Q&A: Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati

How does it feel to have a team go through pretty much your whole life experience and dissect it?

Mickens: It’s a real great experience, well, if you haven’t been in trouble it’s a good experience. If you got in a little trouble along the way, it’s pretty bad, but I’m a clean guy. It’s amazing how many things they can find out about you.

What is one of the strangest things they knew about you or one of the strangest questions they asked you?


Mickens: Well there really weren’t any strange questions; they just really want to know about you. They wanted to see how your family was when you grew up and basically just see if you were going to be honest with them. I like how they know that stuff and ask that kind of stuff...they really just want to get to know you.

How is your knee and are you going to be 100 percent for your Pro-Day?

Mickens: The knee is getting better. I’m back in Cincinnati rehabbing. I’m busting my butt every day trying to get ready for my Pro-Day. The goal is to do everything on Pro Day and hopefully my knee will be 100 percent by that day so I can.

What do you think is the most underrated part of your game? And do you think you are a better man-to-man guy or zone guy?

Mickens: I think the most underrated part of my game is the knowledge I have for the game. My route recognition, I think, is a good part of my game. I think I pick that up during the game, to see how the receiver likes to run his routes. I love playing man-to-man; it’s that man versus you. That’s how you tell how good of a corner you are, I think, if you can lock down a receiver then it shows that you’re pretty good. I like the challenge of it and getting in the man’s face and dominating him.

Do you think the 40-yard dash is overrated?

Mickens: Yeah, I believe the 40-time is overrated. I think that if you can play football, you can play football. It’s not how fast you ran. You can’t put some of these world class track athletes out there on the football field and expect them to be a football player. I think it comes down to being a football player and that’s what I am.

Cincinnati has been traditionally known as a basketball school, at least until your class came along. Talk about how your class and the addition of Coach Kelly changed the program.

Mickens: It’s been a long process from my freshman year, where we were 4-7, to winning the Big East this year. We just grew together as a team and then coach Kelly came in and gave us the vision, telling us that we can win games we just need to believe in ourselves. He set that in stone for us and we believed in ourselves and we went for a good run this year and we won the Big East. A lot of things changed from my freshman year to senior year.

Is there any cornerback that you model yourself after?

Mickens: Asante Samuel. He gets his hands on the ball a lot and I try to do that when I’m out there, too. I just try to make plays on the ball like he does. Then you have Champ Bailey, he’s a great corner and can lock down basically the whole side of a field.

Do you think it hurts your profile that you came from an up and coming program and not a program like Ohio State?

Mickens: It might a little bit, but I really don’t get into all that. I think no matter where you come from if you can play football, you can play football and it's going to show in the long run. That’s what I base my stats on—I think I’m a football player so I’ll be okay in the long run.

How is your knee doing?

Mickens: It’s not all the way taken care of, but it’s getting back. I’ve been rehabbing, but I came back a little too fast for the bowl game and it swelled up on me the first day of practice. So I’ve just been focusing all my attention to rehabbing and just trying to get 100 percent. There’s nothing wrong with it, it just takes time and unfortunately I don’t have as much time as I would like.

Do you think you would have been better off not playing in the Orange Bowl, or would your competitive nature not allow you to miss the game?

Mickens: I just love playing football and I love my teammates, my coaching staff, and the Cincinnati fans and that was my last college game so I just had to play. If I have an opportunity to play football, I’m going to take it. I don’t regret anything about it. I enjoyed the experience and I always dreamed of being in a BCS game. I wouldn’t take it back, I would play again.

What was your proudest moment as a college football player?

Mickens: It had to be winning the Big East this year. That’s something that we all dreamed about coming in as freshmen, winning the Big East. When we went 4-7 our freshman year we felt like we were so far away, but we stuck with it and we kept going uphill and we finally won it this year. It was so exciting when we won it, it was something we always dreamed about and we worked so hard to get.

Who is your favorite athlete to watch other than a football player?

Mickens: Shaq. I love Shaq and how he dominates. He’s just a big force in the middle of the paint and he dominates.

Who is your favorite superhero of all time?

Mickens: Flash. I used to have the nickname Flash.

What wide receiver would you love to cover? It can be a past or present player.

