Post by lazarus on Jul 6, 2003 10:30:19 GMT -5
Fujita no longer a green rookie in a sea of red
Camarillo native adjusting to life in NFL as he prepares for 2nd season with Chiefs
By Joe Curley, jcurley@insidevc.com
July 6, 2003
Considering he experienced a 1-10 senior collegiate season at Cal, winning eight games as an NFL rookie felt pretty good to Scott Fujita.
But the Camarillo native and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker didn't spend the last week at Disney World to celebrate an on-field triumph, like some Lombardi-winning quarterback. He was selected as one of a handful of second-year players to teach the recent draft class at the mandatory NFL Rookie Symposium, a group of lectures and discussions aimed at easing the rookies' transition into professional football.
It amounted to a paid vacation for Fujita and his young wife, Jaclyn. The couple moved on from the event in West Palm Beach to enjoy five relaxing days in Vacationland -- Orlando -- on the National Football League's tab.
But beyond the rest and relaxation, the experience also provided the 24-year-old with a measure of professional perspective. Just a year ago, he was a fifth-round draft pick wondering if he was made of the type of stuff that could last in the NFL. Later this month, he will report to his second training camp as the projected starting strongside linebacker, a three-down player, and perhaps a building block that will enable the franchise to rebuild the NFL's worst defensive unit.
Not bad for a Rio Mesa High graduate who was initially a walk-on safety at Cal, who fought through lifestyle-threatening neck problems in Berkeley before becoming one the best linebackers on the West Coast. He was also a young man who still had several agents release him before the draft because they doubted he'd get selected.
One year into his NFL experience, Fujita's parents are retired, he now shares a spacious two-story home with his wife in the burgeoning community of Leawood, Kan., and his image --not the image of NFL Offensive Player of the Year Priest Holmes -- adorns the Chiefs' pocket schedule.
Jaclyn is whipping around in a BMW X5 SUV, a promise the notoriously tight Fujita delivered upon after signing a reported three-year, $1,025,000 contract with a $120,000 signing bonus. (For himself? Fujita forced himself to buy a punching bag to continue his advanced workouts and a few pairs of shoes.)
In West Palm Beach, Fujita said it was "an honor" to stand out for all the late-round picks who, like he was a year ago, wondered into what they were getting themselves.
"It's funny," said Fujita. "At these kind of symposiums, the high-round draft picks are paid the most attention. I guess I tried to speak on behalf of the later-round guys.
"It was just nice to be there and to be able to say, 'You have an opportunity, just like everyone else.' They may feel overshadowed. They may not feel like they have much of a shot, but they really do."
He proved that a year ago by just grasping the potential of the opportunity.
Initially, the 6-foot-5, 247-pounder fought to make the team by contributing on special teams, eventually making all four special groups by the start of the season. He earned a chance at the linebacker position, playing the entire second half against the New York Jets in Week 5. He was given his first pro start in a Week 6 visit to San Diego, recording six tackles and recovering a fumble on punt coverage in front of his friends and family.
"That's all I could ask for," said Fujita. "An opportunity."
He eventually started nine games as a rookie -- the most by a Chief linebacker since 1990 -- proving himself as the fastest linebacker on the roster by making 63 tackles (49 solo), one sack (against Rams reserve Jamie Martin) and defending six passes.
His teammates voted him the team's top rookie and he was selected to Pro Football Weekly's All-Rookie team.
Fujita played mostly on the strong side of Kansas City's 4-3 alignment, but came off the field for passing downs. Of the last 11 games, the only two he did not start came against Oakland, when the team opened in its nickel package. Offseason reports from Kansas City expect him to be a key three-down contributor this season, with added responsibilities both in the pass rush and in pass coverage.
"All offseason long, I've been working as a three-down player," said Fujita. "I've been working as (the middle) backer in the nickel package. There's a lot to learn there, but it's exciting. It's going to give me an opportunity to make a lot of plays."
There has been a shakeup at all three linebacker slots. Former starting middle linebacker Marvcus Patton is gone. Former weakside linebacker Mike Maslowski has been moved to the middle and former Philadelphia standout Shawn Barber has been signed via free agency to fill the weakside void.
Fujita spent a lot of time at the symposium with Baltimore first-rounder Kyle Boller, the former Hart High star who was his quarterback at Cal. He expressed joy at Cal's success under head coach Jeff Tedford last season -- "They all deserve it," said Fujita. "They all worked their butts off. I tip my hat to them." --but also added some self-deprecation.
"I just think it's funny that," said Fujita, "in the last 10 years, Cal's only two winning seasons came the year before I got there and the year after I left.
"I'm still struggling to figure out what that means about me."
Instead, he'll focus on the loud fans in Kansas City.
"Words can't even describe (the atmosphere at Arrowhead Stadium)," said Fujita. "I wouldn't be able to do it justice."
The justice he levies is with his pads. With each solid performance, Fujita sees more and more No. 51 jerseys in the Arrowhead sea of red.
