NFL Draft: Pro Sports Daily

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June 15

Cincinnati Enquirer

"University of Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks will skip his senior season with the Wildcats remain in the NBA Draft. Coach John Calipari reported on his Twitter page that Meeks will forego his senior season, saying, "Jodie called. He's keeping his name in the draft. He's excited and I'm excited for him. I wish I got the chance to coach him." Said Meeks in a statement released by UK: "I want to thank the fans and the city of Lexington. They have been great and I will always be a Kentucky Wildcat. I feel comfortable with my decision and I'm confident in my ability. My family and I talked over the weekend and decided this was the best decision." Meeks, a 6-foot-4 guard, led UK last season at 23.7 ..."

Nicks fills needs for Giants

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April 29

Charlotte Observer

"The Giants didn't trade for Anquan Boldin, but they drafted a receiver who many think compares to the Pro Bowler from the Cardinals. With the 29th pick in the draft, the Giants selected Hakeem Nicks, a 6-foot, 210-pound wide receiver from North Carolina. General manager Jerry Reese said the Giants never really entertained trading up or down in the draft order - although they were tempted when highly-touted receivers like Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin began to fall and waited patiently with the 29th pick. At that point they had four players in mind and selected Nicks, the only receiver among the four. Linebacker Rey Maualuga from USC was likely also in the group. "Obviously it's a ..."

Panthers give 'D' infusion via draft

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April 29

Charlotte Observer

""It was about time." Those words were coach John Fox's way of expressing his delight with the emphasis the Carolina Panthers placed on acquiring defensive help with their early picks in the NFL draft over the weekend. The Panthers used their first three selections - two second-rounders Saturday and a third-round pick Sunday - in an effort to improve a defense that ranked 18th in the league in total defense last season. Despite the fact that he is a former defensive coordinator, this is the first time in Fox's eight years as Panthers' coach that team has taken three defensive players consecutively at the top of their draft. Of the 21 players who comprised the first three picks from the past ..."

St. Louis Rams went for defense in NFL draft

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April 29

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"After an obvious nod in the direction of the team's greatest need - offensive tackle - the Rams' first draft with Billy Devaney as general manager and Steve Spagnuolo as head coach tilted decidedly toward defense. Four players coming out of this draft have a chance to make an immediate impact on the 2009 Rams, and three of them are defensive players. Following the selection of Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith at No. 2 overall, the Rams went defense, defense, defense over the weekend: - Second-round pick James Laurinaitis of Ohio State figures to be the team's starting middle linebacker on opening day. - Third-round pick Bradley Fletcher of Iowa has a chance to be the Rams' nickel back, ..."

Pat White can help Miami Dolphins revolutionize the NFL

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April 29

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Miami Dolphins czar Bill Parcells usually skips the Senior Bowl, but this year he wanted to see one specific player up close and personal. For one practice in Mobile, Ala., back in January, Parcells perched himself next to his former protege, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. The two watched the full practice session together, exchanging chit-chat, observations and opinions. According to two NFL scouts, most inside the NFL's scouting community concluded then and there that these two NFL heavyweights were locked in on the same prospect: West Virginia quarterback Pat White. That's why many NFL insiders weren't surprised the Miami Dolphins used a second-round pick on White. Parcells ..."

Colts pick and choose carefully during NFL draft

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April 28

Indianapolis Star

"How efficient were the Indianapolis Colts at addressing their various needs in the NFL draft? The biggest pre-draft needs were at wide receiver, defensive line and linebacker. Some needs were filled, and some weren't during the seven rounds. Here's a look at six key positions: Wide receiverAddition: Austin Collie, BYU (round 4). The skinny: He's considered a Brandon Stokley clone, adept at working out of the slot. Good hands, adequate speed. Collie will need time to digest coordinator Tom Moore's demanding offense, but should fit in nicely with Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez. Defensive tackleAddition: Fili Moala, USC (round 2), Terrance Taylor, Michigan (round 4). The skinny: What's not ..."

