His confidence continued to grow throughout the 2020 season, and he was simply fantastic in the biggest moments. He would likely be the first cornerback taken in this draft but for his recent back surgery. If they want a good test for WRs, they should run 60 yards and ignore the first 20. Cris Collinsworth is the game analyst for NBC's Sunday . Pete Brown, the Bengals director of player personnel circled both the first and second round for Collinsworth. Despite his reputation of having a limited route tree, I think he will prove that it had nothing to do with him. The Gators even played him at running back against LSU to try to isolate him, and the Tigers still doubled him. Relentless effort will always work for defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. Initially, he was a guest host for Bob Trumpy (also a Bengals alumnus), but took over the show full-time as Trumpy accepted more television assignments. PFF's Big Board for the 2023 NFL Draft offers three-year player grades, combine measurables, position rankings, and in-depth player analysis for all of the top draft prospects. The 40 yard dash is all about the start and the first 10 yards. As a sophomore, Collinsworth caught 39 passes for 745 yards and nine touchdowns. 12 all-time Gator player.[16][17][18]. In track, Collinsworth, who graduated from Astronaut in 1977, posted a state championship winning time of 10.0 seconds in the 100 as the 6-foot-5 Collinsworth out-leaned the competition at the tape. During the Muoz era of the '80s, Cincinnati had two MVP QBs and went to the Super Bowl twice. Personal life Collinsworth currently lives in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, with his wife Holly, and their four children. He is fast enough for any stunt or loop and wins quickly in one-on-one situations. [2] He is also the majority owner of Pro Football Focus. If there is one big loser here, it is the 49ers, who would have loved the Patriots to have missed out on one of the top quarterbacks to keep a possible trade for Jimmy Garoppolo alive, but those dreams just ended. Smith's lack of size will create doubt until you watch him play. Three others finished with the exact same time but the 65 Collinsworth outleaned his competitors at the tape to take the title. But Riverfront Stadium wasn't exactly some kind of barnyard in that rookie season of 1981. Part of that is that Polite is dealing with a nagging hamstring injury, which has impacted him. When Chase ran under 4.4 at his pro day, I knew he would be the first receiver off the board. Knows how to set up a DB to go by Could be a big play guy could start for us. Collinsworth was the host of Inside the Vault on WGN America. "You knew right away that you had a special player. At 6ft 5in (1.96m) in height, Collinsworth often created mismatches against much smaller cornerbacks. Orlando, FL 32856, Visit the Florida Sports Hall of Fame For the latest news and events about Florida Sports Hall of Fame, please join our mailing list! "He has some wayward motion with his arms. (Complete Story), What Happened To Peter Warrick? Please join us over on PFFs YouTube channel before, during and after the draft for a complete analysis of every pick. Collinsworth played in 107 games, catching 417 passes for 6,698 yards and 36 touchdowns. He ran over 5-flat, which means he likely will fall and that will be a mistake for a lot of football teams," Collinsworth said. Penn State uses so many zone-coverage drops that it is hard to evaluate his coverage skills, but a prospect with his level of athleticism should be able to do anything. Does that mean he knows that anybody with a build that would conjure up ungainly comparisons from Don Knotts to Ichabod Crane shouldn't even think about being selected in the first round of any NFL Draft? There is the 6-4 Collinsworth, stripped to gray shorts and gangling at maybe 180 pounds, Mike Brown recalls. [23], In 1990, he became a part of the NBC network's NFL broadcasts, as well as some of the college programming. Tennessee had some success getting linemen on him and attacking downhill, but generally, he is very difficult to block. [5], His family, including Cris and his younger brother Greg, moved from Ohio to Melbourne, Florida, in 1963, when Cris was four years old. The Ravens can rush anybody on the field from any position. Mon-Fri : 9am to 5pm - 603-459-8358 After Hours : 603-921-6158 Apply & Register TODAY for Spring 2023 Classes at Eastern Florida State College, HOT OFF THE PRESS! He and his wife Holly have four children. Was Cris Collinsworth Any Good as an NFL Player? Questions and Comments: He made a lot of money betting on him. No one projected that in their reports. Lawrence hit Kirk perfectly in the hands. