Michael

Sam

Jeremiah is a former NFL scout. “The number everybody keeps talking about is the 25.5 inch vertical,” Jeremiah said of Sam’s Combine performance. “That shows you a lack of explosiveness, which is going to scare a lot of people off. ... He needs to jump better than that at his Pro Day or I think it’s a real chance, you’re talking about (a) seventh-round pick, possibly even going undrafted.” The tough road Sam is facing as the NFL’s first openly gay player will get even tougher if he doesn’t improve some of his measurables at his Pro Day.

The SEC’s Co-Defensive POY in 2013, Sam is a projected middle-round pick who notched 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss as a senior. When Sam is drafted -- and we don’t expect this news to suddenly torpedo his stock -- he will officially become the NFL’s first openly gay player. Expect Sam’s coming out to be a huge story at the Combine in two weeks. Per ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, “GMs and experienced personnel men” were either already aware of Sam’s sexuality before Sunday night’s “news,” or they had “heard scouts talking about it.”

The execs and coaches believe NFL locker rooms are “not prepared to deal with an openly gay player,” and decision makers fear a “publicity circus” for the team that selects Sam. “At this point in time it’s still a man’s man game,” said one player personnel assistant. “To call somebody a [gay slur] is still so commonplace.” Rotoworld draft maven Josh Norris believes Sam has fourth- to seventh-round tape. “I just know with this going on this is going to drop him down,” added one veteran scout. “There’s no question about it. It’s human nature. Do you want to be the team to quote-unquote ‘break that barrier?’”

We’re only keeping tabs on Sam because of his high media profile; he’s really a projected mid- to late-round pick with mediocre to sub-average measurables. Sam is a one-move pass rusher who’ll likely top out as a situational defender in the NFL. He’s undersized (6'2/261) for a 4-3 end, and not considered flexible enough to contribute at a high level as a 3-4 outside linebacker convert.

Kudos to Sam for heading north of the border. His NFL market had dried up after stints with the Rams and Cowboys last season. The CFL is an even pass-happier league, which will allow Sam to hone his craft as a pass rusher. He simply doesn’t possess the speed or bend-ability to consistently get after the quarterback in the big leagues. Maybe Sam will get another shot at the NFL in a couple years.

Sam walked away from the Alouettes one day before their exhibition opener, citing personal reasons. No one seems to know or be willing to say what those personal reasons are. “He wanted to go home, and that’s what he did,” GM Jim Popp said. “I don’t know why. When a guy wants to go home, they go home. He had some personal things to take care of. I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns. I’m surprised he left. I was very surprised. If he doesn’t come back, I would think football’s over for him.” This will not help Sam in his quest to become the NFL’s first openly gay player.

Sam signed with the Alouettes last month before storming off and leaving the team just 24 days after inking his contract. He allegedly left the team because he sensed he wasn’t going to make the final roster. After 10 days away, Sam plans to be at team meetings this weekend. His football future remains bleak.

Sam walked away the team for “personal reasons” before their exhibition opener and is not expected back. From the Gazette: “The latest theory concerning Sam’s departure was that he simply wasn’t good enough to make the roster, sensed this and left to save himself and the organization embarrassment.” It’s looking more and more unlikely that Sam will become the NFL’s first openly gay player.

That is, um, not good. Sam ran an official 4.91 forty at the Scouting Combine last year before being selected in the seventh round of the draft by the Rams, but anything over 5-flat looks ugly on paper. He’s never been a fast player, and this isn’t going to help Sam’s chances of getting back in the NFL.

Sam, who was listed at 261 at the Combine, said he’s “faster and stronger.” According to reporter Nick Wagoner, Sam has slimmed down so he can “help on special-teams coverage units.” Although the off-the-field scuttlebutt rages on, Sam appears squarely focused on cracking the Rams’ 53-man roster. Wagoner has projected that Sam will make the cut.