Traveler
03-10-2006, 07:28 AM
Anyone have insight into this guy? Is the hype real or is this another Adrian Madise situation?
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Tight ends aren't the only football players for whom a basketball background can prove valuable.
Corey Jackson's presence on the Broncos' roster right now is evidence of that. At the University of Nevada, he led the Western Athletic Conference in rebounding as a senior, but following that 2001-02 campaign, he looked for something more.
"What happened was that he had a year of eligibility left," Broncos defensive line/tackles coach Andre Patterson said. "He was done with basketball, he had one year left, so he had that redshirt year left, walked into the football coach's (Chris Tormey's) office in Nevada and said, 'I want to try football.' He's a good-looking guy, and they tried to find him a home and a place to play. That's how it all started."
His action was limited that year.
"He only played one year of college football -- 12 plays," Patterson said. "Six plays at tight end and six plays at defensive end."
But the word was out. NFL teams had him scouted, taking interest in a 6-foot-7, 240-pounder with quickness and raw ability. But it was Patterson, then about to begin a two-year stint with the Cleveland Browns, who was in the most vigorous pursuit.
"A friend of mine was the offensive coordinator there, and he called me and said, 'Hey, we've got this guy. I don't know if he can play in the NFL, but he's 6-foot-7, and his numbers were through the roof,'" Patterson recalled. "I flew down to Nevada and worked him out, and I liked his athleticism, even though he didn't have a clue about football. So after the draft, I convinced the people in Cleveland to sign him as a free agent."
Jackson's stay in Cleveland included a 2004 sojourn to the Frankfurt Galaxy of the NFL Europe League, with whom he earned the league's defensive player of the year award. The Broncos added him to their practice squad last September after the Browns waived him.
Patterson's recommendation had much to do with Jackson's Mile High arrival.
"When I came to Denver, he was one of the guys I brought up," Patterson said. "(The Browns) were going to the 3-4 (alignment); this guy is 6-foot-7 (and) it's going to be tough for him to make the adjustment to be a defensive end, so when they released him, we were ready to sign him, so we signed him to the practice squad and he did an outstanding job for us on the practice squad."
Added General Manager Ted Sundquist: "(Jackson is) big, long, extremely quick and rangy. He's got the body to play the power game but also has the speed, quickness and length to come off the edge and be an effective pass rusher, so he's kind of a combo guy. He's not just a run defender or a pass rusher; he's got the ability to do both."
If he can, it will provide a bonus boost to a defensive line that has already seen both Courtney Brown and John Engelberger retained in recent weeks. And to be certain, it doesn't matter whether additional production comes from a big-name free-agent acquisition, a high draft pick or a player who worked his way up the roster? After all, the Broncos have found such rewards before, as recent years have witnessed the lower regions of the depth chart yield starters like Nick Ferguson, Bertrand Berry and Kelly Herndon.
"If they make plays, they make plays," defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said. "Herndon made plays. He was a scout team guy for a whole year and he kept covering guys, so I think it translates reasonably.
"Then in the pass-rush stuff, Corey Jackson jumped out (in practice last season). He jumped out at you. I think it's easier to move that forward sometimes than a young player being able to translate (from the college ranks)."
And with Jackson, the adjustment to football is largely complete. Basketball is nearly four years in his rear-view mirror. It's all about football now -- and making the leap the Broncos believe he can execute.
"The sky's the limit for that kid," Sundquist said.
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Tight ends aren't the only football players for whom a basketball background can prove valuable.
Corey Jackson's presence on the Broncos' roster right now is evidence of that. At the University of Nevada, he led the Western Athletic Conference in rebounding as a senior, but following that 2001-02 campaign, he looked for something more.
"What happened was that he had a year of eligibility left," Broncos defensive line/tackles coach Andre Patterson said. "He was done with basketball, he had one year left, so he had that redshirt year left, walked into the football coach's (Chris Tormey's) office in Nevada and said, 'I want to try football.' He's a good-looking guy, and they tried to find him a home and a place to play. That's how it all started."
His action was limited that year.
"He only played one year of college football -- 12 plays," Patterson said. "Six plays at tight end and six plays at defensive end."
But the word was out. NFL teams had him scouted, taking interest in a 6-foot-7, 240-pounder with quickness and raw ability. But it was Patterson, then about to begin a two-year stint with the Cleveland Browns, who was in the most vigorous pursuit.
"A friend of mine was the offensive coordinator there, and he called me and said, 'Hey, we've got this guy. I don't know if he can play in the NFL, but he's 6-foot-7, and his numbers were through the roof,'" Patterson recalled. "I flew down to Nevada and worked him out, and I liked his athleticism, even though he didn't have a clue about football. So after the draft, I convinced the people in Cleveland to sign him as a free agent."
Jackson's stay in Cleveland included a 2004 sojourn to the Frankfurt Galaxy of the NFL Europe League, with whom he earned the league's defensive player of the year award. The Broncos added him to their practice squad last September after the Browns waived him.
Patterson's recommendation had much to do with Jackson's Mile High arrival.
"When I came to Denver, he was one of the guys I brought up," Patterson said. "(The Browns) were going to the 3-4 (alignment); this guy is 6-foot-7 (and) it's going to be tough for him to make the adjustment to be a defensive end, so when they released him, we were ready to sign him, so we signed him to the practice squad and he did an outstanding job for us on the practice squad."
Added General Manager Ted Sundquist: "(Jackson is) big, long, extremely quick and rangy. He's got the body to play the power game but also has the speed, quickness and length to come off the edge and be an effective pass rusher, so he's kind of a combo guy. He's not just a run defender or a pass rusher; he's got the ability to do both."
If he can, it will provide a bonus boost to a defensive line that has already seen both Courtney Brown and John Engelberger retained in recent weeks. And to be certain, it doesn't matter whether additional production comes from a big-name free-agent acquisition, a high draft pick or a player who worked his way up the roster? After all, the Broncos have found such rewards before, as recent years have witnessed the lower regions of the depth chart yield starters like Nick Ferguson, Bertrand Berry and Kelly Herndon.
"If they make plays, they make plays," defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said. "Herndon made plays. He was a scout team guy for a whole year and he kept covering guys, so I think it translates reasonably.
"Then in the pass-rush stuff, Corey Jackson jumped out (in practice last season). He jumped out at you. I think it's easier to move that forward sometimes than a young player being able to translate (from the college ranks)."
And with Jackson, the adjustment to football is largely complete. Basketball is nearly four years in his rear-view mirror. It's all about football now -- and making the leap the Broncos believe he can execute.
"The sky's the limit for that kid," Sundquist said.