cowboyjoe
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 28,433
- Reaction score
- 753
Former L.D. Bell quarterback Chase Holbrook must prove critics wrong again
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Related Content
Special to the Star-Telegram/Rebecca Craig
Chase Holbrook passed for 11,846 yards and 85 touchdowns at New Mexico State. Special to the Star-Telegram/Rebecca Craig Related Tags (BETA)
mouse over a tag to see related stories
C.O. Brocatoquarterbacksanterior cruciateRhett BomarMcGeehorizonPat WilliamsNew Mexico StateTroy Aikmanwrongcriticsarm strengthHurst L.D. Bell
Chase Holbrook was the "all-time quarterback" whenever the neighborhood kids got together for a pickup game. So when it came time to pick a college after his Hurst L.D. Bell career ended, Holbrook went with the one school that offered him a chance to remain at quarterback.
"I got offered [a lot of places] as a tight end," Holbrook said in a telephone interview. "My one offer as a quarterback was Southeastern Louisiana, which is where I started. I feel lucky to get the opportunity that I did."
After completing 69.3 percent of his passes for 11,846 yards and 85 touchdowns at New Mexico State, where he followed coach Hal Mumme after one season in Hammond, La., Holbrook is hoping things work out as well in the NFL. Scouts question his arm strength and mobility, but then, college recruiting coordinators had the same doubts.
Holbrook is among the local products the Cowboys have invited to Valley Ranch for Dallas Day on April 13. Colorado receiver Pat Williams and Oklahoma safety Lendy Holmes are among others expected.
All of them share the same dream.
"From when I can remember, this is what I hoped to do," said Holbrook, who is working out in Bedford. "I can see it on the horizon."
McGee to visit Cowboys
Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee grew up a Cowboys fan. He has a chance, albeit slim, to play for the team he once rooted for.
McGee will visit Valley Ranch before the NFL Draft, one of several teams that have worked him out individually in College Station or have met with him at their training facility.
"That was the only team we watched on Sundays," McGee said in a telephone interview. "You had the trio Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith, and I had a poster on my wall. I, of course, looked up to them and had the Cowboys’ football suit and all that stuff when you’re a little kid in the front yard growing up in Texas."
McGee traveled to New England last week. He has had individual workouts with the Seahawks and the Patriots, both of whom are looking for a backup quarterback. Carolina, Miami, San Francisco and Houston also have shown interest.
Owner Jerry Jones said recently the Cowboys expect to draft a quarterback to run the Wildcat, not a "development prospect." Bandit Day a hit
Years ago, Tennessee Titans head scout C.O. Brocato started a Pro Day at UT-Arlington. It’s a last-chance camp for draft prospects — nicknamed Bandit Day — that usually draws small-school and no-name players.
This year, though, Maverick Stadium proved a popular place for players trying to make a good second (or third) impression. On Friday, 106 players, including 15 who finished their college eligibility at least a year ago, showed up to work out for 12 scouts from 11 teams. (The Cowboys sent two scouts.)
Texas Tech running back Shannon Woods, Kansas receiver Dexton Fields and Oklahoma safety Lendy Holmes were among the players trying to better themselves. Fields ran a 4.55 in the 40-yard dash and Holmes a 4.50. (Woods did not run.)
But by far the biggest names were quarterbacks Bobby Reid and Kirby Freeman. Reid, Freeman and Rhett Bomar were three of the EA Sports Elite 11 quarterbacks in 2003, the top high school quarterbacks in the nation, though none of their college careers ended as expected.
Reid started his career at Oklahoma State and finished it at Texas Southern last October with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Reid impressed scouts with his arm Friday.
"Reid threw the ball real well," Brocato said. "He’s got a very good arm, and he’s big (6-foot-3). He still has to learn some things. But I was surprised by his arm strength."
Reid drove back to Houston on Friday and worked out for the Texans on Saturday. He said he has confidence that he can play in the NFL.
Retkofsky wears his ring
Pittsburgh has more Super Bowl rings (six) than any other team. Maybe that’s why Steelers players rarely wear theirs. But long snapper Jared Retkofsky, who has played in only 12 career games, can’t wait to show off his Super Bowl XLIII ring.
"I’ve been up here for the last couple of years, and I can honestly say, I’ve never seen a player wear his ring," the Justin Northwest and TCU product said in a telephone interview. "I don’t know if that’s some kind of unwritten rule, but my ring is going on my finger, and it’s not coming off for at least 48 hours."
By now, you likely know Retkofsky’s storybook tale: He was working for a Fort Worth moving company and nearly gave up on football when Steelers long snapper Greg Harrison broke his leg in a Week 8 game. Retkofsky’s 12th career game was the Super Bowl victory over the Cardinals.
Retkofsky, though, will have to beat out Harrison in training camp to keep the job.