Inside the NFL: Grading the draft classes (prematurely)

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April 28

Contra Costa Times

"SO THE New York Jets are geniuses for boldly moving up to get USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. As for the Raiders, the only time anyone saw a longer reach than Darrius Heyward-Bey in the first round and Michael Mitchell in the second, Thomas Hearns was a 6-foot-2 welterweight. Former NFL coach Jim Mora is famous for saying, "You think you know, but you just don't know, and you never will." Not true with regard to the NFL draft. We'll know in three or four years. But where's the fun in that? The draft is the only place you can give final grades before even administering the test. Having hit exactly six of 32 picks in my mock draft (including three of the first four before finishing a robust ..."

Orakpo at ease with Redskins

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April 28

Washington Times

"Brian Orakpo has yet to suit up or even sign a contract with his new team, but the Washington Redskins' first-round draft pick already was flashing the savvy and preparation of a polished veteran. During his official introduction at Redskin Park on Monday, Orakpo struck all the right chords. Belying his fierce on-field persona, he was humble, gracious and affable. And smart. The former Texas defensive end called Dan Snyder "the greatest owner in the NFL," noting his "great charisma and great confidence." Considering that Snyder will pay his salary, which has yet to be negotiated, this can't hurt. Orakpo, the No. 13 pick, also proclaimed Jim Zorn "one of the greatest coaches in the league ..."

Missouri Tigers TE Chase Coffman goes to Cincinnati Bengals

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April 28

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Missouri tight end Chase Coffman acknowledged a slight case of nerves at the start of the second day of the NFL draft. To alleviate the tension, he went out and hit some golf balls. "By the time I got back, the draft had started, so I just hung out with my family," Coffman said. "It's one of those things where you're anxious. You want to get it over. You want to find out where you'll be." He returned in ample time to get the call from the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected him in the third round, 98th overall, and he wasted no time finding a comfort zone. Coffman will report to tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes, who played with Coffman's father, Paul, when the pair were tight ends for the ..."

Titans draft grades

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April 28

Tennessean

"JIM WYATTThe Titans took care of some of their biggest needs, and added some big-time college playmakers in Kenny Britt and Jared Cook. The addition of defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks bolsters the middle, and Javon Ringer should spark an interesting training camp battle at running back. GRADE: B. DAVID CLIMERThe national media won't like it, but what else is new? Kudos for picking a wide receiver in the first round. The key to this draft will be how players like Mouton, McRath and Kropog pan out. Picking late, the Titans kept pace with the competition in the AFC South. GRADE: B. JOE BIDDLEI really like the Kenny Britt pick, especially stuck down in the 30 spot. Jared Cook needs to keep ..."

Vikings' free agent signings

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April 28

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Colt Anderson, S, Montana, 5-9 1/2, 194: Hard hitter from a school that sent DBs Tuff Harris (Titans) and Kroy Bierrman (Falcons) to the NFL in the past three years. Kahlil Bell, RB, UCLA, 6-0, 219: Slowed by an ankle injury, averaged 2.8 yards per carry for a 4-8 team. Suspended as a sophomore after an altercation with a teammate. Jon Cooper, C, Oklahoma, 6-3, 290: Big 12 offensive lineman of the year, could also play guard. Scouts say he needs to add bulk. Robert Francois, LB, Boston College, 6-2, 244: Physical linebacker who was BC's special teams player of the year. Only 14 college starts. Sean Glennon, QB, Virginia Tech, 6-4, 224: Big, strong drop-back passer with up-and-down college ..."

Cable unfazed by criticism over Raiders' picks

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April 27

Oakland Tribune

"Raiders owner Al Davis has been down this road before. When you have been around for as long as Davis, you are bound to experience the gamut of praise and criticism. Draft analysts, columnists and fans teed off on Davis and the Raiders for the selection of Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and Ohio safety Michael Mitchell in the first and second rounds of the NFL draft Saturday. To that, former Raiders coach Jon Gruden said Sunday, "Al Davis doesn't care about what any of us think." And so Davis and Coach Tom Cable on Sunday went about the business of reloading the roster with players they deem capable of making a difference and being a part of the team's transformation from a ..."

