so-cal dub Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 -=link=- Prototype size and ability makes Murphy a draft sleeper By Thomas George | NFL.com -=Louis Murphy=- says his friends call him "the comeback kid." Murphy has earned the depiction. His St. Petersburg, Fla., high school team was 0-10 his junior year and 2-8 his final prep season -- but Murphy won two national championships at the University of Florida. He was kicked off the Gators and suspended for three games early in his career due to a marijuana charge -- but last season he was a team captain. His mother, his "heart," Filomena, died of breast cancer at age 47 on Valentines Day in 2008 and Murphy doubted he could ever deal with that -- but he has. Little wonder that in a draft full of fabulous wide receivers, a draft that one day might be considered the most luxuriant ever at the position, Murphy is a sleeper, a riser, a comeback kid. At Florida where Tim Tebow reigned at quarterback and where Percy Harvin (a first-round draft lock) was the eminent wide receiver and where so many Gators offensive players excelled, Murphy was often in the shadows. The Gators' spread offense hit quickly and stretched teams horizontally as much as vertically. It was far from a traditional NFL offense. Consider that Murphy played in that offense in college and on a predominantly running team in high school. When scouts view this 6-foot-2, 208-pound receiver, they see size, they see impressive speed. They see a raw, NFL-prototype figure at wide receiver, the kind of player that can stretch defenses vertically, the type that can draw coverages his way. A big-play maker and just maybe a touchdown maker. That is why the Eagles and Jets hosted him for visits earlier this week. It is why the Raiders, Buccaneers, Dolphins and Giants have shown particular interest and why most NFL teams have taken a strong look at Murphy. And then another. "There are a lot of great receivers in this draft, but I feel I'm right there with the best of them," Murphy said. "I don't have the numbers like many of them do. But the big thing is I have a track background, I have run a best 40-time of 4.25 in the past and I've got the size the NFL likes. I feel blessed and it's hard to believe what is happening now. I feel the interest of the teams. I can't explain how that feels. I love the deep ball and that's my game. It's going to be a new day for me soon with a new team." Louis Murphy's college teammate, Percy Harvin, is one of the top-rated wide receivers in this year's draft class. Florida coach Urban Meyer has said that Murphy has come as far as "any guy I've ever coached." This player caught 75 passes at Florida -- 73 of them came in his final two seasons. Scouts say Murphy's tools need refining. That he must rotate his hips better in and out of cuts. That he needs to become more focused in traffic. They are attracted to the fact that he has raw, special skills -- speed and size -- that cannot be taught. He is the son of a minister and he is a player who stuck around for four years and matured at Florida. An NFL executive told me that of all the players he interviewed at the combine, Murphy wowed him the most with his presence, his enthusiasm, his positive attitude. "I've come a long way since I spent that Valentines Day with my mother on her deathbed, when I looked in her eyes and told her, 'You know I love you' and she nodded her head yes," Murphy said. "I was a momma's boy. She was the most influential person in my life. I promised her I would make her proud. Not just in football but with my degree from school, in the community and in my walk with God. "Teams are asking me what can I do in their offense, how do I feel I fit in their offense and what do I do against certain coverages. When it is all said and done, I want them to know that I want to win championships. I want to win, period. I know you lose some, but I want to be a part of a place where the wins are larger than the losses. I can play this game fast. I can get you some touchdowns." That is music to NFL teams. Murphy is not going to last beyond the third or fourth round in this draft. His upside, his speed is too great to ignore. His current NFL connections include Plaxico Burress and Giants receiver David Tyree, who both supported him during the time of his mother's death, and Cris Carter and Jerry Rice, who through Murphy's agents are tutoring him on the field. "My family, myself, have been anointed throughout this process," Murphy said. "Sometimes you have to go through some hurt to be used greatly." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 I reflexively cringe when I hear about the track background....most big time track guys don't like getting hit...but this kid looks like the real deal. I still want a big time free agent...but if we could do both I would be in favor of getting a FA and getting this kid too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 I reflexively cringe when I hear about the track background....most big time track guys don't like getting hit...but this kid looks like the real deal. I still want a big time free agent...but if we could do both I would be in favor of getting a FA and getting this kid too. Whenever I hear rumors like this, the first thing that comes to mind is.. smoke screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 True....I am long since past predicting what Reese will do. I just sit back and enjoy the ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treehugger Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 True....I am long since past predicting what Reese will do. I just sit back and enjoy the ride. True Dat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Life is easier and happier watching him pull up some obscure gold nugget out of the mire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarence the Blue Puppet Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Life is easier and happier watching him pull up some obscure gold nugget out of the mire. Amen. I love watching the "experts" give us a poor draft rating and then watch every one of those picks contribute to a Super Bowl win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringe Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 What about this kid Ramses Barden from Cal Poly SLO- any of you experts have an opinion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 What about this kid Ramses Barden from Cal Poly SLO- any of you experts have an opinion? Tell him to let the Hebrews go...otherwise he will be dodging frogs... . Sorry I couldn't resist....he might be the sleeper of this draft. Have not seen enough of him to make a good judgment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringe Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Tell him to let the Hebrews go...otherwise he will be dodging frogs... . Sorry I couldn't resist....he might be the sleeper of this draft. Have not seen enough of him to make a good judgment. wasn't expecting that- thought you'd go for the prophylactic reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 wasn't expecting that- thought you'd go for the prophylactic reference. Now "there you go again Mr. Mondale...."....lol...I see I have been quite stereotyped and typecast all at the same time. The condom references were going to be my comeback (pun intended)... :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigblue25 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 What about this kid Ramses Barden from Cal Poly SLO- any of you experts have an opinion? From what i heard, he has great size,good hands but he will have trouble separating from NFL cornerbacks, also he has "alligator arms" doesn't fully stretch for the ball most of the time. With a good recievers coach he might become something, I am not interested we have Hixon and Manningham has our developmental project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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