"I think we all gained a respect for the long snapper position along the way with Jared," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said at the NFL owners meetings. "To his credit, he didn’t blink in the face of adversity. It wasn’t too big for him. What short-term misery is created for us is probably one of the unique position battles in training camp coming up between he and Greg Harrison."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFL Draft April 25-26, Radio City Music Hall, New York
Cowboys’ first pick: Second round, 51st overall
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Related Content
Special to the Star-Telegram/Rebecca Craig
Chase Holbrook passed for 11,846 yards and 85 touchdowns at New Mexico State. Special to the Star-Telegram/Rebecca Craig Related Tags (BETA)
mouse over a tag to see related stories
C.O. Brocatoquarterbacksanterior cruciateRhett BomarMcGeehorizonPat WilliamsNew Mexico StateTroy Aikmanwrongcriticsarm strengthHurst L.D. Bell
Chase Holbrook was the "all-time quarterback" whenever the neighborhood kids got together for a pickup game. So when it came time to pick a college after his Hurst L.D. Bell career ended, Holbrook went with the one school that offered him a chance to remain at quarterback.
"I got offered [a lot of places] as a tight end," Holbrook said in a telephone interview. "My one offer as a quarterback was Southeastern Louisiana, which is where I started. I feel lucky to get the opportunity that I did."
After completing 69.3 percent of his passes for 11,846 yards and 85 touchdowns at New Mexico State, where he followed coach Hal Mumme after one season in Hammond, La., Holbrook is hoping things work out as well in the NFL. Scouts question his arm strength and mobility, but then, college recruiting coordinators had the same doubts.
Holbrook is among the local products the Cowboys have invited to Valley Ranch for Dallas Day on April 13. Colorado receiver Pat Williams and Oklahoma safety Lendy Holmes are among others expected.
All of them share the same dream.
"From when I can remember, this is what I hoped to do," said Holbrook, who is working out in Bedford. "I can see it on the horizon."
McGee to visit Cowboys
Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee grew up a Cowboys fan. He has a chance, albeit slim, to play for the team he once rooted for.
McGee will visit Valley Ranch before the NFL Draft, one of several teams that have worked him out individually in College Station or have met with him at their training facility.
"That was the only team we watched on Sundays," McGee said in a telephone interview. "You had the trio Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith, and I had a poster on my wall. I, of course, looked up to them and had the Cowboys’ football suit and all that stuff when you’re a little kid in the front yard growing up in Texas."
McGee traveled to New England last week. He has had individual workouts with the Seahawks and the Patriots, both of whom are looking for a backup quarterback. Carolina, Miami, San Francisco and Houston also have shown interest.
Owner Jerry Jones said recently the Cowboys expect to draft a quarterback to run the Wildcat, not a "development prospect." Bandit Day a hit
Years ago, Tennessee Titans head scout C.O. Brocato started a Pro Day at UT-Arlington. It’s a last-chance camp for draft prospects — nicknamed Bandit Day — that usually draws small-school and no-name players.
This year, though, Maverick Stadium proved a popular place for players trying to make a good second (or third) impression. On Friday, 106 players, including 15 who finished their college eligibility at least a year ago, showed up to work out for 12 scouts from 11 teams. (The Cowboys sent two scouts.)
Texas Tech running back Shannon Woods, Kansas receiver Dexton Fields and Oklahoma safety Lendy Holmes were among the players trying to better themselves. Fields ran a 4.55 in the 40-yard dash and Holmes a 4.50. (Woods did not run.)
But by far the biggest names were quarterbacks Bobby Reid and Kirby Freeman. Reid, Freeman and Rhett Bomar were three of the EA Sports Elite 11 quarterbacks in 2003, the top high school quarterbacks in the nation, though none of their college careers ended as expected.
Reid started his career at Oklahoma State and finished it at Texas Southern last October with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Reid impressed scouts with his arm Friday.
"Reid threw the ball real well," Brocato said. "He’s got a very good arm, and he’s big (6-foot-3). He still has to learn some things. But I was surprised by his arm strength."
Reid drove back to Houston on Friday and worked out for the Texans on Saturday. He said he has confidence that he can play in the NFL.
Retkofsky wears his ring
Pittsburgh has more Super Bowl rings (six) than any other team. Maybe that’s why Steelers players rarely wear theirs. But long snapper Jared Retkofsky, who has played in only 12 career games, can’t wait to show off his Super Bowl XLIII ring.
"I’ve been up here for the last couple of years, and I can honestly say, I’ve never seen a player wear his ring," the Justin Northwest and TCU product said in a telephone interview. "I don’t know if that’s some kind of unwritten rule, but my ring is going on my finger, and it’s not coming off for at least 48 hours."
By now, you likely know Retkofsky’s storybook tale: He was working for a Fort Worth moving company and nearly gave up on football when Steelers long snapper Greg Harrison broke his leg in a Week 8 game. Retkofsky’s 12th career game was the Super Bowl victory over the Cardinals.
Retkofsky, though, will have to beat out Harrison in training camp to keep the job.
"I think we all gained a respect for the long snapper position along the way with Jared," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said at the NFL owners meetings. "To his credit, he didn’t blink in the face of adversity. It wasn’t too big for him. What short-term misery is created for us is probably one of the unique position battles in training camp coming up between he and Greg Harrison."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFL Draft April 25-26, Radio City Music Hall, New York
Cowboys’ first pick: Second round, 51st overall
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760
