Bison Round up

The A topic when it comes to NDSU football players in the NFL is Carson Wentz. His debut game is on NFL network tonight but that's not part of my cable package so the eye test is missing, but in the preseason it can be deceiving so I'm not too worried about not being able to see how he looks. The reaction on Twitter is mixed, as expected so I'm going to go with fact - he's made his debut. Anything else is opinion and presumption.
Word out of Philly is that he has a lot to learn and work on. Which is pretty much the most unoriginal statement to make about a rookie but cannot be overlooked just because he was taken #2 overall. I, like everyone, am just going to give it some time before making any sort of judgement about his success or failure in the NFL.

What about all the other's taking Dakota Pride into the nations favorite sport?
Sticking with Philly for a while, CJ Smith is the second flying Bison. Cracking the 53 man roster as an undrafted free agent is no small task but it's been done before, countless times before. In the pass happy NFL of today, having quality play at the Cornerback position is crucial so while he may not stick the Eagles 53, a practice squad or a roster on one of the other 31 teams is likely!

Tight end/Fullback Andrew Bonnet has already bounced around a little bit. He was first signed by the Carolina Panthers and is not in Cincinnati with the Bengals. I think a fair comparison for Bonnet is the Vikings Rhett Ellison. No where near the best at receiving but a physical player with a wide skill set. Similar to Smith, Bonnet will most likely be a practice squad guy - if even that, but there is a lot of time to impress and improve before the cut downs happen so he may show enough to warrant a contract. A significant difference is that the Bengals are an established playoff team where the Eagles are resetting, which makes it more difficult to break in.

John Crockett is still in Green Bay. Coming into his second season he's still likely the third RB, at best but he showed enough to be active for some games last year so maybe he could jump up. Like every young player he is just trying to find his place on the team and in the league. Whether with the Packers or another team, he's likely find himself on one of the 53 man rosters come September.

The most concrete information that I've been able to find so far is about Kyle Emanuel. After an impressive start to his NFL career last season came a series of injuries which limited his productivity. A year removed from all that and he's currently being listed as a starter on the depth chart. Only time will tell how he's able to live up to that but considering his history, it's not much of a stretch to consider him a lock going forward.

The other recent mid round draft pick has only just begun showing what he is capable of. Working in front of one of the best young Quarterbacks in the NFL, Joe Haeg has a great opportunity to stick. The Colts offensive line was definitely a weakness last year and Haeg is a part of their solution plan. They drafted several O-lineman but any time an FCS player gets drafted is a sign of recognition of talent and potential. Haeg is no different. Word out of Indy is that he is already standing out. There's much more work to be done, but considering all the factors, it seems likely that he will stick in Indianapolis.

Haeg's former line mate is in a battle for his future these days but that only means that Billy Turner has more opportunity to prove his ability. When the Dolphins released their first depth chart BT was listed as the first team right guard. So up to this point it would seem as though he has been able to prove enough to warrant the recognition but the work is still very much underway and the preseason can be an unpredictable time for every player.

Another primetime performer who seems to have solidified himself in the NFL is Marcus Williams. He's settled in with the Jets, and coming off a season with six interceptions all the signs point up but much work lays ahead for Marcus to go from a nickel corner to the starter opposite Revis.

And then there was the old man of the group - Ramon Humber. As is often the case when a player has a longer then normal career, Humber has been a part of three different organizations. After being waived by the Saints in February, the Patriots signed him in March. Time will tell whether he's able to make the roster, but considering the history that the Pats have with veterans, I wouldn't be surprised if he sticks in New England.

The other veteran member of the group is Craig Dahl. He was last with the New York Giants on a second go round but is currently a free agent. I wasn't able to find any rumors about him being in a training camp so his career may be over, but the chance of him being brought in as an injury replacement is entirely possible.

Last but not least is Ben LeCompte. Shortly after the draft he was signed by the Chicago Bears but on July 29 was waived. He's too good of a punter to not get another opportunity, but his position has slow turn over so there's no guessing when another opportunity will open up. To get personal for a second, I wanted and still want the Vikings to bring him in because I think he would be an instant upgrade over Jeff Locke, but that may not happen.

All of these guys represent North Dakota and NDSU as they continue their NFL careers. Standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before, these young (or maybe not so young) men have all done well to the point that they are at and will likely continue to achieve greatness as they progress!

Horns up Bison Nation!

Did I miss anything? Did I forget anyone? Come on back and let me know!