joseephuss
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ABQCOWBOY;2072942 said:
He will be okay until the bitter cold weather hits. Then he will become an even bigger fumbling machine.
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He will be okay until the bitter cold weather hits. Then he will become an even bigger fumbling machine.
Thick 'N Hearty
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Bleu Star;2073194 said:Agree.. But I'm a butt man so whadduiknow?
Cannot believe you went there. Don't turn your backs on Bleu fellas.
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CHARGERS: Corner tact: CB Cason's confident, yet respectful demeanor has endeared him to coaches, public
By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Tuesday, May 6, 2008 6:09 PM PDT ∞
SAN DIEGO ---- Antoine Cason's initial foray on the Chargers' practice field didn't go very well. The combination of first-practice jitters, faster paced drills and the schematics of a defense he's learning on the fly made for what he termed a "rocky" debut.
After a night of thinking and replaying last Friday's events, the first-round pick out of Arizona decided the tense feelings on the first day of a three-day minicamp needed to be replaced by a fun frame of mind.
And after a much-smoother second practice the next morning, the 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback was able to share in the amusement when he was asked if he was totally confused or only slightly confused.
"Actually, I got it," Cason said with a smile and laugh. "I have a good handle on it."
Of course, Cason has a long way to go to really know the nuances of the defense like the back of his hand, but it's that type of good-natured self-confidence that helped a lightly recruited high school player develop into the 27th pick in the 2008 NFL draft.
It's a confidence level that shoots high as opposed to selling one short. It's a self-assured style that mixes well with older veterans and refuses to border on cockiness or rub people the wrong way.
Cason actually flirted with applying for the NFL draft after his junior season at Arizona. He returned to school ---- he cites unfinished business as the main factor ---- even though he was convinced he was ready to play professionally.
Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, who also coaches the Wildcats' secondary, says that Cason is, without a doubt, better positioned for a stellar NFL career because he returned for his senior season. Last fall, Cason added to an already-impressive resume by winning the Jim Thorpe Award, annually given to the nation's top defensive back.
But Mark Stoops quickly becomes Mark Stumps when asked what round Cason would've been selected in if he had come out a year early.
"I really don't know," Stoops said. "Ask Antoine, and he'll probably tell you in the first round. I bet it wouldn't have been before the third."
Stoops knows his former pupil well. Cason stares deeply into a reporter's eyes as he fields the question and then wastes little time providing a firm, yet respectful response.
"I still think first round," Cason said. "I would've ran good (in the 40-yard dash) and I played good. They say if you play too much football, sometimes it hurts you because you get over-evaluated. A lot of juniors coming out can't get over-evaluated."
A fourth season of college football tape to dissect didn't hurt Cason. He intercepted five passes as a senior and scored four touchdowns ---- two on interceptions; two on punt returns ---- and finished his Arizona career ranked fourth in school history with 15 interceptions.
Yet he'll be remembered in Tucson, Ariz., for much more than his on-field prowess. He was active in the community and revered for his tireless work ethic.
"Antoine made himself a first-round draft pick just with his work ethic," Stoops said. "He came into our program from Day 1 with a good attitude. He was humble, worked hard and tried to correct his mistakes every day."
That all-business demeanor was established while growing up in Long Beach not far from the 405 freeway.
His father, Wendell, a former NFL defensive back with the Atlanta Falcons, often talked to his son about being disciplined, having good values and reaching for the stars.
"I always said, 'Discipline yourself, go for your dreams and do it the right way,' " Wendell Cason said while accompanying his son to a day-after-the-draft press conference at Chargers Park. " 'Be the best you can,' and he's done it.
"He has an inner self where he wants to be good, and that goes a long way."
Being good on the field is only half the package when it comes to Cason, who is expected to be the team's third corner behind Antonio Cromartie and Quentin Jammer this season. His off-the-field performance rivals his on-field accolades.
Cason, who doesn't turn 22 for another two months, formed the ‘Cason Cares' campaign after his grandfather, Royce Rambo, died of cancer in February 2007.
He partnered with former Arizona player Matt Brooks ---- who also lost a family member to cancer ---- to raise $4,000 for cancer research by selling wristbands.
"I wanted to give back," Cason said. "A lot of attention is on us as players and athletes, so I wanted to do something that was a humbling experience and something that wasn't for me.
"It was for someone else. I wanted to put my all into that, and it was a good experience."
While the cancer contributions might be the most highly publicized good deed attached to Cason's name, it's far from the only one. According to Stoops, all of Cason's acts of goodwill are genuine.
"That kind of stuff, for Antoine, is not show, whether it's raising money for cancer or doing things in the community," Stoops said. "That's the type of person he is. He's generally a great person with great character, and it shows just in the simple things, day to day, just the way he treats people around our campus, other student-athletes, the general student body, his professors, the janitors, coaches, the secretaries.
