It was a coming out party for UConn football on Wednesday. Proday had 21 teams including Bill Belichick and A.J. Smith, GM of the Chargers among many others. Those guys don't come if there is no reason.
I would say Darius Butler's 40 time has put him in the first round. 4.38 is explosive. He expects to be first round. He said he was doing 4.34 at Prime U.
Julius Williams was a beast with a 41 inch vertical and 36 reps at 225 pounds. He is headed to a camp if he doesn't sneak in to the late rounds. I can't find the 40 time, in my notes, it was around 4.61. Williams should be a bouncer. He is built like a tank.
Dahna Deleston has really helped himself. He benched 225 20 times and his vertical jump was 36 inches and measured out at 6-0 1/2. That and his 40 speed was 4.45. That's very good for a potential safety and special teamer. He put himself into late round draft contention. Height, weight and speed guy. Still no hands.
On request of Bill Belichick, Tyler Lorenzen went and worked with the DBs (as a safety I presume). San Francisco also wanted to get a look at him as a receiver where he showed some good hands.
Tyler is a good athlete with good size. He is going to make it into someones camp. As a QB? Maybe not, but you take it anyway you can get it.
Will Beatty benched 225 30 times. I don't know if that is good or bad, but it does show some strength.
Donald Brown is a pro. When he is done playing he is made for television. He is just a flat out pro.
Patriots defensive coordinator Dean Pees raved at the football complex. Said to Randy Edsall it's the best one he has been at in his travels to college.
Got to pay the bills
Showing posts with label Dahna Deleston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dahna Deleston. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Texas vs., Nation
Talked to safety Dahna Deleston today and he is having a great time down in El Paso this week for Texas vs. the nation All-Star game. Deleston said he was a bit overwhelmed we he got there when he saw the caliber of athlete. Then, they started to practice and he found out soon enough he belongs.
Deleston talked extensively with the Raiders about a role in the NFL. His route is special teams. He might be able to work himself into late in the draft, but his best bet might be a priority free agent.
Deleston is up to 215 pounds. He might hit 220, and the pros like him as a safety. He could bulk up even more and be a linebacker.
He is still in school and will graduate this spring. He has two classes left and is taking his best shot at the NFL. One thing he is sure, he's having the time of his life. Toronto beginning of the month and El Paso at the end.
Deleston talked extensively with the Raiders about a role in the NFL. His route is special teams. He might be able to work himself into late in the draft, but his best bet might be a priority free agent.
Deleston is up to 215 pounds. He might hit 220, and the pros like him as a safety. He could bulk up even more and be a linebacker.
He is still in school and will graduate this spring. He has two classes left and is taking his best shot at the NFL. One thing he is sure, he's having the time of his life. Toronto beginning of the month and El Paso at the end.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Deleston in All-Star game
Dahna Deleston's 100 yard interception return for a TD in the International Bowl may have gotten him more than a lasting memory. The Texas vs. the Nation All-Star game played in El Paso on Jan. 31 has invited Deleston and teammate defensive end Julius Williams to participate in the game.
What do the scouts like? Deleston's size, height and speed. Talked to Coach Randy Edsall about him for a couple of minutes today and other things such as the BCS. Here is Edsall on Deleston and the NFL:
The coaching staff has been working hard to get Deleston into one of these games and the group like what they saw against Buffalo, especially that run back. The game organizers liked his size and quickness. I will try and get Deleston on the phone today, we'll see if he is around.
This is the same game as Danny Lansanah playe din a year ago. Lansanah wasn't drafted, but he was on the Green Bay Packers after roster this spring. Right now, Deleston projects as a free agent, but that could all change. He gets a job interview in a couple of weeks.
Edsall also talked about the BCS. He is in favor of a playoff even more than before. Edsall would like to see a 16 team playoff and reduce the number of bowl games because he feels there are too many anyhow.
16 teams in a playoff, and perhaps around 20 bowl games for the others. Not a bad thought.
Edsall is going to vote for the BCS game winner, because that is what the coaches poll is supposed to do. I am going to incorporate into a column on Friday after the BCS game. Look here for my final Top 25 poll, I will post it as soon as a send it into the AP.
