Nate Longshore's opportunity could be one NFL team's success

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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If Nate Longshore were to walk around with a chip on his shoulder, it would be very difficult to blame him for it.

He's endured boos from his own fans, dealt with losing his starting job during his senior year, and gone from a top quarterback in this year's draft to being projected as an undrafted free agent.

Those are all difficult situations - for anyone.

When you consider that 'confidence' can be a determining factor between failure and success as a leader, a quarterback, or even a football player, one has to wonder how Longshore has made it this far without hanging his head.

As a redshirt freshman, Longshore took over as starter for the departed Aaron Rodgers.  The thought at the time was that he would be the starter for at least the next three, and it was hoped, the next four years.

Unfortunately, for Bear Backers and Longshore, that starting gig lasted about 28 minutes of his first game as a starter.

A broken leg caused coach Jeff Tedford to use JC transfer Joe Ayoob and then former fullback Steve Levy in that game, and for the rest of the year.

That season, Longshore watched from the sidelines in a cast, while Bear Backers showered Ayoob with boos.  Little did he know at the time, one day he'd receive the same affection.

Sometimes it was tough, but I think after being away for a little while and taking a bigger picture of things, you know I appreciated my time there.  I think I grew a lot and I learned a lot and there are things that you can learn at Cal and you can be a part of at Cal that you just can't do anywhere else in the world.  So, I definitely appreciated my time and learned a lot and grew a lot at as a person.  So I think all in all, you know I wouldn't trade my experience there for anything.
- Longshore on his experience at Cal.

As a sophomore, Longshore displayed all the talent that was expected of him.  He became only the second Cal quarterback to throw for 3,000-plus yards in a season, finishing the year with 3,021 yards passing and 24 touchdowns while completing 60.2% of his passes.

Mel Kiper's preseason ratings had Longshore as a top-two quarterback for the 2008 draft.  Life was good for the quarterback from Canyon Country, California.

Fast forward to now, and you see a man virtually unaffected with his drop in stock.  His confidence?  If he's lost any in himself, it's not apparent to anyone on the outside looking in.

You know, I was never surprised when Mel Kiper had me rated high.  I'm still not surprised.  Being rated for the NFL Draft is kind of a 'what have you done lately' kind of thing.  You know, my later games weren't so good and, regardless of the reason, you have to prove to them that you're capable of getting back to being that good player.  I feel like I can play and when I'm healthy and when I have time to improve, I feel like I have a good opportunity to do well and make a team.

After the 2008 Emerald Bowl, where his final pass as a Golden Bear was a touchdown for the win, Longshore began his draft journey with a trip to Competitive Edge Sports in Atlanta, Georgia.  There he embraced the opportunity to focus solely on getting ready for NFL scouting evaluations.

You'd get up in the morning, you'd go throw routes with receivers, then you'd come back and do a little agility, drop work, and footwork drills.  Then you'd have a lift in the afternoon and some days we'd even go over, you know, some board work.  Roger Theder was out there and he did a great job coaching up about six or eight of us quarterbacks depending on the week.  So there was a lot of competition and there was a lot of...you know, I feel like I got a lot of good work in.

Longtime Bear Backers may recall Theder as Cal's head coach from 1978-1981, where he finished with a 17-28 record.  Now, Theder is more notable as a quarterback guru.  Some of Theder's pupils include Buffalo Bills starter Trent Edwards, Steelers backup Dennis Dixon, and former Heisman finalist and 49er Ken Dorsey.

Longshore, who has only taken a couple of days off since the end of his college career, has continued to work on being a better quarterback.  He's now back in Berkeley getting himself ready to compete at a professional level when he gets the chance.  Like his former teammate Rulon Davis, he's also working out at Real People Pilates to enable him to achieve the flexibility required to stay healthy on the field.

You know, they do a great job and, Joseph Quinn - we got back together in March and started doing Pilates again.  So that's been real beneficial as far as staying stretched, staying loose, and having the body work mechanically sound.

