Money is usually on the mind of a professional football prospect who has a chance to be a first-round draft pick.
The farther you slide down, the more money you could lose on your first contract.
Also, the uncertainty of NFL labor negotiations and the collective bargaining agreement could affect rookie wages. The owners” lockout, which was overturned Monday by a U.S. district judge, could resume if the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis accepts the league”s appeal.
If that”s the case, a lockout, depending on how long it lasts, also could affect how much practice rookies have before the season starts, which would affect their chances of starting from Week 1.
None of that fazes Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod.
The same calm demeanor that helped him dominate Southeastern Conference linemen, which is one of the criticisms of his game by NFL draft pundits, is guiding him through what he calls “the wait.”
“It”s a long process,” Sherrod said. “No matter how much you”ve prepared and how good you”ve gotten, you”ve still got a long way to go. It doesn”t really do you any good to think about what team is going to take you, where you”re visiting, and what kind of money you”re going to be making.
“Don”t get me wrong, I”m nervous about the lockout just like all the other players are, but you can”t do anything but be ready when you get that call.”
The one thing weighing on Sherrod”s mind is the possibility of falling into the second round, but it isn”t a money issue. Sherrod”s family is having a draft party Thursday night in Columbus, where everyone will watch the first round of the draft.
Sherrod is worried family members and friends who will be there might leave disappointed if he doesn”t get selected Thursday night.
“I told him if we have the celebration Thursday and you get selected Friday, the celebration is for you getting selected on Friday,” said Sherrod”s father, Louis.
But like most elite players, Sherrod knows his ability and wants to be the best to be the best.
Though he won”t say it, he feels most analysts should rate him higher than some of the offensive tackles rated ahead of him.
Mike Mayock of NFL.com rates Sherrod tied for the fifth-best offensive tackle, while National Football Post director of college scouting Wes Bunting rates him as the third-best tackle.
“Looking at Derek”s performance in the Senior Bowl and knowing the guys they have ahead of him in the draft did not perform as well, he”s thought about that,” Louis Sherrod said. “Derek had almost a thousand plays without a sack and these guys gave up sacks in the Senior Bowl. And they”re touted much more. He”s just a little bit anxious about going in the first round.”
Sherrod said he has heard he could be selected in the first round, the second round, or the third round, but Bunting believes Sherrod”s window for selection is between picks 18 and 32.
Sherrod hopes to be MSU”s first first-round pick since cornerback Walt Harris and wide receiver Eric Moulds were selected in the first round of the 1995 draft.
Though the Chicago Bears, who own the 29th pick, need help on the offensive line, Bunting believes the Baltimore Ravens (No. 26) and Philadelphia Eagles (No. 23) also are potential suitors. He thinks Eagles offensive line coach Howard Mudd”s preference for quicker, agile linemen who can get to the second level could see Sherrod land in Philadelphia.
Baltimore is a possibility because Sherrod”s presence at left tackle could allow the team to move former University of Mississippi standout Michael Oher back to right tackle. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was sacked 40 times last season despite posting career numbers in yards, touchdowns, and passer rating.
“It”s about being comfortable and being able to come in and play early in your career, and I think Sherrod is gonna be able to do that,” Bunting said. “Some people I talk to like him at guard; I think he”s a long-armed kid with the athleticism to play at left tackle, and once he gets that base down a little bit more consistently I think he”ll be able to anchor against power players.”
Sherrod worked out with noted pre-combine guru Pete Bommarito in Miami, Fla. Former teammate Jamar Chaney, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2010 draft, also prepared for the NFL combine and his pro day with Bommarito. Chaney posted the fastest 40-yard dash time at the combine and ranked in the top five of nearly all of the linebacker drills.
Sherrod said Chaney”s success played a big part in training in Miami instead of in Starkville with draft-eligible teammates KJ Wright, Chris White, and Pernell McPhee.
“It prepared me very well,” Sherrod said. “I was a little bit familiar with it from Jamar training there, and he had a lot of success training at the combine. The main thing that brought me there was the people there and the medical staff to make sure your body is right. They”ve got a lot to offer.
“The takeoff on the 40 was the most important thing for me. Everybody has different technique, and they helped me pretty well.”
Sherrod”s footwork is his strongest asset, Bunting said.
“You see a natural balance and coordination to him when asked to change direction in pass protection,” Bunting said. “There”s never an overextension to his game, both with his footwork and his punch. At times, you get a little of the chicken wing with the wasted motion in the contact with his upper body, but he”s a natural and has range to match speed off the edge, and that”s what I like with a left tackle.
“Why people don”t have him rated higher? I guess they haven”t watched him enough, to be honest. Maybe the passive demeanor and the fact he plays a bit high is a bit of a question.”
Sherrod”s even-keeled nature is a blessing and a curse in the eyes of NFL talent evaluators. Some put more stock in a player who has a fiery attitude, believing it translates into better run blocking. Conversely, a cooler demeanor leads to less mistakes and penalties.
“If you would have talked to (former Baltimore tackle) Jonathan Ogden, you wouldn”t have thought this guy had a mean streak, either,” Bunting said. “Sherrod plays a little nastier than he comes off to be. Overall, the passive demeanor, when guys are so physically dominant at the college level, you can get away with being passive. When you get up to the NFL you just kind of turn the switch automatically. I expect that from Sherrod.”
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