Colts Sign ILB Larry Lumpkin Following Supplemental Draft
After all the buzz surrounding Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon entering the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft, and some discussion regarding how the Colts might consider grabbing Gordon to be a tall, speedy downfield threat, the young receiver ended up in Cleveland. The second round draft pick the Browns forfeited in 2013 to grab the troubled received is higher than many in the Colts community would have been comfortable offering.
Former Alabama A&M and Carson-Newman inside linebacker Larry Lumpkin went undrafted and was quickly snagged by Indianapolis. Lumpkin is 6-foot 241 pounds and ran a 4.69 and 4.72 40-yard dash at a workout he held at his high school in Irvington, Alabama. He also bench pressed 225 pounds 27 times and a 9-foot 10-inch broad jump.
The red flags against Lumpkin are academic and disciplinary. At A&M he was often late for meetings and generally had a bad attitude. Hopefully, in a professional environment around leader like Robert Mathis (who also attended A&M), he can mature and progress.
I'm leery of the change in mindset of the organization. Used to be we would pass on players with character questions. Now the new conventional wisdom says 'if he can play he can stay' no matter if he's a pro off the field or not. I've gotten used to being able to be by and large proud of the emphasis the outgoing staff placed on leadership and professionalism. I hope the new staff doesn't wander too far from that ethos.
I don't think Pagano is going to take any crap from anybody, and the Colts do have some veterans in the locker room that can help this kid mature, IF he takes advantage of the opportunity he has been given.
