The 1998 NFL Draft: A Look Back at the Epic Ryan Leaf Bust | Retro Report | The New York Times

After the 1998 N.F.L. draft produced one of the greatest busts in history, Ryan Leaf, what have we learned about the science of evaluating human talent - on and off the field?
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First round quarterback draft busts are nothing new. From Ryan Leaf to Jamarcus Russell it has been something happening in the NFL for decades.
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The 1998 NFL Draft: A Look Back at the Epic Ryan Leaf Bust | Retro Report | The New York Times
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[@Breakbeats92.5]

It's very easy to forget that Ryan Leaf, like you and me, is a person, with feelings, emotions, dreams and aspirations. It must be crushing to have to live a life that includes your name as being synonymous with abject failure.

[@religion-of-logic8708]

Alot of couch potatoes will say he sucks but they don't sit back and realize they cant do it and to be even in the conversation of being a NFL QB you have to be a great player

[@scofieldjs3]

Religion-of-logic as fans we can judge if they are good or not or anything you like especially with fantasy football. Was leaf a better qb than 90% of people of course but where comparing to other nfl players and as an nfl player he sucked plain and simple going into competitive events your gonna get judged and criticized, is part of the game and being a fan. So dont be dumb he sure didnt mind when the chargers assumed he was gona be great and gave him 11mil.

[@wkr64691]

Was about to type pretty much exactly this. He should obviously be held to account for his criminal behavior in the years since he has left the NFL. That said, it has to take a psychological toll to have to hear about what a failure you were on national television every single spring.

[@JesusforLife2]

Atleast he left his mark on humanity

[@sarahmarshall6599]

He got Munson'd

[@SeanOMatic]

Ryan Leaf was all set to be the biggest bust in NFL history and then a guy named Jamarcus Russell came along.

[@rectbosun]

Your right..Jamarcus ran away with 31 million bucks thou.

[@astor1881]

Here’s the thing your wrong.

[@cmqguy]

Sean Sinha Are you sure it’s Jamarcus Russel or is it Johnny (Football) Manzie; now in the CFL??? At least Johnny is trying to make a comeback somehow. I don’t know if it’ll bring him back to the NFL but one can only hope.

[@cmqguy]

WesIsaLeo He was totally out of shape the next season in training camp. What a shame Russel couldn’t do better.

[@rectbosun]

Yeah your right...Mandarich too!

[@patrickmautner4074]

In the weeks leading up to the draft, personnel from both teams asked what each player would do after they got drafted. Peyton gave his typical Peyton answer "I'll work hard, study hard etc" Leaf said he'd spend a weekend in Vegas. That right there shoulda been the red flag of all red flags.

[@Guyver2391]

Patrick Mautner NFL Top 10 draft bust line. I know it well being a San Diegan

[@Dandramere]

+Patrick Mautner NFL mate, the "athletes" in that sport barely make it past 50, and have a 10th of the playing time of any other sport. They are not really athletes, just roided freakazoids with no future, they are experimental mutants at best. You look at them and see heavily muscled men and think wow, they are healthy. They arn't, they could not play a real sport, they would be exhausted, fatigued and injured if they tried to play anything other than the 10 minute football games.

[@Dandramere]

Justin North For an individual player, they play around 10-20mins based on their rotation. They have drug testing at the beginning of pre season, they cycle off season mate, then eat horse meat to stay big.

[@justinnorth2545]

We're talking specifically about QBs. Who stay on the field longer than 10-20 minutes in most games.

[@goodbyehercules5097]

+Dandramere If NFL players only play "10 minute games," then explain to us why there are four quarters of 15 minutes in a game.

[@ATLKing404]

the colts didn't dodge a bullet, they dodged a scud missile

[@AlonsoRules]

multiple

[@michaelsouthard6037]

Charles Hamilton is

[@ads2686]

A scud missle that would have killed the franchise

[@kcx-kx8qd]

@@ads2686 what about a atomic bomb? Lol!!

[@eduarddv00]

@@kcx-kx8qd a scud can be equipped with multiple nuclear warheads

[@bluemoney1330]

Payton : who’s your favorite football player? Mahh Dad’ 😆😂

[@sodiman10]

BlueMoney interviewer: who's your favorite football player? Payton:my dad

[@davisx2002]

I have a lot of respect for Ryan Leaf. He has grown up and accepted responsibility for his life.

[@beautifullovechannel]

That’s key. Accountability, no victim mode. Respects up.

[@milkyo1206]

I was in jail with Ryan Leaf like 3 or 4 years ago it was funny we talked about his career. I asked him how did it feel winning a Superbowl? He said "to be the backup and win doesn't really feel like winning".. But he told us stories about his NFL buddies that he had at the time, and his whole life after the NFL. That was pretty entertaining and it helped us get through with our time there. Listening to him Was awesome.

[@TheBlueCopperrrX]

@natearl13 Sometimes random people with great stories aren’t lying. He clearly didn’t make that comment for the thousands of LIKES .. I believe him. You know why... It isn’t dramatized. Or riveting. Simply stating his experience with Mr. Leaf

[@dirtydevotee]

Pretty funny Johnny Manziel makes an appearance just as the question "Have teams gotten better at judging the latest college talent?" gets asked.

