Bengals Eyeing Jai Lewis

[HoosierCat]

kffl...

Bengals | Team to attend J. Lewis workout

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 21:19:20 -0700

The Washington Post reports the Cincinnati Bengals will attend the workout being held Thursday, April 20, by George Mason basketball player Jai Lewis. He has spent four days training with Walt Cline, Velocity Sports Performance's director of athlete development, and former NFL TE Leonard Stephens. In the morning, Lewis will fill out paperwork and take written tests, including the Wonderlic. In the afternoon, he will be weighed and measured; will be tested in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and standing broad jump; and will perform agility and position drills for tight ends and linemen.

Other teams attending include: Philly, Pitt, DC, Miami, NY (both), per kffl.

[Kazkal]

He also has a private visit with the bengals right after the workout

[ArmyBengal]

Ok, I don't know this guy... Is this a good thing or nothing to see ??

WHODEY !!!

[Stripes]

Another aspiring basketball player eh? I'd say there's nothing to see here, simply because I have my doubts that any of these guys are going anywhere. I'd like to be wrong though.

[HoosierCat]

Spome Lewis stuff from the Washington Post from '05...

ewis Is Sizing Up His Football Future

NFL Teams Notice GMU's 6-7, 275-Pound Center

By Ivan Carter

Washington Post Staff Writer

Thursday, March 3, 2005; D07

It began with an odd request. George Mason center Jai Lewis would repeatedly pester Coach Jim Larranaga for permission to play on the university's club football team.

To Larranaga, the thought of sending out his first-team all-Colonial Athletic Association player to bang heads for something Bo Jackson might have called "a hobby" was not an appealing one.

However, the idea that Lewis, a junior from Aberdeen, Md., who is conservatively listed at 6 feet 7 and 275 pounds, could have a future playing football was not a stretch for Larranaga. The coach has long been fascinated by Lewis's freaky combination of size, quickness, agility and anticipation.

"I've been coaching for--what-- over 30 years now?" said Larranaga, who is in his eighth season at George Mason, "and Jai Lewis is the most unique athlete I've ever been around. He can do things for a guy his size that you don't ever see on a basketball court."

Some NFL teams want to find out. The thought of investing a draft pick, signing bonus or even a training camp roster spot on a guy who hasn't pulled on shoulder pads and a helmet since high school would have been absurd just a few years ago, but players such as San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates have changed that.

Gates, who never played a down of college football at Kent State but led the school's basketball team to the 2002 NCAA tournament as a senior, wasn't selected in the NFL draft. Instead, Gates signed a free agent contract with the Chargers after impressing the coaching staff during a workout. He played some as a rookie in 2003 and then burst onto the NFL scene this past season with 81 receptions for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns.

At last month's Pro Bowl, Gates started ahead of Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez, another college basketball player who turned into an NFL tight end. One connection between Gates and Gonzalez is current San Diego and former Kansas City coach Marty Schottenheimer, who attended University of California basketball games when Gonzalez played forward for the Bears.

"Of course you would prefer that a guy played football in college, but if you see a guy with the athletic ability of a Gonzalez or an Antonio Gates, a guy who is big and strong but can also move like they can, you have to look at him," Schottenheimer said. "It's rare that you find a guy like that, but the payoff has been great for us. Now, I'd be lying if I sat here and told you that I knew Antonio would be this good this fast, but it does show what can happen if you're willing to take a chance and develop a guy who displays that kind of athletic talent."

Lewis, who hasn't played football since he was a senior at Aberdeen High School, is trying to put on similar displays. Once Lewis informed Larranaga that he was serious about pursuing a football career, the coach contacted Arkansas basketball coach Stan Heath, who had been an assistant on Larranaga's staff at Bowling Green and who coached Gates at Kent State.

On Heath's advice, Larranaga put together a letter detailing Lewis's skills and sent it to each of the NFL's 32 teams. Several responded, and the Chicago Bears went so far as to send a scout to one of George Mason's basketball games this season.

Lewis, who is averaging 13.1 points and 7.6 rebounds for the Patriots (16-12, 10-8 CAA) heading into this weekend's conference tournament in Richmond, plans on returning for his senior season, so little likely will come from his flirtation with football this spring. However, Larranaga's efforts have put Lewis on the radar of the NFL scouting network.