The focus for Longshore this offseason has been to get himself ready to prove to NFL evaluators that he can do all the things that they expect an NFL quarterback to do.  So far, he feels that he has accomplished what he set out to do over four months ago.

I just wanted to...I think this offseason, this training period, to get ready for more evaluation.  For me, it was just to show that I was healthy; that my ankle didn't bother me anymore, my pec was better, I could throw the ball with velocity again, I could move around and throw on the run, and do all those things that they want a young quarterback to be able to do.  So for me it was more about getting back to the fundamentals of playing quarterback, which is throwing the football well and moving around.  So, I mean there's a lot of focus on mobility and being able to do some of their shuttles and drills just to show that I'm not handicapped back there, which, you know when you have ankle injuries and things like that that linger, sometimes you get that reputation.  So I did a good job of showing that, and I felt like I did a good job of throwing the ball and throwing it well.  I had a lot of people that were really surprised at pro day with my arm strength and with everything, with the delivery and everything that goes with it.  So I feel like I made great improvements this offseason to get to where I need to be to compete.

Throwing on the run was not a strength of Longshore's game last season.  With injuries to his leg and ankles, he's also never been accused of being a mobile quarterback.  What many don't know about him is that he's been able to overcome his injuries enough to get out on the field and playing hurt may have affected his play at times.

It was in his junior year that a sprained ankle opened the door to his backup Kevin Riley, and when he came back, he wasn't the same quarterback that had led the Bears to a 5-0 record and #2 national ranking.  Last season, it was an injured pectoral muscle that may have led to his inaccurate throwing.  When asked about his accuracy when it came to throwing on the run, he didn't shy away from his answer.

I think it was just more of the flexibility of my shoulder.  You know, when you throw on the run, you have to manipulate your arm angle because your body...you're not in that perfect throwing position.  So you have to manipulate your arm angle to get it, so the ball comes out nicely and on target.  And I think because of the time from when I hurt my pec, I never really had the chance to stretch it out and lengthen it and get it to where it used to be, to be effective at throwing on the run.  I think people that see me throw on the run right now, they're...they're just so surprised.  I mean,  just to see that huge contrast, even from that last game to right now, just because I've had the time to repair that arm and get it back to where it needs to be to throw on the run.  So I feel like I've built that up and that can be one of my strengths at this point.

What Longshore can count as strengths are his willpower and attitude.  These strengths have enabled him to not only make it through the good times, but weather the storm of criticism that has come his way.  His 'winner' mentality is never more on display than when asked how being booed by his own fans affected him.

It doesn't really.  Wherever you go, whether it's home or away, there's always going to be fans.  That's what makes the sport so great is that there's always fans and they do play a part in the outcome of games.  It's always tougher to win on the road and you live with that.  As far as confidence and things like that...I mean, once you get to that point and have success, you know that you're a good player.  You know, it's really hard for fans to, you know, whether good or bad, get to you.  I know I'm a good player.  I just ran into some injuries that didn't allow me to play like I should.  You know, I can't really blame the fans for their actions because I think if I was up in the stands and saw some of the things done out there too, I'd be a little disappointed as well.  I think that just goes to show how much they're invested with us and they want us to do well.  You know, it's tough at the time, but you have to understand that they would've never booed if they didn't expect better from me, you know?  And I can totally understand that.  It's just unfortunate that I had those injuries that kept me from performing at a level that I should've been able to play at.

There are few, if any, mock drafts that have Longshore being drafted.  He wasn't invited to the combine, most scouting services don't have him ranked or have him ranked low, and he's not even listed on the NFL.com's draft tracker as an available player.  None of that matters to him, nor does it affect what he thinks of his abilities.  When asked to rate himself in this draft class, he's sure that he's just as good today as he was rated two years ago.

