Devon Still knows he is battling to earn a spot on Cincinnati Bengals roster
It seems like an age ago, the spring of 2012.
When the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Devon Still out of Penn State University in the second round, No. 53 overall, he was coming off a season in which he became just the second defensive tackle to ever win the Big Ten defensive player of the year award. He was a consensus All-American who recorded 17 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, a player brought in to potentially pair with Geno Atkins to create havoc along the interior of the defensive line.
That was not to be, however.
In his first two NFL seasons, Still appeared in 18 games, battling back issues, dislocating his elbow, and managing blood clots.
Then last year, as his back still ached, his daughter Leah was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma.
It's been a rough road that has led to this training camp, and for the first time since he left Penn State, Devon Still feels whole as a player.
"I think I'm different, totally, since I've been in the league," he said. "This year I have absolutely nothing wrong with me. I'm injury-free. My mind's not all messed up over my daughter. I think that's showed in my play, that I can really just focus on football right now."
Leah's improved health has also allowed him to be totally invested in the game mentally.
"It's a big difference. It's a real big difference," he said. "I'm not really concerned about my daughter's health right now because everything is going down the right path. She continues to be strong through the treatments that she's been having so its allowing me to focus on football a lot more. My head space is clear."
Still was cut at this time last year, only to be re-signed to the practice squad. He has no such option this year.
He signed a one-year deal to return to the Bengals in March and should he be released, he'll be free to go anywhere.
"I haven't thought about that," he said. "I don't think negative. You think negative, negative things are going to happen. I feel like I've put good enough tape out there that I have a good chance of making this ball club. If not, then I'll have an opportunity to play somewhere else.
"But right now my objective is to go out there and just show that I'm a consistent player, that I can make any team better and I can help them win."
He knows that Thursday's preseason finale in Indianapolis is an important one for him if he is to secure a spot on the roster.
"It's big," he said. "A lot of people take the fourth game lightly but I understand the situation I'm in. I have an uphill battle. I wasn't here during OTAs so I wasn't able to show the coaches a lot of what I can do and other guys were here. So I'm trying to claw back into that space and show these coaches that I belong here. I don't mind that at all."
He then laughed, saying he can't wait for the week to come to an end.
"I'm looking forward to getting training camp over just to see what's going to happen," he said. "Just like y'all, I read a lot of articles and I see a lot people have the odds against me, but I came out here and did what I wanted to do. I'm just looking for this to be over with and find out what it's going to be."
Jim Owczarski writes for The Cincinnati Enquirer