Ex-Leesville star Zinger gets drafted by Atlanta

By Raymond A. Partsch III
rpartsch@thetowntalk.com
(318) 487-6312

The unexpected happened on Sunday for LSU tight end Keith Zinger. In the seventh round, the Atlanta Falcons and new coach Mike Smith selected the former Leesville star with the 232 overall pick.

Zinger was one of seven former LSU players drafted over the weekend. He will join fellow Tiger Chevis Jackson in Atlanta.

The 6-foot-4, 259-pound tight end said he expected to be in training camp.
"I was expecting to be a priority free agent," Zinger said. "I had been talking to their tight end ends coach and the indication was that I was going to get a call after that draft. So it was a little surprising."

It wasn't Zinger's pass catching skills that caught the Falcons' eye. Zinger caught just 15 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown in his five-year career. Instead it was his impressive blocking skills that ultimately got him drafted.

"They wanted someone that could run block and pass block," Zinger said. "I just happen to fit that mold for them."

Despite the loss of Pro Bowler Alge Crumpler, the Falcons have some depth at tight end with 2007 draft pick Martrez Milner and free agent signee Ben Hartstock.

Zinger who had to overcome a rare colon disease (ulcerative colitis) that nearly derailed his career was thrilled to be given the opportunity to play at the next level.

"It felt really good that I got drafted," Zinger said. "I always wanted to know what it would feel like to see my name scrolled on the bottom of the screen."

Besides being one of only two Tigers to play in both the 2003 and 2007 BCS National Championship games, Zinger was also on the 2003 Freshman All-SEC team as well as earning SEC Academic Honor Roll honors in 2004 and 2006.

The Falcons begin rookie mini-camp on May 17th.