D-3 Players in the Pros

[Ron Boerger]

From today's edition of  RockyMountainNews.com:  Former Seattle Seahawks receiver Jerheme Urban, who caught six passes for 117 yards last season, is scheduled to work out at the Dove Valley complex today. Urban (6-foot-3, 212 pounds), is one of the biggest unsigned receivers on the market.

Yesterday's Milwaukee Sentinal-Journal speculated that Urban "could be added to the Broncos' 53-man roster" after today's tryout.

From today's Seattle Times: 
Bannister out again

Wide receiver Alex Bannister has a fractured collarbone for the third time in less than a year, and the recovery time is expected to be more than eight weeks.

Holmgren has yet to determine what the Seahawks will do to fill Bannister's place on the roster, but he will be sorely missed on special teams. The team would like to re-sign recently waived wide receiver Jerheme Urban, who played on coverage teams during the exhibition season. Also, receiver D.J. Hackett is expected back from a knee injury this week and could be activated.

[historymajor]

News today that Seattle re-signed Urban.  Good luck to Jerheme and we all hope he sticks this time!

[Ron Boerger]

Seahawks.com story on the return of Urban.

Once again, the observations are that the Holmgren "always liked" Urban,  that he's a "good player," "smart," has a "great work ethic" and is "a great fit" who can "contribute" and "come right in and play."  So why does he keep getting cut?  

[Ralph Turner]

Once again, the observations are that the Holmgren "always liked" Urban,  that he's a "good player," "smart," has a "great work ethic" and is "a great fit" who can "contribute" and "come right in and play."  So why does he keep getting cut?

Sometimes, the cynical side of me looks at "Coach-Speak" and offers wise cracks such as these. 

Because he is not a "great" player.
"Smart" means that he doesn't the physical attributes that I prefer at that position such as quickness, speed, vertical leap and awesome hands that can 'palm' a watermelon."
"It is only the "great work ethic" that makes him tolerable around the locker room.  If he had an "attitude", then he wouldn't be here."
"A great fit", because he is leaving room in the budget for a blockbuster free agent.
"Contribute" means it is a bland thing to say because we cannot afford to have our 6th WR just taking up space on the roster.
"Come right in and play" means he doesn't have to find someone who doesn't know the playbook.

I finally understood "the game" after watching the movie "Bull Durham".  Don't get me wrong about Jerheme!  I am very happy that he is playing again.

I just read the "Coach-Speak".

[Jonny Utah]

maybe urban can start looking at becoming a TE like ex-yale wr, and starting sf te eric johnson

[Ron Boerger]

He doesn't really have a TE build, to be honest.   He has done a lot of weight work the last few years but really has not bulked up.

There should be plenty of opportunities for him against the Rams this weekend.  Seattle only has four healthy WRs on the roster now and normally utilizes a 2 WR/1 SE set.  Of the three "regular" WRs:

• Joe Jurevicius has seven receptions, 2 for TD.  He will probably be the primary target.
• Peter Warrick has one reception, but is the primary punt returner.  Seattle generally uses a WR for their punt returns and doesn't throw much to them for whatever reason.
• DJ Hackett hasn't caught a pass, I'm not even sure he's gotten into a game this year. 

The Rams' pass defense is suspect, too.   Seattle will probably focus on the run and use it to set up the pass rather than the other way around.

The media articles on Urban state that he was loading the truck to head back to Victoria (TX) on Wednesday when he got the call to come and re-sign.  He's been hanging out with ex-Seattle QB Brock Huard,   working out with Huard and even a little with Hasslebeck while waiting for someone to call him up.   Hopefully that will help the timing on Sunday. 

... and Ralph, of course you are right about the "coach-speak."   

[reality check]

I saw that Urban had one catch for 11 yards against the Rams Sunday.

Jamal Robertson got his first statistics of the year returning  3 kicks for 95 total yards (31.7 per return).  His long return was 42 yards.  I hope that he gets another shot based on those numbers.  He has always had decent return numbers, averaging 24 yards per retrun for his career.  HE HATE ME was inactive for Sunday's game giving Jamal his shot and hopefully he gets another after his performance.

[Ron Boerger]

Jamal Robertson got his first statistics of the year returning  3 kicks for 95 total yards (31.7 per return).  His long return was 42 yards.  I hope that he gets another shot based on those numbers.  He has always had decent return numbers, averaging 24 yards per retrun for his career.  HE HATE ME was inactive for Sunday's game giving Jamal his shot and hopefully he gets another after his performance.

Averaging 30+ per return should get Jamal some serious consideration.   It's not like he had one 70 yard return and two 10 yarders, either.   Good for him!

[reality check]

Not quite as good a game this week for Jamal.  He had 4 carries for 7 yards and 5 KR's for 72 yards.  At least he got some reps...

[Ron Boerger]

Jerheme Urban had two catches for 37 yards in the first half for Seattle against the Texans, also drew a defensive pass int call on another play. 

[K-Mack]

Hey,
answering some feedback, and just reminding myself that a lot of the questions I get are already answered, so I'm finally driving people to the FAQ and these boards. So you consistent posters are actually a resource that I appreciate!

----- Original Message -----
From: xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx
To: keith@d3football.com
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 10:33 PM
Subject: NFL

Hello Keith, I am the mother o a d3 football player, Do you  think a d3 player has a shot at the NFL? Is there any d3 player in the NFL?

There are a handful of D3 players currently playing in the NFL, usually between 10-15. About a dozen or so get tryouts each year, usually not drafted, but signed as free agents for a couple thousand dollars, and they're given a chance to make the team.

There's a more detailed answer on our FAQ page at: http://www.d3football.com/faq.php?answer&category=General&id=30

There's also a running discussion about this on our message board, Post Patterns, although I can't seem to get the link for you at the moment. Wait, here goes... this should work: http://www.d3sports.com/post/index.php?topic=3584.0

Hope that helps.

Ron, just read this below ... guess that explains why the Seahawks have been AT the Redskins three of the past four years.

It p*sses me off no end that this was two straight Dallas-Seattle games held in the Pacific NW - and should Jerheme make the squad, this year's regular season game is ALSO in Seattle.     Well, and making it worse, I was actually IN SEATTLE last year the weekend of the game, but other comittments made it impossible to attend.  !!!!!!!

[Ron Boerger]

Ron, just read this below ... guess that explains why the Seahawks have been AT the Redskins three of the past four years.

Also, they played the Texans last week ... in Seattle. 

[Ron Boerger]

Jerheme Urban had three catches in the second half today against Dallas for 57 yards.  He almost made a spectacular leaping grab in the first half but the ball was poked out by last week's NFC defensive PoTW (Anthony Henry).  He also was flagged for an illegal motion penalty early.  That seemed to get him in the doghouse as nothing else was thrown his way for the rest of the half. 

Urban's last catch moved the Hawks from the Dallas 19 to the 41 and kicked off the drive which tied the game at 10 with :40 left.  His 57 yards were second high for the day (TE Jerramy Stevens had 60 yds on 5 catches). 

[Ron Boerger]

Here's Urban making the the reception on the last series (click on the image to see a larger version).  Looks like he still has some hops.   

 

[Ron Boerger]

Bobby Engram came back from injury today, pushing Jerheme Urban further down on the depth chart.  Even so, his one reception for 46 yards made him the top receiver (in terms of yardage) for the 'hawks today.  Each of Urb's 7 catches on the season has gone for a first down.   Photo (click for larger version):



Engram's three catches totaled a whopping 24 yards.  DJ Hackett, higher on the chart, got zip.