D-3 Players in the Pros

[Ron Boerger]

ESPN's Adam Schefter tweets that Jerheme was signed by the Chiefs - where he'll re-unite with head coach Todd Haley, who was his OC in Arizona.  

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Jamal Robertson Signs with the BC Lions:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/sports/football/2010/03/22/13325571.html

[Mugsy]

Good article on Andy Studebaker in Chicago Sun-Times about his atypical offseason activities.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/jensen/2119470,CST-SPT-sean24.article

[retagent]

As I'm posting this, the Utah Blaze are playing the Milwaukee Iron, with Brett Elliott at QB for the Blaze in an Arena Football game on NHL Network.

[Mugsy]

Indianapolis Colts sign former Wheaton College DB Pete Ittersagen to free agent contract.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Colts-sign-three-players.html

[Mr. Ypsi]

Indianapolis Colts sign former Wheaton College DB Pete Ittersagen to free agent contract.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Colts-sign-three-players.html

I asked this on the CCIW board, but here might have a broader audience.

I know nothing about the Colts' defensive backfield - anyone have insight on his chances?

[retagent]

It appeared that they had problems stopping the pass, but I don't recall whether it was because of a lack of a rush, or weakness in the "D" backfield.

[Ron Boerger]

Nice article in today's Kansas City Star:  Chiefs wide receiver Jerheme Urban trying to finally catch on.

[usee]

Indianapolis Colts sign former Wheaton College DB Pete Ittersagen to free agent contract.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Colts-sign-three-players.html

I asked this on the CCIW board, but here might have a broader audience.

I know nothing about the Colts' defensive backfield - anyone have insight on his chances?

I don't know much about the Colt's defensive backfield and I don't think you need to know much to understand Pete's chances. He will make it if he can show the ability to be a quality backup and special teams impact player. He may get a chance in the return game as well. He won't be projected as a starter obviously. The main way he will show his value is if he is able to consistently make plays during training camp and in the preseason.

[usee]

Great interview of Andy Studebaker after minicamp by several reporters. He sounds like the head coach.

http://www.kcchiefs.com/media-center/videos/Inside-the-Locker-Room-Andy-Studebaker/c644b3e2-4d98-4bff-83d3-14ce30914a7b

[Ralph Turner]

Great interview of Andy Studebaker after minicamp by several reporters. He sounds like the head coach.

http://www.kcchiefs.com/media-center/videos/Inside-the-Locker-Room-Andy-Studebaker/c644b3e2-4d98-4bff-83d3-14ce30914a7b

He plays 3-4 seasons of pro ball.

Gets cut when the younger players are faster/quicker than his brains can overcome.

Gets moved upstairs into a coaching job.

Becomes a defensive coordinator by the time he is 35.

[Mugsy]

Another comment from KC Chiefs head coach (Haley) about Andy following the close of the mini-camp:

Andy Studebaker is someone I knew nothing about before I got here but this kid has a chance. He has put himself in a position through work to give himself an opportunity to push the guys ahead of him. I have told Andy a bunch of times, 'don't you assume that you can't be number one. You need to be pushing because who is to say that you can't do it?' That is his mindset and he has a great mentor in Mike (Vrabel) that he follows around non-stop. When you are a coach and you see those kinds of things happening, they are working and talking all the time not just out on the field. You can catch them walking through the locker room talking about something. That means teaching is going on and older guys are trying to get younger guys that may even be their replacement potentially, they could beat them out and they are still working with them. That is when you know you have a chance to be a team and a team that can continually develop.

[Ron Boerger]

Better news for Jerheme Urban after the end of OTAs:

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/article-2/Insider-Blog-First-Steps-For-September/f15f3065-6474-4d1e-a01e-1512b507fc06

Before OTAs: An addition via unrestricted free agency, Urban was in line to compete for an opportunity of everyday offensive work for the first time in his six-year career.

During OTAs: Urban had a lousy first week of practice. He dropped passes and, self-admittedly, was trying to do too much on the field. After Memorial Day, however, something clicked. Urban came back like a new man, catching pass after pass and finding the end zone on a consistent basis. In the process, he became a favorite of Matt Cassel on mid-level routes.

After OTAs: Urban looks to be in line for the most extensive action of his career. If he's not in the Chiefs game plan once the regular season rolls around, something will have to take a downturn in training camp and/or the preseason. Urban left OTAs as one of the Chiefs most reliable targets.

Haley Says: "I think he gets pigeon-holed in this possession-type role, at least some of the things I've heard or even talking to him. What Jerheme can do is run. He's big and fast and can stretch the field and you can't have enough of those guys and he's a guy at least he's proven to me that he'll do anything asked of him on special teams to give him a chance to help us."

[reality check]

ONU alums JR Cipra and Jamal Robertson continue their pro careers...

Cipra is in the playoffs as a kicker for the Baltimore Mariners and just finished a 14-0 regular season including a week 12 win in which he kicked a 47 yarder to win with no time left on the clock. 

Robertson had two scores in the BC Lions' first preseason game after moving over from Toronto in the off-season.  CFL regular season starts next week.

[Ron Boerger]

Kansas City D3 updates:

Photos of both Andy Studebaker and Jerheme Urban in this montage of photos from KC's Monday training camp.

This article says Studebaker may be moved into the starting lineup at OLB and that Urban seems to have recovered from a shot that laid him out for several minutes on Monday.

[edited to fix second link]