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Post 2005 NFL Draft: Four Northern Illinois prospects sign as unrestricted free agents
April
26, 2005
Post
2005 NFL Draft: Four Northern Illinois prospects sign as unrestricted
free agents Here’s the latest Northern Illinois NFL update: Linebacker Brian “The Beast” Atkinson (Chicago / Fenger) signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Tennessee Titans. Offensive guard Matt McGhghy (Keokuk, IA) did the same with the Chicago Bears. Punt returner-wide receiver Dan Sheldon (Elgin / Burlington Central) went with the Arizona Cardinals. And offensive tackle Jake VerStraete (Atkinson / Geneseo J. D. Darnall) inked a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “That’s the way things went,” said Sheldon about the NFL draft. “Things happen for a reason.” A two-time punt return All-America selection, Sheldon believes he can make the league as a specialist. “I love it. I’m thrilled. It’s the best situation for me. The fact is Arizona did not have a punt returner. That’s great for me. I’m excited. I had 12 different choices and this is the best.” Holder of at least seven major school punt return records, Sheldon joined the elite ranks of all-time Mid-American Conference career 1,000-yard punt returners with Miami (OH) junior-to-be Ryne Robinson (1,201 yards in 2003-04) and Central Michigan’s Ted Hollern (1,001 yards in 1981-84) with 1,021 yards and four touchdowns on 57 PRs. Sheldon led the country in punt returns as a sophomore (22.7-yard average) and made MAC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2002. “When it came down to the seventh round, I thought my best opportunity was Arizona. Actually, I had a deal before the end of the draft,” Sheldon added. “My best chance of getting on the team is as a punt returner. Their special teams coach (Kevin O’Dea) really has pushed for me.” Sheldon and
18 other rookies will participate in a mini-camp this weekend at
the Cardinal Training Facility in Tempe. “Yeah, I’m a
little upset,” the four-time Huskie letterman admitted. “Breaking
my collarbone the second time really hurt me.” Believe it or not, McGhghy is a lifelong Chicago Bears fan. “So this is pretty cool,” he admitted, “playing for the team you liked when you were growing up.” The 6-foot-3, 302-pound offensive guard thinks he can contribute right away. “To be honest, the Bears need offensive linemen. My chances are pretty good, definitely pretty good. The coaches said I could come in and compete right away for a job.” McGhghy, who started 25 times in a 31-game Northern Illinois career during 2000-04, likes his chances at the next level. “It’s (NFL) faster paced, more demanding, but coach ‘Pitt’ (NIU offensive line coach Sam Pittman) has done a great job preparing us,” he said. “The last couple years, we’ve all played against several NFL draft picks on the defensive line. I’m happy to be a free agent. I was able to pick my team. Naturally, I’m happy to be a Chicago Bear.” His next assignment is Halas Hall this Friday through Sunday (April 29-May 1) with 19 other rookies. VerStraete goes from Huskie Cardinal and Black to Steeler Gold and Black. “I’m just happy finally something happened,” he said. “At the end of the draft---fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds, I was seeing some good linemen not get drafted. At that point, I was thinking ‘hopefully, I can get a shot at free agency.’ Everything worked out though. The Steelers called midway through the seventh round.” A repeat First-Team All-MAC pick in 2003 and 2004, the 6-foot-6, 305-pound VerStraete started 41 consecutive games at Northern Illinois and began his collegiate days as an understudy to Ryan Diem, now with the NFL Indianapolis Colts. “This last year, I tried to watch the Colts all the time and Ryan, you know, his technique. I can’t watch a game like a fan. I watch the blocking.” As often happens in the NFL, Pittsburgh never really made VerStraete’s personal radar. “That’s the weird thing,” he said. “All year, I never heard from them. I never saw them at practice or pro day. They just came out of the blue. But I’m very happy and happy for Matt McGhghy.” Potentially, Atkinson can keep a Huskie presence on the Titans’ roster. The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder follows wide receivers Justin McCareins who left Tennessee for the New York Jets in 2004 and Darrell “The Thrill” Hill who joined the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this spring. Better known as “The Beast” in local circles, Atkinson finished his Northern Illinois career with 346 career tackles and wound up tied for the No. 12 spot on the all-time Huskie Hit List. A three-time All-Mid-Am selection (First-Team in 2004 and 2003, plus Second-Team in 2002) Atkinson notched 16 career twin-digit tackle performances and made the Rotary Lombardi Award “watch list.” Atkinson will be one of approximately 50 rookies at the Tennessee mini-camp this Friday and Saturday at the Baptist Sports Park in Nashville, TN. (For further information, please contact Mike Korcek) -NIU-
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