[@karenvincent5202]

I went to school with Archie and Olivia and the Manning boys grew up down the street. The bottom line is that they were raised to be people of character just like their parents and it showed on and off the field.

[@rafi4241]

Karen Vincent awesome

[@JB-pp1kt]

Sure, I knew many guys who played football in school and knew total d bags because they could run a 4.9 lol. I boxed and was an amateur boxer and was 11-0 with 9 KOs and was humble and could’ve went pro if I didn’t go to other routes in life.. most guys who have it all are egotistical and rude but the few who were raised right have my respect. I was known for being an athlete and was calm and respectful and didn’t think of myself better but then the football players the select few who had scouts thought they were all that till they got showed up in college and that’s the fact of it all. If you can play good and have a bad attitude karma will catch up to you

[@jjw8306]

Colts on who to take #1. What would you do with your first paycheck Leaf: "Vegas Baby". Manning: "Get the team's playbook & study it". Tough choice. True story.

[@RandyDubin]

5:45 RIP Junior Seau.

[@johnicka711]

Who cares

[@seanlamar29]

+Geronimo El hombre why is he a coward

[@Musicrecords10]

Gotta love "god", sending someone to hell for putting themselves out of their misery, how dare they escape their suffering..

[@genny1814]

I didn't think anyone else noticed him

[@dnasty312]

That action said so much about his personality

[@FunWithMemesFunWithMemes]

6 years later and now Ryan Leaf has turned his life around. I'm happy for him.

[@deckyoh]

Literally watching him on an nfl show here on tv in ireland right now doing analysis of the upcoming games...he seems happy and content and great to see him succeed in life...

[@1survivor566]

Ryan Leaf is the posterboy for why a players character and mental approach to both life and sport are the most important things in scouting for ANY sport. You can have all the talent in the world physically but none of that matters if you don't have a good head on your shoulders.

[@philipcallado5693]

You'd think after seeing the success of guys like Manning, Brady, Rodgers and Wilson, scouts would put more emphasis on things like intangibles, football intelligence, toughness and pocket presence and less on size, athleticism and "arm talent", but yet guys still fall for the physical freak of nature. They see a QB who can run like the wind, throw missiles and is built like Adonis, and they think coaches can somehow take that raw talent and mold it into an elite QB, but as we've seen throughout NFL history, it rarely happens. A guy either has "IT" or he doesn't, and in this case there was a clear distinction between Manning and Leaf.

[@jcpc4lyfe]

Bro what you think of Winston? Right now

[@philipcallado5693]

As long as he keeps the off-field stuff under control he has all the ability and on-field leadership to be a good QB. Footwork needs improvement but he has shown signs that he can improve in that area. But at least he's not afraid to make throws.

[@darrenpuccala1550]

+Philip Callado To be fair Mariota doesn't look like a bust at all.

[@philipcallado5693]

Darren Puccala I'm not referring to Mariota. People were comparing him to Colin Kaepernick in the draft because of his build, physical tools and style, but he's much more polished as a passer and from the neck up than Kaepernick is and probably ever will be. I'm a 49ers fan, and I've seen more than enough of Kaepernick to know that Mariota has the potential to be way better.

[@darrenpuccala1550]

***** I know, I'm just saying Mariota seems to be an exception... IF he keeps playing better and better and not losing his determination.

[@beknown63]

Fun Fact: 2 years after Ryan Leaf left the Chargers, Drew Brees(elite QB and friend of Peyton Manning) would start his first NFL season in San Diego. Just goes to show how everything always comes full circle.

[@chadpennington1996]

That was the 1st year after leaf’s departure

[@silentpriest3376]

The chargers are just bad at choosing players and coaches in general

[@AEMoreira81]

Which is funny since Drew Brees was a second round pick.

[@jasonl7937]

But they let Brees go to draft Leaf which they parlayed into Rivers, Merriman, and Kaeding. Could have kept Brees and drafted Larry Fitzgerald.

[@rhey81]

And then SD let Brees walk after his shoulder injury cause they had Rivers and now SD doesn't have a team, but hey we have minor league Hockey...

[@jessetheseal]

Can we talk about how good a leader the Chargers had? When Leaf starts yelling at the reporter, who is there immediately? Junior Seau - consummate professional

[@A_YouTube_Commenter]

I noticed that too. He was an actual leader.

[@TheRosswise]

I have a feeling Manziel will be going the Ryan Leaf path.

[@michaelmontalto]

He can't ever be Leaf because of how low in the first round that he was drafted. There was never a debate of if Manziel was the best QB prospect, let alone the best football player in this years draft. He'll be fun to watch and I wish him the best. -mM

[@nickkulessza7337]

***** There where plenty of people saying he was the best QB coming out of the draft. Probably more where claiming him to be better then Bortles who was chosen 3rd OVR. Johnny (first name basis I guess) was the next QB to be taken at Number 22 by the browns. If the browns didn't have that second first round pick they would have taken him with the 4th pick which they traded to Minnesota. They knew all the teams in between them picks either had franchise QB's our had just recently taken a QB early in the draft. The browns have played the draft and F/A and trade's (E.G. trent Richardson) better then any team in the league. The ONLY reason they suck is because they haven't had a QB. I want to see them do good and this is coming from a STEELERS fan. I miss the rivalry, the Ravens is just an adopted one that got picked up because they happen the be the old team from Cleveland and got good. Could you imagine if the Browns where the one's to win the 2 SB's, there would be bloodshed from here (PGH) to the mistake on the lake.

