Only because a reader suggested it...here they are, Bob Glauber and Rupert Murdoch, side by side. Kind of a before and after situation there, though I'm not sure of the "what" part of that equation.
Also, continue to check out the blog of Newsday's NFL columnist, who, according to a source familiar with his space, might write about football at some point today.
Anyway, coming tomorrow in Newsday is an expanded version of what I covered in this blog yesterday but couldn't fit in today's story, which primarily was Ohio State coach Jim Tressel responding to the criticisms surrounding Vernon Gholston. Wednesday it is Purdue coach Joe Tiller discussing new Jets tight end Dustin Keller, whom he compared favorably to a tight end from Iowa he coached against earlier this decade.
I also just got off the phone with Danny Woodhead, the NCAA's all-time rushing leader from Division II Chadron State, an undrafted rookie free agent who signed with the Jets Sunday night and will be in town this weekend pursuing his NFL dream at the team's minicamp. A very interesting and down-to-earth kid, who has a sense of humor about things. I'll be writing a longer story in a couple days for the paper, but here's a snippet: I asked Woodhead about his height; I had seen it listed as 5-7 ½”, 5-8 and even 5-9. So, what's the deal?
"Well," he laughed. "I was 5-7 ½ on my pro day, so that's what most teams were getting. Let’s call it 5-8 because I have to wear shoes during the games and stuff."
But what about the 5-9 he's listed as on the school's Web site?
"Some people really wanted to be generous," he said.
Woodhead's numbers at Chadron State were off the charts - which includes 19 games he hit the 200-yard mark - as was his speed at Nebraska's Pro Day when he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash [Darren McFadden, by comparison, ran a 4.33 at the NFL combine, which Woodhead did not receive an invite to].
And while Woodhead is very much grounded, he's quite serious regarding his long-shot proposition to make the Jets, a journey that begins this weekend.
"I believe I’m a good football player," Woodhead said. "More anything I’m going to work hard every single day. I hope they’ve seen that on film and with workouts. I'm going to come out and work as hard as I can. I can’t change the things that have gotten me here."
Comments (5)
I have no idea how to respond to all this.
Words fail Bob Glauber, yet again.
Ouch.
Just kidding Bob. It took me a while to get the Rupert Murdoch joke too.
Well, I said it before in a previous post, that I think that he has a real possibility of turning some heads in mini camp. I'm understand that the Jets have signed other RBs (Tony Richardson and Jesse Chatman) this off season, but there are things that will be tough to ignore, assuming his productivity.
His size and speed, can be a real advantage, if he can manage to be a slippery and elusive back. He may be short, at 5'8, but he's solid at 200 lbs, and he's not afraid to lower his shoulder into on coming traffic. That's exactly what's necessary of a third and short, or goal line RB.
If you want to use him as a change of pace back, he has potential as well. Not for nothing, Thomas Jones is not exceptionally bigger (listed at 5'10, 215 lbs) than Woodhead. Yes it is most likely 15 pounds of muscle, but I think this guy has the potential to be able to use the offensive line to hide himself from line backers and defensive backs. That one moment of hesitation, combined with his speed and the o-line doing its job, are all that he will need.
Yes, I realize that these possible projections could be for nothing, being that he could very well be overwhelmed with the talent of opposing defenses. But the same could be said of his abilities behind a more talented offensive line.
I see great potential, as did Tangini. In all honesty I was more excited about his signing than I was about most of the draftees.