In a perfect world Bret Engemann would have taken his high school elite arm to BYU, broken some records, gained some honors and been drafted.
But life is not perfect and the world is comprised of leaps of faith just like the one Engemann is on right now. He is free agent property of the Oakland Raiders for a year as he tries to make the roster in coming weeks.
A year ago Engemann was the guaranteed BYU starting quarterback, something that lasted through September. Today he's taking football one chapter at a time after foregoing his senior season in Provo.
Today's script calls for Engemann to fly to Oakland for 10 practices in the next seven days. There, Engemann will try to earn a spot as the Raider's third quarterback behind starter Rich Gannon and Marques Tuiasosopo.
The odds? Long, but he'll try to beat them.
Engemann's main competition is two guys. They are 11-year veteran Rick Mirer, who has floated around the NFL in a post-Notre Dame fog, and Tennessee's Tee Martin, an athletic guy with an average Quincy Carter arm. So, the science of Bret's deal is this: Is he better than Tee or Rick in the Raider system?
If Engemann finds a way to beat out the other two, Gannon and Tuiasosopo are ensured all the reps and will be the men leading game preparations. But making the roster is making the roster.
"I'm going with the attitude to do all I can but do it within myself," Engemann said. "At the first two mini-camps, I wanted to learn what it was all about and take a look at the other two guys (Mirer and Martin). Now, I'm not concentrating on those guys but just what I have to do in making every pass count, being the best I can."
If Engemann doesn't make the Raiders, he hopes to be kept on the practice squad. Another path would be to play in Europe — actually one of the better alternatives.
"I wouldn't mind playing in Europe because after my injury and what happened last year, I really need the reps. I need playing time and going over to Europe and finding playing time would really help."
In Oakland's first mini-camp for rookies just after the draft in late April, Engemann was the only Raider quarterback suited up. He took all the reps, which was a good thing. Coaches including head coach Bill Callahan, offensive coordinator Marc Trestman and offensive assistant Jim Harbaugh focused all their quarterback attention on Engemann.
That day, Engemann threw to all the newcomers including Utah State's third-round pick Kevin Curtis, Doug Gabriel from Central Florida and Mr. Irrelevant Ryan Hoag from Gustavus Adolphus. They were all laying themselves out to impress coaches, hauling in everything Engemann could put their way. Engemann threw 8 touchdown passes, had two picks and completed more than 70 percent of his passes.
He got a lot of "at-a-boys" at the end of drills.
The next camp a few weeks later, he found himself throwing to Jerry Rice and Tim Brown before Gannon and Tuiasosopo took most of the reps like they will this week.
Throwing to Rice? "It was an awesome experience. You get up there impressed that you're throwing to a legend and you don't want to make him break stride for your ball. But after a few throws, it's just throwing and catching and you get on with it," Engemann said.
In addition to Curtis, there are other Utah collegians Engemann is familiar with. His roommate is BYU tackle and sixth-round pick Dustin Rykert. Cougar Issac Herring is also a free agent offensive lineman. The Raiders signed Ronney Jenkins as a running back and kick return specialist, and former Cougar tight end Doug Jolley has become the man on the move.
On draft day, Engemann learned a great lesson, the one sure thing he takes out of all of this. His agent, Marvin Demoff, is a realist and put it all on the line with Engemann as to what his odds were and are.
Engemann spent draft day taking calls from several NFL clubs. He'd visited with the St. Louis Rams and all draft day he received calls telling him they'd pick him. But the fourth round bled into the fifth, then sixth and the Rams decided to go with defenders.
"It was disappointing, but I learned you can't get caught up on counting on anything for sure in this business. Don't believe anything until it happens."
That's a lot like life, Bret.
E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com