Kritik und Lob » The journey of an under the radar prospect to the

NFL is rarely ever a red carpet ride---and for those who continually dismiss unknown undrafted free agents as JAG ("just a guy") or a "camp...The Revenge of the Birds podcastCards’ JAG #2: S Jonathan OwensNew Haason Reddick Jersey For Sale ,6comments Cards’ JAG #2: S Jonathan OwensThe journey of an under the radar prospect to the NFL is rarely ever a red carpet ride---and for those who continually dismiss unknown undrafted free agents as JAG (“just a guy”) or a “camp body”---you might want to look twice before you send out your version of The Turk.Well, it just so happens that the Cardinals’ 2nd year safety Jonathan Owens of Western Missouri, is not your average “JO.””J.O.”, as his friends and teammates call him, grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, just five minutes from Ferguson, where Michael Brown was shot and killed and the ensuing riots looked like what Owens described as “a war zone.”J.O.’s mother, Arthurine Cannon, sacrificed all that she could to send her son to private high school, Christian Brothers College High School, where Owens excelled in the classroom, on the football field and on the basketball court.As a young kid, Owens conceded that he was shy and did all he could in sports to avoid contact. That was until his stepfather put up a basketball hoop in the backyard with the primary intention of toughening Owens up. Owens says that his stepdad kept telling him, “Hey, of you don’t like it, then go and cry to your mom.”Owens might have had some Division 1A football scholarship offers had he not suffered a torn ACL as a senior. However, Owens made the very best of his years at Division II Missouri Western. As a senior Owens was named to the All-MIAA 2nd team, following his 95 tackle, 2 interception, 2 forced fumble, 7 pass breakup, 1 sack campaign. Plus Haason Reddick Jersey On Sale , Owens finished 2nd in the MIAA (7th in Div. II) in punt returns averaging 11.6 yards a return. Moreover, Owens made the Dean’s List 6 times and he flourished for 4 straight years on the MIAA Honor Roll.Here is a good look at J.O.’s senior year highlights with the Golden Griffs:Owens’ head coach, Matt Williamson, said that Jonathan only had one bad day at Missouri Western---it was the day the coaches had to bring their star defensive back in to tell him that his stepdad was shot and killed during a crazed person’s robbery attempt. Owens said he cried in the coaches’ arms for what felt like hours and then he made the vow that no matter what he was going to “get my mom and sister out of there.”At his Pro Day, Owens was a man on a mission, where at 5-11, 210, he ran a 4.43 40, benched 18 reps at 225 and posted an eye-popping 43” vertical jump to go with as impressive 11 foot broad jump and 7.0 in the 3 cone.The Cardinals were one of the teams most keenly interested in Owens: “I knew before the draft they were very interested in me. They only get 30 official visits, so when they brought me in on a visit that pretty much let me know they were interested,” Owens said. “I talked to them before the draft, and their DB coach called me during the first round and said, ‘I’m thinking you’re the No. 1 DB on my board right now. We’re probably gonna draft you.’”That call came before the Cardinals traded their 1st, 3rd and 5th round picks for QB Josh Rosen. As it turned out, Owens went undrafted and he said that afterward the two teams who made the strongest pitches to him were the Cardinals and the Browns. He chose the Cardinals because he loved his visit to Arizona and felt like “I belong in the desert.”During his first two months with the team last year, Owens made a very positive impression on the coaches and his teammates. Sadly, he suffered a knee injury in early June and was placed on waivers. After he cleared waivers, the Cardinals retained his rights by placing him on the IR. So---what are J.O.’s chances of making the 53 man roster this year?What works in his favor is that he is fully rehabbed, is in excellent shape and there is depth needed behind D.J. Swearinger at strong safety, especially in light of the fact that Zeke Turner has put on weight to contend at the WILB spot.Lance Zierlein, the draft guru of NFL.com and the NFL Network wrote of Owens last year that “he has the physical ability to handle coverage and run support as a strong safety”, particularly if he gets more adept at shedding blockers and wrapping up on his tackles.The Cardinals struck gold with UCFA SS Tony Jefferson and hope to do the same with Jonathan Owens, who is the same size as Jefferson Haason Reddick Jersey Sale , but in the pre-draft process graded faster (4.43 40 to 4.75), quicker (7.0 3C to 7.27) and a tad stronger (18 reps at 225 to 16).If J.O.’s 2019 53 man roster aspirations come true, then his hope of giving his mom and sister a new home and exciting new lease on life will be a dream and a vow come true. With 8 picks left, what could the Cardinals be looking to address on the final day of the 2019 NFL Draft?