August 6, 2009

July: After the Atlanta and Bills workout I had the month of July to work on my conditioning.  I also worked with the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, Louisiana.  I had the opportunity to work out with Peyton and Eli (Manning).  I also picked up some tips from Colt's receiver Anthony Gonzalez.  It was my second year working the camp, and it is honestly one of my favorite things to do.  The Mannngs are terrific, and I got to meet a lot of coaches from around the country.

August: I had a workout with the Saints and had head coach Sean Payton throwing me passes.  I wasn't pleased with my workout at all, and felt I missed an opportunity.  Since then I have been battling a nasty cold.  I was on my way to the doctor to get a shot when the Atlanta Falcons called and invited me to their training camp.  I literally had to throw all my stuff in a bag and head to the airport.  I was sitting in the New Orleans airport with a bag full of whatever was not in the laundry, and a bag of cold medicine.  This could be my only shot, so I have to forget about everything: the cold, my knee, and the fact that I might only be a "camp body."  Whoever is in front of me better be ready to die out there, because I will!

August 5: I got cut from the Atlanta Falcons before I even stepped on the field.  Within 24-hours I went through a roller coaster of emotions.  Obviously, I wasn't a huge priority for the Falcons and they decided I was not needed.  That is fine by me; life goes on.  I was on the verge of coming back to Lexington to finally start my llfe with my wife, and dog, but I will still be training to be ready for anyone who calls, because I am opening my own training facility in Lexington.

LyonHeartSportsAcademy: Former Kentucky teammate Shomari Moore and myself will be opening a training facility for kids and young adults from ages eight and up.  It was created for the sole purpose of helping children, adults, and collegiate athletes with enhancing their speed, strength, and flexibility.  In addition, they will learn a multitude of different techniques that will also improve their linear, lateral, and vertical movements, which will help them excel in their respective sports.  Today's sports are fast-paced, physical, and played at high speeds.  If you have any questions you can email me at Lyonheartsportsacademy@gmail.com or go to our web-site: http://www.wix.com/lyonheart/LHSA

Dicky Lyons, Jr.

July 1, 2009

As the month of July begins, I am starting to feel like the old me.  My leg is getting stronger, my routes are sharper, and I'm sporting a pretty good tan.  I increased my workouts to three times per day to get into tip-top shape.

I have one more scheduled NFL workout, and that is with the Saints later this month.  I am also working the Manning Passing Academy, and will have a workout with Eli and Peyton Manning.  Hopefully, I can impress them, along with the many NFL coaches who attend their camp.  I just need to get my foot in the door.

Some guys get the take their shoes off and put their slippers, walking into the NFL.  I'm not one of those guys.  I'm the guy who is going to have to break in the back door, and convince them to let me stay.  That's all I have right now.

On a personal note: My dad and I are doing a radio ad for Kentucky National Insurance.  So, listen for it on the radio.  It's funny.

Dicky Lyons, Jr.

June 24, 2009

Hello.  Not much going on since the Buffalo workout.  My agents are calling teams, and seeing if they are making any roster changes.  I still have the Saints workout, but that is not for another couple of weeks.  So, in the mean-time I have to push my workouts and increase my "cardio".  I have to get into the best shape of my life.  When a team calls, and I get my chance, I do not want to lose it because I am out of shape. 

I am working out three-times per day now, making sure I waste no time.  "Time is what we want the most and use the worst."  I don't know where I heard that, but I like it.

Now, to answer a few questions:

Continue reading this post »

June 14, 2009

Workouts

I have been recuperating from the Falcon's workout, and preparing for the Bill's workout.  Mr trainer, Duke Rouse and Prime U are helping me with my explosion and my 40-yard dash starts.  This will help me shave a few tenth-of-seconds off my 40-yard time.  Hopefully, we can get the time down to the 4.4 range.

I'm leaving Buffalo Wednesday, where I will meet with Shomari Moore (former UK defensive back).  He is also trying to make it on an NFL roster, and we need to make sure we support him as well.

There will be a lot of players at this workout, compared to my other workout, but I like it that way.  This creates more competition and I love to compete.  What do you expect?!  I'm a Wildcat!

Dicky's World Q&A

ky1wildcats7: The No. 12 is my favorite for many reasons, but what was your reasoning for choosing to wear it at UK?  I don't think the NFL allows wide receivers to use No.12, so if you get picked up by a team, what would be your number of choice?

I understand you may not be able to answer this, but if you had to pick the team you would like to play for in the NFL, who would it be, and why?

DLJ: The first time I played football was in the 8th grade, the coach was handing out jerseys, and I got No. 12, and so it began.  Receivers can wear No. 12 in the NFL, but I'll take whatever they give me, then I"LL make the number.