Mickens: I would love to cover Larry Fitzgerald. He just goes to catch the ball and he’s a dominant player right now in the NFL and I would love to see where my game is at.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Cincinnati)

Diamonds Are Forever

Every year there are the “steals of the draft” or “diamonds in the rough” and this year will be no different. Here is a group of potential diamonds for the upcoming draft. Although they have already proved themselves on the field, they could be a steal depending on where they fall in the draft.

First on the list is Hakeem Nicks, the wide receiver out of North Carolina. Nicks has great hands and showed it at the combine. In the Meineke Car Care Bowl he displayed his skills in a losing effort, making a behind-the-back catch without breaking stride. He won’t be the fastest guy on the field, but he definitely makes up for it by making big plays in clutch situations. His physicality is almost unmatched by any of the other receivers in the draft—with his 6’1” 215 lb frame, he can do some damage to opposing secondaries while never shying away from hits. If a team can nab this former Tar Heel in the second round, they shouldn’t hesitate to pounce.

Next is the extremely versatile Pat White, the quarterback from West Virginia. He probably won’t be a full-time quarterback at the next level. He's very similar to Kordell Stewart, only smaller, and would be able to play at the slot position, return punts, and of course, be a back-up/gimmick quarterback. With the “wildcat” being all the rage this last season, look for White to be utilized heavily in the formation. He had the fastest 40 time at the combine for the quarterbacks group, and will definitely need to use all of that speed at the next level. It should be interesting to see how the team that drafts him will utilize his talent, because he is a talent.

Running back Shonn Greene from Iowa should do very well at the next level. He is a solid 235 lbs. and stands 5’11”. He had 307 rushing attempts in 2008 and averaged 6.1 yards per carry, which is outstanding, especially while playing in the Big Ten conference. His downfall is his speed, which is in the mid 4.5 range, but he makes up for it with his physicality. He likes to initiate contact and is great at lowering his shoulders and driving with his legs. If a team is looking for a hard, downhill runner they need to look no further than Greene. A team that already has a breakaway threat would be wise to plug Greene in as a power runner as part of a one-two punch.

If a team is looking for a playmaker in the secondary, then they may want to take a look at cornerback Mike Mickens out of Cincinnati. He is 6’0” 190 lbs and uses every inch while defending taller receivers. In his career he has accumulated 14 interceptions, three of them going for touchdowns. His team missed him dearly in the FedEx Orange Bowl loss to Virginia Tech and even though he missed four games due to injury, he still had nine passes defended along with four interceptions in 2008. His stock fell as he missed the NFL Scouting Combine because of a knee injury, but he has a chance to redeem himself at his Pro Day on the 19th of March.

Sam Bradford’s favorite target, Juaquin Iglesias, will be a steal for a team that can grab him in the second or third round of the draft. He is 6’0” 204 lbs. but plays much bigger. He has outstanding playmaking ability, great hands, and is an exceptional route runner. With his 40 time only being in the mid 4.5 range, he has learned to gain separation from cornerbacks with crisp cuts and precise route running. He amassed 74 receptions on an Oklahoma team that loved to spread the ball around and when you have a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback throwing you the ball with confidence, what more do you need?

In a two running back system, Jeremiah Johnson was still able to flourish. Even though he only had 168 rushing attempts, he still was able to crack 1,200 yards rushing on the season with a 7.1 yards per carry average. He only ran a 4.62 40 at the combine, but showed quickness and reliable hands out of the backfield. He should be considered a Brian Westbrook type of player—quick, with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and make defenders miss. He would be a great pickup for a team that lacks a pass-catching running back.

As the 2009 NFL draft approaches and trades are being made, teams are looking for needs to be filled. These players are just a few of many that could become steals in the '09 draft. Only time will tell where these players end up and what type of impact they will have for their teams in the upcoming season.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (UNC, Iowa), OU Athletics Department

