snuffy
10-30-2008, 08:03 AM
OSU football: Brandon Pettigrew draws NFL attention
http://www.newsok.com/pettigrew-draws-nfl-attention/article/3316693/?custom_click=lead_story_title
By Scott Wright
Published: October 29, 2008
STILLWATER — When Oklahoma State tight ends coach Doug Meacham discusses Brandon Pettigrew with an NFL scout — and plenty of them are asking about the Cowboys’ senior — he always comes back to the one simple description that truly fits.
"He’s a classic tight end,” Meacham said.
In the era of increasingly athletic players and spread offenses, the college tight end has become more of an oversized receiver. But not in Stillwater, where even in the spread, they run the ball nearly 50 times a game.
"In today’s game, you see a lot of tight ends that split out a majority of the time,” Meacham said. "Brandon can go down inside and grind with the best of ’em, then he can get out and mismatch linebackers or safeties. He’s an every-down guy.”
Once last season, Pettigrew came to the sidelines begging his coaches to call a play to his side of the field. A running play.
That’s what makes him special. Plenty of tight ends will beg for the ball, trying to get their receiving numbers up. But Pettigrew wants to win, whether he’s scoring touchdowns or opening holes for others to score them.
"If I’m whipping my guy, run to my side,” he said.
With his 6-foot-6, 265-pound frame, athletic ability and soft hands, Pettigrew would have a future in the NFL. His brutally physical blocking makes him a likely first-round draft choice.
"I’ve had tight ends that like to catch and not block, and ones that could block, but couldn’t catch,” co-offensive coordinator Trooper Taylor said. "But I’ve never had the combination like this. Whatever NFL team takes him is gonna have them a special gem.”
In his Oct. 23 ranking of the 2009 NFL draft class, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Pettigrew the ninth-best player overall.
Tony Pauline of SI.com projects him as the No. 16 pick, saying "Pettigrew is a complete tight end and offers immediate starting potential in the NFL.”
Pettigrew’s value to the Cowboys is equally dependent on both skills. His blocking helps one of the nation’s top rushing attacks, and his receiving provides a second option to deflect attention from star wideout Dez Bryant.
After missing three games with a high ankle sprain and working his way back slowly against Baylor two weeks ago, Pettigrew showed the college football world he’s fully healthy with a team-high eight receptions for 83 yards in last Saturday’s 28-24 loss to No. 1 Texas.
Of course, there is one detail missing from his stat line this season: a touchdown.
"I don’t mind catching a touchdown every now and then,” Pettigrew said with a grin.
"But I just like playing football. I don’t care what it is, blocking, catching — it’s all good to me.”
http://www.newsok.com/pettigrew-draws-nfl-attention/article/3316693/?custom_click=lead_story_title
By Scott Wright
Published: October 29, 2008
STILLWATER — When Oklahoma State tight ends coach Doug Meacham discusses Brandon Pettigrew with an NFL scout — and plenty of them are asking about the Cowboys’ senior — he always comes back to the one simple description that truly fits.
"He’s a classic tight end,” Meacham said.
In the era of increasingly athletic players and spread offenses, the college tight end has become more of an oversized receiver. But not in Stillwater, where even in the spread, they run the ball nearly 50 times a game.
"In today’s game, you see a lot of tight ends that split out a majority of the time,” Meacham said. "Brandon can go down inside and grind with the best of ’em, then he can get out and mismatch linebackers or safeties. He’s an every-down guy.”
Once last season, Pettigrew came to the sidelines begging his coaches to call a play to his side of the field. A running play.
That’s what makes him special. Plenty of tight ends will beg for the ball, trying to get their receiving numbers up. But Pettigrew wants to win, whether he’s scoring touchdowns or opening holes for others to score them.
"If I’m whipping my guy, run to my side,” he said.
With his 6-foot-6, 265-pound frame, athletic ability and soft hands, Pettigrew would have a future in the NFL. His brutally physical blocking makes him a likely first-round draft choice.
"I’ve had tight ends that like to catch and not block, and ones that could block, but couldn’t catch,” co-offensive coordinator Trooper Taylor said. "But I’ve never had the combination like this. Whatever NFL team takes him is gonna have them a special gem.”
In his Oct. 23 ranking of the 2009 NFL draft class, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Pettigrew the ninth-best player overall.
Tony Pauline of SI.com projects him as the No. 16 pick, saying "Pettigrew is a complete tight end and offers immediate starting potential in the NFL.”
Pettigrew’s value to the Cowboys is equally dependent on both skills. His blocking helps one of the nation’s top rushing attacks, and his receiving provides a second option to deflect attention from star wideout Dez Bryant.
After missing three games with a high ankle sprain and working his way back slowly against Baylor two weeks ago, Pettigrew showed the college football world he’s fully healthy with a team-high eight receptions for 83 yards in last Saturday’s 28-24 loss to No. 1 Texas.
Of course, there is one detail missing from his stat line this season: a touchdown.
"I don’t mind catching a touchdown every now and then,” Pettigrew said with a grin.
"But I just like playing football. I don’t care what it is, blocking, catching — it’s all good to me.”