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Post by AggieMike on Sept 17, 2007 22:27:00 GMT -5
Damnit DECKS, I was typing the same thing when I saw him get hurt yesterday then saw the news earlier
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Post by aggieengr on Sept 18, 2007 8:21:11 GMT -5
He may stick this time, but who knows?
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Post by dj98 on Sept 18, 2007 14:21:19 GMT -5
He'll stick this time, Wesley is on IR, He's done for the year............
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Post by krazykev on Sept 20, 2007 6:26:17 GMT -5
CHARLOTTE -- Curtis Deloatch fears nothing and has a short memory, the two primary attributes of an NFL cornerback. He also has the primary attributes of an ex-cornerback in the NFL -- patience and a cell phone.
Deloatch made the short drive from former Panthers defensive back to current Panthers defensive back for the second time Wednesday.
"I only live a block away," he said.
The life of the cornerback is not a typical existence. Deloatch is four years out of N.C. A&T, and his career already has been a roller-coaster ride that would seem to be enough to drive him to distraction.
"They told me I can unpack this time," he said.
Jokes aside, Deloatch understands the realities of life in the NFL.
"You might be here one day," he said. "You might be gone the next."
Deloatch signed a free-agent contract with Carolina in the offseason, reporting to training camp as one of nine cornerbacks on the Panthers' roster. After two seasons with the New York Giants and one as a member of the New Orleans Saints, the Murfreesboro native came back to play for the Panthers and to establish roots in his home state. He didn't make it out of camp.
"They told me to stick around," Deloatch said.
Before the first game of the season, the Panthers called. They needed help against St. Louis, gave him back his No. 41 jersey and listed him on the depth chart as a backup. He didn't play, but he did everything he was asked. The next day, the phone rang.
"They said they were bringing in this new tight end," he said, sighing as he told the story. "They let me go. They told me to stick around."
Deloatch has been doing that since he demanded the attention of NFL scouts in 2001, his sophomore season as an Aggie.
At A&T, they still talk about his sophomore season. Deloatch was named All-MEAC and was voted first-team Division I-AA All-America after setting an NCAA record with five punts returned for touchdowns, an NCAA-leading kickoff return average of 26.5 yards and a conference- and school-record 530 punt return yards and 248 interception return yards. He ran back two interceptions for TDs.
Still, he was undrafted after his senior year. Deloatch signed as a rookie free agent with the Giants, played in all 16 games and seemed to establish his future in two good seasons. But there are few good seasons for a cornerback in the NFL. For whatever reason, he was waived before the 2006 season.
It was in New Orleans where he became part of NFL legend, albeit briefly, when he returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the Saints' first game back in the Superdome after they returned in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Funny how big plays get you nowhere in the league, and the plays almost no one notices make or break you. In a season that would end, again, with his being waived, Deloatch played two key games against Carolina. He was injured in one, suffering a pulled hamstring that cost him three months of action.
In his return, for the final game of the 2006 regular season, Deloatch made seven tackles against Carolina. For that, he was given another chance.
"It's a big, emotional roller coaster," he said. "I think it's more for my family than anything. They don't understand what goes on behind closed doors."
Deloatch knows the realities of the NFL, but he still kept in shape waiting for the phone to ring. It has every time so far.
"I've been blessed," he said.
That's the only attitude a cornerback can have.
One day you're basking in the spotlight of fame, the next you're on the waiver wire. One moment you're in position to make the play, the next you're on an island all alone with the entire league watching you chasing a wide receiver, chasing a dream, chasing your career.
Deloatch was welcomed back Wednesday. He was part of the team again.
"We had to bring him back," quarterback Jake Delhomme said. "He's 1-0."
Deloatch laughs at the idea that he's a good-luck charm for the Panthers (1-1). But he also knows he's good enough to play for this team as a cornerback. He can laugh with the jokes and roll with the gut punches, but this is getting old.
"I can accept it," he said, mentioning his connections with coach John Fox and secondary coach Tim Lewis. "I've known coach Fox my whole career, and I started for coach Lewis in New York.
"There's nothing I ever did wrong. I came to work every day, professionally, and did what I was supposed to do. They know I can play. I just got caught in a numbers game. I didn't understand it, but it's the nature of the game."
The nature of the game is cruel, and Deloatch knows that better than anyone else. Still, he said he'll stick around. He does that better than anyone else, too.
Contact Ed Hardin at 373-7069 or ehardin@news-record.com
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Post by aggiejazz on Sept 20, 2007 7:05:54 GMT -5
I would not doubt that Curtis is in better financial health than a lot of NFL football players who have been in the league longer and without a break. It seems like being a NFL player is lot like being a stock on Wall Street, one day you are up and next the day you are down.
Congratulation Curtis.
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Post by Striktly on Sept 20, 2007 12:29:31 GMT -5
I'm glad Wayne Hicks suggested to him to walk-on. I just hope they don't slow down recruiting at my old high school because they definitely let some talent slip away this year from a school that has given us future NFL players such as CD, Toran James & Jason Horton (via UNC).
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