D-3 Players in the Pros

[K-Mack]

The thing about Garcon is that he's got the size (6-1, 205-ish) and speed (4.46) to compare with the other receivers in camp who get drafted or whatever, so he just needs to get in a camp and work his butt off to make an impression.

I like those chances better than a true "long shot."

Savage, BTW, Sewanee grad. Nice to see my man giving D3 some love.

[frank uible]

Garcon's numbers are common for a legitimate NFL WR rookie prospect. Consequently if he and a DIA WR rookie prospect who has approximately the same numbers as Garcon's  have nearly equivalent performance, then the DIA rookie prospect gets the last spot on the roster over Garcon - and in the ordinary NFL camp squad there will be at least one or two DIA rookie prospects with such numbers and also acceptable performance by NFL standards. So if Garcon is going to make a roster, Garcon will have to perform significantly better than acceptably or be lucky or both.

[smedindy]

Frank - I think that's true if the person competing with Garcon is drafted. If they're both free agents, then I don't think that would matter.

[frank uible]

Rule of thumb: DIA trumps DIII, other things being equal or almost equal.

[smedindy]

I disagree, all things being equal, it's who gets the job done in the NFL if they're both free agents.

[K-Mack]

Frank,
my point exactly. Garcon is "common," or he compares to other prospects who will be in camp.

I usually defer to your knowledge of the scouting process, and I think you're right that being from D3 and the week-in, week-out level of competition is a knock on any D3 player in the eyes of a scout.

But I tend to agree with smedindy that once Garcon's in camp, what matters is what he does in that camp.

He'll definitely have to rise above to get noticed, but so will anyone else who is a 7th rounder or free agent.

I don't think any of us are breaking new ground if we're saying a D3 guy has to be outstanding to earn an NFL roster spot over a guy who played D1.

[Ron Boerger]

Time for another Jerheme Urban update 

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/0224combinenb.html

[...]

Look for No. 3

Receiver Bryant Johnson likely will depart via free agency, leaving the team in need of a No. 3 receiver.

While not giving up hope on Johnson returning, coach Ken Whisenhunt knows he might have to look for Johnson's replacement.

"We do have guys who are with us now," he said, "whether it's Jerheme Urban, Ahmad Merritt, Jamaica Rector."

Urban is a restricted free agent, and the club will offer him a tender by the deadline at the end of the week. "He made progress with us, you don't want to lose that progress."

Urban worked his way to the #4 WR role last year.  In the primarily 2-WR set the Cards use, a move to #3 would give Urban more chances to make plays.   Rector spent most of last season on the practice squad, Merritt was on IR.

[Ron Boerger]

Apparently something changed Wiesenhut's mind, because according to ESPN:

"The Cardinals declined to tender offers to four restricted free agents: linebacker Darryl Blackstock, tight end Tim Euhus and receivers Jerehme Urban and Ahmad Merritt.

The team also extended offers to three exclusive rights free agents -- cornerback Michael Adams, tight end Troy Bienemann and wide receiver Jamaica Rector."

so my guess is that practice squader Rector will replace Urban next year.    Pity.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3269418&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines

[smedindy]

Saw this line on the Arizona Republic website, though:

The Cardinals might have interest in bringing some, if not all, of them back, however.

[Ron Boerger]

Right you are, Smed!  +1

http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=2286

Defensive end Joe Tafoya and wide receiver Jerheme Urban signed two-year contracts Wednesday, while defensive end Bo Schobel signed a one-year deal. That comes on the heels of wide receiver Ahmad Merritt re-signing on a one-year contract Tuesday morning.

The same article re-iterates that Urban will be challenging for the #3 WR spot along with Merritt.  I think this is the first time he's signed a multi-year contract.

[dallas]

I'm surprised there's not more talk about Justin Beaver's chances on this thread.  He worked out in Madison with the some of the Badgers at Wisconsin's pro day on March 5th.  His workout would have put him at the top of all running backs at the combine across all measures.  Check out the following link from the MJS:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=725075

Also, Pete Schmitt, UWW grad last year, just signed a two year deal with the Redskins.  Following is the link to that news:

http://www.warhawkfootball.com/newswire.asp

Thoughts?

[BoBo]

Have to agree with you Dallas.  He is under the radar pretty much. But, looking at the numbers he posted, I wouldn't at all be surprised if he gets a good look.  Don't forget about A.J. Raebel, too.  He's been written up as a prospect on the rise.

[Jonny Utah]

I'm surprised there's not more talk about Justin Beaver's chances on this thread.  He worked out in Madison with the some of the Badgers at Wisconsin's pro day on March 5th.  His workout would have put him at the top of all running backs at the combine across all measures.  Check out the following link from the MJS:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=725075

Also, Pete Schmitt, UWW grad last year, just signed a two year deal with the Redskins.  Following is the link to that news:

http://www.warhawkfootball.com/newswire.asp

Thoughts?

Its probably a better sign too that the Patriots and Colts are looking at him and not the Raiders and Falcons........

[Pat Coleman]

South Florida Sun-Sentinel did a story on area players trying out for the Dolphins today, including Pierre Garcon. Since it came across our news feed I have the power to feature it a little more prominently at my day job, so I did.

http://www.verizon.net/newsroom/sports/nfl

(If by the time you read this message the story isn't the NFL lead anymore, go straight to the story by clicking here.)

[MilesMan]

While trolling through collegiate rosters over the past weeks, trying to come up with my own nuggets for the NFL draft, I noticed that the NCAA doesn't post D-III rosters, only D-I and D-IAA (D-II).

Does anyone know why this is?  Further, is there a quick way to look at the D-III rosters collectively, instead of going into each school's web-site?