April 24, 2006

By Chris Kennedy
Springfield Repubican

They don't hear much, and they don't know what to believe when they do hear something.

The NFL draft is next Saturday and Sunday, and while much attention will be focused on what happens in the opening round, there are scores of players hoping to hear their name called late in the second day or at least hear their phone ring right after the draft ends.

"I'm nervous," University of Massachusetts free safety Shannon James said. "You don't know what is going to happen. I don't know where I'm going to be."

James and the versatile R.J. Cobbs were two of a handful of UMass players to participate in the team Pro Day workout back in mid-March. Scouts from teams and often services that send out reports to teams will visit a college campus and rate prospects, timing them in the 40-yard dash, measuring jumps and counting reps in the weight room, among other things.

Those numbers are more important to some teams than others, but they do matter, especially for players at a Division I-AA school like UMass. The competition is not the same as at the Division IA level, but there are still players at schools such as UMass who can make it.

Just ask Marcel Shipp, who stuck with Arizona, or Jerry Azumah, a running back in college at New Hampshire who made an impressive transition to pro cornerback with Chicago.

"I mean we played against Army, Boston College," James said. "I think I showed I'm capable. I don't think that is an obstacle (to making it)."

New England coach Bill Belichick has often said when he views a Division I-AA prospect or lower, he wants to see that player dominate snap after snap, game after game. He figures if he can't dominate on a regular basis in the Atlantic 10 or some other such league, how will be able to hold his own when it comes to facing the best of the best in an NFL training camp, a place where every player was pretty much a standout in college?

For players not selected in the seven rounds of the draft, there is still hope. Although fewer rookie free agents are signed than in the past, teams still fill out their training camp depth by making calls right after the final pick of the draft. Cornerback Randall Gay of LSU, for example, was a rookie free agent; he impressed from the first day of camp and wound up playing a key role for a Super Bowl champion in New England.

The 5-foot-10, 196-pound James, who is from Stratford, Conn., is his school's all-time leader in interceptions with 20. He had four during his final college season, taking one back for a touchdown, and he also returned a fumble for a touchdown.

"I just think I have a nose for the ball," he said

Cobbs, like James, felt he performed well at the Pro Day.

"I was tense at first, but I once got comfortable, I was fine," he said. "I thought it went well." Advertisement

The 5-10, 190-pound Cobbs, who is from Parsippany Hills, N.J., has played running back, receiver and cornerback in college. As a senior, he carried 79 times with a 3.8 yards-per carry average and five touchdowns. He also caught 16 passes with an average of 8.8 yards per carry and returned 14 kickoffs averaging right around 20 yards per return.

He is projected as a pro cornerback, the position he played two seasons ago when he made two interceptions. He also had 12 tackles against Boston College in 2004, so he can at least put someone on the ground.

"I played a lot of positions," Cobbs said. "I didn't really get to focus on one position. My coach just said make sure you show them your athleticism. ...

"(Pro scouts) would like to see more on me at corner, but I think they understand. I feel I have that mentality. I'm going to get after, go after the ball and make plays."

Like most players in situations like James and Cobbs, actually being drafted would be a thrill of a lifetime, a bonus. What really matters, though, is simply landing somewhere, having a chance to show someone they deserve a legitimate shot, a good, long look.

"I'm so nervous this week," Cobbs said. "It's out of my hands."

Among other hopefuls with local ties, UMass cornerback and punt returner Steve Costello was rated by Pro Football Weekly as player who might land in training camp but probably needs time in a developmental league.

Linebacker Mike Ononibaku of Amherst, who played at Georgetown, and receiver Dominique Stewart of Severn, Md., both took part in a recent pro workout run by the Washington Redskins for players who are either from or played college football in the Washington area.