Continue reading »]]> Randy Richards was probably one of the most impressive offensive lineman in Division 2, but he didn’t get the love he deserved. After crushing his competition at the JUCO level, Randy committed to play football for Missouri State. At Missouri State, Richards was a very promising player, earning tons of awards and accolades. Randy stands at 6’4 and weighs 310 pounds, and could be a guy that lands on the Chargers 53 man roster. Randy is very athletic and reminds me a lot of Mike Harris who landed on the roster last year as a UDFA.  Richards could be a guy that adds depth, because of his versatility he can play four positions on the line.  Check out our interview with Randy:

How many teams were recruiting you coming out of high school and how did you make your decision?

Out of high school not many schools recruited me; my only offer was from Florida Atlantic University.

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up, and did you have a player you rooted for?

I never really had a favorite NFL team growing up; I didn’t really get into football until my freshman year in high school.

At your position, how do you break down film, please inform our readers what you look for when breaking down film?

When I watch film, I usually focus on what scheme the opposing team is running and what are their tendencies as far as blitzing and stunts. Then I focus on the guy I will go against the most.

Do you consider yourself a quiet leader or an outspoken role model?

I feel like I’m an outspoken leader, I like to get my teammates fired up and motivated to win a game.

If you could take one day back and erase it from your past what day would you erase?

 I don’t think I would change anything about my past; everything I’ve been through has made me the man I am today.

Do you have any hobbies, if so tell the world what it is?

I don’t really have any hobbies; I do like to cook though. I feel like I am pretty good chef.

Who was the toughest player you have ever played against?

I would have to say Dion Jordan and Sheldon Richardson. Both of those guys are really good athletes but I definitely held my own against them

What is the best accolade/award you have ever received from playing football?

Team Captain and 1^st Team All-America

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gZrTXOhQX8

If it was your last meal, what would you eat?

Curry Goat and white rice with steam vegetables.

Before the game, what song might I hear on your iPod?

Phil Collins, In the Air tonight.

Do you have any pre game rituals?

No

If you could pick out your biggest weakness what would it be?

I would say being able to stop bull rushes but I think putting on more weight and getting stronger will solve that problem.

If you could compare your play to someone in the NFL, who would it be?

I like to think I play like Maurkice Pouncey.

What is the most tragic event in your life that has happened and how did you bounce back?

My grandmother died right before my junior season which hurt me pretty bad but I definitely played my last two years for her so I know she’s looking down on me with a smile on her face.

Everyone asks this question but I’m curious to know what will you buy first with your first NFL pay check?

I will take care of my mother first anything she needs I’ll take of care her since she sacrificed a lot to help me through life.

If you could meet one person, dead or alive who would it be and why?

I would definitely like to meet President Obama I feel like it would be an honor to meet the first black President and he just seems like a really laid back person to hang out with.

Continue reading »]]> Many probably remember former Buffalo Bill and Jacksonville Jaguar Ashton Youboty, but there is another Youboty now in the NFL. Former Temple standout DE/OLB John Youboty is an intriguing prospect ffor the Broncos. He is a smart, knowledgeable player that can project as either a DE or OLB, depending upon the scheme. Youboty, at 6’4, 250 pounds, had a fantastic senior season for the Owls, with 42 tackles, and 5 sacks. He displays a good bull rush, holding his ground and not getting pushed back, and he can fight through traffic and find the ball-carrier. I think he definitely has a future in the NFL as a pass-rusher, and it was my pleasure to interview John for NFL Draft Zone.

Shaun DePasquale: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today John. Can you tell me where you trained for the NFL Draft?

John Youboty: I trained at Test New Jersey, and at Temple (University).

SD: What do you feel are your strengths and things you may need to work on?

JY: My strengths would be my understanding of the game, my football I.Q. I have a knack for techniques and game-situations. Things I need to work on would be all aspects of the position. Getting bigger, stronger, faster, and smarter.

SD: How do you feel your time at Temple helped you prepare for the NFL?

JY: Having the opportunity to follow some players that have made it to the NFL, like Muhammed Wilkerson really helped me. These guys come back to school and tell us what to expect, what to work on etc. Give us pointers for the next level.

SD: What do you feel you bring to an NFL team?

JY: Diversity. I can play DE in a 4/3 or OLB in a ¾. I can play special teams. I’m smart and bring a great knowledge of the game.

SD: What has been your greatest accomplishment, athletically or personally ?

JY: It would be getting my degree in December. It’s a real blessing and I don’t take that for granted.

SD: Who was the toughest player you ever faced in college?

JY: I’d say 2 guys: my former teammate RB Bernard Pierce, and Cincinnati TE Travis Kelce.

SD: If you could have dinner with any 3 people, living or otherwise, who would they be and why?

