Progress Reports: How 2010 Texas Longhorns Draftees Are Doing?

NFL training camps are starting, and some of the guys just drafted this past April are getting into camp and preparing for their NFL futures. It’s going to be exciting seeing how these guys progress over the next few weeks and see if they make the final rosters of their respective teams.

Let’s take a quick look at each of the 2010 NFL Draftees that came from Texas and see how things are going for each of the guys that came out this past April.

Jordan Shipley - Just signed a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals and is ready to participate in training camp. The Bengals have some very good talent ahead of Shipley including Chad Ochocinco, Antonio Bryant, and the newly acquired Terrell Owens. But there is no reason to think that Shipley won’t be able to make this roster. 

While at Texas, Shipley was known as quarterback Colt McCoy’s go-to-guy and he caught almost everything that was thrown his way. He could stick with the Bengals by performing a role similar to what Wes Welker has done for the New England Patriots. At any rate, he has too much talent to let go, so look for him to stick with the Bengals and end up on their active roster this season.

Sergio Kindle - The Ravens got a steal when they grabbed this defensive end/outside linebacker in the second round of the draft this past April, but now it looks like they are going to have to wait a little while to have his services. Recently, Kindle took a fall down two flights of stairs while at home and fractured his skull. This means that he will be out of action for an unknown period of time (most likely all of training camp) and will start off his career in the NFL quite a bit behind everyone else.

At least Kindle will make a full recovery and should be seen on Sundays at some point in 2010.

Colt McCoy - Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the draft, has been talked about a lot by of NFL personnel as being a steal by the Browns. We shall find out sometime later on though because according to the Browns' brass, they have no plans to play McCoy right away. 

McCoy did sign a contract with the Browns, so he is ready to head into training camp and start learning. Right now, it looks like he will be the third-string quarterback behind likely starter Jake Delhomme and backup Seneca Wallace. He will learn and eventually grow into the starting position at some point later on but if he is thrust into action early, he could shine.

Lamarr Houston - Drafted in the second round by the Oakland Raiders, is signed sealed and ready for camp. Reports state that he is lining up with the first team defense already and if he can hold on and have a good camp, he could end up being a starter come week one. Things definitely look promising for him in Oakland. Let’s just hope he stays injury free.

Roddrick Muckelroy - A fourth round pick for the Cincinnati Bengals, signed a deal the same day that Shipley did, and is in Bengals' camp ready to compete. Being a fourth round pick doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s a long-shot to make the roster when it’s all said and done. With a good training camp, Muckelroy could make the roster and contribute during his rookie season in Cincinnati.

Earl Thomas - A first round selection by the Seattle Seahawks, remains unsigned at the time of this post and will start to miss camp as a result. The word out there is that he is waiting for the draft picks around him to sign to get an idea of the kind of money that they are getting, but this could come back to haunt him in the long run. 

Let’s just hope that he can get into camp soon, start learning the defense and have a stellar rookie season.

It looks like it’s been an interesting ramp up to the start of training camp for the Longhorns' 2010 NFL draftees. Most of them are well on their way to proving themselves as being NFL-quality players. 

Guys like Kindle and Thomas (at the rate Thomas is going) may have to wait a little while to prove themselves but they have a lot of talent and should make an impact with their respective team soon.