[@SunValleyHood]

***** manizel showed he can play in the league? the CFL? or arena football?

[@michaelmontalto]

I think Manizel shows his character by his trademark "money" gathering. He is the prototypical college player (of which takes no talent compared to the pro game) who will be a mega failure but earn a decent amount of money IMO. I think he is just another QB 1st round pick bust for Cleveland. -mM

[@allwisconsinbasketball1856]

you are a god for getting that right

[@grilledcheesus69]

As a lifelong colts fan. Im so glad we got peyton. He is worshipped here in Indy.

[@queitn6287]

Idk why dude only go you one ring lmaoooo average

[@grilledcheesus69]

@@queitn6287 kinda like your dix homie? Go away loser

[@k.d.1555]

Prime Faulk.. Prime Harrison.. Prime Edge .. Prime Addai.. Prime Wayne .. Prime Clark.. Ridiculous offensive linemen One ring ??? most overrated NFL QB of all time !

[@bondsgoat25]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@k.d.1555he had Faulk for one year as a rookie, Addai was a dime a a dozen running back, “Prime Clark” lol. By that logic Brady has Moss, Welker, Watson and didn’t win a ring, then had Gronk, Welker, Aaron Hernandez, Chad Johnson, Edelman And Branch and couldn’t win a ring. CONTEXTTTTTTRT…..

[@k.d.1555]

@@bondsgoat25 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Peyton was a playoff nightmare … Eli was a better playoff QB than Peyton Peyton can’t touch Brady .. it’s not even close ! Ridiculous comp !

[@xXPuppyPowuhXx]

If I was Ryan Leaf, I'd think about it like "Yeah, I failed. But my failure has gotten me more success in 1 year than most people achieve in a lifetime."

[@dftmmwgitd]

His failure has gotten him in prison. I have a hard time seeing your point.

[@xXPuppyPowuhXx]

Dom Tes Lol he went to jail for sucking at football?

[@dftmmwgitd]

Kain Carter pretty much. If he was a good player he likely would not be going to jail. I know he would have more money but I think him playing good would help him out mentally.

[@nicolaspimenta8436]

Success? fame for being a total failure is not success.

[@avavanpelt926]

Kain Carter Really gotta be scraping the bottom of the barrel to see how he had a better sucess than average people. He played football. He didnt do a brain transplant.. just saying.

[@tylerkeller8869]

God I love these NYT retro reports. Thanks for the series of documentation of sports in my adolescence.

[@kesayo]

Jeez when did manning not have a receding hairline?

[@kingofgrim4761]

+kesayo when he was in the womb

[@amatesavusa1180]

+XGN Grim still had a bad hairline in the womb LOL

[@betotrono]

+kesayo I think I see a widow's peak at 2:55

[@johnicka711]

+spartan83 lol. Good one

[@seanlamar29]

+spartan83 roids?

[@williamkoscielniak820]

Leaf was a rocket armed freak of nature while Manning was more about accuracy and smarts. I'd go with the latter qualities every single time in a quarterback. Sure, some great quarterbacks have had rocket arms (Favre, Marino, Elway) but the most legendary quarterbacks ever have often been underwhelming athletes. Montana, Brady, and Manning never had rocket arms or great legs. They had great smarts, accuracy, and work ethic. Quarterback is the most cerebral position there is. If you are smart, accurate, and driven, you can be an all time great quarterback.

[@koollikedatt007]

Well said brother

[@abdinaserabdilahi1718]

But Rodgers is both and still was overlooked.

[@demarcodraper4266]

@@abdinaserabdilahi1718 I don't think anyone doubts that Rodgers is one of the greats

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

How about Aikman (number one pick by Dallas in 89/ SB27 MVP/3x SB Champion) ?!

[@evilTaker90V2]

In my opinion, Marino had everything, work ethic, accuracy, smarts and a rocket laser arm(IMO, to this day probably the quickest release in history). Unfortunately he didn’t have a talented team

[@2332Stephen]

Two reasons Manning was more successful.. He's more composed under pressure, probably in anything. And I bet he had the respect of his fellow players and he made them believe that they could go out and win every game. having your team behind you is everything. Forget they all got paid well. if you're team believes in you and they feel you got their back, you can go far.

[@avavanpelt926]

Steve Winter Yeah its hard to believe in a QB who gets wild and disrespectful in the locker rooms. Esp. When your own team has to walk over like "ay man calm down. Its cool." Like they are the dad calming the child. Judging by the looks of it he didnt live, breath and eat Football. Just enjoyed the money and fame it brought.

[@patsrule213]

The two reasons why Manning was successful was that he didn't get hurt and he sold his soul to the NFL, and Ryan Leaf didn't want to do that and was branded as a bust.

[@vadimzdonutube]

Leaf was a lazy immature brat who simply wasn’t ready for the NFL in 1998

[@mlee81]

He knew where he was going with the ball before it was snapped. Leaf had no clue.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

The OL doesn't get paid that well.

