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Ex-Miami Cornerback endures ups, downs in NFL
Sunday, June 15, 2008
CINCINNATI — Bengals cornerback Jerrid Gaines has endured a three-month roller=coaster ride in the NFL.
The former Springfield South High School and Miami University star was down when he went undrafted, up when Cleveland signed him, down again when the Browns released him after rookie minicamp on May 4 and up again when Cincinnati snared him on May 29.
Extras
"I couldn't understand why Cleveland let me go," Gaines said. "I was shocked. I thought I was just as good or even better than a lot of guys there. But I just said, 'Well, somebody else will like me.' Now it's like, wow. I'm here, and I've just got to keep fighting for myself."
The
5-foot-11, 189-pounder is a fast, physical corner
with the added bonus of NFL bloodlines.
His father, Wentford Gaines, spent three years in the league (1978-80) with Pittsburgh and Chicago after being the Steelers' ninth-round draft pick (265th overall) in 1976. Jerrid said his dad coaches football at Lincoln High School in Jersey City, N.J.
"We talk just about every night," Jerrid said. "The qualities he instilled in me were just hard work and patience. He tells me, 'If you keep
working hard, your time will come.' "
Gaines' end-zone interception as time expired sealed Miami's 7-0 victory over Akron in the RedHawks' 2007 home finale on Nov. 14. He's eager to prove himself at football's highest level.
"He has great athleticism and good skills," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "He's got the size, speed and attributes to play corner. But there's a little bit more to it than that.
"We added Jerrid late. So he's in an uphill struggle because there's a lot of stuff going on that he really hasn't had an opportunity to learn yet. If he makes it into (training) camp, then we'll see how he can do," Lewis said.
Read Chick's blog for more on Gaines at DaytonDailyNews.com/ludwig
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
