Spencer Adkins always knew he was going to get another shot at his NFL dream.

After the Atlanta Falcons cut the linebacker in August after three years with the team, Adkins had to bide his time. The former Naples High star stayed in Atlanta, followed his normal workout regimen while his agent explored other NFL offers.

His patience paid off, and now Adkins could soon be playing for a Super Bowl champion.

Adkins signed a reserve-futures contract with the Baltimore Ravens in early January. Though he can't join the team until its offseason program begins, Adkins could be joining the defending champs if the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Super Bowl XLVII.

"I was in the NFL; I know what it takes to play in the NFL," the 25-year-old said. "I know I belong there. I was just waiting for my next opportunity. I never questioned my ability to play the game."

Adkins said he's worked hard to stay in peak physical condition the past four months. He said he worked out for seven NFL teams, which he declined to name. Adkins was set to work out for another when the Ravens called and said they wanted to sign him.

Naples coach Bill Kramer had no doubt Adkins would get a second chance in the NFL, and he knew his former player would be ready.
"He never stops training," Kramer said. "He's been working toward another team since Day 1."

When Adkins went to Baltimore to meet with Ravens coaches and officials, the 2005 grad who played at the University of Miami was reunited with several former Hurricanes teammates. Running back Damien Berry and receiver Tommy Streeter also played at Miami. And defensive lineman Terrence Cody is a graduate of Riverdale High School in Fort Myers.

Adkins said he knows Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who is 12 years older, from several events at Miami. Adkins is disappointed he won't get to play alongside Lewis, who is retiring after the Super Bowl, but he wishes the future Hall of Famer well.

"He played the game at a high level for a long time," Adkins said. "I guess he wants to go out on top."

Adkins said he was surprised when he was released by the Falcons on Aug. 30. After being drafted in the sixth round in 2009, the 5-foot-11, 242-pounder played in 24 games for Atlanta.

The only start of Adkins' career came in last season's playoff loss to the Giants thanks to injuries. The Falcons were again thin at linebacker in training camp because of injuries, which is why Adkins was blindsided by being cut.

"A lot of people were surprised," Kramer said. "(The NFL) is a funny business. Spencer can only control what he can control. He just controlled his effort and preparation."

Adkins was particularly disappointed because he knew the Falcons were primed for a big season. Atlanta went 13-3 in the regular season, and was the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. The Falcons lost 28-24 to the 49ers in the conference championship.

"With that offense and their new defense, I knew they would be something special," Adkins said.

Because of his college connections in Baltimore, Adkins was pulling for the Ravens already. Now that he has a chance to join the potential Super Bowl champs, he'll be cheering even louder come Sunday.

Adkins stopped short of making a prediction on the game, but he said it should be a close contest.

"I'm expecting it to be a battle," Adkins said. "The Harbaugh brothers, they're both great coaches. The teams are kind of built alike — real physical defenses with explosive offenses. They're matched up well, so it should be a good competition."


(naplesnews.com)

Naples High School graduate and former University of Miami Hurricanes linebacker Spencer Adkins has been signed to a reserve-futures contract by the Baltimore Ravens, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Adkins was waived by the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 31. Players on reserve-futures contracts can work out with teams beginning in the offseason.

Adkins was a sixth-round draft pick in 2009 by the Falcons, and had 15 tackles in 24 games, most of those on special teams. He started Atlanta's playoff loss to the Giants last year due to an injury. He played in all four preseason games, registering four tackles, including two in the preseason finale against Jacksonville.
At Miami, Adkins dealt with injuries and had 72 tackles including 10 for loss. five sacks and one interception in 31 games.

In his senior year of high school in 2004, Adkins made 11 sacks -- four in one game -- and 19 tackles for a loss. As a junior, he had 80 tackles and 12 sacks. Adkins, who didn't play organized football until high school, was rated as the No. 7 outside linebacker in the nation and No. 87 in the nation, regardless of position, by Rivals.com. Adkins picked Miami over Florida, Florida State, and Georgia.


