TRAP GETS IN THIS YEAR�.
Yes, indeed�.many made fun of StillTrap last year, when he
attempted to get into the combine and was unsuccessful.� This year was different.� Trap rubbed elbows with executives and
coaches throughout the NFL.�
How�s this for a list�Oakland Al Davis, Brian Billick, Steve
Spurrier, Andy Reid, Dave Wannstedt, Bill Callahan, Bill Parcells, Tony Dungy,
Jon Gruden, Herman Edwards, Jim Fassel, Mike Sherman, Butch Davis, Tom Coughlin
(?), Mike Tice, and Steve Mariucci.�
Foge Fazio and Jim Harbaugh, too.
Bruce DeHaven of the Dallas Cowboys.
Trap was paying particular attention to any Stiller
officials, and was successful in speaking with a Stiller assistant coach for
one-half hour.� The coach wished to
remain nameless, and I will respect his wishes.� We talked about the players at the combine today � these included
QB�s, tight ends, and WR�s.� We talked
about many of the players on the roster presently, and how they played last
season.� He was very interested in this
site (I gave him a business card for Stillers.com) and he said that he always
likes to see what the hardcore fans are saying about the team, and individual
players.� We talked about this site�s
expertise in dissecting game tapes through repeated viewing and isolation on
certain players, and on line play.� We
then got into a fairly deep discussion on Jason Gildon, and he listened to
Trap�s analysis of Gildon�s shortcomings.�
He was surprised that this site had misgivings about locking up Gildon
to a long-term contract BEFORE this past season, which admittedly was a bust
for the OLB.� This coach promised to go
on this site and check it out, as he said he regularly browses Stiller stuff on
the internet.� One thing that this
assistant left me with that should be noted, is that he stressed that the
Stillers will ALWAYS BE a �strong running game/defense first� team.� This should be cogent information for
members of this site who sometimes carp about opening up the offense all the
time.� It seems that what we saw last
season is as �opened up� as it will ever get.
Trap should also note that Bill Cowher came in when I was
talking with this coach, and I remarked at what excellent physical shape Cowher
looked.� The coach said that Bill works
out a lot�and then we watched as Bill grabbed a donut off the table and
continued on down the hall.� �That�s his
one weakness � donuts�, the coach said.�
Trap thought that regular readers of this site would get a kick out of
that one, since last year, Trap was stopping at the Krispy Kreme after the
unsuccessful venture into the combine�!
Trap also was successful in talking with the tight ends
coach, Ken Wisenhunt, for about ten minutes.�
Trap was persistent in trying to find out WHICH tight end the Stillers
might have interest in, but to no avail.�
Wisenhunt was not committing anything.�
He admitted that we needed one, so it seems a safe bet that they will be
drafting one at some point.� Ken stated
that Bruener was looking good, and they expect him back full-strength.� He did not know what would happen with
Tuman, but he did state that he likes Tuman, and hopes that he is back.� He said it would all depend upon what
interest he draws from other teams.� I
mentioned to Ken that I didn�t think there were many tight ends here that had
the HEIGHTH the Stillers typically like.�
He stated that he did not like to pidgeonhole guys simply based on their
size � if they could play, he didn�t care how tall they were.� This surprised me, given that the tight ends
on the Stillers are required to block a lot.�
I asked him about the tight end being more involved in the passing game,
and he seemed to not think it was really a problem.� Guess that means we won�t be seeing a lot more passes being
thrown that way!�� What was interesting
in talking with Coach Wisenhunt, was how remarkably similar he looks like Bill
Cowher.� When I came up to him, he even
said, �you probably think I�m Bill Cowher�.�
I said, �no, I know who you are, you�re Ken Wisenhunt, the tight ends
coach.�� He seemed genuinely surprised I
knew who he was.� When I told him that
he does look like Bill, he said that he gets mistaken all the time.� I told him the only thing missing was the
jutting jaw, and he stuck out his chin, and it was a perfect match for
Cowher!!!� He said, �Either Bill�s gonna
have to get rid of his facial hair, or I�m gonna have to shave my goate!�� He did state that he was younger than
Cowher, though�
Anyway, Trap got a good look at all the tight ends and
quarterbacks, and did not concentrate much on the wide receivers, since the
Stillers probably won�t be too interested in that position.� Some of my notes are as follows:
TIGHT ENDS:
Joppru � this was the guy who had personnel guys fawning
over him.� When he stepped on the scale
and registered a solid 272 lbs., there was a gasp in the room.� He was �ripped�, and personnel men had a
hard time believing he weighed that much.�
I heard one guy say, �he�s really the only NATURAL of them all�.� Clearly, this man�s stock is rising.
Hilton � this guy looked good.� Size and athleticism was good.
Clark � a lot of people like him � I thought he was a bit
short.� He also has more lower body
strength than upper body.�
Pinkard � He looked good.�
Had size and strength.� I think
he could be a player in our scheme.
Berton � this guy was a BEAST.� His chest was HUGE.� I
wish I would have seen his benchpressing reps, because he looks like he could
outlift anyone there.� He�s only 6� 2�,
but he sure looks like he could be a fantastic blocker.
Seidman � this guy looked good to me.� I liked his size and build.�
Witten � looked good.
Shiancoe � I made a note � this guy had the skinniest legs I
ever saw!� I don�t know how he could
play tight end in the NFL with twigs for legs.�
Hmmm�
The Colts, a team in dire need of a tight end, seemed very
interested in Joppru and Berton.
Keep in mind that Trap had no opportunity to see any of
these guys catch or block, so how they played in Senior Bowl or all-star games
should be factored with the combine.
QUARTERBACKS:
Palmer � The tallest QB I saw.� Looked skinny.� I was
shocked at how little his shoulders were.�
I seriously wonder if this guy is not overrated, and someone may end up
with a very average signal-caller.
Ragone � short, and looked heavy.� Could see his stock fall � maybe a good thing for the Stillers?
Boller � Not that big, but looks like he could grow a
little.� Very athletic � has upside.
Simms � This guy is THE best looking specimen of all the
QB�s.� Very solid.� I think he is gonna be a keeper for some
team.
Leftwisch � Looked good � didn�t seem to be limping too much.� Seemed a better specimen than Palmer.
Banks � good-looking athlete.� Perhaps the Stillers will look at him for his mobility.
Bryant � impressed me.�
Gesser � short.� Did
I mention that he was short?
No one else made any impressions on me, positive or
negative.
What surprised Trap more than anything was that there are
simply not that many athletes invited to the combine.� Basically, there were about 15 QB�s, 15 tight ends, and maybe 20
WR�s there today.� For some reason, I
expected there to be more�?�
Some names to keep in mind for the Stillers perhaps on the
second day regarding wide receivers:�
Gage and McMillen � both tall, rangy receivers who looked like they
could contribute.� Oh, and the team that
gets Rogers from Michigan State � he is THE REAL DEAL.� What an athlete.�
Funny story time:�
Overheard two executives talking about Bill Walsh.� The one guy said forget about what you heard
about Mooch and York having philosophical differences.� Walsh wanted Mooch out.� Period.�
The rest was just a smokescreen.�
He called Walsh an �asshole�.�
Funny stuff.
Funny story 2:� Of
all the coaches�.Steve Spurrier and Jim Fassel were inseparable!?!� Involved in very deep conversation for quite
a while.� Hmmm�.and in the same
division.� Who knows!?!
Funny-looking:� Al
Davis.� Bless his soul.� He had the requisite black jacket on, but
wore WHITE pants and white shoes!?!�
Yikes.� Memo to Al � this isn�t a
hospital!