Barlow, Grim Look To Take Their Act To The NFL
Turman, McCurley Likely Free Agents
By Tony DeFazio

Pitt's 2000 Insight.com Bowl squad has a group of four players who figure to get their shots at the NFL. Two players are most likely draft material, while two others will have to take their shots through free agency - one this year, and another perhaps next year.

At the top of the list is Peabody's Kevan Barlow, one of the top-rated running backs in this year's draft. Barlow figures to be the Panthers highest-drafted player since offensive lineman Ruben Brown was picked in the first round by the Bills in 1995.

Barlow entered his senior season with a lot to prove - he had a reputation as a big, bruising back who disappeared for long stretches at a time, was difficult to coach and was terribly inconsistent. Slowly but surely, Barlow has erased most of those doubts.

One thing that has never been in doubt is Barlow's physical skills. He was measured at the recent NFL combine in Indianapolis at 6-1, 235 pounds, and though he did not perform any of the physical drills at the combine (he held an individual workout in Pittsburgh a few weeks later), he runs between a 4.55 - 4.65 forty, and has tremendous lower-body strength and power.

For a big back, however, Barlow has never been a great inside runner. He has lacked patience when running inside and does not always pick his holes well, causing some NFL scouts to question his vision.

The other Panther who figures to hear his name at some point during the draft is wide receiver Latef Grim.

Grim took second billing to his receiving partner Antonio Bryant last season, but NFL scouts have not forgotten about the Panthers all-time leading receiver. Grim is a tough, physical receiver who runs polished routes, gets open, and has good skills in the open field.

His biggest knock has been his lack of speed. Grim confronted that with his workouts at the combine, however, turning in a 4.55 forty, which put him in the same ballpark speed-wise as Oregon State's Chad Johnson (a probable first-round pick), Florida State's Marvin Minnis, Nebraska's Bobby Newcombe and Purdue's Vinny Sutherland. Grim doesn't have great size at 5-11, 188, but that won't affect his draft status.

In a deep year for receivers, Grim is no better than a late-round pick, most likely a sixth or seventh-rounder.

John Turman should become the third Walt Harris-coached quarterback to find himself on an NFL roster, joining Pete Gonzalez, who spent time with the Steelers and Colts and currently is getting a shot in Buffalo, and Matt Lytle who has been with Carolina and Seattle.

Turman will get a look, though he won't be a part of April's draft. He finished the season as the seventh-rated passer in the country in 2000, but was streaky to say the least. He stands 6-3 and weighs in at a slight 215, just meeting the league's unofficial "minimums."

Finally, Pitt offensive lineman Jeff McCurley likely will have to wait for his shot at an NFL career. McCurley had an excellent career at Pitt, starting all four seasons at three positions: defensive tackle, center and guard. Although his size was in question (6-4, 280), many services had him rated as the fourth or fifth best center available, and he was maintaining that status at the Senior Bowl practices until he suffered a torn knee ligament.

He is in the middle of rehabbing the ligaments. He attended the combines, but was unable to participate in any of the physical tests. He took all of the mental and medical tests and convinced the teams that the leg was at least healing properly. The earliest possible return to the field for the New Castle-native is August.

"Our hope is that teams put a numerical grade on Jeff prior to his surgery," said his agent, Pittsburgh-based Ralph Cindrich. "If he is ready by August, we'd hope the teams would look at his grade and make a decision on whether or not to sign him."