(naplesnews.com)

The Indianapolis Colts brought in free-agent LB Spencer Adkins (Falcons) for a workout Tuesday, Oct. 16.




(sportballa.com)

The Chicago Bears brought in five linebackers for workouts on Tuesday, fueling suspicion that the team is unsatisfied with its depth at that position. The five linebackers were Spencer Adkins, Rennie Curran, Jerry Franklin, Omar Gaither and Lawrence Wilson, most of whom were cut by their respective teams prior to this season. The team also worked out DBs Dante Hughes and Bryan McCann.

Though the Bears working out these players may seem like a signal that a move is imminent, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune says that it's in fact a pretty routine procedure.

First of all, a lot of teams do this and many more so than the Bears. They will bring players in - sometimes as many as two dozen - and get a look at them in a workout. The Patriots are notorious for bringing in large numbers of players for tryouts. It helps them update personnel information on players they have only seen in college or players they have only seen on tape with other teams.

It is, as Biggs elaborates, more about due diligence and being prepared for the future than anything.

The tryouts help the personnel department sharpen up emergency lists and allow it to evaluate young players that could be candidates for the practice squad.
Chicago expects to have one of the better defenses in the NFL, but injuries can strike teams at a moment's notice.


(sbnation.com)

With the team deciding to keep only five linebackers, the final spot came down to Robert James and Spencer Adkins. James won, in large part because he showed what general manager Thomas Dimitroff likes to call "urgent athleticism." Translation: James is a better athlete than Adkins and the Falcons think he can make some plays as a backup and on special teams.


(espn.com)

Spencer Adkins’ of the Atlanta Falcons stats won’t overwhelm you, but he did show some flashes in the very few appearances he made with injuries to Nicholas and Mike Peterson late in the season and in the playoffs. He may have not stood out as a playmaker, but he didn’t do outright terrible either. He’s always been reported to have major talent and upside, but that he was a major project.

As a 6th round draft pick back in 2009, he’s made the outright active roster every year since and has been excellent on special teams. With the Falcons usually keeping 6 linebackers, it’s hard to believe Adkins won’t make the roster after starting in the playoffs, only being 24, and showing some of that long talked about upside.

Robert James is a story of “had potential, but never realized” if there ever was. It’s a wonder he’s still on the team in some form or fashion, but he is. James was drafted in the same class as Matt Ryan and Harry Douglas, but has not seen the field in live game action since. He has bounced around between the practice squad and off for several years now.

He went through injury issues and then he was suspended for violating the league’s drug policy and (to known knowledge) has never officially made the active roster. The fact is that James hasn’t even made the 53-man roster in 4 years of possibilities. It’s hard to imagine 2012 finally being James breakthrough when he’s 28 years old with tons of younger talent abound.


(blogs.ajc.com)

Right now, incumbent starting strong side linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, Stephen Nicholas has not participated in OTAs or mini-camp because of an ankle injury he suffered at the end of last season. Smith said he expects Nicholas to be ready for camp. Spencer Adkins has practiced with the first team in Nicholas' spot.


(foxportssouth.com)

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Spencer Adkins is working as the strongside starter while Stephen Nicholas recovers from a toe injury that will keep him out of next week's mini-camp.

Weatherspoon starts at the weakside, a job he's held since his rookie year, but his responsibilities are greater now.

"It's important for our team and for the dynamics of our defense for leadership to come from that position," Smith said. "Sean is going to do a very good job with it this year."


(mysanantonio.com)

The Falcons’ Spencer Adkins and Robert James have been around for a while now. They must be able to take the field in a pinch. Adkins is listed on the depth chart as his backup. Adkins played in Nicholas' spot in the Falcons' 24-2 loss to the New York Giants in January in their wild-card playoff game. A sixth-round pick out of Miami in 2009, Adkins has one career start under his belt – in the 2011 season finale against Tampa Bay with Nicholas out.