Barnes packs brains, brawn

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April 27

Washington Examiner

"The YouTube clip increased his popularity. It started with him drilling a running back; it ended with the back on the ground losing a cup or more of a sports drink he had probably consumed earlier in the game. But Kevin Barnes, the Redskins third-round pick, is known for more than just his hits. It's also his brains - he scored a 41 on the Wonderlic test, the highest score by any potential draft pick this year. And he's smart enough to know the situation he's getting into with Washington. "I know they just re-signed DeAngelo [Hall], I know Carlos [Rogers] is on the last year of his deal and I know [Fred] Smoot is getting older," Barnes said. "I'm ready to compete and try and have an ..."

Skins address pressing needs

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April 27

Washington Examiner

"The Redskins managed to find a pass rusher and cornerback depth. What they didn't find was a strongside linebacker or a right tackle. So they may be forced to look inward for those answers. The Redskins said their right tackle position will be filled by Stephon Heyer or Jon Jansen. They also view newly-signed Mike Williams as a possibility. His presence prompted Washington to look at other positions later in the draft. "When we signed Mike the other day, the way he looked at the workout, that kind of helped that," Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said. "We put him in the mix at right tackle." However, Williams, the fourth overall pick in 2002, has not played since 2005 and ..."

Skins let draft come to them

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April 27

Washington Examiner

columnist Rick Snider

"Finally, Dan Snyder did nothing and good things happened. It only took the Redskins owner a decade to learn the best moves are sometimes the ones you don't make. Instead of overpaying once more to move up for a risky player, Snyder let the draft come to him and gained a player better than the 13th pick. First-rounder Brian Orakpo may be the final piece for a playoff defense. The Redskins were ranked fourth last year, but lost cornerback Shawn Springs. Orakpo's pass rush, with newly-acquired tackle Albert Haynesworth, should generate pressure and overcome any secondary shortcomings, not that the Redskins are weak there if healthy. Orakpo was a top-10 pick, maybe top six, so the Redskins for ..."

Sooner Juaquin Iglesias chosen by Bears in NFL draft

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April 27

The Oklahoman

"The Oklahoma-Chicago pipeline continued Sunday as the Bears selected Sooner wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias in the third round with the No. 99 overall pick during the NFL Draft in New York City. Four out of the last six drafts, the Bears have selected a Sooner. Igleisas was OU's leading receiver last year, catching 74 passes for 1,150 yards and 10 touchdowns. He will join ex-OU standouts Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek, both defensive tackles, on the Bears roster.Iglesias is the second Sooner taken in this year's draft."

Sooner Nic Harris drafted by Buffalo Bills

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April 27

The Oklahoman

"Outside linebacker Nic Harris became the third Oklahoma Sooner to be taken in the NFL Draft, going to the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round Sunday with the No. 147 overall pick. Earlier in the day, wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias was selected in the third round by the Chicago Bears. Offensive tackle Phil Loadholt was the first Sooner drafted, going in the second round Saturday to Minnesota.Curiously, OU offensive guard Duke Robinson, a two-time consensus All-American who some projected to go as high as the second round, still hadn't been taken heading into last few picks of the fifth round."

DE Brown, Meeks might be a match made in heaven

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April 27

Gaston Gazette

columnist Steve Reed

"Everette Brown is ecstatic about being a Carolina Panther, and it's not just because he'll be able to play so close to his Eastern North Carolina home of Stantonsville. What Brown is most excited about is playing for new Panthers defensive coordinator Ron Meeks. Meeks, who replaced Mike Trgovac this off-season, helped develop Robert Mathis (6-2, 245) and Dwight Freeney (6-1, 268) into star NFL defensive ends while in Indianapolis. Like Mathis, Brown is considered a little undersized for a 4-3 defensive end, coming to Carolina with a 6-foot-2, 256-pound frame, although the team believes he can add size and muscle mass. Freeney has 70.5 sacks in eight seasons with the Colts and has been to ..."

Ravens, Florida State kicker agree to deal

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April 27

Baltimore Sun

"In addition to University of Buffalo quarterback Drew Willy, who agreed to a rookie free-agent contract Sunday night, the Ravens have also agreed to contracts with Florida State kicker Graham Gano, Georgia linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, Michigan defensive tackle Will Johnson and Mississippi fullback Jason Cook, according to published reports. As a senior, Gano connected on 24 of 26 field goals for the Seminoles. He joins Steve Hauschka as the two kickers on the Ravens' roster. Gano can also punt. Ellerbe was rated as the 126th player overall by Pro Football Weekly going into the draft, but injury concerns and an off-the-field incident early in his Georgia career may have caused him to fall. ..."

