2008 Woodie Awards
NFL Draft watch: charting tight end Ben Patrick
UD All-American meets with Eagles coaching staff last week
by Brendan Reed
Issue date: 4/10/07 Section: Sports
If anyone could understand the phrase "calm before the storm" these days, it's Ben Patrick. The former Delaware tight end, projected to be taken on the first day of the NFL Draft (April 28-29, New York City) admits his life has slowed down a bit compared to a few weeks ago when he participated in the NFL Scouting Combine. But for someone who is going through this stressful process, Patrick seems relaxed and prepared to fulfill his childhood dream of playing in the NFL.
"For the most part, the middle of the day is just hanging out with friends," the 6-foot-4-inch 250-pound Patrick said. "Sometimes I go for runs on campus just to change up the scenery, but for the most part it's not too complicated right now."
If it is not too complicated now, it once was. Patrick has spent the past few months with other former college players at the NFL Combine and at their respective Pro Days. At Delaware's Pro Day, held on campus last month, Patrick worked out for NFL scouts, catching balls and performing other football-related drills.
But just because his scout workouts have ended does not mean his personal ones have. Patrick lifts weights every morning from nine to 11. Most days after his lifting sessions he heads to the football field to sharpen his skills.
"Usually I'll go out to the guy's football practice, watch, and then afterwards I'll run some routes and catch some balls with [Delaware quarterback] Joe [Flacco] and a couple of the other receivers," he said. "I'm training to be ready for football camp instead of specific drills so the training is a little different."
He has now done everything he physically can to impress teams that might think about taking him in the draft. While he cannot run the 40-yard dash or improve his vertical leap, Patrick can improve his stock through personal visits with NFL coaches. Last week, Patrick met with the entire coaching staff of the Philadelphia Eagles. He said the meeting had the dual purpose of allowing the coaches to better assess his character - something that carries a lot of weight in the NFL these days - as well as determine his football IQ.
"For the most part, the middle of the day is just hanging out with friends," the 6-foot-4-inch 250-pound Patrick said. "Sometimes I go for runs on campus just to change up the scenery, but for the most part it's not too complicated right now."
If it is not too complicated now, it once was. Patrick has spent the past few months with other former college players at the NFL Combine and at their respective Pro Days. At Delaware's Pro Day, held on campus last month, Patrick worked out for NFL scouts, catching balls and performing other football-related drills.
But just because his scout workouts have ended does not mean his personal ones have. Patrick lifts weights every morning from nine to 11. Most days after his lifting sessions he heads to the football field to sharpen his skills.
"Usually I'll go out to the guy's football practice, watch, and then afterwards I'll run some routes and catch some balls with [Delaware quarterback] Joe [Flacco] and a couple of the other receivers," he said. "I'm training to be ready for football camp instead of specific drills so the training is a little different."
He has now done everything he physically can to impress teams that might think about taking him in the draft. While he cannot run the 40-yard dash or improve his vertical leap, Patrick can improve his stock through personal visits with NFL coaches. Last week, Patrick met with the entire coaching staff of the Philadelphia Eagles. He said the meeting had the dual purpose of allowing the coaches to better assess his character - something that carries a lot of weight in the NFL these days - as well as determine his football IQ.
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