Training camp in the National Football League for some is a formality.
The veterans know what they have to do to prepare for the upcoming season and they’ll get it done before lacing up their cleats for Week 1 of the regular season.
For others, camp is a grind. There’s pressure and uncertainty. It’s an extended job interview; a chance for a player to prove he belongs in a uniform on Sundays, one that may not come again.
Don Cherry, an undrafted linebacker, is going through that “interview” process right now.
Unlike many other undrafted rookies, though, Cherry’s opportunity to beat the odds and work his way onto an NFL roster is coming in a familiar place: Philadelphia.
Originally from Trumbull, Connecticut, Cherry has spent the past four years of his life in the Philly area. He played his college football at Villanova, where he was a captain for Andy Talley’s Wildcats.
After signing as an undrafted free agent with the Bears in April, Cherry was released shortly after. But the Eagles gave Cherry another shot and signed the 6-foot-2, 240-pound linebacker to their 90-man roster in late July. He’s now working to make the most of his opportunity with the team he’s seen a lot of since he arrived at Villanova.
“It’s been really special,” Cherry said after the Eagles' practice on Saturday. “I’ve been in Philadelphia for four years at Villanova, so I know the city really well, I know everybody around, and obviously I came to a lot of Eagles games and I became a big Eagles fan, a Philly sports fan, so it’s been great to be around here in this environment. Seeing some of these guys play on Sundays and then being able to come out here and practice with them and compete with them has just been a great experience and it’s made me a better player.”
Cherry, 21, played 46 career games at Villanova and put together an impressive résumé, collecting 331 tackles with 14.0 sacks and seven forced fumbles. Cherry’s best season came as a junior, when he played in 14 games and had 108 tackles, 10 sacks and 21 1/2 tackles for a loss. That season, he helped lead the Wildcats to an 11-3 record and a trip to the FCS quarterfinals.
Most sports fans are familiar with the success of the Villanova men’s basketball program, which is understandable given their recent winning history and the team’s thrilling National Championship victory this past April. But the Wildcats’ football program, although not nearly as popular, has a championship pedigree of its own. Villanova was the No. 1 ranked team in the nation in 2009 and won the FCS title, finishing the season 14-1.
Although Cherry wasn’t a member of that team, being a part of that Villanova program played a significant role in his development.
“Coach Talley always said, ‘We just have it, winning programs just have it,’” Cherry said. “Bringing that here I think has given me an edge over some other people who might not have been in such a historical program or had that coaching staff that just wanted to win more than anything and just compete. So I feel like that’s really helped me so far through camp.”
Cherry has already been released once this summer and he’s a true long shot to make the Eagles' roster, but the three-time All-CAA selection is working hard to make a name for himself.
“My mindset was pretty much just, come in and find a niche, try to find a place to fit in,” Cherry said. “I’m just trying to make everything count and find a spot, whether it’s special teams, a backup role or anything. I’m willing to do anything and I just want to compete with all these guys every day and I’m just thankful to be out here every day.
“The veterans have been a great influence on me. Some of the older guys like Brandon Graham, you know, Jordan Hicks, a younger guy who was in my shoes last year just being a rookie trying to make an impact somewhere, Mychal Kendricks has been great. Linebackers coach [Ken] Flajole has been great too. He kind of let me in with open arms, he gave me the playbook, he let me just learn. He’s just treated me like everybody else and that means a lot to me.”
The Eagles are not deep at linebacker, and two of their key players at the position, Kendricks and Hicks, have injury histories. There lies an opportunity for Cherry, who is one of three undrafted rookie linebackers in camp. The thought is that he’ll likely be on the outside looking in as the Eagles begin trimming their roster down to 53 players, but for now, Cherry is getting reps in practice and auditioning for the coaching staff.
Cherry is fully aware of the uphill battle facing him. Some of the players he’s competing with have been around for a while, while Cherry has only been at Eagles camp for two weeks. If he’s fortunate enough to have the chance to contribute in Philadelphia, then he’ll be even more thankful than he already is to the team that’s giving him a chance at an NFL career.
“Just coming in and competing, just getting an opportunity like everyone else has been special for me and I’m just trying to make the most of that,” he said. “Wherever I end up at the end of the day, I’m happy with.”