Drago + Real Report

[whoslarry]

Hey this is Drago, I wanted to come on here and let everyone know what the real situation is and get rid of some rumors. I actually decided to give up football and go after my true passion as a half-time performer for the WNBA. Just Kidding. Actually I found out yesterday at about 3 in the afternoon that I have the opportunity to try-out for the New England Patriots. I have not signed any contracts but I will have a chance to win one over this weekend. I am extremely excited and not dissapointed one bit. This will be one hell of an opportunity and I always tell myself this is a game not the military so lets have some fun. I really want you all to know that I appreciate everything that you have all done for me since I've been at this program. I know for a fact I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for all of you. Well I have to go and put some eye black on and ice my arm. I will see you all soon.

[TransAmBison]

Best of luck!!! Keep your arm loose, you never know when they'll need a 70 yard bomb from a punter!

[bisongirl]

Good luck Drago! Everyone at Bison Illustrated wishes you the best and is looking forward to following you and your NFL career!

[roadwarrior]

Thanks for the real truth, Drago. Best of luck in the future! You will always have a lot of fans back here in Fargo. We enjoyed having you in our program for the past 5 years.

[bisonmike2]

Best of luck. Any chance you could blow your try out with the pats and try out with the Pack instead? :) I really wanted to get a Drago jersey for several reasons. For one, I'd be representing an NDSU great. And another, nobody has a punter jersery so that would be awesome. But I'm not sure I could bring myself to buy a Patriots jersey. Anyway, best of luck. You have the Bison community behind you.

[lakesbison]

Hell Yea! Drago!!

I Wanna Come See You And My Boy Randy Moss This Fall!!

We Are All Behind You!!

Nothing To Worry About With Rumors, Turned Out Everything Will Work Out!!!


You Just Concentrate On Kicking The Hell Outta That Pigskin!!

*peace Brother!!*

[BisonBabe]

Best of luck to you this weekend.

[WRSDBison]

Dancer for the WNBA huh? They must have seen your youtube video and found out how many Bison fans there are around the world.

Drago halftime dance + Bison fans = Quadruple the attendance for the WNBA.

In all seriousness, congrats buddy.

[NDSUFan_Sav]

Good Luck Drago, have fun in New England!

[bisonhusker]

Drago, what are your other options? just curious. Congrats on the opportunity.

[tony]

Good luck, Drago! I'm pretty sure you got where you despite us rather than because of us.

Maybe they'll let you take some snaps at QB - Brady sucks after all.

[tcbison]

Good to hear from you. I am a bit suprised you didn't post under the name Drago like you did in the past...

http://www.bisonville.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10055

[Bisonguy]

Best of luck with the tryout, Drago!!!

[Flanders]

What a great day for North Dakota collegiate punters! Drago trying out for the Pats this weekend and Brent Halfmann from UND trying out for the Vikes!

[bisonhusker]

Brent "Halfmann half Amazing." Is he pretty solid?

[aces1180]

What a great day for North Dakota collegiate punters! Drago trying out for the Pats this weekend and Brent Halfmann from UND trying out for the Vikes!

Why would they sign a punter? Chris Kluwe signed an $8.3-million contract extension through 2013 for the Vikings.

[met1990]

The Vikes might need two punters for how much they'll be punting this year...

[90BISON]

The Vikes might need two punters for how much they'll be punting this year...

A team that needs rotation at punter so he doesn't get too many reps, now that would be funny, or sad.:D

[TheBisonator]

Best of luck to you Drago!!!

Sincerely,
Ari (your former equipment guy)

[RedRiver]

Good luck Drago. Most football fans know that you have a legitimate shot and will still be punting after your tryout.

[Jdubs21]

Best of luck to you drago...cant wait to see u and mays playing on sundays!!!!

[Bison101]

It'll be sweet to see you in the Super Bowl next year against the Vikes, Drago!

[Rockbear99]

Good Luck with the tryout Drago. If the Pats thing does not work out maybe My Bears will be looking. The way the offense looks Maynards leg could be wore out by Week 4.

[Flanders]

Brent "Halfmann half Amazing." Is he pretty solid?
Solid? Yes, but not NFL solid. Good kid from Stephen-Argyle. Apparently the Vikings are bringing a bunch of punters this weekend.

[Bison101]

Solid? Yes, but not NFL solid. Good kid from Stephen-Argyle. Apparently the Vikings are bringing a bunch of punters this weekend.

Yeah, you would beat him out, Drago!

