Posted by Jeff Smith on May 26th, 2009 in Features, Opinions
http://www.chiefsgab.com/wp-content/...studebaker.jpg
We’ve all found ourselves at one time or another cheering for that obscure late round draft pick or the undrafted camp body, the street free agent that has bounced around from team to team and has become virtually forgotten. Who doesn’t cheer for the underdog? Anybody remember hoping to see guys like WR Bobby Sippio or WR Marc Boerigter dodge the Turk’s visit? How about OT Joe Valerio, WR Sean LaChapelle or DT Terdell Sands?
Every year there seems to be another long shot that becomes the talk of message boards 24/7, the dark horse, the diamond in the rough destined to make it big! The small town kid with dreams of making it in the NFL, the type of wholesome individual raised to say, “Yes sir” and thinks it only right to hold a door open for a lady. This year’s camp fan favorite might just turn out to be Wheaton College’s very own Andy Studebaker.
In his sophomore and junior seasons at Wheaton, Andy smacked around the opposition to the tune of 110 tackles, 44 tackles for a loss and 25 sacks. But during his senior campaign, Andy suffered a partially torn ligament in his foot that required surgery. Though he made a full recovery, his college career was finished and his draft preparations were adversely affected and consequently his draft ranking suffered.
Studebaker was draft ed in the sixth-round of the 2008 draft (203rd overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles but was cut, and then later signed to the Eagles’ practice squad.
The Eagles took notice of Studebaker’s speed, coach ability and work ethic, and slotted him as the backup to LB Chris Gocong. For the converted DE, the learning curve at the SAM position was steep, but Andy proved to be up to the challenge. Philly’s DC Jim Johnson may regret losing Studebaker, but the Eagles’ loss might just turn out to be the Chiefs’ gain.
In November of last year, Kansas City signed Andy to a two-year deal. As a member of the 2008 Chiefs, he appeared in six games and totaled just three tackles. With feeble stats as those, one could be lead to conclude that Studebaker’s days in the NFL are quickly slipping away. But during last week’s first OTA, Andy Studebaker popped up on the Chiefs radar in a big way as he recorded playing time with the first unit in the absence of OLB Tamba Hali.
As is the case with several of the Chiefs defenders, Studebaker finds himself making the switch from a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 outside linebacker. With his size (6-3 251lbs.) and athleticism, Andy might find himself to be in the right place at the right time.
http://www.chiefsgab.com/2009/05/26/...he-right-time/
Chiefs LB Andy Studebaker: Right Place at the Right Time
(https://chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=208271)