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Ross signed with the Vikings according to his instagram

(05-02-2015 10:31 PM)MonarchManiac Wrote:  Ross signed with the Vikings according to his instagram

ODU can now dominate as the Vikings practice squad.

Here is a short but interesting article on NFL undrafted free agents. Last year, 622 players signed UFDA contracts. Of those roughly 37% actually caught on with a team, with only 16% being on a week one roster and the remainder being on practice squads. Average signing bonuses last year were under $5,000, so with a $20,000 signing bonus, TH is clearly at the top end.

It's a truly hard way to make it into the NFL, but as evidenced by Tony Romo, it can be done, and I think we will see TH on the Vikings' active roster come September.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-foot...act-in-nfl

P.S. I think there is a typo in the article when it says 33 players made the practice squad for a total of 37% who stuck with a team. For the percentages to work out, that number needs to be 133. That would work out to roughly 4 players per team, and that sounds believable.

This is a good situation for Taylor. The backup in Minnesota is Shaun Hill and he is 35 years old.

(05-03-2015 09:19 AM)odu83alumni Wrote:  This is a good situation for Taylor. The backup in Minnesota is Shaun Hill and he is 35 years old.

Was thinking the same thing. Bridgewater isn't exactly Joe Montana either.

Overall I think everyone landed in places where they have the potential to succeed if they play their cards right and perform well on the field. Disappointing not to have anyone drafted, but there's always next year. Hopefully everyone makes the cut and ends up staying with their respective teams.

(05-03-2015 09:22 AM)Quagmire Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 09:19 AM)odu83alumni Wrote:  This is a good situation for Taylor. The backup in Minnesota is Shaun Hill and he is 35 years old.

Was thinking the same thing. Bridgewater isn't exactly Joe Montana either.

The only other QB on the Vikings roster is Mike Kafka whose only NFL game action was in 2011 with the Eagles when he went 11/16 for 107 yds., 2 int., and 0 td. He was most recently let go by Tampa Bay.

I didn't like Teddy Bridgewater out of college and still don't think he's that great but I feel the team and the city is behind him. Don't think Taylor will play for a few years but you never know, Tony Romo beat out Bledsoe and the team never looked back. I hope to see him on the field one day though

My hope for this year, TH beats out Hill for #2.

I feel TH will do great and I feel Ross will make adjustments fast. Good luck to them both

3 years ago Zimmer (then DC Bengals) oversaw the signing of UDFA Vontaze Burfict....by the end of his first season he had Burfict playing at a Pro Bowl-level...now the circumstances are different and playing LB in the NFL is light years from playing QB but the point is that Zimmer has no problem giving an UDFA a key role if warranted...and in short order too :-)...

The best thing Ross can hope for -- and it would be an amazing accomplishment -- is practice squad. To make the roster this year he's going to have to play special teams, and I don't see that as an easy adjustment for someone who hasn't seen the field in 5-6 years

Sounds like Antonio Vaughan will be in the Jaguars camp for a tryout.

Preseason is going to be exciting for me now!!! Following ODU guys.

(05-03-2015 12:37 PM)ccbengal Wrote:  3 years ago Zimmer (then DC Bengals) oversaw the signing of UDFA Vontaze Burfict....by the end of his first season he had Burfict playing at a Pro Bowl-level...now the circumstances are different and playing LB in the NFL is light years from playing QB but the point is that Zimmer has no problem giving an UDFA a key role if warranted...and in short order too :-)...

Burfict was 1st round talent the year before he came out. He dropped because of discipline issues. Too many personal fouls/ejections his senior year. Lots of teams backed off. I follow Arizona State pretty closely. It's not like Zimmer is some miracle worker with Burfict. He was a red flag, & Cincinnati has a history of giving those guys opportunities. This one panned out.

These guys either have it at the NFL level or they don't, that much is obvious. We've all seen 1st round picks blow up and we've all seen late round and UDFA's make it. There are so many factors in making it in the NFL that I can't even begin to list all of them. Staying injury free in practice comes to mind. Having the right opportunity to showcase your talents, making sure you play to your potential, not choking when the spot swings on you. More factors too numerous to name, and since I've never been in the position to make it at an NFL camp there are probably a hundred other factors that I would never dream of coming into play.

The big thing is, they've got their chance. And like Aim High above, I'm going to have fun this preseason checking on our guys wherever they play.

(05-04-2015 10:01 AM)Friar Tuck 4400 Wrote:  These guys either have it at the NFL level or they don't, that much is obvious. We've all seen 1st round picks blow up and we've all seen late round and UDFA's make it. There are so many factors in making it in the NFL that I can't even begin to list all of them. Staying injury free in practice comes to mind. Having the right opportunity to showcase your talents, making sure you play to your potential, not choking when the spot swings on you. More factors too numerous to name, and since I've never been in the position to make it at an NFL camp there are probably a hundred other factors that I would never dream of coming into play.

The big thing is, they've got their chance. And like Aim High above, I'm going to have fun this preseason checking on our guys wherever they play.

Ditto!

(05-04-2015 10:01 AM)Friar Tuck 4400 Wrote:  The big thing is, they've got their chance. And like Aim High above, I'm going to have fun this preseason checking on our guys wherever they play.

The mini-camp dates for the Bears, Jags, Vikings, and Packers are all June 16-18.

OTA dates are as follows...

Bears - May 27-29, June 1-3, June 8-11
Jags - May 26-28, June 1-2, June 8-9, June 11-12
Packers - May 27-29, June 2-4, June 9-12
Vikings - May 26-28, June 2-4, June 2-4, June 8-11

We really missed out on what would have been a great senior year from Larry Pinkard. I wish all the best in GB though

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fEJCI3Nt_E

(05-03-2015 07:35 PM)odusteeler Wrote:  Burfict was 1st round talent the year before he came out. He dropped because of discipline issues. Too many personal fouls/ejections his senior year. Lots of teams backed off. I follow Arizona State pretty closely. It's not like Zimmer is some miracle worker with Burfict. He was a red flag, & Cincinnati has a history of giving those guys opportunities. This one panned out.

the post was meant to put a positive spin on Taylor Heinicke from Old Dominion University going to the Vikings and to a coach that has a record of putting the best players on the field right from the get-go...the point stands...nowhere did I imply Zimmer was a "miracle worker" and alluded to the fact it wasn't the same situation hence the "CIMCUMSTANCES ARE DIFFERENT"...I didn't see the need to elaboarate for the purposes of this thread but thanks for the details...