Lastly, on some other topics. Nothing new on offensive coordinator front. Next couple of weeks and sooner rather than later, but the staff is out recruiting this week though the weather ruined some visits in the Northeast today.
Take care, gotta pay the bills
Update: Jags fired from BC for interviewing with Jets. Boston College just made itself off limits to any up and coming ambitious coach. Wow. Who would take that job now unless you had no other option?
What do the scouts like? Deleston's size, height and speed. Talked to Coach Randy Edsall about him for a couple of minutes today and other things such as the BCS. Here is Edsall on Deleston and the NFL:
"He is a height, weight and speed guy who can play special teams," Edsall said. "He has to go show he can be a backup (at safety). He is a kind of hybrid safety/linebacker in a 4-3 scheme.
"Height, weight and speed he can play in the NFL."
The coaching staff has been working hard to get Deleston into one of these games and the group like what they saw against Buffalo, especially that run back. The game organizers liked his size and quickness. I will try and get Deleston on the phone today, we'll see if he is around.
This is the same game as Danny Lansanah playe din a year ago. Lansanah wasn't drafted, but he was on the Green Bay Packers after roster this spring. Right now, Deleston projects as a free agent, but that could all change. He gets a job interview in a couple of weeks.
Edsall also talked about the BCS. He is in favor of a playoff even more than before. Edsall would like to see a 16 team playoff and reduce the number of bowl games because he feels there are too many anyhow.
16 teams in a playoff, and perhaps around 20 bowl games for the others. Not a bad thought.
Edsall is going to vote for the BCS game winner, because that is what the coaches poll is supposed to do. I am going to incorporate into a column on Friday after the BCS game. Look here for my final Top 25 poll, I will post it as soon as a send it into the AP.
Lastly, on some other topics. Nothing new on offensive coordinator front. Next couple of weeks and sooner rather than later, but the staff is out recruiting this week though the weather ruined some visits in the Northeast today.
Take care, gotta pay the bills
Update: Jags fired from BC for interviewing with Jets. Boston College just made itself off limits to any up and coming ambitious coach. Wow. Who would take that job now unless you had no other option?
Monday, January 5, 2009
In Today's JI
Here are links to today's stories. I am going to work to improve the blog format and start putting excerpts on. I am also going to change the background. I didn't like it this year. Any suggestions would be helpful and I will try and use the blog a little more as a journalism tool than just a couple of posts a week with my thoughts. All suggestions and critiques are welcome.
Here is what we had in today's JI.
Donald Brown column, in my opinion one of the most important players in UConn history.
I also have a story on Dahna Deleston looking back at his career and that final touchdown. I was on the field for that, it made the hair stand up on my arm.
I'll be back later. I have a lot of thoughts on Utah and I am starting to see the light with a BCS playoff. I have conflicting views on a playoff, but I it's a problem that Utah likely can't win a national title.
I have been told I don't market my blog enough. This is also still experimental for the old fashioned JI and we don't push it a single bit on our website or in the paper. So I guess, don't be afraid to link this. I'll work on pushing the blog in the paper etc. I encourage everyone to link and email. Ok, is that enough?
Here is what we had in today's JI.
Donald Brown column, in my opinion one of the most important players in UConn history.
TORONTO — Bon voyage and merci beaucoups to Donald Brown.
The University of Connecticut football team made a little bit of news on Saturday in its 38-20 International Bowl victory against Buffalo, in case you haven’t heard.
Huskies junior running back Donald Brown ran for 261 yards and then 30 minutes after the game said he wasn’t going to put on the Blue and White 34 again.
“I am not coming back,” Brown said Saturday. “I am going to pursue the NFL.”
As Donald Brown spoke, tears welled up in Coach Randy Edsall’s eyes. What were they for? The tears can be for many reasons, perhaps relief, maybe happiness, loss, regret and most of all, joy.
I also have a story on Dahna Deleston looking back at his career and that final touchdown. I was on the field for that, it made the hair stand up on my arm.
