The Steelers drafted UCLA defensive end Bruce Davis with the 88th pick of the draft. 4-3 DE with pass rush ability, will stand up and convert into a 3-4 guy. He will be a project, but has the athleticism to make the transition.

MORE ON DAVIS

What a great second round gift. Ben has been asking for a big wide receiver and he got one in the form of Texas WR Limus Sweed.

Here is some info and his conference call.

* Limas Sweed Conference Call *

* Wide Receivers Coach Randy Fichtner *

* Limas Sweed Statistics *

The Pittsburgh Steelers have chosen Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall with the 23rd overall selection in the NFL draft. Mendenhall led the Big Ten in rushing yards and yards per carry, running 294 times for 1,434 yards and 19 touchdowns.
LINK

I never would of thought Mendenhall would of fell this far. I am very biased, but this could be the steal of the first round.

Here is my own mock draft...

1. 1 Miami Long, Jake OT, Michigan
2. 2 St. Louis Long, Chris DE, Virginia
3. 3 Atlanta Ryan, Matt QB, Boston College
4. 4 Oakland McFadden, Darren RB, Arkansas
5. 5 Kansas City Dorsey, Glenn DT, LSU
6. 6 New York Gholston, Vernon DE, Ohio State
7. 7 New England Rivers, Keith OLB, Southern Cal
8. 8 Baltimore Albert, Branden OG, Virginia
9. 9 Cincinnati Ellis, Sedrick DT, Southern Cal
10. 10 New Orleans McKelvin, Leodis CB, Troy
11. 11 Buffalo Thomas, Devin WR, Michigan State
12. 12 Denver Clady, Ryan OT, Boise State
13. 13 Carolina Otah, Jeff OT, Pittsburgh
14. 14 Chicago Mendenhall, Rashard RB, Illinois
15. 15 Detroit Harvey, Derrick DE, Florida
16. 16 Arizona Stewart, Jonathan RB, Oregon
17. 17 Kansas City Rodgers-Cromartie, D. CB, Tennessee State
18. 18 Houston Jenkins, Mike CB, South Florida
19. 19 Philadelphia Williams, Chris OT, Vanderbilt
20. 20 Tampa Bay Jackson, DeSean WR, California
21. 21 Washington Talib, Aqib CB, Kansas
22. 22 Dallas Sweed, Limas WR, Texas
23. 23 Pittsburgh Balmer, Kentwan DT, North Carolina
24. 24 Tennessee Merling, Phillip DE, Clemson
25. 25 Seattle Kelly, Malcolm WR, Oklahoma
26. 26 Jacksonville Mayo, Jerod ILB, Tennessee
27. 27 San Diego Cherilus, Gosder OT, Boston College
28. 28 Dallas Jones, Felix RB, Arkansas
29. 29 San Francisco Hardy, James WR, Indiana
30. 30 Green Bay Cason, Antoine CB, Arizona
31. 31 New York Connor, Dan ILB, Penn State

Here is the Lolley mock draft...

http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/2008/04/final-mock.html

