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How to make it as a free agent
By Jeff McIntyre
Assistant Sports Editor
http://www.timesdaily.com/article/2...023/1164?Title=How-to-make-it-as-a-free-agent
Published: Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 10:11 p.m.
Ronald McKinnon knows all too well what it feels like to be ignored during the NFL Draft.
Click to enlarge
UNA receiver Mico McSwain looks for running room after making a catch against Carson-Newman.
Matt McKean/TimesDaily
The former North Alabama All-America linebacker was not selected in the draft despite leading the Lions to three consecutive Division II national championships and becoming the only defensive player to win the Harlon Hill Trophy as the top player in Division II football.
McKinnon eventually signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals and went on to enjoy a productive 10-year career in the NFL.
"You would like to get picked, but as long as you're getting an opportunity that's all you can ask for," McKinnon said during Monday's UNA Celebrity Golf Classic at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at the Shoals.
"Once you go in there then you have to do things right and stay focused on the things you need to do. You soon realize that you can't be star-struck. All those guys put their pants on just like you do."
Another former UNA standout, Evan Oglesby, also made it in the NFL as a free agent. Oglesby spent part of the 2009 season with the Miami Dolphins and will go to training camp with the team this season.
UNA had three players sign as NFL free agents last week with linebacker Michael Johnson going to the Kansas City Chiefs; wide receiver Preston Parker signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wide receiver Mico McSwain signing with the Tennessee Titans.
Oglesby said the key for the UNA free agents is to continue to work hard and do the things that made them successful in college.
"You didn't get drafted, but you're still at the show, so when you get there, show out," Oglesby said. "You're in the NFL, so just go out and work hard. It's the same game you've been playing at UNA, but it's at the highest level now."
Oglesby knows well how tough it is for a free agent. After originally signing with the Buffalo Bills, he was cut at the end of training camp in 2005 before catching on with the Baltimore Ravens. He spent the 2006 season with the Ravens and then played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2007. He want back to Baltimore in 2008, but was cut at the end of training camp in 2009. He signed with the Dolphins late in the season.
He admits it is not easy for a Division II player to make it in the NFL, especially as a free agent.
"Coming from a small school, you have a limited number of mistakes you can make," Oglesby said. "You have to really concentrate on learning the playbook and knowing it inside-out, so when you go out there you don't make mistakes.
"A high draft pick can make a lot of mistakes because he's going to be on the team regardless, but as a free agent you've got to come in ready. They're not going to spend a lot of time working with a free agent, so you have to come in and show them that you can be an asset to the team."
McKinnon agrees that learning the playbook is essential for a free agent to have any shot at making an NFL roster.
"The advice I would give them is to stay focused and be in that playbook," McKinnon said. "You have to know that playbook well and know what to do. You have to worry about yourself and not have too many friends because people come and go so often."
As a former linebacker, McKinnon has paid special attention to Johnson at UNA. He said he would not be surprised to see Johnson stick with the Chiefs.
"Michael has a great chance," McKinnon said. "He just has stay focused and not get intimidated by anyone."
Oglesby said the key for a free agent is to make sure to do something special to get noticed by the coaching staff.
"As a free agent, the odds are not in your favor," Oglesby said. "You have to do whatever it takes to get the coach's attention on you. I told Mike, 'Make one play every day and they've got to look at you.'
"I believe it can happen. There are a lot of small-school guys in the NFL. I'm glad to have some other guys from my school living out their dream."
Jeff McIntyre can be reached at 740-5737 or [email protected].
By Jeff McIntyre
Assistant Sports Editor
http://www.timesdaily.com/article/2...023/1164?Title=How-to-make-it-as-a-free-agent
Published: Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 10:11 p.m.
Ronald McKinnon knows all too well what it feels like to be ignored during the NFL Draft.
Click to enlarge
UNA receiver Mico McSwain looks for running room after making a catch against Carson-Newman.
Matt McKean/TimesDaily
The former North Alabama All-America linebacker was not selected in the draft despite leading the Lions to three consecutive Division II national championships and becoming the only defensive player to win the Harlon Hill Trophy as the top player in Division II football.
McKinnon eventually signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals and went on to enjoy a productive 10-year career in the NFL.
"You would like to get picked, but as long as you're getting an opportunity that's all you can ask for," McKinnon said during Monday's UNA Celebrity Golf Classic at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at the Shoals.
"Once you go in there then you have to do things right and stay focused on the things you need to do. You soon realize that you can't be star-struck. All those guys put their pants on just like you do."
Another former UNA standout, Evan Oglesby, also made it in the NFL as a free agent. Oglesby spent part of the 2009 season with the Miami Dolphins and will go to training camp with the team this season.
UNA had three players sign as NFL free agents last week with linebacker Michael Johnson going to the Kansas City Chiefs; wide receiver Preston Parker signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wide receiver Mico McSwain signing with the Tennessee Titans.
Oglesby said the key for the UNA free agents is to continue to work hard and do the things that made them successful in college.
"You didn't get drafted, but you're still at the show, so when you get there, show out," Oglesby said. "You're in the NFL, so just go out and work hard. It's the same game you've been playing at UNA, but it's at the highest level now."
Oglesby knows well how tough it is for a free agent. After originally signing with the Buffalo Bills, he was cut at the end of training camp in 2005 before catching on with the Baltimore Ravens. He spent the 2006 season with the Ravens and then played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2007. He want back to Baltimore in 2008, but was cut at the end of training camp in 2009. He signed with the Dolphins late in the season.
He admits it is not easy for a Division II player to make it in the NFL, especially as a free agent.
"Coming from a small school, you have a limited number of mistakes you can make," Oglesby said. "You have to really concentrate on learning the playbook and knowing it inside-out, so when you go out there you don't make mistakes.
"A high draft pick can make a lot of mistakes because he's going to be on the team regardless, but as a free agent you've got to come in ready. They're not going to spend a lot of time working with a free agent, so you have to come in and show them that you can be an asset to the team."
McKinnon agrees that learning the playbook is essential for a free agent to have any shot at making an NFL roster.
"The advice I would give them is to stay focused and be in that playbook," McKinnon said. "You have to know that playbook well and know what to do. You have to worry about yourself and not have too many friends because people come and go so often."
As a former linebacker, McKinnon has paid special attention to Johnson at UNA. He said he would not be surprised to see Johnson stick with the Chiefs.
"Michael has a great chance," McKinnon said. "He just has stay focused and not get intimidated by anyone."
Oglesby said the key for a free agent is to make sure to do something special to get noticed by the coaching staff.
"As a free agent, the odds are not in your favor," Oglesby said. "You have to do whatever it takes to get the coach's attention on you. I told Mike, 'Make one play every day and they've got to look at you.'
"I believe it can happen. There are a lot of small-school guys in the NFL. I'm glad to have some other guys from my school living out their dream."
Jeff McIntyre can be reached at 740-5737 or [email protected].
DAL @ GB
