NFL Draft 2008 Archives

Chiefs unveil their first rounders

April 29, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

The future of the Chiefs offensive and defensive line met with the media yesterday in Kansas City as the Chiefs introduced their first round picks…defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and offensive guard Branden Albert.

Dorsey admitted that he was nervous before the Chiefs selected him with the number five pick. There was some uncertainty before the Rams selected Chris Long, whether or not they would go with Long or Dorsey. There would never be any doubt that the Chiefs would let Dorsey get by.

As far as Albert, he can play offensive guard or tackle, and wouldn’t say for sure where the Chiefs plan to play him. The fact is, the Chiefs may not even be sure yet. Albert said once he heard the Chiefs traded with Detroit to move up two spots from 17 to 15, he knew the Chiefs were targeting him.

Both players spoke about getting ready to come to camp and being apart of turning things around for Kansas City. Dorsey, also put to bed any worries that there are health concerns.

Download/listen to Chiefs picks (MP3)

MU’s Pig to sign with Chiefs

April 29, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

Pig Brown will get a chance with the Chiefs The Kansas City Star is reporting that former Missouri Tigers safety Pig Brown will be in Kansas City later this week to take a physical and sign a free agent contract with the Chiefs.

If all goes well from the physical, which Brown has almost fully recovered from an torn achilles tendon, Brown will join former Tiger Will Franklin in summer camp. Brown had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, one coming on a 100 yard touchdown in the first game last year against Illinois.

Brown got injured late in the game against Iowa State, but was allowed to travel with the team on all road games, a rule bent by head coach Gary Pinkel that injured players don’t travel with the team. Brown was an emotional leader for the defense on the sidelines the rest of the season.

He’s a great kid and you wish nothing but the best for him.

Download/Listen: Pig Brown’s comments (1:00 MP3)

Lindenwood’s Brian Schaefering agrees to sign with Cleveland

April 29, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

Brian Schaefering (courtesy LU Sport Info Office) Lindenwood football player Brian Schaefering has agreed to sign a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns. Schaefering played one season for Lindenwood after transferring from Illinois. He was a 2007 first-team all-HAAC selection and an honorable mention All-American pick by the Victory Sports Network.
He led the team with 6.5 sacks and was tied for second in the HAAC and 19th in the NAIA with 0.70 sacks a game. He also recorded 19 solo tackles, 18 assisted tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.

Schaefering helped the squad to a 10-2 record, including a 10-0 mark in games he played in. The Lions went 9-1 in conference play and won the HAAC Championship, their second in school history, and advanced to the NAIA Championship Series for the third time in school history. Schaefering helped the Lindenwood defense hold the opposition under 20 points in seven of the ten games that he played in.

Cleveland and Schaefering hope to continue a trend of success for former players of Lindenwood head coach Pat Ross. DeDe Dorsey won a Super Bowl ring for the 2007 Indianapolis Colts, and Derrick Ward was a member of the 2008 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.

courtesy: Lindenwood athletic department

The Chiefs make some quality picks

April 28, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

Just to say it again, I thought trading Jared Allen for three draft picks was the best move. Yes, he led the league in sacks at 15.2 last year, but he was unhappy and wanted out of KC. Plus, one more off the field incident and he was on his third strike and out for a year.

It all fell into place for KC in the first round after the Rams took Chris Long. Atlanta had to take a QB to rectify their situation, and I think Oakland muffed their pick by choosing an undersized, overrated running back in Darren McFadden.

So, that left the Chiefs to take DT Glenn Dorsey. He’s got the talent, but draft experts say he doesn’t have the desire. First, I’m not sure what that means, when I’ve watched him he’s been a dominate player. Even if he lacks that fire, Herm Edwards is good with his players and I think the two of them will be a good match. With the fifth pick, they’ve filled some, if not most of the hole created by the departure of Allen.

With the next two picks coming from Minnesota, they moved up a couple of spots to get Branden Albert of Virginia, the OG that will help immediately on their offensive line. He can play guard or tackle and he could develop into one of the best lineman of this draft. Then with pick 35, they got Brandon Flowers, a CB with not a lot of explosive speed, but someone who will fit in well with the Chiefs veteran corners.

Getting a running back in Jamaal Charles from Texas, this guy could develop into a good third down back. He’s got speed and would allow Kolby Smith to get more carries. Brad Cottam, the TE from Tennessee will be a project, someone who will have time to learn under Tony Gonzalez.