(foxsportsouth.com)

Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton is a potential free agent, although I expect the Falcons to make a strong attempt to keep him. The Falcons are in pretty good shape on the outside with Sean Weatherspoon and Stephen Nicholas as returning starters. Spencer Adkins and Akeem Dent provide some depth, but the Falcons aren't likely to bring back veteran Mike Peterson.

He dealt with injuries last season and will be an unrestricted free agent. Peterson was valuable because he was experienced and versatile. But Crowder has those same traits and is younger.


(espn.com)

Atlanta Falcon LB Spencer Adkins came in and played in some of the nickel package in Nicholas hybrid role of rush/pass dropper on third downs. Spencer also played on special teams.





(sportingnews.com)

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons only have two players from the University of Miami in linebacker Spencer Adkins and punter Matt Bosher.
Adkins was selected in the sixth round of the 2009 draft and Bosher, who’s attempting to replace Michael Koenen, was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 draft.

The university and NCAA are conducting investigations following a report by Yahoo! Sports that a former booster, in prison for his role in a Ponzi Scheme, lavished more than 70 players and coaches with cash, jewelry, travel, parties, prostitutes and an aborition.

“I haven’t gotten involved with it,” Adkins said last Friday after the Falcons game against Jacksonville. “I’m just here with Atlanta trying to get better.”

The scandal alleged lasted from 2002 to 2010. Adkins wasn’t sure if any of former teammates were involved.

“I really can’t speak on it because I really don’t know anything,” Adkins said. “I haven’t focused on that at all.”

Bosher, a sixth-round pick from the University of Miami, was instructed by the Falcons not to discuss the current scandal at the school.

“I love Miami, but I’m here to talk about the Falcons right now,” Bosher said after practice on Sunday. “If you have any more questions about that you can talk to [the communications staff.]”

When asked if he thought Miami should receive the NCAA’s death penalty, Bosher said, “I don’t have anything to say about that.”



(blogs.ajc.com)

Welcome to our 1st annual and long overdue proCane Rankings where we look back at the 2010 NFL season and rank the 43 proCanes that took snaps in 2010 (except for Sinorice Moss who was placed on IR before the start of the season).

Stay tuned as we countdown from number 43 to number 1. Our rankings are based on each player’s performance last year. In August we’ll go ahead and re-rank the player’s based on our 2011 expectations. For now read our review of each player’s 2010 season and where they rank overall. Enjoy!

43. Sinorice Moss WR NY Giants/Philadelphia Eagles: Moss, who was having another good Training Camp before injuring his groin and eventually being placed on Injured Reserve before the beginning of the 2010 season, didn’t play a down last year and was eventually released by the Giants who drafted him in the 2nd round of the 2006 Draft. Moss signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason and is poised to breakout in 2011 with the Eagles who have historically filled their roster with WRs that are not necessarily superstars.

42. Dedrick Epps TE Miami Dolphins: Epps who was signed to the Dolphins practice squad in September was signed to the Active Roster in December and played in three games for the Dolphins. Though he didn’t record a reception in those three games, he did get several snaps and looks to be an active backup for the Dolphins in 2011.

41. Bruce Johnson CB NY Giants: After a very surprising 2009 season where Johnson played a significant role as the nickel corner for the Giants after being signed as an undrafted free agent, there were high expectations for him coming into 2010. Johnson lasted through Week 7 when he was placed on injured reserve following arthroscopic knee surgery. He only totaled 5 tackles and no interceptions after having 46 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and 1 TD in 2009. Look for him to bounce back in 2011 and help his fellow proCanes Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips in the Giants’ secondary.

40. Jason Fox OL Detroit Lions: The Lions drafted Fox in the 4th Round of the 2010 draft with the intention to groom his as a tackle for the future. Fox was recuperating from offseason knee surgery for most of the season, but did finally see action in the last game of the season where he didn’t give up a sack and played fairly well. Coach Linehan has been impressed with Fox’s progress since his surgery and is counting on him being an integral part of the Lions 2011 offensive line.

