"I've got a lot of pressure on me," OU's punter the past four years said, "because my girlfriend, Brianna Turang, got drafted in the third round."
Turang, an outfielder on the Sooners' No. 1-ranked softball team, went to the National Pro Fastpitch Akron Racers April 1.
"So I'm a little anxious," said Way,http://www.pilewu.com/tomsshoes.html/, who joined Turang in receiving OU Athletics Council community service awards Tuesday. "I've got to live up to her standards."
The hard truth is Way probably won't be taken until the tail end of the NFL draft April 25-27, if at all. This is a punter's reality. When Cal's Bryan Anger went to Jacksonville early in round three last year, it marked the highest drafting of a punter since 1995.
"What's happened is with only seven rounds, a lot of teams don't use picks on punters," said Gary Zauner, a special teams coordinator for the Vikings, Ravens and Cardinals from 1994-2006. "They're more likely to use them on kickers because they feel kickers can win games. I think punters have as big an effect, but most NFL GMs don't think the same way. With punters, the thinking is, 'Is he making a lot of money, and do I want to replace him with a cheaper guy to do the same job?'"
That does not mean a prospect like Way sits around and waits for his cell to buzz sometime over draft weekend. He can't hope some personnel assistant simply remembers his 74-yarder against Oklahoma State, or knows his OU-record 44-yard career average by heart, and figures he'd make a decent replacement for a veteran with too many zeroes in his contract.
"I went out to Arizona and worked with Coach Zauner one-on-one for a couple days," Way said, "and then did his senior specialists combine over a weekend in March."
Zauner refined Way's technique, and when it came time to produce at the combine, Way averaged 52.5 yards with a 4.98-second hang time,true religion outlet.
"A lot of guys can kick the ball far, but don't kick with the hang time,Chanel 2.55," Zauner said. "I try to emphasize to young punters they shouldn't see 10 returns over the course of a season, especially when you're punting to Devin Hester and guys in the NFL."
Way kicked it high, far and at an assortment of angles.
"I told several teams this: He's got a lot of NFL ability," Zauner said. "Over the last three months working with him, I've seen a lot of improvement."
Those teams eventually reached out to Way.
"I got worked out by the Chicago Bears," he said. "A couple special teams coaches contacted my agent (Kelli Masters). We've heard from the Rams, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia and San Diego."
"I'm confident I'll sign a contract," Way said. "Obviously you would love for a team to fall in love with you enough to draft you.."
Way might take more comfort from a story Zauner tells about another OU specialist, detailing the you-just-never-know possiblities for specialists seeking pro careers.
"I remember Garrett Hartley kicking at the Fiesta Bowl out here, then coming to me for a one-on-one," Zauner said. "Denver's GM said, 'Find me a punter and kicker we can sign as free agents. I delivered Garrett,louis vuitton outlet. He got cut, but later in the year,Prada handbags, New Orleans called me looking for some kickers. I mentioned four or five, Garrett included. He beat out all of them."
The man owns a Super Bowl ring.
Way would take that. First, though, he'll simply take an opportunity. He believes it is coming. The coach in his corner agrees,longchamp.
"All I know is what I've seen," Zauner said, "and that's Tress is as good as any punter coming out of college. My standards are pretty high. A lot of kids come to me and think they're good, or their parents think so, but the reality is something different.
"With Tress, I tell special teams coordinators, 'You'd better check this kid out,Toms Shoes Sale.'" Related articles:
上一篇： [In October] Elena and I had a short talk 下一篇： according to the agreement she and Stark State President Para Jones signed.
发表评论 评论 (0 个评论)