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Podcasts The Revenge of the Birds podcast8 Players the Arizona Cardinals could target on Day 3New,32commentsWith 8 picks left, what could the Cardinals be looking to address on the final day of the 2019 NFL Draft? 8 Players the Arizona Cardinals could target on Day 3Steve Keim and the Arizona Cardinals have been heroes and villains within the span of the last 48 hours.From the controversial Kyler Murray pick and dealing Josh Rosen to bringing in a hometown kid, a speedster and a pass rusher, they’ve had fans along for quite a ride.With the dark cloud of Rosen and Kyler gone from the team, let’s settle in and take a look at three players & positions the Arizona Cardinals might look to in Rounds 4-7 this morning.Defense:Deionte Thompson, Safety, AlabamaA safety?Well, the Cardinals might not see much more of D.J. Swearinger given the one year left on his deal and Thompson, while he has had some health questions, might be a true center-fielder with speed.The multiple DB’s that will be used by Vance Joseph make him an intriguing option.Blake Cashman, Linebacker, MinnesotaA productive linebacker who tore up the combine and leaped sky-high up the draft boards, Cashman was the leader of Minnesota’s defense.He’s the size that Vance Joseph needs and is a smart and explosive athlete, giving the team a much needed potential back-up plan if Hasson Reddick doesn’t work out.Heck, it’s possible that he starts over Hasson Reddick.Good player.Kendall Sheffield, Ohio StateA later round option, Sheffield had a bit of an interesting journey, transferring from Alabama to Junior College and then to Ohio State where he was a 2 year starter.His physical measurables and speed for recovery are top notch and he’s great when aware at defending passes but has struggled locating passes and playing with his back to the ball, making him a developmental option who can help on special teams.If the team takes a shot on him Replica Haason Reddick Jersey , he could replace Brandon Williams in that role.Offense:Dru Samia, Guard, OklahomaSamia is the highest rated of the two guards who blocked for Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield and he’d fit in very nicely in the Kingsbury offense at either right or left guard as a guy who’s athletic enough to be a starter in the league and is well used to blocking for Kyler when he buys time in the pocket.OL is critical for this team.Antoine Wesley, WR, Texas TechThis name popped out to some when seeing that college.On the outside, Wesley is a bit thin but went off for 1300 yards in his single year starting and despite lack of speed and needing more nuanced route running, as a big-play physical catch weapon at his 6’5 size he could plug right into Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, again.He might not even need to change out his playbook.Marquez Tucker, OT, Southern UtahA late name that’s been connected for a developmental tackle for the Cardinals, and they did spend some time visiting him, making him a possible option on the outside at right or left tackle behind Marcus Gilbert for depth or to get a shot on the interior potentially.Foster Moreau, TE, LSUMoreau didn’t get a good chance to do much given LSU never likes having good quarterback play but his blocking and ability to catch the ball downfield and up the seam could stick out for Kliff Kingsbury, who might need a true receiving tight end to adapt his college offense to a pro-style one.Hakeem Butler, Wide Receiver, Iowa StateButler’s a conundrum to many.His drop rate and routes are below most NFL players but his athleticism for his size, catch radius and highlight-reel plays are incredible, and he averaged over 20 yards a catch in college.Considering that the Cardinals don’t have a big, outside wide receiver and that Kliff Kingsbury likes the deep shot...perhaps they take a chance on him.If the Cardinals are using PFF’s board (like many seem to think given their picks) he’s a possibility to open the 4th round and might be a fan favorite if selected.