New Website!

I will be shorty joining up with the better maintained outfit at WVUPros. I'll begin by editing and moving some of the articles already contained on this site. Afterwards, I will continue writing for them, focusing on non-contemporary drafted/undrafted players. You should check out the WVUPros' Facebook Page and Twitter Account.

2009 Undrafted Players

Mortty Ivy: The Carolina Panthers picked up linbacker Mortty Ivy after the draft.

He made some notable plays during training camp, including interecepting a pass for a touchdown and seperating a pass from reciever. He also suffered a groin injury.

Ivy a couple of big plays during his four pre-season games, including a tackle for a loss against the Giants and a forced fumble against the Steelers.

At the end of the pre-season, Ivy was waived but re-signed to the practice squad.

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Greg Isdaner: The Dallas Cowboys signed guard Greg Isdaner after the draft.

Isdaner played with the third team during training camp and was given slim chances of making the team.

He played in three pre-season games, was hazed, and eventually waived from the team.

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Ryan Stanchek: The Atlanta Falcons picked up guard Ryan Stanchek after the draft. He played in four pre-season games but was released before the begining of the season.

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Dorrell Jalloh: Jalloh was invited to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' rookie mini-camp after the draft. He was not signed and ended up in the Montreal Alouettes' training camp. The Alouttes cut him before camp ended.

Stancheck, Isdaner Hopeful

Isdaner, Stanchek Itching for Draft: Linemen Hope to Hear Names Called Sunday
By Stefanie Loh
The Dominion Post, April 24, 2009

On Sunday morning, former WVU offensive lineman Greg Isdaner will wake up to embrace the first day of the rest of his life.

Well, the first day of the next chapter of his life, anyway.

After months of waiting in limbo, Isdaner expects to learn his fate Sunday, when the NFL draft comes to a conclusion.

"This week has been the longest week of my life," Isdaner said. "I'm ready for Saturday and Sunday to come and just be over.

"It's felt like I'm sitting around and waiting. I want to control my own destiny."

Isdaner has spent the past few weeks at home, in Gladwyne, Pa., working out wherever he can find a weight room, and just hanging out with friends and family.

According to Stephan Halpert, Isdaner's agent, the lineman is on the Philadelphia Eagles' top-30 list, and has received phone calls from every team in the league.

On his visit to the Eagles' practice facility, Isdaner said, he met with head coach Andy Reid and line coach Juan Castillo.

They just "talked about life," Isdaner said. "They don't really tell you anything."

Still, the past couple of weeks have looked promising. Aside from the Eagles, the 6-foot-4, 315-pound guard said he's spoken to Kansas City, Jacksonville and Pittsburgh.

"They just want to know where I'll be on draft day, that type of thing," Isdaner said. "I've heard the same thing from every team. I guess it's good to know they're worrying about getting my phone number."

It's been the same story for former WVU offensive tackle Ryan Stanchek.

Along with a couple dozen other NFL hopefuls, Stanchek recently worked out for his hometown Cincinnati Bengals.

This week, he's been contacted by some teams checking to get his draftday phone number.

"I've had a couple of teams do that," said Stanchek, who declined to name the teams. "I feel that you know a team's really interested when they call and say, 'What's your draft-day number?' "

Both Isdaner and Stanchek said they feel pretty good about their position leading up to the draft, which starts at 4 p.m. Saturday (ESPN). Neither player expects to go on the first day, but Isdaner has been projected as high as the fourth round by some analysts, while Stanchek is hoping to get snapped up in the six or seventh round, or through free agency.

"I feel confident I'll be drafted," Isdaner said, "As for when, I have absolutely no clue."

Stanchek just wants a chance.
. . .
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/yb/129021397

Colts, Pats, 'Boys Look at McAfee

McAfee gets NFL attention
By Colin Dunlap
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 24, 2009

Pat McAfee is long on leg strength -- and confidence.