No hesitation: Oakland goes for players it wants

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April 27

Sacramento Bee

"Florida wide receiver Louis Murphy had two questions when the Raiders called to let him know he had been drafted. He wanted to know the phone number for strength and conditioning coach Brad Roll and when he could find out about playing on special teams. Those are the humble qualities Raiders coach Tom Cable said he looked for, with the prerequisite impressive workout numbers, when selecting players Sunday on the final day of the 2009 NFL draft. Murphy, the first of the Raiders' two fourth-round picks, was a member of two national championship teams at Florida and a captain on last season's title-winning squad. Murphy played in the shadows of 2007 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim ..."

Several players with local ties find way into NFL

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April 27

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Headlines in Denver were a little misleading Sunday: Broncos trade for Cleveland's Quinn. No, not quarterback Brady Quinn. North Carolina tight end Richard Quinn, who is, to be accurate, from Maple Heights, was drafted by the Broncos with the last pick of the second round Saturday. Denver traded two third- round picks (Nos. 79 and 84) to the Pittsburgh Steelers to get Quinn with the 64th overall pick. "When the process started, I thought I just might be a free agent," Quinn told the Denver Post. "But then I went to the [NFL] Combine to show what I could do. Then I had several teams interested. But I was thinking third to seventh round. When my name was called in the second round, it was ..."

Cleveland Browns draft: Keeping Braylon Edwards and Brady Quinn a smart move

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April 27

Cleveland Plain Dealer

columnist Bud Shaw

"The first draft grades are in. My email informed of that this morning, offering "Early judgements on every team's draft class" in the Sporting News. I don't put much stock in such things and not just because the Steelers got a "F," while the Bengals scored an "A" and the Browns an "A minus". The Browns grade, by the way, is not based on the fact that they collected academic All-Americans. All that really does is assure that they will mount a serious challenge to the New York Times crossword puzzle on Sundays, not the Ravens and Steelers. It's because they filled a need in establishing a power running game and at wide receiver. The Sporting News grade gave the Browns credit for the Alex ..."

Browns tested center Alex Mack for both brains and brawn before draft

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April 27

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Browns new center Alex Mack is a California boy, but has strong Ohio roots. His dad, Steve, is from Lima, Ohio, and played basketball at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, not far from the Browns facility. Mack, the Browns first-round pick, spent his summers vacationing at the quaint, cottage community of Lakeside, Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie near Marblehead. His grandparents had a cabin there and the whole family gathered there every summer for a reunion and fish-fry. He still has an aunt and uncle and slew of cousins that live near Lima and Lakeside. "Half my family was beside themselves (Saturday), seeing me come out to Ohio again," he said during a press conference in Berea ..."

Early reviews look good for Browns' draft

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April 27

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The conventional wisdom is that it takes about three years to really determine how good a team's draft class really is. Of course, sports pundits have nothing better to do, so they're weighing in right now. For the Browns, it appears to be mostly positive. MSNBC.com likes the moves by new coach Eric Mangini, giving the team an A-minus: Eric Mangini hasn't made many fans in Cleveland, but this weekend should help win them over. They brilliantly moved down the draft board, grabbing three extra picks and three veterans. This was the perfect strategy for a thin roster in a deep draft without stars. Center Alex Mack, wideout Brian Robiskie, and OLB David Veikune all should help right away. ..."

Cleveland Browns' outlook is brighter after using 2009 NFL Draft to load up with intelligent players

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April 27

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"If nothing else, the Browns should be a smarter team in 2009. Their draft class is loaded with academic high-achievers. They completed their draft Sunday by taking: Southern California linebacker Kaluka Maiava in the fourth round. Norfolk State cornerback Don Carey in the sixth round. San Jose State cornerback Coye Francies in the sixth round. Clemson running back James Davis in the sixth round. Carey earned several academic scholarship offers out of high school and was accepted at Yale University but couldn't afford the tuition. All four of their first-day selections earned national or conference all-academic honors, and top pick Alex Mack won the Draddy Trophy as the sport's top ..."

