Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

A member of the Arkansas football communications staff gave the 30-something media members in attendance a final opportunity to ask Ryan Mallett a question. Nobody had anything left for the former Razorbacks quarterback and it was clear the interview had run its course.

Mallett looked across the table where he was seated and before getting up said: “Last question? Alright, thanks guys.” He grinned as he delivered the line, meant to poke fun at the situation he found himself in with media at the NFL Combine nearly two weeks earlier.

Reports of Mallett’s time with media in Indianapolis were not favorable. He was described as cocky, accused of ending his media session before it was finished (someone else ended it, for the record) and didn’t satisfy media members’ questions about rumors regarding his personal life.

So Mallett tried to make a joke about it on Tuesday. He also made a crack and shrugged off his slow 40-yard-dash time (5.37), saying: “I’m not Mike Vick. Everybody knows that.”

If you’re going out of your way to find reasons to knock Mallett, then a few moments from Tuesday’s media session could go on the list. His confidence was on display throughout the interview and Mallett didn’t like being asked if he would have changed anything about his media time in Indianapolis.

Honestly, there are things that Mallett can work on between now and the draft. Mallett, like a lot of 20-somethings, has plenty to learn between now and the time his career ends a year or 15 from now.

But what teams, interview coaches and agents can’t teach a quarterback is how to throw a football. And Mallett — once again — proved he could do that like few others in the game. Say what you want about how polished he is with media, but when it comes to a skill that actually matters on the football field, nobody in the draft is better.

There are quarterbacks with better 40 times (Jake Locker). There are quarterbacks better equipped for charming the media without really saying anything (Cam Newton).

Mallett made jaw-dropping throws in his workout Tuesday with at least 20 scouts in attendance. Included among the group were quarterback coaches from the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans – two teams in need of a quarterback.

“That’s what the crowd came to see,” one workout observer said after witnessing Mallett throw effortlessly. Mallett was particularly impressive on deep balls, but showed nice touch on shorter passes.

Teams have begun requesting private workouts with Mallett. Those are the interviews that matter. And as Mallett has said from the beginning of the process, it’s the NFL teams, not the media, that need to come away impressed with his answers.

Mallett, who will be training in Fayetteville for the next few weeks, said the private workouts and interviews are what he most looks forward to in the lead-up to the draft. It’s during those meetings that Mallett hopes to sell teams on his love of football and knowledge of the game.