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Rams hope to find hidden gems in Division II standouts
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_c00d5384-887f-58a3-8000-2ad761cff71d.html
Following a successful draft earlier this month, the Rams quickly turned their attention to filling out the roster with undrafted rookies.
“I think we’re winning free agency,’’ Rams general manager Les Snead as he and coach Jeff Fisher met with the media following the third and final day of the NFL draft.
In the group of 15 post-draft signees were a pair of former NCAA Division II national defensive players of the year: defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks from West Texas A&M and ex-North Alabama linebacker Tavarius Wilson.
“It’s just a blessing to be here and to get an opportunity to keep playing football,’’ said Wilson, a 5-foot-11, 239-pounder. “As an undrafted guy, I think you definitely come in with a little bit of a chip on your shoulder, but once you put on the pads, everybody gets a chance to prove himself. Right now, I’m just trying to make the team.’’
Westbrooks is taking a similar approach.
“I think any time you take the field, you have something to prove,’’ the 6-4, 267-pounder said. “First and foremost, I feel like I owe the Rams for taking a chance on me and giving me this opportunity. I think it’s important to prove to your teammates and coaches that you belong, that you can work and learn to fit in.’’
PRODUCTIVE BUT OVERLOOKED
The 2013 NCAA Division II National Defensive Player of the Year, Wilson did it all at North Alabama last fall, helping the 10-3 Lions reach the DII quarterfinals. He finished the season with 123 tackles, 7½ tackles for loss, four interceptions, four sacks, three forced fumbles and a blocked kick.
All that while making a switch to outside linebacker.
“Since high school, I’ve always played in the middle,’’ he said. “But we needed help outside.’’
Despite his production, Wilson did not participate in any postseason all-star games and was not invited to the NFL combine.
“I’m not 6-2 or 6-3, so I’m a guy who tends to be overlooked,’’ the 23-year-old said. “It was like that coming out of high school in Jackson, Mississippi, and it’s just the way it is. Rather than dwell on it, I try to focus on being prepared and on making plays.’’
Wilson, who starred at Hinds (Miss.) Community College before North Alabama, sees himself as a thinking man’s player.
“I feel like game preparation is my strength,’’ he said. “Knowing my opponent, knowing who I’m up against, is always a priority for me.’’
Wilson said the biggest challenge with the step up from DII has been the Rams’ playbook.
“In college, you might go into a game with 20 or 30 plays,’’ he said. “Here, it’s like you’re trying to cram up to 100 plays into your brain. There’s a lot to learn because everything’s so much more detailed.
“But that’s the challenge of making the step up in competition and that’s why I’m working hard to learn as fast as I can. I feel like once I get the terminology down, hopefully I can start looking to make a name for myself.’’
BIG-TIME POTENTIAL
The Rams thought enough of Westbrooks to give him a $20,000 signing bonus and guaranteeing $30,000 of his 2014 base salary.
Westbrooks, the 2012 Division II National Defensive Player of the Year, was a hot commodity following the draft, also drawing interest from Dallas, Kansas City and Oakland.
“Above everything else, I think it’s important to be where you’re wanted and I definitely got that feeling from the people in St. Louis,’’ the 23-year-old Westbrooks said. “The veterans are making the rookies feel like family; I’m excited to learn from them and I’m really excited to work with (defensive line coach Mike Waufel).’’
An Oakland native with seven siblings, Westbrooks starred at Sacramento City College before making the move to West Texas A&M. There, he enjoyed an incredible 2012 campaign that featured 28 tackles for loss to go along with 19½ sacks. In addition, he had 19 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups.
“To be honest, I felt like I could’ve done even more,’’ said Westbrooks, who recorded 15½ of his sacks over the final nine games that season.
Last fall, with opponents game-planning for him, Westbrooks’ numbers tailed off. Still, he ended up with 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
“It’s tough when all eyes are watching you and scheming you,’’ Westbrooks said. “On top of that, our defense was adjusted a little, so I was playing more of an inside position. I was doing what I could to help my team. We had a strong feeling of brotherhood and ended up having a great year.’’
The Buffaloes also reached the DII quarterfinals and finished 11-3 overall last fall.
An athletically-gifted but raw talent, Westbrooks flashed some of his potential when he was voted defensive MVP after picking up two sacks and two tackles for loss in the East-West Shrine Game in January and earned an invitation to the NFL combine in Indianapolis.
“It would’ve been nice to be drafted, but when things like that are out of your control, you just have to give it to God and know that everything works out for the best,’’ he said. “I feel I’m in a great situation here with the Rams, getting a chance to work with and learn from guys like Robert Quinn and Chris Long. Now it’s up to me to work hard and make the most of it.’’
