John Navarre and Jeff Smoker have taken radically different paths on their way to the NFL Scouting Combine, but they did share something of significance in their travels.
It was one heckuva bumpy ride.
Navarre, the former University of Michigan quarterback, played very well during his career but never quite good enough for his critics.
"It was a good experience, I had a great time and it was one of the best decisions I ever made," Navarre said about becoming a Wolverine. "I had some ups and downs but it ended on an up note."
The scrutiny that goes along with his position has hardened Navarre for whatever awaits in the NFL.
"It's a benefit because I'm prepared for any situation I'll come ac****. Being at a school like Michigan where the quarterback is always under fire, and being there for 3-1/2 years, I'm prepared for those types of situations," he said.
It started during Navarre's sophomore season when the criticism was the most intense.
"It got out of hand once in a while," he said. "When you're written about in the school paper about how you're not performing ... a lot of the students don't have enough balls to come up and say something to your face, but they have enough balls to write it in the paper.
"It got out of hand but I think the people around me noticed it a lot more than I did. I chose to ignore it. When it finally went away, they said 'Man, you were really under fire."'
Smoker was the unquestioned leader of the Michigan State team two years ago when he was sidelined and scandalized by a substance abuse problem. Smoker bounced back to lead the Spartans to a surprisingly successful season last year.
Smoker believes the troubles he endured will help him deal with the pressures of becoming an NFL quarterback.
"A quarterback is going to be put through a lot during the course of the season, there are going to be a lot of ups and downs and there will be a lot of pressure," he said. "For me to have been through something like that, it was a very hard time, but the fact that I made it past that and came back and had a great season means something."
Smoker said he can relate to the same bumpy ride Navarre has taken.
"I definitely understand where he's coming from," Smoker said. "He's coming from one of the highest profile programs in the country and I've been up there and seen a lot of what he's been through, if not more ups and downs than me.
"We're scrutinized very highly in Michigan and he's definitely right, we've both been through some trials that will make us better people and will make us better quarterbacks, too."
Smoker, who will work out at the Michigan State pro day on March 23, is spending every possible minute of the combine getting his message out.
"The most important part for me is getting to meet as many people as possible," Smoker said. "With my past record there is something that's kind of attached to me now and it's important for me to meet as many people as possible and talk to them.
"I'm just going to be myself and be honest with them and I think they'll see the kind of person I am."
Navarre, who has unquestioned character and could go in the third round, has opted to perform at the combine.
Smoker's future is a little more fuzzy.
"I really have no idea," he said.
"I've heard I'm all over the (draft) board," Navarre said. "I'm going to work out hard and do my best and hope I get in a good situation."
http://www.mlive.com
It was one heckuva bumpy ride.
Navarre, the former University of Michigan quarterback, played very well during his career but never quite good enough for his critics.
"It was a good experience, I had a great time and it was one of the best decisions I ever made," Navarre said about becoming a Wolverine. "I had some ups and downs but it ended on an up note."
The scrutiny that goes along with his position has hardened Navarre for whatever awaits in the NFL.
"It's a benefit because I'm prepared for any situation I'll come ac****. Being at a school like Michigan where the quarterback is always under fire, and being there for 3-1/2 years, I'm prepared for those types of situations," he said.
It started during Navarre's sophomore season when the criticism was the most intense.
"It got out of hand once in a while," he said. "When you're written about in the school paper about how you're not performing ... a lot of the students don't have enough balls to come up and say something to your face, but they have enough balls to write it in the paper.
"It got out of hand but I think the people around me noticed it a lot more than I did. I chose to ignore it. When it finally went away, they said 'Man, you were really under fire."'
Smoker was the unquestioned leader of the Michigan State team two years ago when he was sidelined and scandalized by a substance abuse problem. Smoker bounced back to lead the Spartans to a surprisingly successful season last year.
Smoker believes the troubles he endured will help him deal with the pressures of becoming an NFL quarterback.
"A quarterback is going to be put through a lot during the course of the season, there are going to be a lot of ups and downs and there will be a lot of pressure," he said. "For me to have been through something like that, it was a very hard time, but the fact that I made it past that and came back and had a great season means something."
Smoker said he can relate to the same bumpy ride Navarre has taken.
"I definitely understand where he's coming from," Smoker said. "He's coming from one of the highest profile programs in the country and I've been up there and seen a lot of what he's been through, if not more ups and downs than me.
"We're scrutinized very highly in Michigan and he's definitely right, we've both been through some trials that will make us better people and will make us better quarterbacks, too."
Smoker, who will work out at the Michigan State pro day on March 23, is spending every possible minute of the combine getting his message out.
"The most important part for me is getting to meet as many people as possible," Smoker said. "With my past record there is something that's kind of attached to me now and it's important for me to meet as many people as possible and talk to them.
"I'm just going to be myself and be honest with them and I think they'll see the kind of person I am."
Navarre, who has unquestioned character and could go in the third round, has opted to perform at the combine.
Smoker's future is a little more fuzzy.
"I really have no idea," he said.
"I've heard I'm all over the (draft) board," Navarre said. "I'm going to work out hard and do my best and hope I get in a good situation."
http://www.mlive.com
