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TOP JOBS

By HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writer

The children comprise the future, as the McCown Passing Camp shed light on.

But for the NFL players who mentored nearly 200 youths the last two days at Tyler Junior College’s Pat Hartley Field, their future is now.

The early part of summer supposedly afford NFL players a break after mini-camp, and with a few weeks left until training camp. Unless you’re looking for a breakthrough season.

Three such NFL veterans who appeared at the sixth annual event Friday and Saturday discussed their goals for making 2008 just that — a campaign year.

Jacksonville native Josh McCown hopes to become a full-time NFL starter again. After starting nine games for Oakland in 2007, he signed a free-agent deal in March with Miami and figures to have a good chance to start for the Dolphins.

“I’m very excited,” said Josh, who puts on the yearly camp along with brothers Randy McCown, a former Texas A&M signal-caller, and Luke McCown, a quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “It’s a good opportunity. To be able to compete and play, that’s (the) goal. That’s why we made the move, to be a starter. I’m excited about trying to help this franchise move in the right direction.”

In his first five seasons, McCown played in 44 of a maximum 80 games, starting 31. The one season he started the majority of the time — 13 of 14 games played in 2004 with the Arizona Cardinals — McCown completed 233 of 408 attempts for 2,511 yards, 11 TDs and 10 INTs.

The Dolphins mark the fourth different franchise for McCown (6-4, 215) to suit up for in the six years since he joined the NFL after playing collegiately at Southern Methodist and Sam Houston State.

“It’s been where God put me,” said the 28-year old McCown, who joins a club coming off a 1-15 season. “I’ve had to live in those situations. I’m a competitor. I probably could have easily stayed in any of the situations and been a backup. But I want to establish myself as a starter. Sometimes that requires moving and hopefully that happens in Miami and goes well for us.”

Already established, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin wants the team’s success to match his individual progress. The Cardinals finished one game shy of a playoff berth last year, the first time the club chalked up a .500 record since the 27-year old Boldin arrived in 2003.

“Things are starting to turn around in Arizona,” said the 6-1, 217-pounder, who has averaged more than 80 catches for 1,000 yards in five seasons played. He set a rookie record with 217 yards receiving in his first NFL contest. “Personally, I’ve had a good career so far, been able to make two pro bowls, break a few records. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a dream come true.”

After playing only two games combined in his first two NFL seasons, Kellen Winslow II of the Cleveland Browns appeared in all 16 games a second straight time in 2007. In the process, the 6-4, 250-pounder asserted himself as one of the game’s best at his position. He pulled in 82 catches for 1,106 yards last year, both good for third among NFL tight ends.

The 24-year old credited his recovery from a right fibula injury in his second career game to another one to his knee prior to the 2005 season to his wife, Janelle Winslow, who accompanied him to Tyler.

“Without her I wouldn’t be here,” said Winslow, who earned a Pro Bowl bid after last season. “I went through a lot. I live by this quote (and tattoo on my arm): ‘without struggle there’s no progress.’ When I went through my accident I was struggling a lot. Just to come back from that, there’s not a lot of people that would. I’m on the right track, doing good, trying to be consistent.”

A teammate of Winslow’s, Tyler native Gary Baxter, looks to make a similar successful return, albeit from a much serious injury — two torn patellar tendons in each knee.

“His is different, both patellar tendons,” Winslow said of his fellow Brown. “God is not going to put you (through) anything you can’t handle. It’s all about how bad do you want it. Even coming back from that and walking is a big deal.”

According to Baxter, he said he wants it that bad last month when he visited his hometown for a fundraising function.

“If you love what you do, why stop?” asked Baxter, who played in 48 straight games from 2002-04 before playing a total of five the last three seasons. “I found my passion, my niche. I keep doing it because it’s fun, its nothing like it, and I know I can do it.”

Before his injury, Baxter ranked among the more reliable corners in the league, starting 54 of 62 games, and in the process totaling 323 tackles, 57 pass break-ups, eight interceptions, and three sacks. The 2003 season, his third of four with Baltimore, marked his best when he amassed a career-high 106 tackles with three picks.

Baxter, 29, last played in the fourth game of the 2007 season. Nevertheless, he worked out in training camp last fall and believes he will be with the team when the new season rolls around.

“I made it back to the practice field last year,” Baxter said. “I wanted to give it a little more time so I can be strong enough for this upcoming season. It’s going good. I did suffer a devastating injury. I’m on pace to make history. I’m doing good, training intensely. I’ve been non-stop, on the grind. I’ll be ready to rock and roll. Once you become a master of something that you’re good at, you want to keep doing it,”

After gracing the Rose City with their presence the past few days and months, expect several interested eyes to be on the guys they learned a few tips and drew inspiration from when the NFL season tees off.