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University of Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike prepared for NFL draft
Experts predict fourth round; Kiper's pick: Seattle
By Joe Reedy • [email protected] • April 18, 2010
Comments (2) Recommend Print this page ShareThis Font size:AA Last year on NFL Draft weekend, Kevin Huber was on the golf course when he got the call that the Bengals had chosen him. Tony Pike figured that if it worked for his former roommate at the University of Cincinnati, he might as well try the same thing.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100418/SPT0101/4190329/1062/SPT/UC+s+Pike+prepared+for+draft
After a busy four-month stretch that included playing in the Sugar Bowl and Senior Bowl, participating in the scouting combine and doing private workouts and visits, Pike seems relaxed as he enters draft week that starts Thursday night with the first round.
Pike could go anywhere from rounds two through five, but the consensus is that he will go in the fourth round. That's the grade that was assigned by NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, and ESPN's Mel Kiper has Pike going to Seattle in the fourth round.
"The process has been long considering that some of it actually started before my senior year, but the nerves are dying down a little bit," Pike said. "The process has been a roller coaster with its share of ups and downs. It was just a matter of going out and doing what I could do."
One thing that helped Pike was talking to former UC standouts Connor Barwin and Haruki Nakamura about how hectic the process could be.
Although most of the attention about quarterbacks has been focused on Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy, Pike is part of that second group that has been closely bunched since the combine. That group includes Fordham's John Skelton and Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour.
In addition to private workout with the Bengals, Pike has received attention from the Chiefs, Broncos, Patriots, 49ers, Cardinals and Vikings. All of those teams are in position to draft someone and have them develop on the bench for a season or two.
"It's been good to sit down with teams one-on-one and talk to them on a football level by going into the film room or breaking plays down," Pike said.
Wherever he goes, Pike is confident that he can do the job. Pike's career numbers at UC were 421 of 682 for 5,018 yards, 49 touchdowns and 20 interceptions and two Big East titles.
While Pike does possess a strong arm, there are questions about his durability and ability to consistently make the touch passes. Scouts also believe he needs to gain another 10 pounds to fill out his 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame.
"The biggest thing is I feel like I can go anywhere, develop a level of confidence with the offense and be successful," Pike said.
Pike would love to end up is with the Bengals, who might consider drafting a quarterback in the final three rounds. Pike watched as Huber was drafted last year and what it meant to him and his family to be playing at home.
The Reading High School grad has memories of going to Riverfront Stadium as a kid and watching Boomer Esiason. He has also been to games at Paul Brown Stadium, but the last one was a preseason game against New Orleans.
"The visit to the Bengals was something I enjoyed. I got to talk to the coaches and meet Mike Brown," Pike said. "I saw how Kevin got drafted by them and got to stay close to home and that is something I would also like to be a part of."
During last week's local workout held by the Bengals, Pike did not throw due to a jammed thumb on his throwing hand. But after more than two weeks of rest, he should be ready for rookie minicamp next month.
Experts predict fourth round; Kiper's pick: Seattle
By Joe Reedy • [email protected] • April 18, 2010
Comments (2) Recommend Print this page ShareThis Font size:AA Last year on NFL Draft weekend, Kevin Huber was on the golf course when he got the call that the Bengals had chosen him. Tony Pike figured that if it worked for his former roommate at the University of Cincinnati, he might as well try the same thing.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100418/SPT0101/4190329/1062/SPT/UC+s+Pike+prepared+for+draft
After a busy four-month stretch that included playing in the Sugar Bowl and Senior Bowl, participating in the scouting combine and doing private workouts and visits, Pike seems relaxed as he enters draft week that starts Thursday night with the first round.
Pike could go anywhere from rounds two through five, but the consensus is that he will go in the fourth round. That's the grade that was assigned by NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, and ESPN's Mel Kiper has Pike going to Seattle in the fourth round.
"The process has been long considering that some of it actually started before my senior year, but the nerves are dying down a little bit," Pike said. "The process has been a roller coaster with its share of ups and downs. It was just a matter of going out and doing what I could do."
One thing that helped Pike was talking to former UC standouts Connor Barwin and Haruki Nakamura about how hectic the process could be.
Although most of the attention about quarterbacks has been focused on Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy, Pike is part of that second group that has been closely bunched since the combine. That group includes Fordham's John Skelton and Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour.
In addition to private workout with the Bengals, Pike has received attention from the Chiefs, Broncos, Patriots, 49ers, Cardinals and Vikings. All of those teams are in position to draft someone and have them develop on the bench for a season or two.
"It's been good to sit down with teams one-on-one and talk to them on a football level by going into the film room or breaking plays down," Pike said.
Wherever he goes, Pike is confident that he can do the job. Pike's career numbers at UC were 421 of 682 for 5,018 yards, 49 touchdowns and 20 interceptions and two Big East titles.
While Pike does possess a strong arm, there are questions about his durability and ability to consistently make the touch passes. Scouts also believe he needs to gain another 10 pounds to fill out his 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame.
"The biggest thing is I feel like I can go anywhere, develop a level of confidence with the offense and be successful," Pike said.
Pike would love to end up is with the Bengals, who might consider drafting a quarterback in the final three rounds. Pike watched as Huber was drafted last year and what it meant to him and his family to be playing at home.
The Reading High School grad has memories of going to Riverfront Stadium as a kid and watching Boomer Esiason. He has also been to games at Paul Brown Stadium, but the last one was a preseason game against New Orleans.
"The visit to the Bengals was something I enjoyed. I got to talk to the coaches and meet Mike Brown," Pike said. "I saw how Kevin got drafted by them and got to stay close to home and that is something I would also like to be a part of."
During last week's local workout held by the Bengals, Pike did not throw due to a jammed thumb on his throwing hand. But after more than two weeks of rest, he should be ready for rookie minicamp next month.
DAL @ GB