1. Miami, Jake Long, OT, Michigan. Miami went the safe route and signed Long to a deal earlier this week. The Dolphins will likely take a quarterback with their first pick in the second round.
2. St. Louis, Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU. If the Rams stay in this spot, they’ll take Dorsey, but there are a number of teams who may want to move up to get him, New Orleans topping that list.
3. Atlanta, Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College. If Dorsey were still available, the Falcons may have taken him and waited until the second round for a QB. But Ryan is a nice consolation prize.
4. Oakland, Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas. How does Al Davis pass on former Raiders’ star Howie Long’s son, Chris? He’s apparently enamored with McFadden, even though the team has a bevy of running backs.
5. Kansas City, Chris Long, DE, Virginia. The trade of Jared Allen to Minnesota netted the Chiefs some extra picks, including Minnesota’s No. 1 this year. Now, the draft nets them a solid replacement for Allen.
6. New York Jets, Vernon Gholston, OLB, Ohio State. The Jets really wanted McFadden, but settle on Gholston, who will shift from defensive end to outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense.
7. New England (from San Francisco), Keith Rivers, LB, USC. The Patriots haven’t selected a linebacker before the fifth round of the draft since Bill Belichick became head coach. But retirements and free agency have made that a necessity now.
8. Baltimore, Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State. The Ravens could move up if Atlanta doesn’t select Ryan. But with Jonathan Ogden likely to retire, Clady fills a big need as well. Baltimore will take a QB in the second round.
9. Cincinnati, Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC. A high character player, Ellis may feel out of place in the Bengals’ locker room. But Cincinnati struck out in all its attempts to acquire a defensive tackle in the offseason.
10. New Orleans, Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy. If the Saints can’t move up to take Dorsey or Ellis, they’ll take a cornerback. McKelvin is also an excellent return man, allowing the Saints to hold Reggie Bush out of that role.
11. Buffalo, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie. The Bills could go for Michigan State wide receiver Devin Thomas, but will likely wait until the second round to fill that need. Rodgers-Cromartie has the size and speed to match up with bigger wideouts.
12. Denver, Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt. With Matt Lepsis’ retirement, the Broncos have a hole at left tackle. Williams fills that need, though there are some rumors that he has back problems, which could mean the Broncos take Branden Albert instead.
13. Carolina, Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida. Mike Rucker retired this week and the Panthers need somebody to take the pressure off of Julius Peppers rushing the passer.
14. Chicago, Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt. The Bears could take a running back, but Otah is just the type of road-grader offensive lineman the Bears like. They can then grab a running back in later rounds.
15. Detroit, Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois. The Lions released Kevin Jones and T.J. Duckett left in free agency. They would take Harvey if he’s available. But since he’s not, Mendenhall should be the pick.
16. Arizona, Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida. Antrel Rolle is making the move from corner to free safety leaving the Cards with a hole at cornerback. Jenkins is a solid player and gives Ken Whisenhunt some much-needed depth at the position.
17. Kansas City (from Minnesota), Branden Albert, OL, Virginia. Larry Johnson had nowhere to run for much of the season last year because the once-proud Chiefs offensive line was mediocre at best. Albert is an immediate starter.
18. Houston, Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon. The Texans wanted an offensive lineman or corner, but the guys they were targeting in the first round were off the board, so they fill another need, taking the bruising Stewart.
19. Philadelphia, Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State. The Eagles have been searching for a big wideout to pair with Donovan McNabb since Terrell Owens left. Now they get one in Thomas, who had a huge 2007 season.
20. Tampa Bay, Limas Sweed, WR, Texas. Joey Galloway is 36 years old, even though he hasn’t appeared to slow down much. But at some point, they need a talented young receiver to take his place.
21. Washington, Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson. New head coach Jim Zorn and owner Daniel Snyder attended Merling’s workouts earlier this week at Clemson. And defensive line is a huge need for the Redskins, though they’d take Thomas or Sweed if they were available.
22. Dallas (from Cleveland), Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas. After letting Julius Jones leave in free agency, the Cowboys get a speedy young running back to pair with Marion Barber.
23. Pittsburgh, Gosder Cherlius, OT, Boston College. There isn’t a defensive lineman the Steelers like in this spot and the only other player who might interest them is Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo. Cherlius fills a big need.
24. Tennessee, Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina. The Titans still have Albert Haynesworth, but need somebody to line up next to him. A wide receiver is possible – James Hardy? – but Jeff Fisher is a defensive-minded coach.
25. Seattle, Lawrence Jackson, USC. Jackson had an excellent on-campus workout a few weeks ago and was productive in USC’s defense. He’s a bit of a surprise here, though, since the Seahawks could also go for a tight end.
26. Jacksonville, Quinton Groves, DE/LB, Auburn. Groves will play defensive end for the Jaguars, who need some help at the position. They would have liked Balmer or Jackson, but settle for Groves.
27. San Diego, Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville. I don’t think the Chargers will be making this pick. But Brohm will be taken in this spot by a team at the top of the second round that wants to move up for a quarterback.
28. Dallas, Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas State. Talib would have gone earlier, but three positive drug tests in college force him down. As Jerry Jones proved earlier this week by trading for Pacman Jones, he doesn’t mind bringing in bad character players.
29. San Francisco (from Indianapolis), Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma. Kelly was once considered the top WR in this draft, but didn’t run well. But he’s a player and even though the 49ers signed Issac Bruce and Bryant Johnson, they need some talented youth at the position.
30. Green Bay, Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona. Cason was considered one of the top corners available until he didn’t run well at the combine. But he’s a playmaker and Green Bay’s starting corners are both over 30.
31. New England (pick forfeited)
32. New York Giants, Jerod Mayo, LB. Tennessee. The Giants could go for a corner or safety, but Mayo is too good to pass up at this point.

