Phil Simms: Carson Wentz Is A 'Rough And Tough Philadelphia Guy'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- North Dakota State's Carson Wentz became just the fifth Division 1 FCS quarterback drafted in the first-round last week.
In 1979, out of Morehead State University in Kentucky, Phil Simms was the second -- going seventh overall to the New York Giants. Simms, who went on to play 14 seasons in the NFL winning two Super Bowls, is optimistic about the Eagles No. 2 overall pick.
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"My first thought is he definitely will make it," the CBS NFL TV analyst said of Wentz on Wednesday's 94WIP Morning Show. "I am very impressed with his talent. I've watched the tapes, very impressed. Let me put it this way: he's a Philadelphia guy. He's a tough guy. He plays rough and tough. He can do it, he's very physical. He's a good thrower of the football and he has a chance to be really good at throwing the football. Great arm action."
Listen: Phil Simmons on the 94WIP Morning Show
Simms took it one step further, projecting Wentz to another Super Bowl winning QB.
"If it really works for the Philadelphia Eagles," said Simms, "you want to see a more mobile Ben Roethlisberger."
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Simms talked about adjusting to the NFL from a small college football program.
"The first initial shock was pretty big," Simms said. "You adjust to the talent very quickly.
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"I was comfortable a lot my rookie year and then my second year we were really bad and I was really uncomfortable. You lose, you're in tough situations, you take a lot of hits. But you know, this league has changed. They're going to manage him the right way, I have no doubt about it, with all the ex-quarterbacks that are down there."
Sam Bradford, a former No. 1 overall pick out of the big-time Oklahoma program, is frustrated with the Eagles' decision to trade-up in the draft for Wentz after re-signing him to a two-year deal. Bradford's agent has requested a trade and he has not participated in voluntary team workouts.
"I've kind of gone both ways thinking about Sam Bradford, but if I was him -- and of course this is just me thinking," Simms said. "I don't know the whole situation of what's really in his mind. But I would come in and play and hope to have -- look he's gonna be the starting quarterback if he comes in and practices during the offseason. He is talented. I've always liked the way he has thrown the football. I thought towards the end of the year he finally got into football shape.
"If he comes in, plays solid football, does the best he can, that's always gonna look great to wherever he goes after that year."