Charlie Ward (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

Of all the great athletes who went into one sport rather than another... I really wish I could have seen Ward play in the NFL. I know he wasn't the biggest guy ever, but I am convinced he would have been successful in the league. He was accurate, and when plays broke down he was incredibly elusive.

Man, he would have been a blast to watch every Sunday.

Instead, he opted for a career as a painfully average NBA point guard. It was probably the right decision, financially.

 

[ADP]

Drew Brees before Drew Brees

 

[Raider Nation]

Drew Brees before Drew Brees

Chuck would have had a few more rushing yards though.

 

[ADP]

Drew Brees before Drew Brees

Chuck would have had a few more rushing yards though.

Oh yeh. Ward was definitly the better runner. But looking at strictly at the QB aspect. I really do believe he was a lot like Drew Brees. Obviously the height comparison, but throw in there accuracy, above average arm, competitive nature, uncanny ability to just make plays, etc... It may sounds stupid, but they are a lot a like.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Ward is 6'2" so he really isn't short for a QB.

 

[Raider Nation]

Ward is 6'2" so he really isn't short for a QB.

I never said he was short.He was several double cheeseburgers shy of 190 lbs. He might have been at risk running at that size.Compare that to another scrambling QB like Vick, who weighs 215-220.

 

[ADP]

Ward is 6'2" so he really isn't short for a QB.

6'2 is being generous. I think 6'0 to 6'1 is probably more accurate. 6'2 is one of those heights they give NBA players...you know, just like Barkley was 6'8.

 

[Mikey16x]

I don't mind... he was part of our recent glory years in the NBA.. I'm a Knicks fan or an Isiah victim... either way you want to look at it.

 

[D'OHtis]

Seneca Wallace before Seneca Wallace

 

[Steelfan7]

I don't mind... he was part of our recent glory years in the NBA.. I'm a Knicks fan or an Isiah victim... either way you want to look at it.

Don't worry the King is coming to save our Knicks franchise.

 

[Jason Wood]

I think he would've had a much better shot today than he did back then, but ultimately I don't know that he would've been a special player. He certainly made the right decision IMHO, if for no other reason than the longevity an NBA career provides, combined with guaranteed salaries.

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

Given that he was projected to be a 3rd-5th round pick back in the day, I'd say the odds were against him.

 

[Da Guru]

Ward would have had the same impact that Pat White is having. Chuck made the correct decision.

 

[TWP]

He obviously made the correct decision from a financial/health/lifestyle perspective (except potentially for the year-long travel grind of an NBA schedule). And he was a well above average point-guard. Even if you meant 'average STARTING point guard' he was above average. And no I dont think he would have been great in the NFL. The Seneca Wallace comparison seems reasonable. Or Pat White or whatever. Someone with athleticism and some good throwing aspects but not a good starting QB in the NFL.

 

[Jason Wood]

Ward would have had the same impact that Pat White is having. Chuck made the correct decision.

Why would you make this assertion? Ward played in a (shotgun heavy) pro style offense and was a passer first. White was an athlete playing QB in an spread option offense. HUGE difference.People's memories about Ward seem to be a bit cloudy. A lot is made of his not being drafted, but to be fair he was largely responsible for that because he made it clear he wouldn't commit to the NFL over the NBA if he wasn't a first round pick. A number of teams tried to call his bluff after the draft by giving him big-time guaranteed free agent offers, but he opted for the NBA anyway.

 

[Tau837]

I never thought he would be a good NFL QB and thought he clearly made the right decision. It wasn't only because of the NBA that he was projected as a 3rd to 5th rounder, it was also because of his stature (6'2" 190). I'm not aware that he was made several lucrative free agent offers as Wood indicated above... I know the Chiefs inquired if he wanted to back up Montana during his rookie season with the Knicks and he declined.

In college, he played in a shotgun heavy offense that was loaded with talent. I don't think there is a strong track record in general for QBs with that kind of pedigree, especially when they weigh less than 200 pounds. I think he would have been a backup or possibly a Slash type of player.

Saying he was Drew Brees before Drew Brees is laughable IMO.

