SI.com/MMQB: The Rookie Journey

[dcpony]

I don't know if this was posted before but Peter King's new site is documenting Zach Line's push to make an NFL roster with a series of articles and blog posts.

LAKE ORION, Mich. — The bright-red Dodge Ram pickup truck weighs roughly two-and-a-half tons. All Zach Line has to do is move it, about 60 feet, with his bare hands.

“Make sure you take it out of park this time,” jokes an onlooker.

Line is crouched low, his forceful breaths sounding like a whistle, as he pulls at a rope attached to the truck’s hitch. Left, right, left, right. His face is flushed and his muscles are burning, but the truck rolls toward him on a clear, direct path. As long as he keeps pulling, he knows he’ll succeed.

What awaits him today in Mankato, Minn., is much less certain. One of about 500 undrafted rookies trying to make it in the NFL, Line’s job title as a fullback for the Vikings is tenuous, and his hope of earning a spot on the 53-man roster is controlled by an unforgiving numbers game.

http://mmqb.si.com/column/rookie-journey/

[Ikus]

Awesome. Got to love seeing this kind of pub for one of our own!

[ponyboy]

Make sure you read this entry: http://mmqb.si.com/2013/08/12/now-thats-how-you-start/

[cutter]

Make sure you read this entry: http://mmqb.si.com/2013/08/12/now-thats-how-you-start/

very cool.

[AusTxPony]

What a wonderful kid Z is. Deserves all he gets.

[dcpony]

I wonder if the athletic dept's web site is linking to this or tweeting links out to this? Should be a no-brainer.

[mathman]

What a great read. I just put it on my Facebook page.

[PK]

Great kid...great family. Go Zach!

[blackoutpony]

I wonder if the athletic dept's web site is linking to this or tweeting links out to this? Should be a no-brainer.

Please please PLEASE someone prove me wrong, but 50 pony bucks says they don't

[ojaipony]

The only negative thing about it was watching him do it wearing purple. But, hey, nobody's perfect.

[Grant Carter]

I wonder if the athletic dept's web site is linking to this or tweeting links out to this? Should be a no-brainer.

Please please PLEASE someone prove me wrong, but 50 pony bucks says they don't

I have seen links to the article tweeted by June and SMU athletics.

[RyanSMU98]

BUMP. They have not done a new one yet since his 61-yd TD, I just really don't want this thread getting lost.

[AusTxPony]

Just click on the web site (in first reply) and you can read the article after the Line touchdown ramble.

[PSCA]

Great story and an even greater young man and family. With all the PED, assaults, DUI etc ... not enough make you feel good about life stories like this. If the Vikings step back and look at the big Pic, no way ZL is not on the 53. No matter what happens, he has done himself, his family and his extended SMU family/teammates so proud. God Bless Zach.