Catching up with ….. former Gators QB Chris Leak

[O-town Gator]

The NFL career hasn’t quite panned out for Chris Leak, but the former national championship winning quarterback at Florida isn’t complaining.

Leak, the offensive MVP of the 2007 BCS Championship Game, hasn’t had an NFL tryout since the 2008 preseason with the Kansas City Chiefs. But he says he’s enjoying life in Canada as a backup quarterback for the Montreal Allouettes (along with former FSU quarterback Adrian McPherson), where he gets to play for head coach Marc Trestman, who in football circles is known for developing quarterbacks like Rich Gannon and Steve Young, but in 2010 is best known as Tim Tebow’s personal coach.

Leak was back in The Swamp last Saturday at the request of John Brantley, standing on the field next to Urban Meyer during the Orange and Blue game to observe Brantley and give him pointers about his footwork and decision making.

Link: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/gatorbytes/2010/04/13/catching-up-with-former-gators-qb-chris-leak/#more-4181

 

[FrozenGator]

Good interview. I'd love to have heard what he likes about the Canadian game more in-depth, but I guess that wasn't the focus of the interview.

When he was signed up here, I was horribly disappointed it wasn't with my beloved Blue Bombers. But I still wish him well (just not against my team), and like watching him throw.

He's right about the time it takes to get used to the game. If you're curious about what it looks like, there are no shortage of clips on Youtube.

 

[O-town Gator]

Good interview. I'd love to have heard what he likes about the Canadian game more in-depth, but I guess that wasn't the focus of the interview.

When he was signed up here, I was horribly disappointed it wasn't with my beloved Blue Bombers. But I still wish him well (just not against my team), and like watching him throw.

He's right about the time it takes to get used to the game. If you're curious about what it looks like, there are no shortage of clips on Youtube.

On one of the rare occasions that he was actually behind center for the Alouettes, he did complete a TD pass.

If anything, Urban Meyer's taking over the Gator head coaching job was the best thing that could have happened to Chris; why I say that is that Coach Meyer helped him make the most of his talent and urged him out of a comfort zone. Urban did right by him in developing the Gator offense around his particular skillset, and the fact that he was potent against a zone offense worked to our advantage in the National Championship game against Ohio State.

I can see why he wants to get into coaching; last year he ran a football camp in Apopka (in the greater Orlando area).

 

[FrozenGator]

On one of the rare occasions that he was actually behind center for the Alouettes, he did complete a TD pass.

If anything, Urban Meyer's taking over the Gator head coaching job was the best thing that could have happened to Chris; why I say that is that Coach Meyer helped him make the most of his talent and urged him out of a comfort zone. Urban did right by him in developing the Gator offense around his particular skillset, and the fact that he was potent against a zone offense worked to our advantage in the National Championship game against Ohio State.

I can see why he wants to get into coaching; last year he ran a football camp in Apopka (in the greater Orlando area).

Totally agree. One of the biggest challenges any QB faces when going to the next level (CFL or NFL) is in trying to adjust to the different style. By making Chris have to adjust while with the Gators, Urban taught Chris how to learn, football-wise.

Absolute suicide for a QB coming from NCAA to the next level is to refuse to change anything about his style, believing that his NCAA-level skills will automatically translate into professional success (Hello, Vince Young). I'm pleased to hear that Tebow's been working on his muscle memory for his throwing motion. Even if it's not the biggest problem he faces, it demonstrates his willingness and ability to change.

 

[O-town Gator]

Totally agree. One of the biggest challenges any QB faces when going to the next level (CFL or NFL) is in trying to adjust to the different style. By making Chris have to adjust while with the Gators, Urban taught Chris how to learn, football-wise.

Absolute suicide for a QB coming from NCAA to the next level is to refuse to change anything about his style, believing that his NCAA-level skills will automatically translate into professional success (Hello, Vince Young). I'm pleased to hear that Tebow's been working on his muscle memory for his throwing motion. Even if it's not the biggest problem he faces, it demonstrates his willingness and ability to change.

It's nice to see that Chris wants to go into coaching after his playing days are over. If he needs a mentor in that aspect, I can't think of a better one than Urban Meyer to help him get started.

 

[Mr2Bits]

Would like to see Chris Leak leave Canada and head down to the Arena Football League. He'll be closer to home and will have more access to local coaches and players.