http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news...articleid=2571
Catching On
Saints rookie wide receiver Mike Hass was a former walk-on at Oregon State who parlayed hard work, solid hands and the ability to make the tough catch into becoming the school's all-time receiving leader. After ending his standout college career by winning the Biletnikoff Award as a senior, honoring the nation's top receiver, Hass is working towards succeeding in the NFL.
Saints Wide Receiver Mike Hass was picked by the Saints in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft
Saints Wide Receiver Mike Hass was picked by the Saints in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft
Michael C. Hebert
After walking on as a freshman, Hass (6-1, 209 pounds) became a three-year starter at Oregon State, received a scholarship in 2003. He shattered the school's receiving records with 220 receptions for 3,924 yards (17.8 avg.). He is also tied for the school's top mark in receiving touchdowns with 20.
"It was a lot of work more than anything, walking on and making an impression," said Hass "It took me a couple of years to really develop as a player. They really don't want to give a chance to a walk on. You got to make a lot of plays. If you keep doing that, you'll be noticed and that's all I did my whole career, just make a ton of plays."
Hass' career at Oregon State culminated in 2005 when he was a first-team All-American and consensus All-Pac 10 choice. Last season he had 90 catches for 1,532 yards with six touchdowns, spurring his selection as the Biletnikoff Award winner.
Hass was drafted by New Orleans in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He immediately made an impression at the team's rookie's minicamp from May 12-14 with his sure hands.
"He's done a good job and one of the things that makes him attractive is that when you watched him on college, when he's open and when the throw's made to him, you're going to have a reception," said Saints Head Coach Sean Payton during the rookie minicamp. "There's something to be said for that. He's done a good job these first two practices of getting into the right spots, running the right routes and catching the football. Receivers that don't catch are like linebackers that can't tackle."
Due to an NFL rule that does not allow rookies to workout with their team until the conclusion the academic year at their college, Hass returned to Eugene following the rookie minicamp and conditioned on his own , strictly following a workout regimen that he received from Saints strength and conditioning coach Dan Dalrymple. In addition to preparing for his new job, Hass was also completing his coursework for a degree in civil engineering, which he received on June 17.
Hass returned to New Orleans to work out with his fellow rookies this week. He is looking forward to working under wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson in training camp and learning from his approach.
"I like him as a coach," said Hass. "He's demanding. He makes you do things perfect and that's what you have to do. I think he's going to be good for me in developing as a receiver."
After this week's workouts, Hass will attend the NFL's Rookie Symposium with the remainder of his drafted Saints teammates and will spend the final month prior to training camp in his hometown of Portland, Ore., where he will catch balls from Cleveland Browns QB Derek Anderson and New York Jets QB Kellen Clemens, both Portland natives as well.
Upon his late-July return for training camp, Hass is dedicated towards learning the offense as well improving. His plan is to show the coaching staff in person what he did in college.
"It is important to just learn the offense, do the right things and be dependable. It includes catching the ball when it's thrown my way, running the right routes and getting in the open area. That's what I can do right now."
Hass impressing in camp
Hass impressing in camp
Linear Mode
