http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/a...-Noticed/02d9e3b0-4fc8-4dba-a189-d6cde2f07637
When the Dolphins open their preseason schedule Thursday night against the Chicago Bears, their roster will feature 13 rookies trying to earn a roster spot as an undrafted free agent.
Four of them happen to be linebackers, which could be considered somewhat unusual in itself. What makes this group even more unique, though, is the college accolades they brought with them to South Florida.
All four were first-team all-conference selections last fall. Two of them were selected as their conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. A third was his conference’s Linebacker of the Year. Two of them played for conference champions.
Now, all of them — Neville Hewitt
, Mike Hull, Jeff Luc and Zach Vigil — have to prove themselves all over again.
“I dont’ think any of us have mentioned (it) to each other, but I think we still have that edge about us that we went undrafted even though we did very well our senior seasons,” Luc said. “At the end of the day we get along and we play together and we learn together.”
The four rookies are among the 10 linebackers on the roster, a group that includes five returning players and veteran free agent acquisition Spencer Paysinger.
Going by recent history and doing quick math, there’s a chance that at least one of the rookie free agents will make the 53-man roster. And the possibility of there being more shouldn’t be discounted.
Again, these are all proven performers. Perhaps the measurables weren’t there for them to get drafted, but the tape doesn’t lie.
I am really looking forward to see how they do. I believe two them could make the team.
Click on link for rest of the article.
When the Dolphins open their preseason schedule Thursday night against the Chicago Bears, their roster will feature 13 rookies trying to earn a roster spot as an undrafted free agent.
Four of them happen to be linebackers, which could be considered somewhat unusual in itself. What makes this group even more unique, though, is the college accolades they brought with them to South Florida.
All four were first-team all-conference selections last fall. Two of them were selected as their conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. A third was his conference’s Linebacker of the Year. Two of them played for conference champions.
Now, all of them — Neville Hewitt
, Mike Hull, Jeff Luc and Zach Vigil — have to prove themselves all over again. “I dont’ think any of us have mentioned (it) to each other, but I think we still have that edge about us that we went undrafted even though we did very well our senior seasons,” Luc said. “At the end of the day we get along and we play together and we learn together.”
The four rookies are among the 10 linebackers on the roster, a group that includes five returning players and veteran free agent acquisition Spencer Paysinger
. Going by recent history and doing quick math, there’s a chance that at least one of the rookie free agents will make the 53-man roster. And the possibility of there being more shouldn’t be discounted.
Again, these are all proven performers. Perhaps the measurables weren’t there for them to get drafted, but the tape doesn’t lie.
I am really looking forward to see how they do. I believe two them could make the team.
Click on link for rest of the article.