1. Miami — Jake Long, OT, Michigan
2. St. Louis — Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3. Atlanta — Matt Ryan, QB, BC
4. Oakland — Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5. Kansas City — Glen Dorsey, DT, LSU
6. NY Jets — Vernon Gholston, DE/LB Ohio State
7. New Orleans (from N.E., from San Fran.) — Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
8. Jacksonville (from Baltimore) — Derrick Harvey, DE, Flo Rida (that is not a typo)
9. Cincinnati — Keith Rivers, LB, USC
10. New England (from N.O.) — Jerod “Hold The” Mayo, LB, Tennessee
11. Buffalo — Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
12. Denver — Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
13. Carolina — Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
14. Chi-town — Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (home of Terrence Jeffers)
15. Kansas City (from Detroit) — Branden Albert, OG/OT, Virginia
16. Arizona — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CD, Tennessee State
17. Detroit (from K.C., from Minn.) — Godser Cherilus, OT, Boston College
18. Baltimore (from Houston) — Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
19. Carolina (from Philly) — Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
20. Tampa Bay — Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
21. Atlanta (from Wash.) — Sam Baker, OT, USC (perhaps the top beard in the draft)
22. Dallas (from Clev.) — Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
23. Pittsburgh — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
24. Tennessee — Chris Johnson, RB, ECU
25. Dallas (from Seattle) — Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
26. Houston (from Balt., from Jax) — Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech
27. San Diego — Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
28. Seattle (from Dallas) — Lawerence Jackson, DE, USC
29. San Francisco (from Indy) — Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC
30. NY Jets (from Green Bay) — Dustin Keller
31. New England — Pick forfeited. Teehee.
32. Super Bowl Champion New York Giants — Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
6:29 p.m.
The Jets just took TE Dustin Keller. Hilarity ensues.
My Super Bowl Champion Giants will show them how it’s done.
6:19 p.m.
I’m pretty sure all of those blows to the head have made Steve Young forget that football games aren’t played solely on offense. I don’t think I’ve heard him mention a defensive player, and throughout the show he has been campaigning for the best WR for nearly every team in the bottom of the draft.
Also, his points don’t really make sense. He just went on a rant for two minutes where all he said was the 49ers will be better if they win games.
Jets just traded up. Apparently they want to blow another pick this draft.
6:13 p.m.
The run on cornerbacks seemed to be slowing down after Rodgers-Cromartie was taken,but is starting to heat up again. The Chargers just took Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona, marking the second corner taken in three picks. This could help Tyvon Branch’s cause, because even though some (including me) think he will be a better safety in the “L,” teams that run a cover 2 could stick him at corner.
6:01 p.m.
The Cowboys just jumped ahead of Houston and stole Mike Jenkins with the 25th pick. The Texans followed it up by taking Duane Brown (who?), OT, Virginia Tech with the next pick. Here’s an updated list of today’s action:
1. Miami — Jake Long, OT, Michigan
2. St. Louis — Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3. Atlanta — Matt Ryan, QB, BC
4. Oakland — Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5. Kansas City — Glen Dorsey, DT, LSU
6. NY Jets — Vernon Gholston, DE/LB Ohio State
7. New Orleans (from N.E., from San Fran.) — Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
8. Jacksonville (from Baltimore) — Derrick Harvey, DE, Flo Rida (that is not a typo)
9. Cincinnati — Keith Rivers, LB, USC
10. New England (from N.O.) — Jerod “Hold The” Mayo, LB, Tennessee
11. Buffalo — Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
12. Denver — Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
13. Carolina — Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
14. Chi-town — Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (home of Terrence Jeffers)
15. Kansas City (from Detroit) — Branden Albert, OG/OT, Virginia
16. Arizona — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CD, Tennessee State
17. Detroit (from K.C., from Minn.) — Godser Cherilus, OT, Boston College
18. Baltimore (from Houston) — Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
19. Carolina (from Philly) — Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
20. Tampa Bay — Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
21. Atlanta (from Wash.) — Sam Baker, OT, USC (perhaps the top beard in the draft)
22. Dallas (from Clev.) — Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
23. Pittsburgh — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
24. Tennessee — Chris Johnson, RB, ECU (the third running back taken by the Titans in the first two round the last three years). This pick is essentially confirmation that they should not have taken Chris Henry, a player that was an unproductive version of Lendale White, a year ago.
