bluphiiijsu
Creative Director
April 23, 2002
JSU's Taylor, Story sign with NFL as free agents
Taylor joins Pats, Story Eagles; four others from state sign
The Clarion-Ledger
Jackson State receivers T.C. Taylor and Lawrence Story weren't among the 261 players picked during the two-day NFL draft.
That doesn't mean they won't get a chance to make a NFL roster, however.
Each has signed free agent deals, Taylor with the defending Super Bowl champ New England Patriots and Story with the Philadelphia Eagles.
"All I wanted was a chance, and now I've got that chance," said Taylor, who hauled in a school-record 84 catches for 1,234 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior, on Monday. "I'm not really all that disappointed about not getting drafted. I'm going to go up there with a good attitude, work hard and do my best to make the team."
New England contacted Taylor during the fifth round on Sunday and sealed the deal once the draft was complete. He leaves for a rookie mini-camp Thursday.
"I talked with the offensive coordinator (Charlie Weis) last night on the phone and he said they really needed a big receiver," said Taylor, who is 6-foot-3, 219 pounds. "I think it's a good situation for me."
Story, 6-4, 205, feels the same way about Philadelphia. He, too, leaves Thursday for a rookie mini-camp.
"I feel really good about it," said Story, who had 55 catches for 831 yards and five touchdowns as a senior. "It would be a lot of fun playing with (Donovan) McNabb and (Todd) Pinkston. I'm looking forward to going up there and putting in the work."
A third JSU player, linebacker Zack Grady, signed a free agent deal with the San Francisco 49ers. Grady was the Tigers' second-leading tackler (93) this past season.
Mississippi State had a pair of non-drafted players sign free agent contracts and they signed with the same team ? the Tennessee Titans.
Tommy Watson played center and guard in blocking for running back Dicenzo Miller, who averaged 5.1 yards per carry despite a high-ankle sprain most of last season.
The Miami Dolphins signed Southern Miss linebacker Roy Magee to a free agent contract. He was the fourth-leading tackler for the Golden Eagles in 2001 with 68, and he was No. 2 in sacks with 4 1/2.
JSU's Taylor, Story sign with NFL as free agents
Taylor joins Pats, Story Eagles; four others from state sign
The Clarion-Ledger
Jackson State receivers T.C. Taylor and Lawrence Story weren't among the 261 players picked during the two-day NFL draft.
That doesn't mean they won't get a chance to make a NFL roster, however.
Each has signed free agent deals, Taylor with the defending Super Bowl champ New England Patriots and Story with the Philadelphia Eagles.
"All I wanted was a chance, and now I've got that chance," said Taylor, who hauled in a school-record 84 catches for 1,234 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior, on Monday. "I'm not really all that disappointed about not getting drafted. I'm going to go up there with a good attitude, work hard and do my best to make the team."
New England contacted Taylor during the fifth round on Sunday and sealed the deal once the draft was complete. He leaves for a rookie mini-camp Thursday.
"I talked with the offensive coordinator (Charlie Weis) last night on the phone and he said they really needed a big receiver," said Taylor, who is 6-foot-3, 219 pounds. "I think it's a good situation for me."
Story, 6-4, 205, feels the same way about Philadelphia. He, too, leaves Thursday for a rookie mini-camp.
"I feel really good about it," said Story, who had 55 catches for 831 yards and five touchdowns as a senior. "It would be a lot of fun playing with (Donovan) McNabb and (Todd) Pinkston. I'm looking forward to going up there and putting in the work."
A third JSU player, linebacker Zack Grady, signed a free agent deal with the San Francisco 49ers. Grady was the Tigers' second-leading tackler (93) this past season.
Mississippi State had a pair of non-drafted players sign free agent contracts and they signed with the same team ? the Tennessee Titans.
Tommy Watson played center and guard in blocking for running back Dicenzo Miller, who averaged 5.1 yards per carry despite a high-ankle sprain most of last season.
The Miami Dolphins signed Southern Miss linebacker Roy Magee to a free agent contract. He was the fourth-leading tackler for the Golden Eagles in 2001 with 68, and he was No. 2 in sacks with 4 1/2.