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Monday, February 25, 2002

By Shelly Anderson, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Like many other NFL hopefuls who are preparing for the scouting combine later this week in Indianapolis, Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch is wondering where he will be playing in the fall.

Crouch's curiosity, though, goes beyond what city or which team.

	Eric Crouch participates in drills yesterday at the UPMC Sports Complex indoor facility on the South Side. (Jasmine Gehris, Post-Gazette)

He doesn't know whether he will get a chance as a quarterback, his position at Nebraska, or as a running back. Or maybe it will be at receiver. Perhaps, even defensive back.

"I think I can play quarterback -- I believe in myself 100 percent -- but I also realize that teams want to utilize my talent right away," Crouch said yesterday between drills at the UPMC Sports Complex indoor facility on the South Side.

Crouch, who led Nebraska to the national championship game, is taking a two-day crash course before the combines. He is represented by Ben Dogra and Jim Steiner of the SFX Sports Group, which has a working relationship with UPMC Sports Medicine.

Steiner said it took some behind-the-scenes work to convince the combine organizers to let Crouch work out with the quarterbacks. He was invited as a running back only.

After several phone calls and some persistence, the SFX agents worked it out so Crouch will be tested with the running backs starting Thursday, then stay an extra day to work with other quarterbacks.

"We had to battle," Steiner said. "The [NFL] teams don't think he can play quarterback. No one's projecting him at quarterback. So, it's important that they see him throw the ball."

Crouch is projected to be drafted anywhere from the second to the fourth round, but he's willing to be flexible on his position if that will increase his draft status and his chances of getting a good shot to play next season. Some NFL scouts have questioned his accuracy as a passer.

He hopes that even if he needs to begin his pro career at another position, he can eventually work his way back to quarterback -- something like Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart, who became known as "Slash" early in his career.

"Sometimes, that's what it takes," Crouch said.

At Nebraska, Crouch set an NCAA record for quarterbacks with 59 career rushing touchdowns. He was the third Division I-A quarterback to rush for more than 3,000 yards and pass for more than 4,000 in his career. As a senior, he was the 13th Division I-A quarterback to top 1,000 yards in rushing and passing.

Crouch disputes the perception that quarterbacks coming out of Nebraska are ill-suited for the NFL because they run mostly option plays and don't have refined passing skills.

"That's not the case at all," Crouch said. "We throw a lot of footballs."

Crouch worked out yesterday with Dwain Painter, a longtime NFL assistant, including a stop with the Steelers. SFX hired Painter to work with Crouch yesterday and today.

Crouch will be joined today by offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, the Outland Trophy winner who helped Miami beat Nebraska for the national title, and LSU junior Josh Reed, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the top college receiver and opted to turn pro.

Besides workouts at the indoor facility, the three will have physical evaluations and nutritional and psychological tutoring in advance of the combine.

Last year, SFX brought in a group of draft prospects who trained for weeks before the combine. This year, only the sports agency's top three are here, and only for a quick tuneup. SFX hopes to continue to bring top athletes to work with UPMC Sports Medicine.

"This is part of an ongoing relationship," said Bud Martin, who run SFX's Pittsburgh office.