mesaSteeler
02-11-2010, 07:40 PM
(Perhaps a late round flyer for the Steelers? - mesa)
Dickerson: All-Purpose performer
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1501/2010/february/09/dickerson-all-purpose-performer.html
By: Mike Bires
Beaver County Times
Tuesday February 9, 2010 11:12 PM
As Dorin Dickerson readies himself for professional football, the biggest question mark regarding his NFL future may actually be his most important asset.
“That’s what makes Dorin so unique,” said Andy Simms, Dickerson’s agent.
Dickerson, the former West Allegheny High School star, is unique because he doesn’t have a true position right now.
When Dickerson played at Pitt, his exceptional athleticism allowed him to play three positions — wide receiver as a freshman, linebacker as a sophomore and tight end the past two years.
As a pro, he could play wide receiver, tight end or fullback, or a combination of the three.
With the way the NFL has evolved into a passing league in recent years, Dickerson could be an intriguing find for teams looking for unique ways to exploit a defense.
“He’s an extremely exciting pro prospect,” Simms said. “He’s a great kid, an intelligent kid who works hard. He runs well. He can catch the football. He’s strong. And he has the mental make-up to be great.”
Dickerson, who caught 49 passes, including 10 for touchdowns as a Pitt senior, got a chance to display his skills two weeks ago in the annual Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. He was chosen to play in what is considered the most important of the postseason all-star games.
The Senior Bowl is the game that showcases the NFL’s top draft prospects. The week-long practices are run by NFL coaching staffs. Every team has its lead scouts there.
And this year when the scouts watched Dickerson, they saw him strictly at wide receiver. He was one of the North’s six wideouts. That meant he practiced exclusively against some of the most highly regarded cornerbacks in college football last season.
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“We recognize that Dorin playing wide receiver against those cornerbacks may have been risky, but he took advantage of it,” Simms said. “He got better and better as the week went on.”
In the Senior Bowl, a 31-13 North win, Dickerson caught one pass for 7 yards. But North quarterbacks only completed 12 passes. The only North receiver with multiple catches was Cincinnati’s Mardy Gilyard.
“Overall, I thought I did well,” said Dickerson, who was measured in Mobile at 6-foot-1 and 222 pounds, slightly smaller than he was listed at Pitt (6-2, 230).
“Playing wide receiver was different. I struggled with a few things early in the week. But I think I got getter as the week went on. I also got to play a lot on special teams.”
Next up for Dickerson is the NFL Combine Feb. 24-March 2 in Indianapolis. As many as 335 draft-eligible prospects will be there for a comprehensive physical and mental elevation process. Dickerson is listed as one of 18 tight ends who’ve been invited so far.
“I was fortunate to get invited to the Senior Bowl and I’m obviously happy about going to the combine,” said Dickerson, who can run the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds, which makes him one of the fastest tight ends at the combine.
“For me, I’m looking at it as a second job interview.”
Dickerson will have another job interview on March 16 at Pitt’s pro-day workout at the indoor field at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex.
Then the NFL Draft will be held April 22-24.
At this time, Dickerson projects as a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick. But at the combine, he’ll get a chance to improve his value.
Dickerson: All-Purpose performer
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1501/2010/february/09/dickerson-all-purpose-performer.html
By: Mike Bires
Beaver County Times
Tuesday February 9, 2010 11:12 PM
As Dorin Dickerson readies himself for professional football, the biggest question mark regarding his NFL future may actually be his most important asset.
“That’s what makes Dorin so unique,” said Andy Simms, Dickerson’s agent.
Dickerson, the former West Allegheny High School star, is unique because he doesn’t have a true position right now.
When Dickerson played at Pitt, his exceptional athleticism allowed him to play three positions — wide receiver as a freshman, linebacker as a sophomore and tight end the past two years.
As a pro, he could play wide receiver, tight end or fullback, or a combination of the three.
With the way the NFL has evolved into a passing league in recent years, Dickerson could be an intriguing find for teams looking for unique ways to exploit a defense.
“He’s an extremely exciting pro prospect,” Simms said. “He’s a great kid, an intelligent kid who works hard. He runs well. He can catch the football. He’s strong. And he has the mental make-up to be great.”
Dickerson, who caught 49 passes, including 10 for touchdowns as a Pitt senior, got a chance to display his skills two weeks ago in the annual Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. He was chosen to play in what is considered the most important of the postseason all-star games.
The Senior Bowl is the game that showcases the NFL’s top draft prospects. The week-long practices are run by NFL coaching staffs. Every team has its lead scouts there.
And this year when the scouts watched Dickerson, they saw him strictly at wide receiver. He was one of the North’s six wideouts. That meant he practiced exclusively against some of the most highly regarded cornerbacks in college football last season.
Advertisement
“We recognize that Dorin playing wide receiver against those cornerbacks may have been risky, but he took advantage of it,” Simms said. “He got better and better as the week went on.”
In the Senior Bowl, a 31-13 North win, Dickerson caught one pass for 7 yards. But North quarterbacks only completed 12 passes. The only North receiver with multiple catches was Cincinnati’s Mardy Gilyard.
“Overall, I thought I did well,” said Dickerson, who was measured in Mobile at 6-foot-1 and 222 pounds, slightly smaller than he was listed at Pitt (6-2, 230).
“Playing wide receiver was different. I struggled with a few things early in the week. But I think I got getter as the week went on. I also got to play a lot on special teams.”
Next up for Dickerson is the NFL Combine Feb. 24-March 2 in Indianapolis. As many as 335 draft-eligible prospects will be there for a comprehensive physical and mental elevation process. Dickerson is listed as one of 18 tight ends who’ve been invited so far.
“I was fortunate to get invited to the Senior Bowl and I’m obviously happy about going to the combine,” said Dickerson, who can run the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds, which makes him one of the fastest tight ends at the combine.
“For me, I’m looking at it as a second job interview.”
Dickerson will have another job interview on March 16 at Pitt’s pro-day workout at the indoor field at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex.
Then the NFL Draft will be held April 22-24.
At this time, Dickerson projects as a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick. But at the combine, he’ll get a chance to improve his value.