The NEXT: NFL Yeoman

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Yeoman: a man holding and cultivating a small landed estate.

Read more of Chris Sprow's reports from The Combine here and here .

James Casey is a beast. The Rice tight end, who's spent the week at The Combine trying to convince coaches that he's a first-tier pick, has the physicality and talent to be a serious asset for a needy team. The question is: at what spot? He's played seven different positions at Rice, including quarterback in their Wildcat scheme. He's also been a pitcher in the White Sox minors system and a javelin thrower on Rice's track team. With his physical talent and skill set (plus only two years of college football wear and tear), what team doesn't need him? Many are saying he could even go as a receiver, which makes sense (his 111 receptions last year were second in the country). We caught up with Casey at in Indy where he answered questions from slew of reporters.

Can you tell us all the positions you played?
I came in on scholarship and played linebacker. And then the coach left soon after I got there and the new coach moved me to defensive end. I was starting defensive end throughout the spring. The coaches gave me a shot to move to quarterback before two-a-days started my freshman year in 2007. So I started practicing quarterback, running the Wildcat. As the season went on, it just progressed. I moved to wide receiver. I played some H-back. I played some quarterback. I also came back in and played some defensive end against Southern Miss my freshman year.

Did you deep snap?
Freshman year, I was a left guard on the punt team. This year I was a punt returner. I had 12 returns this year. I was a holder. I returned two kicks. I was also the backup deep snapper.

How did you feel about doing all those different things?
I loved it. Any time I can get out there and play, no matter what position it is, I just felt blessed to be on the field anywhere to help the team win…just to be versatile like that.

Did you have a nickname like 'Slash'?
I had a nickname, it was Thor. We had a "Thor package'' when I came in at quarterback and ran the ball, they called it "The Thor Package'' and it just kind of stuck with me.

Why didn't the baseball thing work out? (He was a 2003 draft pick as a pitcher with the Chicago White Sox.)
Baseball is just one of those things. I was a pitcher. A lot of that stuff is kind of out of your control as opposed to football. I feel like I had a really good arm. I had as strong an arm as anybody. I was throwing in the 90s. I topped out at 95. I had a lot of control issues and that was the main reason why it didn't work out. I walked too many guys and ended up giving up too many runs. My ERA was inflated. I ended up getting released. It was one of those things that happened in my life where I thought it was the worst thing that could happen. But it ended up being one of the best things. I wouldn't be in the situation I'm in if it wasn't for that.

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