Former Florida quarterback to get tryout with Chiefs

O ne of the more interesting names heading to Kansas City for a tryout this weekend with the Chiefs will be former Florida quarterback Chris Leak.

Leak, you’ll recall, led Florida to the national title in 2007 by beating Ohio State. Leak was the title game’s most valuable player.

But Leak, who is 6 feet, 207 pounds, didn’t get drafted. He signed as a rookie free agent last year with the Bears but was cut before the season.

“He’s been around, and we’ll take a look at what he’s got,” Chiefs coach Herm Edwards told me Thursday afternoon before taking part in the Chiefs’ Total Access Tour.

“He’s an excellent athlete who’s been in some tough spots and has won.”

Edwards said he will view Leak as a quarterback rather than trying to convert him to another position.

“We’re definitely looking at him as a quarterback,” Edwards said. “He’s got the arm strength. He’s kind of got a different game than the other quarterbacks we have. So we’ll check it out.”

Leak had been preparing to play in the All American Football league, but its inaugural season has been postponed.

Jared’s return

Edwards said he expects to see Jared Allen, traded to the Vikings last week, this Saturday in Kansas City at a charity dinner.

“My wife and I always attend his juvenile diabetes function,” Edwards said. “We look forward to seeing him there.

“We’re going to miss Jared. You never want to lose a guy like Jared Allen. But we were able to help our team, and hopefully this is a good situation for him, and everyone benefits.”

Quincy’s travels

Former NFL quarterback Quincy Carter, just signed by the Brigade, is no stranger to Edwards.

When Edwards was coaching the Jets and Chad Pennington got hurt in 2004, Carter helped the Jets to the playoffs.

“He came to our rescue,” Edwards said. “That year he had to come in and start, and he did the job.”

‘Idol’ at the K?

“American Idol” contestant David Cook, a native of Blue Springs, and the Royals are having conversations about him singing the national anthem during the Royals’ next homestand.

The experts

The Web site www.coldhardfootballfacts.com likes to jab at Mel Kiper Jr. and did so about his mock draft, though he had a respectable seven-of-31 record for accuracy.

Of the mock drafters, who was tops? Well, consider The Star’s Randy Covitz right up among ’em. Covitz got eight of 31 correct, tying him with Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News.

Scouts, Inc. got seven of 31, OurLads got six of 31, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer got five of 31, and Pete Prisco of www.cbssportsline.com got just four of 31.

To reach Jeffrey Flanagan call 816-234-4492 and leave a message or send e-mail to jflanagan@kcstar.com