cambyman316
Practice Squad
http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-humuro,0,3400589.story?coll=dp-sports-local
Marty O'Brien
Daily Press
HAMPTON -- Two years ago, Hampton University punter Cameron Muro was asked to kick a few balls so that the Houston Texans could scout HU return man Jerome Mathis. The Texans went on to draft Mathis, who was so good returning kicks as a rookie in 2005 that he played in the Pro Bowl.
That scouting session might produce a second NFL career: Muro's. Earlier this week the Texans signed Muro to a free agent contract. The guy who asked Muro to come to Houston for a tryout is the same one who scouted Mathis that day: Texans' special teams' coordinator Joe Marciano.
"Muro absolutely has a chance to make this team," Marciano said. "I think he's one of the best-kept secrets out there. When we came up to work out Mathis, Muro was launching some bombs.
"He's a left-footer and they're traditionally harder to catch. I like big guys kicking (Muro is 6-foot-2, 260 pounds) because they can get off good kicks into the wind."
Marciano said that it was important to sign a punter at this time because he expects to lose the team's 2006 starter, Chad Stanley, to free agency. But it appears even if Stanley returns, Marciano is looking for someone to compete with him because Stanley ranked 29th among NFL punters this past season.
"I told Muro it's going to be him versus Stanley or him versus somebody else," Marciano said. "Let the best man win."
Muro, a 2006 graduate of HU, brings solid credentials to his tryout. He holds school records for single season punt average (42.1 yards) and career average (41.8 yards), and was twice named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference first team.
Marciano said that Muro will likely play in NFL Europe this spring before joining the Texans in camp.
"That way he'll get some games under his belt and get to deal with some stuff," Marciano said. "You have to deal with some difficult weather over there, and the long snappers aren't always the best."
Muro, who learned about the Texans' interest from agents Steve Forbes and William Harris, said he's ready to go - regardless of conditions.
"I'm definitely excited," he said. "I like Houston's coaching staff and front office. It's a very positive environment. I think coach Marciano is pulling for me."
Marciano added, "It would be good to have two guys from Hampton on one team. I don't know if that's ever happened before."
Marciano said he's looking forward to getting Mathis back full-time next year. Mathis was limited to just two appearances in 2006 because of foot and groin injuries.
Mathis showed a glimpse of his old self with an 87-yard kickoff return against Oakland in December. That set up the game-tying touchdown in the Texans' 23-14 victory.
"He probably shouldn't even have been playing that day," Marciano said. "But he gave us a spark when the offense wasn't doing well and helped us win the game.
"I anticipate him being full-strength next season."
He has own website.
http://www.cameronmuro.com/
Marty O'Brien
Daily Press
HAMPTON -- Two years ago, Hampton University punter Cameron Muro was asked to kick a few balls so that the Houston Texans could scout HU return man Jerome Mathis. The Texans went on to draft Mathis, who was so good returning kicks as a rookie in 2005 that he played in the Pro Bowl.
That scouting session might produce a second NFL career: Muro's. Earlier this week the Texans signed Muro to a free agent contract. The guy who asked Muro to come to Houston for a tryout is the same one who scouted Mathis that day: Texans' special teams' coordinator Joe Marciano.
"Muro absolutely has a chance to make this team," Marciano said. "I think he's one of the best-kept secrets out there. When we came up to work out Mathis, Muro was launching some bombs.
"He's a left-footer and they're traditionally harder to catch. I like big guys kicking (Muro is 6-foot-2, 260 pounds) because they can get off good kicks into the wind."
Marciano said that it was important to sign a punter at this time because he expects to lose the team's 2006 starter, Chad Stanley, to free agency. But it appears even if Stanley returns, Marciano is looking for someone to compete with him because Stanley ranked 29th among NFL punters this past season.
"I told Muro it's going to be him versus Stanley or him versus somebody else," Marciano said. "Let the best man win."
Muro, a 2006 graduate of HU, brings solid credentials to his tryout. He holds school records for single season punt average (42.1 yards) and career average (41.8 yards), and was twice named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference first team.
Marciano said that Muro will likely play in NFL Europe this spring before joining the Texans in camp.
"That way he'll get some games under his belt and get to deal with some stuff," Marciano said. "You have to deal with some difficult weather over there, and the long snappers aren't always the best."
Muro, who learned about the Texans' interest from agents Steve Forbes and William Harris, said he's ready to go - regardless of conditions.
"I'm definitely excited," he said. "I like Houston's coaching staff and front office. It's a very positive environment. I think coach Marciano is pulling for me."
Marciano added, "It would be good to have two guys from Hampton on one team. I don't know if that's ever happened before."
Marciano said he's looking forward to getting Mathis back full-time next year. Mathis was limited to just two appearances in 2006 because of foot and groin injuries.
Mathis showed a glimpse of his old self with an 87-yard kickoff return against Oakland in December. That set up the game-tying touchdown in the Texans' 23-14 victory.
"He probably shouldn't even have been playing that day," Marciano said. "But he gave us a spark when the offense wasn't doing well and helped us win the game.
"I anticipate him being full-strength next season."
He has own website.
http://www.cameronmuro.com/
