nychief
05-19-2005, 05:30 PM
Idaho State's glory days tight end lands with K.C. Chiefs
By Brady Slater - Journal Sports Editor
Edwin Thompson was selling wireless phones and considering graduate school when he got a life-altering phone call Friday.
It was the Kansas City Chiefs.
They wanted to take a serious look at him.
Today, the former Idaho State tight end (1999-2003) is playing with the Chiefs, taking part in six weeks of offseason training that will take him through June.
"It was a shock, but a good shock," said Thompson, a sure-handed blocking specialist who caught 25 passes in his ISU career. "For me it's a win-win situation. I'm either going to be on the team, or I'll have a great opportunity because I've got my foot in the door.
"I didn't think it was going to happen, then out of the blue ..."
The move reunited Thompson with ISU teammate Jared Allen, the Chiefs' fourth-round draft pick in 2004 who became a starting defensive end during a stellar rookie campaign.
"He's always watching and giving me good feedback," Thompson said. "It's positive reinforcement. It's nice to have somebody like that here."
Thompson is one of five tight ends on the roster, including All-Pro Tony Gonzalez and former Big Sky counterpart Willie Walden of Montana.
"Obviously," Thompson said. "I'm not going to take (Gonzalez's) job. He's an awesome guy, not one of those guys who won't help you out. If you've got questions, he tells you, 'Don't be shy.'"
Thompson joins wide receiver Salé Key as Bengals who've signed free agent contracts with the NFL this offseason. Key is working out with the Cincinnati Bengals to positive reviews.
Thompson and Key continue a strong run of Bengals in the NFL. Shane Griggs signed a free agent contract in 2001 with Green Bay, and Josh Robinson did the same in 2002 with Baltimore. Punter Eddie Johnson was drafted in the sixth round in 2003 by Minnesota, and Jared Allen was a 2004 fourth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, eventually earning NFL All-Rookie status. Isaac Mitchell also in 2004 signed a free agent contract with Buffalo, and recently had a brief tryout with the N.Y. Giants.
Thompson had worked out at Kansas City's three-day rookie camp following the NFL draft in April.
"I thought it was pretty much done," he said.
Idaho State coach Larry Lewis said he believed Thompson's size (6-foot-5, 250), soft hands and nimble feet earned him the look.
"You never know who's going to get picked up in the NFL," Lewis said. "You just hope they do a good enough job to show them they deserved a look."
For Thompson, the six-week tryout amounts to a dream come true - no matter the outcome.
"I'm going to go 100 percent all the time," he said. "If it works out, awesome. If not, I gave it my all and hopefully there will be another opportunity."
By Brady Slater - Journal Sports Editor
Edwin Thompson was selling wireless phones and considering graduate school when he got a life-altering phone call Friday.
It was the Kansas City Chiefs.
They wanted to take a serious look at him.
Today, the former Idaho State tight end (1999-2003) is playing with the Chiefs, taking part in six weeks of offseason training that will take him through June.
"It was a shock, but a good shock," said Thompson, a sure-handed blocking specialist who caught 25 passes in his ISU career. "For me it's a win-win situation. I'm either going to be on the team, or I'll have a great opportunity because I've got my foot in the door.
"I didn't think it was going to happen, then out of the blue ..."
The move reunited Thompson with ISU teammate Jared Allen, the Chiefs' fourth-round draft pick in 2004 who became a starting defensive end during a stellar rookie campaign.
"He's always watching and giving me good feedback," Thompson said. "It's positive reinforcement. It's nice to have somebody like that here."
Thompson is one of five tight ends on the roster, including All-Pro Tony Gonzalez and former Big Sky counterpart Willie Walden of Montana.
"Obviously," Thompson said. "I'm not going to take (Gonzalez's) job. He's an awesome guy, not one of those guys who won't help you out. If you've got questions, he tells you, 'Don't be shy.'"
Thompson joins wide receiver Salé Key as Bengals who've signed free agent contracts with the NFL this offseason. Key is working out with the Cincinnati Bengals to positive reviews.
Thompson and Key continue a strong run of Bengals in the NFL. Shane Griggs signed a free agent contract in 2001 with Green Bay, and Josh Robinson did the same in 2002 with Baltimore. Punter Eddie Johnson was drafted in the sixth round in 2003 by Minnesota, and Jared Allen was a 2004 fourth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, eventually earning NFL All-Rookie status. Isaac Mitchell also in 2004 signed a free agent contract with Buffalo, and recently had a brief tryout with the N.Y. Giants.
Thompson had worked out at Kansas City's three-day rookie camp following the NFL draft in April.
"I thought it was pretty much done," he said.
Idaho State coach Larry Lewis said he believed Thompson's size (6-foot-5, 250), soft hands and nimble feet earned him the look.
"You never know who's going to get picked up in the NFL," Lewis said. "You just hope they do a good enough job to show them they deserved a look."
For Thompson, the six-week tryout amounts to a dream come true - no matter the outcome.
"I'm going to go 100 percent all the time," he said. "If it works out, awesome. If not, I gave it my all and hopefully there will be another opportunity."