Tom Brandstater

If you saw Fresno State's team included in any of the AP polls last year, Tom Brandstater is likely the reason why.  The 6'5 quarterback led the Bulldogs through an astonishing turnaround over the course of his career, picking up the pieces from a 4-8 2006 team and achieving winning records and bowl berths in both 2007 and 2008.  Individually, Tom made a name for himself by winning the 2007 Humanitarian Bowl MVP and tossing for over 2500 yards in both his junior and senior seasons.

Like so many other QBs stuffing NFL rosters, Brandstater was selected for his potential.  He's a big body with a great timing and accuracy, and had experience with a pro-style offense at Fresno State.  Unlike the Buccaneers, who paid big and paid early for the big frame and strong arm of Josh Freeman, the Broncos didn't have to gamble big on Brandstater, selecting him in the 6^th round.  QBs picked for their "tools" generally turn into bottom-feeders and salary-suckers (see Byron Leftwich), but Brandstater has more going for him than his physical attributes.

Brandstater times his throws well and makes good reads on his receivers.  He's a smart player with a good enough arm to get the ball where it needs to be.  That said, his arm strength leaves something to be desired and his intelligence can get in the way of his football instincts.  Brandstater doesn't have the wheels to elude defenders, so taking too long on his reads gets him in trouble if a defensive end gets around the edge.  Brandstater threw a fair amount on INTs in college, mostly all of them resulting from holding the ball too long and forcing a throw to get rid of it.

Brandstater is a humble kid and a hard worker, and was well liked at Fresno State.  His soft-spoken nature may be exactly what relegates him to the bench, however, as Broncos Coach Josh McDaniels will look to develop Brandstater over time.  After the Broncos couldn't pull the trigger on a Matt Cassel deal, McDaniels will follow the Cassel formula to slowly bring Brandstater into the mix.  Other Fresno State quarterbacks like David Carr and Billy Volek have melted down in the NFL, so McDaniels will take his sweet time with the big man.

Though the Broncos are scrambling for a successor to Jay Cutler, Brandstater will be no higher than third on the depth chart behind starter Kyle Orton and Chris Simms. No, they aren't bowling anyone over with their skills or accomplishments, but Brandstater is just not ready and would only see the field in extreme circumstances.  Brandstater won't even be a waiver wire guy.

Brandstater signed a four-year rookie contract worth $1.874 million in July of 2009 that included a $124,000 signing bonus.  There's also another $2.285 million available through final-year escalators, but that probably won't happen.  Here's the payout:

2009 - $310,000

2010 - $395,000

2011 - $480,000

2012 - $565,000

2013 - Free Agent

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