Colleges

Floridians take on all the naysayers

FSU, UF, UM players try to reshape opinions as NFL scouts tear away at their measureables.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published January 27, 2007

MOBILE, Ala.- Buster Davis is too short. Earl Everett isn't physical. Lorenzo Booker is soft. And Dallas Baker is too slow.

At some point, each of these aspiring NFL players has heard about his perceived shortcomings. Each undoubtedly will be dogged by them until draft day.

But when these state college players suit up today in the Senior Bowl, they will have another precious opportunity to prove their critics wrong.

NFL scouts and coaches spent the past five days scrutinizing their performances during intense practices at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Today, the players hope to drive home their points.

"The only limitation they can say I have is that I'm short," said Davis, Florida State's 5-foot-10, 240-pound linebacker. "But I've been out here making plays and showing that I can do anything no matter how short I am or how tall I am."

Everything else about him garners attention for much different reasons. He's a big hitter, a sure tackler and a savvy player with great speed.

The Senior Bowl is perfect for players like him who wish to emphasize their positive traits.

"I know all about my height," Davis said. "There is nothing I can do to change that. One thing I've told scouts this week is they can never say I don't have impact on the game. It's about the way you play the game."

That's the same argument Booker has been making. The FSU running back is viewed as more of a scatback, who would be best utilized on third down. But he has bigger goals.

"My bread and butter is going to be in the open field," Booker, 5-11, 193 pounds, said. "Am I going to drag four guys? No. But at the same time, I'm still going to be able to get through that hole faster than most guys. I'm more than happy to put my best 40 plays up against anyone else in the country."

Everett, a 6-3, 234-pound linebacker for the Gators, is trying to establish himself as an instinctive and heady player, an area that is viewed as one of his deficiencies. Working this week with 49ers linebackers coach Mike Singletary on the South team, he believes he is making progress.

"Coach Singletary has been drilling us," he said. "I just want everybody to know that I can play physical and recognize NFL schemes."

Other Floridians looking for big days include Baker, a 6-3, 207-pound Gators receiver who wants to show he can get separation from cornerbacks to dispel the notion he lacks explosive speed. He also needs to show he possesses toughness.

Miami's 6-foot, 195-pound safety, Brandon Meriweather, is likely to be a first-day draft pick, but he can climb the charts with a solid showing today. That's the best way to help teams forget about his perceived character issues. He was caught on tape stomping an opponent during brawl with Florida International and was involved in a shooting before the season. No charges were filed.

"I want (teams) to leave thinking that I'm the best safety in the nation," he said.

If he performs well, they just might.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3377.

[Last modified January 27, 2007, 01:33:23]