Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 19, 1995 TAG: 9504190033
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The former Virginia Tech standout quarterback has discovered that selling himself to NFL scouts these days is a much more difficult sell than pushing a 1995 Chevrolet truck to a Montgomery County farmer.
Despite owning virtually every Tech career passing record and leading the Hokies to the first back-to-back bowl seasons in school history, DeShazo is not counting on his phone ringing this weekend. Unless somebody needs some wheels from Shelor Automotive Shopping Center, that is.
"I don't expect to be drafted,'' DeShazo said. "Yeah, I think it's a little unfair. I know I'm a better quarterback than the people may say. As far as athletic ability and playing talent, I think I rank right up there with any of 'em.''
Although an inconsistent senior season did little to enhance his draft chances, DeShazo said his option-style game is the biggest throwback to his NFL hopes.
"If you're perceived from Day One as an option quarterback, a guy who can run it and get out on the bootleg, the NFL doesn't want you,'' DeShazo said.
"As far as I'm concerned, that's all BS. Check out the type guys who are winning in the NFL these days. Randall Cunningham was winning until he got hurt, and now Steve Young is killing 'em in San Francisco.
"You tell me. If I'm so bad a quarterback, then why is my name all over the Tech record books? Look at the stats. My career numbers [47 touchdown passes and 6,105 total yards] are about as good as anybody's.''
Although his 40-yard dash time of 4.59 ranks among the top 10 of eligible quarterback draftees, DeShazo was rated only 36th among 46 quarterbacks listed in the latest report of noted draft analyst Mel Kiper.
"That's no way,'' DeShazo said. "There's no doubt in my mind that I'm definitely among the top 20.
"How do they rank guys? Off stats? The team's record? Ability? Talent? Are they telling me Jay Barker [former Alabama quarterback rated 11th by Kiper] has more talent and ability than I do? Well, I don't believe it.''
DeShazo's best shot at making the NFL could be on the other side of the ball - at defensive back. He has the size - 6 feet 1, 201 pounds - and speed, according to his agent, Carl Mathison, of Florida-based Pro Sports International.
"I don't think it's a matter of Maurice's stock going down as much as it's a matter of him being viewed now as multi-purpose player, both as a defensive back and a quarterback and as a prototype for the CFL,'' Mathison said. "I think the NFL people see a lot of diversification in him.''
DeShazo hasn't played defensive back since his senior year at Bassett High School in 1989.
"I'd be willing to give it a shot,'' said DeShazo, who worked out for most every NFL club this summer. "It doesn't matter that I haven't played there if I have the skills.''
Mathison compared DeShazo with former Rice quarterback Bert Emanuel, now playing receiver for the Atlanta Falcons.
"Bert Emanuel never played a down at receiver in college,'' Mathison said. "Now the Falcons are confident enough in him not to offer Andre Rison a matching offer.''
Mathison said he thinks there's a good chance that DeShazo's name will be called this weekend. Of course, he gets paid to think that way.
"I would expect Maurice to be drafted,'' Mathison said. "If he's not, I fully expect him to be offered a free-agent contract.''
DeShazo said: "That would be no problem. I hear that if you're picked after the fourth round, you might as well be a free agent. There's not that much difference in money at that point.''
If the NFL doesn't work out, DeShazo's escape route will lead him north to the Canadian Football League. The Ottawa Rough Riders, through a recent draft, have the first negotiation rights to DeShazo.
"In essence,'' said Mathison, "he was a No.1 CFL draft pick. He was the first player Ottawa picked.
"The CFL considers him, and he is, a prototype CFL quarterback. With his speed, his ability to run the option, his ability to throw it, his ability to run the quarterback counter and draw, he's very attractive to the CFL.
"If he doesn't get drafted by the NFL, I fully expect Maurice to be offered a free-agent contract. Then it will be a decision as to go that route or whether to go to the CFL as a quarterback, where he will certainly be a franchise player.
"No matter what happens, there is no question that Maurice DeShazo is going to play professional football somewhere.''
After a senior season in which his play was often maligned by Tech backers, DeShazo desperately wants another shot.
"I caught a lot of heat this year in round-about ways,'' said DeShazo, who fell from the nation's fifth-best passer in 1993 to seventh best in the Big East in '94.
"Sure, I made some mistakes. And my teammates made some mistakes. But we fought our tails off. Still, there are some people who are just plain ignorant.
"I say just ask one question. Has football ever been like this around Blacksburg before? The answer is N-0, no. I rest my case.''
Come autumn, DeShazo hopes to be resting his case in pro football somewhere.
"I like selling cars,'' said DeShazo, "but I think the pay is a little better in pro football.''
by CNB