Cleveland Browns' first-round pick Alex Mack tested hard by team

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April 27

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"New Browns center Alex Mack, right, is introduced to the media Sunday in Berea with General Manager George Kokinis. Mack is known for his intelligence, and the Browns put him to the test before making him their top pick in the draft Saturday. New Browns center Alex Mack is a California boy, but has strong Ohio roots. His dad, Steve, is from Lima, Ohio, and played basketball at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, not far from the Browns' headquarters. Mack, the Browns' first-round pick, spent his summers vacationing at the cottage community of Lakeside, Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie near Marblehead. His grandparents had a cabin there and the whole family gathered there every summer for ..."

Kinder, Gronkowski go in seventh

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April 27

Buffalo News

"Last week as they waited patiently for the day that would change their lives, Derek Kinder and Dan Gronkowski spoke about how agonizing the whole NFL draft experience can be. On Sunday, the waiting finally came to an end. Kinder, the former Albion and Pittsburgh wide receiver, was selected in the seventh round by the Chicago Bears with the 251st pick overall. Gronkowski, who starred at quarterback for Williamsville North before converting to tight end at Maryland, was picked 255th overall — one pick shy of Mr. Irrelevant—by the Detroit Lions. Kinder and Gronkowski were the only two players with local ties taken in the two-day draft. University at Buffalo quarterback Drew Willy, who ..."

Bills tight end Nelson may be a catch

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April 27

Buffalo News

"The Buffalo Bills added a very important weapon to their offense Sunday. For years, the Bills have lacked a pass-catching tight end who could stretch the middle of a defense and take some coverage off their outside receivers. They may have finally found their man in Southern Mississippi's Shawn Nelson. Don't mistake him for Tony Hunter, a receiving tight end from the 1983 draft who turned into a bust. Nelson is much better. In fact, he might be the most polished receiver at the position the Bills have ever had. And considering when they got him, Nelson could end up becoming a steal. Most analysts had Nelson as one of the top 50 players in the draft. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. rated ..."

Top picks get a taste of Ralph Wilson Stadium

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April 27

Buffalo News

"Eric Wood knows quite a bit about the Buffalo Bills' history. Wood and Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin greeted the media in Orchard Park on Sunday, one day after the Bills made them first-round selections during Saturday's NFL Draft. Wood, the center/ guard from Louisville, easily rattled off Bills greats from the past. "Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, Don Beebe, the list goes on—Thurman Thomas," he said. "I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of those guys that I watched as a kid and proud to be part of the organization that they helped bring to this point." Wood probably knows about the Super Bowl-era Bills based on ESPN Classic or the NFL Network—he was barely out of kindergarten during ..."

Is he a good pick? Depends on who picks him

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April 27

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"In college football there's a theory, supported by some solid evidence, that a high school player's rating is influenced by the schools recruiting him. A player can go from a three-star prospect to four stars when Urban Meyer shows up at his door. When that player decides to go to Florida, the Gators' recruiting grade gets an extra boost because they signed a four-star prospect instead of a three-star. Shady, right? A similar dynamic seems to be happening in the NFL draft. Players selected by the most successful organizations generally have their positives accentuated by the pundits and experts. So when the Indianapolis Colts took running back Donald Brown from Connecticut with the 27th ..."

One Big Question Mark

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April 27

Buffalo News

"The lack of sure-fire superstars makes the assessment of the NFL draft even more unpredictable than usual this year. The big value in the draft comes in all the potentially solid looking picks in the second, third and fourth rounds. The first round? There are almost no players who quite have the All-Pro pedigree of past top draftees and current NFL superstars like Peyton Manning, Julius Peppers, Joe Thomas or Champ Bailey. The best running back this year was not as good as last year's top back, Darren McFadden. The top quarterback is not nearly as highly regarded as Matt Ryan. Jake Long, last year's No. 1 pick, was better than this year's top lineman. The top defensive end last year, Chris ..."

