They loaded up on linebackers. http://www.houstontexans.com/news/index.cfm?page_type=sub&cont_id=107038 Texans sign Jones and 13 undrafted free agents April 25, 2002 HOUSTON – The Houston Texans signed 13 rookie free agents who were not selected in the NFL Draft last weekend to contracts. In addition, the Texans claimed punter John Baker, who was waived by St. Louis, signed unrestricted free agent linebacker Robert Jones and waived defensive tackle Jason Nikolao. The 13 rookie free agents are: Larry Austin, CB, Virginia Tech Delvon Flowers, RB, Arizona State Jelani Hawkins, OT, San Jose State Tyrone Jones, LB, Texas Joey Knapp, TE, Texas-El Paso Robert Mackey, LB, Winston-Salem State Jimmy McClain, LB, Troy State John Miller, OT, Duke John Minardi, WR, Colorado Eric Parker, WR, Tennessee Ed Stansbury, FB, UCLA Aaron Thompson, LB, Maryland Terrell Washington, LB, Illinois Austin returned to the starting line-up for Virginia Tech after missing most of the 2000 season with a knee injury. He started nine games as a senior and recorded 22 tackles, one interception, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery. Flowers led Arizona State in rushing last season with 1,041 yards on 188 carries (5.5 average). In 1999 he was second on the team in rushing with 512 yards and he missed the 2000 season due to a torn ACL. He also returned kickoffs, averaging 21.6 yards per return. Hawkins saw action at left tackle for San Jose State, but also saw some time on the defensive line as well. As a junior he was the top reserve tackle after joining the team from Los Angeles Harbor College. Tyrone Jones started 11 games as a senior for Texas at strongside linebacker and recorded 45 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six tackles for loss and nine quarterback pressures, all career highs. Born in Galveston, he played at Texas City High, winning the state championship in 1997. Knapp started eight games last season for UTEP, finishing second on the team with 29 receptions for 351 yards and two touchdowns. A former walk-on, as a freshman he played fullback before making the move to tight end as a sophomore. He recorded 20 catches for 307 yards as a junior. Mackey played linebacker at Winston-Salem State and led the conference with 12 sacks as a senior. He also recorded 53 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, six passes broken up and one quarterback pressure. McClain ranked fourth on the team in tackles for Troy State as a senior with 77 tackles. He also added 3 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. As a sophomore against South Florida he returned two interceptions for touchdowns (71 and 43 yards). Miller was a three-year starter for Duke at both guard and tackle and started 28 games during his career. In 2000 he was Duke’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman after leading the team with 60 knockdown blocks. Minardi played in four games for Colorado with 11 catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns before a lateral ligament tear sidelined him for the remainder of the season. As a freshman he was projected as a wide receiver, but due to injuries he played at both safety positions. He returned to offense the following season, totaling 68 catches for 904 yards as a sophomore and junior. Parker played in all twelve games last season for Tennessee, seeing action at receiver and as a punt returner. In his career he totaled 107 punt returns for 930 yards and one touchdown. As a receiver, he had 64 career receptions for 829 yards and three touchdowns. Stansbury played quarterback and linebacker early in his career before finding a home at fullback as a junior. In two seasons at fullback he had 19 carries for 75 yards and one touchdowns and he also had 19 catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns. A native of El Paso, he played quarterback at Irvin High School and won the Texas state championship in discus as a sophomore. Thompson started all 44 games of his career at outside linebacker for Maryland. As a senior he ranked fifth on the team in tackles with 60 and tied for second on the team with 4.5 sacks. For his career he recorded 238 tackles, 45 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks. Washington played all 12 games for Illinois as a senior, recording 50 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks. As a junior, his eight sacks led the team and was the eighth best single season performance in school history. Baker, 6-2, 223, had been waived by St. Louis earlier this week. He punted in all 16 games last season for the Rams, averaging 42.1 yards per punt (43 punts) and placing nine punts inside the 20-yard line with seven touchbacks. He also punted 12 times in the playoffs with a 42.0 average. In 2000 he punted in 15 games, averaging 40.4 on 43 punts, placing 13 inside the 20. He was signed by Indianapolis as a rookie free agent in 2000 and then traded to the Rams on August 22, 2000. At North Texas, he was named All-Big West as a senior, landing 23 punts inside the 20 along with