Road to the NFL: Florence draft journal, Part XII

A chance meeting with a Hall of Famer in the bathroom. Wining and dining in the Big Easy. These are the highlights for draft prospect Drayton Florence as his days before The Big Day dwindle to a precious few. This is the 12th installment of Drayton Florence's draft journal.

By Drayton Florence
Tuskegee CB draft prospect
Wednesday, April 16

Last week I crisscrossed the United States, met with two teams and their coaches, ate in a great Italian restaurant and encountered one of the greatest NFL players in a men's room. What a weekend.

I met with the New Orleans Saints last week. Several of the coaches and front-office personnel took me to one of the best Italian restaurants in the city, Carmelo Ristorante, and had an awesome meal. The restaurant is where the "Who's Who" of New Orleans eat.

The owner of the restaurant actually came over to our table and introduced himself to me. He was a great guy, and I was impressed he came to our table.

After our meal, I toured the Saints' facilities. Then, I spent a lot of time with their defensive backs coaches Joe Baker and Greg Brown. We watched a lot of film. It was great to watch film of one of my favorite cornerbacks, Dale Carter. Overall, I think it was a great visit.

After visiting with the Saints, I went to Baltimore to get to know the staff of the Ravens a little better and tour their facilities. After they showed me around their facilities, I spent most of my time meeting with their general manager Ozzie Newsome and defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson.

The highlight of my visit was when I ducked into the bathroom and found myself right next to Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, who is on the staff with the Ravens. We talked a little bit, and then I resumed my visit.

Both of my visits this past week were great. It wasn't like I was meeting everybody for the first time, because I met with representatives from both teams at the combine. Just like my feelings about Kansas City, I was very flattered New Orleans and Baltimore flew me up and took the time to get to know me better.

Drayton Florence enjoys the spoils of feeling wanted this week.(Provided to SportsLine)

This week, I have another visit scheduled. I am going to Dallas for the first time to meet with the Cowboys' organization. I am really looking forward to meeting with their head coach Bill Parcells, and general manager/owner Jerry Jones. It will be another opportunity for me to do something most people only dream about.

The whole NFL Draft experience has been great for me. I am enjoying every minute of the process. All the hard work I've put in is justified when teams invite me to come to meet them. I realize how blessed I am these organizations want to get to know me better and spend their resources to let me tour their facilities.

I now have a routine after I get home from visiting the teams. I reflect on everything with my family and tell them about the visit. Then, I think about the visit and realize there aren't too many people who get to do what I've done in the past few weeks. It makes me feel proud of what I've accomplished as a football player.

Plus, it is important to me I remain the same person as I was before the entire draft process stared. The draft is almost here, and I am looking forward to where I will end up, and even if I don't get drafted by one of the teams that hosted me for a visit, I won't forget the hospitality and respect they showed me.

Past Florence journals: Part XI | Part X | Part IX | Part VIII | Part VII | Part VI | Part V | Part IV | Part III | Part II | Part I