TORONTO — Dahna Deleston had almost forgotten what the end zone felt like.
It had been five years since the East Hartford native was scoring touchdowns with regularity for East Catholic High.
But, it was nearly four years as a starter at safety for UConn and Deleston had yet to taste the end zone. He doesn’t have great hands and his inability to catch balls sometimes thrown right at him is a running joke.
Deleston had less than three minutes of football in his college career left when a pass into the end zone by Buffalo’s Drew Willy was tipped up in the air.
Deleston caught it at the goal line and saw daylight.
The former track star raced 70 yards downfield before a tackler tried to stop him. It was like riding a bike. He cut inside and then broke it back outside, diving into the end zone.
The 100-yard interception return, tying a UConn record, was his first and last college career score. It also sealed UConn’s International Bowl victory, pushing the score to 38-20.
Deleston collapsed in the back of the end zone, too tired to celebrate. He was back home again, ending his career in style.
I'll be back later. I have a lot of thoughts on Utah and I am starting to see the light with a BCS playoff. I have conflicting views on a playoff, but I it's a problem that Utah likely can't win a national title.
I have been told I don't market my blog enough. This is also still experimental for the old fashioned JI and we don't push it a single bit on our website or in the paper. So I guess, don't be afraid to link this. I'll work on pushing the blog in the paper etc. I encourage everyone to link and email. Ok, is that enough?
Friday, December 5, 2008
Friday pregame
I am off to a Christmas Party tonight. Tried to get Mrs. Silver to sit home and watch the MAC title game and it was a no go. I don't get it, out all dressed up and being fancy and sociable? Or the MAC Championship, Ball St.-Buffalo. I will tape it (love how the verb to tape it has developed into a word to include watching all recordings, even those recorded digitally)
The story isn't up on the JI website, but I had the chance to write about Dahna Deleston for Friday. Here are some thoughts on him that I didn't include in the story for length reasons and because they are just tidbits and don't really connect to the theme.
I was covering a lot of high school football when he was at East, so I got to know a lot of people in the area in regards to high school football. When Deleston was offered by UConn there were many who thought it was just a throw away give the local kid a scholarship. Deleston was a great offensive player in high school, but didn't translate at the college level. Safety isn't a position you look for in high school anyway. It's perhaps the most different position in college from high school there is. In high school, safeties just play deep and that's it. There is a tremendous amount of reads that go into playing safety at the college level. I give Dahna credit for that.
The first time I saw Deleston however was not on the football field, but the baseball field. I was in my first week at the JI and my first assignment was to cover an East Catholic-Plainville baseball game. I can't remember anything about the game, but I do remember a sophomore center fielder who looked like a tremendous prospect.
Several year's later I used to be the JI's beat writer for the NECBL Manchester Silkworms. I got to know some scouts and there was one veteran scout who I respected a lot. He was retired and was just doing some part-time work (side note, I spent 5 innings talking with this guy about a pitchers delivery once). We were talking one day and he asked whatever happened to the Deleston kid from East Hartford? Told him about football etc. and he gave a disappointed exhale. He said if Deleston wanted to play baseball he would have been a sure-fire pick 20 years ago if that was all he concentrated on. Kid had it all athletically, and if he worked as hard on baseball as football he would be playing professionally.
Dahna just liked football better. I talked to him about this last year and he
It also strikes me with how much different a person he is. During his freshman year I wrote a special section story on the local kids UConn signed -- Deleston and Windsor's Nollis Dewar. I was struck by both their demeanors. Deleston was shy and almost embarrassed to be talking to me. He was so quiet I could barely hear him on my tape recording. He said everything was a whirlwind and he was pretty much confused about everything. Dewar? He scowled at me an acted as if I was bothering him.
How did their careers end up?
I have to get going to the party so check back later. I have the keys to the game and more bowl thoughts. The Star Ledger says that Rutgers could take the International and in a switch, play in the Motor City against Ball St. Interesting. That would put UConn in the Papajohns.com against an at large or Sun Belt 7-5 team Arkansas St.
