Undrafted Free Agent Signings

[TJJackson]

Thank God.

Wilkerson is a better, more experienced C than Spencer, but needs some time to recover from injuries. We keep him on the roster through final cuts, put him on IR, he's available in week....7? I think? Can play G too.

I am VERY pleased with this news.

[HairOnFire]

Just saw where this has already been posted. That thread title didn't really lead me to expect that the post was about rookie FAs

I don't understand the confusion. I wrote a post about undrafted free agents entitled...."Hello Mudder. Hello Fodder"

Frankly, I'm kind of sorry to see my more creative title go away as I think things get a little too serious around here from time to time.

That said, add Kansas State DT Andrew Bulman to the list. Measurables listed as 6-3 291. 40 time listed by one source as 4.91

I wonder if he's related to DT Tim Bulman of Boston College?

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Why sign the scrubs noone wanted?

What round of the draft do you think the fellow pictured to the left went in?

Any idea at all?

How about our very accurate kicker?

How about our punter?

The guy pictured next to you appears to be practice squad fodder Allen Augustin. Am I supposed to be impressed by him?

Nearly all punters are free agent signings.

Our kicker? Once again a free agent, but how many years and how many teams did he take to learn to be as accurate as he is? And he is still not the same kind of kicker as others that get drafted... He doesn't have the leg for kickoffs, and is still working to improve that area of his game.

My point was, you don't sign a scrub at a position you just drafted when you have good depth there.

You sign other guys you need or guys who can be more effective.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Thank God.

Wilkerson is a better, more experienced C than Spencer, but needs some time to recover from injuries. We keep him on the roster through final cuts, put him on IR, he's available in week....7? I think? Can play G too.

I am VERY pleased with this news.

I'll agree on Wilkerson. Hell of a signing in free agency. If he gets healthy and proves himself in camp, we have 3 guys from this offseason who can be a big help on the Oline. I'd love to see him (healthy) at guard next to Gooey at center or vice versa. Get rid of big heavy SLOW Bobbie Williams next year.

[JPW]

Just some first thoughts...

SS

J. Butler

Shazor

Brandon Browner

Jammal Brimmer

(last few might be slow, but...)

TE

Adam Bergen, Lehigh

C

Ben Wilkerson

OT/G

Michael Munoz

Looks like ML and company have a lot more confidence in the DT's than we thought.  God know's, there's not a lot of talent left out there (skipping CJ Mosley for Tab Perry still has me scratching my head)...

A Great pick up with Wilkerson and a few other good pick ups.

I would still like to see Butler or Browner here.

And I would Love to see us give Michael Munoz a shot ...

[schweinhart]

Thank God.

Wilkerson is a better, more experienced C than Spencer, but needs some time to recover from injuries.  We keep him on the roster through final cuts, put him on IR, he's available in week....7? I think?  Can play G too.

I am VERY pleased with this news.

I'll agree on Wilkerson. Hell of a signing in free agency. If he gets healthy and proves himself in camp, we have 3 guys from this offseason who can be a big help on the Oline. I'd love to see him (healthy) at guard next to Gooey at center or vice versa. Get rid of big heavy SLOW Bobbie Williams next year.

You mean the "gimp" as you called him on another thread?

Yeah "Gooey and the Gimp". Right on Great Big Igmo

If Wilkerson does get healthy and shows signs he's going to be able to play in the regular season anywhere close to his ability, it's likely he'll have to be on the roster or else will be picked off the practice squad by another team.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Thank God.

Wilkerson is a better, more experienced C than Spencer, but needs some time to recover from injuries.  We keep him on the roster through final cuts, put him on IR, he's available in week....7? I think?  Can play G too.

I am VERY pleased with this news.

I'll agree on Wilkerson. Hell of a signing in free agency. If he gets healthy and proves himself in camp, we have 3 guys from this offseason who can be a big help on the Oline. I'd love to see him (healthy) at guard next to Gooey at center or vice versa. Get rid of big heavy SLOW Bobbie Williams next year.

You mean the "gimp" as you called him on another thread?

Yeah "Gooey and the Gimp". Right on Great Big Igmo

If Wilkerson does get healthy and shows signs he's going to be able to play in the regular season anywhere close to his ability, it's likely he'll have to be on the roster or else will be picked off the practice squad by another team.