2008 NFL DRAFT NOTES

-- 73RD NFL DRAFT --

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, NEW YORK CITY

APRIL 26-27, 2008

_ _ _

THE “NEW” NFL DRAFT

DATE START ROUNDS SELECTION TIME

Saturday, April 26 3:00 PM ET Round 1 10 Minutes

Round 2 7 Minutes

Sunday, April 27 10:00 AM ET Rounds 3-7 5 Minutes

_ _ _

WOLVERINE BECOMES A DOLPHIN: With his selection by the Miami
Dolphins as the No. 1 overall

choice in the 2008 NFL Draft, Michigan tackle
JAKE LONG becomes the second Wolverine to be

taken with the top pick in the draft. Long joins running back
TOM HARMON, who was chosen No. 1

overall by the Chicago Bears in 1941.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN SELECTED NO. 1 OVERALL

YEAR PLAYER TEAM COLLEGE

1939 C Ki Aldrich Chicago Cardinals Texas Christian

1949 C Chuck Bednarik Philadelphia Pennsylvania

1961 G Ken Rice Buffalo (AFL) Auburn

1968 T Ron Yary Minnesota Southern California

1997 T Orlando Pace St. Louis Ohio State

2008 T Jake Long Miami Michigan

Long signed his contract with the Dolphins on Tuesday, April 22,
four days before the draft. Since

1970, following are the most days between a No. 1 overall
choice’s signing and the actual draft:

PLAYER COLLEGE TEAM SIGNING DRAFT DAYS BETWEEN

DE Bruce Smith Virginia Tech Buffalo 2/22/85 4/30/85 68

QB Vinny Testaverde Miami Tampa Bay 4/2/87 4/28/87 26

WR Irving Fryar Nebraska New England 4/10/84 5/1/84 21

DE Aundray Bruce Auburn Atlanta 4/6/88 4/24/88 18

T Jake Long Michigan Miami 4/22/08 4/26/08 4

ARKANSAS RBs: Two running backs from the same school have
been selected in the first round

three times since 1970. The 2008 draft could mark the fourth
such time with Arkansas running backs

FELIX JONES and DARREN MC
FADDEN projected to be first-round picks.

The three times since 1970 that running backs from the same
school were selected in the first round:

YEAR COLLEGE RUNNING BACKS

1971 Ohio State John Brockington (Green Bay) and Leo Hayden
(Minnesota)

1986 Florida John L. Williams (Seattle) and Neal Anderson
(Chicago)

2005 Auburn Ronnie Brown (Miami) and Cadillac Williams (Tampa
Bay)

ARKANSAS RBs SELECT ED IN THE FIRST ROUND

YEAR RUNNING BACK TEAM OVERALL SELECTION

1938 Jack Robbins Chicago Cardinals 5

1948 Clyde Scott Philadelphia Eagles 8

1967 Harry Jones Philadelphia Eagles 19

1983 Gary Anderson San Diego Chargers 20

_ _ _

DLs IN FIRST ROUND: This could be the first year since 1970
that three defensive linemen are

chosen within the first five picks. Louisiana State defensive
tackle GLENN DORSEY and defensive

ends VERNON GHOLSTON of Ohio
State and CHRIS LONG of Virginia are
possibilities to earn the

distinction.

The other time three defensive linemen were taken in the first
five picks since 1970 was in that year:

YEAR DLman COLLEGE TEAM OVERALL SELECTION

1970 DT Mike McCoy Notre Dame Green Bay 1

DT Phil Olsen Utah State Boston 4

DE Al Cowlings Southern California Buffalo 5

LOUSIANA STATE PLAYERS SELECTED IN THE TOP 10 (Since 1970)

YEAR PLAYER POSITION TEAM OVERALL SELECTION

1973 Bert Jones Quarterback Baltimore 2

1989 Eric Hill Linebacker Phoenix 10

2007 JaMarcus Russell Quarterback Oakland 1

LaRon Landry Safety Washington 6

VIRGINIA DEFENSIVE PLAYERS SELECTED IN THE FIRST ROUND

(All-Time)

YEAR PLAYER POSITION TEAM OVERALL SELECTION

1989 Jeff Lageman Defensive End N.Y. Jets 14

1997 James Farrior Linebacker N.Y. Jets 8

Jon Harris Defensive End Philadelphia 25

1999 Patrick Kerney Defensive End Atlanta 30

BIG TEN DEFENSIVE LINEMEN SELECTED IN THE TOP 5 (Since 1967)

