He doesn’t have a job, but he has plenty of prospects.
Linebacker Brian Banks, exonerated last month after five years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, will participate in the final two days of the Seahawks’ minicamp on a tryout basis. Before heading back to Seattle (where he had a workout last week), he worked out for the Chiefs, after the first day of the team’s mandatory camp.
Coach Romeo Crennel confirmed after the team’s Tuesday practice that Banks is in town and would show the coaching staff what he can do.
At least one other team continues to pursue Banks. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Tuesday that Banks could be coming to town.
“I know in talking to [G.M.] Rick [Spielman] and the scouting staff, that’s something we’ve talked about and there’s a good chance that he may be coming in,” Frazier said, via Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Other teams reportedly interested include the 49ers and Redskins. The Chargers worked him out, but didn’t give him a contract. The Dolphins explored the possibility of giving Banks a tryout, but decided against it.
In the end, every franchise in the NFL can be interested, but until at least one team offers him a contract, it won’t matter. Recruited by Seahawks coach Pete Carroll when Carroll was the coach at USC, Banks has a natural tie to Seattle. And it’s hard not to think that, if no one else offers Banks a job, Carroll will give him the 90th spot on the roster, and a fair chance to make the long climb from 90 to 53.
Given the adversity he already has overcome in his life, that should be a breeze.