[ThatWouldBeSeven]

Good luck Drago, keep booming them. You haven't completely shut the door to the idea of doing halftime shows once in a while, have you?

[sambini]

Good Luck Drago were pulling for ya+++++++

[scheelsguy]

Excited to know which team's jersey your name will be on! Forever a Bison! Go get'em Drago.

[90BISON]

As was stated on a high impact commercial that was running during March Madness, "There are no Cinderellas", you've gotten where you're at now because you've worked hard and deserve to be where you are. Good luck Drago.:nod:

[NDSUFan_Sav]

As was stated on a high impact commercial that was running during March Madness, "There are no Cinderellas", you've gotten where you're at now because you've worked hard and deserve to be where you are. Good luck Drago.:nod:

+++++++ :)

[99Bison]

Good luck Drago!

[lakesbison]

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2008/04/2008-undrafted-free-agent-signings.html


IT SAYS SIGNED!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO WHAT THE HECK!?!?

[Bison bison]

that site has said 'signed' since Monday morning.....................

[bisoneer]

Hey Drago, kick the heck out of all of the balls they give you and good luck!

[GiddyupGidz]

I was just looking around at the patriots website and found a mini-camp blog and found this http://blog.pfwonline.com/2008/05/02/punter-razing-the-roof/

[WestDakotaBison]

if you check out http://www.patriots.com/homepage/ and watch the press conference from today in the media center on the right side of the screen Bill Belichick talks about Drago about 3/4 (10:35) of the way through the video. I'll try to to relay the info below...

Reporter asks about the punter, if the conditions they are in allows for a proper eval of the punter in trying to get a free agent contract.

Bill says...he likes to bring punters in when conditions are less than ideal, gives him a good idea of how they punt. Even though he can't get a full punt in (they're indoors so Drago's punts are hitting the roof via the blog) Bill can tell by the way the punter is dropping the ball, by the way he connects with the ball what he needs to work on and how much work needs to be done. "Mike is pretty athletic, he's a tall guy, he's long and can generate some leg speed there. I've worked with long punters like that." "We'll see how it goes."

[spelunker64]

What a Drag!
North Dakota State punter Mike Dragosavich was one of the tryout players who seemed to make a good impression in rookie mini camp. On Friday, the lanky, 6-6, 212-pounder showed great technique while booming several punts that hit the ceiling of the Patriots practice bubble before they hit the ground. When a reporter joked with him about trying to break the lights that are suspended from the ceiling, he replied, “I was just trying to have good form and listen to what the coach was teaching me and perform my assignment. And when you do that, you should be able to get good hang time. That's what your goal is, so, that's what I was going for.”

“Mike’s pretty athletic,” Belichick observed. “He’s a tall guy, he can generate some leg speed there.” Belichick was asked if it more or less difficult to evaluate a punter indoors versus outside in inclement weather. The coach said he was fine with watching kicks indoors, even if they hit the ceiling. “Even though you don’t get the full punt, you can see when they’re hitting the ball well and when they’re not. You can watch the way the punter drops the ball and the way it contacts his foot. You can get a pretty good idea of what you need to work on, and how much work you have to do.”

“It's been a great experience,” Dragosavich declared after Saturday morning’s practice. “Trying to work as hard as I can to get better every single day. I feel like I've been learning a ton and just having fun out here.”

Dragosavich also had fun in college, some of which can be seen on YouTube. During halftime of an NDSU basketball game, Dragosavich entertained the crowd with a spirited, five-minute dance routine that his friends videotaped and uploaded to the popular website. He revealed that he made the music mix tape himself from some of his “old-school” favorites, including Micheal Jackson’s Thriller.

“It was just something I did, tried to put some smiles on people's faces and cheer some people up,” Dragosavich explained. “I just try to live my life by having a good time and be positive about everything.”

He said he ad-libbed most of his dance moves in the routine. Asked if any of the other Patriots players had heard about his antics yet, he wasn’t sure, but added with a laugh, “I'm sure it'll come up.”


http://www.patriots.com/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=31882&pcid=41&special_section=draft2008

[spelunker64]

Q: Are you surprised there are not enough guys like Tom Tupa and Danny White to fill these positions?

BB: Well, yes and no. Yes, but that is the way it is at every position. It’s the same as long snapper, long snappers that don’t play anything else really. There was a time when that is what every team had. You had to find a long snapper among your tight end, linebackers, and defensive linebackers, whoever it was. Even the Pro Bowl, you used to have to find a guy to be your long snapper. Now you just get a long snapper. You used to have guys that punted and kicked off or kicked. Dual guys and save a roster spot that way. There is no more of that anymore either.