25. Dallas (from Seattle) — Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
5:58 p.m.
This just in, Ron Jaworski studies tape. Before everything Jaws has said today — and now that I think about it, in his entire TV career — he’s made it known that he’s done his homework and studied tape. We get it, Jaws. We’ve all seen you on that ESPN show where you and Merrill Hodge break down tape and turned the channel immediately.
5:15 p.m.
A lot of movement and picks, but since I am in no way affiliated with a company that covers the draft, I’m only gonna be updating in order to bring the funny.
The latest hilarity: Joe Flacco being taken at 18 by the Ravens. Here’s a guy who couldn’t cut it at Pittsburgh, where Dave Wannstedt’s scared him off to Delaware.
Rating on the Verrier Bust-O-Meter: 10 out of 10.
Ravens blow another pick. Delaware’s uniforms are still a lame version of Michigan. Life continues.
Eagles just traded their pick to the Panthers. Carolina selected Jeff Otah, a player who could earn a starting spot at Pittsburgh.
Here’s a list of the first round up to this point:
1. Miami — Jake Long, OT, Michigan
2. St. Louis — Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3. Atlanta — Matt Ryan, QB, BC
4. Oakland — Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5. Kansas City — Glen Dorsey, DT, LSU
6. NY Jets — Vernon Gholston, DE/LB Ohio State
7. New Orleans (from N.E., from San Fran.) — Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
8. Jacksonville (from Baltimore) — Derrick Harvey, DE, Flo Rida (that is not a typo)
9. Cincinnati — Keith Rivers, LB, USC
10. New England (from N.O.) — Jerod “Hold The” Mayo, LB, Tennessee
11. Buffalo — Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
12. Denver — Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
13. Carolina — Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
14. Chi-town — Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (home of Terrence Jeffers)
15. Kansas City (from Detroit) — Branden Albert, OG/OT, Virginia
16. Arizona — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CD, Tennessee State
17. Detroit (from K.C., from Minn.) — Godser Cherilus, OT, Boston College
18. Baltimore (from Houston) — Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
19. Carolina (from Philly) — Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
4:19 p.m.
After the Jags took Derrick Harvey, the Bengals and the Pats each scooped up linebackers, grabbing Keith Rivers and Jerod “Hold the” Mayo, respectively.
Buffalo just picked Leodis McKelvin from Troy, my favorite Roman-sounding southern school.
By the way, did I mention the Patriots are cheaters?
3:55 p.m.
The Jaguars just moved up all the way from 26 to 8, giving up Jack Del Rio’s sweet leather jacket to do so.
3:52 p.m.
Will the Patriots just stay put for once. Of course, Bill Belicheat traded the pick to the Saints, who are looking to blow another pick on a DT. Sedrick Ellis was their pick.
Would just like to point out that the Pats are cheaters. Just saying.
3:45 p.m.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The Jets just took Vernon Gholston, the second-most overrated player in the draft. Gholston is just another example of what a fast 40 time and going to the gym a lot can do.
Funny story — I just went to Gholston’s wikipedia page and someone — most likely a person with a lo of time on his/her hands — already updated it to say he was a defensive end for the New York City Jets — you know, as opposed to the mighty New York State Jets.
Although Gholston fits better in the Jets’ 3-4 scheme better than if he went to another team and played end, I think he’s a bust in the waiting. Holler at me in three years.
3:36 p.m.
Anyone surprised that the Raiders took McFadden? I’m not.
Like I said in Friday’s mock draft, as soon as the Arkansas running back ran a 4.3, Al Davis’ heart swooned.
Glen Dorsey was taken by the Chiefs with the next pick in what is the best pick of this year’s draft. Dorsey fits a huge need for Kansas City, especially after Jared Allen was traded, and should be solid up front. Past injuries are a concern and the Chiefs haven’t had a good track record with taking DT high in the draft — I’m looking at you, Ryan Sims — but I’m convinced he’ll be a good one.
3:23 p.m.
