Players come and go each season.  In college, a new kid steps up every year and tries to make everyone forget about the player that they replaced.  In the pros, maybe it is a rookie coming in, or a new free agent that has been labeled as "the man."  Each player has their own story.  Some are the same, some are so different that they seem made up.  I like the story about how Washington Wizards star, Caron Butler, took the second chance that was given to him and turned himself into one of the better players in the league.  I like how Ray Ray McElrathbey has taken in his 12 year old brother and challenged the NCAA for help raising him.  I also like the Colt Brennan story.

Some of you may know that Colt Brennan was enrolled at Colorado and Saddleback Community College before stepping foot on the campus of Hawaii.  Some of you may also know that the reason Brennan didn't last at Colorado was because of a drunken incident his freshman year.

THE PAST
Brennan was accused of sexual assault, burglary, and trespassing.  He was acquitted of the sexual assault charge, but found guilty of trespassing and burglary.  He was then sentenced to 60 hours of community service and 4 years of probation.  He is still on probation while attending school.  With his name pretty much smeared in the mud because of this situation, Brennan had to learn to take the criticism and the scrutiny from others with a smile on his face.  The lesson here was humility.

After a year of staying out of trouble off the field and a good one on it, Hawaii's coach June Jones called Colt Brennan and told him that he could come to Hawaii, with one exception.  That exception was that Brennan would have to pay his way to college for the first year.  If Jones saw that he was staying out of trouble and being a positive member of the football team, then he would grant him a scholarship, but only after that first year was over.

THE PRESENT
This season, Colt Brennan is one of a handful of Heisman Hopefuls.  He was thought to have been a first round draft pick last year, but decided to come back this season to fine-tune his tools for the NFL.  Through three games, Brennan has thrown for 1262 yards, with 16 total (4 rushing) touchdowns and 1 interception.  He sat out the last game against Charleston Southern because of a sprained ankle.  Hawaii is favored to run the table in their conference this season and if that happens, Brennan would definitely be looked upon not only as a great player, but a team leader, something needed to succeed at the next level.

THE FUTURE
I don't know what the future has in store for Colt Brennan, but I do know that he will be drafted next April.  Will he be drafted in the first round?  I don't know, but he will definitely be a first day draft pick.  Will he break NFL records?  I can't answer that, but given the opportunity to play, I think he will be a good quarterback for an NFL team.

THE NUMBERS
A lot of people like to say that Brennan only has success because of the system he plays in.  To me, that is pure garbage.  A system quarterback is one that throws a ton, but isn't always successful.  Brennan is in the top 10 in quarterback rating, yards, completion percentage, yards per attempt, and touchdowns thrown.  He is tied for 12th in completions and tied for 30th in attempts.  Brennan has performed at a high level everywhere he has played.  In high school, he was Matt Leinart's backup and earned three varsity letters.  At Saddleback Community College he led them to the conference championship, was the State Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, and was an honorable mention All-American.  If you want to look at a "system quarterback", let's take a look at Brennan's predecessor Timmy Chang.  Chang set an NCAA record for most yards in a career AND for most interceptions in a career as well.  He also had a career completion percentage of 56%, Brennan is sitting at 71% right now.  Just because a quarterback throws for a lot of yards, it does not make them a system quarterback.  If that were the case, the potential number one pick in next year's draft would be a prime example.  Oh, by the way, Brian Brohm is completing less passes than Brennan and is rated lower.

MY TAKE
I like good stories in sports.  Yes, he did break the law.  Yes, he did get punished for it and is still serving his punishment.  No, I don't approve of anyone breaking the law.  Yes, I do feel that second chances should be given in certain cases.  Example:  Rae Carruth should not have had a second chance, and he wasn't given one.  Ray Lewis should have been given a second chance and he got it right.

Colt Brennan, to me, is a person that got it right the second time around.  Whether or not he will be a success in the NFL is still to be seen, but he has succeeded at the college level and I'm anxious to see what he does next.

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Also on the Network: √ Yanks Tease Us A Little More [Depressed Fan] √ Pettitte, Jeter Lead Yanks Over Jays [Green Pinstripes] √ Lucas Oil Stadium Open For Business [Arin It Out] √ Colts Rookie Profile: Mike Hart [Arin It Out] √ Kevin Curtis Out With Sports Hernia [Depressed Fan] √ Trying to Find the Bright Spots [Arin It Out] √ You Have GOT To Be Kidding [C70 At The Bat] √ Fantasy Football Anyone? [Depressed Fan]

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