Sam McDowell: Catapano hopes to change perception of Ivy League players

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs’ Catapano hopes to change perception of Ivy League players
By SAM McDOWELL
The Kansas City Star
Chiefs seventh-round draft pick Mike Catapano understands the odds he’s fighting as he attempts to carve out a career in the NFL.

Two weeks ago, he became the first player from Princeton to be selected in the NFL Draft since 2001. And while Ivy League graduates are generally well-respected, it’s not usually for their abilities on a football field. Only six players from the Ivy League appeared in an NFL game last season.

Catapano is trying to change the conventional thinking.

“Everybody always says, ‘Hey, at least you’re bringing up the team GPA,’ ” Catapano said. “but I came here to play. I’m proud to represent the Ivy League. The Ivy League is smart guys that like to play football, and that’s what I’m here to show — that we can play the game just as (well) as everybody else.”

After playing defensive end in a 4-3 defensive scheme at Princeton, Catapano is learning a new position for the Chiefs, who plan to use him as an outside linebacker in their 3-4 system.

He got his first taste of the new position during rookie camp, which concluded Sunday.

“It’s a mental battle right now,” Catapano said. “When you stand up, your eyes open up. You’re used to putting your hand in the ground and going forward. So now there’s another world out here.”

Catapano led the Ivy League with 12 sacks during his senior season and ranked ninth in the nation with 151/2 tackles for loss.

Chiefs impress in red-zone work

The Chiefs closed out rookie camp with a heavy focus on red-zone packages. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said a couple of players stood out during early afternoon practice — most notably quarterback Tyler Bray, an undrafted free agent from Tennessee.

“Tyler Bray had a nice day today — I think that’s obvious,” Reid said. “He made some nice throws in the red zone. He has to continue to make progress. He did some nice things.”

The Chiefs used their fifth-round selection, Sanders Commings, at free safety Sunday. Commings primarily played cornerback while at Georgia and spent time there during the first two days of rookie camp.

“It was nice to see the progress he made,” Reid said. “We feel like he can still play corner, but he gives us the flexibility of playing the free safety position. It looked like he handled that fairly (easily).”

K-State, KU products relish opportunities

When the Chiefs drafted Kansas State fullback Braden Wilson in the sixth round two weeks ago, Reid spoke highly of Wilson’s ability to serve as a lead blocker.

Only four days later, though, the Chiefs swung a trade with the Arizona Cardinals to acquire another fullback — sending cornerback Javier Arenas to Arizona in exchange for fullback Anthony Sherman.

The competition, suddenly, is much stiffer.

“I’m just going to approach the situation the same as I would regardless,” Wilson said. “I have to do the work and do everything I can do earn a spot.”

A few more local players also took part in the rookie camp, including KU quarterback Dayne Crist, who was one of three quarterbacks in camp, along with Bray and Alex Gillett from Eastern Michigan.

“It was a great opportunity, and hopefully it turns into something down the line,” Crist said. “In this kind of situation, you can’t have regrets. You have to leave it all out there.”

That attitude was shared by a former KU teammate, safety Brad McDougald, who signed with the Chiefs as a rookie free agent after the draft.

“This seemed like the best place for me looking at the roster,” McDougald said. “When you’re a free agent, you get the opportunity to choose a team. Looking at the roster and the competition, this seemed like the best bet for me to make the team.”

[T-post Tom]

"Tyler Bray had a nice day today — I think that’s obvious,” Reid said.

[CoMoChief]

I still dont understand the Arenas trade. I mean even the value of the player's positions aspect of the trade is completely lopsided.

This Sommers guy better pan the **** out....because Im livid we didn't draft Rambo, the better player in the GA secondary.

[BlackHelicopters]

I was educated in the Midwest. I don't understand.