forcing 20 fair catches. Baker was a two-time all-state punter at Brenham High and also played one season at Blinn Junior College. Robert Jones, 6-3, 245, joins the Texans with 150 career games played and 129 career starts and 974 career tackles, including seven seasons with 100+ tackles. In 2001, Jones signed with Washington and started nine of 15 games played and recorded 52 tackles. Prior to Washington, he played for the Miami Dolphins for three seasons, starting 47 of 48 games played. In December of 1998 he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month. In 1996 and 1997 he played for the St. Louis Rams, starting 28 of 32 games played at middle linebacker. He began his career as a first round draft choice (24th overall) by the Dallas Cowboys in 1992. He made an immediate impact in Dallas, starting 13 games at middle linebacker as a rookie along with 108 tackles. He lettered four years at East Carolina, finishing with 478 tackles, the fourth-highest total in school history. A native of Blackstone, Va., he lettered four years at Nottaway High School. The Texans currently have 101 players on the roster. The Texans acquired 18 players in the expansion draft, 12 players in the 2002 college draft, six by trade/waivers, one restricted free agent, 28 rookie and first year free agents, 21 veteran free agents, and 15 unrestricted free agents – RB James Allen, WR Corey Bradford, SS Chris Carter, G DeMingo Graham, QB Kent Graham, OT Jimmy Herndon, LB Greg Jones, LB Robert Jones, C/G Steve McKinney, LB Jeff Posey, TE Rod Rutledge, CB Jason Simmons, WR Tony Simmons, TE Kaseem Sinceno and LB Kailee Wong. All players are expected to participate in the Texans mini-camp beginning Friday, April 26, with the exception of punter Aron Langley and safety Josh Phillips, who are playing in the NFL Europe League.
I decided that since I was going to spend 20 minutes or so looking up draft reports from cbs.sportsline.com, I might as well copy the info and post it here. Of course, there wasn't info on everybody on the list. Oh well... Larry Austin, CB, Virginia Tech 5'8.5", 187 Combine: 4.36 in the 40-yard dash…40-inch vertical jump…340-pound bench press…475-pound back squat…300-pound power clean…30 ½-inch arm length…9 ½-inch hands…Right-handed…21 Wonderlic score. Scouting Report: Positives: Has good lateral agility and wrapup tackling skills…Has good range and deep speed…Does a nice job reacting to the inside routes…Smooth in his backpedal, taking no wasted steps coming out of it…Intelligent and competitive tackler who is a natural man-coverage defender with an explosive closing burst…Fluid changing directions and has sharp hip turn coming out low from his backpedal. Negatives: Hesitant at times in press coverage…Not aggressive playing off his blocks…Lets the ball carrier slip by in run force, as he looks too passive near the line…Competent tackler, but tends to gamble that his speed will compensate for the large cushion he allows…Has had a recent history of knee ligament problems. Delvon Flowers, RB, Arizona State 5'11.5", 200 Combine: 4.44 in the 40-yard dash…33-inch arm length…9 7/8-inch hands…15 Wonderlic score. Scouting Report: Positives: Quick into the holes, showing the sudden moves and lateral agility to gain advantage…Has the instincts and vision to pick and slide on his inside runs…Can cut and accelerate up the seam, showing good hip flexibility…Has a sharp short burst to turn the corner…Slashing-type with the wiggle to make the initial tackler miss…Concentrates on protecting the ball and can absorb punishment running up the middle. Negatives: Not a natural route runner…More of a body catcher, rather than extending for the ball…Lacks aggression as a blocker, but will face up and cut on the blitz…Rarely used as the lead blocker…Lacks ideal elusiveness, possibly due to reconstructive knee surgery in 2000…Not a power back or one known for moving the pile, but shows good balance. Jelani Hawkins, OT, San Jose State no info Tyrone Jones, LB, Texas no info Joey Knapp, TE, Texas-El Paso no info Robert Mackey, LB, Winston-Salem State no info Jimmy McClain, LB, Troy State 6'1.4", 221 Combine: 4.61 in the 40-yard dash…21 Wonderlic score. Scouting Report: Positives: Physical tackler who takes on blocks aggressively…Shows effective edge rush ability…Makes plays on the move and has the speed to close in pursuit…Moves well laterally, keeping his shoulders squared. Negatives: Very tight in his pass drop movements…Does not do an effective job of containing the tight ends at the line…Has to show better hand usage in order to escape blocks…Not quick in his initial reaction…Needs to protect his legs better, as he tends to stand too upright. John Miller, OT, Duke no info John Minardi, WR, Colorado 6'1.4", 190 Combine: 4.51 in the 40-yard dash…35-inch vertical jump…10'0" long jump…335-pound bench press…585-pound squat…327-pound power clean…33 ¼-inch arm length…9 ¾-inch hands…Right-handed…28 Wonderlic score. Scouting Report: Positives: Well-built athlete with solid overall muscle development…Uses his long arms