Saints' stay in defensive posture

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April 27

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"For the first time in franchise history, a period scanning 42 colorful and bittersweet seasons, the Saints did notan offensive player in the NFL draft. Team officials picked two defensive players from Wake Forest in the fourth round Sunday, safety Chip Vaughn (116) and linebacker Stanley Arnoux (118), then wrapped up Day Two of the 74th annual draft by taking Southern Methodist punter Thomas Morstead in the fifth round. Those three players, coupled with their No. 1 pick, Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, left Saints coach/offensive play-caller Sean Payton chuckling at the irony. "I think some of you think it just kills me that we don't draft an offensive player," Payton told ..."

Payton defends Saints' picking punter

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April 27

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"The Saints saved their biggest splash of the draft weekend for the fifth round Sunday, when they traded two picks to move up andpunter Thomas Morstead out of SMU. The move wasn't exactly popular, judging by the overwhelming reaction on message boards and chat rooms. But it filled the biggest need remaining on the Saints' offseason wish list. "This was a position on our grease board at the end of the season that was a need," said Saints Coach Sean Payton, adding that the Saints first considered top free agents Shane Lechler and Michael Koenen before they were locked up by their current teams. Payton spoke highly of current punter Glenn Pakulak but said even Pakulak would admit that he ..."

Chargers' draft class of 2009

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April 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"ROUND 1 Pick 16 (No. 16 overall): LARRY ENGLISH, OLB, Northern Illinois Age: 23 Hometown: Aurora, Ill. Ht: 6-2; Wt: 256 Acee's analysis: Northern Illinois' all-time sacks leader with 31.5. His 63 tackles for loss are seventh-most since the NCAA started tracking that stat in 2000. School-record five sacks vs. Idaho in 2007. School-record six TFL vs. Temple in '06. Started 47 games. Was named top player in the Mid-American Conference by league coaches the past two seasons. Has had asthma since he was young. Medical redshirt in 2004 because of ankle injury. Links: - NFL.com page - Northern Illinois page - Action video - Archive interview video ROUND 3 Pick 14 (No. 78 overall): LOUIS ..."

Chargers go for intriguing mix on second day of draft

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April 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"An eclectic mix of second-day picks completed the Chargers' draft Sunday, as the team added depth and mystery at a variety of positions. Among the picks was a fourth-round defensive end built like a nose tackle who is from Jamaica by way of Canada. With their final selection, the Chargers took a receiver who is in the hospital recovering from injuries suffered in an automobile accident eight days ago while he was on his way to pick up his mother from church. In between came a slow running back, a smallish corner and a safety with a history of knee problems. But for a team coming off its third straight division title, already figuring it will be better in 2009 just by virtue of many of ..."

So which teams made the grade? Don't look to the AFC West

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April 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"AFC WEST CHARGERS: C- A.J. Smith took a guy from Western Ontario. What is this, hockey? Off to the penalty box, A.J. You generally work wondrously within the draft, but your selection of Larry English doesn't make the heart race. "Just a guy," Pro Football Weekly has said of English. KANSAS CITY: C On the first round's choice No. 3, Mark Sanchez was still there. Several teams were absolutely frothing at the mouth for Sanchez. By conducting an auction, the Missourians likely would have been enormously enriched. They chose another course, going for DE Tyson Jackson. DENVER: C- A franchise gone amuck. Alienating Jay Cutler, a towering talent, to a degree that he had to be sacrificed was ..."

Draft was typical A.J. - macho, creative, and with a soft touch

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April 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"They're probably closing schools today in Western Ontario. The Chargers may have just concluded the greatest draft in the history of Canada. Now we have to see how it plays in the States. It's already big north of the border. The Chargers on Sunday used their fourth-round draft choice on defensive end Vaughn Martin, a University of Western Ontario Mustang, who dresses out at 6-3, 327, soaked in maple syrup. Never heard of him? Doesn't matter. The kid could be the next Deacon Jones, eh? A whole lot of people didn't have the Chargers taking rush linebacker Larry English in the first round. When do we get a chance to see a kid from Northern Illinois play, let alone one from Western Ontario? ..."

