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NFL Draft Prospect
Interview: Joey Haynos, TE, Maryland
by Paul Eide, 3/11/08. The
NFL is a league of parody. When one team has success with a particular
method or strategy, other teams around the league quickly notice and
adapt. And with the success some teams have had converting former
basketball players into productive tight ends, we now see this method
adopted more and more. With that said, Maryland tight end Joey
Haynos picked a great time to be a senior.
At 6-foot-8, 262 pounds, he is a hard worker who spurned Division I
basketball scholarships to walk on at Maryland to play football. Many
NFL scouts like his blocking ability, but he also runs crisp routes and
has soft hands, evidenced by his 30 receptions last season which made
him Maryland’s second leading receiver.
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How was the Combine compared to what you
expected it to be?
“It was more intense than I
thought it was going to be. I went into hearing it was going to be bad,
but it was a little more than I thought it was going to be. I thought
Id get a little more sleep.”
What was it like to see how you stacked up against 15-20 of the other
top TE’s in the country?
“It was about what I
thought. They were great athletes and it was cool meeting all of them
but I thought I held up pretty well and showed athletically that I can
hang with them. I felt good about it.”
Do the top rated TE’s like Fred Davis and
John Carlson distinguish themselves during the Combine as ‘The Best”?
“Athletically everyone
was really similar. Dustin Keller stood
out. Brad Cottam impressed me with his 40. Just things here and there
like one guy maybe faster but the other guy is stronger. Everyone was
pretty even.”
At the Combine was there any one team that showed more interest than
others, or was it pretty general with all teams showing interest?
“Pretty general but I
spent more with some than others. I met
every tight end coach for every team. Met a couple teams GMs and head
coaches so obviously those teams seemed to be more interested than
others.”
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Was there one person or coach or player
that you saw there where you were like, “Wow, that’s____”?
“Well, I met Joe Bugel the
former offensive line coach for the
Redskins. I was a huge Redskins fan growing up so that was pretty neat.”
What was the hardest part about replacing a guy like Vernon Davis?
"The hardest part was getting the production that he had. It was
actually easier at times because they didn’t expect much out of me.
They knew Vernon was a freak and a great tight end, so I think I
surprised a lot of people with the production during my junior year (37
recs, 369 yards, 3 TD)."
Starting in 2001 with Matt Murphy, many of the Terps' starting tight
ends, including Jeff Dugan and Davis, have moved on to play
professionally.- what’s the secret?
“I think its just hard work
and dedication. Dugan was one of the
hardest workers I’ve ever met and he proved that in the NFL because he
was a 7th round pick and he’s been in the league for 4 or 5 years now.
The secret is just hard work, I think.”
Are you still considering the move to tackle?
“That got blown out of
proportion. I was at a press conference
and one guy asked me if I had been asked about playing tackle and I
said one coached asked me if I had been asked, so no one has really
gone into depth with me about that.”
Have you thought about or at least considered doing it because you have
the ideal frame for it?
“I would definitely consider
it if the team who drafted me
wanted to do it, but I have enough trouble staying at 260 so I don’t
know how I’d get up to 300 plus.”
You were second on the squad with 58 pancakes last season. Is it easier
to block at your height or what is the key? It would seem smaller guys
would take the leverage.
“That’s one thing I’ve
always been good at; getting low and
getting underneath people. I don’t think my height affects me either
way there. Obviously for the most part if you are bigger and stronger
than the guy your blocking your going to win more than lose but pad
level is key.”
In both 2006 and 2007 you had 19 receptions over the final five games
of the season. Why did your production increase so drastically over the
last third of the season the past two years?
“I know this year it was
getting comfortable with the
quarterback. We had a different QB and Chris Turner came in halfway
thru the season and it took a while to get familiar but once we did it
was a good relationship.”
Statistically you produced more each year during your four years at
Maryland. What was the key and what will ensure you continue you evolve
in the NFL?
“Vernon leaving was a big
reason. I became the starter when he left. Plus my body matured and I
became a better athlete.”
Do the NFL reps approach you that way as a guy who has yet to reach
your full potential?
“I hope so. I think they
know I can do a lot more on the
receiving day than I did. I just want to keep rolling and develop
wherever I end up.”
Did the Hula Bowl with 2 catches for 27 yards give you more confidence?
“Not really. It was just
cool being there and getting some catches.”
Is going to the NFL sort of like walking on all over again?
“Yes, I just don’t know what to respect. Walking on was scary but now I
have a lot more confidence.”
Have NFL teams begun contacting your agent?
“Yes, Jacksonville and a
couple other teams have called and said
they are coming to my Pro Day on March 12th. I think my 40 and vertical
will be a lot better.”
Did any particular teams show more interest than others?
“Jacksonville, Denver,
Carolina, Detroit, Chicago. But I don’t know what any of that means at
this point.”
What is your greatest strength?
“Possession receiving and
getting first downs.”
What needs to be worked on?
“40 yards a TE is never
going to run a lot of 40 yards routes so
IM not too worried about my speed. I think the biggest area I need to
increase is my strength for blocking.
Plans for the draft?
“I’m anxious but I’m going to relax and watch it at my parents.”
Michael
Abromowitz's 2008 NFL
Mock
Draft
Gregory Cox's 2008
NFL Mock Draft
Paul Eide's 2008 NFL
Mock Draft
Joey Bure's 2008 NFL Mock Draft
Jared
Donnelly's 2008 NFL Mock
Draft
Mock
Draft Database
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