AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat happened to Kenny Scott?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Somewhere on high, there must be an author with an odd sense of humor or coincidence. Reggie Ball will be running routes in mini-camp this week alongside Calvin Johnson in Detroit? How’s that for Motor City Madness? You can’t script that.
Surely few are surprised that Ball did not sign a free agent contract, that he has to try out as a “non-roster invitee” of the Lions to win one. He’s a man without a position, just like Marcus Vick last year.
But Kenny Scott? Talk about plummeting stock. At one point, months ago, he was thought to be a late-second round/third round guy. Then he goes undrafted and doesn’t sign a free agent contract only to end up trying out in Tampa Bay? You can’t foresee that kind of thing unless you were in NFL war rooms the past few months.
Nobody is saying it on the record, but at least after the fact there are whispers that give some indication as to what happened. Apparently, several teams have questions about Kenny’s “character,” which has become a giant catch basin of a word to encompass all kinds of potential issues. Where usually people associate that word with someone who is inclined to end up in trouble, stomp on a fallen player (Marcus Vick), or allegedly pull a gun at a McDonalds (Marcus Vick), or run afoul of drug laws (Marcus Vick), Scott’s legal record is not at issue.
The fact he flamed out of school right before the last game of his career, however, raised red flags. Same goes for Reggie Ball, although his predicament is less about this and more about the fact the former quarterback is now a man without a position.
When I asked Kenny last week what questions surprised him the most in interviews with NFL officials at the combine and since he said, “They tend to ask you about women a lot; they want to see how you respond to that situation. That might be the strangest thing.”
Call me crazy, but I also consider this another argument for staying in school, or at least withdrawing properly (or not signing up for any second-semester classes) to get ready for the draft rather than flunking out or opting to just quit showing up.
NFL officials don’t care as much about whether a potential player graduates as they do that he might let teammates and coaches down by flaming out academically before the final game of his career. That’s not exactly a case of tending to detail by a player, but rather an ominous sign that he might not be dependable enough to invest in.
KaMichael Hall is a fine football player, but his size (6-0, 220) doesn’t help.
Joe Anoai? Search me. I don’t know. Good size, great motor, huge hustler, very level-headed guy. Maybe not a superb athlete, but a pretty darned good football player.
Mansfield Wrotto will have a shot to get in the mix in Seattle, and sooner than later, I think. Great guy, much better fit inside that at tackle in the NFL.
Baseball team lost two of three at Clemson, making their situation a little more dire but not yet critical.
In the Coastal Division, Virginia is 16-7, North Carolina 16-8 and Tech 14-9. Remember, the third and final game of the GT-Virginia series was rained out two weeks ago. Remember this, too: Tech won the first game, and was up 2-0 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth in the second game. Then, Danny Payne walked a batter, hit a batter, and gave up a walk-off three-run HR. Think the Jackets would like to have that one back?
Tech still plays two ACC series, against North Carolina and Florida State (17-4 in the Atlantic division). Plus, a non-conference series.
Better hope for Calvin Johnson’s sake the Lions have a better idea what they’re doing these days than in the past five or six years. They’ve been worse than dreadful, and it has started at the top, with Matt Millen.
Money can buy you a nice house and a nice car, but Calvin will find life in Detroit to be much different than in Atlanta. Doesn’t mean it can’t work out, but the Lions need more pieces and, most importantly, an attitude makeover from top to bottom.
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Comments
By jc
April 30, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
The only question I have is if Reggie makes an NFL club, will his bio say he played for Tech or UGA? The reason I ask is b/c it sames that he won more games for the dawgs than he did for us!
By Phildo
April 30, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Reggie Ball anywhere near an NFL team, other than in the stands selling beer. You’ve got to be kidding.
By Tech82
April 30, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
Picture Calvin teaching Reggie how to run routes and get open. Now picture him showing Reggie how it feels to be wide open and not have a quarterback who can get him the ball.
The irony is sweet.
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 30, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
I always thought Ball had the athletic ability to make it at some position in pro football, if not in the NFL then in the Arena League. Obviously he shouldn’t be anywhere near the quarterback position. But I could see him at wide receiver or strong safety somewhere. I don’t know if he’ll make it on the Lions, but it makes sense to give any good athlete a tryout as an undrafted free agent.
