Miami Signs LB Blount, Son Of Former Steelers Great

After all the excitement of this past weekend's NFL draft, teams are now going about the more pedestrian business of signing some of the remaining players, who weren't drafted, and inviting them to training camp.

One name on the Dolphins' list that jumps off the page immediately, for those of us who grew up in the 1970's, is former Florida A&M linebacker Akil Blount, son of Pittsburgh Steelers' Hall Of Fame CB, Mel Blount.

Although his father almost singlehandedly forced a rules change in 1978, due to his suffocating, physical style of play, which often prevented opposing teams' receivers from making even one reception over the course of an entire game, the younger Blount has little interest in trying to ride dad's coattails into the National Football League.

In fact, you have to read his entire college bio, all the way to the bottom of the page, to find any indication whatsoever that he's the son of one of the most famous players in football history. Akil is determined to make it in the NFL on his own merits.

At 6'3", 243, Blount is stout enough to play in the middle, yet athletic enough to play outside in coverage. He ran a 4.60 forty and registered a 40 inch vertical leap, before the draft. While it's obviously too early to predict Blount's chances for making the team's opening day roster, the Dolphins may just have found themselves another undrafted gem.  Blount had 75 tackles and two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns, last season.