YEAR PLAYER COLLEGE TEAM OVERALL SELECTION

1967 Bubba Smith Michigan State Baltimore 1

1973 Dave Butz Purdue Phoenix 5

1994 Dan Wilkinson Ohio State Cincinnati 1

1996 Simeon Rice Illinois Arizona 3

2000 Courtney Brown Penn State Cleveland 1

_ _ _

BOSTON COLLEGE PLAYERS SELECTED IN THE TOP 10

YEAR PLAYER POSITION TEAM OVERALL SELECTION

1943 Mike Holovak Running Back Los Angeles 5

1959 Don Allard Quarterback Washington 4

1967 Bob Hyland Guard Green Bay 9

1995 Mike Mamula Defensive End Philadelphia 7

_ _ _

FIRST-ROUND TRADES SINCE 1970

Draft First-Round Trades Draft First-Round Trades

1970 3 1989 11

1971 4 1990 8

1972 6 1991 8

1973 9 1992 9

1974 9 1993 11

1975 8 1994 11

1976 7 1995 15

1977 10 1996 11

1978 8 1997 13

1979 7 1998 8

1980 10 1999 11

1981 6 2000 12

1982 9 2001 14

1983 8 2002 11

1984 9 2003 9

1985 10 2004 9

1986 10 2005 5

1987 8 2006 4

1988 7 2007 7

(Yearly totals can include future selections traded in previous
years.)

CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 CHOICES FROM SAME COLLEGE

1937 Nebraska - HB Lloyd Cardwell
(7) and E Les McDonald (8)

1943 Minnesota - HB Bill Daley (7) and T Dick Wildung (8)

1946 Notre Dame - QB Johnny Lujack (4) and T George Connor
(5)

1948 Alabama - HB Lowell Tew (4) and C Vaughn Mancha (5)

1949 Notre Dame - QB Frank Tripucka (9) and G Bill Fischer
(10)

Southern Methodist - RB Doak Walker (3) and HB Paul Page (4)

1959 Ohio State - HB Don Clark (7) and C Dan James (8)

1967 Michigan State – DT Bubba Smith (1) and RB Clint Jones
(2)

1977 Southern California - T Marvin Powell (4) and DT Gary
Jeter (5)

1978 Notre Dame - TE Ken MacAfee (7) and DT Ross Browner (8)

1981 UCLA - RB Freeman McNeil (3) and DB Kenny Easley (4)

1984 Nebraska - WR Irving Fryar (1) and T Dean Steinkuhler
(2)

1990 Southern California - LB Junior Seau (5) and DB Mark
Carrier (6)

1991 Nebraska - DB Bruce Pickens (3) and LB Mike Croel (4)

Tennessee - T Charles McRae (7) and T Antone Davis (8)

1992 Stanford - T Bob Whitfield (8) and RB Tommy Vardell (9)

1993 Alabama - DE John Copeland (5) and DE Eric Curry (6)

1996 Illinois - LB Kevin Hardy (2) and DE Simeon Rice (3)

2000 Penn State - DE Courtney Brown (1) and LB LaVar
Arrington (2)

2002 Texas - T Mike Williams (4) and DB Quentin Jammer (5)

2004 Miami - S Sean Taylor (5) and TE Kellen Winslow (6)

OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE PLAYERS SELECTED

IN FIRST ROUND SINCE 1990

YEAR OFFENSE DEFENSE FIRST PICK

1990 11 14 Jeff George-QB

1991 13 14 Russell Maryland-DT

1992 13 15 Steve Emtman-DE

1993 15 14 Drew Bledsoe-QB

1994 13 16 Dan Wilkinson-DT

1995 18 14 Ki-Jana Carter-RB

1996 17 13 Keyshawn Johnson-WR

1997 14 16 Orlando Pace-T

1998 14 16 Peyton Manning-QB

1999 16 15 Tim Couch-QB

2000 17 14 Courtney Brown-DE

2001 15 16 Michael Vick-QB

2002 16 16 David Carr-QB

2003 14 18 Carson Palmer-QB

2004 19 13 Eli Manning-QB

2005 16 16 Alex Smith-QB

2006 19 13 Mario Williams-DE

2007 15 17 JaMarcus Russell-QB

“MOSTS”

Number of times QB and RB from same college have been chosen in
top 10: 10 –

1942 (QB Frank Albert, RB Pete Kmetovic-Stanford), 1943 (QB Jack
Jenkins, RB Bob Steuber-

