Here's 'the List': 33 Undrafted FAs, Tryouts

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Here's 'the List': 33 Undrafted FAs, Tryouts

Published: Fri, May 1, 2009 - 9:33am ET
Randy Lange

By Randy Lange

Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.


File Under: rookie minicamp, Ty Steinkuhler, Zach Potter, Emanuel Cook, T.J. Conley, J'Nathan Bullock

05/01 — At last, the list.

The list of the Jets' 2009 undrafted free agents.

The team has released the names of the 17 players it added immediately following the conclusion of the draft Sunday evening, plus 16 more players who are here on a tryout basis. All arrived at the Atlantic Health Training Center during the day Thursday, the contracts have all been signed and approved by the league, and the Jets' rookie minicamp, five practices to be held from today through Sunday, is under way.

Several characteristics on this list are worth noting. There are a couple of safeties in Emanuel Cook — considered by analysts to be one of the top undrafted players available — and Keith Fitzhugh.

The list also includes three tight end candidates: Rob Myers, Andrew Davie and J'Nathan Bullock of Cleveland State, who's of note because he was a top power forward for the Vikings' basketball team.

And there are four defensive linemen, although one of them, Jamaal Westerman of Rutgers, is expected to get a look at linebacker. Another, DT Matt Kroul was a teammate of third-round RB Shonn Greene at Iowa.

Lets also not overlook the large Cornhuskers contingent on the Jets' roster now. Following the drafting of Nebraska guard Matt Slauson in the sixth round, two UN teammates, DEs Zach Potter and Ty Steinkuhler, were signed as free agents.

Perhaps you recognize Steinkuhler's name? Yup, he's related. (See my Defensive Signees Include Huskers, Cook, Conley
story.)

There are four offensive line candidates on the list in Kyle Link, Ryan McKee, Tavita Thompson and Michael Parenton.

And we have one QB (Chris Pizzotti), one FB (Brannan Southerland), one WR (Britt Davis) and one punter.

By the way, the punter, T.J. Conley of Idaho, is really good.

Eric Allen and I will get into more detail on these signees in stories a little later today. EA handled the offensive players, I've got the defense.

Here is the list of the 17 undrafted free agents whose signings were announced this morning:

 Player

Pos.

College

Ht.

Wt.

 J'Nathan Bullock

TE

Cleveland State

6'5"

240

 T.J. Conley

P

Idaho

6'3"

220

 Emanuel Cook

S

South Carolina

5'10"

214

 Andrew Davie

TE

Arkansas

6'6"

275

 Britt Davis

WR

Northern Illinois

6'3"

205

 Keith Fitzhugh

S

Mississippi State

5'11"

205

 Matt Kroul

DT

Iowa

6'3"

281

 Kyle Link

T

McNeese State

6'6"

300

 Ryan McKee

T

Southern Mississippi

6'6"

291

 Rob Myers

TE

Utah State

6'4"

240

 Michael Parenton

C

Tulane

6'2"

287

 Chris Pizzotti

QB

Harvard

6'5"

225

 Zach Potter

DE

Nebraska

6'7"

280

 Brannan Southerland

FB

Georgia

6'0"

244

 Ty Steinkuhler

DE

Nebraska

6'3"

280

 Tavita Thompson

T

Oregon State

6'5"

309

 Jamaal Westerman

DE-LB

Rutgers

6'3"

265

And here are the 16 tryout players who are also working at the rookie minicamp:

 Player

Pos.

College

Ht.

Wt.

 Kevin Akins

S

Boston College

6'2"

224

 Lance Brandenburgh

LB

Nebraska

6'1"

230

 Gary Cismesia

K

Florida State

5'11"

205

 Manny Collins

CB

Rutgers

5'10"

190

 George Covington

LB

Maryland

6'2"

235

 Casey Dick

QB

Arkansas

6'2"

216

 Anthony Harris

DT/LS

Western New Mexico

6'3"

287

 Josh Hunt

NT

Eastern Michigan

6'5"

290

 Craig Kobel

LB

South Florida 

6'3"

255

 Ottis Lewis

WR

Hofstra

6'6"

205

 Kenny O'Neal

WR

Florida State

6'1"

195

 Allen Patrick

RB

Oklahoma

6'1"

200

 Jack Simmons

TE

Minnesota

6'4"

246

 Sean Smalls

CB

Massachusetts

6'1"

210

 Brian Toal

LB

Boston College

6'0"

238

 Stephen Valenta

OL

Cornell

6'6"

309

 

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Fans Respond

Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Show All (47)

kevin goldstein Said:

Sun, May 3, 2009 - 11:13pm ET

"My father and I followed Brian Toal from his sophmore year at Don Bosco high school up until he got hurt his 5th year at Boston. Pound for pound he's the real deal. Bad luck with those injuries. If he did the juice he probably would have gotten drafted. If it were my team,nothing to think about. He's a football player. I guy i wanton my team. Special teams,fullback,line backer. Good luck Brian."

Offensive Comment?

Joel Wilson Said:

Mon, May 4, 2009 - 10:23am ET

"The sleeper of the bunch, Jack Simmons. Jack was penalized by a poor coaching staff in Minnnesota. Stats suffered. He does not miss a blocking assignment and will catch all thrown to him."

Offensive Comment?

ANTHONY Said:

Mon, May 4, 2009 - 7:13pm ET

"I HAVE BEEN WATCHING BRIAN TOAL SINCE HIS HIGH SCHOOL DAYS AT DON BOSCO .HE HAS THE HEART OF A LION,CAN BE A GREAT SPECIAL TEAM PLAYER.WISH HIS FATHER WAS STILL COACHING AT BERGEN CATHOLIC."

Offensive Comment?