Lewis, who lettered in football twice, lacrosse twice and track once in high school, looks upon Gates and Gonzalez as role models. Lewis showed enough potential while playing defensive end, defensive tackle and tight end in high school that several schools, including Virginia Tech, recruited him.

However, after he didn't post a high enough SAT score, Lewis said the football offers dried up, and he then decided to focus on basketball after enrolling in prep school at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, Maine.

Lewis said he has never regretted his decision to play basketball at George Mason but has remained curious about what might have been.

"You look at some of those guys who played basketball and football and kind of wonder: 'Could I do that?' " said Lewis. "I've always loved football, and it's something I would like to try if I get a chance in the future. Right now basketball is my priority, but football is something I think I could do if I had the opportunity to work at it."

Chiefs director of college scouting Chuck Cook was with the team when it scouted and moved up in the 1997 draft to select Gonzalez in the first round and was recently made aware of Lewis. Cook said the success of players such as Gates has already changed the way NFL scouts will approach those athletes.

"What it's done is created a situation where everyone is going to be looking for that next guy who might come out of nowhere, be given a little time to develop and then maybe become a player for you," Cook said. "That's just the nature of the business. . . . There are a lot of great athletes out there and not all of them are playing football."

More from last week...

Mason's Lewis Is Prepared To Tackle Pro Football

By Dan Steinberg

Washington Post Staff Writer

Friday, April 14, 2006; Page E01

With the Final Four in the past and graduation day approaching, George Mason senior Jai Lewis is winnowing down his career options.

His prep school basketball coach has received inquiries from European teams about Lewis's interest in playing basketball overseas. "That's my so-called Plan C," Lewis said.

He was invited to last week's pre-NBA draft Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, where he averaged 11.7 points and 6.7 rebounds and earned an interview with the Charlotte Bobcats. Playing professional basketball in North America is Plan B.

But with the NFL draft approaching at the end of this month, and with about half the league's 32 teams having expressed interest in the burly forward, a professional football career is, for now, Plan A. So while Lewis recovers from the Patriots' NCAA tournament run and continues working toward a degree in sports management, he is hastily identifying a path toward that goal.

Lewis began meeting with prospective agents this week and hired Jeff Jankovich of Capital Football Associates late last night. Now he will quickly begin working with a personal trainer, concentrating on the sort of football-specific drills that NFL scouts would like to see: a 20-yard shuttle run out of a football stance to display acceleration and flexibility, and a three-cone drill to demonstrate the ability to change directions at full speed while staying low to the ground.

Within the next two weeks, Lewis plans to hold a one-man combine for those scouts, either on George Mason's campus or at a local gym, during which he will perform basic speed and strength tests. The NFL draft begins on April 29, four weeks to the day after Lewis's 13-point, 11-rebound showing in George Mason's national semifinal loss to Florida.

"He has two to three weeks to do what other guys have been preparing for since January 1," Jankovich said. "His times are perhaps not going to be as good as some other guys, his techniques might not be as good, but they're looking for the burst, the speed, the strength. Technique, they can teach him. . . . The fact that scouts have come to look at him tells you something. They found him, and that means a lot."

Roughly 10 NFL teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, have contacted Lewis directly, asking questions about his background in football and his life away from athletics. Several more, including the Washington Redskins, have spoken with George Mason Coach Jim Larranaga.

"I think one of the objectives of any professional organization is to find diamonds in the rough, what they affectionately call 'sleepers,' somebody that no one else knows about," Larranaga said. "Jai Lewis is as talented an athlete as I've ever been around. His hand quickness and foot quickness are incredible. If I were an NFL scout, I'd be giving him very, very serious consideration."

The Chicago Bears sent a representative to a George Mason game during Lewis's junior year, soon after Lewis and Larranaga fired off letters to all 32 NFL teams laying out the 6-foot-7 forward's football aspirations. The Buffalo Bills sent a scout to a team workout this fall, before the Patriots' season even started, and have stayed in regular contact with Larranaga. The Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars sent representatives to games. All this for a 23-year-old prospect who has not played a down of football in more than five years.