I want to play for whichever team wants me to play for them.

scfcats: How long do your workout lasts, and are they typically the same?  Who runs the workouts?  Is it just you by yourself at the workout, or are there other players trying to get a spot? 

Last question: Who is involved in helping you get on an NFL roster?  I noticed you have a P.R. person, and I'm curious about these peripheral people, and what their roles in the process might be.  What does XAM Sports do, specifically, what do they do for you?

DLJ: My workout with Atlanta lasted around one-hour.  I don't know how the other teams work.  The workout was run by a combination of scouts, coaches, and trainers.  I was working out with one another receiver in Atlanta, but that was it.

XAM Sports is my agency.  I have two agents, Jason and Scott, who work on getting me in the NFL, and Shawn, who deals with public relations and a million other things.  They have been an instrumental part of every aspect of my training, media interviews, and just being really good people.  They really believe in me, and want to see me do well.  I will never be able to thank them enough for all their help.

cdnWildcatfan: Dicky, I get the feeling the NFL trend is toward smaller, quicker wide receivers.  Do you think this is the case, and if so, how much do you think this helps you?

While I get the feeling you'll make a roster somewhere, there is never a guarantee with these type of things.  If it doesn't work out, what are your plans?  Would you consider the Arena League, or the Canadian Football League for  a year before taking another crack at an NFL roster?

DLJ: When I look around the league at the wide receiver position I see a variety of athletes who all offer something different.  But, the one thing I notice are the receivers that stick around, year in and year out, are the ones that work the hardest.  Whether they are small and quick, or tall and fast, they have a great work ethic and are always trying to improve their skills.  Personally, if I'm playing, I want to be the best, so whoever is in front of me on the depth chart better bring his "A Game" every day, because as soon as he slips I'll be there to pass him up.

Right now my entire focus is making it onto an NFL roster.  I feel that if I start thinking about where else I could go, I will not accomplish my goal because I didn't truly believe in it.

On a personal note: I play chess.

Dicky Lyons, Jr. 

11 June 2009

Hello friends.  As Bob Dylan once said, "Times, they are a changing," but apparently not at the airport, where I have been delayed for the second time in two days on my Atlanta Falcon's trip.  Other than that, everything went really well.

Atlanta Falcons Workout

I arrived in Atlanta Wednesday night and my workouts were not until 2:30 on Thursday.  In that time I managed to drink 15 bottles of water and use the restroom so many times I lost count.

I met with the Atlanta Falcons' scouts, weight coaches and trainer, and then began my workout: I checked in at 5'11" and 190 lbs.  I ran one 40-yard dash and was clocked at a 4.56.  My best time ever was a 4.43, so I was pleased with my time considering it's only seven months post-surgery.

I was put through a few warm-up drills, and then ran 10 different routes, twice.  I felt very fluent in my cuts, and my knee felt as strong as ever.

At the end of the workout I thanked the Falcons, who were very supportive and complimentary, for the opportunity.  They said they liked what they saw and would let me know if there was a spot for me on their roster.  They said it could be next week, during training camp, during the season, or not at all, so I have to keep working.  Next stop Buffalo!

Q & A

Maritajan says, "Dicky, you need a twitter."  -- I just got twitter because of the great advice from Shawn Smith, my PR lady with XAM Sports.  How do I like it?  So far I'm not impressed.  If only I had more followers.  Hint, hint, hint. 

I also know that wasn't a question, but I felt it deserved a response.  Plus, I read the comments, and I don't think anyone asked me one.

On a personal note: Father's Day is coming up and I have no idea what to get my old man.  He loves golf, horse racing and aggravating me.  So, if anyone has any ideas of what to get him, that would be great.  And yes, pancake puffs are still awesome.

Dicky Lyons, Jr.

To follow Dicky on Twitter go here.

7 June 2009

It's Now or Never: Pro Workouts

If I am going to make a team before training camp starts, now is the time to make my move; I have a workout with the Atlanta Falcons this week.  It is earlier than expected and puts a lot of pressure on me to perform, but if you know me, then you know that I thrive under pressure, and am looking forward to the challenge.

Playing for the Falcons would be crazy since my dad was drafted by the Falcons over 40 years ago.

I would also like to thank everyone who posted encouraging comments under my first entry.  I really enjoy reading about what you all think and it feels good to know I have your support.  If you have any questions that I don't answer in my post, you can ask about anything in the comments section and I will try to answer as many as I can.  Thanks again!

On a personal note: Pancake Puffs are awesome!

Dicky Lyons, Jr. 

Once again, Steven with Razorback Expats, an outstanding Arkansas Razorback blog, asked me to do a Q & A with them for the Arkansas game, which I gratefully accepted.  The following are his answers to my questions, with my questions in italics.

You can find my answers to Steven's questions by following this link.

