An open letter to Pat White

April 23rd, 2009 by Vince Mullins

Pat,

First off, congratulations on one of the most successful college football careers for any quarterback. Whether as a dual-threat stat machine or the only QB to ever win four bowl games, few signal callers possess your ability to play big in a big game. You will go down as a legendary West Virgina Mountaineer.

Few athletes in college football history amassed highlight runs like you. With top-end speed and enough moves to avoid contact in a phone booth, your wake was filled with broken ankles and beaten defenders. Here are some examples:

Notice how I didn’t mention your passing? While you exhibited excellent accuracy you should abandon the thoughts of playing QB full time in the NFL in order to be one of the most feared athletes in the history of the game…

Your skills are very similar to Browns’ Josh Cribbs (QB Kent), Kordell Stewart (retired NFL “Slash”, QB at Colorado) and the Jets’ Brad Smith (QB Missouri). Each of these individuals first made NFL impact in the return game and were able to contribute in gadget packages and as WRs.

Stewart had a failed run as a QB – for whatever reason could not seem to rally the troops, and I always thought he gave up a chance to be one of the premier WR in football by stubbornly demanding to play only QB.

Take a look at Eric Crouch and even Major Harris to see where similar players careers have gone when adamantly sticking to being a QB. Your action-figure moves and the sinewy build should make an excellent WR or a change-of-pace RB like Chris Johnson of East Carolina fame (now Titans).

I hope this doesn’t surprise you but your long-term financial and football success depends on embracing a position change. You have already conquered one position in college, I have full faith you will do the same in the NFL.

Good Luck at the draft. Get a nice suit with less than four buttons for the show.

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