Big Day For Mickens

Pro day for at least one Bearcat will be a very important day.  Mike Mickens started his senior year with plenty of pre-season recognition, but ended it on crutches.  An knee injury at the end of the year sent him home early from the Senior Bowl and kept him for working out at the NFL combine.  Mike told us at the combine he was feeling good but was going to let the knee rest until Pro Day instead of working out at the combine.   Speculation among the media in Indianapolis was the Mickens stock was dropping because he didn't work out.  That stock could be on the rise with a good performance Thursday.

NFL Combine: An Agent's View

In our many trip to Indianapolis to cover the NFL Scouting combine we talked to the UC players themselves and got a feel for how they were doing by talking to other members of the media.

This  posting gives you a completely different look at the combine, from the perspective of a sports agent.  We sat down with Connor Barwin's agent, Scott Smith, and talked to him about how his client was doing during this process.  He said that Conner was doing great, but did UC properly prepare him for this experience?

The workouts at the combine get most of the press but it's what the media doesn't see that can make or break the trip to Indy.  Workouts can happen a number of places, but the interviews at the combine are a one shot deal for both the players and the teams.  Scott knew Connor would do well with interviews, but not this good.

The combine is often call a "job interview", and that's how Connor is approaching it.  Scott and his team at XAM Sports and Entertainment put together a book that contains information on each NFL team.  Connor studies this before each interview, something that separates him form the rest of the "job candidates".

We want to thank Scott and the rest of his team from XAM Sports and Entertainment for their cooperation in Indianapolis.  For more information on the XAM group and what they offer their clients, click here.

NFL Combine: How Did They Do?

As we conclude our coverage of the NFL scouting combine this past week in Indianapolis we are going to hear from a man that heard hundreds of player interviews over the 4 day period. Joe Reedy was the writer from the Cincinnati Enquirer that covered the combine.  From where he sat, the UC players represented themselves and the University well with the press.

So did the players from UC create any kind of a "buzz" in the room among the many writers from all over the country?

 

The combine turned out to be a win/win.   After meeting with the media the players have left a favorable impression of UC with all of the writers there covering the event.  The players also stand to benefit from the way UC prepared them, both on and off of the field.

Artrell Hawkins and DeAngelo Smith

Former UC defensive back Artrell Hawkins his helping DeAngelo Smith get ready for the draft. There is a great article on this the Bengals web site.  Geoff Hobson has the story:  Click here.

NFL Combine: Mike Mickens

Mike Mickens was at the top of every ones list back in September, including the Playboy All American team.  Following an injury at the end of the end of the season his "stock", according to some experts, is dropping.  He left the senior bowl last month because of his knee and according to Mickens he will not participate in drills at the combine this week.  At his press conference he discussed his knee, the competition with his team mates and who was on his high school team.

We talked to Mike about his decision to sit out the workouts and got his thoughts on the overwhelming concern that his stock is dropping.  He is confident he can make it rise when the time comes.

Mickens will have the benefit of meeting with NFL teams this week and plans to go through everything that he can.  His chance to reverse the tide of pessimism will take place at pro day on UC's campus March 19.

NFL Combine: DeAngelo Smith

De Angelo Smith is an interesting prospect for NFL scouts.  He can bring so much to the table.  He is being looked at as both a defensive back and a safety.  Then throw in his ability to return punts and his options grow.  At his press conference he discussed his versatility, what a team gets when they draft him and the competition he had with his team mates last year.

After DeAngelo left the podium we pulled his aside for one more round of questions.

The defensive backs will have their work out on the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday.  In his press conference he attracted several members of the media including Bengals.com writer Geoff Hobson and Cincinati Enquirer writer Joe Reedy.    Bengals site:  Click here.  Enquirer site: Click here

NFL Combine: Brandon Underwood

At the beginning of the 2008 season Brian Kelly had a great problem, he had too many talented

defensive backs.  Along with Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith a transfer from Ohio State was in the mix.  Now six months and an Orange Bowl appearance later Brandon Underwood is joining Mickens and Smith at the NFL Scouting Combine.  Here is a sample of the questions Brandon fielded on his media day.  The topics he hits are, his dislocated shoulder in high school and at Ohio State, how Haruki Nakamura got him to UC, how other Bearcats are worthy of being in Indy, and how team mate Mke Mickens is doing.  Notice the polite answers he gives.

After he was done at the press table we grabbed him for a quick word before being whisked off by NFL personnel for interviews.

Like all Bearcats so far Brandon was very impressive with the media.  His "yes sir" answers were noticed as one member of the press left the table saying "you don't hear many 'yes sirs' these days".    Brandon is working out in Nashville as he gets ready for Pro Day March 19.

