete for an entire state, however.
It would be hard to describe the hell that Sam was forced to endure this fall. We agreed that the only comment we would make on the ASU episode would be that it is now in the past and the future is all that matters. Sam is delighted with the way he has been treated by everybody since he landed on the U. of Nebraska's campus in August.
Obviously, he hates not playing but he also knows that these are the cards dealt him and I think it is making him even more determined to play well next year...competing for a chance for playing time. He knows that his job now is to work on the scout team and help wherever he can.
I would like to make a comment about the perceived difficulty of the west coast offense and how Sam will react to it. It is difficult for most young players to grasp because it puts alot of responsibility, not only on the QB, but also on the receivers and blockers. Many reads and adjustments...but when it clicks, it can be unstoppable. The offense that ASU employs is just as complicated as the WCO. It has caused many a young "Elite 11" QBs at ASU to crash and burn. Mike Affleck, in Sam's recruiting class, and Derek Shaw (#1 or 2 National QB recruit in 2004) both just hit the wall trying to learn it. Sam picked up the offense in two weeks during his freshman year in Tempe. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Sam's a rocket scientist. I am saying that he has been around football all of his life and it has always been really, really important to him. He was also tutored by former college and pro QB coach Roger Theder. Theder had six of last season's starters in the PAC 10 as students. So, the point is Sam has always learned passing offenses quickly because he just gets it...along with good preparation. Coincidentally, Theder was hired by your Eric Couch to get ready for the NFL draft a few years ago. That all went downhill when Eric wasn't given a chance to complete as a QB.
I asked Sam about the offense and he said that he is familiar with most of it...it will just be a matter of learning the new verbiage and terminology. I encourage all Cornhusker followers not to worry about whether Sam will learn it or not. Sam's challenge will be to get on the same page with the backs and receivers next spring and summer. Its all about timing and knowing that people will be where they are supposed to be when they're supposed to be there. I think Sam's arm strength and release will allow him to get the ball into their hands.
I've got a million stories from my days at Michigan w/Schembechler through Tom Landry with the Cowboys. I also worked with d!(k Butkus, Mike Ditka and dozens of great football personalities over the last 35 years. I am particularly proud of working with Bob Deveaney...coached by Monte Kiffin as a linebacker and the rest of the Nebraska coaches in the 1972 College All Star game against the Dallas Cowboys. Interestingly enough, after playing for the All Stars against the Cowboys...I got on the plane the next morning to fly back with them to training camp as a 3rd round draft choice.
One final story and I'll quit boring everyone...Sam has made a great new friend on the team, in Corey McKeon. I checked Corey's bio and saw that his Dad was a former Illinois player. Checking further, I found that his dad and I had played against each other in a Michigan vs Illinois game in 1969. Corey's dad went on to coach and I went on to pro football...now the great circle closes with our boys being team mates and friends.
How great is that!
HSFBFAN