Patriots Scouting U Maine blocking TE Matt Mulligan?

[sebman2112]

The University of Maine senior was the focus of four National Football League scouts Wednesday afternoon during the annual pro day testing conducted on the UMaine campus.

Scouts from the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons put five hopefuls through a variety of strength and agility drills to evaluate their skills.

Mulligan, who checked in at 6-foot-4½, 258 pounds, put on an impressive show in Latti Fitness Center. In the bench press, he cranked out 34 consecutive repetitions with 225 pounds, which is believed to be the best effort in the country this year by a tight end in NFL testing.

He also soared to 35½ inches in the vertical jump.

Mulligan, who broad-jumped 9 feet, 8 inches, was a bit disappointed with his 4.89-second clocking in the 40-yard dash. He nonetheless got plenty of positive feedback from the scouts.

"They said, ‘minus your 40 [time], you play faster and you look quicker for a big dude,’" Mulligan said, "’we’re bringing you in for more of a blocking, check-down tight end.’"

Mulligan’s limited experience, and the potential for improvement, have actually helped make him a commodity, according to his Boston-based agent, Kristen Kuliga.

Kuliga, who has represented former NFL and CFL quarterback Doug Flutie for 14 years, said 20 NFL teams have inquired about Mulligan, who is likely to be a free-agent signee.

In an effort to make himself more marketable, Mulligan is learning to be a long-snapper.

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