The reason Anoai wasn’t drafted is because he’s a 280 pound defensive tackle who isn’t overly explosive from an NFL standpoint. If he was 300 pounds, his motor may have got him drafted. At 275 pounds, it’s not too surprising. I’m actually more surprised KaMichael Hall wasn’t drafted as a hybrid safety or a Cover-2 linebacker by someone — the guy is fast and made plays constantly. If there was one ex-Jacket that I would have liked to see the Falcons bring in for a tryout as an undrafted free agent, it’s Hall.
By justanotherguy
April 30, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Tech82 - YES!
Picture Calvin trying to explain to Reggie how to catch a ball thrown 10 feet over his head and 5 yards too long on a 20 yard route….
Man, we could go for days on this riff.
By matt
April 30, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
He’s still in the end zone at Sanford Stadium watching MoMass make the winning touchdown catch right in front of him.
6 in a row! Domination.
By cant shake him
April 30, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
POOR CALVIN - HE CANT SHAKE THIS DUDE - REGGIE COST CALVIN THE HEISMAN TROPHY AND NOW HE HAS EMERGED IN DETROIT - IMAGINE THE LOOK ON CALVIN’S FACE WHEN HE FOUND OUT THAT THE MOST INEPT QB IN THE HISTORY OF THE ACC IS NOW LURKING AROUND THE LIONS LOCKER ROOM TRYING TO ACT LIKE HE BELONGS - CJ COULD HAVE THROWN HIS BOY UNDER THE BUS PLENTY OF TIMES, BUT HE DIDNT - HE’S TOO CLASSY - REGGIE ON THE OTHER HAND WAS NOT VERY CLASSY AT ALL AND DIDNT REPRESENT THE UNIV TOO WELL ON THE FIELD OR IN THE PRESS ROOM
By Ralph
April 30, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
Do you know what Calvin probaby said when he heard Reggie was coming? Nothing. He just cried all the way to the bank.
By gdawginkalamazoo
April 30, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
Tech82, LMAO! Now that was funny! Hope CJ is at the opposite end of Ford Field while Reggie is out there.
Matt, Detroit is hurting as a franchise and as a city. I remember the Flacons never did anything while the Smith’s owned them. The Ford’s are about the same type of owners. Basically no clue. Matt Millen was something like 12-55 as a GM but got his contract renewed. Go figure on that.
It will be great to see CJ play in Detroit. I hope he does well. Mike Martz did have a productive offense last year. A lot of points. Just no defense to back it up. Although John Kitna has been around the league he had a great season last year throwing the ball. So if nothing else maybe CJ can start his career here then move on to a better place.
By GT
April 30, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this
I am just glad Calvin was not taken by someone in our division. He will be huge in the NFL, and Detroit like a drunken sailor will have to hock him to improve their ball team before it is over. He will end up in New England or whatever the class team in the league is at the time. Great teams get all the lunch money before it is over with. On top of that the NFL needs him in a big market to sale the league.
Reggie Ball, will always be a mystery. How did he start above Bennett and why did we waste our greatest football players Johnson for three years.
By StingerSplash
April 30, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
Reggie Ball at receiver - two years too late.
By noel malone
April 30, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
please please don’t ever mention the name of reggie ball again, EVER!! we are through and done with that loser.
By ben
April 30, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
najeh, I believe Anoai was at 303 at Tech’s pro day, or around that. I think he’ll find his place on a roster somewhere. Guys that big that can run can usually find a place in the NFL…
By surfrider
May 1, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this
Most of these NFL guys have no idea what a school like Tech is like particularly into one’s Senior Yr. Scott has a sterling career with no problems publically until the last game. He is a good corner. The Falcons could use him in depth and returns. As for Anoi the Falcons should sign him immediately. It’s not looking great with Kearney gone, two out with injuries and a lawsuit on released info on the way. A shame Scott and Anoi were’nt drafted. They both have the “character” the NFL needs.
By mtraininjax
May 1, 2007 1:57 AM | Link to this
The only running Reggie will do in the NFL is with his mouth from the stands after his vending boss tells him to get back to work. Reggie couldn’t find his way out of a paper bag, much less onto an NFL field.
Kenny Scott - I guess graduating would have been a good thing? Maybe that piece of paper would be a good thing to fall back on, in case your PRO career did not take off. Worry not, you and Reggie can open up the “flunked out of Tech” bookstand at all 2007 Tech home games, in 10 years, we can parade the Student Athletes around for a view of “who not to be like”!