[@robmiljus]

Excellent video! Here's hoping you will upload more similar type of videos (ie. about the draft).

[@abg125]

wow, as a Colt fan after watching this, I realized just how different my "life" (as it pertains to sports ) would be if Indy would have went with Leaf....all kinds of memories would be different. My Sunday and some Monday night social life would have been close to non existent. I wouldn't have all those Peyton to Harrison, Wayne, Dallas Clark plays to look back on, beating the bears in the super bowl! But one thing that might have changed for the better is that I ended up having to withdraw/fail a psychology class in college because it was an 8am class and I was too hungover/probably still drunk to make it to class on the Monday after the super bowl and it was my last day I could miss so I withdrew/failed...so maybe if the Colts had went with Leaf I might have passed that class and bumped my GPA up a little bil lol.

[@CSayyid]

I've been a Chargers fan since Fouts was the QB, but it breaks my heart to see Ryan story all over again with all the negative comments and insults. Give the man a break already

[@cyranothe2nd]

I graduated from Wazzu and Ryan Leaf is still a HUGE hero in Pullman. Much love!

[@lampini]

This is a perfect example of looking at a persons character and how they carry themselves. I feel like if you spent an evening with both guys you would find out who the real first round pick was. Payton is a consummate professional even at this age and II feel like having that kind of maturity raises your ceiling

[@caseygrubbs3034]

I’m happy Ryan Leaf has gotten is life together. He actually seems like a really good guy now that he has gotten his life straight. Yeah he was a bust but people have demons that they struggle to deal with and Ryan Leaf looks like he has finally over come his struggles. That’s not easy to do

[@joselopez6990]

Manziel's the new Leaf

[@Guyver2391]

Jose Lopez Not even close.

[@Imponicle]

Guyver2391 uhh yea he is 😂

[@MobiusInfinity117]

No he wasnt he was decent but did not have the work ethic to succeed

[@Allfath3r]

MobiusInfinity117 ... So he was just like Ryan Leaf. Thanks for clarifying.

[@tempest20000]

Jose Lopez it’s really tragic about manziel. He had so much talent and he was even good on the field. But his off field antics really brought him down. I hope maybe he can succeed in the CFL or in the soon to be brought back XFL.

[@empire0]

Pretty amazing to look back at this now, where you had 2 guys who were very close to being the top pick. One guy ended up being a top 3 best of all time, and the other was a top 3 biggest bust of all time.

[@xLiMiiTz]

This was very interesting to watch!

[@antoniuskhalt524]

I'm amazed at the questions on the wonderlic in 1998- they remind me of my middle school star testing questions.

[@jeffw1267]

Part of the difficulty is that they all have to be answered within 12 minutes. That's only about 15 seconds per question. The questions aren't that hard but the questions have to be absorbed and analyzed quickly. Football players aren't generally known for their reading and analytical skills.

[@azlil7]

Patriots when Tom Brady got injured for the season went 11-5 Colts when Manning got injured and was out for the season went 2-14 Tom has a good coaching staff thats why he is successful and Manning is the coaching staff for his team... Manning GOAT

[@stephbetter3806]

+MidwayMonster10 and since when it is a good coaching staff a good thing and how is the goat working out for the other guy lol the "goat" is sitting on the bench and Tom Brady is 9-0

[@stephbetter3806]

Sean K yeah blame 7 tds and 15 ints ALL on the coach it's not like the quarterback can't throw anymore but Brock osweiler had a better game than peyton did all year but that's none of my buisness

[@landonpate5388]

Because manning got injured idiot

[@stephbetter3806]

Landon Pate and he's trash he didn't even have 10 tds through 10 Games he played but he did have almost 20 ints

[@landonpate5388]

Ik but he's on the bench because he got injured

[@evilpandakillabzonattkoccu4879]

"emotionally convinced" ...Exactly!!! very well put!! it seemed like the people that loved Leaf loved Leaf...the people that loved Manning loved well rounded football players.

[@Guyver2391]

KandaPanda Well San Diego had no QB after Dan Fouts and were desperate for whoever they could get that might win them games.

[@evilpandakillabzonattkoccu4879]

Guyver2391 that's a good point!

[@Guyver2391]

KandaPanda I wonder if Ryan leaf had been second string under Doug Flutie (If they had gotten him before letting Leaf start) if that would have helped his career.

[@evilpandakillabzonattkoccu4879]

Guyver2391 that could have! having somebody fill that spot to give Leaf time to grow and develop...that could have helped a ton. who knows....he might have chilled out a bit with the attitude if there hadnt been such pressure on the man.

[@Guyver2391]

KandaPanda Oh well that is just the N "If" L

[@mpaulm]

Hasselback, 187th pick that year. Over 36,000 passing yards. Drafting is a tough game.

[@danielkopping4486]

We all love to take big people down, but watching this makes me feel for Leaf. He had skills, but just couldn't handle it. And, that failure has followed him for his life.

[@JTDyer21]

Like I've said before, physical talent will only take you so far. It's only 1 piece of the pie. You can have all the talent in the world but that won't make you a champion. It also takes hard work, determination and grit on and off the field. Anyone can do well when life is peachy. True winners find a way to win when life is not peachy.