Missouri), 1944 (QB Angelo Bertelli, RB Creighton Miller-Notre
Dame), 1946 (QB Frank Dancewicz,

QB Johnny Lujack, RB Emil Sitko-Notre Dame), 1947 (QB Ernie
Case, RB Cal Rossi-UCLA), 1948 (QB

Harry Gilmer, RB Lowell Tew-Alabama), 1983 (QB Todd Blackledge,
RB Curt Warner-Penn State),

1993 (QB Rick Mirer, RB Jerome Bettis- Notre Dame), 1995 (QB
Kerry Collins, RB Ki-Jana Carter-

Penn State), 2006 (QB Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush-Southern
California).

Number of times QB, RB and TE from same college have been chosen
in first

round: 2 - 1993 (QB Rick Mirer, RB
Jerome Bettis, TE Irv Smith-Notre Dame), 1995 (QB Kerry

Collins, RB Ki-Jana Carter, TE Kyle Brady-Penn State).

Most offensive linemen taken in first round: 10

1968 - T Ron Yary, C Robert Johnson, T Russ Washington, T Mike
Taylor, C Forrest Blue, G Maurice

Moorman, G George Daney, T John Williams, G Bill Lueck, T Doug
Crusan.

Most tight ends taken in first 100 picks: 9

2006 - Vernon Davis, Marcedes Lewis, Joe Klopfenstein, Anthony
Fasano, Tony Scheffler, Leonard

Pope, David Thomas, Dominique Bird, Owen Daniels.

Players from same college drafted No. 1 overall in consecutive
years:

1968-69: Southern California - T Ron Yary by Minnesota and RB
O.J. Simpson by Buffalo.

Colleges with most No. 1 overall draft choices:

Notre Dame (5) 1973: Walt Patulski, DE (Buffalo); 1957: Paul
Hornung, HB (Green

Bay); 1950: Leon Hart, E (Detroit); 1946: Frank Dancewicz, QB

(Boston Yanks); 1944: Angelo Bertelli, QB (Boston Yanks)

Southern California (5) 2003: Carson Palmer, QB (Cincinnati);
1996: Keyshawn Johnson,

WR (N.Y. Jets); 1977: Ricky Bell, RB (Tampa Bay); 1969: O.J.

Simpson, RB (Buffalo); 1968: Ron Yary, T (Minnesota)

Most first-round selections from one college in single year:
6

2004 - Miami (Sean Taylor, Kellen Winslow, Jonathan Vilma, D.J.
Williams, Vernon Carey, Vince

Wilfork).

Number of times wide receivers from same college have been
selected in first

round in consecutive years: 5
(Note: Ohio State, Louisiana State, Tennessee, Georgia Tech

had wide receivers selected in the first round in 2007.)

Ohio State – Joey Galloway (1995) and Terry Glenn (1996);
Santonio Holmes (2006) and Ted Ginn Jr.

(2007) and Anthony Gonzalez (2007)

Colorado – Charles Johnson (1994) and Michael Westbrook (1995)

Southern California – Curtis Conway (1993) and Johnnie Morton
(1994)

Tennessee – Anthony Hancock (1982) and Willie Gault (1983);
Willie Gault (1983) and Clyde Duncan

(1984)

College with most players taken in single draft:
Texas, 17 in 1984.

Consecutive first-round choices from same college that played
same position:

1991: Tennessee Ts Charles McRae (#7-Tampa Bay) and Antone Davis
(#8-Philadelphia).

1993: Alabama DEs John Copeland (#5-Cincinnati) and Eric Curry
(#6-Tampa Bay).

1997: Miami DEs Kenard Lang (#17-Washington) and Kenny Holmes
(#18-Tennessee).

Number of Pro Football Hall of Famers chosen No. 1 overall:
12

1942 – “Bullet” Bill Dudley/Pittsburgh; 1945 – Charley Trippi/Chicago
Cardinals; 1949 – Chuck

Bednarik/Philadelphia; 1957 – Paul Hornung/Green Bay; 1963 –
Buck Buchanan/Kansas City (AFL);

1968 – Ron Yary/Minnesota; 1969 – O.J. Simpson/Buffalo; 1970 –
Terry Bradshaw/Pittsburgh; 1976 –

Lee Roy Selmon/Tampa Bay; 1978 – Earl Campbell/Houston; 1983 –
John Elway/Baltimore Colts;

1989 – Troy Aikman/Dallas Cowboys.