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. . "You watch the tape of him and think of a boxer who is great with that movement, he's hard to get a hand on, he's hard to jam. I never once saw a defender catch him from behind when he was in his prime. Nobody is better with mobile quarterbacks than Urban Meyer, as Tim Tebow and Alex Smith will attest. He is by far the most skilled pass rusher of the players left on the board. The second-round draft choice. He was a quick runner, at a 4.4 second 40 yard dash speed, he was a true threat to opponents. My personal choice would have been North Carolinas Dyami Brown, but Marshall likely gets the nod due to his size. It is usually more difficult for long striders to choke it down and make those cuts and be great route runners. He played college football at the University of Florida, where he was recognized as an All-American. He never shied away from traffic He was a great player.". "He's a very smart individual," the papers quoted Infante as he explained how he was attracted to Collinsworth by his height and productivity in Florida's pro-style offense. Three-time Pro Bowl Selection. Can't you see this through the haze of the Freezer Bowl at the end of that rookie year? But, the first 10 yards for a receiver are not relevant. Nobody hates being predictable more than Jerry Jones, but Surtain is the safe choice for Dallas. He was a quick runner, at a 4.4 second 40 yard dash speed, he was a true threat to opponents. Collinsworth basically told them to take a hike, went to the Japan Bowl and was the MVP. Lance will eventually give the 49ers that final element: a QB who can run on bootlegs opposite those stretch runs. In 2009, he took over as the color commentator on Sunday nights when John Madden left the booth and is still in that role today. He would provide instant offense for Ryan Fitzpatrick in Washington. He has flashy speed and is almost impossible for backs and tight ends to block when he sets his sights on the quarterback. He will not beat himself with penalties, either. The taller, longer framed receivers usually carry their pads better and not much speed is lost when their 40 time gets translated to the game field. In 1998, Collinsworth joined the NFL on Fox team after NBC lost their broadcast rights to CBS. Bolton possesses untapped potential as a man coverage linebacker and likely will not come off the field. Both of Cris's parents were educators; Donetta was a teacher, and Abe was a high-school teacher and coach who later became a principal and eventually the superintendent of schools for Brevard County. He is currently ranked 4th in school pass receiving charts and is even tied for NCAA record for longest touchdown pass (99 yards against Rice as a freshman quarterback in 1977). Austin was also a football player and team captain for Notre Dame. American football player and sports broadcaster (born 1959). "He reminds me of a shorter but faster Pat McInally," Pete Brown wrote. My concern is how he'll fare against speed off the edge; he has such great energy in the running game, but I would just like to see him use that same energy finishing in protection. Clemsons team in 2020 was not as good as it was in past seasons, so he did struggle at times, and Miamis athletes and pressure did unsettle him some. What we do know now on the 40th anniversary of that draft is that just not Tom Brady is a result of fate and fortune. In Super Bowl XVI, Collinsworth caught 4 passes for 107 yards, but committed a costly fumble when he was hit by San Francisco defensive back Eric Wright. He was also recognized with his 3rd and 4th Sports Emmy Awards in 2003 and 2004 as Outstanding Sports Personality/Studio Analyst. In May 2006 he added a 5th Emmy Award in the same category for his work with HBO. So was Collinsworth's future Bengals Super Bowl teammate James Brooks. "Lindy was from Florida. He also led the country in forced fumbles, with six. He is currently serving as a sportscaster at NBC, Showtime, and the NFL Network since 2009. One of the biggest decisions that Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni faced in Super Bowl LVII came on a fourth-and-six from the Chiefs' 15-yard-line with the Eagles up 24-21 late in the third quarter. Video game fans around the world can recognize his voice even if they dont know who he is. But Verser was a hell of a player. 407-575-7801 Batemans 4.39-second 40-yard dash time surprised me. Enjoy Space Coast Daily, Brevard Countys Best and Most Read Magazine, HOT OFF THE PRESS! Right away you knew. Gregg for his discipline. Bateman is a free-flowing route runner who doesnt look overly fast or quick on tape. It was a challenge to play Cover 0 versus Florida because you couldnt leave Toney one on one with anybody. 7. How much he can get away with is always a factor in his success. He is nearly impossible to cover inside on option routes. He finished his eight-season NFL career with 417 receptions for 6,698 yards and 36 touchdowns in 107 games. ABOVE VIDEO:Cris Collinsworth is among Brevard Countys greatest four-sport athletes as he starred in football, basketball, track and field and baseball for Astronaut High School. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The backs that are trying to chip him can't really get a clean hit on him.". Michigan Wolverine defensive end Aidan Hutchinson runs 40-yard dash at 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. It was a close-run thing.". Can he play the same when he isnt perfectly protected like at BYU? GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida rush end Jachai Polite became one of the most talked about names coming out of the NFL Combine last month. 1 overall. When the hands hit 12, Verser caught 23 balls in his career and by the time Collinsworth played in his second Super Bowl, he was out of the league. His RPO footwork is special, he is a dangerous runner in space and he has a great feel for back-shoulder and high-and-away throws to protect the ball and receivers. 