Scout's Take: Cincinnati CB Mike Mickens

The former Bearcat falls short of the prototype in terms of his measurables – he lacks ideal speed for corner and at 184 pounds he doesn’t make up for it with size and bulk. Mickens does make up for his lack of speed with his quickness in short areas and his instincts, anticipating well. One aspect of his game that cannot be questioned is his production, as Mickens was an All-Big East performer all four years at Cincinnati (Second Team as freshman/sophomore and First Team as a junior/senior). He also possesses elite ball skills. Mickens gets a good read on passes, has the aggressiveness to go for the big play and the reliable hands to finish the play with an interception (14 career INTs). Durability wasn’t a big question until recently when an injury to his left knee caused Mickens to miss the final three regular season games of the 2008 season. Attempts to return for the Orange Bowl and the Senior Bowl were both truncated—he was in-and-out of the game (and ineffective) against Virginia Tech, a game he should have likely sat out. He also had leave the Senior Bowl early after looking less than healthy the first couple of days in Mobile. Mickens was still not at 100 percent at the NFL Scouting Combine, making his upcoming Pro Day (March 19) pivotal. Since his injury, Micken’s stock has been on a slide, however if his knee checks out this senior corner could be among the top bargains in the 2009 Draft. He will start in the league.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Cincinnati)

Football Friday Show: 8:00 PM-10:00 PM EST

All-Access Football host Rodney Towe, along with analysts Daniel Mogollon and Ralph Mancini bring you the latest news and break down the world of football. With special guests from the coaching community, media and your favorite players each and every week.

Tonight's Special Guests:
Potential Top 10 Pick DT B.J. RAJI of Boston College
One of the top corner prospects MIKE MICKENS of Cincinnati
CHARLES DAVIS of the NFL Network (College Football Now, Path to the Draft, All Access)
QB Coach BOB JOHNSON from Camp Quarterback who is working with NFL Prospects Mark Sanchez, Pat White, Curtis Painter, Tom Brandstater & Nathan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Topics:
On the Clock: Detroit Lions
On the Clock: St. Louis Rams
Free Agency/Player Movement
What's the Fantasy Impact?


*** CLICK TO LISTEN ***

Note: Show will be available via archive to listen or download 30 minutes after completion.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Boston College)

Big East - The Week That Was - Week Four

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON - BIG EAST INSIDER

On Friday night, the Connecticut Huskies rolled past visiting Big 12 opponent Baylor 31-28. Connecticut tailback Ronald Brown rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter. It was Brown’s fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game and his 716 yards lead the nation, with his 10 rushing touchdowns second only to Javon Ringer's 11. Brown and the Connecticut offensive line made up for the lack of a pass threat, as Huskies’ quarterback Tyler Lorenzen was ineffective, throwing two interceptions. Highly touted Baylor freshman quarterback Robert Griffin didn't disappoint, as he threw for three touchdowns and 208 yards, including a late fourth quarter scoring strike to wide out Kendall Wright. The freshman wide receiver caught six passes for 114 yards. Despite allowing four touchdowns, the Connecticut defense stepped up late, stopping Baylor in their final two possessions. The Huskies remained undefeated and look to continue their success on the road, as they visit Louisville for another Friday night under the lights.

Cincinnati, South Florida and Pittsburgh all prevailed on Saturday.

Pittsburgh tailback LeSean McCoy rushed for 78 yards on 18 carries, including the game-winning touchdown early in the fourth quarter against the previously undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes. The Panthers continue to struggle through the air, as quarterback Bill Stull completed only eleven passes and no receiver had more than two receptions. The Pitt rush defense was not strong either, giving up 158 yards on the ground.

Meanwhile, in the Sunshine State, the USF Bulls survived their third straight scare with a 17-9 win over Florida International. South Florida's defense allowed a total of 189 yards and didn't allow FIU to reach the end zone until the final minute of the game. Quarterback Matt Grothe was held without a rushing or passing touchdown for the first time in his career. Bulls’ tailback Jamar Taylor led all rushers with 56 yards on twelve carries. South Florida looks to cap off a perfect non-conference this week at NC State.

Cincinnati bounced back versus Miami (OH) with a 45-20 win against their rival. The story of the game was quarterback Tony Pike, who made his first start. The junior was 20-of-24 for 241 yards and three touchdowns. He hooked up with wide receiver Dominick Goodman for a couple of big plays to set up scores. Goodman finished the game with six receptions for 94 yards. Senior Mike Mickens picked off his first pass of the year, returning it 72 yards for a touchdown.

Photo Credit: USF Athletics Communications