August 21, 2009
Albany - Florida is home to many of college football's storied programs. With the University of Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles and Miami Hurricanes competing for players and attention, programs and prospects from small colleges like Webber International University in central Florida are often overlooked.
Webber International is a small National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) school in the Florida Sun Conference. It added intercollegiate football to its athletic program in 2002 and completed its first full season in 2003.
However, Webber International is now on the map.
"It's a great feeling not only for me but for all the small football schools around the country," said Anderson, a cornerback turned safety. "I'm happy I can represent kids who may not go to the big schools but still have big dreams of playing in the NFL."
Anderson, a 6-2, 205-pounder traveled a tough road to the Giants' camp. The rookie began his collegiate career at Nicholls State University in Louisiana, where he started two seasons before being suspended for an academic scandal involving 10-15 student athletes, according to Anderson.
During rookie mini-camp and organized team activities (OTAs) in the spring, Anderson was slotted as a cornerback. He discovered upon arrival here that the coaches had moved him to safety, no easy task for any player, especially a rookie.
David Merritt, the Giants secondary coach/safeties knows how difficult changing positions can be.
"He (Anderson) came into camp and on the first day, he was told 'Hey Vince we're moving you to safety,'" Merritt said. "That's like telling me when I was a rookie, that I'm going to play the three technique when I was a rookie linebacker. So its rough waters for him."
But Anderson took on his new role without any complaints.
"It set me back pretty far, but I'm just thankful that I'm here playing with the Giants," Anderson said. "I'm just happy for the opportunity. I'm going to try my hardest to learn as much as possible and do whatever I can do to help this team be successful. That's all I care about."
In his senior year at Webber International, Anderson started 11 games and finished with 62 tackles (36 solo), three interceptions, 10 pass breakups and two tackles for losses. He graduated with a business degree last May.
Anderson was asked how the Giants camp differed from those at WIU.
"Yes sir, it was kind of different because first of all I really didn't have a defensive back coach there," he said. "So it was basically me coaching my teammates, trying to show them what I knew from what I learned at Division 1 AA at Nicholls State. We had a couple coaches come through here and there maybe for a year and leave. So it was kind of stressful being there."
Anderson caught the eye of his coaches with two interceptions and a blocked pass during one practice last week.
On the first play, Anderson got in front of first round draft choice Hakeem Nicks on a fade pattern and showed his athleticism by knocking the pass down. A few plays later, he picked off an errant pass from Andre' Woodson. His second interception came when a ball thrown from Rhett Bomar went through the hands of Sinorice Moss.
What was Merritt's reaction?
"He was just excited that I was making plays," Anderson said. "Even my fellow teammates, they support me a lot-they try to help me get through. They know the situation I am in. What I like about this team is everybody is here for each other. They are willing to help each other, I like that a lot. I really do need that."
Anderson, a long shot to make the final roster, has continued to impress his coaches with his athletic ability and willingness to learn.
"Vince is very, very athletic, extremely athletic, he's quick, he's fast and I think he's aggressive," Merritt said. "The kid has a lot of range and has the skills which are needed to play safety. But he's a swing guy; he can play corner which is a great asset."
Anderson made his NFL preseason in the Giants' victory over the Carolina Panthers in Monday night's preseason opener. He played on the punt return and punt teams and started the fourth quarter at safety. Anderson had one assisted tackle and was on the field when Tommie Hill returned a punt on the game's final play for the winning touchdown.
"My first game just felt great," Anderson said. "First home game with the Giants, I couldn't feel any happier. I always dreamed about this ever since I was small. My old teammates back at Webber International were all sitting around the television watching the game. They couldn't wait, I was getting text message two or three days before the game about how they couldn't wait for me to make history to be the first player out of Webber. It was incredible coming from a small school and then playing in a stadium where the crowd was bigger then any crowd I have ever played in my life."
The rookie surprise is making the most of this opportunity, while hoping for the best.
"Oh man, I mean it humbled me, to tell the truth," Anderson said. "I felt like anything is possible after I made it this far, especially coming out of a NAIA school that's only had football for six years. It's a blessing."