As the NFL Lockout Continues, the Undrafted Rookie Market Begins to Thin
by Bob_Q on May 9, 2011 5:58 PM EDT
in Philadelphia Eagles News
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PrintIt's certainly not easy being an undrafted rookie in a lockout year. With NFL teams forbidden to even talk to their current players, much less prospective players, college prospects who weren't selected during the 2011 NFL Draft are left in limbo.
The situation appears to be wearing on players like offensive linemen J'Michael Deane of Michigan State and John Bender of Nevada, both of whom have recently signed contracts with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL.
The UFL has had its fair share of new recruits as well, sending Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson to the Hartford Colonials with the first overall pick in the UFL Draft. In an interview with Fox Houston last week, Johnson pointed to the NFL Lockout as the primary factor in his decision to go with the UFL:
"When you don’t get drafted teams now start recruiting you to come in as a free agent. And you can sit down and look at depth charts or offenses or a situation that fits you personally. And with the lockout that opportunity didn’t present itself."
However, many holdouts still exist, the most noteworthy being Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich. Despite being drafted by the Omaha Nighthawks, he has told SI's Peter King that he plans to wait for his chance in the NFL.
Still the Eagles, who have been successful with undrafted rookies in the past, had better hope that the lockout is lifted soon, or they'll be left with pretty slim pickings. The longer the NFL's legal battle drags on, the more organizations like the UFL and CFL are going to pressure the undrafted rookies to take their chances in alternate leagues.
Of course, Kentucky running back Derrick Locke will always be there for the taking since his Twitter response to being drafted by the UFL was: "I'm not going to that shit."
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Advantage Eagles?
Don’t the Eagles have an advantage here? They have PLENTY of 1st and 2nd year plays because of all the draft picks they stockpiled. The teams that had 10 picks the last two years should be concerned with the current situation more than the Eagles. Yes, free agency helps us (along with every other team), but in my opinion this situation is optimal for the Eagles relative to the rest of the league. Thoughts?
by Jared's New Name on May 9, 2011 6:07 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Valid point. I think we’re in much better shape than most teams.
by 92-74-99-96 on May 9, 2011 7:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm not sure which I believe,
but the counter argument would be that the teams with very few picks typically get into that situation because they have poor talent evaluation, and put themselves in desperate situations. If you can’t evaluate talent anyway, it doesn’t hurt that these guys aren’t around.
I think the answer could be found in seeing which teams have had the most success finding UDFAs that go on to have successful careers. Those are the teams that will be hurt.
Derrick Locke
No one wants to deal with his shit
Mike Florio, Mark Buerle, Michael Young, Jemele Hill- you have all tried to bring down the Eagles player and fans by way of your awful aritcles and ignorant tweets. Your all in the Axis of Evil.
by MidwesternEaglesfan on May 9, 2011 6:10 PM EDT reply actions
Mark Herzlich.
Is the only guy i would like to take a chance on. But we have plenty of young talented guys on the team already.
one of 53...
many analysts projected him to be a top 15 pick before he got sick. if he can regain the majority of his strength back, he could be a fine player. you know he’d work his butt off.
Which are becoming
Far and few with so many 1st, 2nd and 3rd year guys already fighting to make this team….
FLY #7 FLY !!!
In MUDD I trust !!!
by BWestFactor on May 10, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
I think he's worth a roster spot...
Undrafted LB’s often make impact here.
Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...
Wild_Eagle!
Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.
-Awarded by Number5
Not ones that run a 4.9 and lack strength.
I’m not saying he’s not a great story, but this isn’t a charity.
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I mean we get what 80+ guys to work with?
And from what’s been said he’s on his way back, he looked good late in the season at BC.. His speed picked up a little, and his strength is coming back.
I think the guy’s worth a shot. I mean Chemo takes a lot out of you.. It saps strength, with that come speed.. Eventually when it’s over you get that stuff back..
If he has a chance of being a player why not bring him in?
Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...
Wild_Eagle!
Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.
-Awarded by Number5
It’s certainly better than saving one of the 80 spots for a reality show contestant like a certain Dallas owner did…
"I like prime rib and I'd love to win a Super Bowl. I'm hungry for both of them." -Andy Reid
Exactly...
Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...
Wild_Eagle!
Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.
-Awarded by Number5
Whatever happened to Adarius Bowman?
Who's Been Eatin' Hummus?
She passed wind, excused herself, and sponged off in the corner as I sat dazed and confused...
Tough for UDFA's anyway
It makes sense for many UDFA’s to play somewhere else rather than wait for NFL to stop fighting. With an abbreviated pre-season the chances of new players making teams (UDFA, Rookies, and Vet FA) will be significantly reduced. It may be more likely that an NFL team tries to pick from an alternate league than UDFA’s that are not practicing or playing.
Due to short pre-season, teams with system changes and many rookies should be behind established veteran teams. Unfortunately, I think the Eagles are one of these teams with a new defensive coordinator, and new philosophies on both the offensive and defensive lines. Also they are likely to have a number of first and second year players.
After teams with new head coaches I think this lockout with hurt the Eagles more than many of their competitors.
The NFL is shooting itself in the foot with this lockout
These undrafted free-agents will vote with their feet. Rather than waste time trying to catch onto an NFL roster they will chase a less precarious pay check in the CFL or Arena Football.
We all know that if a league of similar standard to the NFL existed, there would’ve been a mass exodus of players by now.
After all that is what is happening in other sports
In Rugby Union for the past 5 years players from South Africa, Australia & New Zealand leave their native leagues for leagues in Europe with a lower standard of game, but higher pay-packet.
If the CFL or Arena football franchises were owned by multi billionaires willing to pay top dollar to bring in the NFL’s best you bet it would happen due to being to attractive an option.
by Brawnybalboa on May 9, 2011 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Locke's a man..
enough said.. Sign that man.
Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...
Wild_Eagle!
Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.
-Awarded by Number5
I've been saying this for months.
Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...
Wild_Eagle!
Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.
-Awarded by Number5
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