"He's just a good person, and he really lives life the right way, does the right things and makes the right choices."
Of course, the Chargers didn't pick Cason for his charity endeavors; they coveted him for his football abilities. Coach Norv Turner praises Cason as a "natural playmaker" and said he envisions Cason eventually developing into a starting cornerback.
Stoops agrees, and he has seen a lot of NFL-caliber players during his coaching career. During his tenure at the University of Miami, Stoops coached All-American safeties Ed Reed and the late Sean Taylor as well as cornerbacks Phillip Buchanon, Antrel Rolle, Kelly Jennings and Mike Rumph. All were first-round NFL draft picks.
"(Cason is) right at the top of the list with Ed Reed as far as overall coachability and leadership and just the type of person he is," Stoops said. "He's got that way-above-average character like Ed does. Sean Taylor was just blessed with that freakish ability. Outside of Ed and Sean, he's right in there with the rest of the first-round picks."
Despite all the glowing words from Stoops and his own self-assuredness, Cason knows stardom in the NFL isn't preordained. Cromartie has already taken him under his wing, and Cason is hanging on every word.
When Cason watches how players like Cromartie and Jammer go about their business, that high level of confidence of his temporarily takes a back seat. You see, it doesn't take a rocky first practice to know that listening to established performers can only aid one's path while learning the ropes.
"It's just a great opportunity for me to come and play behind two great corners," Cason said. "Just to have this opportunity, I'm so excited. I'm at a loss for words ---- speechless."
Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.
By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Tuesday, May 6, 2008 6:09 PM PDT ∞
SAN DIEGO ---- Antoine Cason's initial foray on the Chargers' practice field didn't go very well. The combination of first-practice jitters, faster paced drills and the schematics of a defense he's learning on the fly made for what he termed a "rocky" debut.
After a night of thinking and replaying last Friday's events, the first-round pick out of Arizona decided the tense feelings on the first day of a three-day minicamp needed to be replaced by a fun frame of mind.
And after a much-smoother second practice the next morning, the 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback was able to share in the amusement when he was asked if he was totally confused or only slightly confused.
"Actually, I got it," Cason said with a smile and laugh. "I have a good handle on it."
Of course, Cason has a long way to go to really know the nuances of the defense like the back of his hand, but it's that type of good-natured self-confidence that helped a lightly recruited high school player develop into the 27th pick in the 2008 NFL draft.
It's a confidence level that shoots high as opposed to selling one short. It's a self-assured style that mixes well with older veterans and refuses to border on cockiness or rub people the wrong way.
Cason actually flirted with applying for the NFL draft after his junior season at Arizona. He returned to school ---- he cites unfinished business as the main factor ---- even though he was convinced he was ready to play professionally.
Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, who also coaches the Wildcats' secondary, says that Cason is, without a doubt, better positioned for a stellar NFL career because he returned for his senior season. Last fall, Cason added to an already-impressive resume by winning the Jim Thorpe Award, annually given to the nation's top defensive back.
But Mark Stoops quickly becomes Mark Stumps when asked what round Cason would've been selected in if he had come out a year early.
"I really don't know," Stoops said. "Ask Antoine, and he'll probably tell you in the first round. I bet it wouldn't have been before the third."
Stoops knows his former pupil well. Cason stares deeply into a reporter's eyes as he fields the question and then wastes little time providing a firm, yet respectful response.
"I still think first round," Cason said. "I would've ran good (in the 40-yard dash) and I played good. They say if you play too much football, sometimes it hurts you because you get over-evaluated. A lot of juniors coming out can't get over-evaluated."
A fourth season of college football tape to dissect didn't hurt Cason. He intercepted five passes as a senior and scored four touchdowns ---- two on interceptions; two on punt returns ---- and finished his Arizona career ranked fourth in school history with 15 interceptions.
Yet he'll be remembered in Tucson, Ariz., for much more than his on-field prowess. He was active in the community and revered for his tireless work ethic.
"Antoine made himself a first-round draft pick just with his work ethic," Stoops said. "He came into our program from Day 1 with a good attitude. He was humble, worked hard and tried to correct his mistakes every day."
That all-business demeanor was established while growing up in Long Beach not far from the 405 freeway.
His father, Wendell, a former NFL defensive back with the Atlanta Falcons, often talked to his son about being disciplined, having good values and reaching for the stars.
"I always said, 'Discipline yourself, go for your dreams and do it the right way,' " Wendell Cason said while accompanying his son to a day-after-the-draft press conference at Chargers Park. " 'Be the best you can,' and he's done it.