Yes, the gimp. Like I said IF HE GETS HEALTHY he's a steal and a half. If he's healthy he will be promoted from the fodder squad.

[JPW]

If he is not healthy and needs more time, we can afford to place him on IR and let him fully recover.

[alleycat]

from kffl.com:

Cardinals | URFA Shazor Signed - from www.KFFL.com

Mon, 25 Apr 2005 09:47:25 -0700

WDFN Sports Radio 1130 AM in Detroit reports the Arizona Cardinals have signed undrafted rookie free agent S Ernest Shazor (Michigan) to a two-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.

[skyline]

I may have missed this...is there a good site that lists all the undrafted kids and which teams they have signed with?

[DontPushMe]

Posted this in another thread about Body

Patrick Body

Position: Free Safety

College: Toledo

Height: 6-1

Weight: 201

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Analysis | Injury Report | Agility | High School | Personal

OVERVIEW

Body is one of the fastest athletes in college football, boasting a 4.25 clocking in the 40-yard dash. The three-year starter at free safety began his collegiate career as a weakside outside linebacker, but the coaches felt his speed and range were more suited for the secondary.

Body was a standout defensive back and receiver at Scheley High School. He had 27 receptions for 757 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior, leading the team to its first City League championship in 49 years. As a free safety, he had 11 interceptions, three of which he ran back for touchdowns and also returned two kickoffs for scores. He was named first-team All-City League and chosen to the All-City Academic team. He also caught 18 balls for 414 yards and had seven interceptions on defense as a junior.

Body was a reserve weakside outside linebacker as a true freshman at Toledo in 2001. He recorded nine tackles that year and gained 42 yards on three kickoff returns. The speedy defender started the first six games of the 2002 campaign at weakside linebacker

Before moving to free safety, he ranked fourth on the team with 83 tackles (45 solos), a sack, five stops for losses, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and three pass breakups.

Body started every game at free safety in 2003. He finished third on the squad with 76 tackles (52 solos). He caused three fumbles, batted away four passes and had three interceptions that year. Body then earned All-Mid American Conference first team honors in 2004. He led the team with a career-high 113 tackles (62 solos), adding a sack, 6½ stops behind the line of scrimmage, four forced fumbles, five pass breakups and two interceptions. He also caught a 46-yard pass on a fake punt.

In 48 games with the Rockets, Body started 38 times. He recorded 281 tackles (164 solos) with two sacks for minus-11 yards and 15½ stops for losses of 43 yards. He caused 10 fumbles and recovered one. Body gained 106 yards on seven interception returns and deflected 12 passes. He totaled 64 yards on four kickoff returns (16.0 avg.) and rushed four times for 75 yards. He also had one reception for a 46-yard gain.

ANALYSIS

Positives: Has a tall, slender frame with defined muscle tone in the chest and arms … Has outstanding straight-line speed, range and change-of-direction agility … Center-field type that excels playing the deep zone … Quick to step up vs. plays in front of him and is known for making cross field tackles … Good program player who works hard in the weight room and practices … Has the leaping ability to get to the ball at its highest point … Could also bring some value on offense as a receiver or ball carrier due to his quickness and experience there … Shows good explosion behind his tackles and, in 2004, showed marked improvement staying low in his pads and playing closer to the line to initiate, wrap and secure ball carriers … Takes good angles in pursuit and has the burst to chase down plays, whether playing deep or shallow … Has an effortless running style with an explosive closing burst … Shows a good feel for the crease while playing offense … Has learned the proper technique of positioning himself and lowering his shoulders to drive the opponent back … As a possible returner, he displays the burst to make the initial tacklers miss and the speed to easily break it into the open.

Negatives: While he's a physical tackler, he seems to have trouble anticipating the ball while staying tight with the receiver … Lacks deep coverage instincts and could be more suited for zone work at free safety, even though his speed would be beneficial as a cornerback … Slow to read and react to plays at times, especially when he plays too deep in the zone … Shows some hip tightness in his backpedal and looks awkward through transition … Lacks natural hands for the interception … Willing in run support, but spends too much time inspecting the action rather than initiating it when working inside the box.

INJURY REPORT

2002 -- Suffered from pharyngitis (defined as an infection or irritation of the pharynxand/or tonsils -- the etiology is usually infectious) in late September and was sick for two weeks, but did not miss any games.