[@Tacofiend92]

Hard work beats talent when Talent doesn’t work hard

[@mftstrifelegit2786]

Actually Ryan Leaf has turned his life around he's a sports caster for ESPN

[@TheFuckingShitLoL]

Good for him. Unfortunate he couldn't do it 20 years ago. But it is what it is.

[@grilledcheesus69]

Peyton manning changed football. He changed the culture of Indiana. He made us proud to be colts fans. Its because of him i became a football fan. FOR THE SHOE 🐎

[@pennyandwoody]

Indiana is still a motor sports and basketball state.

[@jaygatsby611]

The first Jonny Manziel

[@dylanwatson270]

+Jay Gatsby Manziel sucks

[@jaygatsby611]

Dylan Watson My point exactly.

[@angrymobsters1599]

Manziel=G.O.A.T.

[@KittyzDesigns]

Umm no manzel isn't that bad lol

[@jaygatsby611]

Kittyz Designs Can I get some of whatever you're smoking?

[@islandbee]

As a Seahawks fan, I remember the 1993 draft when Drew Bledsoe and Rick Mirer went 1 and 2. Everyone knew that Drew Bledsoe was going number 1. It was wishful thinking that the Seahawks were going to get him. Rick Mirer ended up being a bust for us. We should have just gotten Michael Strahan instead lol

[@futuregohan4837]

Michael Strahan Himself Became Successful In His Career

[@michaellinch5828]

As a Pats fan I remember this draft like twas yesterday- I’m embarrassed to admit I wanted the Patriots to take Mirer . Rick played for ND - Montana was my all time Favorite I 🙏 Mirer would be our Joe .Plus he was on TV every Saturday, here in Boston we never saw any Washington gms . Thankfully Parcels knew what he was doing

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

Mirer's ND Teammate Jerome Bettis was a tenth pick by the Los Angeles Rams & was named NFL ROTY in 1993 Bettis would go on to a hall of fame career with the Saint Louis Rams & Pittsburgh Steelers (10,000 career rushing yards/ SBXL champion in 2006/1996 NFL Comeback Player of the year)

[@jamesfarrell8339]

I loved this story. Greàt job. Greetings from Atlantic City New Jersey USA

[@MrFallout2]

Can''t wait for the "Johnny Manziel one of the biggest busts ever" episode You know somebody is gonna make one

[@jetbricksstudios5530]

Going through the comments in 2020 and seeing comments about Johnny Manziel from back when he was first drafted.

[@lolajay1768]

Turns out Manning's real rival is pick 199 6th rounder from the 2000 draft

[@LordDirus007]

The GOAT

[@SuperOmnicronsj44]

Manning 28, Leaf 27 on wonderlic It was just ONE point, but whoa What a difference that point made!

[@marquiswallace9957]

Manning's family religion...Football. Was the background check REALLY that hard? Try this scenario. Wife says to his dad Archie. "Honey how was work today?" Archie says, "Not bad dear. Although I just threw three touchdown passes. I think I'll just go coach the boys (Peyton & Eli) Before supper. We can all watch my highlights after." Hmm...I think I know who I'd pick in a draft.

[@MindFluxx]

Lol exactly...

[@patrickmcdaniel2048]

You forgot about Cooper Manning, Peyton and Eli's older brother... He played wide receiver at ole miss but had to give up football after suffering an injury similar to Peyton's before the technology was around to repair it. Cooper was a fine football player in his own right

[@Am-Not-Jarvis]

If you spent your GM career just drafting sons of NFL players you wouldn't win very many games

[@nrkgalt]

Jonny Watts There wouldn’t be enough of them. Many current and recent players discourage their sons to play football, in part because of head injuries.

[@casminray1791]

Troy Staunton Peyton would be a better coach than Player??? Thats so wrong he’s one of the Best Qb’s Ever... Jesus. I agree though Howie Long’s kids are nowhere near there dad talent Wise. Still great players.

[@TheSteveSteele]

Dang those sample questions from the Wonderlic test are easy.

[@markguerrero6791]

Steve Steele and Vince young failed it 😂

[@ThomasFromTN]

You can't fail that type of assessment test. Obviously - otherwise, how did Vince Young get drafted?

[@markguerrero6791]

ThomasFromTN because the Titans didn't care that he wasn't smart. And how did that work out? BUST

[@gamble777888]

You get graded on how fast you can answer the questions, not the results themselves as I understand it. QBs have to make split second reads in the pocket, so it's not about how smart they are but how quickly they can diagnose information visually. The wonderlic test attempts to measure this.

[@nads8262]

Adrian Arenas well damm, if its about speed and not if they get it right I could answer that test in 20 seconds

[@MrNothingButAir]

the next one will be Andrew Luck and RG3. Luck with the Manning type career and RG3 as the bust.

[@spartanlegit1]

Lol RG3 🙊🙊🙊

[@juangalvan7708]

Unfortunately that is sooo true....