100 Yard Dash: 10.18: 1982 Preliminary 4 . Good concentration on streak. The FHSAA named him an all-state quarterback on two occasions and he was named the All-Southern first-team quarterback for his play during his senior season with the War Eagles. Collinsworth's best event was the 100-yard-dash and in 1976, he won the Class 3A state championship in the event, running the race in 10 seconds flat. Running Infante's choice routes where the receivers reacted to the defender and could do it because of the deep trust in Anderson's precision, Collinsworth became the Bengals' first 1,000-yard receiver in the first of four such seasons. 2. He just doesn't remember it that way. Short legs get running faster than long legs, so the taller receiver always has to make up ground in the last 30 yards. You had to think your way through it.It ended up being a nice fit. Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary went with the next pick. He had a famous 99 yard touchdown pass when he was playing for his college squad, the Florida Gators. Marshall is still very young and will be 20 years old when drafted. That is why CC was a Pro Bowler. He was an All-Pro selection from 1981-1983, and played for the 1982 and 1989 Super Bowl teams. He isnt a power player or a finesse player, but he lands somewhere dependably in between. NFL World Is Not Happy With Cris Collinsworth Sunday Night. Collinsworth is currently second on the Bengals' all-time list for receivers with 417 catches for 6,698 yards. [31] Collinsworth also has a steak named after him by the same restaurant.[32]. After a while I figured out what they wanted.". ", They must have had it like the rest of the league. His running skill was inherited by his daughter Ashley who won the Kentucky High School title in the 100 meters race, and ran for Harvard later where she became a team captain. "If he somehow slips to the second round, he is going to be a big-time steal.". But when you have Derrick Henry, that positional flexibility and power come into play. Lawrences running skills may allow him to put up Josh Allen-type red-zone numbers in 2021, and he also possesses excellent seam-throwing skills that I thought were underutilized at Clemson this year. The more tape I watched, the more I was convinced that Phillips was the best defender in this class. The way the story goes, which is now locked somewhere between myth and microfilm, Bengals founder Paul Brown watched offensive coordinator Lindy Infante climb off the table after his impassioned plea to take Collinsworth at No. In 1995, he appeared on HBO broadcasting at Wimbledon with Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, and Barry MacKay. A Superstars special that was held during the N.F.L. He could play anywhere inside, including defensive end in a 3-4 defense. Bill Belichick, Cris Collinsworth and Rich Eisen introduce former San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Lance Alworth to the NFL 100 All-Time Team. When the call didn't come at No. Again, position versatility gives Vera-Tucker the nod here. I would have gone either Christian Barmore from Alabama or CB Jaycee Horn from South Carolina, but Parsons will be hyped like crazy as the best player available at this point. His double-moves are frightening, given his speed, and few receivers run them more often. Moehrigs passion will fit perfectly in Tampa, and he likely wont be left in as many slot man coverages with the Bucs. Salary: $12.5 Million Per Year. His tackling is not flashy, but he breaks down and gets guys on the ground. "He has the intelligence to learn any or all three positions in which we use wide receivers, the kind of guy who I think will be extremely dependable. Cris Collinsworths speed provided him with plenty of scholarship opportunities and he chose to stay in the Sunshine State to attend the University of Florida. He can play any position on the defensive line and create problems. Wood, appointed by Paul Brown as the NFL's first full-time strength coach, still has an endless network of conditioning contacts and in 1981 he knew the photo didn't translate. One of my favorite traits of Bolton's is his ability as a read blitzer. His diving catch and collision against Missouri showed his toughness. This is a big swing for the fences. 2021 NFL Draft Big Board | 2021 NFL Draft Guide | 2021 NFL Draft Stats Export | NFL Mock Drafts | NFL Mock Draft Simulator. January 16, 2023 Space Coast Daily News Brevard Countys Best Newspaper. This was a tough choice. New Career In 107 regular-season games. He has size and strength. Born in Dayton and the son of a Cincinnati educator before the family moved south, Collinsworth was already popular in town before he became one of the most iconic Bengals. He is not afraid of man coverage and brings a very aggressive mindset. "Makes things happen!" With the 10th pick, the Bengals took David Verser, a 6-1, 200-pound tornado out of Kansas widely regarded as the best wide receiver available. All rights reserved. 37.Three Hall of Famers were already off the board in Lawrence Taylor, Kenny Easley and Ronnie Lott. Plus he caught everything. Jerry will be tempted to go for Caleb Farley, the best athlete in this cornerback class, but the injury risk associated with the Virginia Tech corner is just too great. After Al Michaels gave a brief introduction for the upcoming game, the camera would pan out slightly and allow Collinsworth to slide himself into the picture via his broadcasting chair, after which he provided insights of his own. [3], Collinsworth was born in Dayton, Ohio,[4] the son of Abraham Lincoln "Abe" Collinsworth (who was born on Abraham Lincoln's birthday) and Donetta Browning Collinsworth. Collinsworth earned prep football All-America honors from Parade, Scholastic Coach, Joe Namath Prep and Kickoff magazines. The official time for his 40-yard dash at Pro Day was 5.04 seconds, the kind of number that has most draft analysts projecting Polite to fall well out of the first-round projection range they had . [5][6] Cris was successful in multiple sports for the Astronaut War Eagles, and during his senior year in 1976, he won the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A 100-yard-dash state championship and was named a high-school All-American quarterback. He fights hard to get to the edge against guards, using his hands well, and then is just too much to keep from turning the corner. 