Roland Rivers lll Accepts Steelers Rookie Camp Invite

[pczach]

Roland Rivers lll Accepts Steelers Rookie Camp Invite

Josh Davis



(https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/look-steelers-linebacker-reacts-to-tim-tebow-news/ar-BB1gBZkc)
http://www.steelersuniverse.com/forums/image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC 1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CY II=The Slippery Rock University product lands himself a Rookie Camp invite.

Not many people have ever heard of Slippery Rock University. That said, SRU has had a few players from their football program make it to the professional ranks, including the NFL, CFL and Arena League. Most recently, quarterback Roland Rivers III joined that list of players.

Rivers won nearly every award and accolade possible at the D-II ranks, including First-Team All-American and the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is D-II’s award for the best player in the country, much like the Heisman Trophy.


He set numerous school single-season records, such as most passing yards in a season, most completions and most touchdowns. Not to mention career records as well.

His final season was in 2019 and just like many whose college careers ended at that time, Rivers had to endure canceled pro days and camps, limiting his ability to showcase his talent in front of pro scouts.

That’s where CAMP presented by HUB Football came in. The March CAMP finally gave Rivers an opportunity to get out there in front of NFL scouts and coaches, where he had a chance to show pro decision-makers what he was capable of.

Prior to his participation at CAMP, Rivers appeared on ‘The State of Football’ show on Sports Illustrated and had this to say about the opportunity:
“This past year has given me time to improve on some things I knew I needed to improve on and I’m excited to be evaluated.”

At CAMP, one of the things that jumped out right away was his size. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Rivers stands tall and poised in the pocket. A dual-threat prospect with a big arm, he doesn’t run just to run. Rivers keeps his eyes down the field when the pocket collapses, moving to extend plays, but he showed that he can take off if the opportunity presents itself.

Read the rest here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/roland-rivers-iii-accepts-steelers-rookie-camp-invite/ar-BB1gC9IN?li=BBnbfcL

[hawaiiansteeler]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kmrOHpD2Tc

[Fire Goodell]

SUPERBOWL!

[DesertSteel]

I like it!

[oneforthetoe]

Steelers have given Slippery Rock players a chance in the past. They signed a running back from Slippery Rock named Chuck Sanders in the mid eighties. Chuck was a senior at Slippery Rock when I was a freshman. Apparently his junior year he was drawing attention from pro scouts. People were somewhat, mostly jestingly, mentioning him as a candidate for the Heisman. I'm sure in part because he was from the school with the funny name. Then, his senior year, he had knee injury that limited his production. I only met him once. He was pretty funny dude. I was an athletic training major for about 20 minutes. When my rotation group reported to the football team practice, Chuck walked up to all of the new students and introduced himself as; "Hi I'm Chuck Sanders the has-been." I think the Steelers just wanted to give a local kid a chance. They made him special teams captain for a week. I don't think he lasted a year. If i remember correctly, it was "The Chief"who always wanted to give one local player a chance each year.

[pczach]

This was reported in the UDFA thread. I just wanted to post a new story on him with more background stuff.

I should have given this thread a different title.

Anywho..... I think it's an interesting signing. I hope we get to see him a bit during camp and preseason to see what he can do.

[tube517]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brdqJ29PQac Roland on the River!

:chuckle:

[Squeegee Thompson]

They already have two former first-round QBs on the roster (including Ben) and a 3rd rounder whom they felt had a first-round grade (Bambi). With Dobbs being back for another year, there's already 4 guys for 3 spots.

Unless this guy channels the ghost of Johnny Unitas and blows the world up, I don't see him as being anything more than a camp body.

[Mojouw]

I think they had to sign someone or they would have no QBs available for rookie minicamp. Or whatever they call that portion of the off-season program now. Rudolph, Dobbs, Haskins, and Ben are not eligible to participate in that portion of the off-season activities.

So they got this dude and maybe even another eligible player or camp is going be a bit dicey to run actual drills and activities in without coaches taking snaps and throwing passes.

[Dwinsgames]

They already have two former first-round QBs on the roster (including Ben) and a 3rd rounder whom they felt had a first-round grade (Bambi). With Dobbs being back for another year, there's already 4 guys for 3 spots.

Unless this guy channels the ghost of Johnny Unitas and blows the world up, I don't see him as being anything more than a camp body.


if he shows anything I expect a phantom injury and a trip to the IR for the 2021 season

[Hawkman]

If I had to do it all over again, I would apply to “Slippery Rock University” just for the name. I love it. Being from the South, that’s just loads of fun. “I’m a junior at Slippery Rock”.