The West Virginia place-kicker and Plum native is on brink of being selected in this weekend's NFL draft. He's one of the top-rated kickers by most draft analysts and a projected late-rounder by some.

So, when asked, McAfee never wavered, figuring if he doesn't get drafted, there's still a spot for him in the NFL.

"I'm just staying even keel about all this," he said. "If I don't get drafted, hey, no big deal, man, I'll just have to go into a camp as a free agent and take someone's job from them. That is honestly the way I feel, so why not just say it like that?"

McAfee, 6 feet, 228 pounds, handled all three components of the kicking game at West Virginia last season -- punting, field-goal kicking and kickoff duties. And he excelled at all portions of the triumvirate, which have the NFL scouts intrigued.

A semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award -- presented to the nation's top punter -- he had a 44.7 yards per punt average, dropping 23 punts inside the 20 yard line. McAfee was also a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation's top kicker after he went 17 for 20 in field goals, including 7 of 8 from beyond 40 yards, and also had eight touchbacks.

Some teams like him as a kickoff man, some like him as a place-kicker, where others have raved to his Pittsburgh-based agent Eddie Edwards about his punting.

The Indianapolis Colts extended one of their limited college prospect invitations -- rare for a kicker -- to McAfee a few weeks ago. He said the Colts, New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys have been in contact with him most.
. . .
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09114/965134-144.stm

Isdaner Takes Early Chance

Isdaner ready for uncertainty of NFL Draft
By Mike Casazza
The Daily Mail, April 23, 2009

Morgantown, WV -- Like many college underclassmen do, Greg Isdaner quizzed with the NFL's draft advisory committee last season about his immediate future in the league.

The response wasn't entirely encouraging.

In fact, it was the kind of feedback that might convince a junior to return to school.

"The exact wording was, 'You do not have the potential to be picked on the first day as of right now based on game tape,'" Isdaner said.

Assured he wouldn't be picked in the first two rounds Saturday, Isdaner nevertheless signed with an agent and thereby forfeited his senior season at West Virginia.

"It'd be different maybe if you thought you had a chance to go in the first round, but being a guard, I realized we generally don't go that high in the draft," the now-former left guard said. "From there, I asked if there was any consensus I'd go undrafted. There was none. There was none of that whatsoever."

Following an admittedly average performance in the combine and some productive workouts and interviews, Isdaner expects to get the call Sunday afternoon as a late-round pick.

"I'm pretty sure I'm going to get drafted," he said. "Then again, you don't really know. I'm confident I will. I think most people are confident I will, but the entire process gives you no indication.
. . .
Isdaner was invited to the NFL Combine, which helped legitimize his decision. His performance was satisfactory and in the middle of the offensive linemen in attendance. His worst result was the 40-yard dash, which he ran in 5.52 seconds, slower than all but three of the 45 linemen.

"I hurt myself on my first 40 and that affected all the other times," he said. "But that's out of my control. Everything I've been in control of I've done well at and done it the right way. People might think I made a mistake, and I can see where they're coming from, but I certainly don't feel that way."

NFL.com was even in its analysis, saying Isdaner is "agile in space but has average straight-line speed. ... Choppy in his lateral movement at times. Leans too far into his man when run blocking; can get ripped off or lose his balance."

Positively, though, the same review said he "comes out of his stance with fair quickness, gets his hands active right away and is able to push his man down the line when coming off the ball. Strong angle technique, gets to his man's opposite shoulder and anchors to create a lane or will push his defender so he takes himself out of the play."

ESPN ranks Isdaner as the No. 8 offensive guard in the draft, though at 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds, Isdaner has had conversations about playing tackle and even center.

Sports Illustrated said Isdaner is a "workman like blocker with limited athleticism and upside potential. Unlikely to ever be a starter in the NFL, he could be an inexpensive back-up for a roster."