Continue reading this post »

From the Editor:  This is the sixth in a series of  short essays from A Sea of Blue member oldcat'69, who played as a walk-on on Kentucky's freshman team in 1965-66 during the Adolph Rupp era.

I started not to write this last piece because the interest level (as measured in comments) went down on the previous article.  On the other hand, Joe B. Hall wasn’t the most dynamic personality, in spite of being a pretty good guy and a really good coach, so it must have been HIS lack of sparkle and not MY dynamic, spellbinding prose that drove the reduced interest.  So, "not really my fault"—the eight-year-old’s standard defense. 

Actually, the real reason I felt I had to cover the Runts had nothing to do with Coach Hall or the number of comments on the last piece.  Those five guys, who I watched practice and play all year, were simply the most overachieving team I’ve ever seen, even including the Unforgettables, although the competition is close.  Now, Forty will probably start his counter-discussion by saying that the Runts had two first-team All-Americans, et cetera, et cetera.  That’s true, but they had those same two guys the next year, and Thad Jaracz both years to boot, but the Runts went 27-2 and the 66-67 team went 13-13.  So the difference had to be something, or someone, else.

First of all, you have to understand that the Runts were really embedded in the student body more than teams are today.  They lived in the dorms. That’s right, no Wildcat Lodge and no special training table except for game days.  Coach Rupp felt they should be integrated into the school, and they were.  There was a football house, but not one for basketball.

In fact, Larry Conley and Tommy Kron were roommates and lived two doors down from me on the second floor of Haggin Hall.  A FRESHMAN DORM!  ONLY SLIGHTLY MORE CIVILIZED THAN THE FOYER OF HELL.  I couldn’t begin to describe to you how bad it was, so I won’t.  Suffice to say that a couple of seniors trying to play basketball and graduate were probably somewhat distracted by their living conditions.  

With that as my intro, here’s the Cliff’s Notes on the Runts:

Pat Riley.  All-American in football in HS.  All-American in BB at UK.  Best athlete on the team by far.  Excellent jumper, good shot, acceptable passer.  Jumped center at 6’3"—only lost about three jumps all year, but "quick-jumped" every time and rarely, if ever, got called.  Stud.  BMOC.  Drove a red 1964 Chevy convertible with rolled and pleated interior with a beauty sitting in the jump seat.  Married her.  Still married after approximately 40 years (at least they were still married a couple of years ago).  Journeyman NBA player.  Winning NBA coach.  Despite status, pretty nice guy to walk-on freshmen players.  Periodically acknowledged our existence.

Louie Dampier.  All-American.  Baseball letterman at UK, also.  Absolutely the best shooter on the Runts.  Medium athleticism, but good ball-handler, very quick shooting off the picks.  Would have scored an unbelievable number of points, as he did in the ABA, if we’d had the 3-point line.  Generally quiet personality, but an assassin when he had an outside shot. Also a good guy.  Little more sharp with comments than Riley, at least to freshmen players.

Thad Jaracz.  Sophomore with a little baby-fat on him.  Despite that, excellent slasher with the ball.  Filled the outside lanes on the break very well.  Good inside shot, only fair facing the basket.  Good body positioning on rebounds.  Very quick with outlet pass.  Retired from U.S. Army (I’ve heard) as a Staff Judge Advocate (lawyer).  Also good guy.  Realized he was the new guy as a starter, but filled the role exceptionally well as the least athletic of the starters.

Ah, we finally get to the reasons the Runts were so good.

Tommy Kron.  Senior. Medium athleticism, but a heart as big as all get-out.  Pit bull on defense.  Could look pitiful in practice, but follow with a great game.  Good ball-handler, excellent passer.  Kind of "slid" around the floor, making him look slower than he was.  Absolutely great gentleman.  Treated everyone, from Coach Rupp to freshman slug with respect.  Passed away a little over a year ago.  The world’s loss.

Larry Conley.  Senior.  Leader.  Fair jumper, good shot, superlative ball-handler.  Almost as skinny as Tayshaun.  Most selfless person I’ve ever witnessed on a basketball court.  I never saw him make a behind-the-back pass like Maravich, or dribble between his legs like any number of hot-shots, but if you were open and Larry Conley had the ball, he’d get it to you.  And you would get it in a position to shoot.  With Kron, the glue, the spark, the whatever the heck you want to call it that resulted in the team winning.  Played at about 173, got back after the Texas Western game at 153.  Super human being, in my humble opinion.  Still broadcasting basketball, and damned well at that.

In summarizing this team and its (see Ken P, no apostrophe!!!!) record, I have to say that they epitomized the terms synergy and chemistry.  Three of them might not have been starting at a lot of places, but if you had added all their individual abilities, the sum would have fallen far below what they achieved together.  I have no idea if they even got along with each other privately, but when they got on the court, it was magic, before there was Magic.