Tarhog Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Extremeskins is proud to offer its members this special article by 'themurf', Brian Murphy. Brian interviewed Robert McCune and his coaches at the 2005 Redskins minicamp. Robert McCune, a middle linebacker from Louisville, was chosen in the fifth round (154th overall) of the 2005 National Football League draft by the Washington Redskins. While a total of 254 other athletes were selected during the two-day draft, what sets him apart from everyone else is the road McCune took to get there. Before he caught the attention of NFL scouts and coaches as a playmaker and a team leader on the football field, McCune showed similar traits during his time in the Army. After graduation from LeFlore High School in Mobile, Ala., McCune didn’t receive any scholarship offers from big name Division I-A schools, and decided against going to a Division II school or a junior college; instead in 1997 he enlisted in the U.S. Army for three years as a petroleum specialist. “I just wanted to go in the military, get a chance to grow up and mature, and then use the G.I. Bill to pay for college,” he said. “I wanted to do my time and then walk on to a Division I school and try to earn a scholarship.” During his tenure, McCune was stationed in the Republic of Korea and Fort Stewart, Ga., and he deployed to Kuwait for six months in support of an infantry unit as a fuel handler. Whenever he had free time during the deployment, McCune said he used his fueling truck rig as a pull-up bar and heavy rocks for weightlifting. In the rare instances when he wasn’t working out, McCune was engaged in deep conversations with fellow Soldiers. “I think my time in the Army prepared me for life,” said McCune, who was a corporal when he left the Army. “It taught me to be prepared for anything. The thing I am going to miss the most is all the great people I met in the military. Even though I was young, I hung around a lot of older guys. Most of them were married and had families, so they taught me a lot about life.” Once his enlistment was up, McCune enrolled at the University of Louisville and made the Cardinals football team as a walk-on in 2000. He used the G.I. Bill to pay for the first semester of school, but by the second semester he had impressed his coaches enough to earn a scholarship. After “redshirting” his first season with the team, (McCune practiced with the football team his first year, but did not play in any games, so his four years of NCAA eligibility didn’t start until his second season) he was named special teams player of the year in 2001. By his final two seasons, McCune was a team captain. “Whatever coach asked me to do — I did it,” he said. “As the years passed, the guy in front of me got hurt, and I stepped in and had a good game. That’s how I became the starting middle linebacker and team captain.” With his degree in education in hand, McCune focused on preparing for the NFL draft. Although at 26, he was one of the oldest players available in the draft, McCune didn’t worry about being passed over because of his age. He opted to watch the NFL draft with family from his home in Mobile, Ala. “I’m always the same guy,” he said. “I do what I’m supposed to do, give it my all. I’ll never say ‘I wish I would have done this …’ I don’t want to have any regrets.” Since the first day he arrived at Redskins Park, people have had nothing but good things to say about McCune. At 6 feet, 245 pounds, McCune has one of the most impressive physiques on the team — perhaps that’s why he continues to catch the eye of his coaches and fellow players. “I’m a little bit shocked at how fast he’s picked this up,” said Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense, at the team’s first mini-camp. “I’m really anxious to watch him play. You guys have already seen his body type. [Redskins owner] Dan Snyder says if he doesn’t make the team, he wants him to be on the security detail. He’s already done two tours overseas, so Dan wants to stand beside him if a fight breaks out.” To ease the learning curve, Williams said that he and linebacker coach Dale Lindsey are limiting the amount of packages and plays they are starting McCune out in. “He has done a remarkable job on learning the base packages,” Williams said. “A couple of these [running] backs, and a couple of these tight ends have already been smacked by him because he knows what to do.” If it looks like McCune can one day blossom into a star, it’s because he can. Or, at least, that’s what his teammates have told him. “It can happen,” said offensive lineman Ray Brown, who is a 20-year NFL veteran. “It starts first and foremost, with how you think. You can do anything that your mind can conceive. If you can wrap your mind around the fact that you can play in the NFL and be from a small school, and be from a small town — it can happen. “Guys have to get over that feeling of being overwhelmed,” Brown said. “Guys can’t worry about playing for mortgages and bank accounts and that kind of stuff. Self confidence plays a big part in feeling like you belong here.” Teammates have tried to prepare McCune for the challenging road ahead. “It’s difficult for anyone to come into a system and break in as a starter,” said offensive tackle Jon Jansen, who was drafted by the Redskins in 1999. “He’s going to have to go through the same process as everyone else, and if he’s the best player for the job, then they’ll put him in there.” And that’s all McCune wants — a chance. An opportunity to prove he can cut it in this league. After six months in the Middle East, this is a piece of cake. That’s why McCune gets annoyed when he hears an NFL player making comparisons between football and war. “In war, you have real, live bullets flying around,” he said. “[soldiers] are doing their job to protect us, and we’re just doing what we love to do — play football.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Thanks for sharing that Brian. I've been waiting since mini camp to read this piece. It was worth the wait. Makes me wonder what'll happen down the road if McCune gets a chance to play against KW2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwsleep Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Great article! Beautifully written--really captures McCune's personality and appraoch. And I love the Greg Williams quotes. Hope McCune develops and becomes a star for us--he really sems to have his priorities straight. It's about time a guy like this makes good--I'm so tired of TO-type BS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blondie Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Very good Brian. You make a great photojournalist!! Lordy, what a neck! Blondie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselPwr44 Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Great article. Thanks for sharing that. McCune seems to have a very good head on his shoulders and a very solid work ethic. Barring injury, I don't think it will be long until he's contributing in a big way to our team. :2cents: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheREALJBird Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 