A photo posted by Joe Anderson (@_joeanderson) on Nov 6, 2015 at 5:38am PST
Anderson’s approach is certainly novel but NFL teams aren’t signing guys to the practice squad just because of signs. However, the advantage of a stint like this is it can put forgotten players back on the NFL’s radar and get teams to check out their highlight tape. Here’s Anderson’s tape from college:
It’s worth noting that this doesn’t mean Anderson’s on track to a sure-fire NFL career. Players are signed to and released from NFL practice squads all the time, and many of them don’t stick in the NFL. Many bounce back and forth, too; a fascinating example is Chris Matthews, who went from CFL rookie of the year to cut by the Seahawks to working at a Foot Locker to a return to the Seahawks and a starring performance in last year’s Super Bowl, and then was cut again this November before being signed to Baltimore’s practice squad. Glory is fleeting, and even if Anderson is able to make the Jets’ active roster, that doesn’t ensure a long NFL career. However, regardless of where he goes from here, this is certainly a step up from holding a sign in a stadium parking lot.
Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.