Thed Watson, USF's starting left tackle during the Bulls' first two seasons in the Big East, is getting a second chance at making an NFL roster. Watson flew to New York on Thursday and is expected to sign a free-agent contract with the Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
"I just landed here. I believe I'm signing today," said Watson, the former Lakewood standout who worked out for the Giants last season after being one of the final cuts of the Carolina Panthers. "I've got a big chip on my shoulder and want to show them what I can do."
Watson, 6-foot-5 and 307 pounds, spent five months on the Panthers' roster as an undrafted free agent last summer but didn't make their final roster. He was in camp with the Arena Football League's Orlando Predators in February but was released, and said he was considering an offer from the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats when his agent got a call from the Giants two weeks ago.
The Super Bowl champs won't be an easy roster to make, but Watson has some things working in his favor. The Giants didn't select any offensive linemen with their seven picks in the NFL Draft, and signed only one other tackle -- 6-foot-8, 315-pound Dylan Thiry from Northwestern -- since the draft.
The Giants did not have any new signings to confirm when contacted Thursday.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Thed was the offensive line version of Amarri.
Great physical tools, showed one or two flashes of greatness, but underachieved most of the time.
I don't see him hacking it in the NFL.
Posted by: RR | May 08, 2008 at 09:36 PM
If you had your 'Bright House' two years ago he would have seen it when he beat you.
I guess it is just a timing thing.
Posted by: Chris | May 08, 2008 at 05:35 PM
This guy is a scrub that wouldnt have even seen the field at the Bright House.
Posted by: ucf rocks | May 08, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Just strange curiousity here - but anyone know what Ean Randolph is up to now? I know he was a late cut by the Chiefs a year ago... Figured I'd see him re-surface somewhere in training camp as a returner.
Posted by: Jonny | May 08, 2008 at 03:18 PM
He's got a big chip on his shoulder. Good luck to him, but keep that big chip in check. It got him into trouble at school........
Posted by: JoeB | May 08, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Good for the Bulls, great for Watson!
Posted by: Mike Lakeland | May 08, 2008 at 01:12 PM