[oneforthetoe]

If I had to do it all over again, I would apply to “Slippery Rock University” just for the name. I love it. Being from the South, that’s just loads of fun. “I’m a junior at Slippery Rock”.

When I went there Playboy listed us as one of the top ten party schools in the country, even though the town was technically dry.. I had met one of the girls that posed through a mutual friend. So I checked out her layout. You know, just to read the accompanying article which listed her favorite car brand. Anyways, the article said "people around here like to get naked and party." All I could think was :" damn I'm getting invited to the wrong parties."

[DesertSteel]

They already have two former first-round QBs on the roster (including Ben) and a 3rd rounder whom they felt had a first-round grade (Bambi). With Dobbs being back for another year, there's already 4 guys for 3 spots.

Unless this guy channels the ghost of Johnny Unitas and blows the world up, I don't see him as being anything more than a camp body.
Well... they cut Unitas too...

[pczach]

Well... they cut Unitas too...



Yep. Unitas blew the world up with a different team after being cut by the Steelers.

They were a shrewd franchise back then! :sofunny:

[DesertSteel]

Yep. Unitas blew the world up with a different team after being cut by the Steelers.

They were a shrewd franchise back then! :sofunny:

Yes nobody could get rid of hall of fame quarterbacks like the Steelers during that era.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

He look better throwing to our new TE then any QB on our rooster would have. Of course this is just one on one with no D.

[Dwinsgames]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZwoDeTihyY

[86WARD]

He look better throwing to our new TE then any QB on our rooster would have. Of course this is just one on one with no D.

Bro...wut?

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

...and so it begins. The fascination with the #5 QB on the roster. :rolleyes3:

[tube517]

...and so it begins. The fascination with the #5 QB on the roster. :rolleyes3:

https://www.moviesjacket.com/image/cache/data/Hall%20of%20Fame%20Gold%20Jacket/Pro-Football-Hall-Of-Fame-Gold-Coat-850x1300.jpg

Kuhn will welcome him w/open arms. :ranger: :chuckle:

[DesertSteel]

...and so it begins. The fascination with the #5 QB on the roster. :rolleyes3:
Can you say “Kurt Warner”??

[Born2Steel]

Hopeful optimism is nothing to be ashamed of. I have hopeful optimism that Ben can return to mid 20teens form. I have hopeful optimism that one of Rudolph, Haskins, Dobbs, or Rivers will be the right guy to fill Ben's shoes once he retires. And I have hopeful optimism the Steelers will continue their winning ways and will add more Lombardis to their trophy case. If you don't have an optimistic outlook when it comes to a freaking game and a past-time, how do you handle regular life? Talk this guy up! Talk up Haskins and Rudolph and Dobbs if you want. This is the FUN part, most of the rest of it is working for somebody else. Roland Rivers III? Are you kidding me, nobody has brought up III Rivers yet?

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Can you say “Kurt Warner”??

Sure, but I guess that means the Rivers needs to go stock shelves at a Hy-vee, play in NFL Europe and some arena league games before I invest any more time discussing the #5 QB .

[DesertSteel]

Sure, but I guess that means the Rivers needs to go stock shelves at a Hy-vee, play in NFL Europe and some arena league games before I invest any more time discussing the #5 QB .
I think if you were QB at Slippery Rock that checks all the needed boxes!

- - - Updated - - -

All kidding aside, I refuse to believe that only 15 athletes in the entire world are capable of being a legit NFL quarterback. My position is that the selection process is broken. Therefore, the more opportunities given to QBs outside of the normal selection process will only increase the odds of finding one more. I'm a fan of drafting a QB every year and also bringing 2-3 more to camp.

[Shoes]

Amazing that these guys went undrafted.

Adam Vinatieri undrafted and played 24 years in the NFL. :chuckle:

https://www.si.com/nfl/talkoffame/nfl/the-all-time-nfl-undrafted-team

[Born2Steel]

Amazing that these guys went undrafted.

Adam Vinatieri undrafted and played 24 years in the NFL. :chuckle:

https://www.si.com/nfl/talkoffame/nfl/the-all-time-nfl-undrafted-team

And some of these guys were in draft classes that went 400 rounds and they still went undrafted.