2003 -- Sat out the Syracuse game after he hyper-extended the first toe on his right foot in the first quarter vs. Pittsburgh (Sept. 20).

2004 -- Left the Motor City Bowl vs. Connecticut in the second half when he broke a bone in his right arm.

AGILITY

Campus: 4.26 in the 40-yard dash … 325-pound bench press … Bench pressed 225 pounds 15 times … 790-pound leg press … Leg pressed 450 pounds 20 times … 4.1 20-yard shuttle … 11.76 60-yard shuttle … 7.05 three-cone drill … 42½-inch vertical jump … 10-foot-4 broad jump … 32¼-inch arm length … 8¾-inch hands … Right-handed.

Huddles Report...

Strengths

Patrick has very good size, strength and burst for his position. He is a good tackler and shows good leadership qualities. He is very good in a two deep zone defense. He does well when he’s brought up close to the line to help stop the run. At this point, he doesn’t show good man-to-man cover skills because of the system he plays in; however, something tells me with his athletic abilities and mental toughness along with good instincts, that this is not going to be a big problem.

Needs to Improve

Patrick’s cover skills and quality of opponents are the biggest question marks right now. He shows good mental toughness, but at the next level, it could be a different case.

Bottom Line

To be honest, Patrick reminds me of Rodney Harrison, but I’m just not sure he is as tough as Rodney. If he answers that question positively, then someone is going to get themselves a hell of a safety. Let me be the first to tell you I think he’s got it and the reason for him to be under the radar right now is because he broke his arm this year and hasn’t been on the field much. In fact, I have very little tape on this kid so I’m out on a limb with this profile. However, the tape I have and his numbers at his pro day make me think this kid is the real deal. On tape, the system Toledo uses keeps everything in front of him, but he is directing players and making plays sideline to sideline. He’s showing good instincts and play recognition. I feel he has first day talent that will be a second day pick because of the quality of his opponents and there is not much tape on him this year

[HairOnFire]

Nice to see the Shazor train finally found a station to pull into....on the drafts 3rd day.

[alleycat]

Bottom Line

To be honest, Patrick reminds me of Rodney Harrison, but I’m just not sure he is as tough as Rodney. If he answers that question positively, then someone is going to get themselves a hell of a safety. Let me be the first to tell you I think he’s got it and the reason for him to be under the radar right now is because he broke his arm this year and hasn’t been on the field much. In fact, I have very little tape on this kid so I’m out on a limb with this profile. However, the tape I have and his numbers at his pro day make me think this kid is the real deal. On tape, the system Toledo uses keeps everything in front of him, but he is directing players and making plays sideline to sideline. He’s showing good instincts and play recognition. I feel he has first day talent that will be a second day pick because of the quality of his opponents and there is not much tape on him this year

That's a helluva write-up. Exciting. I was wondering if maybe his time at the Toledo pro-day was off because he hasn't played for a while due to the arm. Even at 4.5, though, he would have been one of the fastest safeties on the board and the 4.2 possibility is just unbelievable. Rodney Harrison comparison? I'll take that. If this turns out and those ML boys had the balls to think he wouldn't get drafted and could sign him... Man.

The fact that not much tape was available on him could also be partly responsible for sliding under the radar. (If you can't tell, I'm trying really hard to love this guy, because if we get a player at safety out of this draft, it would be an A+ for me).

[HoosierCat]

Nice to see the Shazor train finally found a station to pull into....on the drafts 3rd day.

Shoot, between Body and Wilkerson I actually like day 3 of the draft better than I did day 2!

[alleycat]

Hilarious! Because I totally agree!

[DontPushMe]

Well i wouldnt go that far. Ghiaciuc is a far better center prospect then Wilkerson, and we got a lot of other good players on day 2. Not sure i understand the praise im seeing here for Wilkerson, i wouldnt be suprised if he doesnt even make the team. He seems like hes practice squad bound imo. While Ghiaciuc could be starting by the end of 05.

[HoosierCat]

Ghiaciuc is a far better center prospect then Wilkerson

WTF are you smoking, DPM? Wilkerson was a consensus top 3 center prospect; the highest I've seen Ghiaciuc ranked is 6th, and most had him in the 12-20 range. If Wilkerson is healthy, I have no doubt he's the center of the future. Ghiaciuc will provide solid backup, Braham and Moore will be gone, and we'll be set at center for the next 10 years.

