General Chaos
Gronko = Man Beast
I guess he turned down the senior bowl.
Cason eyes fast track to draft's first round
By Ryan Finley
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.12.2008
Antoine Cason has crammed a decade's worth of life-changing events into the last five weeks.
Since Dec. 6, Arizona's star cornerback has:
● Won the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back.
● Been named an All-American by Walter Camp and The Associated Press.
● Moved from Tucson to Florida.
● Hired an agent.
● Earned an invitation to February's NFL Combine.
● Received — and turned down — an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl.
Cason's NFL career might not begin until next fall, but he's quickly adjusting to life as a professional. He relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan. 2 to train leading to next month's NFL Combine. Cason, 21, is still on pace to graduate from the UA in May with a degree in political science; he plans to take two online courses this spring. "I'm going to finish," Cason said Friday from Florida. "That's why I came to college."
Cason's move east was encouraged by his agent, Ron Slavin. The Wisconsin-based Slavin has a working arrangement with Perfect Competition, a Florida gym that caters mostly to college and professional athletes.
Cason works out daily with three other Slavin clients: Missouri cornerback Darnell Terrell, UNLV linebacker Beau Bell and West Virginia fullback Owen Schmitt. Cason and Terrell share a two-bedroom apartment near the training center; Bell and Schmitt live next door. "They say nobody works harder than Antoine," Slavin said. It might be because Cason has the most at stake.
Cason is viewed as a first- or second-round pick, but some have voiced concern over his 40-yard-dash time. A solid performance at the NFL Combine would almost surely make Cason a first-rounder — and an instant millionaire.
Cason is taking his speed training seriously. He recently turned down an invitation to the Senior Bowl, in part because the Jan. 26 event would disrupt his workout routine. "I need these weeks to train and to work toward the combine," he said. "Really, I'm trying to get better at everything — running, speed, strength." But speed is his primary concern. Cason did not run for scouts during last year's pro timing day in Tucson, but had a good reason. He was competing that day for the UA's track team. "So, obviously, the kid can run," Slavin said.
Cason said he relied on his family when hiring an agent. Slavin represents Aveion Cason, a backup tailback with the Lions. Antoine Cason said the connection to his cousin helped, but called the decision to hire an agent "a long process stemming from the start of my junior season." "With an agent, it's like, 'Can you deal with him on a day-to-day basis? Can you talk to him? Can you laugh?' " Cason said. "(Slavin) can be a friend and a partner. We've always had that relationship, a comfort level." Slavin represents 24 NFL players, including Jets lineman Nick Mangold, Saints running back Aaron Stecker and 49ers wide receiver Arnaz Battle, but admits he has reached new territory. "I think Antoine is the most talented player I've represented," Slavin said.
Cason eyes fast track to draft's first round
By Ryan Finley
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.12.2008
Antoine Cason has crammed a decade's worth of life-changing events into the last five weeks.
Since Dec. 6, Arizona's star cornerback has:
● Won the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back.
● Been named an All-American by Walter Camp and The Associated Press.
● Moved from Tucson to Florida.
● Hired an agent.
● Earned an invitation to February's NFL Combine.
● Received — and turned down — an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl.
Cason's NFL career might not begin until next fall, but he's quickly adjusting to life as a professional. He relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan. 2 to train leading to next month's NFL Combine. Cason, 21, is still on pace to graduate from the UA in May with a degree in political science; he plans to take two online courses this spring. "I'm going to finish," Cason said Friday from Florida. "That's why I came to college."
Cason's move east was encouraged by his agent, Ron Slavin. The Wisconsin-based Slavin has a working arrangement with Perfect Competition, a Florida gym that caters mostly to college and professional athletes.
Cason works out daily with three other Slavin clients: Missouri cornerback Darnell Terrell, UNLV linebacker Beau Bell and West Virginia fullback Owen Schmitt. Cason and Terrell share a two-bedroom apartment near the training center; Bell and Schmitt live next door. "They say nobody works harder than Antoine," Slavin said. It might be because Cason has the most at stake.
Cason is viewed as a first- or second-round pick, but some have voiced concern over his 40-yard-dash time. A solid performance at the NFL Combine would almost surely make Cason a first-rounder — and an instant millionaire.
Cason is taking his speed training seriously. He recently turned down an invitation to the Senior Bowl, in part because the Jan. 26 event would disrupt his workout routine. "I need these weeks to train and to work toward the combine," he said. "Really, I'm trying to get better at everything — running, speed, strength." But speed is his primary concern. Cason did not run for scouts during last year's pro timing day in Tucson, but had a good reason. He was competing that day for the UA's track team. "So, obviously, the kid can run," Slavin said.
Cason said he relied on his family when hiring an agent. Slavin represents Aveion Cason, a backup tailback with the Lions. Antoine Cason said the connection to his cousin helped, but called the decision to hire an agent "a long process stemming from the start of my junior season." "With an agent, it's like, 'Can you deal with him on a day-to-day basis? Can you talk to him? Can you laugh?' " Cason said. "(Slavin) can be a friend and a partner. We've always had that relationship, a comfort level." Slavin represents 24 NFL players, including Jets lineman Nick Mangold, Saints running back Aaron Stecker and 49ers wide receiver Arnaz Battle, but admits he has reached new territory. "I think Antoine is the most talented player I've represented," Slavin said.
