Indiana University Athletics
Sowells Shines During His First Minicamp
5/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
May 9, 2006
CLEVELAND - When former Indiana offensive lineman Isaac Sowells was selected as a fourth-round pick in the 2006 National Football League (NFL) Draft by the Cleveland Browns on April 30, he knew the celebration would only last a couple of days before the real work began. Sowells began that work at his new job with the Browns' offensive line last weekend, as the NFL Rookie minicamp practice began on May 5.
The minicamp provided a first chance for the 10 players the Browns drafted to wear orange helmets and practice as a team. A total of fifty players participated in the workouts last weekend: 15 undrafted rookie signees, 23 tryout players and two first-year players, plus the draft picks.
Sowells, who played tackle at IU, is making the transition to guard in the NFL and while he is benefiting from playing on the offensive line throughout his football career, Sowells said there is a transition period he had to go through.
"The whole camp was basically making sure the rookies knew the playbook and worked on various techniques like footwork and blocking drills," Sowells said. "Making a transition from tackle to guard was tough at first because I have played tackle for so many years, but after the first day, I was understanding the scheme really well."
Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel echoed Sowells sentiments. Following Saturday's second practice of rookie camp, Crennel praised the former Hoosier standout on the Cleveland Browns official website, clevelandbrowns.com.
"He's a big, thick body in there and he looks the part," Crennel said. "We have to work on his footwork, but with time, he'll be able to get it done."
Sowells mentioned that the rookie camp has some similarities to playing collegiate football, except one has to be able to pick things up quicker, something where he has always excelled.
"The camp is pretty much the same as college," Sowells said. "Things are really fast tempo and you can sense the business aspect of things. If you were behind in college, you would just sit, but in the pros if you get behind, you get cut. So the main thing is I just have to stay on top of my assignments and really study the playbook."
Among some of his highlights during the three-day camp included a chance to hear from hall-of-famer Jim Brown. Brown, who serves the club in the role of executive advisor, spoke to the rookies and gave advice on things they should know as pro football players. Sowells said that was his biggest highlight - to meet someone he has looked up to for so many years.
Although Sowells did not have a chance to experience the city of Cleveland, he hopes to do so once he goes back in mid-May for another training camp. However, he intends to keep his focus and drive to make the squad.
No matter how tough it gets during the upcoming months, Sowells understands he is living a dream.
"It is almost every kid's dream to put on a pro helmet and to be drafted to play in the NFL," Sowells said. "It was a dream come true. I am just going out there, working hard and having fun, and hopefully good things will happen."