"I didn't think I'd be going in the first round or on the first day, but after that, it's really a crap-shoot at the guard position," he said. "It's about what a team needs and if I get drafted, then obviously they saw something in me they liked and needed. I can't say growing up it was my dream to be in the NFL, because that's a pretty unrealistic dream, but it's something I think I can do and take advantage of if given the opportunity."
. . .
http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/WVUSports/200904230029

Vikings Look at White

Source: Vikes targeting 'slash' QB after workout
By Alex Marvez
FOX Sports, April 21, 2009

A source told FOXSports.com that the Vikings conducted a private workout Tuesday with White. Minnesota has interest in White as a quarterback and wide receiver, the source said.
. . .
Sage Rosenfels, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Houston, and incumbent Tarvaris Jackson are set to compete for Minnesota's starting quarterback spot during the preseason.
. . .
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9483198/Source:-Vikes-targeting-%27slash%27-QB-after-workout

Baseball a Backup for White?

Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News writes:

He has been selected three times in Major League Baseball drafts -- twice by the Angels and once by the Reds -- but continually turned down the money to play college football.

I asked him at the combine in March how difficult it was to say no to baseball.

"I really haven't said no," White said. "I've been focusing on my football career."

So baseball remains at least a back burner option for White (6-0, 197).

Lankster Visits Steelers

Last three prospects visit Steelers
By Ed Bouchette
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, April 17, 2009

The Steelers are entertaining their final three college prospects today before next weekend's draft. They are cornerback Ellis Lankster of West Virginia, cornerback Mike Mickens of Cincinnati and wide receiver Louis Murphy of Florida.
. . .
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09107/963605-100.stm

White Receives More Interest

NFL.com reports:

The Philadelphia Eagles have scheduled a workout for White later this week, and he is expected to be put through quarterback and positional drills. White also has interviews scheduled with the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots, who seem to be doing extensive homework on him.

So, just to review, the following teams have shown specific interest in White:

• Broncos
  
• Browns
  
• Eagles
  
• Patriots
  
• Ravens
  

Lankster Visits the Bears

Two more names surface for pre-draft visits
By Brad Biggs
The Chicago Sun Times, April 4, 2009

Two more names have surfaced of players who visited Halas Hall last week, bringing to 13 the total number of names we have learned on the Bears' list of pre-draft visits.

Scout.com's Adam Caplan reports that Texas Christian running back Aaron Brown and West Virginia cornerback Ellis Lankster were in town for a look. Both are considered potential late-round draft selections. Brown rushed for 2,616 yards for the Horned Frogs but is considered a little slim at 6-foot, 200 pounds. Lankster, 5-9, 191, did well for himself at the Senior Bowl and is believed to be a player the Bears have their eyes on. College scouting director Greg Gabriel attended the Mountaineers' pro day.
. . .
http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/04/two_more_names_surface_for_pre.html

White Works Out With Broncos

NFL.com reports the Broncos are looking at White:

White worked out with the New England Patriots on Wednesday, spending the majority of the workout on wide receiver drills, and worked out with the Denver Broncos on Wednesday, according to league sources.

They also insinuate that the Steelers are one of two teams willing to give him a chance at QB:

White has been on the record as saying he prefers to remain at quarterback, but estimated that only two of 32 teams are giving him serious consideration as a signal-caller. It’s a good bet White — who is not refusing to switch positions — had a clear understanding of those two teams are. In a live chat with White two weeks ago, he said if there was one team he was hoping would take him, it was the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Make of it what you will.

UPDATE: Ed Thompson of Scout.com believes Denver could be doing a little CYA with the Cutler fiasco going on:

I honestly think the Broncos are preparing for the worst—a messy-divorce with their young, talented quarterback. And with the various trade scenarios that are being rumored, one common theme is evident: The Denver Broncos won't have a quarterback as talented as Jay Cutler at the top of their depth chart when the dust settles.

So the interest in Pat White as a potential quarterback candidate for the team is a viable one, providing the team with a versatile athlete who could compete with Chris Simms and whatever other quarterback ends up in Denver prior to draft weekend.

