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Jameson Konz may be the next Kent State player to catch on with the league: NFL Insider
By Tony Grossi
March 07, 2010, 3:14AM
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/03/jameson_konz_may_be_the_next_k.html
Phil Masturzo, Beacon JournalKent State wide receiver/H-back Jameson Konz, a native of Uniontown, Ohio, played three seasons at linebacker before moving to offense. While he hasn't received much publicity, NFL scouts have taken notice of his size, speed and versatility. NFL scouts have gotten to know the way to Kent State over the past decade because of the success of unheralded prospects Antonio Gates, James Harrison, Josh Cribbs and Julian Edelman.
Now there's another Golden Flash attracting attention to the school's pro day on Thursday. He is Jameson Konz, who has the versatility of Cribbs and Edelman and something more appealing -- size.
Konz, of Uniontown, Ohio, is 6-3 and 233 pounds and reputedly can run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds or faster. Konz played his first three seasons at linebacker and just one as a wide receiver/H-back, but because of his athleticism, NFL scouts may view him as an offensive threat at H-back and tight end, or fullback. He also has the size and speed to be a force on special teams.
"Versatility is becoming more important on these [NFL] rosters," agent Don Yee said. "If a player has the appropriate body shape and ability, he's going to be serving more than one role."
Yee, who is based in southern California, has developed a pipeline to Kent through coach Doug Martin. Last year, Martin sought to help Edelman, who played quarterback at Kent, link up with an agent. He sent Yee some video on Edelman for advice.
"About 20 seconds into the video, I thought, 'We have to have this guy.' I mean, he just jumped out," Yee said.
Edelman, a virtual unknown who wasn't invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, wound up impressing scouts at Kent's pro day and subsequent team workouts. The Browns were poised to offer Edelman a free-agent contract after the draft, but New England took Edelman in the seventh round.
Edelman took on an immediate Cribbs-like role for the Patriots, playing special teams and receiver for the first time. Edelman wound up making seven starts at receiver, replacing injured Wes Welker as Tom Brady's favorite underneath target, and finished third on the team with 37 catches for 359 yards and one touchdown.
Yee met Konz through Edelman and now hopes to lead Konz through the path blazed by Edelman, Cribbs, Harrison and Gates.
"I think [Konz] is going to be the same Swiss Army knife-type of guy," Yee said.
Everything, of course, hinges on Konz's pro day and private workouts. Like all those future NFL Pro Bowlers before him, Konz was not invited to the combine.
Gates, Harrison, Cribbs and Edelman all became NFL players who elicited the reaction, "Where did this guy come from?"
Maybe people will be saying the same thing about Konz in a year or so.
Combine leftovers: One of the most impressive players at the NFL Scouting Combine was guard Mike Iupati, who played two years at Idaho. Iupati's family moved from America Samoa when he was 14. Oakland coach Tom Cable, who played and coached at Idaho, praised Iupati.
"First of all, I'm biased," Cable said of his Idaho connection. "He's a terrific player. I think his future will be very bright. He's going to have to transition from that level to the NFL, but he showed he has the ability to do that at the Senior Bowl. I'm pulling for him to succeed, big time." . . . Denver coach Josh McDaniels said it was he who decided to move Elvis Dumervil over Browns right tackle John St. Clair after halftime of the Browns' game in Denver in Week 2. Dumervil proceeded to tear up St. Clair for four sacks in the 27-6 Denver win. "I take pride in identifying favorable matchups," McDaniels said. "Joe Thomas did a great job on Elvis the first half." . . . Kansas City General Manager Scott Pioli has created a coaching reunion with the addition of Romeo Crennel as defensive coordinator and Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator. The Chiefs also have Maurice Carthon returning as assistant head coach. Of Crennel, who is looking svelte after rehabilitation from hip replacement surgery last year, Pioli said: "Romeo was available. Romeo wanted to be with us, we wanted him. It sounds like a good marriage." The Browns have to be happy about Crennel's return. His paycheck from the Chiefs will be deducted from the millions the Browns owe him. More combine: Buyer beware: Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant, the No. 1-ranked receiver in the draft, chose the agent of Michael Crabtree, the top receiver in the 2009 draft who held out through October before signing with San Francisco. . . . Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen didn't throw or work out at the combine as he recovers from toe surgery. His main mission was to correct what he believes are misconceptions about his leadership ability. "Some of the people that say those things just don't know me as a person," he said. "That's why I was so excited to come here, to talk to all the coaches and the GMs and owners -- so they get a feel for me as a person. It's a tough situation being in a fishbowl at Notre Dame." . . . Texas defensive back Earl Thomas on his strengths: "I'm physical, versatile . . . played corner and safety. Hard worker. I'm not looking to come in and just sit back and watch. I'm looking to make an impact right now as soon as I get there."
