INDIANAPOLIS — Former University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan has met with representatives of every National Football League team.

He has answered questions about his weight (he's 207 pounds now), his legal problems in Colorado five years ago, and the three-quarter-throwing motion that sometimes appears to have a higher denominator.

But Brennan acknowledged there is one question that is on the minds of his critics and NFL scouts.

"They want to know: Can I throw the rock?" Brennan said.

Brennan will get his opportunity when he competes in passing drills today at the NFL Scouting Combine in the RCA Dome.

"I've watched him a lot in the (telecasts of the) late-night Hawai'i games," said Herman Edwards, head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. "I'm interested to watch him throw out here with all of these eyes on him."

Since the blowout loss to Georgia in the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl, Brennan has been the target of criticism from so-called NFL draft analysts. There were concerns about his weight, especially after Brennan, who is 6 feet 2 1/3, was 185 pounds when he reported to last month's Senior Bowl in Alabama. He blamed the 6-pound weight loss on a stomach flu.

GETTING THE SNAP

Brennan also must show that he can adjust to taking snaps from under the center. In the Warriors' four-wide offense, he was aligned mostly in the shotgun, 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage.

In the shotgun, Brennan noted, "you have a head start because you don't have to worry about dropping back. After I get the snap, I can set my feet and wait for routes to develop. I can step into my throws."

Taking snaps under center, Brennan must retreat in three-, five- or seven-step drops.

"I have to read (defenses) while I'm dropping back, and make sure my feet are planted," Brennan said. "If the routes are taking more time to develop, I have to throw off my back foot."

Brennan took snaps under center at Mater Dei High School, Worcester Prep Academy, and the University of Colorado. He was named an all-star at each of those schools.

"It's not that it's hard to do," Brennan said of taking snaps under center. "It's just that I haven't done it in a while."

Brennan proved the technique was not a problem during the Senior Bowl practices. The NFL sponsors that all-star game, and dozens of scouts were able to have face-to-face interviews with Brennan. None questioned his passing accuracy. Brennan earned the respect of his teammates (he was voted as the South's captain) and coaches (he was named a starting quarterback).

TOUGH CAMPAIGN

At the Senior Bowl, most of the evaluations were made during the practices. After the final practice, most of the scouts left. Unfortunately for Brennan, he played poorly in the game. Despite receiving positive assessments from NFL officials, Brennan was roasted by draft analysts. In an online column, the Chicago Tribune's Dan Pompei said an unnamed NFL official indicated Brennan came across as a "jackass" in interviews at the Senior Bowl.

Brennan, who gave away leftover Senior Bowl memorabilia to fans after the game, was stunned to hear that.

"I'm the easiest guy to go after right now because of all of the records and the system I came from," Brennan said. "That's the way it is. It's not going to stop now. ... It's a quarterback-campaign race right now. People are going to attack your character."

But Tennessee Titan head coach Jeff Fisher defended Brennan, saying, "I'm very impressed with him."

ANKLE 'FINE NOW'

Fisher also said Brennan has the tools to be a "pretty good NFL quarterback."

At UH, Brennan complete better than 45 percent of his long passes (at least 20 yards in the air from the line of scrimmage). A success ratio of better than 33 percent on long passes is considered to be good. Brennan can accurately throw 65 yards.

Mike Martz, the South's coach in the Senior Bowl, suggested ways Brennan could push off his back (right) foot when making passes. That was a problem for most of last season, when Brennan played despite a sprained right ankle.

"The game (against Idaho), when I threw a lot of picks, I was suffering from the ankle injury," Brennan said. "It's fine now."

As for his throwing motion, Brennan said, "people think I have a sidearm release. But when you watch films of me, you'll see (the right arm) does come up high. It's just that in our offense, there were so many underneath routes. It was easier for me to get the ball out by throwing it in between people. I spoke to an NFL guy, and he said, 'That's exactly what you should be doing.' "

As for Brennan being typecast as a "system" quarterback, the Chiefs' Edwards said: "Everybody plays in a system. It's a matter of taking advantage of that system."

FOCUS ON PASSING

Brennan did not participate in weight-lifting sessions yesterday. He will skip the sprints today, instead focusing solely on the passing drills.

The acknowledged top quarterback, Matt Ryan of Boston College, is not expected to compete in passing drills today. He has been advised that the participation only would hurt his stock.

"It's an unpredictable environment," Brennan said of the passing drills. "You don't know if you're going first or fourth. You're working with some receivers for the first time. ... That can be tough. But for a guy like me, a guy who has a lot to prove, it's a good opportunity to showcase my skills. And it's a good way to show how I respond. If I throw a bad ball, (NFL officials) want to see how I respond."

Brennan said he has worked with a trainer to improve his lower-body strength. Tom Craft, offensive coordinator of Mount San Antonio College, has served as Brennan's quarterback tutor.

"I've kind of followed Colt from afar," Tennessee's Fisher said. "I'm impressed with what he's done. (During today's passing drills) he needs to do what he's been doing — throw with accuracy. That's it. He has good footwork, good technique."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.