BleedGopher
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per Fox Sports:
Five players from last year's Minnesota Gophers team are on NFL rosters. Two were drafted -- Eric Murray in the fourth round by Kansas City, followed by De'Vondre Campbell just a few picks later by Atlanta -- and three signed as free agents. With two preseason games completed, we take a look at what these five players have done and their chances of sticking on the roster once we're past the final cuts.
Eric Murray, Kansas City Chiefs
A fourth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, Murray was a cornerback in college, but his durability and athleticism have them thinking safety. Chances: Murray has four tackles -- three of them solo -- through two preseason games, and looks like a lock to make the final roster at this stage. The Chiefs had him taking reps with the second team in training camp behind Ron Parker, Daniel Sorenson and Stevie Brown, but he appears to be moving up in the world. The Chiefs released Brown on Wednesday, while Murray started in Kansas City's preseason game against the Rams.
De'Vondre Campbell, Atlanta Falcons
The second Gophers defender selected in the draft, Campbell has the size of a pass rusher and the athleticism to make players in the open field, traits that helped him rack up 92 tackles and four sacks as a senior. Chances: Any questions about Campbell's ability to adjust mentally to the pros should be settled at this stage. The Falcons need linebackers, and Campbell looked solid in their first preseason game playing alongside fellow rookie Deion Jones. He racked up four tackles, while displaying some notable chemistry with Jones.
Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Jacksonville Jaguars
Boddy-Calhoun signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars after going undrafted, one of three undrafted defensive backs they signed after the draft. He registered a pair of tackles and defended a pass in the Jaguars' second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Chances: The Jaguars currently have nine cornerbacks on the roster, including five veterans, two second-year players and first-round pick Jalen Ramsey. While it was a little surprising to see Boddy-Calhoun go undrafted, the undersized defensive back should have his work cut out for him in Jacksonville. Nick Marshall got his first start in Week 17 last season, while Josh Johnson was a depth signing last season, leaving Boddy-Calhoun with some wiggle room to find a spot on the Jaguars' practice squad, if not the 53-man roster.
K.J. Maye, New York Giants
Maye signed with the New York Giants after the draft, but hasn't seen the field much since the preseason began. He was on the field for 10 snaps in the Giants' preseason game against the Bills, and has one reception for 17 yards through two preseason games. Chances: With 12 receivers on the roster and some big names at the top of the heap Maye hasn't done much to stand out at this stage.
Peter Mortell, Green Bay Packers
A Green Bay native, Mortell is a third-generation Packers employee whose grandfather passed his job as Lambeau Field clock operator down to his son, Peter's father Jerry. The elder Mortell still works for the Packers, and Peter spent plenty of time at the stadium before joining the Gophers. He signed with the Packers in May, where he'll hope to unseat veteran Packers punter Tim Masthay. Chances: Masthay's days of fending off young challengers could be coming to a close. The Packers were quick to dismiss Alabama rookie Cody Mandell last season, but Mortell appears to be here to stay. Green Bay has given the two equal reps in practice, while Mortell has outperformed Mastay on the field. The rookie is averaging 49.2 yards per punt through two preseason games and has landed four of them inside the 20-yard line, while Mastay is averaging 42.7 yards and has landed just one punt inside the 20.
http://www.foxsports.com/north/gall...bell-kj-maye-peter-mortell-eric-murray-082516
Go Gophers!!
Five players from last year's Minnesota Gophers team are on NFL rosters. Two were drafted -- Eric Murray in the fourth round by Kansas City, followed by De'Vondre Campbell just a few picks later by Atlanta -- and three signed as free agents. With two preseason games completed, we take a look at what these five players have done and their chances of sticking on the roster once we're past the final cuts.
Eric Murray, Kansas City Chiefs
A fourth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, Murray was a cornerback in college, but his durability and athleticism have them thinking safety. Chances: Murray has four tackles -- three of them solo -- through two preseason games, and looks like a lock to make the final roster at this stage. The Chiefs had him taking reps with the second team in training camp behind Ron Parker, Daniel Sorenson and Stevie Brown, but he appears to be moving up in the world. The Chiefs released Brown on Wednesday, while Murray started in Kansas City's preseason game against the Rams.
De'Vondre Campbell, Atlanta Falcons
The second Gophers defender selected in the draft, Campbell has the size of a pass rusher and the athleticism to make players in the open field, traits that helped him rack up 92 tackles and four sacks as a senior. Chances: Any questions about Campbell's ability to adjust mentally to the pros should be settled at this stage. The Falcons need linebackers, and Campbell looked solid in their first preseason game playing alongside fellow rookie Deion Jones. He racked up four tackles, while displaying some notable chemistry with Jones.
Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Jacksonville Jaguars
Boddy-Calhoun signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars after going undrafted, one of three undrafted defensive backs they signed after the draft. He registered a pair of tackles and defended a pass in the Jaguars' second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Chances: The Jaguars currently have nine cornerbacks on the roster, including five veterans, two second-year players and first-round pick Jalen Ramsey. While it was a little surprising to see Boddy-Calhoun go undrafted, the undersized defensive back should have his work cut out for him in Jacksonville. Nick Marshall got his first start in Week 17 last season, while Josh Johnson was a depth signing last season, leaving Boddy-Calhoun with some wiggle room to find a spot on the Jaguars' practice squad, if not the 53-man roster.
K.J. Maye, New York Giants
Maye signed with the New York Giants after the draft, but hasn't seen the field much since the preseason began. He was on the field for 10 snaps in the Giants' preseason game against the Bills, and has one reception for 17 yards through two preseason games. Chances: With 12 receivers on the roster and some big names at the top of the heap Maye hasn't done much to stand out at this stage.
Peter Mortell, Green Bay Packers
A Green Bay native, Mortell is a third-generation Packers employee whose grandfather passed his job as Lambeau Field clock operator down to his son, Peter's father Jerry. The elder Mortell still works for the Packers, and Peter spent plenty of time at the stadium before joining the Gophers. He signed with the Packers in May, where he'll hope to unseat veteran Packers punter Tim Masthay. Chances: Masthay's days of fending off young challengers could be coming to a close. The Packers were quick to dismiss Alabama rookie Cody Mandell last season, but Mortell appears to be here to stay. Green Bay has given the two equal reps in practice, while Mortell has outperformed Mastay on the field. The rookie is averaging 49.2 yards per punt through two preseason games and has landed four of them inside the 20-yard line, while Mastay is averaging 42.7 yards and has landed just one punt inside the 20.
http://www.foxsports.com/north/gall...bell-kj-maye-peter-mortell-eric-murray-082516
Go Gophers!!
