ABJ
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Life seems to be in line for Schlegel
Ohio State linebacker getting ready for combine
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
PARMA - Anthony Schlegel played only 12 to 15 snaps in last month's East-West Shrine Game in San Antonio, but the experience enabled him to do more than recover a fumble and help a worthy cause.
The Ohio State linebacker was able to get the New York Giants' infamous psychological test out of the way.
``I was a dog,'' Schlegel said, referring to the well-publicized ``Are you a cat or a dog?'' question that for years has left draft prospects pondering the ramifications of their answer. Schlegel is so enthused that his young black labrador, Butkus, is in training to hunt pheasant and waterfowl that his choice needed little thought.
Nearly a month after Schlegel ended his college career with a victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, he has lost none of his zest for life. His wife, Stephanie, is expecting their first child in July.
He's on track to complete his degree in consumer affairs in March. He's training for the NFL combine Feb. 22-28 in Indianapolis.
He's squeezing in time for autograph signings like the session he participated Monday night in at Parmatown Mall, delighting in the 8x10s he's collecting for family.
And he's pondering his possible future as a pro.
``What a crazy, exciting time it is,'' Schlegel said. ``Since my wife told me the Monday before Michigan she was pregnant, it's been crazy.
``This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm trying to live in the moment and do everything I can to get prepared.''
Unlike fellow linebackers A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter, projected as first-round picks in the April 29-30 draft, Schlegel isn't highly rated. Scouts Inc. grades him as a late-round prospect due to a lack of speed and athleticism, especially in pass coverage.
``My goal is to be a first-day guy, but that's not my main goal,'' Schlegel said. ``God-willing, I go to a team where I fit in well. That's all that matters. Look at Tom Brady, a sixth-round pick; he fits perfectly in New England, and he's been able to shine. How was he a sixth-rounder?
``It's not about the money. It's about finding a place you can excel.''
The character-challenged Minnesota Vikings were among the teams who interviewed Schlegel at the Shrine Game, perhaps attracted by his leadership ability and the fact that he will be a 25-year-old rookie. He's also tough, playing on a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his knee in 2004.
Schlegel said those who look at his OSU film and ignore his first two years at Air Force will miss another part of his game.
``The biggest thing with our defense, I blitzed a lot up the middle. I didn't get an opportunity to run around all the time,'' he said.
``It's amazing, when I was at the Academy all everybody talked about was how I was sideline to sideline. I come to Ohio State and do different things and they're like, `Well, he can't run.' I didn't lose any speed. I got hurt (in '04).
``I can fit in any defense. I have a lot of football smarts and knowledge of the game. That's what people want. It's about playing. Flip on the film and see who hits people.'' (He finished second on the team in tackles with 82 in 2005, trailing only Hawk's 121.)
Schlegel is working out with teammates Nate Salley, Donte Whitner and Rob Sims at the Euclid Power Plant one or two days a week. He's also training with Hawk, Carpenter and OSU strength and conditioning assistant Butch Reynolds in the mornings.
``With Butch every little thing like bending your arm 90 degrees, he's filming it,'' Schlegel said of the former world-record holder from Akron. ``We're trying to soak him in like a sponge. He has so much knowledge and passion for teaching people to run properly.''
Passion, of course, to which Schlegel can relate.
Messages for Marla Ridenour can be left at [email protected]
Congrats to Anthony, seems like the kind of guy who'll be a great dad.
