Illini in the Pros (Football)

#76      
I’ve been trying to track Miles Scott at Broncos camp yet the insights have been scant. However this emerged late yesterday.
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#83      
In July 2022 I visited campus for the first time in more than 20 years. On my final morning, before heading back to ORD, I walked over to the stadium. It was open and I hiked all the way up to the top of the east balcony and enjoyed the view, as I had done many times as a student in the '80s living across the street.

It was already a hot, sticky morning around 10. When I looked out over the stadium I noticed a player on the near side of the field near the 10-20. By himself. Running an out route repeatedly. When I got tot he field level I saw it was Isaiah. Impressive discipline.

Really enjoyed watching him in person a couple times in '23 (@Purdue and @Maryland). Delighted, as we all were, about the season he had with the Jets. Long may it continue. Splendid Illini story.
 
#87      
Last item. Bennie Fowler (retired WR turned pundit out here in Denver) said “Pat Bryant is the best offensive player for the Broncos in camp so far, he’s been that good.” New (playing calling) OC David Webb has a nickname for him - “Patty Ice”

Baring injuries PB has arrived. For those into fantasy he could be a stellar sleeper pick before the season starts.
 
#90      

From the article:
A new season for Bryant has also come with a new nickname, courtesy of offensive coordinator Davis Webb: “Patty Ice.”

“I think Pat is very savvy, very smart,” Webb said. “When he catches it, his feet are on the ground. I think those are the things they are attracted to whenever he was coming out of Illinois. It’s been really cool to see him take another jump into Year 2.”
 
#91      
To pickup on what Joel Goodson and Blackdog are laying down, see article. Out here in Denver diehard Broncos fans are blown away with the emergence and maturity of PB. Couldn’t happen to a better dude.
 
#92      
PB was the steal of the 3rd round.
Sure looks that way. Plus the story behind it all with Jim Leonhard and his time at Illinois telling Payton and Paton (Coach and GM) you have to get this guy… I mean, that story is being replayed out here daily by the Broncos beat writers. Illinois is getting great publicity out here with PB and Palcho, who they love as well. Just wish Miles Scott was breaking through, but perhaps in the pre-season games to come.
 
#95      
And IIRC that was a round or two ahead of most projections!
The Jim Leonard effect… George Paton (GM) has said in times past they didn’t want to take a chance that PB would come off the board prior to them picking again, and they had another pick later in round 3. So the more savvy talent evaluators may have been lurking. I have a good friend that is the NY Jets southeast scout and I know they were well aware of PB and his abilities. Can’t help but think if he was coming out of OSU he would have been a 2nd round grade but since it was Illinois he’s a 4th or 5th round grade. Yet, my orange and blue koolaid glasses are continually on so maybe I’m off there. Either way, love the PB story.
 
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