Mike Golic experienced NFL training camps as a player during his nine-year professional career with the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins. He’s experienced them as a member of the media as an analyst for ESPN and a co-host of ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike sports talk show. This week, he’s watching it as a parent, as his son, Mike Golic Jr., tries to make the roster with the New Orleans Saints.
The younger Golic, who played collegiately at Notre Dame, went undrafted in 2013 but signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was cut late that August, though, and didn’t make the regular season roster.
The Saints, though, must have seen something they liked from Golic last summer at training camp, because he’s back at The Greenbrier this year, playing both guard and center and trying to find a roster spot.
“I’m glad he’s getting to play center,” said the older Golic just after practice Thursday at The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center. “He’s playing center and guard, which makes him versatile, and it’s fun to watch. I think he’s doing well. It’s little things that you pick up here and there and have to get better at — whether it’s a hand placement or a step here. But it’s just fun to watch.
“It will be good to watch the scrimmage, when they really get after it, to get more of that team element and away from one-on-ones when you know it’s a pass rush or a run. A scrimmage tells a little more.”
Golic’s eyes aren’t always focused on his 25-year-old son. Even though he’s technically on vacation, he admitted it’s hard for him to totally toss his analyst hat to the side.
“I watch it as a parent watching his son realize his dream,” said Golic, who also played at Notre Dame and was a 10th round draft pick in 1985. “So there’s that part of it. But the analytical side of it never leaves. I was a former defensive (tackle), so I’m watching Rob (Ryan’s) defense and seeing what they do and watching the o-line and seeing what they do.
“I’m a big technique guy. I like to watch a lot of how people move hands and feet. I don’t watch what most people watch. I rarely watch the ball. By watching how the play’s developing, I know where the ball is going to end up. So I like to watch everything leading up to that point.”
Credit to the Register Herald who originally published this article
