Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer)—It's always interesting to look back a year and reflect on what a difference it makes.
This time last year Alabama had many players looking forward to NFL careers, and the fans were all pulling for them. In all, there were 15 people from Alabama's 2009 team that were hoping to make it in the NFL.
So let's look back and see how it went for seven of them in Part One, with the following eight in Part Two.
Terrence "Mount" Cody
No player got more press than the nose tackle from Alabama last year, both good and bad. Was he out of shape? Would he go first round? Would he pass the physicals?
He went to the Senior Bowl out of shape and had the infamous shot of his gut for the world to see. That alone may have dropped him to an eventual second-round pick (57th overall), but he did lose weight before the combine.
I interviewed him, and he was desperate to get the word out that he was losing weight and working out. He sure hated that Senior Bowl picture.
But he did eventually get picked by the Ravens, only to fail his first two physicals before finally passing on his third attempt.
Things looked good early on. He had a good camp and looked to be getting into better shape. He had a four-year, $3.385 million contract and seemingly a bright future.
In a preseason game he had a solid game, accounting for five tackles, four solo, and taking on double-team blocking, but in his first start he failed miserably. He was pushed aside, and a running back went by him for a 45-yard TD. He also had no tackles the whole game and looked totally ineffective.
The jury is still out on Cody and his NFL career. This could be a put up or shut up year for him.
Cory Reamer
At first he impressed the Jets in camp and got signed as a walk-on, but he was eventually a late waive. Not making the practice squad hurt. It's not usual for people who didn't make it as a walk-on their first year to ever make it at all, so Reamer's career may be over.
At Alabama he was a special teams standout that got a chance to start at linebacker due to an injury and made the most out of it. He just couldn't translate that good fortune into a pro career.
Roy Upchurch
I interviewed Roy at the Senior Bowl last year, and he was optimistic after talking to some scouts. He had a good week of practice and did stir a little buzz with one run in particular.
The Baltimore Ravens invited him for a tryout, but he failed the physical and has all but ended his chance of ever making it in the NFL.
Javier Arenas
Was taken in the second round by the Kansas City Chiefs and participated in every game but one last year as a rookie and had two starts. Though small for the NFL, he plays just as big as he did at Alabama.
This past year he had one forced fumble, 43 tackles, three sacks and eight pass deflections with no interceptions.
He is considered a future defensive back star on that team, and they still have yet to tap all the talent he can put on the field.
Brandon Deaderick
He was almost overlooked by the NFL, going in the seventh round as the 247th pick overall, but the New England Patriots quickly discovered they got a late-round jewel.
He impressed in camp and played in 10 games this past season, starting four. He is seen as a bright star of the future for the team, and the coaches are delighted in him as a player and a role model.
He had 17 tackles and two sacks, and both sacks proved important in getting them to the playoffs.
Colin Peek
He went undrafted but was asked to try out for the Atlanta Falcons, who may have been hoping that the ex-Georgia Tech, ex-Alabama star could make the team.
He was eventually signed by the Falcons but cut before the first game. With so much tight end talent in the NFL now and so much coming in this year, it's doubtful he'll get another shot.
Eryk Anders
Anders always played bigger than his physique at Alabama and seemed to always make the big play, but after trying out with the Cleveland Browns, who took a long look at him, they passed, as did the New York Giants.
The pass-rushing Anders even tried to make it in Calgary with the Stampeders with another old Alabama teammate who is playing there, Juwan Simpson. Unfortunately for Anders, that didn't work out either.
He is still hoping to catch on somewhere, but time has now worked against him, as has his size.
That's it for Part One. Stay tuned as we catch up with the rest of the 2010 NFL hopefuls and see how things worked out.
Michael Michele Marisa Tomei Shannyn Sossamon Rachael Leigh Cook Elisha Cuthbert
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