39. Spencer Adkins LB Atlanta Falcons: In his second year as a Falcon, Adkins doubled his tackle total posting six in 2010 while playing primarily on special teams. Adkins was on the active roster for 9 of the 16 games of 2010 and has yet to crack the starting lineup for the Falcons but is a valuable contributor on special teams.

38. Randy Phillips S Detroit Lions: Phillips signed as an undrafted free agent with the Lions and made a strong impression in Rookie Camp and Training Camp, so much so that he earned playing time for the Lions the first 3 weeks of the season. After underperforming, he was released and later placed on the practice squad and then was reinstated to the active roster in Week 16 against the Miami Dolphins where he forced 2 fumbles. Phillips was still recovering from offseason surgeries and looks to compete for a roster spot with the Lions again this season. Having his former secondary coach from “The U,” Tim Walton as the Defensive Backs coach in Detroit has helped Phillips’ progress.

37. Damione Lewis DL Houston Texans: After signing last offseason with the New England Patriots, and expected to make a big contribution to that defense, Lewis was cut before the beginning of the season after not fitting in as a DE in the Patriots’ 3-4 scheme and also having a rough offseason as he dealt with his mother’s death. He was signed by the Texans and played for them in Week 8 and became a regular contributor on defense for the rest of the season. Lewis can still be an effective DT in a 4-3 scheme and look for him to be a contributor next year after accumulating 17 tackles and one sack in only 10 games.

36. Clinton Portis RB Washington Redskins: After playing in only eights games during the 2009 Season, Portis under new head coach Mike Shanahan changed his attitude towards off-season workouts and recommitted himself to the Redskins. Most expected him to have a big year, but unfortunately again his season was cut short as he played in only 5 games and had 227 yards rushing and only two touchdowns. The Redskins have since released Portis, and until the lockout is resolved we don’t know who he will be playing for next season. Because of his recent injuries most think he is no longer a starting back in the NFL but could be a serviceable 3rd down back especially because of his solid blocking and receiving skills.

35. Leon Williams LB Dallas Cowboys: Williams played mainly special teams for the Cowboys last season as he suited up for 11 games and totaled eight tackles and one fumble recovery. Williams was key in the Cowboys’ punt and kickoff return games and did play some on defense. The Cowboys elected to not tender Williams and he is currently a free agent. Look for him to find a spot on a team in 2011 as a special teams player.

Check back tomorrow to see which proCanes were ranked 34th through 26th!

6 proCanes made early exits out of the NFL playoffs after he wildcard round this weekend.

Reggie Wayne (Colts), Javarris James (Colts), Jon Vilma (Saints), Jimmy Graham (Saints), Jeremy Shockey (Saints), Antonio Dixon (Eagles) all lost their respective games and will start their offseason.

Below are the remaining proCanes in the NFL playoffs.

AFC: Ed Reed (Ravens), Ray Lewis (Ravens), Tavares Gooden (Ravens), Willis McGahee (Ravens), Brandon Meriweather (Patriots), Vince Wilfork (Patriots).

NFC: Kelly Jennings (Seahawks), Spencer Adkins (Falcons), Devin Hester (Bears), Greg Olsen (Bears), Sam Shields (Packers).

17 proCanes will participate in the 2010 NFL playoffs. 8 from the AFC and 9 from the NFC. Below is a list of the players.

AFC: Reggie Wayne (Colts), Javarris James (Colts), Ed Reed (Ravens), Ray Lewis (Ravens), Tavares Gooden (Ravens), Willis McGahee (Ravens), Brandon Meriweather (Patriots), Vince Wilfork (Patriots).

NFC: Kelly Jennings (Seahawks), Jon Vilma (Saints), Jimmy Graham (Saints), Jeremy Shockey (Saints), Antonio Dixon (Eagles), Spencer Adkins (Falcons), Devin Hester (Bears), Greg Olsen (Bears), Sam Shields (Packers).