Hall has no character, not like D Smith did. Anaoi can catch on with a team, if he remains with the same level of emotion and intensity. Good job Calvin at being, well, yourself. Too bad some of your teamates never learned this from you.
By exNFLplayer
May 1, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this
Reggie Ball in a nutshell folks. Not a team guy. Zero poise and composure. Not very bright. Lots of guys with all of the above combined with lots of heart make it in the league without tons of athletic ability. Reggie won’t. In contrast, does anybody want to bet against Tra Battle. That guy is the “little engine” that could. The anti-Reggie.
By DawgBite
May 1, 2007 7:37 AM | Link to this
Add those 17 ineligibles to that “who not to be like club”. And surfrider, most of your top athletes “have no idea” what a senior year at Tech is like either. Most of them are 2 years short of a degree after 5 years of eligibility.
By Reggie Ball
May 1, 2007 7:41 AM | Link to this
Yo dog! You mofos about to get that azz kicked! I’m Reggie Ball! I’m gonna be all pro! Now wheres all the womens at.
By gdawginkalamazoo
May 1, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this
Calvin needs to give Reggie directions to the tunnel and send him over to Canada. CFL anyone?.
By John Chambers
May 1, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
Reggie Ball is going to be a rich man and deservedly so! You people are pathetic, Reggie Ball is laughing all the way to the bank and you jerks can continue to bash him all you want but he still made it!!!
By gdawginkalamazoo
May 1, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
John, Reggie has made what? The only untrue thing written above was by StingerSplash. Could have been a typo though. I am pretty sure he meant four years.
By Jliu
May 1, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
If Kitna and his back-ups go down, Reggie will be Detroit’s quarterback, which indeed will give Calvin the chance to make some acrobatic catches at the pro level too. What do you think of that?
By gdawginkalamazoo
May 1, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Jlui, Don’t worry I will drive over there and step in before Reggie gets a chance. Haven’t played in years but I can handle a three step drop and toss to the flats to let CJ take-off. Of course YACs will be a huge stat for CJ.
By Wolfpack
May 1, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
To be honest Reggie might have been inconsistent at Tech but you guys won games with him. And when he was a freshman yall treated him like he was everything, now you all are the same ones talking bad about him, what kind of loyalty is that as fans? And who are yall to talk, do anyone of yall have a workout with the lions? Were yall throwing the ball to Calvin Johnson? I mean come on now.
By Reggie Ball
May 1, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
What up dawgs? I be telling you I is NFL caliber. Suks I be missin’ class to go to camp.
By Sturge
May 1, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this
Wolfpack- You can’t possibly be serious unless you’re a liberal. I notified your supervisor and you need to report to human resources for drug testing. Your dawg is the worst 4-year starter in the history of NCAA Div-I football. I’d pay good $$$ to see his Wonderlic score. I doubt Vince Young scored as low as some claim but if it’s true, Reggie will eclipse that dubious honor. Heck, how may players voluntarily chose to wear their GPA as their number?
By curtrob
May 1, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
i am also surprised K Scott didnt get drafted, most draft boards had him going no further than the third round or so. i hope this motivates him to play hard enough to make a pro team. he’s a good guy, i been around him a few times and i think he would be very valuable on anybody roster. he’s a four year starter, very physical and the athleticism and speed to cover NFL wideouts.
leave Reggie alone, there are teams in the pros that believe he has a shot, if he’s not good enough then he wont make the team, enough said.
i was very shocked Hall and Anoi didnt get drafted, but these kids have too much ability and skill not to make a roster. someone mentioned Hall possibly playing safety, there are plenty of college career linebackers turned safety because of their size in the league right now. that may even be a better fit for him.
this just goes to show you that it was the right move for players like Phillip Wheeler to stay in school one more year to get there stock up. i know Anoi, Scott and Hall were all seniors but i cant see a player like Wheeler, who is phenomenal at the collegiate level being guaranteed a draft pick after what just happened to these players i wish them all luck..
Calvin be GREAT. use everyone of your God given abilites at the next level. especially your humbleness, intelligence and character
By JustMe
May 2, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this
Most on here are too hard on Reggie, an most on here are ugay fans.
