CHESTNUT HILL — In case you think pro days don't matter all that much — especially if you are a devotee to the game tape (still where the truth lies) — Boston College head coach Bill O'Brien has a memory from his first stint as an assistant under Bill Belichick to share.
"The most famous story for me when I was there is Julian Edelman," he told us Monday morning in the BC field house before his program's pro day. "Everybody went out there and worked him out, right? Because Bill would tell us, like, 'he's not a quarterback. So don't tell me he's a quarterback.' Don't tell Julian that, but he's something. And obviously, he turned into, in my opinion, a Hall of Fame player.
"So yeah, there are several examples of, it takes a while to really understand what the player is all about. You can see him on film. You can watch him do what that coaching staff had him do. But, you know, you go work him out, figure out what he could do. Well, for us, get to know him. Is he the type of guy you want in your program? So yeah, there's definitely a lot of examples of, 'Hey, it started out looking like, I don't know about this guy,' and then all of a sudden was, 'yeah, I think this guy can do something for us.'"
All 32 NFL teams, including a large Patriots contingent featuring Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf, and Doug Marrone, invaded the Heights to get a closer look at some of the Eagles' finest. Because of their strong relationship, O'Brien had Vrabel speak to his team and those working out.
"He just gave his message of what it means to be a good teammate," O'Brien recalled. "What toughness is all about on the field, but also mental toughness off the field. You know, how you carry yourself off the field, being loyal to the program and loyal to what the mission is. He covered all those things, and I really appreciate him doing that."
Then Vrabel worked the room like a boss. He chatted up O'Brien and other BC staffers, pro scouts, assistant coaches, and some players, including linemen Ozzy Trapilo and Drew Kendall.
"From an NFL perspective, it's very important to get to know each guy you're bringing into your locker room," said O'Brien. "I think that's a big deal, you know? I know Mike will put a premium on who comes into that locker room because it's a tremendous honor to be in an NFL locker room. So to have that opportunity to be in a locker room, you've got to show them and be able to put your best foot forward. These days, they go a long way toward helping them make those types of decisions."
Donovan Ezeiruaku is a likely first-round pick, but the explosive edge rusher stood on his Combine workouts and was there in street clothes to support his teammates and mingle with some of the pro personnel in the building. He did meet with the Pats the night prior, but unless the team trades back in round one or trades up to the mid/back half of the first round, Ezeiruaku is unlikely to be in their range.
Trapilo and Kendall, on the other hand, could be in play. Trapilo, the 6'8" tackle, is projected to go anywhere from the late second through round four. Kendall, who had a Zoom meeting with Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland earlier in this process, is considered a day-three guy. Both were watched closely by Vrabel and Marrone during offensive line drills, and Marrone had Trapilo do a few more reps after the day was finished.
"It's cool to have everyone here. Great opportunity again to get in front of as many people as I can. I'm living the dream right now," said the Norwell, MA, native. "Look, I'm not allowed to have any bias, so I'm putting myself out there. Whoever wants me, I'm going to be the happiest guy in the world to go play the sport that I love."
Both Trapilo and Kendall had fathers who played at BC and then in the NFL (the late Steve Trapilo toiled in the league for five years, while Pete Kendall spent 13 seasons in the pros). The two sons have been best friends since they were knee-high to a grasshopper.
"It's a little more comforting knowing you got someone doing it the same time as you, especially someone that's been one of your best friends since you were little," Kendall said. "It makes a stressful time a little less stressful."
"I've had a great time; I know he has too," added Trapilo. "It's been a dream come true for both of us."
The two have been working out together, with help from former BC and current Falcons All-Pro Chris Lindstrom, and they have received tutelage from Dante Scarnecchia. It's not a bad way to get ready for the next step.
"It's been awesome. He is a Patriots and NFL legend, an offensive line guru," said Kendall of Scarnecchia. "Been working on a lot of things he saw in my game that I need to focus on."
Kendall is a heady player who makes up for his average athleticism with brains and technique. He's been cross-training, adding guard to his resume. Trapilo began his career as a left tackle, starting a dozen games there over his first two seasons. He then switched over to the right side and earned first-team All-ACC honors this year.
"Ozzy is the type of guy - he's the same guy every day,' said O'Brien. "He never misses practice, is very tough, very talented, very smart. He will be excellent in the locker room; he'll do whatever the coaches ask him to do - play left tackle, right tackle, he'd play guard if you ask him to. He always puts the team first, and I think that is some of the things Mike is probably looking for in the draft. I don't think you could go wrong with Ozzy Trapilo."
The Patriots most certainly need to address that offensive line. With at least three of their five spots wide open, whoever they draft will have opportunities to compete for playing time right away, no matter where they get selected.
"It didn't really matter where you were drafted," pointed out O'Brien. "Of course, financially, it does. I get that. But in the end, it's what you do when you get to that organization. You know, what do you do on a day-to-day basis? How consistent are you? Are you always working to try to get better? That was the big lessons that I learned in pro football.
Like I used to tell the guys in Houston - asking (them), 'Where were you drafted?' 'I was drafted in the sixth round.' Well, okay, good for you. What are you going to do for us now? Because that's what it's all about. What do you do when you get to the organization? That's the biggest thing. It's not really how you got there."
ODDS AND ENDS
At one point during the workouts, Wolf walked out of the building while on his phone. That was right about the time the news broke that the Pats were matching the offer sheet to linebacker Christian Elliss. He gets a two-year deal to remain in Foxborough.
Defensive lineman Cam Horsely helped himself yesterday. The 6'2", 317-pound tackle ran a 5.04 40 with a 1.73 10-yard split. He had a quick three-cone (7.67) and a 4.74 short shuttle.
BC has an ongoing QB competition between holdover Grayson James and Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan. James was on hand to throw to the skill-position players and let me tell you, that young man has a gun.
Mike Tomlin's son, Dino, participated. A wide receiver, he is unlikely to get drafted.