I think when I'm healthy, I'm up there with the best of them.  You know, I think I can compete with any quarterback.  Realistically, I think there's guys that have stronger arms, I think there's guys that are more accurate, but as far as all around game, and managing a football team, and being able to understand the game, I think that I could play with any of the guys in this year's class.

He's healthy now, and that could be why his stock is starting to rise among NFL teams.  Since Cal's pro day, he's received interest from approximately 13 teams and a few others have called to get his draft-day information.  His agent tells him that with so many teams showing interest, the possibility of a franchise selecting him in the later rounds on day two wouldn't be surprising.

There's quite a few teams that have been calling us from between pro day and now.  Actually, this week has been heating up too.  From what I understand, the more free-agent interest that you get, you know the more likely you are to move up and someone take you with a later-round pick.  You know, the way it's been going is...the more teams that continue to show interest, I wouldn't...I'm not expecting to go high in the draft at all, not by any means, but I wouldn't be surprised if I get drafted somewhere in the later rounds.  Just because of how many teams, lately, have been showing interest after they've seen me work out these last few months and, you know, they've gotten to talk to me and they've seen some of my Wonderlic scores and things like that.

Ah, the Wonderlic!  A test that is supposed to measure a players' mental acuity.  Georgia's Mathew Stafford and USC's Mark Sanchez are considered the top two quarterbacks in this draft.  Stafford, expected to be drafted within the first few picks, scored a 35 to lead the combine quarterbacks while Sanchez scored a respectable 28.

Longshore's score?  Oh, it was just a 37 on his one and only try.

Just to give a point of reference, teammate Alex Mack, the Draddy Award winner, scored a 26.  Longshore's predecessor, Rodgers, scored a 35 the year he was drafted by the Packers and future Hall of Famer, Tom Brady, scored a 33 when he came out of Michigan as a sixth-round pick.

While he's glad that his Wonderlic score is above raising question, he's more worried about NFL teams having a fair analysis of his capabilities.  He may not be in discussions on draft preview shows, but he's definitely on the minds of NFL GM's.  Surprisingly, not being on those draft shows doesn't seem to have fazed him at all.

You know, I think as we get closer to the draft, I think more and more teams...I feel like I'm getting a lot more attention, maybe not from the media, but from a lot of teams as we get closer to this draft.  The phones have been ringing a lot.  A lot of teams want to talk to me and figure things out and try to understand everything that has transpired.  So I feel like the NFL organizations are all...you know that's really the people that I want to get attention from.  I don't mind missing out on all the media and all the hype and publicity as long as the people in the league, where I'm going, understand my situation.  So I feel like that's going in a good direction.  A lot of teams have been showing a lot of interest so I think maybe I'll just surprise some people on draft day as far as where I go and what happens.  It's definitely been a roller-coaster, and I'm looking forward to starting another adventure.

One of the advantages of not being drafted is that it gives the undrafted player an opportunity to select the best situation for him to succeed.  Factors that undrafted players usually look at are: depth at their position, location, team success, salary details, and whether the system installed is advantageous to their playing style.  Longshore has no preference in the type of system he'll be asked to play in.

I feel like they're all becoming so similar.  They're all understanding what's working and what's not.  You know it all depends on the schemes of the defense too...whether they're going to run inside zone or outside lead.  So I think it...I think it more depends on the type of defense that's out there.  You know the West Coast has a lot of timing stuff to it, and then the digits system that's been around so I don't know, I don't really have a preference.  I don't know, they're all becoming so similar that I don't think there is that much difference anymore.

Unlike most fans, Longshore wasn't a fan of a particular team.  For him, watching the game was a chance to cheer for the quarterbacks.  Brett Favre, Steve Young, and Peyton Manning are just a few of the quarterbacks that he was a fan of while growing up.  He remembers going to a game at the Rose Bowl and sitting in the nose-bleed section with his back against the top wall, just to see Peyton Manning's Tennessee Volunteers beat UCLA by a ton.