"He has an inner self where he wants to be good, and that goes a long way."
Being good on the field is only half the package when it comes to Cason, who is expected to be the team's third corner behind Antonio Cromartie and Quentin Jammer this season. His off-the-field performance rivals his on-field accolades.
Cason, who doesn't turn 22 for another two months, formed the ‘Cason Cares' campaign after his grandfather, Royce Rambo, died of cancer in February 2007.
He partnered with former Arizona player Matt Brooks ---- who also lost a family member to cancer ---- to raise $4,000 for cancer research by selling wristbands.
"I wanted to give back," Cason said. "A lot of attention is on us as players and athletes, so I wanted to do something that was a humbling experience and something that wasn't for me.
"It was for someone else. I wanted to put my all into that, and it was a good experience."
While the cancer contributions might be the most highly publicized good deed attached to Cason's name, it's far from the only one. According to Stoops, all of Cason's acts of goodwill are genuine.
"That kind of stuff, for Antoine, is not show, whether it's raising money for cancer or doing things in the community," Stoops said. "That's the type of person he is. He's generally a great person with great character, and it shows just in the simple things, day to day, just the way he treats people around our campus, other student-athletes, the general student body, his professors, the janitors, coaches, the secretaries.
"He's just a good person, and he really lives life the right way, does the right things and makes the right choices."
Of course, the Chargers didn't pick Cason for his charity endeavors; they coveted him for his football abilities. Coach Norv Turner praises Cason as a "natural playmaker" and said he envisions Cason eventually developing into a starting cornerback.
Stoops agrees, and he has seen a lot of NFL-caliber players during his coaching career. During his tenure at the University of Miami, Stoops coached All-American safeties Ed Reed and the late Sean Taylor as well as cornerbacks Phillip Buchanon, Antrel Rolle, Kelly Jennings and Mike Rumph. All were first-round NFL draft picks.
"(Cason is) right at the top of the list with Ed Reed as far as overall coachability and leadership and just the type of person he is," Stoops said. "He's got that way-above-average character like Ed does. Sean Taylor was just blessed with that freakish ability. Outside of Ed and Sean, he's right in there with the rest of the first-round picks."
Despite all the glowing words from Stoops and his own self-assuredness, Cason knows stardom in the NFL isn't preordained. Cromartie has already taken him under his wing, and Cason is hanging on every word.
When Cason watches how players like Cromartie and Jammer go about their business, that high level of confidence of his temporarily takes a back seat. You see, it doesn't take a rocky first practice to know that listening to established performers can only aid one's path while learning the ropes.
"It's just a great opportunity for me to come and play behind two great corners," Cason said. "Just to have this opportunity, I'm so excited. I'm at a loss for words ---- speechless."
Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.
DaBoys4Life
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Glad to hear Cason and CJ are off to good starts.
ThreeSportStar80
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I can't believe they drafted Johnson at 24, that's a stretch if you ask me...
DaBoys4Life
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ThreeSportStar80;2074493 said:
not as much of a stretch as us drafting Jones at 22......
DFWJC
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ThreeSportStar80;2074493 said:
From what I've read, they grouped CJ with Felix and planned to take whoever dropped to them. They took a similar approach to what the Cowboys did--hoping to complement their thumper back LenDale White with a blazer total yardage type back.
If I was their GM for a day, I would have either 1) tried to trade down to the upper mid 2nd round and picked up another draft pick while still getting CJ(possible risk though) or 2) grabbed the best WR (they need help) on their board in Rd1 and tried to trade up slightly in Rd2 to get CJ. But hey, that's fantasy GM stuff.
Bob Sacamano
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DaBoys4Life;2074510 said:
Goose, who talks to NFL people, rated him 21st in his top 100
he also was told that there were only 21 1st round, assigned grades
do the math
oh yeah, noone besides you has said that Felix at 22 was a reach
Bob Sacamano
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TheCount;2075117 said:
from the original CJ pimpBuckyG
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Duane;2072878 said:
Struggled to produce? In 2007, he rushed for 1423 yards (6.0 per carry) and 17 TDs and caught 37 passes for 528 yards (a 14.3 average, insane for a RB) and 6 TDs. And he was very effective as a receiver over his career, which is how I suspect he's primarily going to be used (like Kevin Faulk in New England).
I think it's fair to question the level of Johnson's competition, but not his production.
DaBoys4Life
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Bob Sacamano;2075255 said:
I don't care Jones at 22 was a reach consider that forced us to trade up in order to get Jenkins afterwards which was pointless. We should have grabbed mendenhall and then sat there. So every one that had the 21 first round grades went 1-21 obv not. Ok maybe felix wasn't a reach but it was a strecth because the move the Raven's and Jaguar's pulled off was a reach.