How does an NFL player kill the time between optional summer workouts and the start of training camp?

Former Florida Atlantic linebacker Frantz Joseph is back on the Boca Raton campus, staying in shape by working out with current Owl players.

Joseph (top photo, right), who signed a free agent contract with Oakland this earlier this year, returned to South Florida last week and has a couple weeks left before he's slated to return of the Bay Area.

He spent part of Monday afternoon on the fields behind the Oxley Center working on individual drills before joining the current Owls for some seven on seven action.

"Nobody else is really doing football activities, so you are kind of on your own," Joseph said.

Joseph's adjustment to pro ball has been pretty smooth so far. While he's surprised by the sheer size of the defensive linemen, the Raiders defensive scheme is similar enough to what FAU runs that the transition hasn't been too difficult.

What's really impressed Joseph has been the intelligence of his teammates.

"The only difference that I can see is that everybody is smarter," Joseph said. "You are not going to find too many guys that don't know what they are doing or not knowing where to go. They are professionals so everybody knows what to do."

Joseph had spent plenty of time talking with Jervonte Jackson, comparing Oakland's workouts with those in Philadelphia. Jackson, a former FAU defensive lineman, signed a free agent deal with the Eagles days after Joseph inked with the Raiders.

Now that he's back in Boca, Joseph has attained near celebrity status. Though none of the current Owls have asked Joseph for a free dinner, they are interested in the NFL life.

"Guys are definitely asking questions, trying to find out the difference and what you have to do to succeed on the next level," Joseph said.

As he sat on the bench in front of the Oxley Center sporting an Oakland Raiders shirt (lower photo), Joseph said the best part of the NFL experience so far is the simple fact that he is still playing football.

"A lot of guys that you played with and are your friends and you are so used to being there, they are not even playing anymore," Joseph said. "I've been blessed with the ability to keep going."

chuck