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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 1, 2010

McCoy's passing on target for NFL scouts


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Former Texas QB Colt McCoy showed scouts at a Pro Day in Austin, Texas, that he's fully recovered from a shoulder injury.

ERIC GAY | Associated Press

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AUSTIN, Texas — Short passes, deep passes and everything in between. Colt McCoy hit them all.

The former Texas quarterback showed off his healed right shoulder for NFL scouts for the first time yesterday, completing all 46 of his passes in a controlled workout.

"I've been waiting for this day a long time," he said. "I thought I went out there and killed it today."

The All-American won an NCAA record 45 games as a starter at Texas, but was knocked out of last season's BCS championship game against Alabama on the Longhorns' first drive. A hard tackle pinched a nerve and caused his throwing arm to go numb.

He did not need surgery, just time to rest and rehab.

McCoy said he's been patient to make sure he didn't come back from injury too soon. He said he wanted to throw at the NFL combine but didn't on doctor's orders.

His shoulder was declared 100 percent about three weeks ago.

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy said McCoy answered any questions about his injury.

"I thought he did a very good job," McCarthy said.

McCarthy was in Norman, Okla., on Monday to watch former Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford, who might be the first overall pick. Like McCoy, Bradford had a shoulder injury last season. Bradford completed all but one of his passes in front of the scouts.

"I liked this workout better. I thought Colt was challenged more in his workout as far as the types of throws," McCarthy said. "Sam was very accurate, but Sam's workout was very controlled. He didn't do as much movement."

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said it would be expected for McCoy to complete all of his passes.

"This is not real football, this is a workout," Carroll said. "His footwork was really good."

Carroll rated McCoy's arm strength, a question mark for some scouts, as "solid."

McCoy passed for 13,253 yards and 112 touchdowns in his career, both school records. He was 45-8 as a starter and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy as a junior and senior.

BRONCOS

ELAM SIGNS, RETIRES

Jason Elam returned to the team that drafted him into the NFL yesterday to say goodbye for good.

Elam signed a one-day contract with the Denver Broncos in Englewood, Colo., before announcing he was ending his 17-year NFL career. The Pro Bowl kicker spent his first 15 years with the Broncos and the last two with the Atlanta Falcons,

The three-time Pro Bowler and University of Hawai'i alum finished his career ranked fifth in NFL history with 1,983 points and 436 field goals.

He is the all-time leader with 16 seasons of 100 or more points. Elam also shares an NFL record with Tom Dempsey of New Orleans for the longest field goal (63 yards).

He acknowledged he had some rough times this past year in Atlanta. It made his decision to retire easier for him.

"It was time. I don't think I could do it now," Elam said. "I started warming up at 11:30 in the morning for a 1:30 practice, just constantly stretching and keeping my body right and it's not fun anymore."

ELSEWHERE

Bills: Buffalo signed free agent receiver Chad Jackson and re-signed cornerback Ashton Youboty. Jackson missed last season after being waived by Denver in September. Youboty was a restricted free agent who returns for his fourth season in Buffalo.

Eagles: Restricted free agent linebacker Omar Gaither has signed a one-year contract to return to Philadelphia. Team officials announced that Gaither signed his tender offer yesterday. Gaither suffered a season-ending foot injury in week 6 against the Oakland Raiders.