properly to extend and snatch the ball in traffic…Has a smooth release coming off the line and the strength to easily power through the jam…Shows the second gear needed to elude after the catch…Very sharp route-runner, showing crispness and efficiency cutting and separating in the short area…Maintains foot placement near the sidelines and is very alert at moving the chains…Has the field presence to quickly read the defenses and spots the seam in the zone in an instant…Very effective on intermediate routes, as he is very sharp in and out of his breaks…Gets open quickly in the short area and makes proper body adjustments towards the ball in flight…Has the body control to twist and turn for the ball in traffic and is not shy to go over the middle…Makes a good effort to gain extra yardage after the catch…Position and pester-type blocker…Can hold for field goals and placements. Negatives: Lacks the vertical speed needed to be part of the deep passing game…Does not show sudden movements coming out of his stance…While he will combat for the ball and show willingness to block, he does not have the power to sustain…Can elude after the catch, but does not have the explosive acceleration needed to prevent the defender from recovering…More suited for an inside slot position (liken him to Baltimore's Brandon Stokley). Eric Parker, WR, Tennessee 5'9.4", 172 Combine: 4.53 in the 40-yard dash…35-inch vertical jump…300-pound bench press…390-pound squat…310-pound power clean. Scouting Report: Positives: Has an explosive short-area burst and a quick release off the line…Runs crisp patterns and shows good boundary awareness…Can separate deep and also shows the ability to come back for the off-target passes…Has the speed to stretch the defenses…Makes good timing leaps and maintains eye contact with the ball in flight…Uses his shake and wiggle to gain yardage after the catch…Shows good field awareness as a returner and is very dependable securing the punt…Adequate blocker who gives solid effort. Negatives: Lacks the size to absorb punishment…Seems very reluctant to go over the middle for fear of getting hit…Shows inconsistency as a catcher, as he tends to let the ball come into his body rather than extend and catch with his hands outside the frame…His lack of vertical quickness makes him more suited to play the slot, as his track speed does not translate to the football field…Does not show that explosive initial burst to elude defenders at the second level…Has good linear speed, but labors getting into gear (may have problems carrying his equipment). Ed Stansbury, FB, UCLA no info Aaron Thompson, LB, Maryland 6'.3", 232 Combine: no info Scouting Report: Positives: Strong wrapup tackler who has the size to play strongside linebacker or rush end in a 3-4 alignment … Has the lateral agility to string plays wide … Absorbs blocks well getting through traffic to make the play … Very effective blitzer off the edge … Turns and drives for depth, taking proper angles dropping off in pass coverage … Shows good reactions playing the zone and drives quickly to close … Bursts and gets upfield sharply and can counter back inside when the corner is clogged … Has good hand usage squeezing the pocket and uses his leaping ability and arm extension to deflect passes at the line … Drives with his legs, extending his arms well to stack blockers at the line. Negatives: Best when his reads and responsibilities are held to a minimum … Has to do a better job of holding his ground, as blockers generally hook and position him … Very inconsistent in using his hands to ward off the low blocks … Has problems controlling and separating from tight ends in the short area … Lets the blockers get their hands into his chest too much, taking him off balance … Gives up ground moving laterally in pursuit. Terrell Washington, LB, Illinois 6'2.2" 255 (listed at Defensive End) Combine: 4.8 in the 40-yard dash…4.43 in the 20-yard shuttle…34 ½-inch vertical jump…9'7" broad jump…350-pound bench press…500-pound squat…295-pound power clean…315-pound incline press…15% body fat…33 7/8-inch arm length…9 ¼-inch hands…Right-handed…10 Wonderlic score. Scouting Report: Positives: Has a highly muscular upper body…Good athlete who plays with toughness and aggression…Gains advantage coming off the edge with his explosive quickness…Has a good change of direction and fluid lateral agility…Plays at a low pad level, showing proper knee bend as he uses his leg drive to get a strong push off the blocker…Flashes good wrapup tackling ability in closed quarters…Has a quick short burst to close…Stays on his feet moving through the pile. Negatives: Despite his toughness, his poor hand usage causes blockers to lock on and quickly ride him wide…Struggles to shed as he only takes passive swipes with his arms on the rise from his stance…Slow to locate the ball once he penetrates, resulting in a high amount of pressures, but few sacks…Will back off from playing with minor ailments…Is too small to play defensive end in the pros, but lacks the speed needed to convert to linebacker.
