More COWBELL, errr...Pro Day!

Video Madness

Jhamal Fluellen uses a technique known as "spirit fingers" in the vertical leap I (it worked damn good too)



Chris Arnao does the broad jump



Andrew Downey channeling his inner-Carl Lewis



Jhamal Fluellen broad jump

UMaine Pro Day Recap

The University of Maine pro day was supposed to be the Jovan Belcher show, as the former UMaine defensive end continued to show scouts he could be effective as a 3-4 linebacker. Turns out UMaine had some more talent to showcase as well.

Linebacker Andrew Downey, who looked to be in excellent shape, stole the show on Thursday, showing speed, agility, pass-catching ability, and versatility as scouts looked on. Among the highlights of his day included a team best 27 reps in the bench press, three 40 yard dash times ranging from 4.54 to 4.66, and phenomenal vertical leap of 37.5 inches. Even Downey was shocked by the vertical.

"My (personal record) on the vert was 32," said Downey. "No one really (improves) that much, I was very surprised."

Downey also went out and showed the ability to long-snap, a skill that could keep him in football leagues for years.

"(Long snapping) is not really something I have had a lot of coaching in," said Downey. "It was something I did when I was younger, but if you bring a lot of things to plate it only helps."

Belcher, who had 23 bench press reps and a 7.28 three cone drill, struggled a bit with his forty time, coming in at around a 4.79-4.85, which was more of a product of technique than a lack of foot speed. He showed his skill on the position drills though, showing a solid ability to rush the passer from the linebacker stance. It was his second pro day in three days (he worked out for 13 scouts at Hofstra two days prior to UMaine), and even he admitted it was a lot to do.

"I am tired," said an exhausted Belcher at the end of the day.

Jhamal Fluellen also had a great day, running a 4.38 40-yard dash, a 6.82 second 3 cone drill, a 10 foot 3 inch broad jump and an impressive 35 inch vertical. He was surprised by his 60 yard shuttle.

"I was just going off of straight athletic ability on that," said Fluellen."They said I had a pretty good time."

Kash Keifer, the punter, also had a good day, showing a knack for downing balls inside the 10 yard line while showing good distance and and an ability to kick in inclement conditions.

"I can kick 50 yards pretty much every time," said Keifer."It's a matter of getting the right hang time on it. I was pretty happy with my directional kicking today too."

Soundbite of the day went to Chris Arnao, who impressed with his size and length.

"I gave up drinking for three months for this," said Arnao."I was nervous, but seeing everyone there cheering us on was great."

Lamir Whetstone and Lionel Nixon competed in various, drills, showing agility and football knowledge as well.

All in all, a great day for an outgoing class of UMaine seniors, and one thing is for certain. The UMaine Black Bears, who have 9 current NFL players, should be adding to more players to that list.

UMaine Pro Day Photos

Exclusive photos from UMaine's Pro Day

Jovan Belcher and Ryan Canary prepare for the weight room portion

Jhamal Fluellen getting measured at the weigh-in

Andrew Downey snaps to Kash Kiefer

Kash Keifer boots another one as the Lions scout looks on inside the ten

Umaine Pro Day

The University of Maine will be holding their pro day tomorrow morning among those scheduled to work out are...

DE Jovan Belcher
DB Lamir Whetstone
LB Andrew Downey
DB Lionel Nixon, Jr
OL Ryan Canary
RB Jhamal Fluellen
OL Christopher Arnao
LB Sean Wasson (editor's note: Wasson did not end up workign out. He has decided to go back and coach at his former high school in Pennsylvania. Congrats to him, he will do well)

and maybe one or two more.

The CMSB, in conjunction with Football Draft Talk, will bring you coverage of this tomorrow. NFL scouts will be there, and so will we. Stay Tuned

Thursday-UMaine Pro Day Coverage!!!

The University of Maine will be holding their pro day tomorrow morning among those scheduled to work out are...

DE Jovan Belcher
DB Lamir Whetstone
LB Andrew Downey
DB Lionel Nixon, Jr
OL Ryan Canary
RB Jhamal Fluellen
OL Christopher Arnao
LB Sean Wasson

and maybe one or two more.

The CMSB, in conjunction with Football Draft Talk, will bring you coverage of this tomorrow. NFL scouts will be there, and so will we. Stay Tuned

More Honors for Black Bear Football

Four University of Maine football players, senior defensive end Jovan Belcher (West Babylon, N.Y.), redshirt freshman fullback Jared Turcotte (Lewiston, Maine), senior tailback Jhamal Fluellen (Lockport, N.Y.) and senior offensive
lineman Ryan Canary (Point Pleasant, N.J), recently earned All-America honors from multiple news agencies.

Belcher earned First-Team All-America honors from College Sporting News this week, which was his fifth first-team honor this season. Belcher became CAA Football’s lone consensus First-Team All-American this season by earning first-team honors from
the American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, Associated Press, The Sports Network and CSN. Turcotte earned a pair of All-America honors this week, including being named to the second-team by The Sports Network and earning
honorable-mention status from College Sporting News. Turcotte was one of just two freshmen in the league this season to earn All-America recognition. The Sports Network named Fluellen and Canary Honorable-Mention All-Americans; marking the first
time in their careers they earned All-America status.

Belcher’s recognition as the CAA’s lone consensus First-Team All-American came after he finished among the national and league leaders in sacks and tackles for loss. He led all CAA defensive linemen in tackles with 98, which was a career-high for
him. Belcher garnered several post-season awards in 2008, including CAA Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-CAA selection, and finishing second in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award which annually is awarded to the nation’s most
outstanding defensive player at the FCS level.

Turcotte, a 2008 All-CAA First-Team honoree, earned All-America honors after leading the team in rushing yards (602) and rushing touchdowns (7). He ranked ninth in the league in rushing in conference games-only, and second among rookies in that
category. Turcotte was named the conference rookie of the week on two occasions, while also topping 100 yards in rushing in pair of games this season.

Fluellen earned honorable-mention All-America status after he ranked among the league leaders in rushing despite missing nearly half the season with an injury. Fluellen, a senior co-captain, topped 100 yards rushing in the first three games this
season and earned Third-Team All-CAA honors for his efforts.

Canary, a three-year starter at center on the offensive line, earned honorable-mention honors after he anchored a line, which helped Maine finish third in the CAA in rushing. It marked the third-straight season the Black Bears finished among the top
four teams in the conference in rushing.

The recent honors for Turcotte, Fluellen and Canary give Maine 35 All-Americans in program history. It’s the first time since the 2004 season multiple Black Bears were named All-Americans in the same year. Since 2001, 11 Black Bears have been named
an All-American, including two who received the honor in multiple seasons (Stephen Cooper 2001-02 and Belcher 2007-08).

Belcher, Turcotte, Fluellen and Canary were vital in helping lead the Black Bears to an amazing season in 2008. Maine finished the season with an 8-5 record, a berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs and a No. 18 ranking in the final Sports Network National
FCS Top 25 Poll.


Courtesy University of Maine