White in New England

Pat White Working Out For Patriots
By Ed Thompson
Scout.com, March 16, 2009

Scout.com Senior NFL Analyst Ed Thompson has learned that West Virginia QB Pat White is working out for the New England Patriots this week.

A source has told Scout.com that West Virginia quarterback Pat White will be working out for the New England Patriots on Tuesday, March 17.

After watching White's speed and nifty moves as a runner, some NFL scouts were projecting White as a potential wide receiver who could also provide plenty of excitement as a return specialist. He rushed for 947 yards, an average of more than 81 yards per contest and ran the ball into the end zone eight times.

But the Mountaineers' signal-caller has made it clear that he could also have a successful career as an NFL quarterback.
. . .
While Tom Brady is expected to be ready to resume his role as the Patriots' starter this season, his former back-up, Matt Cassel will be leading the Kansas City Chiefs offense this year. Cassel was traded to Kansas City after initially being designated as the team's franchise player, preventing him from hitting the market as an unrestricted free agent.

Currently slotted into the No. 2 role, by default, is second-year player Kevin O'Connell, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound passer out of San Diego State.

With White obviously on New England's radar, it appears that the Patriots are at least considering using one of their higher draft picks to give O'Connell a legitimate training camp battle rather than allowing him to automatically slide into the back-up role.
. . .
http://jac.scout.com/a.z?s=119&p=2&c=847842

UPDATE (3/20/09) - The Boston Globe reports:

According to league sources, White worked out as both a wide receiver and a quarterback for the Patriots, who might be viewing him as a versatile player that they could use in their own version of the Wildcat, which grew in popularity around the NFL after the Miami Dolphins used it to score a 38-13 victory over the Patriots on Sept. 21.

UPDATE (3/25/09) - Mel Kiper adds:

Pat White, maybe New England. You keep hearing New England,” Kiper said. ”They have some interest in Pat White for obvious reasons. They got torched by the Wildcat. Maybe now they want to return the favor and get the ultimate quarterback who can do some damage in that regard. So, if New England is in fact one of those teams who is going to look at him, the late second round isn’t out of the realm of possibility for him.

Pro-day in Mo-town II

Here's a rundown on the other players at pro day:

- Here's a video interview with linebacker Mortty Ivy. NFL.com reports:

...Ivy (6-1 5/8 and 239 pounds) put up 40 times of 4.84 and 4.78. He had a 28 1/2-inch vertical and a 9-foot, 2-inch broad jump with times of 4.44 in the short shuttle and 7.15 in the three-cone drill. He put up 17 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds.

- Dorrell Jalloh, wide receiver, caught passes from Pat White and ran a 4.55 second 40. The DA reported:

He also caught passes from White in all of his quarterback drills, including an over-the-shoulder grab on a deep pass that drew an loud applause from those in attendance.

- Pat McAfee, the punter/kicker, had an impressing effort. The DA reported:

McAfee kicked and punted for scouts and was especially impressive as most of his kickoffs traveled deep into the end zone.

- Interestingly, a linebacker who graduated two years ago, Marc Margo, also participated in drills for scouts.

- Ellis Lankster, a corner back, ran the fastest 40 time at 4.3 seconds.

- Backup linebacker Jim Lewis was impressive in his drills and ran a 4.5 second 40.

- Lineman Greg Isdaner didn't try to improve on his bench press but did participate in other drills. NFL.com reports:

...Isdaner (6-3 5/8 and 324 pounds) had 40 times of 5.29 and 5.28 seconds. He had a 25 1/2-inch vertical leap and an 8-foot, 6-inch broad jump, with times of 4.75 in the short shuttle and 7.73 in the three-cone drill.

- Lineman Ryan Stancheck tried to wow the scouts too. NFL.com reports:

...Stanchek (6-3 3/8 and 298 pounds) turned in times of 5.32 and 5.31 in the 40. He had a 27 1/2-inch vertical and an 8-foot, 7-inch broad jump with a 4.74 short shuttle and a 7.65 three-cone drill. He put up 29 reps on the bench press.

