Nebraska's Heisman winner runs with a different pack

INDIANAPOLIS -- Eric Crouch's sweatshirt didn't look quite right Friday afternoon at the opening of the NFL scouting combine.

His back was branded with this: RB 13.

To Crouch, the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from Nebraska, it's a strange label but one he doesn't seem to mind.

"It doesn't bother me at all," he said. "But if I had a chance to pick, I'd rather play quarterback."

Crouch, who hasn't played running back since he was 8, understands the rationale behind what is likely to be a position switch after he's selected in the NFL draft.

He measured in at 6 feet, 195 pounds -- slightly smaller than the prototypical quarterback teams seek in today's NFL. He comes from a school that has not produced model NFL quarterbacks and scouts also have questioned his arm strength and accuracy.

Avoid the letdown

But Crouch believes he does have what it takes to avoid becoming another Heisman-winning bust, like Gino Torretta and Andre Ware.

"I think I do have the strength and accuracy to play quarterback, but a lot of people feel at Nebraska that's impossible to do," Crouch said. "I've talked to a lot of people who think I can play quarterback in the NFL."

To back that up, Crouch intends to participate in throwing drills Sunday and during his individual workout following the combine.

NFL scouts aren't doubting Crouch's ability to play, they're just trying to figure out where he would best fit their team.

Some, look at his college numbers, and project him as a running back. In his Heisman-winning season, Crouch actually ran for 1,118 yards and 18 TDs while throwing for 1,510 yards and seven touchdowns.

Some watched him in the Hula Bowl, at wide receiver, and have said Crouch fits there. He did catch a touchdown last season for the Cornhuskers.

Others have told Crouch he's more in the mold of another former Nebraska quarterback, Scott Frost, and have mentioned the possibility of moving to safety.

Most, though, believe he will remain on offense.

"There could be a slash, and that's not a bad thing," he said with a smile. "Teams like that. They like the versatility and they feel I will play some different roles."