AAN: Brown catches eye of NFL

[bubba9497]

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/aanews/basketball/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/114614889740650.xml&coll=2


click link for full article


Brown catches eye of NFL
U-M basketball player draws interest as tight end

Graham Brown hasn't played football since his junior year of high school.

But after Brown's basketball career at the University of Michigan wrapped up last month, his phone has been ringing - with calls from National Football League teams.

Now the 6-foot-9-inch, 245-pound Brown has put basketball aside for the moment to pursue a professional football career.

"Some of the NFL guys started calling me and I didn't really know what to say,'' Brown said. "I didn't start closing off the options. I just kept things open.''

Brown has drawn interest from a half-dozen teams, including the Washington Redskins. He expects tryouts to be scheduled after this weekend's draft.

On the basketball court, Brown averaged 5.1 points and 7.3 rebounds and drew attention for his physical play at forward. NFL teams are looking at him as a tight end, the same position he played five years ago at Mio-AuSable High.

With some help from Michigan's football staff, including offensive line coach Andy Moeller, Brown has engaged in a crash course of Football 101. He has learned basic blocking techniques, ran routes, caught balls and tried to shake off the rust.

"It takes a little bit of time to get used to,'' Brown said. "I'm trying to get used to more football things right now.''

Brown's path isn't uncommon. Ed Nelson (UConn) and Jai Lewis (George Mason) are both pursuing NFL careers this spring

[luckydevil]

A 6'9" TE, wow

[NEMO]

Why didn't he play football in college then? I am kind of sick of these Gates wanna be's. Didn't we try out some basketball player last year.

[Jimbo]

Why didn't he play football in college then? I am kind of sick of these Gates wanna be's. Didn't we try out some basketball player last year.

Not many guys are allowed to play both football and basketball in college. Other than Charlie Ward and Ronald Curry, both QB's, I can't recall many others because the coaches don't like it.

Call them Gates wannabe's all you want but a 6'9" TE could be valuable in the red zone. I don't care if he only has 10 catches all year. If 7 of them were TD's, I could live with a wannabe.

[frankbones]

Brown is a stiff. No way he plays in the NFL. Plus he is real ugly

http://peninsulaclarion.com/images/120504/7510_512.jpg

[Voice of Reason]

Why didn't he play football in college then? I am kind of sick of these Gates wanna be's. Didn't we try out some basketball player last year.

Yes, Chevon Troutman from Pitt.

[Stew]

Brown is a stiff. No way he plays in the NFL. Plus he is real ugly

http://peninsulaclarion.com/images/120504/7510_512.jpg


Ugly or not, I am enamored with his size. Im guessing he will be an undrafted free agent, cheap, and a contributer.

[Davethegolfguy]

Like when I went to ODU. Kenny Gattison was recruited by every big school for football as a tight end but chose basketball. Worked out for him, he ended up in the NBA for 13 0r 14 years.

[H-O-G]

I would prefer not to have a guy who has no experience in football even at the college level....

[D-Fence]

Not many guys are allowed to play both football and basketball in college. Other than Charlie Ward and Ronald Curry, both QB's, I can't recall many others because the coaches don't like it.

Julius Peppers

[pvkeeper19]

Not many guys are allowed to play both football and basketball in college. Other than Charlie Ward and Ronald Curry, both QB's, I can't recall many others because the coaches don't like it.

Julius Peppers?

[LT Smash]

Julius Peppers?
yea he played basketball at UNC. but its not common, hes just a freak of nature

[FootballGuy2677]

A 6'9" TE, wow



Maybe he could add 70 Pounds and become an offensive lineman!!!LOL!!!!:laugh:

[bubba9497]

doesn't hurt to take a look see

[SkinsNeverDie]

Brown is a stiff. No way he plays in the NFL. Plus he is real ugly

http://peninsulaclarion.com/images/120504/7510_512.jpg

He looks a lot like Chris Simms.

[diesel22]

As a U of M fan I can tell ya.....the guy is not what you would call a fluid athlete. However, he is tough as nails. He would run through a brick wall to win -- one of the most competitive guys I've seen and a real fan favorite. A project to say the least but I tell ya .....you wouldn't have any guy on the roster out work him -- that's a fact.
:2cents:

[ouvan59]

Not many guys are allowed to play both football and basketball in college. Other than Charlie Ward and Ronald Curry, both QB's, I can't recall many others because the coaches don't like it.

Call them Gates wannabe's all you want but a 6'9" TE could be valuable in the red zone. I don't care if he only has 10 catches all year. If 7 of them were TD's, I could live with a wannabe.

Tony Gonzalez

[Peregrine]

Big and ugly. If that isnt a prototypical TE I dont know what is.

[Butz65]

This is just a reaction to the Chargers drafting of Antonio Gates. This "fad" of seeking out TE's from the ranks of college basketball players will end once this guy and whoever else is drafted in this vein fizzles out in the NFL.

[Butz65]

Call them Gates wannabe's all you want but a 6'9" TE could be valuable in the red zone. I don't care if he only has 10 catches all year. If 7 of them were TD's, I could live with a wannabe.

We already have this guy - his name is Mike Sellers. Why draft a project when you already have Cooley, Sellers, Fauria and others on your roster?

[Gusthecat]

Brown is a stiff. No way he plays in the NFL. Plus he is real ugly

http://peninsulaclarion.com/images/120504/7510_512.jpgUgly is an asset in the NFL. He looks like Sam Huff.

[Higgs44]

A 6'9" TE, wow

Can you cut blocks??? He'll fall like a tree!

[GIBBS LIVES]

For a guy 6 feet, 9 inches..he doesn't have alot of weight. So he won't be a great blocker. And he isn't very fast. I'd pass on him.

[stat2883]

Brown is a stiff. No way he plays in the NFL. Plus he is real ugly
and Joe Jacoby was voted one of the NFLs 50 most beautiful people...

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

I hate Antonio Gates. Now every fat power forward from Conference USA is a potential All Pro at TE.

[Jimbo]

The idea is to be able to pull down the jump ball in the end zone. The guy doesn't have to be pretty or graceful, just effective. You can always stash him on the practice squad for a little OJT.

[diesel22]

and Joe Jacoby was voted one of the NFLs 50 most beautiful people...


yes !!!!

My GF still has a crush on him. Has an autographed copy of him on the cover of People's "50 Most Beautiful".....

:D