Michael Avila (Who?) Gets Tryout With Panthers At Rookie Camp Next Week

[panthers55]

http://www.montereyh...hers?source=rss

"I kept telling myself, if I can just get my foot in a door somewhere,'' Avila said.

Clocking a 4.36 40-yard dash at a recent pro day opened that door.

The 2007 Herald Male Athlete of the Year has been invited to the Carolina Panthers rookie mini camp next week.

"You can't coach speed,'' Carolina head coach and Seaside alum Ron Rivera said. "It's one of the traits we look for. There are no guarantees. But sometimes you find a diamond in the rough.''

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Avila will spend three days with the Panthers, along with several other undrafted rookies, hoping to catch the eye of the coaching staff.

Why the 23-year-old didn't see the field much last season is a mystery to Avila. One of the fastest players on the Spartans, he made a remarkable turnaround from tearing his knee the year before.

"What might have happened is he got caught in the middle of the transition of coaches,'' Rivera said. "Plus, he was coming off a injury and missed a year. I don't know. But we want to see what kind of ability Mike has.''

Rivera was not on hand during Avila's pro day. But his performance in the drills warranted another look.

"He tested well,'' said Rivera, who, like Avila, grew up in Marina.

"I've got three days,'' Avila said. "I have to be flawless. I have to have the right mindset. If I make a mistake, I have to have short-term memory. Never stop hustling. It if doesn't work out, it could open up other outlets.''

[Ken]

Another camp body. Nice.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Another wide out? And he's not black or white? For real? Sweet sauce.

Pie for the article, good find.

[therealmjl]

I think you mean sweet and sour sauce.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I think you mean sweet and sour sauce.

But he's not asian...

[Argus Plexus]

Who

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Am I stupid or did I just read over what position the dude plays?

[megadeth078]

Am I stupid or did I just read over what position the dude plays?

5-9, 175 pounds, 4.36 speed

ya, you did.

[Keep Pounding]

I went to school with his older brother AJ Avila, their Dad was the coach of the Seaside Highschool Football team, when I went there back in the day, I was class of 99, RR graduated Seaside High also, so RR is bringing one of his hometown kids to camp to tryout...

[KendrickPanther]

Sure why not. There are only so many people on this planet that can run with that kind of speed.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

5-9, 175 pounds, 4.36 speed

ya, you did.

Oh, about time we brought in a DT!!

[Herbert The Love Bug]

so he's coming straight out of high school?

[Ivan The Awesome]

so he's coming straight out of high school?

Or straight out of Compton.

[Keep Pounding]

so he's coming straight out of high school?

He went to Seaside High who are the Spartans, then he went to San Jose State who are the Spartans also, but Ron Rivera graduated from the same High school...