Rashad Barksdale, Philadelphia Eagle for like 4 months

Dillen · April 29, 2007, 03:50:02 PM

Not bad. There was reportedly interest in him. CB from Albany.

SunMo · April 29, 2007, 03:50:58 PM

you whipped me this time

PhillyPhreak54 · April 29, 2007, 03:53:58 PM

Bigger corner - 6'2 210

SunMo · April 29, 2007, 03:54:33 PM

ESPN had him as a safety

The BIGSTUD · April 29, 2007, 03:54:39 PM

Yeah, all I know is they worked him out a bunch of times and really liked him.

From KFFL:

Eagles | Team worked out Barksdale
Fri, 27 Apr 2007 15:01:18 -0700

Paul Schwartz, of the New York Post, reports the Philadelphia Eagles have worked out Albany CB Rashad Barksdale several times.

Dillen · April 29, 2007, 03:55:21 PM

I know a bit about him. I went to an Albany game earlier his year, they were playing some scrub team (how surprising.) He had a pick and a pass defensed, he seems really fast. Good size too.

QB Eagles · April 29, 2007, 03:56:42 PM

QuoteALBANY'S BARKSDALE ON GIANTS' RADAR

NY Post
By PAUL SCHWARTZ

April 27, 2007 -- With all the comprehensive scouting, time and money invested in the NFL Draft, true sleepers may no longer exist. But there are undiscovered gems to be mined and the Giants may uncover one in Rashad Barksdale.

The Giants own eight selections in this weekend's NFL Draft and sometime Sunday, perhaps in the sixth or seventh round, they may take a flier on Barksdale, a cornerback from Albany who, despite a blatantly limited football resume, has suddenly caught the attention of NFL personnel.

"I feel, deep down inside, that I can do it," Barksdale said in a phone interview with The Post.

The Giants apparently are intrigued. They brought him in last week for a visit, rare treatment for someone who will either go late in the draft or maybe not at all. The Giants were one of five NFL teams on March 19 to attend Albany's Pro Day, where Barksdale became more than a novelty act by clocking in at a blazing 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

The Eagles have worked him out several times. A scout from the Bears told Barksdale he'd be a good fit for their Cover-2 defense. The 49ers and Cardinals have offered similar encouragement. This past Wednesday, the Packers checked in with a call.

"I know he's on the radar screen for quite a few teams," said agent Tony Agnone, who zeroed in on Barksdale's athleticism thanks to some inside information. Agnone's daughter, Blakely, was a lacrosse player at Albany.

No Great Dane has ever cracked an NFL lineup - one player has ever been drafted - and it would be strange and ironic if Barksdale with one year of experience emerges as the first. He was a solid prospect coming out of Hudson (N.Y.) High School but went to Hudson Valley Community College and then Albany intent on pursuing a baseball career. After hitting .277 as a fleet-footed outfielder, Barksdale realized baseball wasn't going to happen.

With one year of eligibility remaining, Barksdale last summer asked Albany football coach Bob Ford if he could try out for the team, which competes at the Division I-AA level in the Northeast Conference.

"In all honesty, I thought we'd be getting a special teams player," said Ford, entering his 34th season as Albany's head coach.

The 6-foot, 208-pound Barksdale worked out at cornerback with the third team. He quickly moved up to the second team and before the opener vaulted into the starting lineup. "I was absolutely shocked," Ford said, "at how easy the game of football came to him."

In his first game, Barksdale returned a punt 38 yards in a 17-16 victory at Lehigh. He sealed a 17-10 upset at Delaware with his second interception of the game, at the goal line in the closing minute. "As the season progressed he showed some nuance, some savoir-faire," Ford said.

Barksdale the past few years on the Albany campus saw the Giants up close during their month-long stay for training camp. More than once, he was mistaken for Tiki Barber and hounded for autographs, confusion that ended when Barksdale hopped into his Honda Civic. Barksdale said he knows he's a project that needs time. Imagine if that development took place on the same Albany grass where this improbable journey started barely nine months ago?

"I've thought about it a couple of times," Barksdale said. "I'd be back on my own practice fields, but it would definitely be different. Instead of a purple jersey, it would be a Giants jersey and helmet. That would be awesome."

TexasEagle · April 29, 2007, 03:57:07 PM

Hey, Dillen, you up near Albany? It's one of the areas I'm looking at moving to.

Dillen · April 29, 2007, 03:59:53 PM

No, other side of the state in Rochester. I was visiting someone at the time.

TexasEagle · April 29, 2007, 04:01:38 PM

Ah. Still cool. I miss living up there... for some strange reason.

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread... Would be nice if he can make the team in some aspect, but I'm not holding out hope.

SunMo · April 29, 2007, 04:02:19 PM

somebody with that speed can always play special teams

Displaced · April 29, 2007, 04:05:31 PM

I actually like a pick like this one. The guy is obviously raw but has the kind of measurables that could make him a good prospect in the nFL. With his size and the fact that he played corner for only one year, he could be moved to safety and probably be taught to cover that back third of the field with relative ease.

At least I hope.

Dillen · April 29, 2007, 04:06:43 PM

I wouldnt be surprised if he makes the team. They only have 4 CBs on the roster as of now (if you want to count Gaddis as a safety) and he has a lot of potential. Practice squad at least, but I'd prefer to have him on the 53. It would have really helped if they dealt Moats, Lewis, McDougle, Dhani, etc.

SunMo · April 29, 2007, 04:13:25 PM

of those 4 you listed, i will be very surprised if at least 2 of them aren't cut before the season starts

The BIGSTUD · April 29, 2007, 04:18:04 PM

Rashad is related to Avon Barksdale.