In addition to Flowers, they also added DaJuan Morgan, a safety and Brandon Carr another CB from D-2 Grand Valley State. Both players are athletic, a lot of team speed.

The two picks I like, WR Will Franklin from Mizzou in the 4^th round and Kevin Robinson, another WR from Utah State. I think Franklin is underrated and he showed his skills at the combine and MU pro day. He’s going to turn into a dependable pass catcher with speed. Robinson will help a dismal return game. Probably good as a 4^th receiver at best.

The same things said about Dorsey’s lack of passion they say about Clemson’s Barry Richardson, another offensive tackle. Again, he’s got the talent, I’m not sure I understand what lack of passion means?

Brian Johnston, DE Gardner-Webb and offensive lineman Mike Merritt both taken in the 7^th round, are scouted as being big physical players. Once you get this low, it’s really a crap shoot as to whether or not they have an impact.

Chiefs add a kicker to list of rookie free agent signings

April 28, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

With the draft over, the Kansas City Chiefs have started adding non-drafted rookie free agents. Here is a list I found on ChiefsWarPath.com .

RB Kalvin McRae
College: Ohio
Height: 5-9
Weight: 203
Notes: Natural runner with good instincts, but does not have great speed and lacks a burst. Was a four year starter at Ohio where he set the school’s all-time career rushing mark.

PK Connor Barth
College: North Carolina
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
Notes: Has a big leg and can handle pressure, but is slow on some of his kicks leading to his attempts getting blocked. Was a four year starter at North Carolina.

DL Derek Lokey
College: Texas
Height: 6-1
Weight: 293
Notes: Relentless with a non-stop motor, but does not have the size or bulk you look for in a defensive lineman. Was a two-year starter at Texas. Could transition to an NFL fullback.

QB Ricky Santos
College: New Hampshire
Height: 6-0
Weight: 209
Notes: Has decent mobility and is very accurate, but he did not play against big-time competition in college. Started four years at New Hampshire where he was named the top player in I-AA football in 2006.

Rams add 12 rookie free agents

April 28, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

On the heels of the 2008 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams have agreed to terms with 12 rookie free agents, the team announced today. The players are:

Yvenson Bernard–RB Oregon State

Vernon Bryant–DT Hampton

Matt Caddell–WR Alabama

Vincent Hall–LB Virginia Tech

Rodney Hardeway–DE Louisiana-Lafayette

Joshua Hyman–WR Virginia Tech

Doug Jones–TE Cincinnati .

Marc Magro–SLB West Virginia .

Brandon McAnderson–FB Kansas

Justin McKinney–CB Kansas State

Stephen Sene–OT Liberty

Joshua Thompson–NT Auburn

Bernard totaled 3,862 career rushing yards, second in school history. His 38 rushing touchdowns rank third on Oregon State’s all-time record list, while his 242 points scored rank fourth in school history. He also owns three of OSU’s top 10 single-season rushing performances.

Bryant started nine games in 2007, collecting a career-high 47 tackles (11 solo) while adding 3.0 sacks.

Caddell finished second on the team in receptions (40) and receiving yards (475) in 2007, adding two touchdowns.

Hall recorded 404 tackles at Virginia Tech while becoming only the ninth player in school history to lead the team in tackles twice in a career.

Hardeway led the Sun Belt Conference with 7.0 sacks in 2007.

Hyman finished fourth on the team in 2007 with 26 receptions for 343 yards and one touchdown.

Jones played tight end and fullback over the last four seasons for Cincinnati. Jones finished his career at Cincinnati with 50 catches for 452 yards with four touchdowns.

Magro started all 13 games for the Mountaineers in 2007, totaling 83 tackles and tying for the team-lead with 8.0 sacks.

McAnderson rushed for 1,125 yards with 16 touchdowns last season for the Jayhawks.

McKinney finished his career at Kansas State with 157 tackles and six interceptions. He also returned 20 kickoffs for 444 yards (22.2-yard average) with one touchdown. In 2007, McKinney led the Wildcats with 74 tackles.

Sene started for three seasons at left tackle for Liberty, earning Big South All-Conference honors in the last two seasons. Sene began his career at the University of South Carolina before transferring.

Thompson played in 49 games, starting 26 consecutive games to end his career. While at Auburn, Thompson recorded 138 tackles, and one sack. Last season, he led the Tigers with 67 tackles.

I think the Rams did well on draft day.

