Ramsherd.com reported late yesterday that former Cat Derrick Locke’s name is being bandied about as a free agent for the Rams now that the lockout is over. They said this of Locke:
[I][COLOR=#8b0000]”Locke is a very fast runner (clocked at 4.21 in the 40 yard dash) who, more importantly, also plays fast on the field. (Your 40 time means nothing if you have a track star mentality and subsequent fear of contact.) Along with WR/QB Randall Cobb, Locke was a dynamic part of the University of Kentucky’s dangerous offense, working equally well as a receiver out of the backfield and as runner who can quickly get from the pocket to the edge.[/COLOR][/I]
[I][COLOR=#8b0000]However, all the usual red flags for smaller running backs are there with Locke — not much blocking ability, not a traditional “between the tackles” runner, and a far from spotless injury record. All of which helps explain why he wasn’t drafted in the first place.[/COLOR][/I]
[I][COLOR=#8b0000]If he stays healthy, though, Locke potentially offers all the skillset of a Darren Sproles with much fresher legs.”[/COLOR][/I] ([URL=”http://www.ramsherd.com/2011-articles/season/recapping-the-rams-udfa-blitz-a-dt-qb-cb-and-maybe-derrick-locke.html”]source[/URL])
While Locke to the Rams is hardly a done-deal, it’s encouraging to hear. And with a very short turnaround before the start of the season, we should be hearing a lot about free agents and transfers within the next couple of days. Here’s hoping the best for Locke, and another NFL Cat to root for.
**UPDATE** According to Jared Tokarz of WhosNextFootball.com, Locke has signed with the Vikings
