2001 Undrafted Players

Wes Ours: Before there was the beer truck, there was Wes Ours. At 250lbs in college and likely over 300lbs these days, he was a truck of some type. After a stint in the NFL, the former full back has matured into a linebacker/fullback in the AFL (Are there fullbacks in the AFL? Or just halfbacks?). Using his size to his advantage, Ours is usually used as a blocking back and enjoys it:

"I'm a blocker," said Ours. "They brought me here to block and I don't mind blocking. Like I said, I honed up my skills and my best skill is blocking."

Ours spent the 2001 to 2003 seasons hopping from one NFL team to another. The colts initially picked him as an undrafted free agent. They cut him early in the season but he was quickly picked up by the Titans. The Titans, in turn, also cut him later in the season and the Colts resigned him. In early 2002, before the season, the Colts released him for a second time. The Steelers picked up Ours in 2003. He spent pre-season in training camp, almost went to NFL Europe, but was eventually cut before the season began (not that he didn't try). During his NFL career, outside of making blocks, Ours made one catch for three yards.

Ours made the transition to the AFL after being picked up by the Los Angeles Avengers in 2004. He was unproductive in that year, as he was on injured reserve. In 2005, he was picked up by the Philadelphia Soul and has been there since (though the 2009 AFL season has been canceled). Obviously, he's often used as a blocker but he is often given the ball in short yardage situations as well. Statistically, Ours had his best seasons in 2006 and 2007 when he gained 130 and 129 yards respectively. His statistics decreased in 2008 but he did help his team win the Arenabowl, the AFL championship.

Finally, Wes Ours didn't just get to play the game he loves, he gets to coach it too.

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Khori Ivy: For the first three years of his career, he hopped from one practice squad to another as well as spent a season in NFL Europe. The Patriots originally signed Ivy in 2001 and he then moved to the Bengals the before the end of the season. In 2002, Ivy was transferred to NFL Europe's Barcelona Dragons. He caught 27 passes in Spain and gained 350 yards. In 2003, he was picked up by the Steeler. During preseason, Ivy took a tough hit from the Cowboy's Darren Woodson (who was fined for the hit). He suffered a concussion and was cut shortly afterward.

Ivy then moved to the AFL's Detroit Fury. During the 2004 training camp he suffered a season ending ACL tear. In 2005, the Los Angeles Avengers picked Ivy up as a free agent. That year he gained 200 yards on 20 receptions for 6 touchdowns. The following offseason, the Utah Blaze chose Ivy in their expansion draft. However, he was waived in January 2006 and has not since played football professionally.

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 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.

2003 Undrafted Players

An updated version of this blog post is available at WVUPros.com

Angel Estrada: In 2004, the Ohio Valley Greyhounds of the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) gave Estrada his first professional start. Estrada dominated the league in defense while playing both sides of the ball and special teams. On the defensive side, he lead the league with 14 interceptions as well as recording 65 tackles and 21 pass break ups. For his efforts the team gave him the Rookie of the Year Award, the conference awarded him as the Defensive MVP and the league chose him as an All-Star.

In 2005 the AFL's Nashville Kats signed Estrada, where also played both sides of the ball. Before the regular season was over, Estrada was released.

The New York Dragons picked up Estrada for the remainder of the 2005. He played 4 games and caught an interception despite an injury to his hamstring. In 2006, he stayed with the Dragons and racked up 40 tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles while playing in 11 games.

The Grand Rapids Rampage contracted Estrada before the beginning of the 2007 season. He suffered an injury, however still played five games. Despite the few amount of games, he still racked up 26 tackles.

Estrada returned to the Dragons for the 2008 season. He preformed again though injury, recording 16.5 tackles.

As far as I can guess, Estrada is still with the Dragons but it's hard to tell for sure since the AFL season has been canceled due to the recession.

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Lewis Daniels: The cornerback also began his pro career with the Ohio Valley Greyhounds in 2004. He had 28.5 tackles and 3 sacks his first season. They re-signed Daniels in 2005, a year where he totaled 61 tackles and 5 interceptions. In 2006 he totaled 39 tackles and had 3 interceptions. Daniels was not included in team statistics in 2007 and I was not able to find any other information on him.

