08/20/2009
Ryan Leaf was one of the most egregious draft busts in NFL history. He went second overall to the San Diego Chargers and failed miserably.
He alienated teammates, fans and media types. He suffered serious shoulder and wrist injuries. Later, after the Chargers turned him out, he failed to sustain comebacks in Tampa Bay and Dallas.
Now his protégé is trying to succeed where he failed.
As an assistant coach at West Texas A&M, Leaf helped develop Keith Null into a hugely productive Division II quarterback. Now Null is getting his shot under much different circumstances than Leaf enjoyed -– as a sixth-round Rams draft pick fighting for the No. 3 quarterback slot.
Many experts left him out of their pre-draft rankings. Others mentioned him as a potential street free agent, or “camp arm” as they say in the business.
But Null could become much more than that. He is a big prospect (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) with a big arm and a nice passing touch.
He offers intriguing physical tools and a productive collegiate background.
With starting quarterback Marc Bulger missing the rest of preseason play with a broken finger, Null will get additional work as he battles Brock Berlin for the No. 3 job behind Bulger and Kyle Boller.
Maybe, just maybe, Null could become a true developmental quarterback. His considerable potential could earn him a roster spot if he continues progressing through the preseason.
Null did not look like a small-town, small-school rube during training camp. He knew exactly what he was getting into when he reported to work at Rams Park.
Leaf helped get him ready. Null learned from Leaf’s fortune and misfortune.
“He has gone through it all, to say the last,” Null said. “He’s definitely had a lot of experiences. He has learned from all of those.
“We really enjoyed each other. I enjoyed having him as a coach and I know he enjoyed having me as a player. We got along great.”
Leaf’s tenure at the school ended abruptly and badly. He developed a painkiller addiction after his NFL career ended and that led to his arrest on drug charges.
But Leaf has stayed connected with Null while working through his personal and legal issues.
“He just called me two or three days ago and left me a message,” Null said. “I actually have to call him back. It’s been pretty busy around here.
“We talk every two or three weeks, He says in touch. He is very encouraging and helpful for me.”
Null threw for 5,097 yards in his senior season and capped his career with stellar Division II playoff and all-star game performances. Null threw for 595 yards and seven touchdowns against Abilene Christian in a playoff game and later earned MVP honors at the Valero Cactus Bowl.
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