Nov. 17--When Trevor Siemian tore his ACL last November, I thought: Man, tough end to a football career, but at least he'll always have Notre Dame.
One week earlier, Siemian had one of those brag-to-your-grandkids performances, completing 30 of 48 passes for 284 yards in Northwestern's shocking victory in South Bend.
But as he crutched to the team bus at Purdue on Nov. 22, 2014, a slow guy with a bum knee, the fifth-year senior seemed destined for the real world -- an office job.
He considered quitting but decided to go through with rehab, telling me: "I don't want to regret not trying 5-10 years from now."
He worked out for the Broncos and Bears, among others, in the spring. And as the NFL draft approached, there was buzz that he might get taken. And he did, in the seventh and final round.
As the backup to Peyton Manning's backup, Siemian would live a life of fantasy football. Learn from a legend, steer clear of harm's way. He'd have as much chance to actually influence a game as the owner of, say, "Gronkytonk Man" or "Golden Tate Warriors."
Well, now Siemian is Joe Biden. With Manning ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bears with a foot injury, four-year vet Brock Osweiler steps in. Which means ...
Nov. 22, 2014: Siemian shreds ACL.
Nov. 22, 2015: Siemian shreds Bears' secondary?
Most observers were shocked that Siemian got drafted considering he was the 11th-rated quarterback in the Big Ten last season, behind even Michigan's Devin Gardner, who threw 15 picks.
But the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Siemian played with a foot/ankle issue, got minimal protection from a so-so offensive line and his receivers were mainly either slow or unreliable.
When the Broncos announced in September that Siemian had made the roster, beating out its seventh-round draft pick from 2013, Zac Dysert, coach Gary Kubiak said: "There was no doubt about the arm. When you watch him throw the ball at Northwestern, some of the wind and trees are going sideways and he's out there making throws all over the field. You knew that he had that ability. Now, everything else, you've got to see, but he's adapted very well ... With the knee coming along, would this be a long project situation? We didn't know. He's the one that made up the ground.''
And now he's one injury away from making his NFL debut.
Know this about Siemian: He was one of the most well-liked players on Northwestern's team. He's confident but not cocky, smart but not a know-it-all.
"Trevor is funny, full of personality, always a good time," former receiver Tony Jones said.
And ready to make some more memories.
tgreenstein@tribpub.com
