Dilfer versus Shuler
Article by Terry Frei
The Sporting News
March 28th, 1994

	Magic? Both of these 22 year olds might have it. The quality that 
can make coaches smile, the fans revere them as more than simply players 
and sponsors come running. . .
	As was the case a year ago, any debate over which quarterback 
should go first in the draft is accompanied by these disclaimers:

* Trent Dilfer and Heath Shuler are both going to be stars.
* The team that gets the other one is going to end up happy.
* In terms of competitiveness, intelligence and leadership ability, 
they're both superlative.
* The differences aren't so much about who is better, but about styles

	Let's say you're a coach or GM trying to save your job. You need 
a quarterback to win you games -- as soon as possible. You can't wait. 
	Take Dilfer.
	He is big, at 6 feet 4 1/4 and 235 pounds. He looks like a 
linebacker - and that's significant, because Fresno State recruited him 
with the thought of playing him there if he didn't make it as a quarterback.
	He played under a former NFL assistant, Jim Sweeny, in a 
pro-style offense at Fresno State, putting up yards with his overhand 
delivery.
	Although he's no gazelle, his foot speed and quickness are at 
least acceptable. . . So take Dilfer because he's as close to NFL ready 
as they come in this draft, and he can't miss.
	Now let's say you're a coach or a GM who feels secure enough to 
think about, say, 1996. Take Shuler.
	He is faster, more agile and has a snap delivery that enables him 
to make a 50 yard throw seem effortless. He is not quite another Steve 
Young waiting to happen, but he is closer to that type than to, say, Troy 
Aikman.
	At a shade under 6-3, 215 pounds, Shuler's size doesn't jump out 
on paper. But on the field, he passes the NFL coaches' "eyeball test"  
with a thick and solid trunk.
	The negatives? About the only one is that he didn't run a pro 
style offense at Tennessee. . . He might take more time to adapt to the 
NFL game than Dilfer, but his upside probably is greater.
	Take your pick.