April 9 , 2005

QUARSHIE WORKS OUT FOR NY JETS
by Sean Leahy

Michael Quarshie participated in a private workout for the New York Jets Saturday at Baker Field.

The defensive lineman, who graduated from Columbia University in December and is now showcasing himself for NFL teams in preparation for the NFL Draft on April 23, said he was pleased with his performance.

He performed drills that tested his acceleration, his agility and his quickness.  Jets quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates watched Quarshie work drills on tackling dummies and tested his quickness coming off the ball.

“The drills on the blocking dummies I hadn’t done before,” said Quarshie.  “I made mistakes at first, but I kept making corrections as he instructed me.  I think I left him with the impression that I’m coachable.”

Quarshie expressed optimism that teams will view his relative inexperience positively.  “I’m still pretty raw,” he said.  “I haven’t had much coaching.  It’s a negative because it will take time for me to mature.  But with my good [test scores], teams know that I have the athletic ability to play.  It’s just a matter of me being coached in technique and getting more experience against good players.”