March 22, 2005

QUARSHIE PERFORMS BEFORE NFL SCOUTS
by Sean Leahy

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Pro football scouts watched Michael Quarshie and other area ex-college players showcase their physical skills at an NFL Draft Pro Day at Hofstra University Tuesday.

Quarshie said that he was satisfied with his workout, but that he is eager to enhance his chances of being selected in next month’s NFL draft.

“I felt I was better than the other [defensive] lineman that were out there,” said Quarshie.  “I weighed in at 299, which is more than a lot of guys, and I still think I moved a lot better.  I had faster speed.”

The recent Columbia University graduate’s performance improved on his numbers from last month’s scouting combine for international players in Florida.  He ran Tuesday’s 40-yard dash in 4.9 second, had a 32-inch vertical jump and a standing jump of 9 feet, 2.5 inches. 

“This is a very important day for Michael,” said Quarshie’s agent, Bob Boland.  “This is a coming out day for him.”

Scouts representing the New York Jets, New York Giants and Green Bay Packers watched the players Tuesday.  It was one of the few opportunities Quarshie has to showcase himself to teams.  Unlike players who compete in major college football conferences, Quarshie received comparatively little attention during Columbia’s Ivy League schedule.

Boland said for players from lower-profile football schools, even one poor performance in front of NFL scouts can be devastating to their chances of ending up on an NFL roster.  “These are like the SATs,” Boland said of significance of the Pro Day workout.  “Everybody needs to show they belong.  It’s a very important day.”

Although Quarshie said he did not reach his optimal performance, he and Boland were confident he proved to scouts he has the athleticism necessary to compete in the NFL.  “On all my times, I’m where we discussed it’d be necessary to get signed,” he said.  “We were aiming for times that will show I’m a good athlete.”

Although he had only limited exposure to scouts, Boland said Quarshie has a shot of being drafted late in the seven-round NFL draft on April 23.  Quarshie may hold private workouts before then to showcase himself to interested teams.

Even if Quarshie is not selected in the draft, Boland was hopeful that teams will be eager to sign the Finnish native as a free agent soon after the draft.  “I think he’ll get signed after the draft,” the agent said.  “The question is will he be signed, sealed and delivered on Sunday at 5 p.m. when the draft ends.”

The NFL has a program that grants teams roster exemptions for signing and developing international players.  Although only a pilot program available to a handful of teams, it may provide extra incentive for a team willing to take a chance on Quarshie.

While his next workout date is unclear, Quarshie plans to continue preparing and waiting for an opportunity to prove his worth in the NFL.  “I’m going to focus on fine-tuning my weaknesses and I am not going to train as hard,” he said.  “I’m going to focus on staying in shape for my workouts.”