JY: Tupac Shakur, John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.

SD: Give me the name of a teammate that doesn’t get nearly enough recognition.

JY: Our RB/KR Matt Brown/ He’s a tough player, does anything asked of him, and he’s very smart.

SD: Last question, what would be your first purchase with an NFL paycheck?

JY: I don’t know what I’ll buy but I’ll put at least 70% of it in the bank, and not touch it.

SD: Thank you so much for your time John. Good luck in your journey!

JY: Thank you.

Continue reading »]]> Michael Rios is a player getting extra reps in practice for the Cardinals.  He is gaining extra reps due to the injury bug, that is going around the Cardinals camp. There have been quite a bit of Hispanic football players starting to chase their dreams. Michael Rios aka Mike who is a Cuban American that at wide receiver is trying to become the next Victor Cruz.  This kid is super fast and has great hands. He was an All American at Marist College and is trying hard to show that he belongs.  I believe that Rios could be a guy that shocks a ton of people come preseason, because of his super speed and skills.

How many teams were recruiting you coming out of high school and how did you make your decision?

7 Schools were recruiting me out of high school; I made my decision based on the school’s location and academic prestige. I also accounted for the team’s previous season records, their respected division of play and the team’s coaching staff. I wanted to have the opportunity to contribute right away on offense and special teams.

Has it always been your dream to be an NFL football player?

Being a professional athlete has always been appealing to me, I never thought it was a realistic goal, because I was Hispanic and short, that changed right away once I hit my growth spurt senior year of high school and I got dramatically faster. Once I realized my potential; my focus intensified and my priorities shifted to being the best football player I can be.

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up, and did you have a player you rooted for?

My favorite team growing up was the Indianapolis colts. I loved watching Peyton Manning run his two minute offense; I loved watching 5’8 Bob Sanders lying the wood on running backs like Jerome Bettis, but my favorite player to root for was Dominic Rhodes. He was an undrafted free agent running back out of Midwestern State. Although he was a backup for most of his career, he always found ways to contribute on offense or in special teams, not to mention his “swag” was off the charts.

At your position, how do you break down film, please inform our readers what you look for when breaking down film?

I play receiver, so deciphering what kind of defense a team runs has a lot of effect on my routes. I have to be able to read a defense presnap and make an action read right when the play starts. I first identify whether the defense runs a 3-4, 4-3, etc. I then look at their coverage’s and see if they favor a particular coverage whether its cover 3, cover 2, quarters or man.  I then study the safeties to see how much they try to disguise their defense and how often they roll to different coverage’s. I then break down their tendencies on first, second and third down. I then try to study each individual player, especially their dbs and linebackers to see if I can pinpoint any weaknesses  I can take advantage of.

What is the best accolade/award you have ever received from playing football?

It’s a tie between winning a unanimous vote for 1^st team in my conference my senior year and winning special teams player of the week for blocking a kick  that won us the game my freshmen year of college.

When did you really feel you had a good chance of making your dream come true?

I knew I could do it senior year of high school, first round of the play offs. I was playing Glades Central, which Is a powerhouse football team in Florida, they had several 5 star recruits and had over 15 guys go division 1. Throughout the game I kept catching bombs and they responded by putting their best athlete   “Travis Benjamin”  on me , first play they put him in, I “mossed” him for a 50 yard gain, that was the moment  I knew  I  had good  chance.

What is your favorite food?

 Steak, rice and beans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaZixttB5Ng

Do you have any pre game rituals?

I watch film, read a list of affirmations, visualize what I want to accomplish in the game,  watch a lot of Dragonballz , eat a lot of pasta and drink a bottle of Pedialite.

If you could compare your skills to someone in the NFL, who would it be?

I’m a mix between Mike Wallace and Jordy Nelson. Braylon Edwards, but with better Hands.

What is the most tragic event in your life that has happened and how did you bounce back? 

My friend/football teammate and his entire family, besides his mom, died in a car accident in 9^th grade. Back then my perception on life was so skewed, I was a sheltered boy who thought life and everything in it was a “gimme.” I learned that football, friends and family were all privileges that I had been taking for granted and I realized how lucky I was. I bounced back by cherishing al l of life’s gifts and taking all my responsibilities and relationships more seriously, which translated to my success on and off the field.

Who has had your back through the good and the bad as you’ve moved on balancing life as a student athlete?

My parents have provided so much support in the form of love and financial stability.  My parents didn’t have much growing up in Communist Cuba. My parents have made it their life mission to provide me and my siblings with what their parents couldn’t get them. Whenever I’ve had a problem, they always come through with a solution and give me insight on their perspective. I am truly blessed to have my parents, I have many friends who come from broken homes or their parents can’t provide them with all the luxuries they want, I appreciate them so much, and I am trying to meet them half way right now by making them proud through fulfilling my goals, in which they have been able  to support me with. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without my parents.

