By Adam Kiefaber
On June 7th, Justin Zwick got an unexpected opportunity to extend his football career.
On that particular Thursday, Zwick worked out with the Carolina Panthers. Two and a half months after the draft, Zwick joined an NFL team.
Until recently, Zwick was thinking of taking a sales job in Columbus or of doing some television work for Ohio State broadcasts.
He might have to reconsider those opportunities. Zwick is considered by every source to be monumental long shot to make the Panthers roster.
However, Zwick might have a good chance to make the practice squad if the Panthers choose to carry a third-string quarterback this season. Last year, Carolina started Jake Delhomme, Chris Weinke was the backup and Brett Basanez was on the practice squad for most of the season. (Most teams have three quarterbacks on the roster)
Zwick is the fifth quarterback on the roster. Starter Jake Delhomme and future-starter David Carr are locks to make the roster. That means the battle will be between Basanez and another undrafted rookie in Dalton Bell from West Texas A&M.
Bell did play for a Division II school, but his numbers were impressive. Last season, Bell threw for 3,998 yards, completed 66.2% of his passes and had a touchdown to interception ratio of 32 to 10. Zwick only threw for 187 yards with no touchdowns or interception in very limited play last season.
In 2002, Zwick committed to play for Ohio State, causing much excitement from the Buckeye faithful. Ohio State wasn’t and still isn’t known for landing top quarterback recruits out of high school. However, Zwick was expected to step in for Craig Krenzel and continue the Buckeyes’ run at National Championships. Rivals.com had Zwick ranked as the third best pro-style quarterback and as the 40th best player in the entire country. According to Scout.com, Zwick turned down offers from Kentucky, Michigan State, Northwestern, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Tennessee and Wake Forest.
Zwick redshirted during the 2002 season and began the 2004 season as the starter ahead of fellow sophomore Troy Smith. As the season went along, Zwick didn’t play up to the Ohio State fans’ standards. In the second week of the season against Marshall, Zwick did throw for 324 yards and had three touchdowns in what is considered his best game of his career. However, Zwick almost blew the game by throwing two interceptions to the same player. Chris Royal made two Larry Brown-like (the ball was thrown to a defender with no receiver in site) interceptions. The first interception led to a Marshall touchdown, making the score 21-21. Then the second led to a missed 35-yard field goal, which was hooked by Ian O’Conner with three-minutes left. It took a 55-yard field goal from Mike Nugent to win the game. The following week, Zwick led Ohio State to 3-0 record with a road win over N.C. State despite throwing for only 73 yards (3.48 yards per attempt). Then the Buckeyes lost three straight, which started on the road to Northwestern, at home against Wisconsin and on the road by Iowa. Zwick injured his shoulder in the Iowa game and rest is history. Troy Smith won the hearts of Buckeyes fans with his performance against Michigan while Zwick started only two more games. Zwick had average performances against Oklahoma State (’04 Alamo Bowl) and Miami (OH) (’05 opener) while Smith served a suspension for taking money.
It is hard to say how good Zwick really is, because he didn’t play during his prime college years. In 2004, Smith struggled until performing well in the Michigan game. Remember that three-interception performance by Smith in a road loss to Purdue a week before Michigan.
Zwick could’ve had a solid career at Ohio State if he was given another chance. He does look like an NFL quarterback being listed at 6-foot-4 and at 225 pounds. I would give Zwick a 50% chance of making the practice squad if Carolina keeps three quarterbacks on the roster, while his chances are real slim if Carolina keeps only two.
Do you Zwick has a chance to play in the NFL?
What about Arena Football?
Practice squad then NFL Europe?
Do you think Zwick would’ve been good if given an opportunity to play in ’05 or ’06?
2 comments ↓
Zwick certainly has the physical skills to be a NFL quarterback, but so far has lacked the mental toughness, good decision making, and ability to think on his feet that is required if he is to compete at the next level. I hope he can turn it around, and wish him the best.
Zwick could of had a decent career at OSU, although, I think he would be in the same boat in the NFL. He still would have been a free agent signing, or perhaps a lower round draft choice. Making a team would be difficult either way. Practice squad is his best bet.
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