2009 Player Profiles: Mike Teel

Try and think of Matthew Stafford's profile as a test run. My goal is to break down players who I've been able to see more then those that I have not seen.

Mike Teel, QB, Rutgers (#2 Senior QB, #5 overall QB)
Career Stats: 661/1142 (57.9%), 9398 yards, 59 touchdowns, 49 interceptions

Analysis: Don't let the interception count fool you, Teel became a much better ball handler later in his career, throwing 45 touchdown passes and 26 interceptions in his junior and senior years. His first two years as a starter he threw an interception every 17 attempts--an appalling number. During his junior and senior years, he threw an interception every 28.7 attempts, which is far more respectable.

He accumulated a 29-13 record starting for Rutgers for three full seasons and several games his freshman year for the injured Ryan Hart. While the Scarlet Knights had a stable running game for much of Teel's career, they severely lacked it in his senior season with the departure of Ray Rice. The pressure fell onto Teel's shoulders, and he didn't respond well as Rutgers started out 1-5. Teel threw just three touchdown passes and seven interceptions, and struggled to get Rutgers in the end zone (17.5 PPG).

But Rutgers reeled off seven straight victories including a bowl win for the up and coming program, with Teel at the helm--throwing 22 touchdown passes and 6 interceptions in an eight game stretch where the Scarlet Knights averaged 38.9 points per game.

Teel's numbers are impressive enough from a Pro-Style offense that lacked any punch in the running game, but numbers aren't enough. Their are both pros and cons to Mike Teel, making him a developmental project, but one that could actually play well in the NFL.

At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds Teel has ideal quarterback size. He has a lively, though not exceptional, arm, and solid form and mechanics. His footwork is, at times, uneven and caused problems early in the season for Rutgers, as Teel's accuracy was constantly in flux. He's not exactly a statue in the pocket, but he's also not going to take off, and will rarely buy time for a broken play with his feet.

Teel excels at finding passing lanes thanks to his height, is able to withstand punishment because of his frame, and has a very keen ability to put touch on any ball he throws. His pocket presence is inconsistent. At times he shows a great feel for the pass rush, and other times looks totally oblvious too it. Predominantly, when he is playing well, Rutgers wins. When he isn't, Rutgers loses, and it was all too clear this season.

We can't forget though, that Teel is not going to be picked any earlier then the 3rd round, and with good reason. First and foremost, Teel has yet to put a full consistent season together. In 2007 he faded down the stretch, playing through a broken thumb on his throwing hand (right). He also struggled in the first half of the 2006 season as well as the first half of the 2008 season. His inconsistency was often irritating for Rutgers fans, and nearly led to his benching during the 12-10 victory over Connecticut this season. You must also ask if Teel benefitted from the supreme receiving talent (at least at the college level) of Tiquan Underwood, Kenny Britt (most definitely at the pro level), and newcomer Tim Brown.

There are question marks about Teel, but he compares favorably to former 1st overall pick Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe's no hall of famer, but he threw for almost 45,000 yards and 250 touchdowns in a fourteen year career. Bledsoe made four Pro Bowls as well. Whether or not Teel puts up those kind of accolades will depend on a team's patience, but he can be a solid professional quarterback at the next level.