Everyone asks this question but I’m curious to know what will you buy first with your first NFL pay check?

 I will start investing my money right away into my father’s businesses.  

Continue reading »]]> For the first time, the NFL Rookie Symposium will include speakers on the issue of sexual orientation, the league’s chief human resource’s officer told ESPNNewYork.com.

The league plans to have ex-players, who they are calling ambassadors, speak about the possibility of having a gay teammate, and how to talk about these issues publicly, Robert Gulliver said Tuesday.

Gulliver said the league isn’t anticipating one of its own players is on the verge of coming out, but in the wake of Jason Collins‘ decision to come out to Sports Illustrated in April, sports leagues are preparing players with the goal of having a harassment-free work place.

“I would not be surprised if there are more players coming out,” Gulliver said.

As part of the 2011 collective bargaining agreement, the NFL has a formal policy against harassment when it comes to a player’s sexual orientation. Not all players have been on message with it however.

The week before the Super Bowl, San Francisco player Chris Culliver said he wouldn’t accept a gay teammate. Jim Harbaugh sat Culliver down privately afterwards and Culliver apologized. A month later, Culliver volunteered at the Trevor Project, an organization that works to prevent suicide among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth.

Hudson Taylor, the founder of Athlete Ally, said the NFL’s decision to include programming on the issue at the symposium, could help players better understand the policy, “so that these situations cease to exist.”

His group is one of three that the league is consulting on the segment, GLAAD and You Can Play are the other two. Taylor noted that the NBA is doing something similar with its rookie class.

“A lot of people don’t see LGBT issues as sports issues,” Taylor said.

But if more players follow in Collins’ footsteps, that could change.

What do you think people? Is it wrong? I believe in the Bible so, I am not sure if I would want to attend that meeting. I think I would be against it, I have nothing against a person sexual preference, but don’t force it on me…..

Continue reading »]]>  

Tyrell Pearson shortly before an interception vs. Texas-San Antonio last season.

Tyrell Pearson of South Alabama is one of the most underrated defensive backs in college football. Although he only stands 5’7 and weighs 160 pounds, Pearson plays the position with a chip on his shoulder. When I watch his tape, I’m not that concerned about his size. He doesn’t allow that to become a weakness on the football field, which is huge. He has the stickiness and coverage ability of men 3 inches taller. And his production cannot be denied. Prior to landing at South Alabama, Pearson was a noted ballhawk in the JUCO ranks, intercepting 8 passes in his 2 seasons at Mesa (Az.) Community College. Last season, as a junior, Pearson led the Jaguars with 4 interceptions. And as far as any concerns about his size and strength go, he is a willing tackler on tape, and logged 3 tackles for loss last year.
Pearson appears to be on track for a shot in the NFL. But as he tells it, he almost didn’t play football- he was solely a basketball player from an early age.

“I started playing basketball as a kid, and never really liked football I made a deal with one of my friends that I would play football if he agreed to play basketball. What I found out when I started playing football is- I was good! I started playing my junior year of high school, at defensive back, and had 4 interceptions on the year. I liked it, so I stuck with it and played both football and basketball. My senior year I blew up and set a school record with 11 interceptions. Despite that, I was lightly recruited out of high school due to my size and lack of notoriety. My mentor, Corey McDowell, helped me select a junior college to go to. We picked Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona.”

Said Pearson, during a recent conversation. After his stand-out stint in Mesa, it was time to select a university to play for.

Pearson victimizes Mississippi State QB Tyler Russell.

“I had a lot of schools after me at that point. My decision was to come closer to home in Greenville, South Carolina. So I decided to attend South Alabama.”

As previously noted, Pearson made his presence felt immediately- in the form of 4 interceptions last season. As far as his expectations go, Pearson is brief, and to the point.

“My expectation this year is to blow up. I keep getting better each year, and this season will be no different.”

Pearson getting coached up last season.

It should be noted that Pearson’s favorite NFL player is (Miami Dolphins) Pro Bowl Cornerback Brent Grimes. And he plays a similar style to Grimes. Both are on the slender side, but possess outstanding coverage skills, and uncanny toughness. Those traits are enough to overcome any perceived weaknesses. Pearson can flat-out cover receivers, and cover space in a flash. He is one of my players to keep an eye on this year.

Tyrell Pearson 2012 Highlights:

Continue reading »]]> NFL player Kerry Rhodes has recently been linked romantically with a former male assistant, but according to Kerry he is heterosexual. Not only that he is reportedly claiming that he could be the father of Kim Kardashian’s newborn daughter.