Three picks have gone by and so far, nothing too exciting. Both Long’s were taken with the top two picks, and looking to turn their franchise around, Atlanta chose a quarterback that will set them back another five years. I don’t know what Arthurt Blank’s mustache was telling him in that war room, but Matt Ryan is by far the most overrated player this season. He was mediocre for a mediocre team in a mediocre conference — that, my friends, does not spell success. -
Teams at the top always reach for QBs, mainly because bad teams usually need them, but the Falcons should have waited until the second round. Matty Ice, good luck. As long as you don’t battle your pets, you’ll still be not that good.
2:45 p.m.
T-minus 15 minutes until the draft, and I am tingling with excitement.
The Dolphins are on the clock first, and I’m predicting they grab Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas with the first overall pick in the draft. There is the issue of the contract with $30 million in guarantees they already signed with Jake Long, but I have a feeling about this one.
After the ‘Fins, it looks like the Rams are poised to take Jake Long’s brother, Chris, and things will finally become interesting after that. Rumors have it that Arthur Blank and his mustache will take Matt Ryan, but in my opinion, Glen Dorsey will be the better pick.
Stay tuned, kids.
The NFL Draft is just 20 hours away — are you excited? I am
I’ve been perusing the mock drafts, including the one in today’s Daily Campus, and it looks like Tyvon Branch has a good chance of being taken on the first day. In Todd McShay’s — or as I like to call him, Mel Kiper Jr. Jr. — last mock draft, he has Branch going at pick No. 61 to the Dallas Cowboys. He also has also has Donald Thomas going to the Packers in the fourth round (pick 198).
But more importantly, McShay has linebacker Danny Lansanah being selected with the last pick of the draft, thus making him the 2008 “Mr. Irrelevant.” If that’s the case, I will be attending the parade.
Check back tomorrow, as I’ll be posting a running commentary of the draft.
Just got word from men’s basketball SID Kyle Muncy, and it looks like Hasheem Thabeet won’t be making his decision tonight. With Spring Weekend officially kicking off tonight, I didn’t think he would be to begin with.
The deadline to declare is rapidly approaching, and the feeling around campus is that Thabeet will be staying another year. Obviously, that is just a gut reaction and it could be 100 percent wrong, but I would put money on the deadline passing without the big sophomore on the list of declared prospects.
I’ll be sure to post again when I catch word of any new developments.
(Also, for those who frequent the blog, it appears if I can’t bold on MACs. Damn.)
Sophomore Curtis Kelly intends to transfer after this semester, head coach Jim Calhoun announced Tuesday. Here’s a look at the press release sent over form UConn Athletics. Expect an article in tomorrow’s sports section and updates on the situation later.
University of Connecticut sophomore Curtis Kelly has asked for permission to speak to other schools and will be transferring from the University, it was announced by Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Calhoun Tuesday afternoon.
Kelly will complete the spring academic semester at UConn.
“Curtis and I met over the last several weeks and, although he loves the program, he would like more playing time,” said Calhoun. “He and I both agree that he may have more opportunity for that playing time in another program. We wish Curtis the best of luck and success at wherever he decides to continue his college career.”
“I love being here at UConn and have enjoyed my time over the past two years,” said Kelly. “That was the toughest thing about this decision. But after talking with my family and with Coach Calhoun, I feel I will have a better opportunity and get more out of my college experience if I go somewhere else. I respect Coach Calhoun and will miss my teammates and the many friends I have here at UConn.
“I know that the guys here will have a great chance to do some special things next year, but I needed to be true to what will make me happy. I have learned a lot from Coach Calhoun and I know that everything I have experienced the past two seasons will help me in the future.”
Kelly appeared in 24 games in 2007-08 as a sophomore, averaging 2.0 points and 1.8 rebounds. He missed the final six games of the season after suffering a dislocated left elbow on February 23 in a game at Villanova.
Kelly played in 51 games in his two seasons at Connecticut, starting one, and averaged 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
3:40 p.m.
White wins! White wins!
Receiver neophyte Darius Butler hauls down a 27-yard touchdown from Zach Frazer with 3:09 to play, and White beats Blue, 21-20.
If you like running and screen passes, you loved this game. The two teams combined for 280 yards rushing on 72 carries. Robbie Frey led all rushers with 92 yards on 14 carries with a TD, and Meme Wylie had 88 on 14 carries, including a 34-yarder that set up the winning score. Andre Dixon churned out 69 yards on 19 carries.
