by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
After being passed up in the NFL Draft and then traded after signing a rookie free agent contract, it seemed Hank Baskett had a long road ahead of him to be successful in the NFL.
However, after an eye-opening training camp and highlight reel catches in preseason games, Baskett has vaulted himself into sudden stardom with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Baskett signed a free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings after the draft, but was traded to Philadelphia for wide receiver Billy McMullen. Baskett had an impressive training camp and flew up the Eagles' depth chart and is the team's No. 2 receiver.
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Baskett said he has tried to maintain control of his emotions since the draft.
"It's been up and down," Baskett said. "There's been some good and some bad, but right now I'm in the place where I wanted to be before the draft."
Prior to the NFL draft, the Eagles flew Baskett out to Philadelphia. He said the Eagles expressed interest in drafting him. Some mock drafts had Baskett going as high as the third or fourth round, but when the seventh round ended and the draft was complete, Baskett was left without a team.
"Obviously the people that were drafting made a big mistake," said Rocky Long, head coach of the Lobo football team.
Rather than getting upset about being snubbed, Baskett has embraced and taken full advantage of his new opportunity.
"I was disappointed, but things happen for a reason," Baskett said. "I just went a different way to get here, but I'm very excited to be here."
Long, who coached Baskett his entire career as a Lobo, said he is thrilled about what his former receiver is doing.
"We're excited for Hank. He's kind of made a big splash right off the bat," Long said. "We're all happy for him and his family, because he's a good guy."
Landing with Philadelphia gave Baskett a good chance of making the roster. After the Terrell Owens disaster from last season, the Eagles were left with inexperience at the wide receiver position. Still, when Baskett arrived expectations for the former Lobo were not very high.
However, according to the team's Web site, Baskett began outplaying most of the other receivers and making impressive catches. Within a few practices, Baskett was working with quarterback Donovan McNabb and the first-team offense. In the first three preseason games Baskett and Reggie Brown were the Eagles' two starting wideouts.
A lot has been made around by the Philadelphia media about Baskett going from an undrafted rookie to a starter in a matter of weeks. Baskett said he was confident he could eventually start but was surprised he was able to move up so early.
"I always have my standards high, but I didn't think it would happen this fast," Baskett said. "I wanted to eventually be working with the ones and become a starter. Things have just been fortunate enough to fall my way."
One of the biggest highlights of Baskett's young NFL career came in the Eagles' second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns.
On an early drive, Baskett went out on a fly route, trying to beat the Cleveland cornerback down the field. Despite Baskett not being open yet, McNabb threw the ball up and Baskett came down with a leaping catch that led to numerous repeats of the highlight on ESPN.
Baskett said he was thrilled that McNabb had enough confidence in him to throw a jump-ball his way.
"That definitely shows that he's starting to trust me," Baskett said. "He's starting to understand where I'll be at. He's just giving me a chance to make plays. When your quarterback trusts you, it helps it so much."
Even though Baskett started the first three preseason games for Philadelphia, he is not taking anything for granted. He said he is not getting too comfortable and knows anything can happen.
"I'm still just trying to make the roster," Baskett said. "Those final cuts haven't gone out yet, so I still have more work cut out."
Long said Baskett has a good chance of not only making the team, but remaining the starter and having a productive season.
"As long as he keeps performing, he's going to stay the starter," Long said. "That's really exciting for him, and it shows a great future ahead of him, too."
