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NFL is prepared to shift into a bit of a temporary shutdown mode in a couple of weeks.
June is traditionally the time of year when coaches take a little time off in anticipation
of working 100-hour weeks beginning in July. But a few folks who best not take any time
off in the coming weeks are a handful of players who are attempting to resurface in the
NFL after taking a season or two off. In some cases, the players decided to leave the game
but have since changed their minds. They missed the action and desperately want to come
back. In other cases, injuries have kept them off the field. In any case, these players
may have to overcome some long odds to achieve their goals.
Here’s a look at some of the players who are aching for a chance to play again,
not to mention the opportunity to cash some of those generous weekly paychecks.
S Rob Kelly missed the 2001 season after spending four seasons with the Saints. The
former second-round pick (33rd overall) has latched on with the Patriots, who
did a fine job of assembling castoffs last year during their Super Bowl season. Kelly has
12 starts in his four-season career and has picked off a total of four passes. Not exactly
the type of production you want out of a second-round pick, which could be part of the
reason he wasn’t playing in 2001. But Bill Belichick has given him another chance to
live his NFL dream. If he is to make the roster, though, it will likely have to be as a
special-teams contributor, as he’s currently buried on the depth chart behind the
likes of Lawyer Milloy, Tebucky Jones, Antwan Harris and Chris Hayes.
TE John Allred was also a second-round pick in 1997. The Bears hoped he would become
their starting tight end for years to come, but that didn’t happen. Injuries set him
back, and he was out of football in 2001. If he’s healthy, he could win a backup job
in Pittsburgh if he can help on special teams. He has experience, having started 12 times
during his 40-game NFL career. He enters training camp behind Mark Bruener and Jerame
Tuman.
One of the best-known and most inspiring comeback stories that will be taking place
this summer is that of Robert Edwards. A former first-round pick of the Patriots, he
appeared to have a bright and productive NFL career ahead of him. However, he injured a
knee so badly, while playing an exhibition flag-football game in Hawaii after his rookie
season, that there was talk that he might have to have his leg amputated. Since that
injury, which happened following the 1998 season, Edwards has rehabbed diligently in hopes
of playing again. If he makes it, it will be as a backup for the Dolphins. He is currently
behind starter Ricky Williams and backup Travis Minor. Edwards will battle seventh-round
pick Leonard Henry for a roster spot. There isn’t a person on this Earth who could be
rooting against Edwards — except for the possible exception of Henry.
Another running back looking to return to the league is Byron Hanspard, a 1997
second-round pick of the Falcons. After less-than-stellar production during three years in
Atlanta, he was out of the NFL in 2000 and 2001. Hanspard is now hoping to catch on with
the Buccaneers. Hanspard rushed for 718 yards during his brief stint in the league. He
enters training camp behind Michael Pittman, Mike Alstott, Aaron Stecker and fourth-round
pick Travis Stephens.
After sitting out the 2001 season, in part to get healthy, DL Jeff Burrough is making a
comeback with the Rams. He spent four seasons with the Falcons and then two with the
Vikings before his hiatus. Now, Burrough is leaving last year’s construction work
behind in favor of a backup DE gig that will pay him $650,000. Not bad. Burrough should
provide some nice veteran depth at end behind starters Grant Wistrom and Leonard Little.
The Chargers are taking a chance on KR-WR Tamarick Vanover, who has missed the past
couple of years because of off-the-field problems. He got into some trouble with the law
but claims that is all behind him now. New head coach Marty Schottenheimer knows that
Vanover can be an explosive return man, and is willing to give him a shot. How much action
Vanover sees, though, is unknown. He will have to be more productive than PR Tim Dwight
and KR Ronney Jenkins if he is to see much playing time. And that is not going to be an
easy feat.
CB Fred Vinson is another hard-luck case. He was a second-round pick of the Packers in
1999. He was traded to the Seahawks in 2000 but blew out a knee. He then suffered another
serious injury that kept him off the field in 2001. He is now trying to resurrect his
career in Carolina. While he’s now a long shot to make the team, before the injury,
Vinson was more talented than all of the corners currently ahead of him on the
Panthers’ depth chart. He is behind starters Terry Cousin and Reggie Howard and
backups DeRon Jenkins, Dante Wesley and Deveron Harper.
Another former second-round pick trying to earn a spot in the Panthers’ secondary
is Cordell Taylor. Drafted by the Jaguars in 1998, he spent just one season in
Jacksonville before being cast off as a bust. Taylor has spent some time in the CFL and
believes he has a shot to stick in the big league. But he is facing an uphill battle, just
like Vinson.
After signing with the Broncos last year, CB Tyrone Poole decided his heart wasn’t
in the game anymore, and he left football. The Broncos, not convinced he was totally
through with his playing days, put him on the "reserve/left squad" list. Sure
enough, Poole wants to return to action this season and will attempt to make the team. He
could provide some veteran depth for Denver, considering he is a former first-round pick
who has started 85 games for the Panthers and Colts.
There are also rumblings again that Troy Aikman would welcome a return to the league.
While it has been announced that he is part of the No. 1 announcing team on Fox telecasts
this season, I bet he would ditch the booth for a spot under center in a minute if a
starting job to his liking opened up. That’s the thing, though. Aikman won’t
return unless he is guaranteed of being the starter. And about the only way that happens
now is if someone suffers an injury.
Phillippi Sparks, the former Giants and Cowboys cornerback, wants another go of it,
too. He retired after one season in Dallas because he wasn’t going to be paid like he
thought he should. He said he was a businessman and could make money doing other things.
Apparently he has changed his mind and is actively seeking a job. There haven’t been
many teams interested, though, and he could find himself permanently retired.
And finally, the most ridiculous comeback story of them all. Lawrence Phillips. Yep,
that dullard of a running back who blew golden opportunities with the Rams and Dolphins.
Perhaps one of the biggest busts in league history because of his off-the-field troubles,
Phillips hopes to take his act to another league — the CFL. The Montreal Alouettes
want to sign him, provided the nation of Canada will allow him to cross the border. And
that’s not a given, considering Phillips’ history with the law. If Phillips does
succeed in his comeback attempt in Canada, is there a chance an NFL team would take
another look at him? I would like to think not. But I bet there is. |