You would think that a fan of quarterback play would try to emulate one of them, but Longshore draws upon all of them to make up his own style.

I don't know if I could emulate any of 'em.  I think I try to take different pieces from different guys, just 'cause it's too hard to be like one of those guys that do so well.  You know, I like the way Peyton manages the game.  I think he maximizes what his team's advantages are.  Then, I like the way Brett, you know some people criticize him, but I think it's the only way to play the game.  He takes those chances, you know.  I think that's the reason why he won a lot of games - you know he lost some games, but in the end he reaped much more rewards for taking those chances than he did on the other side.  So I liked his attitude towards the game and then with Steve Young I just liked the personality that he had.  You know, the example that he set for kids and things like that.  So there's little pieces of everybody that I always liked and no matter who was playing, I always cheered for the quarterbacks.

All three quarterbacks are in the Hall of Fame or on their way to those hallowed halls, so he's chosen great examples of what a quarterback should be.

His biggest challenge, besides being one of those great quarterbacks, is getting NFL teams to see in him what he has always seen in himself.  For now, he'll be happy if they take into consideration all that he's been through and what he's overcome in order to get to this point in his career.  He sees an advantage of getting the tutelage of Jeff Tedford.

I just think that there's so much to being a quarterback.  One thing that I feel like I have an advantage at is the tough times.  A huge advantage is understanding the game.  I think being with Coach Tedford and, you know, him bringing in some great offensive lines.  I've learned a lot of offense.  Whether it be the spread or West Coast, or run-game scheme, or things like that.  I've learned a lot about the game and understanding defenses, you know, different things you can do as an offense to manipulate that.  It's not always successful, you know sometimes it looks good on paper and you have to make plays, but as far as the X's and O's go of the game, I feel like I have a huge advantage from going to Cal and learning under Coach Tedford.

As a quarterback, it's Longshore's job to lead by example.  As a Cal Bear, he did that even while he was on the sidelines watching his former backup take the field.  You always hear that a quarterback should be tough, level-headed, smart, and lead by example.  He is all those things and more.

Forget the fact that he has all the skills necessary to be an NFL quarterback.  One thing you'll always be able to count on is that he'll never lay down and quit.  Just by getting this far, despite his obstacles, is proof of that.

Isn't that what you want from your quarterback when it's fourth and long with less than two minutes to go, no timeouts, and you're down by three?

His answer to whether he had any workouts scheduled prior to the draft should tell you something as well.

Not with any teams.  No, but just trying to stay ready because I'm sure after the draft that within the week after that, there will be a mini-camp and first impressions say a lot.

Sounds like the kind of quarterback you want in the huddle when the game is on the line.

NOTES:

• Longshore is anticipating two big days that have nothing to do with football.  He'll have his one-year wedding anniversary on Mother's Day to his wife Rachel.  The other day will be the birth of their daughter sometime in August.
• If you are expecting to find any updates for him on his blog, don't bother.  After a few technical glitches and more important things to worry about, he no longer believes he can access it.  "I don't even know if I can get on it anymore, to be honest.  It would've been fun to keep that up, but I don't remember what happened.  I don't even think that I own it anymore, but I don't know."  The fact that it comes up as one of the top searches for him is something he would be interested in, so for all you web geniuses out there...
• Most memorable game?  The 2007 Oregon game at Oregon.  You may recall that Cal was ranked #6 and Oregon was #11 in the AP polls causing ESPN's College Game Day to make a visit to Autzen Stadium.  The Bears broke a seven-game losing streak on that field, dating back to 1987.  The games attendance was a record 59,273.  The Bears were elevated to #3 the following week.  Ironically, that was the last time during that season that Longshore had a good game during a Cal victory.
• Longshore ranks #2 in Cal history for victories with 20.  He also ranks fourth all-time in passing touchdowns (51) and fifth in passing yardage (6,783).