"Playing basketball for the last four years and not having any college experience in football, at first I just thought a couple teams would show a little interest," Lewis said this week. "But having so many teams call, the door is just opening wider and wider, and I think it's possible I could play."

Such an option elicits inevitable comparisons to Antonio Gates, comparisons Lewis has heard many times. The former power forward at Kent State never played college football, and as a senior he led his basketball team to the region final in the 2002 NCAA tournament before switching sports. He has made two consecutive Pro Bowls as a tight end with the San Diego Chargers.

Last season, rookie Wesley Duke played tight end for the Denver Broncos and caught a touchdown pass; he, too, was a college basketball star, at Mercer, but didn't play college football. The Redskins worked out two college basketball players -- Pittsburgh's Chevy Troutman and Miami's Will Frisby -- as potential tight ends last spring.

"A lot of personnel people have asked where all of the tight ends, defensive ends, pass rushers and outside linebacker-type guys have gone, and a lot of them have gone to play basketball," said Scott Campbell, the Redskins' director of college scouting. "So there are similar physical requirements as far as athletic ability: quickness, being big and strong, and being athletic-type playmakers. There is a correlation between the two."

Lewis's weight was listed as 275 pounds this season, but he said this week he weighs about 290 pounds. NFL personnel have told him he is being projected as either a defensive lineman or tight end.

"I don't think he's a guy who would be drafted, but I'm sure someone would sign him and give him a look in camp to try to make the roster if he decides he wants to play," one NFL general manager said this week.

Lewis played defensive end, nose guard, tight end, fullback and punter at Aberdeen (Md.) High, where he also starred in basketball and lacrosse. He rarely caught passes in his senior year, when his quarterback was current Maryland linebacker Erin Henderson, the younger brother of Minnesota Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson. But Lewis could be a dominant blocker on offense and a force on defense, according to his high school coach, Joe Harbert.

"He couldn't be handled," Harbert said. "When we put him in the middle he disrupted the center so much, because he was so big, that it took two guys to take him on, or sometimes three guys, and our linebackers just had a field day."

Lewis was recruited by several football programs, including Virginia Tech and East Carolina, but a combination of academic problems, a coaching change at Aberdeen and uncertainty over Lewis's future as a basketball prospect kept the interest lower than it might have been, Harbert said. When he didn't meet NCAA qualifying standards, Lewis headed to Maine Central Institute to play basketball, and from there to George Mason.

He finished his basketball career having played more games than anyone in George Mason history, and was twice named first-team all-Colonial Athletic Association. Lewis said he never had a preference for football or basketball in high school, and that he still doesn't today. The NFL is first on his career-planning list because the draft is rapidly approaching and because of the burgeoning interest he has received. He solicited NFL advice from E.J. Henderson this week, and said he's looking forward to the sort of physical contact that boxing out for a rebound can't provide.

"Once I get the pads on, I've just got to take that first hit to get me back in football mode," he said. "I definitely don't regret the route I went. I went that route for a reason. Now I'm just blessed to have this opportunity come back and present itself. So I'm definitely going to try to take that opportunity as far as I can."

6-7 and 290...TE my ass put the kid next to Sam Adams!

[MacD BengalFan]

I live in the D.C. area and this place went nuts with George Mason's run to the Final Four. I enjoyed the enthusiasm shown for them, it was fun to watch. I watched him closely during the run and I noticed that he could not be stopped when backing into the basket. Only one team stopped him, Florida, and it was because of some kid name Jokim. His height countered Jai's power. Now as far as being a TE in the NFL, his size dictates he would be better fit for the offensive line. His strength would make things very difficult for a defensive player to move him. But if he wants to be a TE, of course he may need to lose some weight. I am sure he can catch a ball.

[futurebengal08]

I just heard on ESPN that Jai Lewis, the center for the George Mason Patriots basketball team, held a tryout which 11 NFL teams attended. Jonathan Hayes (TE coach for the Bengals) was apparently pretty impressed with his skills, and flew him into Cinci for a personal workout. Any significance?