NFL Combine: Barwin Now a Linebacker

Saturday afternoon Connor Barwin was the only Bearcat to meet with the the media and on Sunday morning his name is still being discussed by several writers along press row.  His resume continues to grow and his stock continues to rise.  While at the podium Saturday the once tight end turned defensive end is now looking like an outside linebacker.  Bengals.com Geoff Hobson has a good article discussing Connor and his new position. Click Here.

Combine Day 3: Bearcats Are Ready

The NFL Combine entered day its third day Friday and there were no Bearcats in the group that was available for the media.  This group included the offensive skill position players, quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers.  With no UC guys to talk to we settled for a Syracuse guy.  Bengals.com head writer Geoff Hobson has been around football for many years.  Before working for the Bengals he was a beat writer that covered the team for many years.  He was in Mobile for the Senior Bowl,  saw the Bearats up close and personal and expects them to hold their own again this week.

Geoff has been in the game long enough to have a feel for what the "buzz" is about Bearcats in the national media.  So far it's been a bit low key but he thinks that could change with Connor Barwin on Saturday.

Geoff remembers years ago when he was writing stories sitting on the edge of a potted plant in the RCA Dome when it was a "low key" event.  So he has seen his fair share of combines and from what he's seen the boys from UC are ready for what they are getting into. He thinks they are especially strong in the interview area when they sit down with teams.

We will continue our coverage of the combine Sunday when the three defensive backs go through the media room.    The big question then is weather or not Mike Mickens will be able to work out.  He left the Senior Bowl with a sore knee and has been working on it ever since.  

Connor Barwin will be in front of the media Saturday, check Geoff Hobsons article on Bengals.com for coverage of Connor.  Click Here.  Also check out the NFL Network on TV or the Web site.  Click here.

Workouts for the offensive linemen and kickers can be seen Saturday on the NFL Network. Watch Kevin Huber and Trevor Canfield.  Time- 11:00 , 4:00 and 8:00   Click here for a schedule.

NFL Combine: Bearcats are Prepared

The NFL Network is covering this weeks scouting combine from start to finish. We found out that one of their analyst has been keeping an eye on Brian Kelly and the Bearcats this year, and to him it's no surprise at all that UC had 6 players invited to the combine

As an analyst with both the NFL Network and his work with CBS on Sundays Wilcots has seen plenty of football. Also, as a former NFL star he knows what it takes to make it to the next level. The scouting combine is very important, and he thinks the guys from UC will be just fine.

The road to the NFL is what every high school football player is looking for and Wilcots thinks that a program that puts kids in the combine sends the message that "this program can get you to the next level".

For complete coverage of the NFL Combine tune into the NFL Network or check them out on the internet: Click here.

NFL Combine: Trevor Canfield

"American Idol" NFL style kicked off this week at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis. The first group of players arrived Wednesday afternoon to begin the process of being thoroughly examined by NFL teams. Six members of the UC Bearcats were invited to the scouting combine including offensive lineman Trevor Canfield, who met with the media Thursday. Here is a condensed version of what Trevor said to the media that gathered when his name was announced. Pay attention to the last answer. A fire alarm is sounded and everyone is asked to evacuate the building. Notice how Trevor keeps his composure and completes his answer. Too bad the team scouts weren't on hand for this test of "concentration".

We apologize for the length, but we feel it tells the story of what he went through as well as the questions thrown at him. We cut out several short answers. As those around us were evaluating the "fire alarm situation" we grabbed Trevor for a quick one on one interview.

You may have noticed that Trevor used the phrase "yes sir" during his press gathering at the podium. This was not an act for the NFL or the media today. In the many interviews we have done with him he is always been the ultimate gentleman, and once again today he made us proud to be wearing the "C-Paw" on our jackets. Kevin Huber is part of the same group but was unavailable to the media. No kickers, punters, or specialist were brought to the media room. Friday we will have more on our trip to the combine including an interview with NFL Network analyst Solomon Wilcotts and Bengals senior web writer Geoff Hobson. For other stories from the combine check out Mr. Hobsons reports at the Bengals web site. Click here.

The Green Bay Bearcats

The NFL draft is just two months away.  Starting Wednesday, the NFL Combine kicks off in Indianapolis.  About 300 of the best college football players in the country will be on display for professional football scouts and executives.  Included in that group are 6 Bearcats, Connor Barwin, Trevor Canfield, Kevin Huber, Mike Mickens, DeAngelo Smith, and Brandon Underwood.  In the days leading up to the combine experts will be making predictions.  One such expert has 3 Bearcats being chosen by the Green Bay Packers.  Click here to see the entire 4 round mock draft.   Connor Barwin for one, does not put much weight in what the media is saying.  

Bearcat Sports Page.com will be in Indianapolis covering the combine and will bring you coverage of the six Bearcats as they compete in what some call NFL's version of "American Idol".