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Kenny Sandor: The offensive lineman was also with Greyhounds, but started in his draft year, 2003. He received a few starts in his first year after several injuries to starting players. Sandor received NIFL All-Star status for his help giving the team's running back, Rayshawn Askew, the rushing title. He was re-signed along with Lewis Daniels in 2005. Like Daniels, Sandor was not included in team satistics in 2006 and I could not find any other record of him playing anywhere else.

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Jason Davis: The Texans took Davis, a defensive tackle, after the draft. He spent his fist three years (2003-2005) on the practice squad before being sent to play with NFL Europa's Berlin Thunder in 2006.

After a season in Europe, Davis was waived from the Texans. For the rest of 2006 he jumped around the NFL, spending time with both the Cowboys and Colts, before turning toward the AFL.

The Philadelphia soul signed Davis in 2007. He only produced one assisted tackle that year.

It looks like the following year the New York Dragons signed Davis. Beyond the one article, the books on him start to fade.

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David Upchurch: The Steelers picked up defensive lineman Upchurch after he went undrafted in 2003. He spent all of 2003 and two weeks of 2004 on the practice squad before he was released.

After being released from the Steelers, Upchurch was signed with AFL's Orlando Predators but was given NFL waiver. He spent less than a month with the Ravens practice squad before being signed by the Chargers.

In 2005, Upchurch went back to the Predators. He had 7 tackles on the year after being hampered by an injury. Like Jason Davis, Upchurch's record fades. I'll update them both if I find more later on.

First Ring for an Alum

CORRECTION (3/3/09): The wording is a little confusing on this. It means that this was Ryan Mundy's first Super Bowl ring, not the first Mountaineer to receive a Super Bowl ring. That title (as far as I can tell at the moment) goes to Jeff Hostetler. Hostetler was drafted to the Giants in 1984 (I'm not that far back yet). In 1991 he started for an injured Phil Simms in Super Bowl XXV and passed for 222 yards and 1 touchdown in a win over the Buffalo Bills. So, despite the story/post below, Jeff Hostetler won the first ring for an alum.

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Ryan Mundy Will Get a Super Bowl Ring
By Scott Grayson

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are still basking in the glory of their big win over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl 43.

It was the sixth Super Bowl title for that franchise, but the first for a former Mountaineer.

Former Mountaineer defensive back Ryan Mundy was at the Backyard Brawl on Monday night. He was a sixth round draft pick last year by the Steelers.
. . .
http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=51874&catid=3

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In addition, Mundy was resigned to the practice squad.

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

2005 NFL Draftees

An updated version of this blog post is available at WVUPros.com

Rasheed Marshall: Marshall was drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round (174th overall) and wasn't particularly impressive there. He was converted from QB to receiver and used as a return specialist. He had 43 touches as either a punt or kick returner and averaged 5.1 and 18.8 yards a return, respectively. More importantly he had 4 fumbles during those 43 touches. I don't think coaches like giving the ball back after kicks/punts. Marshall was let go after the 2005 season. Between 2006 and 2007 he hopped from the Steelers (another surprise) to the Rams practice squad before departing for the Arena League. I don't know much about the Arena League, so if you're interested you can check out his stats.

Chris Henry: Not one of West Virginia's favorite sons. He was drafted in the third round (83rd overall) by the Bengals. On the field he hasn't been great recently. Looking at his stats, he seems to have peaked in 2006 with 605 receiving yards and only had 220 in 2008 (while only playing in one more game in 2006 than 2008). Of course, the Bengals were beat up this year and looked downright ugly. Unless they were playing the Redskins, anyway.

Adam "Pacman" Jones: Titans to Cowboys, troubles the name. I don't feel like getting into it. For more insight, watch the hilarious video below.

Ryan Mundy - Rookie Season?

Surprisingly, I didn't realize that Ryan Mundy was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers (surprising since they're my pro-team). Mundy was drafted in the sixth round (194th overall). The reason I didn't realize that he wasn't on the Steelers roster was because, well, he wasn't. Mundy suffered an ankle sprain in pre-season and was released. In November he was re-signed to the practice squad. Next year?

Below is an interview with Mundy by a local Pittsburgh station.