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NFL hopefuls battle rain for scouts

It was the sight most Wildcat fans thought they'd never see again - senior quarterback Keith Smith throwing deep to wide receiver Dennis Northcutt.

Neither player has found an extra year of eligibility, but they were working out for several NFL scouts at Bear Down Field yesterday afternoon. It was the first of three designated workout dates for UA seniors.

For Smith, the day was a chance to have a little fun without going through a formal workout.

"I'm actually working out on (March) 21st, but today I was working on my arm strength," he said. "I didn't run as many quarterback drills as I wanted to because there were so many puddles out here."

Intermittent rains and poor turf conditions made the day a near disaster, slowing players' foot speed and making sharp cutting nearly impossible.

"I think the weather is good, it couldn't be any better," defensive tackle James Lewis said. "But the track isn't in the best condition."

Smith agreed.

"You're not going to run very good times in this kind of weather," he said. "The field is damp and your cleats are sticking in the ground."

The poor weather came as a surprise to everybody, even the scouts.

"They just can't believe it's happening in Tucson," Smith said.

Select players, including linebacker Scooter Sprotte and defensive end Lewis, worked out formally.

For Lewis, the workout was an opportunity to show what kind of team player he could be.

"I am versatile, strong, have a good work ethic, and am the kind of person that wants to make a team," he said.

The players ran a triad of drills, including the 40-yard dash, a shuttle drill and what is known as the 'T' agility drill where players run through a series of cones. Sprotte surprised onlooking teammates and scouts with an unofficial 40 time of 4.59 seconds. Strong safety Greg Payne had the second-fastest time, with time of 4.61.

According to one NFL scout, formal workouts are only one part of the recruiting process.

"(We measure) physical measurements and a guy that can compete" Dallas Cowboys scout Walter Juliff said. "But their resume is on tape and what the coaches say about their character."

The four most promising Wildcats - Smith, Northcutt, running back Trung Canidate and linebacker Marcus Bell - opted to refrain from drills. Smith, who was running quarterback drills, isn't ruling out a career in the NFL as a quarterback. While many scouts question Smith's size, the former starting quarterback appears ready to play his natural position on a higher level, be it on the American stage or in the Canadian Football League.

"There's no reason I can't play," he said. "The (defenders) are a little bigger, but they're not as tall. If quarterbacking is not for me in the NFL, then Canada, here I come."