Jai Lewis

Class:

Senior

Hometown:

Aberdeen, Md.

High School:

Aberdeen

Last College:

Maine Central Institute

Height / Weight:

6-7 / 275

Position:

Forward/Center

Birthdate:

02/13/1983

Major:

Sport Management

[Stripes]

We have a thread for this in the draft forum, I'll merge this to it. You have plenty of extra information that wasn't there already so cool beans.

[futurebengal08]

We have a thread for this in the draft forum, I'll merge this to it. You have plenty of extra information that wasn't there already so cool beans.

Yeah, I was wondering why there wasn't a thread on this already...I though I might have some new information. Apparently I'm not as cool as I think I am. I'm so lonely...

[HoosierCat]

Welcome to the club

Gates has every team now looking at basketball-cum-football guys at TE. It encourages me because I am not enamoured with a TE in the first, and frankly not all that thrilled with the idea of a TE on day 1. Lewis strikes me as a Stacy Andrews type project. If he can be had on day 2, great. But if they are looking at a day 1 TE there are better options, IMHO.

[HairOnFire]

Kiper featured him on todays ESPN Draft Special. He agreed that he's not likely to be drafted, but said it wasn't out of the question that one of the interested teams might use a 7th round pick. They showed plenty of film of Lewis on the basketball court and he's quick and agile for a man his size, and not surprisingly he can jump. Pretty soft looking body though. Very broad across the chest, huge arms featuring no definition whatsoever, and what looked to be a pack of weiners on his neck behind his head.

[Kazkal]

I was told he never even played football he'll if he's next gates i'd burn a 6th on him or we win the race with a 7th pick sense we hold the texans

[Kazkal]

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports the Cincinnati Bengals were at the workout of George Mason basketball player Jai Lewis Thursday, April 20. They liked him so much they flew him back to Cincinnati for further workouts. Lewis looked more like an offensive tackle than a tight end at his workout. He measured in at 6-5 ½ and 292 pounds. He ran his 40s in 4.99 and 5.03.

[ArmyBengal]

I don't know ANYTHING about him, but watching film of a basketball game and seeing him "back his way to the hoop" translates into the NFL how ?? A 6'5 292 TE with 5.0 speed ?? I can't say as I'm sold, but whatever makes Marvin happy I guess will work...

WHODEY !!!

[DesperateDerelict]

A 6'5 292 TE with 5.0 speed ?? I can't say as I'm sold, but whatever makes Marvin happy I guess will work...

WHODEY !!!

I betcha Eric Hicks (PF - UC) at 6'06", 270 with EXTREMELY long arms can run a 4.7 - the guy's a FREAK! Let's try him out!

[bengalboomer7]

A 6'5 292 TE with 5.0 speed ?? I can't say as I'm sold, but whatever makes Marvin happy I guess will work...

WHODEY !!!

I betcha Eric Hicks (PF - UC) at 6'06", 270 with EXTREMELY long arms can run a 4.7 - the guy's a FREAK! Let's try him out!

Ya Know, you laugh, But I would take Eric Hicks at TE before Lewis. Hicks should look into that.

[Kazkal]

he doesn't look 290

[Whur CHad At?]

Hicks prob. has a better shot makin the NFL than he does makin the NBA, ahahahahah!

[HairOnFire]

he doesn't look 290

He did in the basketball clips I watched, but not in the still photos you posted or the clips I watched this morning of his workout with NFL teams.

Makes me wonder how old the basketball stuff might have been.

[Kazkal]

got any links for the workouts? did he looked in good shape?

[MacD BengalFan]

I don't know ANYTHING about him, but watching film of a basketball game and seeing him "back his way to the hoop" translates into the NFL how ?? A 6'5 292 TE with 5.0 speed ?? I can't say as I'm sold, but whatever makes Marvin happy I guess will work...

WHODEY !!!

I guess the point I was trying to make is that he has the strength to move people effortlessly. Now being able to move 300lb defensive linemen is a different story compared to moving 200lb forwards. But it showed he may have the strength to do it. He did play football in H.S. as a TE but his current size and 40 times dictates he either lose 50 lbs or work on his blocking technique for the offensive line.