missed the preseason and the opener against the Giants
Most of the attention on the 2016 NFL Draft is focused on who will go first, who might trade and which players could fall from the first round. You could sometimes be forgiven for forgetting that there will be 253 picks made, as opposed to just the 31 on day one in Chicago.There is an array of talented players waiting in the wings for their big chance. Players who do not get much attention on the home straight to the event, but have the same opportunity to become just as successful - Tom Brady is a prime example. One such player who will be looking to make a big impact from a late-round selection is Dan Vitale, and he might just be one of the most intriguing 2016 prospects of them all.Officially listed as a fullback, the former Northwestern player is so much more than that.In college, Vitale played the superback position - a role unique to Northwestern, combining the work of a fullback, running back, wide receiver and tight end. Vitale believes that his experience at superback can stand him in good stead for an NFL career In high school, I wasnt really a running back or a fullback. When I was getting recruited by Northwestern, I saw they had this superback position and it really made my eyes pop open, Vitale told Sky Sports.In college, they told me as soon as I came that the two smartest players on the field had to be the quarterback, and the superback.I had to know not only just the plays and what routes I was running, but every block. I had to know everything, except what the quarterback was reading. You have to have a high football IQ.So now that I get the opportunity to transition this role and what Ive really embraced onto the next level is cool, its really special. I think a lot of teams are really seeing the potential this position has in itself.Vitale recorded 33 receptions for 355 yards and four touchdowns in his final year in college, numbers you certainly would not normally associate with a conventional fullback.But in terms of numbers, it was at the NFL Combine in February that the American football world really began to wake up and take notice of his athletic ability and just what he could offer. Dan Vitale (middle) impressed at the scouting combine but believes he has more to show Just for starters, Vitale ran his 40-yard dash in 4.60 seconds - a better time than 16 defensive backs. His bench-press test beat all but four offensive and defensive linemen.He recorded better times than Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry on five out of seven athletic tests, and put up a faster 60-yard shuttle than Will Fuller - renowned as one of college footballs fastest players.Despite his remarkable Combine showing, Vitale said that he was not as content as many would think.Personally, I was happy, but I wasnt satisfied, he added.My phone was blowing up, people saying great job, but on a personal level, Ive always done better in a lot of those tests.I was testing better at my training facility. Dont get me wrong, I wouldnt say I was disappointed. I know I did well, but Id say I was happy, not satisfied. NFL 2016 Draft A beginners guide to the Draft With just days to go until the Draft, rumours of where Vitale could potentially end up continue to circulate.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reported to have shown a strong interest in recent weeks, while the New England Patriots also appear keen.Vitale, as you would expect, was not willing to divulge too much information on what teams have been saying to him, but did acknowledge that the Patriots would be a good fit for his talents.I will just say that most teams ask me to keep quiet, but on a personal level, I think itd be pretty cool to play there (in New England), he added.The way they run their offence is pretty cool, I think they could use a guy like me. At this point, Ive done everything I possibly can to show all the teams what I can do. This is definitely the most stressful part - just sitting around and waiting for draft day.Just like the teams, the fans and the hundreds of other NFL hopefuls, Vitale will have to wait until the weekend to see where the next step in his football journey lies. Lawson on the 2016 Draft Shaq Lawson speaks to Sky Sports ahead of the 2016 NFL Draft But wherever it may take him, he revealed that getting the chance to experience the game in other places, such as in London, is something he would love to do.Ive had a chance to get to Europe before. Its something that Id like to experience again and show everyone what American football is all about.Id absolutely love to do that - it might be a really long flight, but its something Id be really excited to do.You can follow the 2016 NFL Draft on Sky Sports 1 from midnight on Thursday and with us here all week on www.skysports.com/nfl Also See: Tom Bradys NFL ban restored Top 10 moments from the NFL Draft Richard Graves 2016 NFL Mock Draft Kirk Cousins backs Leicester for the Premier League title Custom USWNT Jerseys . The union filed a grievance late Thursday, one day after Goodell suspended four players who participated in bounties from 2009-11. The complaint says Goodell is prohibited from punishing players for any aspect of the case occurring before the new collective bargaining agreement was signed last August. USWNT Jerseys 2020 . Or at least on everyone elses expectations. Costa Rica followed up its surprise win over Uruguay with another World Cup stunner on Friday, beating four-time champion Italy 1-0 to secure a spot in the next round and eliminate England in the process. https://www.cheapuswnt.com/ . Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, Shawn Marion had 22 and the Mavericks beat undermanned Philadelphia 124-112 Friday night, handing the 76ers their 10th straight loss. Fake USWNT Jerseys . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell while figuring out which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Stitched USWNT Jerseys . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action.IRVING, Texas -- Dallas defensive end Anthony Spencer will have season-ending surgery on his left knee and may have played his last game for the Cowboys. Spencers agent, Jordan Woy, says doctors have a "good idea" what type of surgery but were still considering options. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke earlier on his radio show, saying Spencer was likely to have microfracture surgery. The 29-year-old Spencer is on a one-year contract with the franchise tag for the second straight season, so he will be a free agent when hes healthy again. Hes making $10.6 million this season. Spencer originally injured the knee in off-season workouts and aggravated it during a conditioning test the day before training camp. He had arthroscopic surgery July 25 and missed the preseason and the opener against the Giants. Last years leading tackler for the Cowboys returned and played more than half the game in Week 2 against Kansas City before he was sidelined again. "Heres a case of a guy, you almost have to tie him up to get him off the field," Jones said on his radio show. "He was so diligent in his rehab. The individual that I have the most empaathy for is Spencer because of the type of person he is.dddddddddddd" Microfracture surgery is a procedure to repair cartilage that provides cushion for bones in knee joints. The recovery time is usually at least four months but can be career-threatening for pro athletes. Spencer, who had career highs last year with 106 tackles and 11 sacks, has described his injury as a bone bruise. He had just two days of limited participation in practice before playing 34 snaps against the Chiefs. Going into the game, he didnt think he would play more than a dozen or so, but he based that more on conditioning than the status of his knee. "It didnt seem like it was bothering him at the time," coach Jason Garrett said Monday. "You cant go back eight days ago and say, Hey lets have him make 16 plays instead of 30. We thought we were doing the right thing by him and our football team." Journeyman George Selvie, who signed several days into camp after it was determined Spencer needed the first surgery, has been a strong replacement and complement to standout end DeMarcus Ware. Selvie has two sacks and five quarterback pressures. ' ' '