NU QB Kafka gets high grades from Griese

By Teddy Greenstein

TAMPA, Fla. -- Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Griese is a big fan of Northwestern signal-caller Mike Kafka.

"He has the three qualities I look for," Greise said. "One, he's a good decision-maker; he knows when to throw the ball away. Two, he's accurate. Three, he makes plays. This is where Kafka really jumps out. If he has a playmaker downfield, he gets the ball to him."
 
Griese, the former Purdue All-American and Dolphins star, will call the Outback Bowl between Northwestern and Auburn on Friday for ESPN alongside Dave Pasch and Chris Spielman.
 
His son Brian, the former Bears quarterback, also will be in the press box, calling the game for ESPN Radio. (More on that dynamic in Friday's Tribune.)
 
Griese said that a healthy Kafka, whose mobility was limited by a late-season hamstring injury, "will give Auburn a lot of headaches. Where is he more dangerous -- in the pocket, outside or running the ball?"

Photo: Mike Kafka will lead Northwestern against Auburn in the Outback Bowl on Friday. (Al Goldis/AP)