One thing that always surprises me is how players who can have truly great college careers and not even get a cup of coffee in the NFL. I understand the need for size, speed, and strength, but I can't help but think that sometimes the minimum standards teams in the NFL seem to set overlook players whose vision, game sense, and execution skill offset physical deficiencies. Austin Carr is latest example of a terrific college player to enter the NFL on the bubble; while he may catch on, it is probably just or even more likely that he will not find his way to the roster on opening day.
Three of my favorite Cats all time fall into the class of players who received high recognition in college and never played a down in the NFL:
1) Jeff Budzien: all big ten, made several All-America team, 5th best field goal percentage in modern FBS, all time leader in career field goal percentage in Big Ten, never missed an extra point. As many of you remember, his last two years he made 127 of 130 placekicks.
2) Lee Gissendaner: The last Cat to win the Silver Football Big Ten Most Valuable Player award. I think he may be the best college punt return specialist I have ever seen. In '92 he averaged almost 22 yards a return.
3) Pat Fitzgerald: Little needs to be said beyond the national awards he received his last two years, and beyond the statistical leadership he had in both those years.
A lot has been made of the Moneyball approach to finding untapped value in players. Somehow, I just have to thank that given the chance to play, despite the clear physical shortcomings they had relative to the NFL talent pool, that each of the three players I just mentioned may have been able to contribute had they been given a chance. Steve Tasker, whose profile could easily fit here, did make the Houston Roster, and went on to play 12 years and receive recogition as one of the all time great special teams players.
Three of my favorite Cats all time fall into the class of players who received high recognition in college and never played a down in the NFL:
1) Jeff Budzien: all big ten, made several All-America team, 5th best field goal percentage in modern FBS, all time leader in career field goal percentage in Big Ten, never missed an extra point. As many of you remember, his last two years he made 127 of 130 placekicks.
2) Lee Gissendaner: The last Cat to win the Silver Football Big Ten Most Valuable Player award. I think he may be the best college punt return specialist I have ever seen. In '92 he averaged almost 22 yards a return.
3) Pat Fitzgerald: Little needs to be said beyond the national awards he received his last two years, and beyond the statistical leadership he had in both those years.
A lot has been made of the Moneyball approach to finding untapped value in players. Somehow, I just have to thank that given the chance to play, despite the clear physical shortcomings they had relative to the NFL talent pool, that each of the three players I just mentioned may have been able to contribute had they been given a chance. Steve Tasker, whose profile could easily fit here, did make the Houston Roster, and went on to play 12 years and receive recogition as one of the all time great special teams players.
