nice article on Toledo's own Dane Sanzenbacher, and how Jon Gruden's comments on ESPN may help him in his quest to play in The League

http://www.toledoblade.com/Ohio-State/2011/07/21/Gruden-gives-praise-to-Sanzenbacher.html

"You know why you like this guy ... because he's reliable, he's tough, he doesn't make mistakes, and he's a football player," Gruden said about Sanzenbacher, a former Central Catholic standout who was a two-time City League player of the year.

Gruden also openly lamented the fact that Sanzenbacher, Ohio State's MVP for last season who led the Big Ten in touchdown receptions, did not get selected in the April NFL Draft.

"What's wrong with this world," Gruden asked

Nice to see, but Gruden praises everyone.

If Danny Woodhead can play in the NFL than Dane Sanzenbacher can.

Al Bundy;836653 wrote:Nice to see, but Gruden praises everyone.

Agreed.

I think that Sanzenbacher will catch on as a solid possession receiver with someone but Gruden never met a player he didn't praise.

Wow there was a stat I hadn't heard about him... very interesting he lead the Big Ten in TDs last year pretty cool. If I was asked who had the most last year and I got 5 guesses he would not have been 1 of them lol. But I agree with everyone else nothing special about what Gruden says he would find something good about JaBust Russell lol. I also think Sanz will find a team to be a good #3 or 4 WR on.

I would take him.

BR1986FB;836661 wrote:Agreed.

I think that Sanzenbacher will catch on as a solid possession receiver with someone but Gruden never met a player he didn't praise.

This on both fronts

SANZ EN BACH ER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Who the hell doesn't Gruden praise?

royal_k;836766 wrote:I would take him.

he'd look great in a solid orange helmet

Commander of Awesome;836791 wrote:Who the hell doesn't Gruden praise?

I agree, but I thought it was pretty cool that he talked quite a bit about Dane even though we was interviewing Pryor

unrelated to what Gruden said..but when I went to the Rose Bowl in 2010, some lady and her husband was sitting in front of us. Everytime Dane would catch a ball, she would yell "WOOO TOLEDO, TOLEDO!" haha

I ran track against Dane in high school and he is nothing but a class act guy I hope he makes it

Belive that initial reports are that they are going to allow 90 instead of the traditional 80 to be in camp this year, so that is an additional 320 guys getting a shot.

Receivers, RB, LB and DB usually are seen in abundance in preseason rosters because of their versatility.

Did he play ST at all for the buckeyes? If not....he better learn quickly!

I saw he was on a top 10 list of undrafted players.

I think he would fit in any type of offensive system.

And so could Nate Kmic.......over 8,000 yds rushing!

Lance Moore also went undrafted and was cut by the Browns. Dane doesn't have quite as much experience or the hands Moore has but he can make it. Might need to go to the UFL this year.

Sonofanump;838169 wrote:I saw he was on a top 10 list of undrafted players.

I think he would fit in any type of offensive system.

do you happen to have a link to this? thanks

dave;840651 wrote:Lance Moore also went undrafted and was cut by the Browns. Dane doesn't have quite as much experience or the hands Moore has but he can make it. Might need to go to the UFL this year.

Not sure what you mean by experience (Dane was pretty much a starter for 4 years), but Sanzenbacher has great hands especially when compared to Lance freaking Moore. What's hurting him is a lack of elite speed and the fact that his skin color is white and he plays WR (sorry but it's true).

Y-Town Steelhound;840704 wrote:Not sure what you mean by experience (Dane was pretty much a starter for 4 years), but Sanzenbacher has great hands especially when compared to Lance freaking Moore. What's hurting him is a lack of elite speed and the fact that his skin color is white and he plays WR (sorry but it's true).

I guess you don't know anything about Moore. Both these guys are very small and didn't have a blazing 40 time that scouts look for out of potential slots.

The difference is Moore had a future NFL starting QB throwing the ball to him, Dane had Pryor who made most of his big plays starting with his feet. Moore had almost twice as many catches, Sanzenbacher was used mostly in mop up duty except for a year and a half. Race has nothing to do with it, Gonzo and Hartline were both white WRs who got drafted. They proved they could get open on their own and have the size.

Drew Brees has stated Moore has the best hands of anyone he's thrown too.

Y-Town Steelhound;840704 wrote:Not sure what you mean by experience (Dane was pretty much a starter for 4 years), but Sanzenbacher has great hands especially when compared to Lance freaking Moore. What's hurting him is a lack of elite speed and the fact that his skin color is white and he plays WR (sorry but it's true).

Lol the race card? seriously?

dave;840753 wrote:I guess you don't know anything about Moore. Both these guys are very small and didn't have a blazing 40 time that scouts look for out of potential slots.

The difference is Moore had a future NFL starting QB throwing the ball to him, Dane had Pryor who made most of his big plays starting with his feet. Moore had almost twice as many catches, Sanzenbacher was used mostly in mop up duty except for a year and a half. Race has nothing to do with it, Gonzo and Hartline were both white WRs who got drafted. They proved they could get open on their own and have the size.

Drew Brees has stated Moore has the best hands of anyone he's thrown too.

I know about Moore and his background. Your QB argument actually works against you in this case...if anything Sanz had to work HARDER to make catches because Pryor rarely hit him in stride. Not sure what your "mop up duty" comment is about and leads me to believe that you don't really know much about his time at OSU. Gonzo and Hartline were both faster than Sanz which is why they were drafted, neither has the hands Sanz does. The Brees comment is nice (even though he's never really played with a premier receiver though Colston is very good) and it wasn't a knock on Moore who does have really good hands...but Sanz's hands are probably his best quality and would certainly be considered above average among NFL receivers.

WR's are always hard to judge come draft time. Look at guys like Colston, Mike Williams, Mike Wallace...and then of course you've got your Charles Rodgers', Braylon Edwards', and Roy Williams'. People have seen what Dane Sanzenbacher can do on a football field, and ultimately that will matter more than in a combine. He'll be on an NFL roster this season

Hb31187;840758 wrote:Lol the race card? seriously?

I wouldn't say the race card, but you can't deny that there are 3 positions that very few white players succeed at in the NFL: running back, cornerback, and wide receiver. Being a white guy at one of those positions in 2011 is like being an african-american quarterback in 1961, you don't see it often. There's a reason Peyton Hillis, despite his evident talent, took a while in the league before he got a chance to be a feature back...same with Wes Welker. The stereotype is that white players aren't athletic enough to play these positions.

Gotta think Dane is about to be on the phone a good bit. Lots of teams will be calling

I would take him in a second.