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_c00d5384-887f-58a3-8000-2ad761cff71d.html
Following a successful draft earlier this month, the Rams quickly turned their attention to filling out the roster with undrafted rookies.
“I think we’re winning free agency,’’ Rams general manager Les Snead as he and coach Jeff Fisher met with the media following the third and final day of the NFL draft.
In the group of 15 post-draft signees were a pair of former NCAA Division II national defensive players of the year: defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks from West Texas A&M and ex-North Alabama linebacker Tavarius Wilson.
“It’s just a blessing to be here and to get an opportunity to keep playing football,’’ said Wilson, a 5-foot-11, 239-pounder. “As an undrafted guy, I think you definitely come in with a little bit of a chip on your shoulder, but once you put on the pads, everybody gets a chance to prove himself. Right now, I’m just trying to make the team.’’
Westbrooks is taking a similar approach.
“I think any time you take the field, you have something to prove,’’ the 6-4, 267-pounder said. “First and foremost, I feel like I owe the Rams for taking a chance on me and giving me this opportunity. I think it’s important to prove to your teammates and coaches that you belong, that you can work and learn to fit in.’’
PRODUCTIVE BUT OVERLOOKED
The 2013 NCAA Division II National Defensive Player of the Year, Wilson did it all at North Alabama last fall, helping the 10-3 Lions reach the DII quarterfinals. He finished the season with 123 tackles, 7½ tackles for loss, four interceptions, four sacks, three forced fumbles and a blocked kick.
All that while making a switch to outside linebacker.
“Since high school, I’ve always played in the middle,’’ he said. “But we needed help outside.’’
Despite his production, Wilson did not participate in any postseason all-star games and was not invited to the NFL combine.
“I’m not 6-2 or 6-3, so I’m a guy who tends to be overlooked,’’ the 23-year-old said. “It was like that coming out of high school in Jackson, Mississippi, and it’s just the way it is. Rather than dwell on it, I try to focus on being prepared and on making plays.’’
Wilson, who starred at Hinds (Miss.) Community College before North Alabama, sees himself as a thinking man’s player.
“I feel like game preparation is my strength,’’ he said. “Knowing my opponent, knowing who I’m up against, is always a priority for me.’’
Wilson said the biggest challenge with the step up from DII has been the Rams’ playbook.
“In college, you might go into a game with 20 or 30 plays,’’ he said. “Here, it’s like you’re trying to cram up to 100 plays into your brain. There’s a lot to learn because everything’s so much more detailed.
“But that’s the challenge of making the step up in competition and that’s why I’m working hard to learn as fast as I can. I feel like once I get the terminology down, hopefully I can start looking to make a name for myself.’’
BIG-TIME POTENTIAL
The Rams thought enough of Westbrooks to give him a $20,000 signing bonus and guaranteeing $30,000 of his 2014 base salary.
Westbrooks, the 2012 Division II National Defensive Player of the Year, was a hot commodity following the draft, also drawing interest from Dallas, Kansas City and Oakland.
“Above everything else, I think it’s important to be where you’re wanted and I definitely got that feeling from the people in St. Louis,’’ the 23-year-old Westbrooks said. “The veterans are making the rookies feel like family; I’m excited to learn from them and I’m really excited to work with (defensive line coach Mike Waufel).’’
An Oakland native with seven siblings, Westbrooks starred at Sacramento City College before making the move to West Texas A&M. There, he enjoyed an incredible 2012 campaign that featured 28 tackles for loss to go along with 19½ sacks. In addition, he had 19 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups.
“To be honest, I felt like I could’ve done even more,’’ said Westbrooks, who recorded 15½ of his sacks over the final nine games that season.
Last fall, with opponents game-planning for him, Westbrooks’ numbers tailed off. Still, he ended up with 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
“It’s tough when all eyes are watching you and scheming you,’’ Westbrooks said. “On top of that, our defense was adjusted a little, so I was playing more of an inside position. I was doing what I could to help my team. We had a strong feeling of brotherhood and ended up having a great year.’’
The Buffaloes also reached the DII quarterfinals and finished 11-3 overall last fall.
An athletically-gifted but raw talent, Westbrooks flashed some of his potential when he was voted defensive MVP after picking up two sacks and two tackles for loss in the East-West Shrine Game in January and earned an invitation to the NFL combine in Indianapolis.
“It would’ve been nice to be drafted, but when things like that are out of your control, you just have to give it to God and know that everything works out for the best,’’ he said. “I feel I’m in a great situation here with the Rams, getting a chance to work with and learn from guys like Robert Quinn and Chris Long. Now it’s up to me to work hard and make the most of it.’’