By Tony Grossi
March 07, 2010, 3:14AM
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/03/jameson_konz_may_be_the_next_k.html
Phil Masturzo, Beacon JournalKent State wide receiver/H-back Jameson Konz, a native of Uniontown, Ohio, played three seasons at linebacker before moving to offense. While he hasn't received much publicity, NFL scouts have taken notice of his size, speed and versatility. NFL scouts have gotten to know the way to Kent State over the past decade because of the success of unheralded prospects Antonio Gates, James Harrison, Josh Cribbs and Julian Edelman.
Now there's another Golden Flash attracting attention to the school's pro day on Thursday. He is Jameson Konz, who has the versatility of Cribbs and Edelman and something more appealing -- size.
Konz, of Uniontown, Ohio, is 6-3 and 233 pounds and reputedly can run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds or faster. Konz played his first three seasons at linebacker and just one as a wide receiver/H-back, but because of his athleticism, NFL scouts may view him as an offensive threat at H-back and tight end, or fullback. He also has the size and speed to be a force on special teams.
"Versatility is becoming more important on these [NFL] rosters," agent Don Yee said. "If a player has the appropriate body shape and ability, he's going to be serving more than one role."
Yee, who is based in southern California, has developed a pipeline to Kent through coach Doug Martin. Last year, Martin sought to help Edelman, who played quarterback at Kent, link up with an agent. He sent Yee some video on Edelman for advice.
"About 20 seconds into the video, I thought, 'We have to have this guy.' I mean, he just jumped out," Yee said.
Edelman, a virtual unknown who wasn't invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, wound up impressing scouts at Kent's pro day and subsequent team workouts. The Browns were poised to offer Edelman a free-agent contract after the draft, but New England took Edelman in the seventh round.
Edelman took on an immediate Cribbs-like role for the Patriots, playing special teams and receiver for the first time. Edelman wound up making seven starts at receiver, replacing injured Wes Welker as Tom Brady's favorite underneath target, and finished third on the team with 37 catches for 359 yards and one touchdown.
Yee met Konz through Edelman and now hopes to lead Konz through the path blazed by Edelman, Cribbs, Harrison and Gates.
"I think [Konz] is going to be the same Swiss Army knife-type of guy," Yee said.
Everything, of course, hinges on Konz's pro day and private workouts. Like all those future NFL Pro Bowlers before him, Konz was not invited to the combine.
Gates, Harrison, Cribbs and Edelman all became NFL players who elicited the reaction, "Where did this guy come from?"
Maybe people will be saying the same thing about Konz in a year or so.
Combine leftovers: One of the most impressive players at the NFL Scouting Combine was guard Mike Iupati, who played two years at Idaho. Iupati's family moved from America Samoa when he was 14. Oakland coach Tom Cable, who played and coached at Idaho, praised Iupati.
"First of all, I'm biased," Cable said of his Idaho connection. "He's a terrific player. I think his future will be very bright. He's going to have to transition from that level to the NFL, but he showed he has the ability to do that at the Senior Bowl. I'm pulling for him to succeed, big time." . . . Denver coach Josh McDaniels said it was he who decided to move Elvis Dumervil over Browns right tackle John St. Clair after halftime of the Browns' game in Denver in Week 2. Dumervil proceeded to tear up St. Clair for four sacks in the 27-6 Denver win. "I take pride in identifying favorable matchups," McDaniels said. "Joe Thomas did a great job on Elvis the first half." . . . Kansas City General Manager Scott Pioli has created a coaching reunion with the addition of Romeo Crennel as defensive coordinator and Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator. The Chiefs also have Maurice Carthon returning as assistant head coach. Of Crennel, who is looking svelte after rehabilitation from hip replacement surgery last year, Pioli said: "Romeo was available. Romeo wanted to be with us, we wanted him. It sounds like a good marriage." The Browns have to be happy about Crennel's return. His paycheck from the Chiefs will be deducted from the millions the Browns owe him. More combine: Buyer beware: Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant, the No. 1-ranked receiver in the draft, chose the agent of Michael Crabtree, the top receiver in the 2009 draft who held out through October before signing with San Francisco. . . . Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen didn't throw or work out at the combine as he recovers from toe surgery. His main mission was to correct what he believes are misconceptions about his leadership ability. "Some of the people that say those things just don't know me as a person," he said. "That's why I was so excited to come here, to talk to all the coaches and the GMs and owners -- so they get a feel for me as a person. It's a tough situation being in a fishbowl at Notre Dame." . . . Texas defensive back Earl Thomas on his strengths: "I'm physical, versatile . . . played corner and safety. Hard worker. I'm not looking to come in and just sit back and watch. I'm looking to make an impact right now as soon as I get there."