So...uhh.... does anyone know if any of these guys are any good? Are any of them going to make the team?
they were passed over 261 times this past weekend.... they're all roster fodder at worst; long shots, at best.
I don't know, but I'd be willing to bet that one or more of the linebackers make the cut. From reading the write up on them, that Ottomaton posted, some of them sound like they've got real potential. Remember, Houston needs depth at almost every position.
Some undrafted free agents make it in the NFL. I seem to remember some that started and made some pro bowls but the names escape me. Anyone wanna confirm it for me...
Rocketteen, Rod Smith. Also, Minardi is a good reciever. Not a great talent, but a good hustle guy. Give him a shot and he might make the team as a possession reciever.
oh, sure, it happens (kurt warner), and will continue to happen; maybe now more than ever with 32 teams. but tha fact remains, you're not a lock to make the team even if you're drafted, and your chances are even slimmer if you go undrafted, for myriad of reasons. it's just a steeper hill.
Not that it really means anything, especially considering the small sample size, but I decided to run through all of the 2k1 NFL pro bowlers and document which round they were drafted in. Here are the results: 2001 NFL Pro Bowl -- (*) denotes injury replacement Where they were drafted: WR: NFC Randy Moss - 1st Isaac Bruce - 2nd Cris Carter - 4th Terrell Owens - 3rd Joe Horn* - 5th Torry Holt* - 1st AFC Marvin Harrison - 1st Eric Moulds - 1st Rod Smith - UFA Jimmy Smith - 2nd OT: NFC Orlando Pace - 1st Willie Roaf - 1st Korey Stringer - 1st AFC Jonathan Ogden - 1st Tony Boselli - 1st Brad Hopkins - 1st Lincoln Kennedy* - 1st OG: NFC Larry Allen - 2nd Randall McDaniel - 1st Ron Stone - 4th AFC Bruce Matthews - 1st Ruben Brown - 1st Steve Wisniewski - 2nd Will Shields* - 3rd C: NFC Jeff Christy - 4th Matt Birk - 6th AFC Kevin Mawae - 2nd Tom Nalen - 7th Tim Ruddy* - 2nd TE: NFC Chad Lewis - UFA Stephen Alexander - 2nd AFC Tony Gonzalez - 1st Frank Wycheck - 6th QB: NFC Daunte Culpepper - 1st Jeff Garcia - UFA Kurt Warner - UFA Donovan McNabb* - 1st AFC Rich Gannon - 4th Peyton Manning - 1st Brian Griese - 3rd Steve McNair - 1st Elvis Gerbac* - 8th RB: NFC Marshall Faulk - 1st Robert Smith - 1st Charlie Garner - 2nd Stephen Davis* - 4th Warrick Dunn* - 1st AFC Edgerrin James - 1st Eddie George - 1st Corey Dillon -2nd FB: NFC Mike Alstott - 2nd AFC Richie Anderson - 6th DE: NFC Hugh Douglas - 1st Joe Johnson - 1st Marco Coleman - 1st AFC Jason Taylor - 3rd Trace Armstrong - 1st Jevon Kearse - 1st DT: NFC Warren Sapp - 1st La'Roi Glover - 5th Luther Elliss - 1st AFC Trevor Pryce - 1st Sam Adams - 1st Ted Washington - 1st OLB: NFC Derrek Brooks - 1st Jessie Armstead - 8th Keith Mitchell - UFA AFC Junior Seau - 1st Mo Lewis - 3rd Jason Gildon - 3rd ILB: NFC Stephen Boyd - 5th Jeremiah Trottier - 3rd Brian Urlacher* - 1st Mark Fields - 1st AFC Ray Lewis - 1st Sam Cowart - 2nd Zach Thomas - 5th CB: NFC Champ Baily - 1st Troy Vincent - 1st Donnie Abraham - 3rd AFC Sam Madison - 2nd Samari Rolle - 2nd Charles Woodson - 1st FS: NFC Darren Sharpier - 2nd AFC Rod Woodson - 1st Brock Marion - 7th SS: NFC John Lynch - 3rd Robert Griffith - UFA AFC Blaine Bishop - 8th What does this tell me? First, undrafted free agents have much less chance of being pro bowl quality than 1st rounders. Secondly, it seems that positons that primarily are based on pure physical attributes such as OT, DE, and CB, are much more associated with high draft picks than the positions which depend on decision making, like QB, S and LB.