39 the Vikings picked McDole, one of the receivers whom had been unfavorably compared to Collinsworth and whose career consisted of three catches. He picks apart zone defenses and has a quick release when he pulls the trigger. "My only memory of how Cris was built is at the weigh-in at Tampa, which is where the combine was then. Functional football speed is what it is all about. Cris Collinsworth when he was honored as one of the First 50 Bengals. He also was part of NBCs broadcast team for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. At No. By using BiJog.com you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. In 107 regular-season games in the NFL, 90 of them starts, Collinsworth had 417 receptions for 6,698 yards and 36 touchdowns. His children were also successful scholars. [24] He also served as color commentator for NFL Network Thursday night games (and one Saturday-night game) alongside play-by-play man Bryant Gumbel and Bob Papa. 2023 Maverick Multimedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved |, LOOK & BE YOUR BEST With 4EVER YOUNG Anti-Aging Solutions Merritt Island March Special Offers, WATCH: Brevard County Sheriffs Office Lays Retired K-9 Ruger to Rest, THIS DAY IN HISTORY: Space Shuttle Columbia Lifts Off From NASAs Kennedy Space Center in 1994, Free Eastern Florida State College Bachelors Degree Expo Set March 8, Complete Online Options Available, WATCH LIVE: Court Is Now In Session From the Brevard County Jail Complex, Astronaut Highs Cris Collinsworth; Winner Of Multiple Emmy Awards, NFL Pro Bowler, Economic Development Commission of Floridas Space Coast, THINGS TO DO: Space Coast State Spring Fair Set March 31 to April 9 in Viera at Space Coast Daily Park, Eastern Florida State College to Host Performing and Visual Arts Showcase Saturday, PETER K INTRODUCES HALL OF FAMERS | spacecoastdaily.com, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Induction: Watch It Live Here | spacecoastdaily.com, PHOTO OF THE DAY: NASAs Hubble Space Telescope Peers at a Galactic Seascape, Palm Bay Fair to Bring Fun to Floridas Space Coast March 17-26 at Space Coast Harley-Davidson Fairgrounds, HOT OFF THE PRESS! THE 2017 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 12 with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. and dinner and ceremony at 7 p.m. Forinformation aboutthe Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2017, or to make a nomination, call 321-615-8111 or [email protected]. Bolton led the SEC in defensive stops the past two years while setting the tone for Missouri. 'Is this BS?' Justin Herbert proved his worth last year, so the Chargers respond by investing in his development and protection. Meanwhile, earlier in the game when Mahomes threw a pass straight to the ground for an incompletion, Collinsworth said . 2nd) if you are able to run precise routes& can make excellent breaks and cuts out your route, you will always be able to create separation since the DB is by nature of the game reacting to you. You are right on the money about his route running ability. One scouting report from December with an indecipherable signature concluded Verser is "the No. He is Brady-like with his in-pocket movements but still has enough speed to be a factor in the running game. The Life And Career Of David Klingler (Story), The Life And Career Of Carl Pickens (Story), The Life And Career Of Archie Griffin (Story), The Life And Career Of Anthony Muoz (Story), The Life And Career Of Jack "Throwin' Samoan" Thompson (Story), What Happened To Chris Henry? Collinsworth played in his second Super Bowl during his final season in 1988. His 5.24-second 40-yard dash didn't dazzle, but he has great feet and doesn't separate on blocks. WHY did they run 4.4? He finished his outstanding career at Florida with 120 receptions for 1,937 yards and 14 touchdowns. After retirement, Cris started sportscasting, first on the radio as a guest host, then he took on the show by himself. Ojularis balance sticks out, too. Later in 1991 he earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Cincinnatis College of Law. One of his runs helped us get into the Super Bowl.". (Complete Story), The Life And Career Of Corey Dillon (Complete Story), What Happened To Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson? I think he has plenty of time and the physical skills to improve there, though. The Bears would love to sizzle in this draft, but only solid picks remain. [25] and as of 2022 is in his fourteenth season of the high-profile telecast, and is now paired with Mike Tirico, after Michaels was named the new play-by-play announcer for Prime Videos coverage of Thursday Night Football. Checkout the latest stats for Cris Collinsworth. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS.