Post by theultimatekcchiefsfan on May 10, 2003 17:04:19 GMT -5
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Pinkard gets 2nd chance after drug test left him undrafted
Or--
Life without the bong.
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
May. 9, 2003 12:00 AM
Mike Pinkard goes to work in the NFL today for the first time, an expected end to an unexpected path after his Arizona State career closed.
The start of Kansas City Chiefs minicamp will be a welcome change for Pinkard, who reportedly tested positive for marijuana use at the February NFL scouting combine.
Pinkard, a tight end who was rated among ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper's top 25 seniors in November, saw his draft status and potential earnings drop like a stone. Seven rounds and 13 tight end draftees later, Pinkard went unselected. Now he is trying to make the Chiefs as a free agent.
Before leaving Tempe, Pinkard was emotional in expressing his regret. He declined to address the drug report other than to confirm it. Pinkard laments his fallen status and lost wages, but he said he is most sorry for how the test result affected those around him.
"I disappointed my coaches here at ASU and my family," Pinkard said. "I disrespected the university. I feel terrible for it. Right now, I can do my best to make up for it by having a successful career. I feel like I let a lot of people down."
Pinkard had surprising senior success with 31 catches for 536 yards. At 6 feet 5 and 265 pounds, Pinkard ran a 40-yard time of 4.55 seconds. He was at least a middle-round selection in most experts' eyes.
At the close of the draft, Pinkard was listed first on the ESPN ticker for Kiper's ranking of best available players.
"It was definitely a humbling experience," Pinkard said. "Up until draft day, there was no comparison between me and a guy like the guy from Eastern Washington (Dan Curley, St. Louis' fifth-round pick).
"I'm not blaming anybody but Mike Pinkard, because he did it. That's why I'm looking to no one but Mike Pinkard to fix it. I understand no matter how hard you work, if you make a mistake, you can lose it all."
Todd McShay, director of college scouting for The War Room scouting service, said Pinkard's drug test certainly did him damage, particularly because it boggles NFL executives' minds how a player can fail a drug test that he knows is coming.
However, McShay said Pinkard was already dropping because of an "awkward" performance at the Senior Bowl and a low score on the Wonderlic, a problem-solving exam.
"He's probably a better athlete than he is a football player," McShay said. "You almost feel bad for the guy that he got an inflated sense of his standing."
Pinkard is going into an ideal situation but for the lack of a big signing bonus. He has a three-year deal, contingent on making the team.
The Chiefs have a star tight end in Tony Gonzalez and a solid but injury-troubled backup in blocker Jason Dunn. Pinkard figures to battle for the No. 3 job with Billy Baber, who was the Chiefs' third tight end last year, and Dwayne Blakley, who was on the Chiefs' practice squad last year.
"I know I lost out on a lot of money, but my No. 1 focus is to make the team," Pinkard said.
Chiefs front office personnel declined comment
Pinkard gets 2nd chance after drug test left him undrafted
Or--
Life without the bong.
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
May. 9, 2003 12:00 AM
Mike Pinkard goes to work in the NFL today for the first time, an expected end to an unexpected path after his Arizona State career closed.
The start of Kansas City Chiefs minicamp will be a welcome change for Pinkard, who reportedly tested positive for marijuana use at the February NFL scouting combine.
Pinkard, a tight end who was rated among ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper's top 25 seniors in November, saw his draft status and potential earnings drop like a stone. Seven rounds and 13 tight end draftees later, Pinkard went unselected. Now he is trying to make the Chiefs as a free agent.
Before leaving Tempe, Pinkard was emotional in expressing his regret. He declined to address the drug report other than to confirm it. Pinkard laments his fallen status and lost wages, but he said he is most sorry for how the test result affected those around him.
"I disappointed my coaches here at ASU and my family," Pinkard said. "I disrespected the university. I feel terrible for it. Right now, I can do my best to make up for it by having a successful career. I feel like I let a lot of people down."
Pinkard had surprising senior success with 31 catches for 536 yards. At 6 feet 5 and 265 pounds, Pinkard ran a 40-yard time of 4.55 seconds. He was at least a middle-round selection in most experts' eyes.
At the close of the draft, Pinkard was listed first on the ESPN ticker for Kiper's ranking of best available players.
"It was definitely a humbling experience," Pinkard said. "Up until draft day, there was no comparison between me and a guy like the guy from Eastern Washington (Dan Curley, St. Louis' fifth-round pick).
"I'm not blaming anybody but Mike Pinkard, because he did it. That's why I'm looking to no one but Mike Pinkard to fix it. I understand no matter how hard you work, if you make a mistake, you can lose it all."
Todd McShay, director of college scouting for The War Room scouting service, said Pinkard's drug test certainly did him damage, particularly because it boggles NFL executives' minds how a player can fail a drug test that he knows is coming.
However, McShay said Pinkard was already dropping because of an "awkward" performance at the Senior Bowl and a low score on the Wonderlic, a problem-solving exam.
"He's probably a better athlete than he is a football player," McShay said. "You almost feel bad for the guy that he got an inflated sense of his standing."
Pinkard is going into an ideal situation but for the lack of a big signing bonus. He has a three-year deal, contingent on making the team.
The Chiefs have a star tight end in Tony Gonzalez and a solid but injury-troubled backup in blocker Jason Dunn. Pinkard figures to battle for the No. 3 job with Billy Baber, who was the Chiefs' third tight end last year, and Dwayne Blakley, who was on the Chiefs' practice squad last year.
"I know I lost out on a lot of money, but my No. 1 focus is to make the team," Pinkard said.
Chiefs front office personnel declined comment
