Aztecs in the NFL

Aztecs in the NFL: 2013 Offseason Update

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 3 Comments
'Aztec For Life' DeMarco Sampson signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. (Ernie Anderson)

‘Aztec For Life’ DeMarco Sampson signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. (Ernie Anderson)

Aztec fans,

With a handful of NFL teams beginning their offseason workouts this week, many ‘Aztecs For Life’ are back to work and preparing for the 2013 season. Teams with new head coaches began workouts on Monday and Tuesday, while the rest of the teams begin their programs on April 15 or April 22.

Last season, 14 ‘Aztecs For Life’ were on NFL active rosters. 11 of those 14 remain with the same team, while three have become free agents. Additionally, four players who were free agents in 2012 were signed to an NFL roster in the offseason.

Aztecs in the NFL: 2012 
LB Russell Allen – Jacksonville Jaguars, April 2*
LB Antwan Applewhite – Carolina Panthers**
LS Aaron Brewer – Denver Broncos, April 15*
WR Vincent Brown – San Diego Chargers, April 1*
LB Miles Burris – Oakland Raiders, April 15*
OT/OG Brandyn Dombrowski – San Diego Chargers, April 1*
LB Heath Farwell – Seattle Seahawks, April 15*
RB Ronnie Hillman – Denver Broncos, April 15*
QB Ryan Lindley – Arizona Cardinals, April 2*
OG Lance Louis – Miami Dolphins***, April 15*
LB Kirk Morrison – Buffalo Bills**
WR Kassim Osgood – Detroit Lions, April 15*
OT Will Robinson – New Orleans Saints**
WR Chaz Schilens – New York Jets**

2013 Offseason Free Agent Signings
OL Tommie Draheim – Kansas City Chiefs, April 1*
DL Jerome Long – Jacksonville Jaguars, April 2*
WR DeMarco Sampson – Philadelphia Eagles, April 1*
WR Roberto Wallace – Tennessee Titans, April 22*

*Offseason workout start date
**Current Free Agent (Released or expired contract)
***Played with Chicago Bears in 2012, signed by Miami in 2013

Don’t forget to watch the NFL Draft beginning on April 25 to see which ‘Aztecs For Life’ will have the opportunity to join this list.

Aztecs in the NFL: Home
2013 NFL Combine Recap: Gavin Escobar
2013 NFL Combine Recap: Leon McFadden

Additional Links:
Hunter Hewitt: APSE Bio – http://www.apsportseditors.org/newsletter/apse-student-member-bio-hunter-hewitt/
Hunter Hewitt: WordPress – http://hunterhewitt.wordpress.com
Hunter Hewitt: Blogger – http://hunterhewitt.blogspot.com
Hunter Hewitt: LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: Twitter – http://twitter.com/hunterhewitt89
Hunter Hewitt: Facebook – http://facebook.com/hunterhewittSDSU
Hunter Hewitt: Tumblr – http://hunterhewitt.tumblr.com
Hunter Hewitt: About.me – http://about.me/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: BrandYourself – http://hunterhewitt.net/
Hunter Hewitt: GoAztecs.com Player Profile – http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hewitt_hunter00.html
Hunter Hewitt: SDSU News Team Story: http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news.aspx?s=73846

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Aztecs in the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine: Preview

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 1 Comment
The 2013 NFL Scouting Combine begins on Wednesday, Feb. 20

The 2013 NFL Scouting Combine begins on Wednesday, Feb. 20

For many recent college graduates looking for employment, their first job interview can be nerve-racking and worrisome, causing intense amounts of perspiration.

This week, a select group of individuals will participate in a unique job interview, one that will cause them to sweat profusely just like most other college graduates. The reasoning for their perspiration is different, however, because these former collegiate athletes will be on a football field in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, working out in a series of drills in front of dozens of NFL scouts at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine.

Wednesday marks the start of the scouting combine, and two Aztecs will participate in this prestigious event. Tight end Gavin Escobar and cornerback Leon McFadden will be amongst the group of over 300 NFL prospects, all vying for the opportunity to showcase their abilities.

Scouts often use the combine as a primary tool to gauge the talent of the prospects. Each player will use this week as a chance to boost their draft stock just two months before the draft.

Although the official start of the combine is Wednesday, the first two days consist of administrative ordeals, medical tests, measurements and interviews. The workouts, broken up by position groups, begin on Friday and run until Tuesday, Feb. 26.

Here is the schedule, along with additional notes, for Escobar and McFadden:

Gavin Escobar

Gavin Escobar: Aztecs For Life

Gavin Escobar hauls in a pass in the 2012 season. He is one of the top tight end prospects in the 2013 draft. (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Schedule

  • Wednesday, Feb. 20 – Arrival. Medical pre-exam and x-rays, orientation, interviews.
  • Thursday, Feb. 21 – Measurements, medical exam, media, interviews
  • Friday, Feb. 22 – Psychological testings, bench press, interviews
  • Saturday, Feb. 23 – On-field workouts

Additional Notes

  • There are 19 tight ends participating in the combine
  • Escobar is one of three tight ends from non-BCS conferences
  • Escobar has spent the last several weeks training at IMG Academy along with top prospects like Manti Te’o, Matt Barkley and others
  • Escobar’s stock has been rising as of late, and impressive combine numbers will help him even more. Keep an eye on him this week to see how he fares.

