April 18, 2002

By MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Antwaan Randle El talks to scouts and hears the "experts" on television and radio.

People believe he could be a wide receiver, a third-down running back, a punt returner, even an emergency quarterback.

All Randle El wants is a chance to prove he can play in the NFL - wherever that might be, and at whatever position.

"A lot of people say they don't know what to do with me," he said. "I say put me on the field."

It's there that Randle El has excelled, and it's his multitalented skills that have made him one of the NFL draft's most intriguing prospects.

In an era dominated by the salary cap, Randle El is a valuable commodity. If he goes in the third or fourth rounds, as projected, he will come relatively cheap and save a team precious roster spots.

But Randle El also is a rare athlete.

At Indiana he played quarterback and became the first Division I player to throw for 7,000 yards and rush for 3,000. He is the first player to have thrown for 40 touchdowns and rushed for 40 touchdowns in a career, and the first to accumulate 2,500 yards in total offense four straight seasons.

Now Randle El is being asked to switch positions, something he's more than willing to do.

"I see myself as being a guy who can go make plays," he said. "Playing wideout, doing punt returns, playing quarterback, whatever it takes. I want to make plays."

It's not the skills or the desire that some question about Randle El; it's the numbers.

At 5-foot-10, 194 pounds, Randle El is not believed tall enough to be the ideal NFL quarterback. There are worries he's not durable enough to be an every-down back, and he started just one game at Indiana as a wide receiver.

His 40-yard sprints were listed in the 4.6s before the NFL Combine.

Then he started working out.

At the combine, Randle El proved the doubters wrong by clocking a 4.42. During his individual workout, Randle El's time in the cones drill was so fast, scouts thought they mistimed him. When he reran the drill, he was even faster.

And at the Senior Bowl, his first real action at wide receiver in four months, Randle El caught four passes for 45 yards and two TDs. He also returned a punt 40 yards with the kind of jitterbug moves that defined his college career.

Now, he's trying to prove he can be the new slash of the NFL.

"At some point, you've got to be able to move on," Randle El said of accepting a position change. "Otherwise, you can't get in this league."

That doesn't mean every NFL club knows what it wants from Randle El - yet.

"His role is a specialty role, he's going to be a kick returner and an apprentice wide receiver because he has to learn the position," Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian said. "He's a great athlete and a great kid."

One interesting possibility has Randle El going to the San Diego Chargers, who have two second-round picks. Nobody knows Randle El better than Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, his college coach, and coach Marty Schottenheimer said the Chargers are looking at wide receivers.

If Randle El wound up with San Diego, it would also pair him with Drew Brees. Brees, who played for Indiana's rival Purdue, and Randle El finished 1-2 in the Big Ten's career total offense leaders.

"I've thought about that, and that would be a great thing to be back with coach. He's done so much for me," Randle El said. "But it's not like it would be a weird thing with Drew, because it's not like either one of us transferred."

Polian believes Randle El will get picked. The only question now is how long he will wait and where he will play?

"A lot of teams are talking about me playing slot receiver, doing special stuff on the goal line, returning punts and as a second or third quarterback," he said. "Other teams are talking about me strictly as a punt returner. I can do whatever they want."