Monday, August 13, 2007
Spunky Bam?s in mix
Pats? wideout has versatility
PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMPPATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP
By Jennifer Toland TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
[email protected]
FOXBORO? Bam Childress was one of just three Patriots wide receivers ? Reche Caldwell and Troy Brown were the others ? to play in the 2006 season opener.
New England went out of its way this offseason to avoid such a shortage at the position, but the spunky Childress is still in the mix.
The 25-year-old is among those fighting for a roster spot.
?It?s a challenge,? Childress said. ?You?re talking about Randy Moss and all them guys. But I look at it as if I?m worried about them, I?m not doing my best. So I go out there and play hard and have fun and let everything take care of itself.?
Childress had two receptions for 17 yards in the Patriots? 13-10 preseason loss to Tampa Bay on Friday. He also lost his helmet during a 13-yard punt return in the first half.
Since signing as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State in 2005, Childress has played in three regular-season games, while spending most of his time on the practice squad. Still, he seems like one of those players that coach Bill Belichick likes to have around and his versatility is certainly an asset.
As Belichick noted this week, he?s played all of the receiver positions, X, Z and inside slot. The Patriots have worked Childress as a kickoff and punt return man during training camp and ? a la Brown ? in his first NFL game, the 2005 regular-season finale against Miami, he had three receptions to go along with five tackles as a reserve cornerback.
?He?s a guy that has a lot of multiple skills,? Belichick said. ?He?s a smart kid. He works hard and is always in condition, (he?s) good running after the catch, good with the ball in his hands. He has a variety of skills, a lot of things that can be utilized in different ways, and I?m sure we?ll continue to do that with him. Definitely a strength of his is his versatility.?
Childress made just seven starts in four seasons at Ohio State. Mainly a No. 3 receiver, playing behind future first-round picks Michael Jenkins and Santonio Holmes, Childress recorded 33 career receptions for 392 yards.
Childress is listed at 5-foot-10, which may be a bit generous, and 185 pounds. Despite his diminutive size, he has stood out a few times at camp.
?Bam is a pretty strong kid for his size, kind of like Troy (5-10, 193) is,? Belichick said. ?He?s not tall, but he?s thick and he?s strong and he?s quick and he?s versatile. I think there are similarities between those two players and I know both of them have heard it from other people about their size and their height and all of that. I don?t think it affects them.?
Childress is trying to make the most of his opportunities.
?Every game is really just really going out there and just playing hard and knowing your assignments and playing relaxed,? Childress said. ?If you do that you?ll be fine. Let God take care of the rest.?
Childress, a cousin of Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, had three catches ? two from Tom Brady, one from Matt Cassel ? in last year?s preseason game against the Cardinals. He started the season on the practice squad before being activated for the opener. He was released two days after the 19-17 win over the Bills and signed to the practice squad Sept. 13. He was signed from the practice squad to the Patriots? active roster on Dec. 23.
He had two catches for 7 yards in the Christmas Eve game at Jacksonville.
Childress? given name is Brandon. His parents nicknamed him Bam ? a shortened form of Bamm Bamm Rubble ? because he used to misbehave after watching episodes of ?The Flintstones.?
?When I was little I was real bad after I watched ?The Flintstones,? ? Childress said. ?They just nicknamed me Bamm Bamm, and then they took off one (Bamm) after a while. They?d be so mad they?d be like, ?Bam!? And then it just stuck.?
Childress is hoping to stick with the Patriots.
