Philip Blake’s story has been well-covered.
The Baylor offensive lineman grew up in Canada, playing one year of high school football — his senior year.
Immediately he knew it was the sport for him.
But getting to play it at a Division I college was quite a process.
“It’s a long story,” Blake smiled.
He started by playing two years at Champlain Regional College in Quebec, Canada, and got recruited by Baylor Head Coach Art Briles and his staff.
The NCAA clearing house didn’t accept his high school and Canadian regional college grades, so he thought going to a school without football for a semester — University of Houston-Downtown would allow him to transfer to Baylor.
But he wasn’t academically eligible to play at Baylor, so instead he spent a year-and-a-half at Tyler Junior College in Texas, graduated and then joined the Baylor Bears as a 23-year-old sophomore.
“The funny thing is I wasn’t even the oldest on the team,” said Blake, now 26.
As the lineman said, it’s a long story, but he doesn’t mind telling it.
“It’s my story, so I don’t get tired of it,” he smiled.
After all that, Blake is now a Denver Bronco, and he’s been lining up at center during the team’s rookie minicamp. He doesn’t know if that’s where he’ll line up once the veterans join the fray, but he said he’s happy to play wherever the coaches want him.
“He has played multiple positions, so he understands offensive line play throughout,” Head Coach John Fox said after the 2012 NFL Draft. “I thought he was an excellent pass protector as far as when he got his hands on you, you weren’t going very far.”
The mild-mannered Blake said he flips a switch when he gets on the field — “I guess you can say I change,” he said, — and he’s anxious to start playing alongside quarterback Peyton Manning and the rest of his teammates.
“I try to stay humble through it,” he said. “A lot of my friends or ex-teammates always tell me, ‘You played with RGIII (Robert Griffin III) and now you’re possibly going to play with Manning,’ but I don’t think about it too much. Just trying to do my job here.”
Tags: 2012 Rookie minicamp, Philip Blake
MM15…..I have great respect for you Bro,if you have a Beef with AB,that’s between you 2!!!!!!!!!!!
BFE
Where is the proof that they said he is top 20??? I grew up watching those guys and I never heard them say that…
I have no beef with Melo lol. Just disagreeing on something.
Theres only one person who used to blog on here I have lasting beef with lol.
They may have said he’s tough to play against but not that hes top 20.
I’m jammin’ to Krokus right now,no headphones…the whole family is jammin’ to it…
And who is that AB?
In videos. LOL Do you not get that? Seeing one or two interviews doesnt mean they havnt. Lol. I have talked to Malone personally about it. My cousin has talked to them both about it. Lol. You dont have to believe it. I dont care if you do or not. I know for a fact that they both have on more than one occasion.
And yeah this has been an ongoing argument but I don’t have beef with AB either. Nothing but respect. We are just two very different people with two very different oppinions…
Melo lol They both have said Jordan also that Rodman is a top 20 player. EVER. He was underrated on offense and the best defensive player to ever play the game. Lol. Agree to disagree.
BFE FBG. is the one.
Now hopefully this doesn’t start another catastrophe but when it comes to Rock n’ Roll… It doesn’t get any better then Led Zeppelin!!!
FBG
Exactly Melo. Only thing that couldve caused beef was the misunderstanding about my get out of here. lol.
Melo its just time we let it drop and agree to disagree.
FBG is gone and good riddance to him,he was a cancer!!!!!!!
The infamous FBG the one who called most of the bloggers on here idiots. lol
BFE He made Tebow fans as a whole look horrible. Fans like that are annoying.
3:30 here and running low on beer,believe it or not..been drinkin’ since 3:00 blog time…Damn I can’t drink like a damn fish every night,lol.
Ahh now there is something we can ALL agree on.. FBG being a goner… LOL
and all those crazy Tebowites….
I agree AB……Glad his A$$ is gone,I couldn’t stand him!!!!!!!!!!!
FBG and the Broncos being the best team ever! I think are the only two thinks the blog can agree on.
PM is the Broncos Franchise face now..like it or not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
New blog folks.
I like it!!! LOL
Crazy time for a new blog… 1:30 a.m
PM is the QB that TT hasn’t a chance to ever be…….because of smarts and knowledge of the game…bash me if you will,but I will bash back,bet on it!!!!!!!!!!
BFE… I agree whole heartedly… Tebow may dazzle you with his legs but NEVER his arm