Defensive end could end up applying for sixth year

By Tony Pauline, Special to SI.com

TCU star defensive end Tommy Blake has taken a medical leave of absence from the team and will miss at least two weeks, Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson announced on Tuesday.

Patterson said Blake's problems have been a personal nature. "We've tried for three weeks to try and be able to push through," Patterson said. "It hasn't been a positive, I don't think, especially for him."

Blake, a preseason All-America and potential first-round pick in next April's NFL Draft, missed the season opener against Baylor then played in TCU's next three games, including last Saturday's 21-7 win over SMU. He has 11 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack this season.

This is not the first time this year Blake has been excused from the team for personal reasons. He left the campus in August while the Horned Frogs were preparing for the season and missed a number of practices.

NFL scouts who have attended TCU practices have reported that Blake has exhibited bizarre behavior during practice and off the field. The belief is Blake will be evaluated then a decision will be made if he can continue playing football this season.

Blake seriously considered entering last April's draft, going as far to petition the NFL Advisory Committee to gauge his draft ranking. He received a second-round grade but decided against going pro at the recommendation of his grandmother, who wanted to see him graduate with a degree.

Rated as one of the top 15 senior prospects in the nation by a number of NFL scouting services coming into the season, Blake led the Mountain West Conference with 16½ tackles for loss in 2006, while his seven sacks tied for the conference lead.

Scouts think highly of Blake's abilities, but if he doesn't improve Patterson said TCU will apply for a medical hardship waiver or redshirt him. "He hasn't played too much to redshirt," Patterson said. "It's just really hard to get a sixth year, at least at TCU."