[@jokerofmorocco]

RG3 had a better rookie season than Luck but it went downhill from then

[@TheWrongTone112]

Youre trippin. Andrew Luck beasted this year

[@jokerofmorocco]

I meant RG3 had a better rookie season than Luck's rookie season, and it meant it went downhil for RG3 not Luck

[@timmytreakleknows32]

Ryan leaf is the biggest qb bust ever!!!!

[@jizzhunt]

JaMarcus Russell might have a claim to that title as well.

[@rollerskate780]

Tim Treakle maybe Jamarcus Russel but other than that he's the biggest bust ever

[@kerioconnor9840]

Lavar Ball No Ryan Leaf is because look @ his stats compared JaMarcus Russell. Besides during scouting combine everyone knew Russell was going 2 screw up except 4 Al Davis n the entire Raiders organization. While Leaf was expected to be better than Manning.

[@vMufasa]

This is a HUGE example of the difference between college and NFL... you can get away in college with athletism, but in NFL everyone is the best of the best, that's where football IQ breaks the tie... great of example of how Manning was maybe less athletic but was worlds ahead in football IQ. You see this all the time with great athletic QBs in college wither away in Pros... Vince Young, Russel, etc.

[@Plazma333]

The potential to be stars for a long time. That's right for manning he is a Super Bowl 50 champ!!!!!!

[@tommywm24]

Johnny Manziel obviously passed the Players Assessment Test with flying colours.

[@thegingabishouen]

As someone from Indy, the irony is that we always had a huge struggle with the Chargers, almost like the Ghost of Ryan Leaf was haunting Manning.

[@paletangitau1247]

Charles Woodson was the best player in the 1998 NFL Draft. Charles Woodson is the only Defensive player to ever win the Heisman Trophy. The Oakland Raiders selected Charles Woodson with the 4th. Pick of the 1998 NFL Draft.

[@popperpoppler4569]

I think the colts were still right to take Manning first, but after him yeah Woodson arguably should’ve gone 2nd.

[@MRB16th]

@@popperpoppler4569 If the Chargers drafted Woodson or Randy Moss, things would have been so much better for the Chargers.

[@Philly1495]

Leaf's highschool coach is a savage lol, puts quit marks over kids faces on the team picture 😂😂

[@zacharyaustin9065]

Jack Johnson is the name. Best high school football coach in Montana history. I would do the same thing. You don't get credit for not doing the work.

[@farquadshmoogle9120]

you know who else was in the 1998 draft. 6th round pick. Matt Hasselback. Had a pretty good career.

[@SuperMarquis32]

San Diego that was his brother

[@kofibabone725]

Some other guy I've heard about named Tom Brady, did ok too.

[@farquadshmoogle9120]

@@kofibabone725 yeah. Brady was drafted in 2000. you are off by 2 years.

[@kofibabone725]

@@farquadshmoogle9120 I wasn't indicating Brady was drafted in 1998 🙄🙄😑😑. I'm just saying overall in human choices, #1 doesn't mean "The Best".

[@farquadshmoogle9120]

@@kofibabone725 you reply to my post about 1998 NFL Draft, and you bring up a player that was drafted 2 years later?

[@alberte8796]

1998 man! I was a punk back then, how time flies

[@lampini]

Love the video guys. An amazing storyline in NFL history. It's very similar to the RGIII and Andrew luck situation isn't it?

[@HitPeace]

VERY

[@kdsburneraccount7476]

Nah. Everyone knew the Colts wanted Luck. This was a lot more up in the air.

[@dennisboulanger1172]

Manziel is the next Ryan Leaf. Into drugs and insulting players and fans already, and he hasn't even started a game yet.

[@nathandixon2048]

Not to mention all the ads he's gotten before even playing a game

[@ddog388112]

Nathan Dixon Not even close, they don't have similiar physical tools or play style

[@nathandixon2048]

DanTheNumba1Man that has nothing to do with my comment

[@ddog388112]

Nathan Dixon As long Manziel focuses on the game, he'll be fine. Doesnt matter how many ads he does

[@666allday]

Manziel was not the 2nd pick in the draft like Leaf was..

[@TheShanklyboys]

You can't measure someones heart. You can't measure how badly somebody wants to win. Just ask Tom Brady.

[@TheShanklyboys]

Jon Snow Get back to the wall, Jon. The cold has driven you mad.

[@TheShanklyboys]

"For Tom Brady"

[@Xboxlove1]

+Jon Snow your watch is just getting started lol

[@TheShanklyboys]

+Laura Guyer Cheer up love.

[@cityofchamps66]

Brady also has tremendous god given ability

[@loyaldude10]

until Leaf, the biggest NFL draft bust I recall (not counting an injury) was Art Schlichter, Ohio State QB taken in 1st rd in 1982 by Balt Colts. Really didnt have the passing skills to be a pro QB, lost starting job to another rookie, and was suspended from league for gambling. Much of his life since has been spent in prison, and he's doing serious time now

[@lisafoos3948]

Ryan Leaf has a lot to live down. Poor guy. Time fixes most things. Hang in there.

