By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com
The all-time all-purpose yards holder in
the NFL is not a 6’5” stud wide receiver. The record-holder is not a 6’2”
all-purpose athlete who resembles a track-star in how fast he is.
It turns out the holder of this record is a
5’6” running back with a 4.5 40-time.
New Orleans Saints running back Darren
Sproles, the former Kansas State running back and Olathe North product, finished the 2011 season with 2,696 all-purpose
yards.
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that the record
may be a little cheapened this year due to the offensive explosion and due to
rulebook hampering the defenses around the league.
However, that doesn’t dilute the point that
Sproles is not the expected holder of a record like this.
Let New Orleans quarterback Dree Brees
explain that to you in a quote from his post-game interview last weekend.
“I'm not
sure there's anyone like him,” Brees said. “He walks in the room and you're
stunned at his size and stature. You just say, 'This guy doesn't belong.' But
he does. He more than belongs. No situation is too big for 'Sprolesy.'”
Remembering
how small Sproles was as he dominated the Missouri Tigers and other Big 12
competition reminds me of some of our best football players in the community.
Kansas City,
Kan., produces small football players and basketball players in terms of height.
That’s not an unfair criticism of the city, but the reputation that smallness
takes away from the player is an unfair one.
The same
thing that prevented Sproles from being recruited by the University of Kansas –
let alone better football programs – often prevents KCK kids from
receiving a look.
Some of the
same “concerns” about Sproles’ size can be expressed about Piper’s Paul Jones,
Schlagle’s De’Ante Ambler and even guys like J’veyon Browning, who has few
inches on both of those players.
Now, I’m not
comparing Ambler, Jones or Browning to Sproles. Sproles' accomplishments at the high
school level were incredible and as much as I love watching those three guys, I
can’t justify comparing them to Sproles right now.
But at the
same time, those three guys have been scarred because of their size just like Sproles was.
Sproles’ success
should inspire Browning, Ambler and Jones with the fact that size is easy to over-come with a
great work ethic and dedication. With the
spread offense and Wildcat Offense continuing to dominate college football and
slowly creeping into the NFL, guys of all sizes can fit a piece to the puzzle.
This is no
longer a game where you lineup 320-pound hogs on the offensive line and run 40
times a game. Well, that’s assuming you’re not the Denver Broncos.
Most
importantly, however, Sproles’ success should be a message to college
recruiters that talent can be found in players of all sizes.
Perhaps
Browning and Jones are not the typical 22-25 carry a game running backs, but
they are welcomed on my team any day. You telling me a guy who had nearly 2,000 yards on the year can't play because he's too small? Or, an athlete who can score anytime he touches the ball isn't worthy?
It’s time
for college coaches to understand that the obsessive focus on size creates a
situation where many talented players are overlooked.
