ASSOCIATED PRESS Former UH quarterback Tim Chang plays in the Shrine Game tomorrow.

Pro hopes in balance
for Chang, Owens

The former UH stars have one last
chance to hook up in the Shrine Game

East-West Shrine Game Who: Some of the best seniors in college football When: Tomorrow, 9 a.m. Hawaii time Where: SBC Park, San Francisco TV: ESPN Players with Hawaii ties: UH alums Tim Chang (Saint Louis School) and Chad Owens (Roosevelt); Kahuku alums Chris Kemoeatu (Utah) and Aaron Francisco (Brigham Young)

SAN FRANCISCO >> Tim Chang couldn't make it more than a few steps without someone stopping to request an autograph, or asking him to pose for a photo.

It was a festive atmosphere Sunday during the players' visit to Shriners Hospital in Sacramento, Calif., an annual tradition for those participating in the East-West Shrine Game.

Chang seemed to enjoy the experience even more than the young patients, who receive free medical care at Shriners for orthopedic and spinal-cord problems, as well as serious burns.

"Reaching out to these kids, it just touches your heart," he said.

No doubt the former Hawaii quarterback has also commanded plenty of attention from NFL scouts this week, as he and UH teammate Chad Owens prepare for tomorrow's Shrine Game at SBC Park.

Both put up some head-spinning statistics during their college careers. But they've got one big thing working against them when it comes to NFL personnel people.

The tape measure.

This week provides a chance for Chang and Owens, the Warriors' slippery receiver, to show they belong in the NFL despite being undersized at their respective positions.

"It's something I overcame in college," said the 5-foot-9 Owens, who set school records this season with 94 catches and four punt-return touchdowns. "If you can play, you can play. That's the way I look at it. No matter how big you are, if you're a football player, you're a football player."

Chang ended his college career with the Warriors as the NCAA's career passing-yardage leader at 17,072 yards and was a four-time All-Western Athletic Conference performer (including first-team honors in 2004).

But height isn't the only deterrent for Chang, who is listed as 6-2 yet playfully admits he's "6-1 and a smidge."

He must also convince NFL people he can operate as a traditional drop-back passer after spending his entire college career, except for a few plays, throwing out of the shotgun.

At least one pro scout believes Chang flourished in large part due to the passer-friendly, run-and-shoot he played in with Hawaii.

"System," New Orleans Saints scout Bill Quinter said during Tuesday's practice. "June Jones has always thrown a lot, and (quarterbacks) have big numbers."

There's no doubt Chang set out to change some minds this week.

"Most importantly, I'm trying to throw the ball from underneath center," Chang said. "I've been playing shotgun my whole career."

Chang is one of three quarterbacks on the West roster. Oregon State's Derek Anderson and Sam Houston State's Dustin Long are the others.

Anderson, at 6-6 and 240 pounds, fits the stereotypical NFL mold. He stands tall in the pocket, his strong right arm uncorking one tight spiral after another.

Chang's passes tended to wobble a bit in practice, particularly when he threw the ball deep.

But Quinter believes Chang has "adequate size" and that the former Saint Louis School standout will get a fair shot to play in the NFL.

"He's got a pretty good arm, and he's got mobility in the pocket to move around," Quinter said. "You'd like a 6-4 guy, but (San Diego Chargers Pro Bowler) Drew Brees played pretty well for a 6-1 guy. I think he's going to get a shot. There are No. 3 guys in the league that don't have the tools he's got, or the background."

Chang delivered a couple of passes on the money in Tuesday's practice to Owens, an Associated Press second-team All-American.

Chang is happy he's getting one last chance to play with his favorite target.

"I think people are going to realize how hard he is to cover one-on-one," Chang said of Owens. "What he does best is catch the ball and make plays."

Quinter compared Owens to Saints receiver Michael Lewis, who is even smaller than Owens at 5-8.

"I like him. He's a specialty category of player," Quinter said. "You've got to want to bring a guy in like that, have him return (kicks). And he's a pretty good receiver. What he's going to have trouble with is people are going to want to get up and jam him at the line of scrimmage. He's too small to get physical."

It's nothing Owens hasn't heard before.

He was a walk-on at Hawaii, and said he uses the talk about his lack of size as motivation.

"What I hope to accomplish is just to prove to these scouts that I can play at this next level, whether it be as a return man, whatever I can do," the Roosevelt High graduate said.

Chang takes the same mentality into tomorrow's game.

The week began on a positive note for him during the Shriners Hospital visit. He'd like to keep the good vibes rolling with a strong showing in the Shrine Game.

"I just want to prove myself, do what I've been doing -- get the ball to receivers any way possible," he said. "That's the biggest thing as a quarterback, just get the ball to receivers. If you can do that, it doesn't matter what size you are."