Leon McFadden

Leon McFadden - Aztecs For Life

McFadden breaks up a pass in the 2012 season. His combine performance will likely weigh heavy on his draft stock. (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Schedule

  • Saturday, Feb. 23 – Arrival. Medical pre-exam and x-rays, orientation, interviews
  • Sunday, Feb. 24 – Measurements, medical exam, media, interviews
  • Monday, Feb. 25 – Psychological testing, bench press, interviews
  • Tuesday, Feb. 26 – On-field workouts

Additional Notes

  • There are 30 cornerbacks participating in the combine
  • McFadden is one of seven cornerbacks from non-BCS conferences
  • Many have said that McFadden’s 40-yard dash at the combine will be critical for his draft stock. Keep an eye on him next Tuesday to see how he fares in the workout. According to a recent story on ESPN.com, the average 40-yard dash time for cornerbacks in the last five years is 4.55. If McFadden betters the average, he will likely put himself in position to be drafted in the third or fourth round.

*All of the action from the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine is televised on NFL Network throughout the week. If you do not have access to NFL Network or you are unable to watch, be sure to check out the AztecsForLife Facebook page and Hunter Hewitt’s Twitter for live updates with videos and statistics. Also, stay tuned for a new post next week with a recap of the Aztecs in the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine.

Have you seen the 2013 Season Previews yet? If not, check out the pre-spring position-by-position previews for next season.

Also, be sure to take a look at the 2013 Signing Day Recap to see the incoming athletes of San Diego State’s 2013 recruiting class.

LINKS:
Hunter Hewitt: WordPress – http://hunterhewitt.wordpress.com
Hunter Hewitt: Blogger – http://hunterhewitt.blogspot.com
Hunter Hewitt: LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: Twitter – http://twitter.com/hunterhewitt89
Hunter Hewitt: Facebook – http://facebook.com/hunterhewittSDSU
Hunter Hewitt: Tumblr – http://hunterhewitt.tumblr.com
Hunter Hewitt: About.me – http://about.me/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: BrandYourself – http://hunterhewitt.brandyourself.com/
Hunter Hewitt: GoAztecs.com Player Profile – http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hewitt_hunter00.html
Hunter Hewitt: SDSU News Team Story: http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news.aspx?s=73846
Hunter Hewitt: FanBase: http://www.fanbase.com/Hunter-Hewitt

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Aztecs in the NFL: Week 13

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 5 Comments
Vincent Brown Aztecs For Life

Chargers wide receiver Vincent Brown may not return this season after fracturing his ankle in the preseason (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

LB Russell Allen – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
The Jaguars fell to the Bills on Sunday, 34-18. In what has been a tough season for Jacksonville, Allen has been a consistent bright spot. He had nine total tackles in the game, and is ranked fifth in the NFL with 81 solo tackles this season.

LB Antwan Applewhite – Carolina Panthers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Panthers lost to the Chiefs on Sunday, 27-21. Applewhite was inactive for the sixth straight week after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 7. 

LS Aaron Brewer – Denver Broncos vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Arguably the hottest team in the league, the Broncos won their seventh straight game on Sunday as they beat the Buccaneers, 31-23. Brewer continued to snap well for the Broncos, but did not record any tackles in punt coverage.

WR Vincent Brown – San Diego Chargers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Chargers were defeated by the Bengals on Sunday, 20-13. This loss dampened the chances of Brown playing this season, as it has been reported that his return will likely depend on the team’s playoff chances. Brown is not expected to return unless he is needed for a playoff push, which is unlikely for the struggling Chargers.

LB Miles Burris – Oakland Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns
In a tight battle, the Raiders lost to the Browns on Sunday, 20-17. Burris recorded eight total tackles in the loss.

OT/OG Brandyn Dombrowski – San Diego Chargers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Battling a foot injury all season, Dombrowski was put on injured reserve last week. The move officially declared him out for the remainder of the season.

LB Heath Farwell – Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears
The Seahawks defeated the Bears on Sunday, 23-17. Farwell continued to play an important special teams role for Seattle, but did not record any tackles in the game.

RB Ronnie Hillman – Denver Broncos vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In the Broncos victory over the Buccaneers, Hillman had five carries for 29 yards. Even with Willis McGahee hurt, Hillman remains the second running back option behind Knowshon Moreno, who carried the ball 20 times for 69 yards.

QB Ryan Lindley – Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Jets
With a relatively young and inexperienced offensive line, Lindley had a tough time getting into a rhythm in his second career start and the Cardinals lost to the Jets, 7-6. He finished 10-31 for 72 yards and threw one interception. 

OG Lance Louis – Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks
After suffering a season-ending knee injury last week, Louis was forced to watch on Sunday as the Bears fell to the Seahawks. He will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee.

LB Kirk Morrison – Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Morrison was inactive once again in the Bills’ victory over the Jaguars. He was released by the Bills on Monday, and it is uncertain if any other team will make a push to sign him for the remainder of the season.

WR Kassim Osgood – Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Lions were the latest team to fall to arguably the biggest surprise of the season, the Colts. In the 35-33 loss, Osgood was active on special teams and recorded one tackle.

OT Will Robinson – New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Saints fell to the Falcons on Thursday, 23-13. With tackle Zach Strief back in the lineup, Robinson did not start, but is still excited to be a part of the team. Here is a recent article about Robinson making his return to the NFL after working as a bouncer.                                    

WR Chaz Schilens – New York Jets vs. Arizona Cardinals
Schilens’ got the upper hand against his former teammate Ryan Lindley on Sunday, as the Jets knocked off the Cardinals. Schilens finished with two catches for 5 yards.

Did you miss the “Aztecs in the NFL: Week 12″ post? Check it out here!

LINKS:
Hunter Hewitt: WordPress – http://hunterhewitt.wordpress.com
Hunter Hewitt: LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: Twitter – http://twitter.com/hunterhewitt89
Hunter Hewitt: Facebook – http://facebook.com/hunterhewittSDSU
Hunter Hewitt: About.me – http://about.me/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: BrandYourself – http://hunterhewitt.brandyourself.com/
Hunter Hewitt: GoAztecs.com Player Profile – http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hewitt_hunter00.html

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS