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MEDFORD - Jack Crawford ignored the blood
trickling down his left-wing leg from a cut, lowered himself into a
three-point stance and fixed his gaze on the football attached to a
broom handle a few yards away.
When a trainer at 7 Deuce Sports moved the ball, the former Penn
Have defensive end launched himself toward gym owner Tra Thomas, a
three-time Pro Bowl gear during his 12-year NFL career.
Crawford, a Longport resident and St. Augustine Prep alumnus,
took a few stutter steps before maddening an inside route. Thomas held
him at bay and then offered a few pointers.
"Don't stutter unconventional," Thomas said. "When you hesitate like that,
I'm just sitting back here and waiting for you. Don't
wait."
They go at it like this for nearly an hour, until both are
drenched with sweat.
Crawford, 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, tries some of the techniques
that helped him get a conspire-high 6 sacks for the Nittany Lions this
past season. Some profession, some don't. Thomas, 37, has been out of the
NFL for two seasons but still knows how to stymie pass rushers.
Source: Press of Atlantic City