Ottomaton, Now, make a list of undrafted players & walk-ons that have made the cut in the NFL for at least 2 years, since 1994, when we changed to just 7 rounds.
Given the lack of depth, I'd give Tyrone Jones an 80% chance of making the team as a special teams player. I really doubt he'll play a down at LB unless he adapts very well to a 3-4.
good point ottomaton - Look at the Leaders in the NFL last year Rushing - Priest Holmes Receiving - Rod Smith Passing - Kurt Warner - All Undrafted All-Star team of players taken after the fourth round of the draft or signed as undrafted free agents : OFFENSE QB: Kurt Warner, undrafted 1994; Jeff Garcia, undrafted 1999; Mark Brunell, fifth round 1993; Tom Brady, sixth round 2000. RB: Terrell Davis, sixth round 1995; Priest Holmes, undrafted 1997. FB: Larry Centers, fifth round 1990; Bob Christian, 12th round 1991. TE: Shannon Sharpe, seventh round 1990; Frank Wycheck, sixth round 1993. OT: Derrick Deese, undrafted 1992; Ryan Young, seventh round 1999. OG: Ray Brown, eighth round 1986; Dave Szott, seventh round 1990 C: Tom Nalen, seventh round 1994; Matt Birk, sixth round 1998. OG: Mark Dixon, undrafted 1994. OT: James "Big Cat" Williams, undrafted 1991; Mark Tauscher seventh-round 2000. WR: Rod Smith, undrafted 1995; Wayne Chrebet, undrafted 1995. WR: Keenan McCardell, 12th round 1991; Joe Horn, fifth round 1996. DEFENSE DE: Michael McCrary, seventh round 1993. DT: John Randle, undrafted 1990. DT: La'Roi Glover, fifth round 1996. DE: Michael Sinclair, sixth round 1991; Bryan Robinson, undrafted 1997. LB: Jessie Armstead, eighth round 1993. LB: Zach Thomas, fifth round 1996. LB: London Fletcher, undrafted 1998. DB: Blaine Bishop, eight round 1993; Rodney Harrison, fifth round 1994. DB: Robert Griffith, undrafted 1994; Sammy Knight, undrafted 1997. CB: Doug Evans, sixth round 1993; Willie Williams, sixth round 1993. CB: Eric Warfield, seventh round 1987; Jason Craft, fifth round 1999. KR/PR: Troy Brown, eighth rounder 1993; Jermaine Lewis, fifth round 1996.
not bad, but the all-star team of players taken between rounds 1-3 (aka the cream of the draft's crop) would kick that team's ass every day and twice on sunday. and then again on monday. considering it takes 22 players just to play a game, it's not that surprising so many 4th round and up picks make it in the NFL. but when you're talking about the elite, the best of the very best... go back and look at the 2001 pro bowl rosters: 42 first rounders.
Right - The NFL is 95% Big Name College Players and how they develope. 5% is the little guy from Hofstra or Central Backwoods State who makes it big. You have to expect someone on an expansion team to come out of nowhere because of the number of undrafted/ lower round players.
Probably. But an offense with Warner and a healthy Terrell Davis could make life difficult for any team.
