TE Erik Gill gets chance to fulfill NFL dreams w/Cowboys
Gill signs with Dallas Cowboys
By Bruce Wald
FOR
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Former Belle Vernon Area High School and University of Pittsburgh standout tight end Erik Gill will have a chance to fulfill his dream of playing in the National Football League a reality.
While Gill was not selected as part of the seven-round NFL Draft on April 29-30, the physically imposing 6-foot-5-inch, 275-pound four-year college letterman signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys and participated in the team's three-day mini-camp for rookies May 5-7.
A two-year starter who played in 50 straight games dating back to 2002, Gill produced 48 career receptions at the University of Pittsburgh for 702 yards and five touchdowns. His finest season statistically was in 2004 when Gill caught 25 balls for 433 yards and four touchdowns. He helped the Panthers tie for the Big East Conference that season and play in the Bowl Championship Series' Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz.
One of many highlights for Gill during his junior season was catching an 80-yard touchdown pass in Pittsburgh's regular season finale victory at South Florida University. Earlier that same year, Gill helped the Panthers achieve a 41-38 victory at Notre Dame by catching six balls for 89 yards and a touchdown.
His nine-yard scoring reception with 2:24 left gave the Panthers a 38-35 lead with 2:24 remaining. On Pittsburgh's winning drive he caught three balls for 45 yards, including a 36-yard reception as the Panthers won a 32-yard field goal with one second remaining. The coaching staff selected him as the team's Most Improved Offensive Player at season's end.
One of 20 tight ends nationwide named to the John Mackey Award Watch List last summer, Gill was the Panthers' third-leading receiver in 2005 with 21 catches for 244 yards, one touchdown and a season-long reception of 26 yards. Playing under first-year head coach Dave Wannstedt, the Panthers slipped to a 5-6 overall record last fall and missed qualifying for a sixth straight postseason bowl appearance.
Ironically, one of the other tight ends nominated for the prestigious Mackey Award was former Notre Dame University tight end Anthony Fassano. Notre Dame and Pittsburgh are common opponents but now Gill will directly compete against Fassano, who Dallas drafted in the second round.
The John Mackey Award, presented by the Nassau County Sports Commission, is awarded annually to the most outstanding Tight End in Division I-A college football. In addition to demonstrating outstanding athletic prowess on the field, the award also stands for positive sportsmanship, good academic standing and exceptional leadership abilities.
Mackey played 10 seasons in the NFL, with his first nine being with the Baltimore Colts. The Syracuse University graduate was a five-time Pro Bowl selection who finished his pro career with 331 receptions for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns. UCLA's Marcedes Lewis won the 2005 Mackey Award while the 2004 winner was current Pittsburgh Steelers' tight end Heath Miller, who played college football at the University of Virginia.
Gill, who played scholastic football under former Leopards' head coach Gary Dongilli (1994-2000), did receive the Mackey Weekly Award after the 2004 game at Notre Dame.
The Cowboys are expected to go with a two-tight end offense but Gill will face a big challenge of making the roster. Along with Fassano, Dallas returns Jason Witten, a Pro Bowl selection, free agent Ryan Hannam acquired from Seattle, and returning third-year players Brett Pierce and Sean Ryan.
By Bruce Wald
FOR
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Former Belle Vernon Area High School and University of Pittsburgh standout tight end Erik Gill will have a chance to fulfill his dream of playing in the National Football League a reality.
While Gill was not selected as part of the seven-round NFL Draft on April 29-30, the physically imposing 6-foot-5-inch, 275-pound four-year college letterman signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys and participated in the team's three-day mini-camp for rookies May 5-7.
A two-year starter who played in 50 straight games dating back to 2002, Gill produced 48 career receptions at the University of Pittsburgh for 702 yards and five touchdowns. His finest season statistically was in 2004 when Gill caught 25 balls for 433 yards and four touchdowns. He helped the Panthers tie for the Big East Conference that season and play in the Bowl Championship Series' Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz.
One of many highlights for Gill during his junior season was catching an 80-yard touchdown pass in Pittsburgh's regular season finale victory at South Florida University. Earlier that same year, Gill helped the Panthers achieve a 41-38 victory at Notre Dame by catching six balls for 89 yards and a touchdown.
His nine-yard scoring reception with 2:24 left gave the Panthers a 38-35 lead with 2:24 remaining. On Pittsburgh's winning drive he caught three balls for 45 yards, including a 36-yard reception as the Panthers won a 32-yard field goal with one second remaining. The coaching staff selected him as the team's Most Improved Offensive Player at season's end.
One of 20 tight ends nationwide named to the John Mackey Award Watch List last summer, Gill was the Panthers' third-leading receiver in 2005 with 21 catches for 244 yards, one touchdown and a season-long reception of 26 yards. Playing under first-year head coach Dave Wannstedt, the Panthers slipped to a 5-6 overall record last fall and missed qualifying for a sixth straight postseason bowl appearance.
Ironically, one of the other tight ends nominated for the prestigious Mackey Award was former Notre Dame University tight end Anthony Fassano. Notre Dame and Pittsburgh are common opponents but now Gill will directly compete against Fassano, who Dallas drafted in the second round.
The John Mackey Award, presented by the Nassau County Sports Commission, is awarded annually to the most outstanding Tight End in Division I-A college football. In addition to demonstrating outstanding athletic prowess on the field, the award also stands for positive sportsmanship, good academic standing and exceptional leadership abilities.
Mackey played 10 seasons in the NFL, with his first nine being with the Baltimore Colts. The Syracuse University graduate was a five-time Pro Bowl selection who finished his pro career with 331 receptions for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns. UCLA's Marcedes Lewis won the 2005 Mackey Award while the 2004 winner was current Pittsburgh Steelers' tight end Heath Miller, who played college football at the University of Virginia.
Gill, who played scholastic football under former Leopards' head coach Gary Dongilli (1994-2000), did receive the Mackey Weekly Award after the 2004 game at Notre Dame.
The Cowboys are expected to go with a two-tight end offense but Gill will face a big challenge of making the roster. Along with Fassano, Dallas returns Jason Witten, a Pro Bowl selection, free agent Ryan Hannam acquired from Seattle, and returning third-year players Brett Pierce and Sean Ryan.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:17 PM
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