Colt Brennan -- WWBWD? (What Would Bill Walsh Do?)

chose wait to throw to his own receivers at Boston College’s Pro Day, rather than throw at Indy to unknown receivers. Andre Woodson had a hamstring injury and also did not throw. Nevertheless, Brennan was credited with 100% accuracy in the throwing drills, while I could not find any mention what the others’ scores were.

Honolulu Advertiser writer Stephen Tsai (one of only a few reporters allowed to observe the quarterback/receiver workouts first-hand) wrote this: “Former University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan completed 20 of 21 of his passes during drills today at the NFL Scouting Combine in the RCA Dome. Brennan was given a 100-percent accuracy mark because his lone incompletion was a chest-high pass that ricocheted off Kansas wideout Marcus Henry's hands.”

Interviewed after conducting Brennan’s workout at his Pro Day in Carson California on April 1, 49er quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner had this to say: “’Colt had a good workout. His throws had a lot of zip. Some people say: Does he have the arm? He has plenty arm. He's very accurate. There's no question he can play at the next level. He can make all of the throws.’"

So how about INTELLIGENCE? In this day it’s recognized that there are multiple kinds of intelligences—traditional IQ is just one measure. Since players’ Wonderlik scores are not publicized, and I have not seen any comparisons of QBs’ multiple intelligences, I am assuming Walsh was referring to on-field intelligence.

Brennan says when starting Pop Warner at the youngest age allowed, his coach looked at him and said, “You’re a quarterback.” And no coach he’s had since had a different opinion—QB is the only position Brennan has ever played.

“’Line up all the great quarterbacks and they all come in different sizes and styles,’ says 49ers coach Mike Nolan, who coached Brennan at the Senior Bowl. ‘First you see if a guy’s accurate and if he can execute when the play works. Then when the play breaks down, can he still make a play? Those are the guys who make it.’”

Does Brennan have this kind of intelligence? You have to look at film from Brennan’s entire football career to get a feel for this—not just from the Sugar Bowl and Senior Bowls—from Pop Warner days through college. It’s Brennan’s ability to ad-lib and connect with his receivers when plays break down—call it a 6^th sense, call it intuition , call it intelligence—Brennan has “it”.

COURAGE can take different forms in sports:

Courage to face public and media scrutiny: What draft prospect this year (or even in previous years) has had every aspect of his character and talent as scrutinized as Brennan? Brennan has endured waves of public criticism—much of it, I have observed, based on hearsay, inaccurate reporting, and internet blog “gossip”.

 

 

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