2008 Woodie Awards
Seniors show skills at Pro Day
By: Robbie Sgro
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Sports
Five former CMU football players took the first step in what they hope is the next stage of their careers Monday.
Linebackers Red Keith and Ike Brown, defensive lineman Steven Friend, offensive lineman Eric Tunney and safety Curtis Cutts participated in CMU's Pro Day at the Indoor Athletic Complex in front of scouts from 20 professional organizations.
The players participated in standard tests conducted at the NFL Scouting Combine, such as the 40-yard dash, broad jump, bench press and cone drills, as well as position-specific drills.
"I think I did OK overall," Brown said. "I wish I did better, but I think the scouts were impressed from the feedback I got from them. They were excited about what I did, but I felt like I could have showed more."
Brown said he talked to representatives from the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints.
Brown, who missed nearly the entire 2006 season because of a knee injury, said he received positive feedback from the scouts.
"Most of them told me I helped myself out by what I did," Brown said. "I raised my stock. … They weren't sure of how I would be able to move because of my knee, but they said they were impressed."
Keith said he spent most of the day working out for a linebackers coach from the Bengals, who also tested his football knowledge and his grasp of playing linebacker.
"I was kind of tied up with him the whole day," Keith said.
Keith said the scouts he talked to were already aware of his play on the field. Keith had 474 career tackles, second all-time at CMU.
"A lot of them talked about what I did on film," he said. "A lot of people, they knew what I already did on film, so that's a big positive for me. They know that I can play, but you always have to go though those drills."
From here, the players will play the waiting game if they aren't invited for a private workout by a team.
"Even before (Monday), I think the opportunity was going to be there," Keith said. "… I can't pinpoint what round, but I think the opportunity will be there going in the later rounds or an undrafted free agent."
sports@cm-life.com
Linebackers Red Keith and Ike Brown, defensive lineman Steven Friend, offensive lineman Eric Tunney and safety Curtis Cutts participated in CMU's Pro Day at the Indoor Athletic Complex in front of scouts from 20 professional organizations.
The players participated in standard tests conducted at the NFL Scouting Combine, such as the 40-yard dash, broad jump, bench press and cone drills, as well as position-specific drills.
"I think I did OK overall," Brown said. "I wish I did better, but I think the scouts were impressed from the feedback I got from them. They were excited about what I did, but I felt like I could have showed more."
Brown said he talked to representatives from the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints.
Brown, who missed nearly the entire 2006 season because of a knee injury, said he received positive feedback from the scouts.
"Most of them told me I helped myself out by what I did," Brown said. "I raised my stock. … They weren't sure of how I would be able to move because of my knee, but they said they were impressed."
Keith said he spent most of the day working out for a linebackers coach from the Bengals, who also tested his football knowledge and his grasp of playing linebacker.
"I was kind of tied up with him the whole day," Keith said.
Keith said the scouts he talked to were already aware of his play on the field. Keith had 474 career tackles, second all-time at CMU.
"A lot of them talked about what I did on film," he said. "A lot of people, they knew what I already did on film, so that's a big positive for me. They know that I can play, but you always have to go though those drills."
From here, the players will play the waiting game if they aren't invited for a private workout by a team.
"Even before (Monday), I think the opportunity was going to be there," Keith said. "… I can't pinpoint what round, but I think the opportunity will be there going in the later rounds or an undrafted free agent."
sports@cm-life.com
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