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Checking in on the Cougs trying to make it in the NFL

A few WSU players got their first chance to make it at the next level with recent rookie mini camps. Let's see how they fared.

By Mark Sandritter
Norm Hall

With the NFL Draft now a couple of weeks in the rearview mirror, the process has shifted from where players will land to will they be able to make the team. Rookie minicamps are complete and offseason activities are in full swing. For a few WSU players, that meant their first chance at breaking into the NFL. Deone Bucannon's place is secure as a first-round pick, but he wasn't the only Cougar attempting to move on to the next level. John Fullington, Rico Forbes and Andrew Furney also got a shot.

Here's how they've fared thus far.

Deone Bucannon, Cardinals

The No. 27 overall selection has received plenty of attention as first-round picks do. He held an introductory press conference, took a tour of the Arizona facilities and met with the media following rookie minicamp. He's been somewhat limited in OTAs, sitting out with turf toe. Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said the injury wasn't serious. Bucannon appears to have adjusted well thus far, although Arians did say he has one problem:

"Deone's really only got one problem," explained the head coach. "He is so much a perfectionist. He got 'paralysis by analysis' a little bit because he wants to do everything absolutely perfect. Even Tyrann said, 'Man, just play.' You can't play perfect all the time. He doesn't want to make a mistake and you love that about him."

Arians should probably be thankful Bucannon is overthinking things. If not, he would have probably laid out half the receiving corps by now. Deone Bucannon does not understand no-contact practices.

John Fullington, Packers

Fullington signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent. He made it through rookie mini camp and is now going through OTAs with the team. I wasn't able to find much on how he's fared thus far, but there is this picture of him looking very strange in yellow and green.

It was also his birthday on Friday and he's apparently secure enough on the team to get an official Twitter happy birthday wish.

Andrew Furney, Seahawks

Furney was invited to Seahawks rookie camp, but did not receive a contract following it. While I'd suspect he did most of his work on a side field, it sounds like he didn't kick much during the actual rookie camp practices. Via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times:

- There were no actual field goals kicked during the scrimmage, though one was awarded when Zulli led his team close on one drive. So I didn't see tryout kicker Andrew Furney of Washington State attempt anything today (or yesterday for that matter).

Furney has launched his own kicking camps, with the motto "Live, Laugh, Kick" because Andrew Furney is the best.

Rico Forbes, Packers

Forbes joined Fullington in Packers rookie camp, although he did it on a rookie camp tryout and not as a signed undrafted free agent. While he wasn't signed by Green Bay, he inked a deal with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League on Saturday. He'll join an old teammate there as linebacker Alex Hoffman-Ellis signed with the BC Lions earlier this month.

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