 

[Jason Wood]

I never thought he would be a good NFL QB and thought he clearly made the right decision. It wasn't only because of the NBA that he was projected as a 3rd to 5th rounder, it was also because of his stature (6'2" 190). I'm not aware that he was made several lucrative free agent offers as Wood indicated above... I know the Chiefs inquired if he wanted to back up Montana during his rookie season with the Knicks and he declined.

In college, he played in a shotgun heavy offense that was loaded with talent. I don't think there is a strong track record in general for QBs with that kind of pedigree, especially when they weigh less than 200 pounds. I think he would have been a backup or possibly a Slash type of player.

Saying he was Drew Brees before Drew Brees is laughable IMO.

I agree with this, and think comparing him to Pat White is equally laughable. He's somewhere in between.I do think the comparisons to Tebow out there are interesting; although again they really are much different players.

 

[Matt Waldman]

I am a definite Charlie Ward fan. I would love to get my hands on a few of his games and evaluate them now just for kicks because trying to compare him to anyone now from decades ago would be foolish. I have a hard time believing he would match Brees - if anyone really can - in ability. Still I think he would have been at least as good as Wallace and I would like to think far better (solid NFL starter with potential for more if surrounded by great talent).

My favorite memory of Ward actually came in a Knicks game towards the end of his career when he went after a loose ball and bowled over two forwards much bigger. He didn't even lose his balance. The other two took a few minutes to get up, one had to be helped off the court. All I could think is "It's a #%&*@!^ shame social conditions weren't ripe for him to have an NFL shot." But Wood is right, he won't need to be wheeled around when FSU has a ceremony for him when he's older.

 

[fsufan]

Ward is 6'2" so he really isn't short for a QB.

i am 6' 2" and have seen Ward in public back in his FSU days, no way he is 6' 2"

 

[fsufan]

Also,

Do not know if Ward would have had the head to play in the NFL. My ex brother in law went to high school with Ward and he told me he does not know how Ward graduated from high school

 

[Don Quixote]

I never thought he would be a good NFL QB and thought he clearly made the right decision. It wasn't only because of the NBA that he was projected as a 3rd to 5th rounder, it was also because of his stature (6'2" 190). I'm not aware that he was made several lucrative free agent offers as Wood indicated above... I know the Chiefs inquired if he wanted to back up Montana during his rookie season with the Knicks and he declined.

In college, he played in a shotgun heavy offense that was loaded with talent. I don't think there is a strong track record in general for QBs with that kind of pedigree, especially when they weigh less than 200 pounds. I think he would have been a backup or possibly a Slash type of player.

Saying he was Drew Brees before Drew Brees is laughable IMO.

I agree with this, and think comparing him to Pat White is equally laughable. He's somewhere in between.I do think the comparisons to Tebow out there are interesting; although again they really are much different players.

Troy Smith comparable?

 

[Da Guru]

Ward would have had the same impact that Pat White is having. Chuck made the correct decision.

Why would you make this assertion? Ward played in a (shotgun heavy) pro style offense and was a passer first. White was an athlete playing QB in an spread option offense. HUGE difference.People's memories about Ward seem to be a bit cloudy. A lot is made of his not being drafted, but to be fair he was largely responsible for that because he made it clear he wouldn't commit to the NFL over the NBA if he wasn't a first round pick. A number of teams tried to call his bluff after the draft by giving him big-time guaranteed free agent offers, but he opted for the NBA anyway.

The great thing about these debates is that nobody is right or wrong..because we will never know the correct answer.

 

[Mikey16x]

I don't mind... he was part of our recent glory years in the NBA.. I'm a Knicks fan or an Isiah victim... either way you want to look at it.

Don't worry the King is coming to save our Knicks franchise.

I don't even want that crybaby in NY. I will take his phantom calls that come along with him though. I'd rather settle for Wade/Bosh with a possibility of resigning Lee. Douglas/Wade/Gallo/Lee/Bosh=playoffs.

 

[D'OHtis]

I think former FSU QB Adrian McPherson would have been a better NFL QB than Charlie had he not ####ed up and gotten kicked outta school.

 

[SSOG]

Would Charlie Ward have been a good NFL QB? I think probably not, but then again, the fact that fewer than 50% of QB prospects become quality NFL QBs generally leads me to a position of skepticism about almost every QB prospect to ever enter the league, so obviously I'm wrong a lot.