[kingwilly]

How accurate is that 40 time for Body? If he is that fast why was he given no ink?

Makes me curious a bit, NOT THAT I'm COMPLAINING about a sub 4.3 safety!

Wilkerson's knee is a BIG issue. To go from a 1st rounder to nowhere over his knee tells me it may be wrecked. But let's take a look.

BTW, Donovan Darius is still dangling out there.

[JPW]

What are you talking about ?

If it wasn't for his injury Wilkerson would have most likely been the Top Center drafted.

[princeton]

Wilkerson was a consensus top 3 center prospect; the highest I've seen Ghiaciuc ranked is 6th

As recently as Sunday, Geico was ranked 2nd.

[membengal]

Ghiaciuc is a far better center prospect then Wilkerson

WTF are you smoking, DPM? Wilkerson was a consensus top 3 center prospect; the highest I've seen Ghiaciuc ranked is 6th, and most had him in the 12-20 range. If Wilkerson is healthy, I have no doubt he's the center of the future. Ghiaciuc will provide solid backup, Braham and Moore will be gone, and we'll be set at center for the next 10 years.

My problem with this line of thought, though, is that, if the Benglas coaches thought this was the case, they wouldn't have spent a 4th on Ghouliac, they would have angled for Wilkerson.

I am guessing there were questions about him even beyond injuries for him to have dropped completely out of the draft.

Regardless, there is no question but that the Bengals coaches see Ghouliac in their future plans, while Wilkerson will have to work to get in their future plans.

Wilkerson has some talent, but it could be that he, like Shazor and some others, was a bit overrated coming in.

That said, it's nice to see if the collective NFL minds were wrong and have him prove them wrong in Cincy.

But I think, based on Alexander's and Lewis' comments, that Ghouliac is the C of the future in Cincy. They love his smarts and his athleticism apparently.

Edit: At some point i will have to learn how to spell his name correctly. For now, I dub him Ghouliac...

[JPW]

As recently as Sunday, Geico was ranked 2nd.

Who's ranking ?

Draft Countdown had Geico at five.

By the way they had Wilkerson at three even with the injury.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

As recently as Sunday, Geico was ranked 2nd.

Who's ranking ?

Draft Countdown had Geico at five.

By the way they had Wilkerson at three even with the injury.

And obviously they had Wilkerson overrated. Do you think the NFL scouts and coaches who have had him in know better than a bunch of reporters?

As for all the "IF HE WASN'T INJURED HE WOULD BE #1" BULLs**t, If ifs and buts were coconuts noone would be starving! He was injured. We have the first opportunity to see if he can recover. End of chapter, beginning of new story. The new story starts with him BEING INJURED, not with him not having been injured, unless you live in an alternate reality where you can go back in time and prevent the injury. If you can, give me a call. I'd like to go back to high school and marry my girlfriend at the time. She's rich as hell now and still hot, and like a dumbass pimple faced teen, I dumped her to get laid!

[DontPushMe]

This is why you dont trust fan sites. NFL Draft Countdown can provide some good info sometimes, but i stay as far away from their rankings as possible. They had Aaron Rodgers as the best player (any position) in the draft, and Anttaj Hawthorne as the 5th best DT

Ghiacuic is going to be an excellent center for us, Mel Kiper loves him, so do all of our coaches. This is our center, Wilkerson might provide solid depth if he is even good enough to make the 53 man roster, which at this point is up in the air.

As for Body, another thing id like to point out about him, is the person saying all of those good things about him on the huddle report is the same one who was raving about Madieu Williams before the draft last year, so lets hope he is right again and weve got ourselves a Rodney Harrison back there.

[princeton]

As recently as Sunday, Geico was ranked 2nd.

Who's ranking ?

Draft Countdown had Geico at five.

By the way they had Wilkerson at three even with the injury.

my fault, fourth-- I had Baas as guard and the other guy fooled me with his dark glasses and trenchcoat.

but the NFL draft is an official ranking of professionals who are at least paid for their work. As of Sunday, Bengals liked him at least as the 4th guy, and liked him more than Wilkerson. But with the latest signing, they seem willing to reconsider in the future.