[@AlanMartinez-bj7kw]

Lonzo ball is the best QB of all time

[@andrespaz4439]

Man i almost forgot about the Ball family..Good ole Lavar hasnt been on sportscenter lately lol

[@mattsanchez8234]

Dude shut up your jus a gardener

[@rusgeorge7356]

Never loss! Haaa

[@macroevolve]

Leaf was excellent in high school and college. Maybe when players are good in school, and poor in the NFL, is because they were good around a bunch of bad players in school, and the NFL has a lot of the best players of college. It could have been the pressure of high expectations, and a big contract, and he didn't have the mental capacity to handle it.

[@handsomethanos9072]

I was a johnny fan but since he came into the nfl, his partying has gone to a whole new level. we knew he had off the field problems, but he convinced a lot of people he was focused on football now. jameis winston is a true football player. he had off the field concerns but when was the last time we heard of those off the field stuff?

[@hsack1.698]

Legend ! #ThankYouPeyton

[@antoniuskhalt524]

It's always out of hindsight. I'm sure if Manning and Leaf coming out again, they would again be picked one and two. THere have been many qbs with character questions who still had success in the nfl. Favre and Vick are two examples. Manziel has character questions. In the end, you draft and hope for the best.

[@ibuprofenPill]

Just goes to show you this evaluation process is anything but an exact science no matter how much they want to think so. Just look at Tom Brady, his combine was less than impressive yet he's one of the best ever. Hell, Spergon Wynn went before Brady!

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

And before Marc Bulger, who went 175th (or thereabouts).

[@aboucard93]

11:31 the other Ryan Leaf, John Manizel. Who ironically was mentioned in the song Draft Day

[@lampini]

Putting all of this into perspective this is one of the craziest moments in football history. While It’s not uncommon for the top two prospects to be quarterbacks, in this case however they were also complete opposites both personally and athletically. And then on top of that one went on the be the greatest bust of all time and the other went on to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

[@BY.12]

similar situations: luck vs rg3 mariota vs winston goff vs wentz

[@edparker312]

Goff and Wentz are 2016's Jake Locker and Christian Ponder

[@lukerbom12]

Also Bledsoe vs Mirer. Geez, has there ever been an instance where the top 2 quarterbacks taken first turned out to be stars? Luck and RG3 sure looked like it, then RG3 busted (and Luck is beginning to crack a little bit as well, but he's definitely not a bust)

[@ahhculdee]

+Ed “OG Suicide Squad” Parker Oh really?

[@ahhculdee]

+lukerbom12 Luck is a great QB, he just has no support at all coming from a Colts fan.

[@lukerbom12]

Yeah it seems like a Drew Brees situation where he is still playing at a high level but just doesn't have enough around him (and on defense) to win.

[@Natsfan1112]

I love how the coach covers up kids if they quit

[@SuperfastDawg]

+Natsfan1112 When I coached in the mid-90's early 00's, we ALWAYS took our team photo at the end of the year to avoid having quitters and academic "casualties" in our team pictures. Though I can't stand a quitter, I thought that putting that quitter tag on the guy was kinda harsh. Funny, but, harsh lol

[@ryderwashington4199]

+Natsfan1112 It's life, we ACT civilized in front of society, but we aren't. This is worse than a dog eat dog world, it's a dog eating dog for fun and taking pleasure in it world.

[@troyajohnson26]

I'm a huge Charger fan and really, they had no choice but to pick Leaf. Good on the Colts for choosing the better guy.

[@katzenmoyer45]

Nice re-touching of the team pictures, coach.

[@tigerjingles9734]

Ryan leaf was always a baby

[@brendancarter3453]

In my mind, Peyton manning will always be my hero and the greatest to ever play the game. But it truly breaks my heart to know what happened to Ryan leaf. It tears me up that he was gifted with all the talent and the resources in the world to succeed but the only thing he couldn’t overcome was himself. Edit: I feel very much the same way about Johnny manziel. I absolutely loved watching him in college he was the most exciting player I had ever watched. I really wanted him to succeed, regardless of his personality.

[@mikebarfer8462]

Sad to say Johnny football is another Ryan leaf

[@joselopez6990]

That's exactly what I just said

[@lukerbom12]

mike barfer Didn't know we judged quarterbacks after 1 year.

[@thamonster100]

mike barfer can't say because they are two different guys. his career is not over yet. hey since you like to call him leaf what if he turns out to be what leaf was expected then what are you going to say.

[@mikebarfer8462]

thamonster100 Then i will say he is another Joe Namath. But now he is like a Ryan leaf

[@thamonster100]

mike barfer how can you call him that they are two different guys two different QB's can't compare them they are all different. Johnny's career is not over that switch can flip just like that for anyone.

[@Durgenheim]

11:28 "perhaps a number one overall pick here" - LOLOL.

[@FuriousMan226]

Keep in mind, the Chargers passed on Charles Woodson and Randy Moss for Ryan Leaf.

[@johnmiller5679]

I remember this time and remember how both of these clubs had tried out both of these guys. Leaf had a better arm but Peyton was the maturer of the two is what I kept hearing and yes that's exactly how it was. Now your arm you can work on but maturity unfortunately never came Leaf's way. Same thing with Jamarcus Russel a few years after this when they were really big on the guy even though there were big red flags concerning his maturity. While Manning was watching teal films Leaf was getting drunk in college dorms.

