Derek Stanley: from Ram to Warhawk

[RamWraith]

Derek Stanley: from Ram to Warhawk
Cherome Owens
2/6/08

Last April, former Warhawk wide receiver Derek Stanley was selected by the St. Louis Rams as the 249th pick in the National Football League Draft. Despite signing a contract with the team, he is back at UW-Whitewater to excel on the Warhawk track and field program.

Stanley averaged 25.5 yards as a kick returner for the Rams in his first pro season. Similar to his play on the gridiron, Stanley dominated track and field competitions from 2004-2006 and decided to come back to UW-Whitewater to complete his final year.

"I had a year of eligibility left," Stanley said. "The [NFL] allowed me to run. Obviously, I'd be training, doing sprints and other stuff that will make me a better football player … so why not just compete at the collegiate level again?"

Since Stanley is competing in a different sport, he does not violate any rules of the National?Collegiate Athletic Association. The Verona native wanted to compete in collegiate athletics again, but there was a much more important reason he came back to campus.

"I still have a few credits left to finish," he said. "Education is extremely important. I know the NFL life is not going to be something that's going to last the rest of my life. I have to get my degree and do other things when I'm done playing football."

The process of coming back to school after spending a year in the NFL wasn't difficult at all for Stanley. He said he simply had to reapply for school, select his courses and pretend like he never left.

When it came down to making the decision of taking time out during the Rams' offseason to finish school, it wasn't all Stanley's idea.

"The Rams actually encouraged me to go to school," Stanley said. "The NFL is paying for me to go to school since I came back to get my degree. Education is important in all aspects, even in athletics. The NFL knows guys come early and don't finish school, so they encourage us to get a degree."

Stanley will continue to workout for the Rams and complete training camps at the end of May. In the meantime, track and field Head Coach Darren Schneider is ecstatic to have Stanley back with the program.

[MauiRam]

When Derek ran his 40 yd dash at the combine, I believe he had a sore hamstring and only ran once. It will be interesting to monitor his performance and sprint times during the track & field season .. He appeared to really come on as a return specialist toward the season's finish -- one of very few bright spots at the end of a disappointing season.

Can't help but wonder what Al Saunders will be able to bring out of him as hopefully Derek will rub elbows with Isaac and Torry during the off-season and polish up his route running ..

he could be the next Az-zhair Hakim!! lets get him polished up now!!! come on derek.. whoaaaaaa

[RedArcher7]

So, can he still play this year? What's the loophole? I thought once you go pro you're gone and can't compete.

i think you can run track. but don't believe me, i honestly don't know about the rules about that. But i do know that once you get drafted, and sign you can't get redrafted ever again.

[Chris58]

I think, as stated in the article, you can participate as a amateur athlete in a college sport as long as it is not the same one you are paid to do as a pro. Some minor league baseball players have played football. I think Ainge might have been one of them.

Back to Stanley, I think he could become that deep threat for the Rams. He seems to be smart enough to know he needs a degree. If his hands and route running are good enough he could be our difference maker.

[RealRam]

Smart young man! Next ... a good, strong WR Ram. :r

[txramsfan]

I'd much rather have a high talented rookie than a possibility. I think the Rams should look very hard at drafting a WR high in this draft.

[Chris58]

Originally Posted by txramsfan

I'd much rather have a high talented rookie than a possibility. I think the Rams should look very hard at drafting a WR high in this draft.

You might be right but let's give Stanley the benefit of the doubt. He was only drafted last year. With Holt, Bruce, Bennett, taking up the top three WR spots, and Looker as the holder it was pretty hard for Stanley to be given a fair shot at the active roster. From what I saw of him in the Pittsburgh game I think he needs to be given a serious shot to emerge. Maybe Saunders makes better use of his skills than Olson/Linehan does.

[MauiRam]

Originally Posted by txramsfan

I'd much rather have a high talented rookie than a possibility. I think the Rams should look very hard at drafting a WR high in this draft.

Aren't practically all rookie wideouts coming into the league just possibilities? Even top ten 1st rounders aren't shoo-ins, just ask Detroit ..

After Saunders has a chance to evaluate Stanley and Hagans up close and personal prior to the draft, that will tell the tale. Stanley I like as a KR, plus he brings a low cap hit to the table. Can he be the deep threat we need? I have no idea, but Al will. Hagans on the other hand will never be our deep threat. He is extremely elusive, but lacks a second gear. He did appear, however, to make great strides in his second year catching the ball. Stanley though, in my view has eclipsed him as a KR / Page Ranking. Saunders will really have to see something in Marques (a way to use him heretofore untried) for him to make the roster IMO.

If we dump both Hagans and Stanley, do we keep Hall? He's alot more money. So speaking of "possibility," the possibility of starting off with another rookie WR at KR is at best a 50/50 deal, let alone whether his talent at the college level as a wide receiver will translate to the NFL. I would rather keep at least Stanley or Hall as our KR, as depending on a rookie to start there is risky. I don't doubt for a minute we wil draft a wideout who can fly .. likely a small school prospect who will be avaiable late on day one or early on day two. With Saunders coming on board, look for Bruce to restructure and remain a Ram for at least one more year. Bennett isn't going anywhere either as his cap hit would be too much. If we can start the season with a healthy O-line, I think our present group of receivers can be successful, but if our O-line play resembles last year's, it won't matter who are receivers are.

I hope DereK Stanley can earn a spot on the team, he's a good kid with a good attitude .. oh yeah, and he's fast too ..