‘Leave It All On the Field’
April 30, 2009 • By Amy Gwaltney, The Breeze
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HARRISONBURG, Va. — Summer is practically here and four JMU dukes will be headed to camp, the National Football League’s rookie mini-camp that is.
Talk of a prospective career in the NFL for senior quarterback Rodney Landers has been debated all offseason. The 2009 NFL Draft was held Saturday and Sunday, but the 6-foot-1, 220-pounder wasn’t called.
“It was a rollercoaster obviously, just ’cause you know you go from the highs and you go down to the lows,” Landers said. “Got a lot of phone calls from different teams and here I am I get to explore the free agent market as well, which is probably better because I get to find a position that will suit me more.”
Though he was not drafted, Landers has been invited to mini-camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to try out for the quarterback position.
Due to Landers’ rushing ability — he amassed 1,770 yards in the fall — he is willing to try his place at different positions. At the Pro Day in early April, he participated in position drills as a running back, defensive back and wide receiver. Landers, as well as his agent, hope this versatility will help him get picked up by a team.
“Obviously when I’m down there, I’m gonna show them I’m more valuable in doing a lot of things,” Landers said. “I’m such an unselfish player that I just wanna get on the field, make plays and contribute.”
Landers’ agent, David Sullivan, said he has also talked to the St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears and New York Giants about Rodney. But, at this point, Tampa Bay is the best choice for Landers. “It’s the best option now for him right now because of the roster make-up and the plans they have for Rodney going into mini-camp,” Sullivan said.
Along with his agent, Landers had a support system through his family, who traveled to be with him this weekend, along with three other teammates. They were defensive tackle J.D. Skolnitsky, offensive tackle Terrence Apted, and free safety Marcus Haywood.
“We have a great network,” Landers said. “We were all on the phone with each other this weekend about what we heard and just describing the experiences we went through.”
Apted and Skolnitsky were invited to the Washington Redskins mini-camp, and Haywood was invited to camp with the New Orleans Saints.
Skolnitsky still had a year of eligibility left on the team, but tested positive for a banned substance in November and was suspended for his senior year. He is looking for an early start toward a professional career, though he also wasn’t drafted this weekend.
“I’m not upset about it, it’s a great opportunity,” Skolnitsky said.
Skolnitsky also has the option to attend mini-camp with the Giants next weekend, in case he doesn’t make the training camp roster, but he said he would prefer to sign with the Washington Redskins because they are close to home for the Fairfax native.
Skolnitsky and Apted already left for camp Wednesday and Landers leaves today; both camps will be held Friday through Sunday. Haywood will be leaving next week. Every team that invited a JMU player is in the National Football Conference.
“I know Rodney’s gonna do a good job, I know they’re gonna see a versatile athlete who can bring a lot to the table,” Sullivan said. “I have all the confidence in the world in Rodney.”
Landers said he is a little nervous for camp but that “there are so many great players that don’t get the opportunity,” so he is ready for his turn.
“Coach [Mickey Matthews] always tells us make sure you leave it all on the field,” Landers said. “Don’t be one of those players that walks off the field and says I didn’t realize that was my opportunity.”
Contact Amy Gwaltney at breezesports@gmail.com
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