nice article, Mccune is a very down to earth, humble man, and what williams has to say about him makes me happy. I'd love to see him destroy a top tier running back....or TO across the middle lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy-the-Greek Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 That was a great read. Thanks Murph. I so hope this guy ends up being our starter at MLB. He is yet another example of the way the team drafts talent now. This years 2nd day draft may go down as one of our best ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkart Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Great stuff guys, he seems like a real CLASS ACT on his way to be a True REDSKIN as JG would put it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted August 23, 2005 Author Share Posted August 23, 2005 I agree, he sounds like a good guy. If he made it through a tour and became an NCO - he has some things going for him upstairs, thats for certain. But what really gets me is - he is an absolute BEAST. Every time I see him up close, I just can't believe the arms on the guy. I used to have arms like that! I called them ...'thighs'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huly Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 WOW He is a force to be reckoned with. I would not want to tick him off. Great article! Y'all are doing great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsNatsFan Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Good article. Good work Brian. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blade Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Brian... FREAKING GREAT PICS and a GREAT read man! After reading that I am even happier to have you working for us fans on Extremeskins! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncsuapex Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Hard to say anything else. Everyone has covered exactly how I feel. I'll be keeping an extra eye on this guy from now on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ax Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Great job murf. Welcome aboard. Lots of Rocks on this team. We have Rock (Watch out for that Blonde chick) Cartwright. Jon (The Rock) Jansen. And now, Robert (I'd rather get hit by a ton of rocks) McCune. Sometimes, there are just enough rocks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk4theHall81 Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Nice article, McCune is jacked up, can you imagine getting blindsided by that guy on a crossing route... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autographcollector Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Uhhhh Mcwho???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Die Hard Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Nice piece Brian. It'd be nice to see a who people latch on to really make a difference. He'll start on special teams. and go from there. At this point, I don't care about anything (ie. draft status, salary, physique, etc) except production. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themurf Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Just reading through everyone's comments it's easy to see why I've become involved with this website - you all are quality people who feel the same way I do about the Washington Redskins. When I'm taking photos or writing articles for the Army, that's work. But when I have the opportunity to cover the Redskins it's completely different. I was fortunate to be able to do the Robert McCune feature, and even more fortunate to meet the guys from this website while I was out there. In the future I'd love to do more feature stories on some of the other guys on the team. Tarhog and I talked in depth about focusing on the guys like Robert McCune, Antonio Brown and Ryan Boschetti -- players who the mainstream media forgets. So if the powers that be here at ExtremeSkins decide this is something that they'd like me to continue to do for the website, I'll gladly be up for another feature or two. Thanks again everyone. :notworthy - murf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joncevensen Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 excellent article. McCune seems to be one with the team-first mentality that coach wants. Hopefully he succeeds in this league Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PapaDRoc Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Great read. McCune is a beast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Worthy Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Great great read!!!! these are the building blocks to making a great team! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchogs Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Just reading through everyone's comments it's easy to see why I've become involved with this website - you all are quality people who feel the same way I do about the Washington Redskins. When I'm taking photos or writing articles for the Army, that's work. But when I have the opportunity to cover the Redskins it's completely different. I was fortunate to be able to do the Robert McCune feature, and even more fortunate to meet the guys from this website while I was out there. In the future I'd love to do more feature stories on some of the other guys on the team. Tarhog and I talked in depth about focusing on the guys like Robert McCune, Antonio Brown and Ryan Boschetti -- players who the mainstream media forgets. So if the powers that be here at ExtremeSkins decide this is something that they'd like me to continue to do for the website, I'll gladly be up for another feature or two. Thanks again everyone. :notworthy - murf. seriously, murf, thank YOU. we spend so much time here talking (dare i say, speculating) about the players that the mainstream media misses, and being able to read articles like this (professionally written, multiple quotes/sources, non-WP drivel) about those same players is a blessing. THIS is what makes this community great- dedicated fans willing to put time in for the general benefit of everyone. judging from blade's and die hard's comments, more articles like this will be coming. personally, i can't wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead Money Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Nice Job Murph!!!! (ooh McCune :smooch: :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobzmuda Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Thanks man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibbzracing Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 New to the forum. Great read. This guy is just what the team needed. Given the circumstances and past military service McCune has been involved in, it's really great to see a man who is all about team. Most athletes spend their first years in the NFL growing up....it's great to see a man who's done that and is ready to perform. HAHA his neck is as large in diameter as his arms. Please go across the middle T.O. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.