[@publikenemi49]

The “bust “label will always be stickier for Leaf than for some others because he and p manning were the 1 & 2 picks , they were handcuffed together in that draft , and manning went on to become an all world NFL QB, one of the best ever. And Leaf, ..... It was literally ⬆️ and ⬇️ for these two guys. And I do feel for Leaf. He has addictions , not a bad person.

[@Docstantinople]

Interesting stuff

[@davedorger6107]

Another example of the draft geniuses getting it wrong is Alex Smith at number 1 and the next qb taken at number 26 Aaron Rodgers. Yes, Smith is still playing and has had some success in the NFL. Yes he is a starter and has had no off the field issues so I am not comparing him to Leaf but if that draft could be done over, Rodgers would not be wearing a Packers uniform. Of that I'm certain. As for Ryan Leaf, he's a human being like the rest of us and frankly, was put in position to fail. I hope he gets things together and does well.

[@jedlindorff]

Well, stats define the player and that's all you have to go on before the draft. Alex Smith may not be the same quarterback Rodgers is, b. he's still succesful and he's found a home with the Chiefs.

[@davedorger6107]

True

[@davedorger6107]

***** no. He was third right after smith and Rodgers.

[@seanmoloney7797]

Dave Dorger Alex Smith should be a lesson for the future. He was never put in a position to succeed and with a horrible, horrible team. Harbaugh gave him a chance to be successful and since then he's she'd the 'bust' label. No, he's not a hall of famer, but there are way worse QB's in the league right now. And what would have happened if he and Ben Roethlisberger switched places?

[@I_like_turtles_67]

Had Alex Smith ended up in GB and Rodgers went to SF. People would have it the other way.

[@PildoraRojaReviews]

The 1st quality should be "Is he Coachable?" Regardles of talent

[@BaconFrisbee]

Also the best group of Heisman finalists ever, despite Leaf: Manning, Woodson, Moss, Leaf

[@mackdaddy8739]

Never forget Jamarcus Russell probably had the best combine ever...

[@sssarzzz]

Its my understanding that leaf only had talent on the physical part of throwing the football, not the mental part...like learning the defenses and things like that.....I do remember leaf went to k.c. and they just pounced on him over and over..it was bad..and he never recovered.....personally i don't think he should have been playing immediately.....but I can understand the pressure to do so..

[@grapla]

some teams are just better off picking a QB in the 3rd round...

[@ByronS360]

Especially for QBs, it shows that the psychological testing is really important. It's kinda ironic, soon later the Chargers traded/drafted for another 1st TD pick on yet another very emotional QB in Philip Rivers. But he controls his emotions into a more positive way.

[@mclohan]

Peyton is a 2 time SuperBowl Champ now! Not a Indy or Denver fan but Ive always been a Manning fan, even when he beats up on my team.. I respect the man the player the Legend. Football won't be the same without this guy :-/

[@jwhine]

Which one is your team? Chargers?

[@slopyz8944]

This is literally just a 13 minute diss

[@cruman87]

JaMarcus Russell is a bigger bust.

[@anthonychrisbradley]

Literally. Dude weighs like 300 pounds lol

[@asare240]

nah, but he's #2

[@isaiahcrandall5276]

at least he trying to make a comeback

[@haikalsusanto3931]

manziel is 22nd overall, not as bad as leaf

[@edparker312]

+Isaiah Crandall That's just because he's trying to get more money for his fatass

[@bowhunter8532]

The 'quit' over the kids in the photo at 6:25. Hilarious.

[@suepauli707]

good one miguel Roges

[@NeasePanters7]

You can tell Jennifer Garner was out of her role. WOW

[@SeanP7195]

NeasePanters7 you’d think an NFL GM would know all about Leaf and that he went #2 overall. Horrible writing

[@jimmicricket4765]

SeanP7195 I think that was done to give the audience who might not have known who Ryan Leaf was some backstory

[@miamoben]

The following year had Tim Couch and Akili Smith go first and third. Both were busts

[@christhompson7485]

+Hansthehorrible Couch was on the Browns what the hell do you expect. Not his fault

[@miamoben]

+Chris Thompson Going number one overall, I expect him not to be a bust. It most definitely is his fault

[@christhompson7485]

Well not having any decent pieces around him sure didn't help

[@josepharmstrong8025]

+Hansthehorrible Trust me, Drafting back then was a blind dart throw because we the GMs though that Good Combine=Good Player. We now know how much more you have to do in order to get a surefire pick. -Random GM that may or may not exist.

[@model66sw66]

To be fair, Couch got sacked 8 times a game, which destroyed his shoulder. He led them to the playoffs, and broke his leg. Browns in playoffs? shoulda been season MVP !!! He stuck out like a diamond in a goats ass

[@snakeguy76]

Boy I'm sure glad I watched this documentary. I always wondered what happened to these two guys.

[@87alock]

+snakeguy76 You didn't know what happened with Payton Manning? Wtf.

[@christophermullen552]

+Coach Kidd prob sarcasm

[@needmoreramsay]

There is SO MUCH discussion and faith and trust put into the analytics, the psychological testing, the IQ, the combine, etc. None of it means ANYTHING when you introduce drugs/addiction, physical or mental trauma and/or injury. There are variables that may occur that will nullify the results of the most meticulous tests science and biology can develop.