jimster Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Evans: No Longer An NFL Long Shot By Gary Fitzgerald Redskins.com May 20, 2005 http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=957 A year ago, defensive end Demetric Evans was considered a long shot to establish himself in the NFL. After getting released by the Dallas Cowboys in 2003, he caught on with the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe. He impressed overseas--recording 24 tackles and 2.5 sacks--and signed a free agent contract with the Redskins last June. Now, Evans is being counted on as a key figure in the Redskins' defensive end rotation. "I was a long shot to make it this far," the 6-3, 300-pounder said. "But anyone who's not a starter is a long shot. Teams are always looking to replace a player. In this league, over-achievers are the ones who can find success." Given the NFL Europe season, which runs from April through June, Evans played football almost year-round in 2004. After his stint with Cologne ended, he arrived at Redskins Park behind the curve in terms of learning the defensive schemes. "I wasn't getting the same coaching that guys on the team had been getting, I wasn't getting the on-the-field workouts or the film study," he said. "I was behind the eight ball because I had to absorb a lot of information to catch up with everybody else. "Then coaches look at you and say, 'This guy was in NFL Europe, he's not going to make it. He might have the potential, but his body might not hold up. Mentally, he's not going to be prepared because he's so drained from NFL Europe.'" Demetric Evans Due to several injuries to Phillip Daniels last season, Evans ended up playing in 12 games for the Redskins, starting eight. He logged 31 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Evans admitted that his body felt worn down toward the end of the season. "My body was in game condition all year long," he said. Remarkably, the wear and tear didn't show in the Redskins' season finale against Minnesota. Evans logged seven tackles and 1.5 sacks versus Daunte Culpepper and the playoff-bound Vikings. This offseason, Evans is back in a normal NFL workout regimen. "This year, I have an opportunity to be in an off-season program that I wasn't in last year," he said. "I have the ability to get stronger, faster and more prepared for mini-camps and training camp." Evans is entering his fourth NFL season. He grew up in Haynesville, La., and played his collegiate ball at Georgia, starting every game his senior season. He entered the league as an undrafted rookie free agent in April 2001, signing with the Dallas Cowboys. Evans played in all 16 games his rookie season with the Cowboys--recording 35 tackles and one sack--but his playing time decreased in 2002. He was released following training camp in September 2003. The release has been a motivating factor for Evans ever since. Even after establishing himself last season, Evans is focused on improving his craft this offseason. "I'm focusing on getting better with my footwork and getting stronger," he said. "I'm focusing on improving my handwork. I want to better my pass-rush technique. I feel like I always know the plays. That's just study. As far as technique, I want to be flawless. I want to put myself into position to make more plays." The release by the Cowboys also has forced Evans to consider how best to manage his finances. He was among four Redskins and 66 NFL players who enrolled in executive education programs at Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in early April. The National Football League and NFL Players Association worked with the business schools to create the curriculums, which focused on personal finance, real estate and entrepreneurship. "I didn't take a lot of classes in finance in college and I didn't grow up in a family that was financially stable, so in order for me to be successful, I need to know what to do with my money," Evans said. "I have an opportunity to learn from the best--how can I pass that up?" "I'm going to educate myself first before I give anybody my hard-earned money to invest for me. I want to take away the ability that when I approach someone about managing my money, I know what I want them to do with it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted May 20, 2005 Author Share Posted May 20, 2005 In this league, over-achievers are the ones who can find success." Bingo. I like that this is one of those guys that knows not to take anything for granted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nomadskin11 Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Thanks cowgirls, for a hard-working over-acheiving perfectionist. No, seriously, thanks. Here's to another good season for D E! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Om Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 I've been talking this guy up all offseason as being a potential part of the DL rotation. If ever there was a perfect example of a "Gibbs player," seems to me Evans is it. Quiet, unassuming, hard-working, with an eye for detail, and smart (check the Harvard part). Guys like this helped this franchise win world championships. Not any ONE guy, but a whole team full of them. * Well, crap. Had to merge myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyansRangers Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 I like this guy.. he should be a lot better due to not playing football for 12 months and letting his body rest plus another year with Blache Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrockster21 Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 I hope he sacks Bledsoe 10 times this season... He is a solid contributor; all he needed was some good coaching and a little time to develope. Williams seems to have the midas touch when it comes to bringing out potential! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Harris Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by Om * Well, crap. Had to merge myself. rules can be a b**** sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 This guy is what Joe Gibbs football is all about. For the first time since Snyder has bought the team, I'm starting to see this kind of player pop up everywhere... the blue collar, homegrown, overachiever. I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rook Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Maybe he is one of the reasons the front office didn't worry about the DL in the draft. Gotta love the hungry, hard-working guys!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stroey Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Our defensive ends are strong against the run and Evans was a big part of that rotation. I hope we are still looking for a pass rush specialist. Creating pressure with our CBs was affective last year, but wouldn't you rather have them in coverage and still put pressure on the QB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by Om Well, crap. Had to merge myself. Did it hurt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted May 20, 2005 Author Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by Stroey Our defensive ends are strong against the run and Evans was a big part of that rotation. I hope we are still looking for a pass rush specialist. Creating pressure with our CBs was affective last year, but wouldn't you rather have them in coverage and still put pressure on the QB? I have a feeling this where Holdman's versatility comes in....on a passing down Daniels and Wynn come out, a DB comes in, Holdman moves to weak LB, Clemons and Lavar line up on the ends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soljaofjesus Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by jimster I have a feeling this where Holdman's versatility comes in....on a passing down Daniels and Wynn come out, a DB comes in, Holdman moves to weak LB, Clemons and Lavar line up on the ends. wow that sounds dangerous and still have Marcus Washington in there.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted May 20, 2005 Author Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by soljaofjesus wow that sounds dangerous and still have Marcus Washington in there.. ...and Bowen, and Taylor and 2 physical corners. - The pass rush can come from many places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stroey Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by jimster ...and Bowen, and Taylor and 2 physical corners. - The pass rush can come from many places. Can you imagine this defense if we can drop back 6-7 in coverage and still manufacture a pass rush? Then imagine the added pressure when you start brining those corners from different angles. Then all we need is an offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. S Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Though we may not have really upgraded our d-line, we certainly did not downgrade either. I've always said the re-signing of Big Joe was huge, and Evans signing and Warner having another season helps as well. What would be great is if Evans gets more sacks/tackles than any of the 3 DE's the Cowboys drafted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkart Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Maybe he'll step up another notch this year and pile up some sacks !!! I think Rufus Brown CB will come back from overseas and make our roster this year, he's having a great season over there:cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickalino Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Originally posted by RyansRangers I like this guy.. he should be a lot better due to not playing football for 12 months and letting his body rest plus another year with Blache How did he manage a full 12 months since last December ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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