D-3 Players in the Pros

[reality check]

Jamal Robertson not only made the final roster for the Argonauts, he scored two TD's in his CFL debut and led Toronto to a 23-16 season-opening victory.

[Teamski]

A couple pictures of Arizona Cardinal rookies getting a workout on a hillside.  Bryan Robinson's working it up.  Check out the photos here:

http://www.azcardinals.com/plogger/index.php?level=album&id=113

-Ski

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Quote from the OAC Board:

Garcon article in Canton Rep:

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=423279&r=0&Category=17&subCategoryID=0

[K-Mack]

Pierre Garcon had a team-high 4 catches for (a not team-high) 33 yards in the Colts' first preseason game, the HOF game loss to the Redskins.

More importantly, he ran with the first team offense (which was more than likely the 2/3s, since he was catching passes from Quinn Gray, not Peyton Manning or Jim Sorgi, and Marvin Harrison didn't play and Reggie Wayne, if he did, didn't have any catches).

Garcon also returned one punt and one kick.

Sounds at least like he's going to get an opportunity to impress.

[HScoach]

From the Canton Rep:
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=17&ID=424164&r=12&subCategoryID=

Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said Garcon is performing well in workouts and earned his spot on the field....."He's done it in practice," Dungy said. "We are seeing good things. He is showing he belongs."........"He's shown us that he can do some of those things (in practice)," Dungy said. "That he showed them again here is a good sign."

Good to hear Dungy is happy with Garcon so far.

[dc_has_been]

Is there a generated list of all the current NFL/CFL/AFL players from DIII schools?   

[smedindy]

The Colts have always struggled to find a good return man / extra wide out combo. Garcon may be the one as a 4th wideout / returner.

[BoBo]

Pete Schmitt, former UWW TE has been re-signed by the Redskins after most recently being released July 18, 2 days prior to the start of training camp.  This marks the third time he has been signed by the 'skins since May of last year. 

[historymajor]

Jerheme Urban, Trinity 2002-03 grad will see plenty of PT in tonites preseason opener for his AZ Cardinals against the NO Saints.  Urban signed a new 2 year contract this spring and is listed second on the Cards depth chart at WR behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquon Bouldin.  Last year he was one of Kurt Warner's favorite receivers when Matt Leinart was replaced by Warner due to injuries.  Urban had his best pro year statistically last year for the Cards.  I believe that the 8-7 game will be covered nationally.  Tune in to see Jerheme continue to represent DIII football well!

[Ron Boerger]

Bouldin is trying to shake off an injury and will see limited time, if any - so more time for the other WRs trying to show they belong.  This story from AZcardinals.com details the battle for the #3 WR position.     From this and other stories, Urban's primary competition seems to be third-round draft choice Early Doucet (out with a hamstring this week) and Steve Breaston.   Urban missed minicamp with a foot injury.

UPDATE:  According to Kent Somers' blog, Breaston will be getting #1 reps alongside Fitzgerald.  Urban's backing up Fitz with Jamaica Rector the other #2 WR.

[@d3jason]

You should also be able to see, Wesley's Bryan Robinson in the Cards/Saints game tonight also.

Arizona has two guys named Bryan Robinson that play on the d-line. Wesley's Bryan is wearing #71, I believe.

I also saw that Byron Westbrook (Salisbury, Eagles Brian lil bro) got some time for the Skins on Sunday night vs. the Colts.

[Mugsy]

I've been tracking the Eagles training camp on their website virtually every day.  The depth chart has former Wheaton College DE Andrew Studebaker listed as 3rd string SAM LB, though he has been playing quite a bit of DE as well due to injuries to several Eagle DE's.

Friday night the Eagles play the Steelers in Pittsburgh for their 1st preseason game. 

On how Andy Studebaker (and Joe Mays) is playing so far and how much time he will see on Friday, D-Coordinator Jim Johnson said:

I think it's still a work in progress. It's tough. I realize that of all the positions, the linebackers have the hardest thing. I recognize that. [linebackers] probably make more mistakes than anybody else; especially young guys. When they get in the game, they're going to play a lot. We're probably going to cut down just to see how they play. It's a learning process for them, and I understand that. I'm anxious to see both of those guys play and they are going to play quite a bit.

[K-Mack]

I would be very surprised if the Birds don't do with Andy what they did with Garcon and Jeremy Bloom; i.e. take whatever bumps and bruises he sustains in camp, and stash him on i.r. for a year so he can learn the system and try to make an impact next season. Either that or do it the legal way on the practice squad.

I know they don't give up on draft picks usually after one camp, they'll probably give him a year to show something since he and several of their other picks this year were projects (one D1 corner with a broken knee, and a couple other undersize/small-school guys).

FWIW. They've been a pretty good home for non-major school players recently, Westbrook being chief among them, but also an LB from I-AA cal poly, a starting G from D2 Saginaw, the picks this year from Wheaton, McNeese State and North Dakota, etc. I'm sure every team has a few though.

[Mugsy]

I would be very surprised if the Birds don't do with Andy what they did with Garcon and Jeremy Bloom; i.e. take whatever bumps and bruises he sustains in camp, and stash him on i.r. for a year so he can learn the system and try to make an impact next season. Either that or do it the legal way on the practice squad.

I know they don't give up on draft picks usually after one camp, they'll probably give him a year to show something since he and several of their other picks this year were projects (one D1 corner with a broken knee, and a couple other undersize/small-school guys).

FWIW. They've been a pretty good home for non-major school players recently, Westbrook being chief among them, but also an LB from I-AA cal poly, a starting G from D2 Saginaw, the picks this year from Wheaton, McNeese State and North Dakota, etc. I'm sure every team has a few though.

I'd say there is a high probability that Studebaker will end up on "IR" or the practice squad this year.  The move from D3 DE in college to OLB in the NFL is a huge learning curve.  They saw enough in his athletic ability and character to draft him, so they won't give up on him after one year.

As you mentioned regarding the Eagles taking chances on small college players, Studebaker is not the only former DE from a smaller college to be transitioned to LB on the Eagles.  Starting OLB Chris Gocong was a DE at Cal-State Poly.  This is his 3rd year.  Last year he started and began making strides, this year they are expecting a lot out of him.  Size and speed wise, Studebaker is very close to Gocong (or at least he will be in another year).  Gocong is 6'2" 263, Studebaker is 6'3" 251.

Also rookie LB Joe Mays is listed as 2nd string on the depth charts and he played last year at North Dakota State. I believe he was drafted just ahead of Studebaker in the 6th round as well.

One other tendancy I'm gleeming from the Eagles training camp website is that D-Coordinator Jim Johnson likes to move his OLB's with DE background to DE in nickel packages.  Gocong plays a lot of DE as well.

So that all to say... there is a blueprint for what the Eagles may be thinking about with Studebaker, provided he can show them he can do it.

[retagent]

gleeming?   gleaning.