Atlas
03-19-2007, 05:44 AM
Crosby struts his stuff for pros
Ex-CU kicker impressive in front of NFL scouts
By Ryan Thorburn
Saturday, March 17, 2007
SoCals Link: http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007/mar/17/crosby-struts-his-stuff-for-pros/
CU Pro Timing Day
There was a lot of standing around while the rest of the football players sweated it out in the Dal Ward weight room, on the Balch Fieldhouse track and eventually out on the CU practice fields.
Eventually the big moment arrived as the kicker was asked to perform under pressure in the final moments of Colorado's pro timing day.
Mason Crosby is clearly ready for the NFL.
"I'm glad someone wanted to see something," Crosby said after his latest audition on Thursday.
Most of the 21 NFL scouts on hand, including a representative from the Denver Broncos, had already done their homework on Crosby and are impressed with his skills. He performed well at last month's combine in Indianapolis, but wanted to show off his leg on kickoffs at altitude.
A scout from the New York Giants finally asked Crosby to do just that and he consistently sent the football deep into or out of the end zone kicking against a light breeze from his own 30-yard line.
"My kickoffs at the combine, I had really good height, but I was hitting them in between the 5 and goal-line and really didn't get any deep ones," Crosby said. "If I would have kicked at the combine like I did today that would have been awesome."
NFLdraftcountdown.com has Crosby projected as a second-round pick to Dallas (No. 53 overall) on the Web site's latest mock draft. The Cowboys need to shore up their kicking game after wasting a lot of money on Mike Vanderjagt last offseason.
"They kind of keep everything under wraps," Crosby said when asked if any specific teams were showing more interest than others. "I just want to get on a team. I think I've proven I can be a first-day pick and that I can go and contribute right away. That's what I want to do. I want to get on a team and just be the guy. I didn't sit out as a freshman in college and I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't in that position. I just love competing and love the game."
A total of 10 Buffs seniors tried to impress the NFL group on their home turf. Versatile cornerback Terry Washington had a solid performance by showing off a 38.5-inch vertical leap and with most the scouts clocking his 40 time in the 4.51 range.
"I got no sleep last night. No sleep at all," said Washington, who was not invited to the combine but is considered a strong prospect as a special teams contributor. "But overall I did pretty good. Hopefully once they see my numbers somebody will invite me in. I'm a pretty good athlete. With my size, my speed, my strength, they'll see I can compete with people on the top level."
Thaddaeus Washington bench-pressed 225 pounds 22 times, the same number as offensive lineman Brian Daniels, but did not run because he is still working his way back from a foot injury. The undersized linebacker believes there is a place for him in the NFL if someone gives him an opportunity.
"Hopefully I can get drafted. If not, then I'll go from there and prove myself. You've got to prove yourself anyway," Thaddaeus Washington said. "I know who I am as a player and I know my abilities. I'm not worried. I've just got to stay focused and do what I know I can do. ...
"It's all about what you have inside."
Abraham Wright is getting some attention based on his workouts and the 111/2 sacks he had for CU last season.
"It's just another opportunity to showcase your talent. It's a lot different when you're at your home facility. It's always an advantage," said Wright, who could play defensive end or inside linebacker at the next level. "There's so much up in the air you've got to just relax and kind of just run with it."
Ex-CU kicker impressive in front of NFL scouts
By Ryan Thorburn
Saturday, March 17, 2007
SoCals Link: http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007/mar/17/crosby-struts-his-stuff-for-pros/
CU Pro Timing Day
There was a lot of standing around while the rest of the football players sweated it out in the Dal Ward weight room, on the Balch Fieldhouse track and eventually out on the CU practice fields.
Eventually the big moment arrived as the kicker was asked to perform under pressure in the final moments of Colorado's pro timing day.
Mason Crosby is clearly ready for the NFL.
"I'm glad someone wanted to see something," Crosby said after his latest audition on Thursday.
Most of the 21 NFL scouts on hand, including a representative from the Denver Broncos, had already done their homework on Crosby and are impressed with his skills. He performed well at last month's combine in Indianapolis, but wanted to show off his leg on kickoffs at altitude.
A scout from the New York Giants finally asked Crosby to do just that and he consistently sent the football deep into or out of the end zone kicking against a light breeze from his own 30-yard line.
"My kickoffs at the combine, I had really good height, but I was hitting them in between the 5 and goal-line and really didn't get any deep ones," Crosby said. "If I would have kicked at the combine like I did today that would have been awesome."
NFLdraftcountdown.com has Crosby projected as a second-round pick to Dallas (No. 53 overall) on the Web site's latest mock draft. The Cowboys need to shore up their kicking game after wasting a lot of money on Mike Vanderjagt last offseason.
"They kind of keep everything under wraps," Crosby said when asked if any specific teams were showing more interest than others. "I just want to get on a team. I think I've proven I can be a first-day pick and that I can go and contribute right away. That's what I want to do. I want to get on a team and just be the guy. I didn't sit out as a freshman in college and I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't in that position. I just love competing and love the game."
A total of 10 Buffs seniors tried to impress the NFL group on their home turf. Versatile cornerback Terry Washington had a solid performance by showing off a 38.5-inch vertical leap and with most the scouts clocking his 40 time in the 4.51 range.
"I got no sleep last night. No sleep at all," said Washington, who was not invited to the combine but is considered a strong prospect as a special teams contributor. "But overall I did pretty good. Hopefully once they see my numbers somebody will invite me in. I'm a pretty good athlete. With my size, my speed, my strength, they'll see I can compete with people on the top level."
Thaddaeus Washington bench-pressed 225 pounds 22 times, the same number as offensive lineman Brian Daniels, but did not run because he is still working his way back from a foot injury. The undersized linebacker believes there is a place for him in the NFL if someone gives him an opportunity.
"Hopefully I can get drafted. If not, then I'll go from there and prove myself. You've got to prove yourself anyway," Thaddaeus Washington said. "I know who I am as a player and I know my abilities. I'm not worried. I've just got to stay focused and do what I know I can do. ...
"It's all about what you have inside."
Abraham Wright is getting some attention based on his workouts and the 111/2 sacks he had for CU last season.
"It's just another opportunity to showcase your talent. It's a lot different when you're at your home facility. It's always an advantage," said Wright, who could play defensive end or inside linebacker at the next level. "There's so much up in the air you've got to just relax and kind of just run with it."