(S3) - Weekend PT #3 - NFL Aspirations

[HalfEatenOnionBagel]

It would seem that the NFL has just as many problems finding good offensive linemen as the NSFL does. After watching a little bit of tape on the Cincinnati Bengals offensive line, I wasn't surprised when they gave me a call about working out for them. Don't get me wrong, I love playing in the NSFL but come on this is the NFL, the biggest show of them all. I had to give it a shot.

I arrived at their facility early in the week so that I could make it back for preparation for NSFL week 5. After talking with Coach Lewis a little bit about what they wanted to have me do and what their expectations were it was off to the practice field. We ran through a ton of drills, testing my athleticism, footwork, general knowledge of schemes and assignments. But, that was it. They didn't even bother to have me match up against any of their defensive linemen or run through any real game scenarios. They just said I'd hear from them soon.

I didn't know if that was good or bad that they barely needed to look at me to make their decision. When I got a call from my agent saying they were planning to offer me a contract I was ecstatic. When I heard it was less than half what I was making in the NSFL I was much less enthused. And when I heard it was because the Bengals needed to conserve cap space to extend Andy Dalton, I knew it was a good call to pass up the offer.

I'm happy to be back in Philadelphia playing with a team of players that I enjoy playing with and some management that isn't turning this team into a dumpster fire and a half. Maybe I'll get another call from a different NFL team in the future but for now I'm just happy to be playing football.