NFL teams Keep Coming to Clifton

Last week, "Pro Day" brought the NFL spotlight to UC football.  Fifteen different players got the chance to showcase their talents before coaches and scouts from 28 NFL teams.    One of the four teams that didn't make was the Chicago Bears.   A week and a day later they made their way to Clifton to take a look at Corey Smith and DeAngelo Smith with individual workouts.  Here's how it looked along with some thoughts from two when they were done.

The representative from the Bears was kind enough to answer a few questions.  Nothing could be said about specific players but plenty was said about the tremendous progress UC's program has taken and how workouts like this will become a common site.

Just a reminder that spring practice kicks off Tuesday morning and Bearcat Sports Page will be there with the best coverage.

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: 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: Mickens Will Not Work Out

All three UC players have made their trip through the media room.  Brandon Underwood was first, followed closely by DeAngelo Smith and Mike Mickens.   The big story out of the three is that Mickens will not workout for the scouts on the turf at Lucas Oil Field.   The plan is to set his sties on pro day at UC in the middle of March.  We talked with him about his "stock going down" and he said he's not worried about it.  He feels that he can prove himself worthy when he works out at UC for the scouts.  

Bearcat Sports Page.com will have video interviews with all three as well as footage form their press conferences.

Last Practice at Nippert

Saturday morning the Bearcats will strap on the pads for their final practice of the season at Nippert Stadium. After practice they will all go their separate ways to celebrate Christmas before meeting up again in Clifton on December 26th to board a plane for Miami. Excitement for the bowl game is starting to sink in, but for the seniors it's also starting to sink in that this is their final practice in the stadium they call home.

The last practice means more than just leaving a stadium. For most it's like members of a family going their separate ways. In his interview after practice DeAngelo Smith put his arm around head football trainer Bob Mangine. A man that has had a tremendous impact on so many young men since he came to UC in 2001.

As the seniors walk out of Nippert after their last practice they can look back and say that they are leaving the program in better shape than it was when they arrived.

The seniors also know that the program is in good hands. Not just the coaches, but the younger players that will keep going what they have started.

One of the under lying benefits of playing in a bowl game that is scheduled on New Years day is the extra practice time. Not necessarily to get ready for the opponent, but to get the younger guys some extra practice time. Ask any coach and they will tell you that this is a tremendous benefit for developing a team. The team leaves for Miami on Dec 26th and will begin practice on the 27th. During a normal week the team practices Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a walk through on Friday. Leading up to the bowl game they will get an extra day of practice. Bearcat Sports Page.com wishes everyone on the football team a safe trip home for the Christmas and look forward to seeing them in Miami.

Bearcat Day in Hamilton County

As part of their meeting this morning the Hamilton County Commission recognized the UC football team for their accomplishments this season. Commission President Todd Portune gave Brian Kelly a bowl of oranges and a proclamation declaring it UC Bearcat Football Team day all across the county.

The way these student athletes conduct themselves away from the field is a tremendous accomplishment regardless of what bowl game they play in. The entire tri-state area should be proud of these fine young men that represent them each time they put on a jersey with "Cincinnati" across the front. Most of the players, including Coach Kelly are not from the Cincinnati area. However, they have all become Cincinnatians and play for the pride of the city as well as the University.

In Novermber the team received a similar recognition from Cincinnati Mayor, Mark Mallory, and city council.

Business Trip, With Sun

No that's not Tony Pike catching a wave off of Waikiki Beach, Craig Carey...maybe. The Cats landed in Hawaii yesterday but this is no vacation. It's a business trip in a nice place.

Tuesday's press conference was dominated with talk about stadium expansion and Coach Kelly signing a contract in blood with the media that he would never leave. However, there was some talk about football and here are some segments from that side of Tuesday.

First off Hawaii, last year a BCS Bowl team but this year they have a new coach. The biggest challenge for UC is the travel and the environment.

After a month of "must win games" how does the team get hyped up for a game that on paper means nothing? Don't tell them that, this game has tremendous meaning. Does this team still have goals left on the chalkboard from summer training camp at Camp Higher Ground in Harrison?

Yes, the team wants to win and they are focused. But remember this is Hawaii, how many of us got to see this Pacific Paradise when we were 19 or 20 years old?

Back in 2003 the Bearcat's dream trip to Hawaii turned out to be a nightmare. A 20-19 loss was accompanied by penalty flags and questionable calls that ended in a bench clearing brawl. Enquirer writer Bill Koch captured the memory of that trip well in his article Thursday. Coach Kelly says that was in the past, and it helps that Big East officials will be calling the game. Pay attention to the end of the clip when he jokes about the officials being on the same flight.

We want to thank Coach Kelly and DeAngelo Smith for talking with us Tuesday. Remember the game is late on Saturday, 11:30PM on ESPN2. The team arrives back in town at 2:00 Sunday afternoon then has the Selection Celebration at 8:00. After that they hit the books....finals next week. How many guys took books to Hawaii to get ahead? They are off until Dec 15th when they start practicing for the bowl.