There's a small, star-studded NFL convention unfolding at the University of Minnesota, an elite wide receiver clinic organized by Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
According to Jim Trotter of SI.com, the Pro Bowl wideout recruited several of the league's top receivers as well as some defensive players to attend intense football workouts in Minneapolis. Fitzgerald also books hotel rooms for the players and opens up his home for meals.
The "professors" running the drills are retired star wide receivers Jerry Rice and Cris Carter.
Beyond the pedigree of Rice and Carter, Fitzgerald brought in a lot of talent to make the drills competitive.
Per the report, that group includes Brandon Marshall (Denver Broncos), Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers), Malcolm Jenkins (New Orleans Saints), Lee Evans (Buffalo Bills), Michael Clayton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), DeAngelo Hall (Washington Redskins), James Laurinaitis (St. Louis Rams) and Brian Robiskie (Cleveland Browns).
"The way Cris teaches us to run a route, I never heard it put that way," Evans said. "What he was teaching wasn't new. It's just the way he said it that you could relate to. Like they always say, there's more than one way to skin a cat.
"You've got to find what works for you. It may or may not help you, but it worked for him and you see what kind of career he had."
According to Trotter, Carter didn't hold back with the, er, constructive criticism when evaluating Cardinals tight end Dominique Byrd, who doesn't have a sterling history on or off the field.
Carter's take on Byrd, who was arrested for DUI when he played for the Rams and had trouble being on time for flights to games and got in trouble for falling asleep in team meetings: "You're a wide receiver in a fat man's body."
Perhaps some of Carter's teachings will inspire Byrd to improve his dedication. Or maybe he'll just go kick rocks.
Regardless, the camp sounds like an ultra-productive way to get ready for training camp.
"Brandon Marshall (Denver Broncos), Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers), Malcolm Jenkins (New Orleans Saints), Lee Evans (Buffalo Bills), MICHAEL CLAYTON (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), DeAngelo Hall (Washington Redskins), James Laurinaitis (St. Louis Rams) and Brian Robiskie (Cleveland Browns)."
One of these is not like the others!
Wait....if this is a high profile receiver camp and it's in the Vikings backyard, why aren't Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin there? Oh wait......nevermind. There's no point to work on your game when you're only route is a post pattern. It would also require Harvin to not be "dehydrated", so that probably excludes him as well.
Greg Jennings is going to be something special for a LONG time!
James Laurinaitis is a linebacker for the Rams, not a receiver. Also the son of Legendary pro wrestler Road Warrior Animal for whatever cool points that's worth
Maybe Clayton is finally trying to step up his game. If so, good for him.
Actually there is a corner and a linebacker in there. Whats up with that?
I count two not like the others
Larry fitzgerald and James Laurinaitis are putting Minnesota Highschool, College, and pro football players on the map by being hard working guys who stay out of trouble off the field and cause trouble for oponents on the field. Here's to hoping some of that rubs off on my old highschool teamate Dominique Byrd. South Minneapolis stand up! Shout outs to some other guys I played with Brandon Robinson (Eagle's undrafted free agent) Liam O'hagan (Drafted by San Fransico's UFL affiliate), and Marcus Fitzgerald (Drafted by San Fransico's UFL affiliate).
All they need NOW....is Favre!
I like stuff like this. Its like Top Gun for WRs, hopefully without all the homo overtones. I know in my own experience, its hard to better oneself in a competitive environment without practicing against those as good or better than you. Rather than resting up before camp, these guys are trying to take their game up a notch....kudos...
My God, if Greg Jennings develops the same work habits as Jerry Rice he's going to be fun to watch.
Legion said: " One of these is not like the others! "
Brandon Marshall seems to be the odd man out, all the rest of the guys have great attitudes.
Better than having them be on that Irving reality show. The name escapes me at the moment......I guess Hall and Lauren*** (Sorry James)aka "Baby ANIMAL" are getting a workout.
Why in Minnesota? There are no high profile receivers there...
Why didn't they get the best receiver of all time - Andre Rison?
Cue the jokes : two Viking receivers, Rice and Johnson are also there . . .
Whoever gets to line up against Hall is going to think they are Jerry Rice by the end of the camp.
Um, I do remember one other attendee at a Chris Carter camp. He was supposedly working very hard, learning what it takes to be a pro, and all the blather that we see above. Anybody remember Mike Williams?
Yeah, that went well.