I thought this was interesting, isn't this why Drago wasn't drafted? He's "only" a punter...

[56BISON73]

I have never been able to understand why the center doesnt do the long snapping???? It was common back in the day. PL

[spelunker64]

Too specialized and important in the NFL now

[56BISON73]

Too specialized and important in the NFL now

Specialized???? LOL I played in the wrong era. :D Thats kind of like the disignated hitter in baseball. Hell I could have played forever. LOL PL

[BisonCountry]

He is now officially signed!
Link (http://http://www.in-forum.com/Sports/articles/200199)

[90BISON]

He is now officially signed!
Link (http://http://www.in-forum.com/Sports/articles/200199)

Couldn't get your link to work? Guessing from the text computer text it was in the Forum.:confused:

[90BISON]

Patriots sign Dragosavich
Forum staff reports, The Forum
Published Sunday, May 04, 2008

The New England Patriots signed former North Dakota State punter Mike Dragosavich to a free agent contract, the team announced Saturday.

Dragosavich was in Boston for a tryout on Saturday.

Head coach Bill Belichick said on a video on the team’s Web site that Dragosavich “is pretty athletic. He’s long and can generate some leg speed.”

Dragosavich set Senior Bowl records in January for longest punt (69 yards) and best average at 58.0 on three punts.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Sun Bison]

aww man, now I'll actually have to root for the Pat's, well, most of the time (Vikes and ... Cardinals (I know, I know)).

[NDSUFan_Sav]

Not sure if this was posted before, but he was 2nd on the list for punters:

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pcid=46&pid=31857

With that being said Brooks was taken leaving Drago available. Go get that Ring!

[99Bison]

Great job Drago, keep it goin!

[sambini]

Congrats Mike and keep it going+++++++

[Gully]

Great job Drago! It's too bad this news came out on a sleepy Sunday morning.....I don't think it's getting the reaction it would have the day after the draft.

[Rockbear99]

Maybe this will not be soo bad. I can cheer on Drago because if he is on the field that means the Pats offense stalled and didnt score.

[onbison09]

Hopefully he has to punt a lot!!

[Mr_Meanor]

Anyone notice that the hlaftime video of Drago has been deleted.

[lakesbison]

huh? on youtube?

Drago.. give us an update bro!

[TheDoctor]

I talked to him last night at the Wellness Center and he said that he is the only one the Patriots are bringing in and that he is excited to go earn his spot on the roster. ;)

[Bison Dan]

I talked to him last night at the Wellness Center and he said that he is the only one the Patriots are bringing in and that he is excited to go earn his spot on the roster. ;)

So there'll be 3 punters in fall camp?

[TAILG8R]

Here's a little something about Drago showing off his leg at the tryout.

linky (http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/sp_fbn_patsjo03_05-03-08_HNA0QG8_v7.312e77c.html)

Last paragraph.

[tony]

Just back to hear the good news. Congrats, Drago!

[lakesbison]

ANYONE GOT HIS JANITOR SHOW SAVED ON THEIR COMP??

I GOT SOME BUDS IN BOSTON THAT WANNA SEE IT!

JUST PM me!

[TCBisonFan]

ANYONE GOT HIS JANITOR SHOW SAVED ON THEIR COMP??

I GOT SOME BUDS IN BOSTON THAT WANNA SEE IT!

JUST PM me!

I believe its on YouTube.

[Mr_Meanor]

The video on Youtube has been deleted.

[CaBisonFan]

Hopefully he has to punt a lot!!

It's hard to cheat at punting. :D

[tony]

Anyone notice that the hlaftime video of Drago has been deleted.

You'd think that a rookie punter who played in a virtually unknown part of the country will automatically attract a bit of ribbing from his teammates. Now imagine the thermonuclear smack reaction when the wrong guy finds a youtube video of him doing a goofball (and hilarious) dance routine...

Veteran #1: "Hey, country boy, I didn't think dancing was legal in South Dakota."
Veteran #2: "Yeah, when are you going to dance for us Opie?"
(now repeat this 10000 times)

Luckily Drago seems to have a great sense of humor, but I think it's probably good that the youtube video took a little vacation just in case some of his new work associates don't have enough to occupy themselves.

I still think that dance routine was one of the classic moments ever to occur at the BSA.

