Word of the day: Claque.
SNUB DONTRE AT YOUR OWN RISK. The NFL officially released its combine roster Wednesday. It includes eight Ohio State Buckeyes, which trails only Michigan's 14 (which ties Ohio State's 2016 record).
Dontre Wilson, once considered the next big thing in Columbus, wasn't among the names. The Senior Bowl also snubbed the famous running back from DeSoto, Texas.
Wilson is choosing to use the snubs as motivation.
No Senior Bowl invite. No Combine Invite. More Motivation for me . Odds stacked against me yet again. God on my side = Success
— Dontre Wilson (@treydayy_) February 2, 2017
Here he is yesterday on Instagram, performing the exercise all gym bros love to know: the bench press.
Caption: "EZ Work! #NFLDraft2017"
Wilson also missed out on CBS draft analyst Dane Brugler's "biggest combine snubs" list (Corey Smith made it as an honorable mention.)
I don't think Wilson gets drafted. He will definitely earn a chance to catch on with a team as an undrafted free agent, though.
The more likely destination is the Canadian Football League. American youth don't grow up fantasizing about the CFL. It still pays well and Canada is lightweight popping.
GRIMES ON THE TRAIL. We might as well continue the theme of personal exercise. Five-star wide receiver and Ohio State signee Trevon Grimes, who tore his ACL in October, is already back jogging on gravity-free treadmills, which sound cooler than they look:
Gods will... I was down bad, Now Im back on my feet ! #DreamBig pic.twitter.com/t2bzE32kOh
— GrimeTime (@TrevonGrimes7) February 15, 2017
This obviously bodes well for the Buckeyes. Outside of Curtis Samuel, Zone-6 lacked a game-breaker. Grimes has the explosiveness and the talent to play immediately if he comes into camp healthy.
TYVIS HOMECOMING. If you're ever wondering where your life is going after getting laid off on a Tuesday, keep hope. The Cleveland Browns could soon descend from the heavens with an employment lifeline.
From old Eleven Warriors beat writer Patrick Maks, now with the Cleveland Browns:
“It just never happens this way,” Powell, laughing, told Cleveland Browns Daily in a wide-ranging interview on Tuesday. But the joy of returning to Northeast Ohio was preceded by a brief period of uncertainty.
Powell, who spent his rookie season with the Seahawks, was cut days before the postseason to make room for veteran returner Devin Hester. He took it in stride, but naturally wondered what was next and whether a club would pick him up.
“I got waived on a Tuesday and I’m sitting there like, ‘Oh my god my life is over. My life is over with! What am I gonna do?’” Powell said. “Two days later, it was just like God just called me and they were like ‘This is the Cleveland Browns, we’re gonna claim you off my waivers’ ... they said, ‘Tyvis come on home, we’re going to bring you home.’”
If this were a movie, it would be the start of an eventual Super Bowl championship sealed by a local kid pick-six. Unfortunately, we all know it's still the start of a 4-12 season. At least Powell will be drawing a good check for a Millennial.
VINCE YOUNG BACK. Speaking of unemployed footballers, anybody in Vegas that could put a cheeky $5 for their boy on Vince Young being the Browns' starting quarterback in 2017?
Vince Young has signed with @leighsteinberg; says he has a desire to play more football
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) February 15, 2017
Actually, put another $5 on the Young–Wilson connection leading the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a Grey Cup. I'm looking to retire after the next season.
THE 80s MUST'VE BEEN WILD. The mullet died, and I'm not sure why.
In honor of former Pittsburgh Penguin Jaromír Jágr turning 40 yesterday, from ESPN:
Steve Spurrier would still be coaching if he rocked a mane like that. Nick Saban wouldn't have lost the national championship. Jim Harbaugh still would've lost to Ohio State. At least for Michigan fans, he would've looked metal while doing so instead of a petulant child.
THOSE WMDs. Winston Churchill: Almost certain aliens existed... "Help me kill my wife," man texted ex-boss, police say... My dog is trying to kill me... Why America's airports suck... Little Caesars founder quietly paid Rosa Parks' rent for years... Will Amazon revolutionize shipping?