Keep in mind that Reggie was never a quarterback, never wanted to play quarterback, and never claimed to be a quarterback….. until he met Chan. It was Gailey that forced Reggie into that position, and Reggie tried to make the best of it.
Out of high school, it was expected that Reggie play CB or even reciever. It was Chan that tried to turn him into something he wasn’t. Don’t blame Reggie for that!
Good luck to Reggie, to Calvin, to Scott, and to all of the Yellowjackets! Make us proud!!
By JustMe
May 2, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this
One more thing to you ugay fans….
Rather than worry about a past Tech quarterback in any case, sounds like you need to worry about your current players (see article in todays ajc)!
By vikes99
May 2, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
Anoai signed with the Vikings.
By gdawginkalamazoo
May 2, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
JustMe, believe me when I tell you that the UGA fans on here absolutely are huge fans of Reggie Ball. Matter of fact we are sad to see him leave Tech. I think the critics on here are all Tech fans. Calvin, now I am glad he is in Detroit. He will be a plus in Mike Martz offense. BTW, we aren’t worried about our current players, there is enough good there to take care of the weak links and idiots that we recruited.
By Not A Hall Fan
May 2, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
Hall didn’t get drafted because he is SLOW, unbelievably slow. He has great timing and is a very good tackler, but he is unbelievably slow. I remember seeing UCONN’s slow white quarterback beat him to the corner two years ago and thinking he was too slow. ZERO lateral ability. Too small to play linebacker in the NFL, too slow to play safety.
Anaoi and Scott will probably catch on somewhere, but not Reggie Ball. Eric Crouch was Ball-esque and a lot smarter and he didn’t make it.
By surfrider
May 3, 2007 1:57 AM | Link to this
I would like to read more info. on why Scott was suspended for the last game. That seems to be the public reason his draft stock plunged in this new era of Family values in the NFL. Scott is a good student coming to Tech from Daytona and seems to have no problems and then gets suspended for the last game and his career appears over for right now. It just does’nt add up.
By NNK Jim70
May 3, 2007 7:46 AM | Link to this
Interesting that UGA fans keep harping on CJ and not winning a heisman, etc, with Reggie at QB. BUT, for a 4Star recruit, he certainly did very well for both Tech and himself.
OBVIOUSLY going to the GT did not hurt him any at all. Too many top ranked recruits get buried at UGA and never see daylight.
By I have a Reggie on my back
May 3, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
Wolfpack: Reggie Ball NEVER threw the football TO Calvin Johnson.
He threw the football AT Calvin Johnson, as in “somewhere in the general direction of”…
By ben
May 3, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
I think this speaks to the demand we all have that Gailey win 10-12 games or else. The talent level at Tech has been and is lacking. We had one guy who the NFL deems as a potential player and Gailey couldn’t get the ball to him. Maybe we were lucky to have the season we did have.
By JustMe
May 3, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
surfrider,
NFL teams are more and more reluctant to take a chance on any college player that has been in any sort of trouble at all. They have spent millions, taking a chance on someone, for the player only to get arrested, quit, or worse.
Do you really blame them?
By carmen
May 4, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this
Kenny Scott signed with Tampa Bay. KaMichael signed with the Colts and Joe Anoai signed with the Vikings.
By Just Another Tech Fan
May 7, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
Wolfpack, you say the Team won games with him (Reggie “Do I get Four or Five Downs” Ball)…I say the Team won games IN SPITE of him!
Go Jackets! THWG!
By jiinster
May 8, 2007 1:06 AM | Link to this
I wish all the jackets luck and they have all my best in whatever they end up doing.
That being said, I am happy Reggie is graduating. For all of you on the board that have hammered him, he has hammered himself more than you have. Thanks for the memories Reggie, it was fun at times and heartbreaking at times but that is the nature of sports and most of these ID10T’s have never played a down.
K. Hall will catch on. Kenny Scott will catch on. I don’t think Reggie will but I still wish him luck.
For all you UGA fans - you need to get right with your higher power (if there is such a thing for a dawg other than the water bowl).
I must admit to being embarrassed by the Jackets fans that have turned on my team. Just goes to show there is no loyalty in sports - what have you done for me lately - seems to be the theme here.
Anyone remember Eddie McShan (sp?). Probably not.
jiinster