Spearman adjusting to life as a professional

Former Rebel LB hopes to make an impact in the NFL

Joey Vaughan
DM Sports Editor

The life of an NFL football player isn't all fun and games. Just ask Armegis Spearman.
"There's competition all over," said the former Ole Miss standout. "Everybody's fighting for a job on the team. Whether it's running sprints or working out, there's always competition to get that job."
Spearman signed a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals after completing his eligibility at Ole Miss last season. The Bengals were one of about 20 teams to come to campus to watch Spearman work out in the spring and signed him soon after he wasn't selected in the draft.
While he hasn't totally cleared all the cuts to come in camp later this summer, he's not too worried about making the roster.
"I feel good about my chances," Spearman said. "As long as I stay healthy, I've got a good shot."
Spearman will play inside linebacker in Cincinnati, filling the same role he did for Art Kaufman's defense the last few years.
"That's what I played the whole time I was at Ole Miss," said Spearman.
"That's where I'm comfortable."
Brian Simmons and Takeo Spikes, a former Auburn star, are the starting inside linebackers for the Bengals. Spearman will most likely back up Simmons at first, he said.
The adjustment from college to the pros hasn't been too stressful on the easygoing Spearman.
"It's like coming to college all over again," he said. "Everything is different, and you have to adapt and adjust. It's been the same process for me as it was coming in as a freshman, but it's no big deal. Everything will be all right as long as you work hard."
Spearman said the commonly held belief that everybody is faster and stronger in the NFL isn't totally true.
"It's not that big of a deal," he said. "In college, the plays develop slower. Up there, the game is faster; that part is true. The game is a whole lot faster, but if you adapt and learn the plays, there's no question that you'll play," said Spearman.
"They'll throw you in as a rookie."
That's just what Spearman is hoping for. Two years ago, Spikes started as a rookie, and Spearman said that there is another free agent on the squad who started seven games last season as a rookie. If all goes well, Spearman could make it three straight years.
"I'm planning on going in and playing," he said. "I might not go in and start much my rookie year, because they've got some pretty good guys in front of me who know the system a lot better than I do. I just need a chance to get my foot in the door and learn the system. After that, it's going to be all good."
For now, though, Spearman has off-the-field issues to clear up. His agents, Stanley Morgan and Tim Jumper of Mid-South Sports in Memphis, are in the process of negotiating a contract with Cincinnati that would guarantee Spearman at least two years with the Bengals.
He also has to find a place to live. During mini-camp, all the players lived in apartments rented by the club. When Spearman goes back later this month, he'll have to find a place of his own.
As far as getting acquainted in a new city, things have gone smoothly so far.
"I like it up there. I fit in well" said Spearman.
Having a new group of teammates helps, too said Spearman.
"I hang out with tons of them," he said. "We all hang out together."
Even though he's never taken a snap in a Bengals uniform, Spearman is already getting recognized around Cincinnati.
"Actually, they do (recognize me)just because my face was in the paper a couple of times. It's kind of weird that I just got up here and people already know me, but it's cool," said Spearman
If Spearman has his way, he'll be getting recognized a lot more very soon. For now, though, he's keeping his goals simple.
"I just want to make the squad and play," said Spearman. "That's all I'm worried about. I just want to keep doing what I do."