- Linebacker John Holmes, long snapper Adam Hughes, and lineman Stephen Maw also participated in drills.

Here's a general pro day video.

Pro-day in Mo-town

Pro hopefuls and scouts gathered today at the Mountaineers' indoor field. WVU players attracted scouts from 25 pro-teams and at least one head coach, Mike Tomlin. So far as I can find, Pat White has had the only mentions in the news. Except for a quick mention of Pat McAfee. I'll update on the versitle kicker and others as information becomes available.

Back to White. By all accounts, White appears to have continued to impress. The most interesting development would be a local TV station saying White was not asked to perform wide receiver drills. However, NFL.com and a couple others said Coach Stewart was the one to lay down those rules. Rule or not, most left after White was finished throwing.

Also, if you're interested, here's a Q&A session with White.

Update (3/13/09): Mike Mayock of the NFL Network reports (video) that many scouts were disappointed in the no wideout drill rule. He also suspects that if White does not show a willingness to play positions outside of QB, it will hurt his stock.

Video interview with Pat White

Mel Kiper on QBs

Some White Reading

"Sources from around the league have told the Examiner that the Bears and Panthers have been interested, and his stock definitely rose at the Combine. For his efforts, he was named co-winner along with Ohio State WR Brian Robiske of the General Motors Top Combine Performer."
-- Matt Pawlikowski, The Examiner

""It's a run-pass formation," White said [of the wildcat formation]. "The defense could be running one way and the ball's shooting out the other. Or sometimes you can sneak someone deep on a pass. I think I can do both of those. I don't know if that offense is tailored to me, but it does give me extra benefits.""
-- Rick Gosselin, The Sun Sentinel

White at the Combine

It appears that Pat White's stock as a quarterback has risen over the past few months. If his performance and the Senior Bowl didn't do it, it was the combine that did. Looking around at other blogs and articles, a list of potential homes for White might include San Francisco, Miami, or Atlanta as well as other teams intent on running the wildcat offense. He likes that the wildcat improves his chances but didn't refuse other positions at the combine, so it may be difficult to make a good pick at where he'll go.

Some Stats (rank is among QBs):

40 Yard Dash: 4.55 seconds (1st)
Vertical Jump: 35" (1st)
Broad Jump: 9'9" (2nd)
3 Cone Drill: 7.06 (6th)
20 yard Shuttle: 4.42 (6th)

Most importantly, his passing was impressive.





Mortty Ivy and Greg Isdaner were also invited to the combine and I'll have an update on them when information is available.

That Would Be Nice...

White would love chance to be a Steeler
By Dave Morrison

Ask any ordinary prospective NFL draftee and he will tell you he doesn’t care which of the 32 NFL franchises picks him in April’s NFL draft.

As West Virginia fans know, Mountaineer quarterback Patrick White is no ordinary player.

So when White was asked Sunday at the Mountain State Coal Classic Tip-Off Banquet, of which he and WVU coach Bill Stewart were the keynote speakers, which, if any, NFL teams he might like to be drafted by, he had a refreshing response.

“Pittsburgh,” White said. “I grew up a Steelers fan. You didn’t come in my Pops’ house if you weren’t a Steelers fan.”

“And,” added Stewart, seated next to White at the pre-banquet press conference, “we’d love to keep him right here close to home.”
. . .
http://www.register-herald.com/sports/local_story_025233152.html

JR Isdaner Declares for Draft

WVU's Isdaner headed for NFL draft
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, January 10, 2009

West Virginia fourth-year junior guard Greg Isdaner -- who started but soon after gave way to senior John Bradshaw in the Mountaineers' bowl game two weeks ago -- plans to skip his senior season and enter April's NFL draft.

Isdaner, a 6-foot-4, 322-pound lineman from Gladwyne, Pa., started 36 career games for the Mountaineers. NFLDraftScout.com forecast him as a fourth-round pick in 2010.
. . .
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09010/941044-144.stm