Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks was more than ready to leave the first big mark of his infant pro career on the Dallas Cowboys during an exhibition game last summer.
Entering the contest for a goal line stand, the rookie from Auburn figured this moment would play out like so many Southeastern Conference clashes before it.
“I decided I’d do what I usually did in the SEC,” said Marks. “I’d give a hard pop, split the guard and tackle and make a play in the backfield. It almost always worked.”
So how did it work against the Cowboys?
“I started out in front of the goalpost and ended up behind it,” he said with a sheepish grin. “You think you’re ready for the NFL coming out of college, but you’re not.”