Raiders' draft capsules

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April 27

Contra Costa Times

"Matt Shaughnessy n Selected: No. 71, third round Size: 6-foot-5, 263 pounds Position: Defensive end School: Wisconsin College highlights: Posted 40 tackles, including eight behind the line of scrimmage his senior season. Was voted team's defensive MVP after posting 18 tackles for loss, including five sacks, his junior season. Scouting report: Tough, hard-working player. Sustained knee and leg injuries during his collegiate career but battled back. Viewed as a pass-rush end in the NFL who needs work playing the run. Has the potential to become part of the defensive line rotation, if not a starter. Louis Murphy n Selected: No. 124, fourth round (from New England Patriots) Size: 6-2, 203 ..."

Criticism just rolls off Raiders

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April 27

Contra Costa Times

"Raiders managing general partner Al Davis has been down this road before. When you have been around for as long as Davis, you are bound to experience the gamut of praise and criticism. Draft analysts, columnists and fans teed off on Davis and the Raiders for the selection of Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and Ohio safety Michael Mitchell in the first and second rounds, respectively, of the NFL draft Saturday. To that, former Raiders coach Jon Gruden said Sunday, "Al Davis doesn't care about what any of us think." So it was that Davis and coach Tom Cable on Sunday went about the business of restocking the roster with players they deem capable of making a difference and being a ..."

Reviewing NFL draft, Twitter-style

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April 27

Contra Costa Times

columnist Cam Inman

"Reviewing this weekend's NFL draft, culled straight from Sunday's compilation on Twitter.com/CamInman: Amazing: neither the 49ers nor Raiders drafted an offensive tackle. Marvel Smith (SF) and Khalif Barnes (O) better pan out"

Follett's free-fall ends with Lions

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April 27

Contra Costa Times

"Sunday was a real pain in the neck for Zack Follett. Cal's former star linebacker, who was projected by most analysts to go in the fourth round of the NFL draft, had to wait until the middle of the seventh and final round to hear his name called. He was finally taken by the Detroit Lions with the 235th overall selection. Follett's agent, Kenny Chapman, said some teams told him Sunday that his client failed his physical because of a recurring neck injury. "We had a concern early on, but we had no clue that he did not pass the physicals," Chapman said. Follett spent most of his Cal career battling neck problems. He was forced out of three games during the 2007 season with a neck stinger and ..."

Raiders' player bios

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April 27

San Francisco Chronicle

"Matt Shaughnessy Defensive end, Wisconsin 3rd round, 71st overall Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 266 A developmental pick with two major injuries in college. Long arms as an edge rusher, very similar to new teammate Jay Richardson. Louis Murphy Wide receiver, Florida 4th round, 124th overall Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 203 A sub-4.4 sprinter with size. Led BCS-winning Gators with 655 receiving yards. A track star and Wing-T quarterback in high school. Slade Norris Linebacker, Oregon State 4th round, 126th overall Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 245 Started college at safety, finished at defensive end, will move to linebacker. Nineteen sacks in past two seasons. Another high motor guy."

RAIDERS

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April 27

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders coach Tom Cable isn't afraid to admit what everyone has long known in these parts. You know all those draft-related stereotypes about Raiders owner Al Davis, that height-weight-speed lover who covets players who look great running on a track and even greater getting off the bus? Well, they're true. "We do things here in a certain way," Cable said. "I think there's a lot of fact to that. Whether you want to call it the Al Davis way, the Oakland Raider way, it's our way." So that's that. The Raiders did it the Davis way - which is now Cable's adopted way - Sunday by adding five fast and big picks to their draft class Sunday. They took size and speed in the third round with Wisconsin ..."

MEET MICHAEL CRABTREE

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April 27

San Francisco Chronicle

"Michael Crabtree Sr.'s days of driving a bread truck figure to be coming to a close. That's because Michael Crabtree Jr. soon will sign a contract with the 49ers that reflects his status as the No. 10 choice in the 2009 NFL draft. Players picked in that spot generally sign for between $15 million and $20 million. The younger Crabtree was introduced in a news conference Sunday at team headquarters in Santa Clara, with Crabtree the elder watching from the back of the room. "When he first started playing football, he could play any position," Crabtree Sr. said. "That's when I knew he had something special." Dad described his son as a "cool guy. He's laid back, (but has) a swagger on the ..."

