They entered college as ballyhooed recruits -- UM's Kyle Wright as the nation's No. 1 quarterback in the 2003 class and FSU's Xavier Lee the top-rated dual threat quarterback in '04. Now, both crave fresh starts after disappointing careers.
Wright, who outperformed Lee, said Wednesday he believes it's ''extremely likely'' he will be drafted Sunday -- ''anywhere from the fifth to seventh round,'' though NFL Network's Mike Mayock predicts he won't be. Draft analyst Frank Coyle considers Lee a long shot to be drafted, and unlike Wright, Lee's best chance of making an NFL team figures to be at another position.
''I'm very anxious for a new start,'' said Wright, who threw 38 touchdown passes and 31 interceptions in 33 games at UM. ''It's a nerve-wracking [time].'' Wright spent the past two months working out near his Northern California home under the guidance of Tom Martinez, who tutored Tom Brady and JaMarcus Russell.
''It's not very conducive to good quarterback play when there's a coaching carousel,'' Wright said of having four offensive coordinators. ``It's nice to get away and get another perspective.''
Wright -- who worked out for the Dolphins and 49ers -- said he received positive feedback at the NFL combine from Norv Turner, Mike Martz and Brad Childress. ''He's got a pro arm,'' Childress said. He also has good size (6-4) and athleticism.
But his decision-making has been questioned and ''he never progressed at Miami,'' draft analyst John Murphy said. ''He would have been perfect for NFL Europe'' if it still existed.
FYI: Since sending four first-round quarterbacks to the NFL -- two via the supplemental draft -- from 1983 to 1989 ( Bernie Kosar, Jim Kelly, Vinny Testaverde, Steve Walsh), UM has had just four drafted in 18 years: fourth-rounders Craig Erickson and seventh-rounders Gino Torretta, Ken Dorsey and Scott Covington. ''When you started Quarterback U, you thought that would be forever,'' Kelly said. ``Unfortunately, it slipped, and we just hope Randy Shannon can get it back.''
• Lee -- a former Mr. Florida Football who set state high school records for passing yards (9082) and touchdowns (98) -- went 2-4 as a starter at FSU, mostly backing up Drew Weatherford. Lee turned pro after his junior year instead of accepting a move to tight end.
''I know my athletic ability will get me to the next level,'' he said. ''I made some mistakes -- missing classes -- but I know in my heart I didn't get a good chance'' at FSU.
Lee (15 touchdowns, 11 interceptions at FSU) said Green Bay, Chicago, Washington and Seattle expressed an interest in him as a quarterback. But Sporting News draft analyst Russ Lande expects Lee to switch positions during an NFL minicamp: ''Tight end, linebacker and safety are possibilities.'' Lee, 6-4 and 235 pounds, said he would rather change positions to play in the NFL than be a Canadian Football League quarterback.
CHATTER
• With several Marlins who will be arbitration-eligible this winter off to great starts ( Hanley Ramirez, Scott Olsen, Mike Jacobs, Josh Willingham) and Dan Uggla, Kevin Gregg and Jeremy Hermida also arbitration-eligible, Florida faces the prospect of trading at least two this winter unless management changes its approach and raises payroll significantly in 2009. Uggla eventually could be moved, and options have emerged at second base: prospect Chris Coghlan (hitting .293 at Double A) and Robert Andino (hitting coach Jim Presley believes he would hit .270 with 10-12 homers if he played regularly).
• Although he will be forced to switch positions again, Vernon Carey on Saturday praised the Dolphins' drafting of left tackle Jake Long -- ''it was a smart move and common sense'' -- and acknowledged he's better at right tackle than left: ''I feel I'm a great right tackle.'' Said new guard Justin Smiley: ``The most important unit is the o-line and we're making all the right moves.''
• The Panthers are a long way from naming a coach, but expect Rangers assistant Perry Pearn, Jacques Martin's former assistant in Ottawa, to be strongly considered.
• Heat management is enamored with Memphis point guard Derrick Rose, and Shawn Marion has joined Dwyane Wade in openly hoping Miami can draft him. ''You've got to like his game,'' Marion said. ''And we're going to play small ball anyway.''. . . Wade said he's lobbying Alonzo Mourning to return ``but only . . . if he's healthy.''
