[gap size=”5.313em”] [custom_headline type=”center” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″]Video[/custom_headline][x_video_embed type=”16:9″][x_video_embed type=”16:9″] [custom_headline type=”center” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″]Suggested Links[/custom_headline]

Stanford’s Tyler Gaffney came running back to football – LA Times

Deconstructing Gaffney: The making, and remaking, of a Stanford star – Grantland

[x_video_embed type=”16:9″][x_video_embed type=”16:9″] [gap size=”5.313em”] [custom_headline type=”center” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″]Post-Draft Conference Call Transcript[/custom_headline]

RE: On his reaction to being drafted by the Panthers

I’m stoked, this is a great opportunity and this is a great program. I love the area. I’ve had familiar run-ins with Coach Rivera because his kids went to my high school. I’m glad to be a part of the Carolina Panthers.

RE: On being drafted in the NFL after playing pro baseball in between college stints

This is my love. This is what I wanted and why I came back. For an opportunity to play a sport you love for your career. I’m glad the Carolina Panthers came through to give me that chance.

RE: On whom he is closer to in age as it refers to Coach Rivera’s children

His daughter. We knew each, but I wouldn’t say we were great friends.

RE: On if he got to know Rivera while he was in high school

We had our run-ins in high school at certain events that he showed up at. As of lately, I knew him a little better.

RE: On being familiar with the Carolina region

Carolina is somewhere I wanted to be, I visited there when I was young. I’m ready to get there and see what it’s all about.

RE: On his decision to leave Stanford and pursue a career in baseball

I didn’t know I was coming back. I had an opportunity to get drafted by the (Pittsburgh) Pirates to play for them and that kind of opportunity doesn’t come around for everyone. It was something I didn’t think I could pass up at the time. I took the year and towards the end of that year, I realized that football was my love and something I couldn’t put it behind me. Now I’m here and ready to step forward.

RE: On what Stanford Head Coach David Shaw’s reaction to coming back to Stanford

I earned my way back. I started with the third and fourth scout teams and moved my way up from there.

RE: On how he left his decision with baseball

I let them know that football is where I’m at and what I love. I’m here to play football now and that’s what I want to do.

RE: On if he’ll try out for an MLB team again or attend training camp with a team during the summer

No. I might try to throw out a first pitch. (Jokingly) I’m happy with where I’m at.

RE: On batting close to .300 as a rookie and why not keeping the door to return partially open

I found out I love football. You step away and you find out that this is what you want to do. I can’t imagine not playing football. It would take 32 teams to tell me I couldn’t play for me to head back to baseball.

RE: On what the Panthers expect from him

“They thought I was a great fit and I believe the same thing. I know that they have DeAngelo Williams, who is an All-star. They have a few running backs and a former Oregon running back. I’m excited to be a part of the team.

RE: On being a former outfielder and what was his arm speed

I would say 91 (miles per hour).

RE: On his experience on special teams

I played all special teams from my freshman through junior years. It wasn’t until this recent year that I didn’t play any special teams. Kickoff coverage, kickoff return, punt return, I’ve done it all.

RE: On describing his running back style

Slasher. I’m a one-cut because you don’t have a lot of time for wiggle space. One-cut and try to make them miss.

RE: On playing pro baseball in State College, Pa., in the shadow of Penn State

I thought they had a great environment for sports.

RE: On if he spent any time around the campus or with any Penn State football players

No, I didn’t get to know any football players, but I went to one of their practices. Just to see how much that town bleeds Nittany Lion, they love it. I got to see, fortunately and unfortunately, the emotions of taking down the Paterno statue. I was actually there for that. Just to see how much it actually meant to an entire town was a surreal experience, coming from a west coast football fan base.

RE: On being outside when the Paterno statue came down

“I drove by for practice, it was there and I saw them about to take it down. When I got back a couple hours later it was gone and it looked like nothing had been there. They had put trees and new grass like it was a regular part of the road at that point.

RE: On when he realized he wanted to return to play football

I was watching Stanford that entire time that year. Towards the end, it was a growing feeling. I missed the camaraderie of my teammates and the ability to play a team sport. Where it takes all 11 guys to win a game as opposed to the one.

RE: On if he could hit a curveball

Yes, I could hit it all. Whatever the coach asked from me.

---

Dave Gettleman: 

In the last round, again it’s about looking at the big picture. We felt that Tyler Gaffney was the best fit. Obviously, we wanted to limit the wear and tear on DeAngelo (Williams) and Jonathan Stewart and Tyler  Gaffney’s a 5-11-and-a-half, 220 pound back that carried the ball 330 times last year and scored 21 touchdowns. Had a real quality senior year at Stanford in the type  of downhill run attack that we like. The other thing that Tyler does well is he’s a really good blitz pickup guy and one of the things that you look at from my seat is we have to be able to evaluate the third and fourth-string quarterbacks if you have them, your third and fourth-team wide receivers, your third and fourth-team other running backs and what happens quite often in the second half of the preseason games is the defensive coordinators like to unload their whole blitz package and you can’t get anybody evaluated so that was a big thing for us in terms of the blitz pickup. We felt Tyler’s got good skills that we like – the ability to run the ball, pick up the blitz and he’s a very tough and very smart kid and we just thought there he was the best value for us to fill out the draft.

RE: Ron Rivera’s thoughts on Tyler Gaffney since Rivera’s children went to high school with Gaffney

Ron Rivera: The biggest thing I remember is he was a gym rat. Whenever I was down there and Courtney (Rivera) would be having softball practice or something like that, he was at the baseball field, he was at the track, he was at the gym playing basketball, he was on the field throwing the football. The young man’s all about sports and I remember watching him play in the high school playoffs and just really being the guy. I’m excited about who he is. I’m disappointed he went to Stanford, I would’ve much rather picked a Cal guy (jokingly). But as Dave said he was a very productive guy who had a lot of opportunities to help his football team and I believe he’s a guy who will come in and help us as some insurance and a guy who’s going to fit what we do and be a guy that when he gets his opportunity I think can help us. 

 [share title=”Share this Post” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” google_plus=”true” linkedin=”true” pinterest=”true” reddit=”true” email=”true”]