Ravens hope for more from third-round pick

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April 27

Baltimore Sun

"The Ravens selected Nicholls State defensive back Lardarius Webb in the third round Sunday, hoping recent history doesn't repeat itself. It was only three years ago that the Ravens missed on another small-school defensive back, David Pittman, who became one of their biggest third-round busts. Asked about the challenge of not coming from a Division I school, Webb said: "I think I have something to prove. I love the game. To get a chance to continue playing football on another level is perfect." Webb, who can play cornerback and safety, was compared with Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders by draft analyst Mel KiperJr. Webb has Division I experience, playing two seasons at Southern ..."

NFL draft winners and losers

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April 27

Baltimore Sun

"Winners: Dope smokers. The fact that wide receiver Percy Harvin failed a drug test at the combine did not prevent the Vikings from taking him in the first round. The Patriots took another player who reportedly failed the drug test at the combine, wide receiver Brandon Tate, in the third. And at least three other players who were first-round picks failed drug tests at their respective colleges, according to multiple NFL front office sources. Harvin and his agent, Joel Segal, executed a brilliant strategy and avoided what could have been a draft free fall. They never acknowledged that he failed a drug test. They never issued a public apology. Instead, in the two weeks before the draft, ..."

Oher confident of making early impact

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April 27

Baltimore Sun

"At his introductory news conference Sunday, Michael Oher showed that he is a fast learner. "I'm going to do everything I possibly can to get them to beat Pittsburgh," the Ravens' first-round draft pick said in his first answer to Baltimore reporters. Giving Oher (pronounced oar) a pat on the shoulder, Ravens coach John Harbaugh reiterated that the 6-foot-4, 309-pound offensive lineman will compete with Willie Anderson for the starting right tackle job. The pressure is on Oher to uphold the Ravens' tradition of rookies making an immediate impact. Six of the Ravens' past seven first-round picks - from Ed Reed in 2002 to quarterback Joe Flacco in 2008 - have started at least nine games their ..."

Ravens dropping ball at receiver?

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April 27

Baltimore Sun

columnist David Steele

"Now that the 2009 NFL draft is history, it appears that one big blight on the Ravens' drafting record remains, as does a major need on their roster. The drafting problem can't be denied: They once again couldn't nab a big-time wide receiver. The need, however, is something the Ravens aren't ready to acknowledge. "If we get a healthy Demetrius Williams back, and he's working toward that," Ozzie Newsome said Sunday as he took part in Michael Oher's introductory news conference, "the way we can protect it, the way Joe [Flacco] can throw it, the way we can run it, the way we play defense and special teams - we'll be around at the end of December and January with the team we have. I feel very ..."

Titans Use Draft to Fill Needs on Both Sides of the Ball

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April 27

Nashville City Paper

"Kenny Britt said being drafted by the Tennessee Titans felt like Christmas morning. "For me, it's like a little kid on Christmas. I'm surprised and really happy and blessed with the opportunity to live out my dream," said Britt, taken with the 30th pick overall, the first time a wide receiver has been Tennessee's top pick since 1998. The Titans themselves are hoping Britt and the other packages they opened on draft weekend can be gifts that not only can be used immediately but long-term as well. "If you look at the board and who we took, I think it was a very productive day for us. That being said, it still needs to work out on the field. Hopefully, we go on from here," Titans general ..."

Time to stop tantalizing fans and take advantage of talent

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April 27

Minneapolis Star Tribune

columnist Jim Souhan

"Since draft day 2007, the Vikings have acquired Adrian Peterson, Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin, three players faster than rumor and more elusive than the truth. Now we have to hope Brad Childress isn't lying awake at night, wondering, "How am I going to get the ball to Tahi?" Tahi is the Vikings' blocking fullback. His first name is Naufahu, which means "1-yard reception" in Tonga. On the first offensive play of the 2009 season, Childress will have the option of handing or throwing the ball to Peterson or Harvin, of lining Harvin up in the Wildcat formation, of throwing deep to Berrian, of creating a formation that includes Peterson, Harvin and Chester Taylor. What we fear is the always ..."