BleedGopher
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per Walker:
Nate Wozniak can't even count the number of times he's been asked the question.
It comes with the territory when you are the same height as Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis.
Heck, even University of Minnesota basketball coach Richard Pitino would often see the 6-foot-10 Wozniak on campus and ask if he'd be interested in trying out for the men's basketball team.
"He was just joking, though," Wozniak said. "He knew I was pretty focused on playing football."
So now the tallest player in Saints' training camp has an even taller order ahead: trying to make the roster and become one of the tallest guys in NFL history.
Richard Sligh, a 7-foot defensive tackle who played for the Oakland Raiders back in 1967, is the tallest.
It won't be easy though for a guy who has played tight end his entire life but is now making the adjustment to tackle.
He's had to learn new football techniques, as well as new eating habits.
He's put on weight to make the position shift, going from a lean 269-pound rookie with six-pack abs at Minnesota's pro day to his current weight that is around 295.
"He's been really diligent in his work," Saints offensive line coach Dan Roushar said. "I've been impressed with his desire to make this transition. We've seen huge improvement from him from the very first day of rookie minicamp to today."
Wozniak has taken most of his reps with the third-team offense.
Sean Payton refers to him as a "developmental guy."
The full potential of the undrafted free agent may not be seen until a few years down the road.
He caught 28 passes for 314 yards in his career with the Golden Gophers. He received the Bruce Smith Award as his team's most outstanding offensive player.
Now his primary role has shifted to protecting the quarterback and opening holes for Saints' running backs.
The biggest adjustment, he says, has been in pass-blocking.
"You're going backwards and taking on guys who are coming forward," Wozniak explains. "As a tight end, I was always used to be going after things and getting my hands on them. So that's been the No. 1 difference: Going against guys who are the best pass rushers in the country obviously in the NFL has been a steep learning curve, but it's been going pretty well."
https://www.themountaineer.com/spor...cle_14b4595d-29b0-50ef-853f-7b934f56b05f.html
Go Gophers!!
Nate Wozniak can't even count the number of times he's been asked the question.
It comes with the territory when you are the same height as Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis.
Heck, even University of Minnesota basketball coach Richard Pitino would often see the 6-foot-10 Wozniak on campus and ask if he'd be interested in trying out for the men's basketball team.
"He was just joking, though," Wozniak said. "He knew I was pretty focused on playing football."
So now the tallest player in Saints' training camp has an even taller order ahead: trying to make the roster and become one of the tallest guys in NFL history.
Richard Sligh, a 7-foot defensive tackle who played for the Oakland Raiders back in 1967, is the tallest.
It won't be easy though for a guy who has played tight end his entire life but is now making the adjustment to tackle.
He's had to learn new football techniques, as well as new eating habits.
He's put on weight to make the position shift, going from a lean 269-pound rookie with six-pack abs at Minnesota's pro day to his current weight that is around 295.
"He's been really diligent in his work," Saints offensive line coach Dan Roushar said. "I've been impressed with his desire to make this transition. We've seen huge improvement from him from the very first day of rookie minicamp to today."
Wozniak has taken most of his reps with the third-team offense.
Sean Payton refers to him as a "developmental guy."
The full potential of the undrafted free agent may not be seen until a few years down the road.
He caught 28 passes for 314 yards in his career with the Golden Gophers. He received the Bruce Smith Award as his team's most outstanding offensive player.
Now his primary role has shifted to protecting the quarterback and opening holes for Saints' running backs.
The biggest adjustment, he says, has been in pass-blocking.
"You're going backwards and taking on guys who are coming forward," Wozniak explains. "As a tight end, I was always used to be going after things and getting my hands on them. So that's been the No. 1 difference: Going against guys who are the best pass rushers in the country obviously in the NFL has been a steep learning curve, but it's been going pretty well."
https://www.themountaineer.com/spor...cle_14b4595d-29b0-50ef-853f-7b934f56b05f.html
Go Gophers!!
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