Am I the only one who thinks that Drago would make a fantastic color guy?

[WYOBISONMAN]

I agree, Tony.....Drago is a very articulate and colorful conversationalist. He knows football and I bet we see him in the broadcast booth some day.

[SDbison]

There are some interesting comments about Drago at this Patriot fan message board.......
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=82124

[90BISON]

There are some interesting comments about Drago at this Patriot fan message board.......
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=82124

He's gettin a lot of love on their fan site, could be a fan favorite in time. Perhaps SuperBowl halftime show?:D

[THEsocalledfan]

One person even mentioned the dance routine.

[cbline]

Just might have to get an NFL package in order to watch Drago (hopefully) be on the squad and send some boomers on Sunday afternoons.

[I'mWithNOSIB]

Just might have to get an NFL package in order to watch Drago (hopefully) be on the squad and send some boomers on Sunday afternoons.

Don't waste your money on an NFL package because the Pats seem to be on TV every week.

[BisonBabe]

I look forward to watching him on tv this fall a lot.

[Jdubs21]

so does anyone know if we can order a drago jersey anywhere?

[spelunker64]

You can go to nflshop.com and customize any teams jerseys. $99 I think.

http://www.nflshop.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2252516&cp=2237409.2237507&pageDisplay=superfamily&pageType=family&int_nextBucket=0&totalProductsCount=79&PRODUCTS_PER_PAGE=9&doVSearch=no&doVSearch=no&pageCount=9&pageBucket=0&pageNum=5&int_prevBucket=0&fpricesort=priceAscending&PAGES_PER_BUCKET=10&filter=yes&fCat=2237507&num_buckets=1&page=8&page_bucket=0&showSizeSearch=false&hasPagination=false&parentPage=family

[I'mWithNOSIB]

so does anyone know if we can order a drago jersey anywhere?

Why would you want that? The colors will make you look fat..........

[Herd Mentality]

I saw today that Drago is listed on the team roster...and is going to wear the college number of his old teammate that got drafted this year.

[sambini]

Drago and Wurz are quest bartenders tonight at JT CIGARROS..

[Jdubs21]

Why would you want that? The colors will make you look fat..........

well i was gonna rip off the patriota logos...haha if that counts

[onbison09]

Best quote on Pats board IMO: "Drago is more than a punter. He is a machine." Was that anyone on here?

[lakesbison]

They Rock As Bartenders.. Full House!!

[sambini]

Great job guys from your friends at Budweiser+++

[SDbison]

Here is some info from a training camp report concerning Drago (at very bottom of article):

http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/sp_fbn_patriots_passing_camp21_05-21-08_PJA7D_v8.357de9c.html

Undrafted rookie punter Mike Dragosavich was booming punts with impressive hangtime. New England has three punters on the roster: Dragosavich, Chris Hanson and Scott Player.

[SDbison]

Some more info regarding Drago from a blog, this time not very good comments (from the bottom of the May 20th entry):

http://blog.pfwonline.com/

–P Mike Dragosavich struggled in the morning practice. He worked on the side of the field under the very close, watchful eye of special teams coach Brad Seeley. The rookie free agent couldn’t find any consistency with his punts. He’d boom a high bomb, then kick a short, wobbly shank. Maybe Seely was working on the rookie’s technique, but the execution wasn’t there. (For the record P Scott Player fielded many of Dragosavich’s punts. The veteran didn’t kick much, that I could see, but I like his look. Bald with Yosemite Sam-like facial hair.)

[SDbison]

Anybody here know anything else about Drago? Surprised there are no replies to my last 2 posts. Maybe Drago will stop by Bisonville soon and give us an update.............

[lakesbison]

Ill get the skinny tonite for you SD BISON..

peace out!

[SDbison]

A little more on Drago (from May 20th blog entry):

http://www.beloblog.com/ProJo_Blogs/PatsBlog//

* Undrafted rookie punter Mike Dragosavich -- one of three punters currently on the roster (Chris Hanson and Scott Player are the others) -- was drilling punts, just as he had during rookie mini-camp a couple of weeks ago. But this time, without the roof of the Dana-Farber Fieldhouse to limit him, Dragosavich was showing off his hang time. He did have a couple of shorter punts, but those may have been situational-type kicks.

[SamsRams]

Makes ya wonder if kicking in Fargodome held him back??

[lakesbison]

Drago is very upbeat.. ready to rock n roll for late july/august for training camp where the competition will begin!!

good luck drago!!