NFA Exclusive: Broncos RB C.J. Gable Looking to Put His Football Education to Use
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| USCTrojans.com |
NFL/CFB Writer
The spring season of 2011 was met with four months of football uncertainty. Even though these events were easily foreseeable after the 2008 NFL season, when the owners voted to opt out of the current CBA, no one could have predicted what was to come. No one was ready for the doubt, confusion and extreme anxiety.
No one may have been ready, but a former USC running back was well prepared. C.J. Gable not only graduated with a Sociology degree, but a Masters in Football Education, as well.
The ultra-talented and multi-skilled tailback has seen ups and downs in his years as a Trojan. After being the first true freshman to start at “Running Back” U, he saw his role and carries drastically dip in his Sophomore and Junior seasons. By the time his senior campaign rolled around, he was a forgotten man.
After a strong showing at his Pro Day, Gable was truly “the Forgotten Man” on draft day. He was undrafted, but still unphased, “I was hurt…people really forgot about me. I’m gonna make them regret it when I get to the NFL”.
Gable continued to work out with his alma mater during the lockout. He attended spring practices and workouts; thus staying in top shape. The lockout also prevented Gable’s agent to make any moves on his behalf. The anxiety and uncertainty was unbearable.
“I was just waiting…ready”, an exasperated Gable explained, “I wanted to show people why they should have drafted me.”
This training and keeping himself within the USC environment proved to be an excellent decision. By staying on campus, on the field and amongst teammates, Gable was able “to get (his) mind right”, to stay in football mode, both mentally and physically. This was his edge. As drafted players were not permitted to speak, meet or even practice with their teams and free agents were left to find reps on their own, Gable continued to train everyday.
The result? A completed degree, a body that’s in football shape and a mind that’s ready to compete.
The layoff also gave him time to reevaluate his representation. “It was important to me to have someone who is ready to work for me. “(In regards to my former agents) I was going off of what my family wanted. Then I decided to make the decision for my next agent by myself.”
Gable’s best decision this off-season was signing with Zeke Sandhu and Morgan Advisory Group (MAG). After being referred to MAG by Pilar and Marc Ellis of his PR firm, 4thAndLong, Gable immediately felt that this was the way to go.
“I loved the fact that he (Zeke) already represents a running back. I knew that he was eager to work for me from the first discussion we had.”
The running back already in the MAG family is Tampa Bay’s Lagarrette Blount, another player whom everyone forgot about. Sandu was able to see past all the negative press and hoopla to get Blount signed, which clearly shows he knows how to package talent. Gable is hoping Sandu can help him in similar ways.
It took less than a day for Gable to be offered a free agent contract from the New Orleans Saints. Often referred to as a Reggie Bush understudy, it seemed fitting that Gable end up with the "Who Dat" nation as Bush’s backup.
But Gable would unknowingly take another course in his NFL Continuing Education program. Being told that there “were too many running backs”, he was cut from New Orleans.
From the unfamiliar territory that Gable had to overcome, he recently is among familiar faces. Growing up a die-hard Denver Broncos fan, Gable signed with the Mile High team, just two days after being let go by the Saints
“It was crazy when my agent told me that they wanted me”, Gable gleamed over the phone, “my favorite running back was Terrell Davis…I loved watching him run the ball and loved how he started on special teams and worked his way up the depth chart…ever since then I began loving Terrell Davis and the Broncos and knew that I someday I’d be a Bronco too.”.
The schoolboy excitement of playing on his favorite childhood team, coupled with the similarities in the Broncos’ and Trojans’ playbook, made the transition from New Orleans a cinch.
Spending the little amount of time that he did at the Saints camp, Gable already felt experienced. He already went through “the speed and size of the players “ adjustment, the anxiety of being “the new kid on the block” and the awe of being in an NFL camp. In Denver, there were no adjustments.
“I can do this”, Gable reassured himself, “no problem. I am capable of doing this”.
He will definitely get ample opportunity to do it all when the Broncos host the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 of the Preseason, where Gable will play. He’ll see some playing time in the backfield, but, like Terrell Davis, will have to impress on special teams.
“I know I will make a tackle”, he responded when asked his expectations as he sprints down the field in punt coverage, for the first time, “I just gonna be flying everywhere to show them that I’m perfect for them”.
The events of the past two weeks have fully contributed his degree in Football Education. After anticipating a long stay with a Saints team that seemed like a perfect fit, he was very shocked that he had been cut, after such a short stint. He quickly realized the “real life” and “business” aspect of the sport when he was released before a game or scrimmage. He recollects the pain of this feeling when he promises that he will “stay on the next team he (signs with)”.
Experienced, confident and educated, Gable is now in a place where he can succeed. He will take the education learned from all the trials, tribulations, setbacks and surprises of the past eight months and positively direct it at mastering the Broncos playbook and flying up the depth chart.
He has his Masters in Football Education, now it’s time to apply it.
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