On Wednesday, voting begins on the University of Mississippi campus as students vote in the final stage of choosing a mascot to represent the Ole Miss athletic teams.
That is a big thing happening at Ole Miss today, but far, far from the Oxford campus a young man who recently played four years for the Rebels as an outstanding defensive back is making a name for himself with the Denver Broncos.
Cassius Vaughn is a young fellow than many fans don’t know, but he represents the fact that the National Football League is a meritocracy in which everyone has a chance.
Vaughn made the Broncos as an undrafted college free agent, in the spirit and tradition of players like teammate Wesley Woodyard, all-time great Bronco receiver Rod Smith and many others in Denver and throughout the NFL.
Vaughn played in 50 career games at Ole Miss, with 24 starts, and his career stats shows 152 tackles, five interceptions, 20 pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
That latter stat has carried right over into NFL play for the young Memphis native, as Cassius Vaughn currently leads all NFL rookies in fumble recoveries with two and is tied for the turnover lead among all players with two.
One of the fastest players on the Denver roster, he was signed after the NFL draft in April, came to Denver, worked hard, did what he was told, and impressed his coaches throughout training camp among a bevy of talented defensive backs.
Fans might have noticed him with the big fumble recovery that helped secure the win at Tennessee last week.
So while Cassius is no longer on campus and able to cast his vote for Rebel Land Shark, Rebel Black Bear or a character named Hotty Toddy (evidently Rebel Lion and Rebel Stallion have been eliminated–really, I could not make this stuff up!), he is in meetings and at practice preparing for week five of the NFL season.
And by the reality of his position and the example of his performance, he is showing it’s how you work and how you play, not where and when you are drafted, that impresses coaches the most.
The meritocracy moves on.
Tags: 2010, Cassius Vaughn, Denver Broncos, Jim Saccomano
I can’t remember the last time the Broncos played well against the Ravens, I think it was in the Elway days haha, Ill give them the benefit of the doubt and say we go on to win a close one 20-17!
GO BRONCOS!!!!
Said basically the same thing in a 10:01 post this morning on the “whatever it takes” blog.
I like Vaughn, saw something in him first time I saw him in preseason, wish we would treat Syd’Quan the same and give him a chance to contribute, I bet he would be right there with Vaughn. But whatever, McD knows best.
Good post Jim,What do you think about Vaughn returning punts and kickoffs,why not put the fastest player we have on the field and see what happens,I think Royal and Thomas are too valuable to risk injury,besides we all know how much better Royal does when he concentrates on being a WR only,the #s don’t lie.I think Vaughn and Thompson should share the return duties….what do you think?????
McD and the coaching staff make the personnel decisions,but I’ll throw my opinion in every once in a while.
BFE
Okay-my crystal ball says Broncos win 19-17 in a hard fought nail biting game! To quote baylinor “Any given Sunday”!
With Harris back in the starting OL I just wonder how long it will take Beadles to win back the starting RG positioon that he held until the last pre-season game.
Broncos 17-16
Vaughn is making a splash. Gotta like it. I`d sure like to see Syd`Qaun get his chance. I think he`d do fine. My prediction Bronco`s win 23-20.
lol everyone is predicting denver to win this time! nice..
Ill post mine on saturday,
ILMSDB!!!
24
Great story. Even greater, his current mentors!
Get Healthy, GO BRONCOS 2K10!!
Yovi21 ~ You dont have to go back that far. Plummer was our QB and the Broncos were at home 2006 I think. Bailey had a INT and it was like in the first quarter of the season where the Broncos D allowed 1 TD for the first 5 games of the regular season.
Randy Moss returns home for a 4th rounder
Marshawn lynch a seahawk, Moss a viking again. seems like thigns are starting to heat up before week 6 deadline. 2 already in week 5 lol
Actually the Vikings traded a 3rd round pick to the Pats for Moss and a 7th round pick next year,I know Moss is old,but that sounds like a good deal for the Vikes,you know they are loading up for one last Superbowl run,since Favre will prob retire at the end of this season…or will he???
Sorry…..Lets try this again… the Pats get a 3rd rd pick in 2011,and the Vikings get Moss and a 7th rd pick in 2012.
I hope McD don’t do any trading,cause seems like everytime we trade players we get screwed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I say we win this sunday 17-16!!!
sorry 15-17 I want my own final score!!!
Cassius Vaughn has been nothing short of awesome on ST.
As soon as that ball is snapped he’s flying down the field from his gunner position.
Two fumbles recoveries… one on punt vs. Seahawks and now one on kickoff vs. Titans. Way to go Vaughn !!
Yovi21: Broncos beat the Ravens back in ’06 as samoanbronco mentioned. A Monday night game in October.
The score was:
Broncos 13
Ravens 3
I was at that game. I missed Champ’s pick to go buy hot chocolate, only to find out they were sold out!
It was a great game but really rainy and cold.
BFE ~ Your not wrong there, problem is the latest trade we knew he was injured and his productivity had decreased immensely!!!!
Royal ~ Yup that sounds like it!
Florio ~ BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Expect the Broncos to edge out a win against the Raven’s on the road. This is a very good Bronco team that will improve every week and make it to the playoffs. This D-Line will adjust and dig in after the 1st or 2nd series and shut them down. That why a guy like Vaugh belongs here , he is not going to let anybody tell him what he can or can’t accomplish, just like the rest of the team. Broncos win on Sunday!
There’s no way we could win this game without more than 70 yds total rushing(at least). Sorry but that’s the respect I have for this Baltimore team. Outstanding defense and playing away from Mile High(again) would be the hardest test so far for us(yes, better team than Tennessee in ALL 3 phases in my opinion).
Need to balance the offense with the rushing and for that we need Knowshon. Not a big fan of his either but I’m sure he could be at least the lead rusher for the broncos at the end of the game, not Orton…
On the other hand, Baltimore has their hands full too by facing the Broncos offense, BIG challenge for them as well.
We’ll see how it unfolds on Sunday! I think we got a shot at this one, but if the running game sucks, that a L we are bringing from Baltimore.
W/ decent running game: 24-17 Broncos.
WO/ decent running game: 27-17 Ravens.
Hope is the first guess, GO BRONCOS!
P.S: I just checked the Ravens stats so far and their rush defense ranks 21st in the league, but if we did not do anything to the colts 29th, it’s hard to envision a good game from the ground. Anyways not a bad way to start a turnaround for the running game.
And of course Baltimore has to be sharp against our D if they want to beat us. Like what I’ve seen so far from them.
ONE more thing, I know is going to be a 30 min battle(or so) for the O-line, this guys are vicious!! Hope we end up with less than 6 sacks at the end of the game… I am very excited about this one, a Super-bowl caliber team playing at home, smells like playoff atmosphere a little bit(damn I miss that smell LOL).
Very disappointed that the Broncos are not extending a Future Hall of Famer in Champ Bailey.
I really have given this coach every chance and this is getting old.
I hope Champ stays here forever..
Broncos win 13 – 20
Mcdanny is gonna use the champ as trade bait its been happenin these past two years with our players with paramount skills why should it change im just afraid to buy anybodies jersey no more.
SIGN CHAMP!
vacations…
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