The former New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals safety sent a text to several of his NFL friends making the outrageous claim, according to Deadspin.

“Man this could be my baby!! I was fu*king her the same time as K.West was lol,” Kerry wrote.

Continue reading »]]> There’s always a player during minicamp and OTA practices who stands out among everyone else, typically because of their raw athleticism and speed, but for the 2013 season the MVP appears to be second-round pick Jonathan Cyprien.

Well today, the Jags signed that standout player to a four year deal. Cyprien was rated by many as a top 3 safety. The Jags also signed third rounder Dwayne Gratz.

Continue reading »]]> Usually the Packers are the team to beat, but that could change this year, and Rodgers knows it. The Packers are no longer one of the trendy NFC teams: Those teams reside in the NFC West.

“I love it. I love being under the radar,” Rodgers told Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com recently. “For sure, we’re a contender. For sure. I mean, we’re going to put ourselves in position to win a lot of games. Our goal is to win our division and get to the playoffs. And anything can happen. And then hopefully we can take care of business like we did in 2010 when we get back there.

“The NFL didn’t do us any favors with the schedule, but we don’t need them to.”

Rodgers is right that the schedule doesn’t look easy with out of division games against the NFC East and AFC North. (Although it’s worth noting the schedule is essentially determined years ahead of time. There’s no room for favors.)

The Packers will still surprise many people this year, because Rodgers is a top 3 quarterback in the NFL.

Continue reading »]]> It has emerged that David Beckham was offered a trial as a kicker for an NFL team.

The report in the Daily Mirror claimed NFL scouts contacted the star to see if he would be interested in trying out.
A work of fiction or a story that could actually be true?

And no acumen of the sport’s nuisances is required as a kicker’s job is simple.

He comes on in specialist circumstances to either kick a conversion after a touchdown which is 19 yards from the uprights (which are 18 feet 6 inches apart) or boots a field goal which is worth three points (a conversion or PAT is only worth one point). Pro kickers are normally considered in range within 55 yards of the posts.

And there is a history of international sportsmen trying their luck in Gridiron. Former Tottenham striker Clive Allen played for the London Monarchs in NFL Europe in 1997 – the feeder league at the time for the elite level in the US.
A decade before former Welsh rugby star Paul Thorburn, who is credited with the longest penalty in the game’s history, kicked for the Los Angeles Rams in a NFL pre-season game against the Denver Broncos at Wembley Stadium.

Although there have many successful overseas kickers in NFL, there has never been a example of an existing high profile sportsman making a successful switch.

Norwegian Jan Stenerud, who is regarded as the first man to use the “soccer-style” for his kicks, came to the United States on a ski jumping scholarship to attend Montana State University before being spotted kicking a football by the college’s basketball coach. He turned pro and was given the ultimate honour in 1991 as he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

While Morten Andersen, who in his early years was close to making the Danish youth football team, became the all-time leading scorer in the NFL with two different teams (New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons) after visiting the United States as an exchange student.

Britain’s most successful NFL kicker was Mick Luckhurst who like Andersen was propelled from raw exchange student to a prolific kicker for the Atlanta Falcons.

All three highlight that a grounding and experience in the college ranks before kicking in the NFL is the reality.

In the NFL, nearly 85% of field goals attempts are successful and 99% of extra points. The reason for such a high percentage is the rich source of talent at each team’s disposal.

Many say Beckham is one in a million but you are far more likely to see shoulder pads on a Posh Spice frock than you are on David.

Continue reading »]]> Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Denard Robinson’s doesn’t like to tie his shoelaces when he plays, hence the nickname “Shoelace.”

“I wasn’t tied, but coach told me to knot it up, so I knotted it up, but loose,” he said. “It’s something I always did my whole life.”

Following the team’s final minicamp practice, he had a picture taken to show his shoes tied. (See Photo Attached)

“My first year playing football I ran out of them a couple times, and I ran out of one last year,” he said. “As long as they stay on my feet. Coach told me if they come off he’s going to tell me to tie them up.”

Coach Gus Bradley said he saw a shoe come off Robinson this week when Robinson got kicked.

“If it doesn’t have an impact on the game and it’s within the rules, whatever allows you to play the best,” Bradley said. “It’s comfort level. Do you get your ankles taped or not? Players have a rhythm or a routine they like to follow. As long as it’s within the rules, I’m fine with it.”

The Michigan quarterback was a fifth-round pick of a team in dire need of playmakers. The Jags had the NFL announce “running back” from the podium, making their intentions for a guy changing positions immediately clear.

Denard Robinson doesn’t like his shoelaces tied, but the Jags have him knotting them loosely, at least.
While Robinson can line up in a lot of different spots, he is in the running back meeting room and works with the group in practice.