[pczach]

https://www.moviesjacket.com/image/cache/data/Hall%20of%20Fame%20Gold%20Jacket/Pro-Football-Hall-Of-Fame-Gold-Coat-850x1300.jpg

Kuhn will welcome him w/open arms. :ranger: :chuckle:



:rofl2:


Alert the HOF tailors to prepare!

[teegre]

So, since we are not supposed to discuss Steelers rookies from the Steelers rookie mini-camp... what exactly should we discuss on a Steelers forum?

:yawn:

[BlackAndGold]

So I'm guessing no "tryouts" impressed enough to get a contract?


(figured Roland wouldn't)

[Born2Steel]

So, since we are not supposed to discuss Steelers rookies from the Steelers rookie mini-camp... what exactly should we discuss on a Steelers forum?

:yawn:

I know I have been practicing using more non-confusing abbreviations. Always trying to be a better me.

[Disco1981]

I know I have been practicing using more non-confusing abbreviations. Always trying to be a better me.

It's reaping benefits...You sound spectacular!

[Dwinsgames]

In addition to those already mentioned ....

Jake Delholmme
Donnie Shell
London Fletcher
Arain Foster
Chris Harris jr
Cliff Harris
Priest Holmes
Jim Langer
Sam Mills
Warren Moon
Nate Newton
Drew Person
Jason Peters
John Randle
Tony Romo
Jeff Saturday
Emmit Thomas
Justin Tucker
Brian Waters
Willie Wood
Marion Montley
Dave grayson
Larry Little
Coy Bacon
Rod Smith
Joe Jacoby
Cornell Green
Willie Brown
Erik Kramer
John Kitna
Jim Hart
Jeff Garcia
Dave Krieg
Bart Scott
Cameron Wake
Victor Cruz
Cole Beasley
Adam Thielen
Miles Austin
Malcom Butler
Wes Welker

I mean we could go on and on and on and on the list of UDFA players who became exceptional at their craft is almost mind boggling .... I am of the belief that after the 3rd round it doesn't matter how you first arrive at a teams facilities its then a matter of what you do with the time there ...Talent lies under many unturned rocks the more rocks ( slippery rock ) you turn over the more likely you find talent

[Fire Goodell]

I mean we could go on and on and on and on the list of UDFA players who became exceptional at their craft is almost mind boggling .... I am of the belief that after the 3rd round it doesn't matter how you first arrive at a teams facilities its then a matter of what you do with the time there ...Talent lies under many unturned rocks the more rocks ( slippery rock ) you turn over the more likely you find talent

I honestly think, there's not much of a gap of raw talent between round 3 and undrafted players. You have a ton of players in the late-undrafted rounds who say, can run a 4.4 but are either raw or played for a small school. Any player that can even get a shot on an NFL team as an undrafted rookie are probably still the top .01% of football talent.

You have players like Antonio Brown or James Harrison who don't look like they'll be anything in the NFL but they just turn into madmen as far as improving their craft and turn into stars. They weren't uber talented, just 'talented enough' and worked on the skill aspect of the game to be better than everyone else. Though not too many people have work ethics like this, it seemed like AB and Harrison literally spent all their waking hours training or lifting weights. I hear AB had to eat 5000-6000 calories a day just to keep up with the amount of training he did, that's crazy.

[Born2Steel]

How many of the UDFA mentioned played in Canada or another league and made a name there first? Maybe they were not 'draftable' guys and needed that development they got in a different league. Some of those are just plain misses by 32 teams. Some were developmental guys that grew into their NFL roles.

[pczach]

How many of the UDFA mentioned played in Canada or another league and made a name there first? Maybe they were not 'draftable' guys and needed that development they got in a different league. Some of those are just plain misses by 32 teams. Some were developmental guys that grew into their NFL roles.



There are guys like Cameron Wake, that worked on his game and became a dominant NFL player.

Joe Horn
Mervyn Fernandez
Mike Vanderjagt
Brandon Browner
Joe Theismann

[tube517]

How many of the UDFA mentioned played in Canada or another league and made a name there first? Maybe they were not 'draftable' guys and needed that development they got in a different league. Some of those are just plain misses by 32 teams. Some were developmental guys that grew into their NFL roles.

Sam Mills. UDFA cut by Cleveland and Toronto in CFL.

Went to the USFL and played very well. THen got another chance in the NFL and kicked ass.

[Born2Steel]

Then you see a name like John Randle. Oooops!