Greco, McGlynn reflect on Year One

The Mahoning Valley football players are preparing for Round Two in the NFL.

By JOE SCALZO

Vindicator sports staff

At this time last year, Mike McGlynn and John Greco were two recent college graduates with a dream of playing in the NFL and no idea where they’d fulfill it.

“The biggest thing was I had a lot of nerves, a lot of anticipation and I was kind of waiting,” said Greco, a Boardman High graduate who was a four-year starter on the offensive line for Toledo.

Greco was drafted in the third round by the St. Louis Rams.

One round later, the Philadelphia Eagles selected McGlynn, a standout tackle from Pitt who graduated from Fitch.

Greco appeared in 10 games for the Rams, earning his first start, at right guard, in Week 17.

McGlynn appeared in four games at guard, including a wild-card playoff victory over Minnesota. He tore his hamstring in that game, ending his season.

“A guy landed on me and it [his muscle] ripped right off the bone,” McGlynn said. “It was pretty painful but I’m all healthy now.”

Both players have settled in at their respective teams, spending the offseason working out, mixing in a few trips home whenever possible.

“There’s a big difference since last April,” McGlynn said. “I’ve got a year under my belt and I’ve learned how to be a professional.

“There’s nothing but football now. There’s no school to worry about. This is your job. If you want to last a long time in the NFL, you have to come in and do your work.”

Added Greco, “It’s nice not to worry about juggling playbooks with school books. This is my job now. I get up in the morning, get some breakfast, then go to meetings, practice, watch some film and work out. When I’m done I can just relax.”

All NFL rookies talk about adjusting to the speed of the league, the larger playbook and the longer season. In college, first-year players are often redshirted. In the pros, due to roster limitations and contract costs, that’s not possible.

Consequently, most players, particularly lineman, make a big jump in their development after their rookie seasons.

“You have to do a lot of thinking,” Greco said. “You have to learn a new system, new plays, new protections. And everybody already knows about the speed and the volume of the playbook.

“It’s different this year. I have a better feel for the offense and now I’m just worried about locking up my defender. I can play quicker, play faster.”

McGlynn said his biggest adjustment was learning NFL blocking techniques.

“I had to break the habits I had in college,” he said. “You’ve got to have so much more technique at this level.”

Unlike Greco, who is playing for his third head coach in less than a year, the Eagles are one of the NFL’s most stable franchises. Andy Reid has been the team’s head coach since 1999 and Philadelphia advanced to the NFC Championship last season.

“I think it’s a great organization,” McGlynn said. “We’ve had a lot of success. There’s been some ups and downs, like last year’s NFC Championship, but it’s a great organization.

“I’m definitely happy to be in Philly, where you’re a contender year in and year out.”

The Rams, meanwhile, started 0-4 and head coach Scott Linehan was fired. After winning their first two games under interim coach Jim Haslett, they lost their last 10.

Haslett was replaced by Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Fortunately for Greco, the team retained offensive line coach Steve Loney.

“When you’re a rookie, there’s a lot of changes anyway so you just kind of embrace the change,” Greco said, when asked about the coaching upheaval. “We have a totally new staff, but I’m fortunate to have the same position coach as last year. That’s an advantage.”

McGlynn and his wife, Megan, live in a house in a quiet neighborhood outside the city. After five years at Pitt, McGlynn is used to city life and said he enjoys Philadelphia.

“It’s a nice city,” he said. “My neighborhood is just like living back home. Nobody messes with you. And the city is like a small New York. There’s a lot going on in the city and the outside is really nice and laid-back.

“I’m happy about my situation.”

If McGlynn has a complaint, it’s that he doesn’t get back home enough.

“I’ve been dealing with some things, with some family members being really sick, so I try to come back as much as I can,” he said. “But it’s so hard because I have so many obligations here.

“I’m trying to establish myself as a player, but there’s a lot of stuff I need to be home for.”

Greco also lives outside the city, close to the team’s practice facility. He likes St.. Louis — he spends time golfing, going out to restaurants, concerts and sporting events; he’s even visited the zoo — and his main goal is earn more playing time this fall.

One thing’s for certain — this year’s NFL draft won’t be nearly as eventful.

“I’m going to pay attention to who we pick,” he said. “Hopefully we can get some guys who can help us win.

“Other than that, I’ll just be hanging out at home. It’ll be a lot less hectic than last year.”

scalzo@vindy.com