In the passing game, Frazer didn’t look too bad for his first start, with 272 yards on 27 attempts, though he had a bad interception in the end zone early in the fourth quarter.
All of the wrap-up stuff will be in Monday’s paper, though I think you all should know that Tyler Lorenzen would want his one superpower to be “two superpowers - teleportation and the ability to fly.”
Also notable from the postgame presser: Randy Edsall’s impassioned Gettysburg Address in favor of the proposed 10-game series with Notre Dame (which would include no Rentschler dates). I’ve made my feelings on the subect known in the past (check the DC archives…probably somewhere in February), but if I can transcribe some of the coach’s quotes later today, I’ll do so.
But for now, so long from Rentschler Field, where the result is irrelevant, but at least kickoff for Hofstra is just 19 weeks away.
1:20 p.m.
We are rolling along here at the Rent. We’re already 10 minutes into halftime festivities, which are suspisciously similar to the media timeout games played at basketball games.
Anyway, the White team (1st-team defense) leads Blue, 14-10, at the break.
Not much in the way of a standout performer; both Cody Endres and Zach Frazer have been handcuffed, play-calling wise. Lots of screens and swing passes so far. They’ve both confusingly switched teams in the first half; Endres is a combined 11-for-16 for 93 yards, while Frazer is 7-for-14 for 139 yards (including a 59-yard pass to a wide-open Marcus Easley over the middle, as well as a QB-sneak touchdown).
Both quarterbacks, especially with a nod toward Frazer, have made some poor decisions with the ball, which is not a good augur of success. Edsall likes
Given injuries to 3 potential starters at receiver and Lorenzen, it’s hard to take much away from the Huskies’ passing game, though Easley, Robert Theoudele and tight end Yianni Apostolakos have made a couple nice plays.
The offensive star so far, though, has been Robbie Frey. Frey has 76 yards on 11 carries - albeit against the second-team D - and was the workhorse on White’s last touchdown drive.
Can we start calling UConn ‘Running Back U.?’ The Huskies appear to have three starter-quality tailbacks (Frey, Donald Brown, Andre Dixon - the latter two of course having started last year) and Meme Wylie isn’t all that far behind.
White (Frey/Wylie) backs have rushed for 112 yards on 23 carries, while the Blue backs (Dixon/Brown) have 41 rushing yards and 39 receiving yards between them.
Defensively, various players have dropped interceptions, but otherwise both have done a good job against the pass. The first-team D has been a little rough around the edges, allowing almost 6 yards per play.
Back with more if breaks allow.
12:01 p.m.
Randy Edsall just announced his four captains for the 2008 season (two offense, two defense), and they are as follows:
WR #14 D.J. Hernandez
QB #4 Tyler Lorenzen
CB/WR #1 Darius Butler
DE #50 Cody Brown
We just had the coin toss, and in the first of I’m sure many hilarious jokes from the assembled media, I overheard that UConn won the toss. Chuckle.
It looks like the White team will get the ball first (no kickoffs and only fair catches on punts). Stay with us.
11:55 a.m.
Welcome to the ghost town known as Rentschler Field, where it is a gorgeous 73 degrees, without a cloud in the sky and with very few butts in the seats. We’ll be here all day for the Blue-White game - unlike most of the UConn fans, as only a tiny minority of the Rent is filled up.
Seriously, UConn - http://media.www.dailycampus.com/media/storage/paper340/news/2008/04/17/Sports/Bring.BlueWhite.Game.To.Memorial-3332210.shtml
Let’s juice it up a bit.
Attendance woes aside, it is a perfect day for football. It’s great to be back at Rentschler Field for the first time since late November.
The Huskies, of course, finished 9-4 last year with a trip to the Meineke Car Care Bowl. UConn returns 17 starters and most of the key contributors, and so today’s game will be an interesting look at how far everyone’s come.
The Blue team will be your first-team offense (quarterbacked by Notre Dame transfer Zach Frazer, in lieu of injured starter Tyler Lorenzen) and second-team defense. The White jerseys will be your first-team defense and second-team offense. The game’s on Cox TV, but if you’re on campus and don’t get it, stay here and we’ll give you the jist of it.
From Horsebarn Hill to Hilltop - we’ve got you covered.
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