2009-09-25T18:06:25Z NFL hopefuls Dane Randolph and Jon Copper provide an inside look at what it takes to make a pro team. tag:views.washingtonpost.com,2009:/theleague/longshots/74 Copyright (c) 2009, WashingtonPost.Newsweek Interactive 2009-09-25T18:06:25Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-09-25:/theleague/longshots2009/09/randolphs_big_call.html

Every year on their birthdays, Dane Randolph and his mother, Angela, pick a goal they hope to accomplish in the ensuing months. It is a kind of New Year's resolution with the twist that unlike most New Year's resolutions, these promises are actually kept. And so on Sept. 4, 2008, right around the start of his senior football season at the University of Maryland, Randolph made his new birthday vow: to make the roster of...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Les Carpenter 2009-09-06T22:32:50Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-09-07:/theleague/longshots2009/09/in_search_of_another_shot.html

Now that training camp is over, as well as the preseason games, NFL teams are preparing for their first in-season game. They have to make drastic cuts to the roster so that they remain at 53 players. To put things in perspective, most teams started with 80 entering into training camp, then reduced the roster to 75 by Sept. 1 and now to 53 on Sept. 5. This means 22 players will be cut by...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Dane Randolph 2009-07-13T20:41:41Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-07-14:/theleague/longshots2009/07/no_calls_yet.html

I've been working a lot recently. Doing a little bit of everything. Personal training, nutrition seminars both private and public, one-on-one and family nutritional counseling, vitamin recomendations, reviews and sales. I'm even going to be working for a friend at a local frozen yogurt place here in town part time.   I haven't heard anything on the football front. We'll see, I could still get a call later this month or early next month. I'm...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Jon Copper 2009-06-21T19:40:33Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-06-22:/theleague/longshots2009/06/skeet_shooting.html

Posted by Dane Randolph: We have been putting in a lot of hard work while we have been here in Green Bay during OTAs. OTAs officially ended on Thursday, and a three-day minicamp will start today. As an offensive line, we have progressed with our playbook installs, the understanding of the play, and schemes have gotten easier. It is very noticeable on the field from watching film for most of us as rookies. A few...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Dane Randolph 2009-06-11T22:20:04Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-06-12:/theleague/longshots2009/06/still_searching_1.html

I spoke with my agent the other day. I still have a shot with at least one team should a need come up. There are a couple others that we think would give me some attention if they have a need at linebacker also, so that's encouraging. With that, I was thinking the other day of whether I play again. A lot of people have specific dreams of accomplishments or vocations that are their most...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Jon Copper 2009-05-30T02:19:17Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-06-01:/theleague/longshots2009/06/self-employed.html

I am going into business for myself, doing personal training as well as doing some health and nutrition seminars. I needed to find something that was flexible enough that I could train, as well as leave for a tryout on a day's notice if something were to come up this summer and fall. That knocks out any normal 9 to 5, so I am going into business for myself. The launch will be June 6....Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Jon Copper 2009-05-29T14:58:04Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-05-29:/theleague/longshots2009/05/loving_life.html

It is always fun to get back to playing ball again. I've been through two OTAs, and they have been great. The days have been split up to where we lift early in the morning, have iinstallation and review meetings and then go out to the practice field and perform. The biggest difference between OTAs and camp is that we are not in full pads. The veterans got back earlier this week a day before...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Dane Randolph 2009-05-28T17:00:11Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-05-28:/theleague/longshots2009/05/working_and_serving.html

For the past two weeks I've been working for a pipe drilling company called Old Dominion Underground. When I didn't get picked up, I needed to get a job pretty quick. A good friend of mine named Tony Talbert, his dad made a call for me, and I was working the next day. My day starts around 5 a.m. I have to be at work a half hour away at 7. I get up so...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Jon Copper 2009-05-22T03:27:55Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-05-22:/theleague/longshots2009/05/catching_up_with_old_friends.html

Posted by Jon Copper: At Saturday's tryout I saw some old friends. Trey Lewis played safety at Fork Union the year I was there. He had 12 or 13 interceptions that year and went on to have a solid career at Ball State. He is from North Carolina, and this was his second tryout for the CFL. Another friend of mine was there, Joey Hudson from Miami of Ohio. Joey and I met at Athletes...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Jon Copper 2009-05-20T18:40:30Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-05-20:/theleague/longshots2009/05/settling_in.html

Posted by Dane Randolph: Saturday I drove from Owings Mills to Green Bay. Totaling 15 hours of driving time and over 900 miles, I found myself in what I plan on calling my new home. The drive was not bad; it's comparable to the many trips I used to make from Maryland to Jacksonville and other parts of Florida. I have been through two days of the Green Bay Packers rookie offseason week. So far,...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Dane Randolph 2009-05-18T16:30:01Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-05-18:/theleague/longshots2009/05/oh_canada.html

Posted by Jon Copper: I went to a tryout for the Canadian Football League Saturday in Charlotte. The team was the Montreal Alouettes. I didn't know what to expect, but it was a really good experience.  This was the third tryout they have had in the United States this offseason. There were over 200 guys there from all over -- Florida, Ohio, the Carolinas, even Sweden.   Registration started at 8. Jim Popp, the GM, was...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Jon Copper 2009-05-13T14:58:52Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-05-13:/theleague/longshots2009/05/getting_ready_for_green_bay.html

Posted by Dane Randolph: Over the past week I met with friends, spoke to a couple of classes, took care of various chores around my mom's place and of course worked out at the University of Maryland. My friends have been very supportive throughout this whole process, so I took the time to have dinner and hang out with them before I leave again. I had the opportunity to speak to classes of former high...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Dane Randolph 2009-05-12T20:02:56Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-05-12:/theleague/longshots2009/05/planning_on_two_levels.html

Posted by Jon Copper: I met with the guy that runs the gyms here in Charlottesville. That went well. I am looking into possibly getting certification for personal training and as a dietician. It also looks like I'll be able to teach summer school in July at Fork Union Military. On the football front I am exploring possibly playing in some other leagues this fall if nothing else opens up between now and then. The...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Jon Copper 2009-05-07T16:25:39Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-05-07:/theleague/longshots2009/05/making_calls.html

Posted by Jon Copper: I read Dane's post and am real happy he made the cut at Green Bay. My roommate up there was also from Maryland, Dean Muhtadi. They signed him at D-Line. It's really good those guys are getting a shot there. It's a special place, and being there for any amount of time is something to be cherished.   After I got the news Green Bay was full at linebackers, my agent started...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Jon Copper 2009-05-05T22:01:26Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2009-05-05:/theleague/longshots2009/05/signing_with_the_packers.html

Posted by Dane Randolph: I'm a Packer now! I just returned Monday morning and have good news to report. With all of my hard work, effort, never-quit attitude, and my agent Josh Stevens with the Sapros Sports Management, I have been signed to a team. It's hard to put into words how excited I am that I got signed this weekend and that I have the opportunity to become a Green Bay Packer. I think...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Dane Randolph