April 28, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

I’ll start first with the fact that the Rams got one of the two best defensive players available, with the Chiefs getting the other. The Rams went with Chris Long who has a great first step. He’ll be outside alongside last year’s first round pick Adam Carriker who will be better suited playing inside.

The Rams picked up Donnie Avery. The guy is fast and this could be the start of the second coming of the "Fastest Show On Turf." With the Rams getting rid of Isaac Bruce, Avery will be a good fit. They also picked up another fast receiver from Kentucky in Keenan Barton. I thought the Rams really lacked good go to receivers last year especially with Holt coming back from surgery. A healthy Holt with speedsters should give Bulger more targets.

As long as they can protect Bulger! The Rams addressed their offensive line needs with some guys who weren’t at the top of many of draft experts lists. John Greco, an offensive tackle from Toledo and Roy Schuening, of OG from Oregon State have some question marks, but the Rams feel these guys will contribute. Will they be able to step and give Bulger protection?

I’ve always thought, when healthy that the defensive secondary of the Rams was their strongest position. They picked Justin King a CB from Penn State who could become a nickel down back. Their 7^th round pick of Chris Chamberlain of Tulsa is a guy that not a lot of people paid attention to, but stuck out at Tulsa’s pro day.

I give the Rams a B+ for getting Chris Long and not trading that pick and grabbing two receivers and two offensive lineman.

33 trades made on Draft day, an NFL record

April 28, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

There were 33 trades that were made on Saturday and Sunday, which turned out to be an NFL record for a draft weekend. The Chiefs and Rams benefitted from their trade moves.

The Chiefs were one of the first to deal with Detroit. The Lions traded its first- (No. 15) and third-round (No. 76) picks to Kansas City for the Chiefs’ first- (No. 17), third- (No. 66) and fifth-round (No. 136) picks. Kansas City selected Branden Albert, OG, Virginia and Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee. After selecting Glenn Dorsey to address their defensive line needs, the Chiefs were able to use these two picks to address their offensive line and add some depth behind Tony Gonzales.

Late on Sunday, Green Bay traded its fourth-round (No. 128) pick to St. Louis for the Rams’ fifth- (No. 137) and seventh-round (No. 217) picks. St. Louis selected Keenan Burton, a wide receiver from Kentucky.

The Rams then picked up a two picks from Washinton, so they could move up to pick G Roy Schuening of Oregon State. Washington traded its fifth- (No. 157) and seventh-round (No. 228) picks to St. Louis for the Rams’ two sixth-round (No. 168) and (No. 180) picks. The Rams also took LB Chris Chamberlain of Tulsa.

The only other Missouri tie came when Dallas traded its fourth-round (No. 111) pick to Cleveland for the Browns 2009 third-round pick. Cleveland selected tight end Martin Rucker.

Undrafted Tigers catch on

April 28, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

While Will Franklin and Martin Rucker were drafted in the fourth round during the second day of the NFL draft, there were five other Missouri Tigers who will get opportunities this summer with NFL teams.

Defensive lineman Lorenzo Williams signed a contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Center Adam Spieker signed on with Oakland, while fellow linemate tackle Tyler Luellen will get a shot in San Diego’s summer camp.

Running back Tony Temple and cornerback Darnell Terrell will be joining Rucker in Cleveland as they signed on with the Browns to free agent contracts.

Rams’ Vobora Mr. Irrelevant

April 28, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

"I clicked over from my agent and he said, ‘Hey, this is Coach Linehan from the St. Louis Rams’ and I couldn’t help but smile. David Vobrora said. ‘Listen, you’re going to be our guy and you’re going to have a great opportunity. All this Mr. Irrelevant stuff, don’t pay much attention to that. You have this opportunity for you to come in. I think you’re going to help us. You come from a history of where I’ve been and I think we are going to mesh well."

That was how Idaho linebacker David Vobora recalled his conversation with Rams’ head coach Scott Linehan. Vobora played every linebacker position with Idaho but feels most comfortable as the strong outside linebacker.

Vobora was the last pick of the NFL draft. Vobora was a very productive linebacker during his four-year career with the Idaho Vandals, the collegiate home of Rams coach Scott Linehan. Vobora led his team in tackles in both of his last two seasons, finishing his college career with 341 stops, 209 solo. His 148 tackles as a senior ranked third in the NCAA.

The two-time team captain spent most of his career at weak side linebacker, but also started four games in the middle. For the Rams, he will start out as a strong side linebacker, but will possibly play some middle linebacker as well.