I don't want to criticize other teams, but Connecticut playing Arkansas St in football in Birmingham, Alabama four days after Christmas is just insane. I can't think of any positive for the Huskies except the extra practice.
The story isn't up on the JI website, but I had the chance to write about Dahna Deleston for Friday. Here are some thoughts on him that I didn't include in the story for length reasons and because they are just tidbits and don't really connect to the theme.
I was covering a lot of high school football when he was at East, so I got to know a lot of people in the area in regards to high school football. When Deleston was offered by UConn there were many who thought it was just a throw away give the local kid a scholarship. Deleston was a great offensive player in high school, but didn't translate at the college level. Safety isn't a position you look for in high school anyway. It's perhaps the most different position in college from high school there is. In high school, safeties just play deep and that's it. There is a tremendous amount of reads that go into playing safety at the college level. I give Dahna credit for that.
The first time I saw Deleston however was not on the football field, but the baseball field. I was in my first week at the JI and my first assignment was to cover an East Catholic-Plainville baseball game. I can't remember anything about the game, but I do remember a sophomore center fielder who looked like a tremendous prospect.
Several year's later I used to be the JI's beat writer for the NECBL Manchester Silkworms. I got to know some scouts and there was one veteran scout who I respected a lot. He was retired and was just doing some part-time work (side note, I spent 5 innings talking with this guy about a pitchers delivery once). We were talking one day and he asked whatever happened to the Deleston kid from East Hartford? Told him about football etc. and he gave a disappointed exhale. He said if Deleston wanted to play baseball he would have been a sure-fire pick 20 years ago if that was all he concentrated on. Kid had it all athletically, and if he worked as hard on baseball as football he would be playing professionally.
Dahna just liked football better. I talked to him about this last year and he
It also strikes me with how much different a person he is. During his freshman year I wrote a special section story on the local kids UConn signed -- Deleston and Windsor's Nollis Dewar. I was struck by both their demeanors. Deleston was shy and almost embarrassed to be talking to me. He was so quiet I could barely hear him on my tape recording. He said everything was a whirlwind and he was pretty much confused about everything. Dewar? He scowled at me an acted as if I was bothering him.
How did their careers end up?
I have to get going to the party so check back later. I have the keys to the game and more bowl thoughts. The Star Ledger says that Rutgers could take the International and in a switch, play in the Motor City against Ball St. Interesting. That would put UConn in the Papajohns.com against an at large or Sun Belt 7-5 team Arkansas St.
I don't want to criticize other teams, but Connecticut playing Arkansas St in football in Birmingham, Alabama four days after Christmas is just insane. I can't think of any positive for the Huskies except the extra practice.
Friday, April 4, 2008
In Friday's JI
In today's JI, a story on UConn's linebacker corps. New website and actually easy to navigate and read, check it out.
I think it is inevitable to go faster and quicker at the linebacker spot. I don't know how many times Danny Lansanah was in position to make a play and couldn't get there in time.
The one play that sticks with me is West Virginia's Pat White's TD run early in the third quarter against the Huskies. Lansanah had him contained for a short gain, but was unable to complete the play. White made the UConn defense look silly scampering in for the touchdown. That signaled the rout was on.
Lutrus can make that play, athletically anyhow. Moving Dahna Deleston to linebacker will also help with speed. He played close the line anyways and is comfortable. You do have to worry that a power running team may just try and power it down the Huskies' throat. The Big East is all about speed and play making ability offensively, and the Huskies have to find a way to match up.
I think it is inevitable to go faster and quicker at the linebacker spot. I don't know how many times Danny Lansanah was in position to make a play and couldn't get there in time.
The one play that sticks with me is West Virginia's Pat White's TD run early in the third quarter against the Huskies. Lansanah had him contained for a short gain, but was unable to complete the play. White made the UConn defense look silly scampering in for the touchdown. That signaled the rout was on.
Lutrus can make that play, athletically anyhow. Moving Dahna Deleston to linebacker will also help with speed. He played close the line anyways and is comfortable. You do have to worry that a power running team may just try and power it down the Huskies' throat. The Big East is all about speed and play making ability offensively, and the Huskies have to find a way to match up.
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