Camarillo native adjusting to life in NFL as he prepares for 2nd season with Chiefs
By Joe Curley, jcurley@insidevc.com
July 6, 2003
Considering he experienced a 1-10 senior collegiate season at Cal, winning eight games as an NFL rookie felt pretty good to Scott Fujita.
But the Camarillo native and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker didn't spend the last week at Disney World to celebrate an on-field triumph, like some Lombardi-winning quarterback. He was selected as one of a handful of second-year players to teach the recent draft class at the mandatory NFL Rookie Symposium, a group of lectures and discussions aimed at easing the rookies' transition into professional football.
It amounted to a paid vacation for Fujita and his young wife, Jaclyn. The couple moved on from the event in West Palm Beach to enjoy five relaxing days in Vacationland -- Orlando -- on the National Football League's tab.
But beyond the rest and relaxation, the experience also provided the 24-year-old with a measure of professional perspective. Just a year ago, he was a fifth-round draft pick wondering if he was made of the type of stuff that could last in the NFL. Later this month, he will report to his second training camp as the projected starting strongside linebacker, a three-down player, and perhaps a building block that will enable the franchise to rebuild the NFL's worst defensive unit.
Not bad for a Rio Mesa High graduate who was initially a walk-on safety at Cal, who fought through lifestyle-threatening neck problems in Berkeley before becoming one the best linebackers on the West Coast. He was also a young man who still had several agents release him before the draft because they doubted he'd get selected.
One year into his NFL experience, Fujita's parents are retired, he now shares a spacious two-story home with his wife in the burgeoning community of Leawood, Kan., and his image --not the image of NFL Offensive Player of the Year Priest Holmes -- adorns the Chiefs' pocket schedule.
Jaclyn is whipping around in a BMW X5 SUV, a promise the notoriously tight Fujita delivered upon after signing a reported three-year, $1,025,000 contract with a $120,000 signing bonus. (For himself? Fujita forced himself to buy a punching bag to continue his advanced workouts and a few pairs of shoes.)
In West Palm Beach, Fujita said it was "an honor" to stand out for all the late-round picks who, like he was a year ago, wondered into what they were getting themselves.
"It's funny," said Fujita. "At these kind of symposiums, the high-round draft picks are paid the most attention. I guess I tried to speak on behalf of the later-round guys.
"It was just nice to be there and to be able to say, 'You have an opportunity, just like everyone else.' They may feel overshadowed. They may not feel like they have much of a shot, but they really do."
He proved that a year ago by just grasping the potential of the opportunity.
Initially, the 6-foot-5, 247-pounder fought to make the team by contributing on special teams, eventually making all four special groups by the start of the season. He earned a chance at the linebacker position, playing the entire second half against the New York Jets in Week 5. He was given his first pro start in a Week 6 visit to San Diego, recording six tackles and recovering a fumble on punt coverage in front of his friends and family.
"That's all I could ask for," said Fujita. "An opportunity."
He eventually started nine games as a rookie -- the most by a Chief linebacker since 1990 -- proving himself as the fastest linebacker on the roster by making 63 tackles (49 solo), one sack (against Rams reserve Jamie Martin) and defending six passes.
His teammates voted him the team's top rookie and he was selected to Pro Football Weekly's All-Rookie team.
Fujita played mostly on the strong side of Kansas City's 4-3 alignment, but came off the field for passing downs. Of the last 11 games, the only two he did not start came against Oakland, when the team opened in its nickel package. Offseason reports from Kansas City expect him to be a key three-down contributor this season, with added responsibilities both in the pass rush and in pass coverage.
"All offseason long, I've been working as a three-down player," said Fujita. "I've been working as (the middle) backer in the nickel package. There's a lot to learn there, but it's exciting. It's going to give me an opportunity to make a lot of plays."
There has been a shakeup at all three linebacker slots. Former starting middle linebacker Marvcus Patton is gone. Former weakside linebacker Mike Maslowski has been moved to the middle and former Philadelphia standout Shawn Barber has been signed via free agency to fill the weakside void.
Fujita spent a lot of time at the symposium with Baltimore first-rounder Kyle Boller, the former Hart High star who was his quarterback at Cal. He expressed joy at Cal's success under head coach Jeff Tedford last season -- "They all deserve it," said Fujita. "They all worked their butts off. I tip my hat to them." --but also added some self-deprecation.
"I just think it's funny that," said Fujita, "in the last 10 years, Cal's only two winning seasons came the year before I got there and the year after I left.
"I'm still struggling to figure out what that means about me."
Instead, he'll focus on the loud fans in Kansas City.
"Words can't even describe (the atmosphere at Arrowhead Stadium)," said Fujita. "I wouldn't be able to do it justice."
The justice he levies is with his pads. With each solid performance, Fujita sees more and more No. 51 jerseys in the Arrowhead sea of red.