Hall of Famers chosen consecutively in first round by same team
in one draft:

1965: Dick Butkus (#3-Illinois/LB) and Gale Sayers (#4-Kansas/RB)
by Chicago Bears.

Number of times in past 10 years that two players with same
surname were

drafted consecutively: 5

1998: Round 3 – T Robert Hicks (Buffalo/#68) and RB Skip Hicks
(Washington/#69)

2000: Round 6 – WR Emanuel Smith (Jacksonville/#196) and DE
Robaire Smith (Tennessee/#197)

2004: Round 7 – CB Nathan Jones (Dallas/#205) and WR Mark Jones
(Tampa Bay/#206)

2006: Round 1 – G Davin Joseph (Tampa Bay/#23) and DB Johnathan
Joseph (Cincinatti/#24)

2006: Round 4 – LB Leon Williams (Cleveland/#110) and WR
Demetrius Williams (Baltimore/#111)

DRAFT TIMES

NOTE: The first combined (AFL-NFL) draft in 1967 consisted of 17
rounds. In 1977, the draft

was reduced to 12 rounds. There were eight rounds in 1993 and
seven since 1994.

Longest first round since 1967: 2007 (6 hours, 8 minutes)

Shortest first round since 1967: 1972 (2 hours)

Longest seven-round draft: 2007 (18 hours, 5 minutes)

Shortest seven-round draft: 1998 (14 hours, 25 minutes)

Most number of rounds on draft day: 30 (1943-59 drafts)

CONFERENCES

Number of players drafted by conference since 1990:

1. SEC 661

2. BIG-10 582

3. PAC-10 571

4. ACC 457

5. BIG EAST 347

6. BIG-8 185 (Merged with SWC in 1996 to form Big 12)

7. SWC 160 (Merged with Big 8 in 1996 to form Big 12)

8. BIG 12 324 (1997 draft was first in Big 12 history)

9. WAC 188

10. MAC 100

Others:

INDEPENDENT – 379 BIG SKY – 42

CONFERENCE USA – 118 (1997 draft was first in history) OHIO
VALLEY – 38

SWAC – 78 GATEWAY – 36

MOUNTAIN WEST – 80 (2000 draft was first in history) SOUTHERN –
27

SOUTHLAND – 60 YANKEE – 15

MEAC – 51

COLLEGES WITH THREE PLAYERS DRAFTED

Number of times in past 10 years college has had at least 3
players chosen in first round: 18

1998: North Carolina – Greg Ellis/Dallas; Brian
Simmons/Cincinnati; Vonnie Holliday/GB.

Tennessee – Peyton Manning/Indianapolis; Terry Fair/Detroit;
Marcus Nash/Denver.

1999: Ohio State – David Boston/Arizona; Antoine
Winfield/Buffalo; Andy Katzenmoyer/New England.

2000: Florida State – Peter Warrick/Cincinnati; Corey
Simon/Philadelphia; Sebastian

Janikowski/Oakland.

2001: Miami (4) – Dan Morgan/Carolina; Damione Lewis/St. Louis;
Santana Moss/ N.Y. Jets; Reggie

Wayne/Indianapolis.

Michigan – David Terrell/Chicago; Steve Hutchinson/Seattle; Jeff
Backus/Detroit.

2002: Miami (5) – Bryant McKinnie/Minnesota; Jeremy Shockey/N.Y.
Giants; Phillip

Buchanon/Oakland; Ed Reed/Baltimore; Mike Rumph/San Francisco.

Tennessee – John Henderson/Jacksonville; Donte’ Stallworth/New
Orleans; Albert

Haynesworth/Tennessee.

2003: Miami (4) – Andre Johnson/Houston; Jerome McDougle/Philadelphia;
Willis McGahee/Buffalo;

William Joseph/N.Y. Giants.

Penn State (4) – Jimmy Kennedy/St. Louis; Michael
Haynes/Chicago; Bryant Johnson/Arizona;

Larry Johnson/Kansas City.

2004: Miami (6) – Sean Taylor/Washington; Kellen
Winslow/Cleveland; Jonathan Vilma/N.Y.

Jets; D.J. Williams/Denver; Vernon Carey/Miami; Vince Wilfork/New
England.

Ohio State – Will Smith/Saints, Chris Gamble/Panthers, Mike
Jenkins/Falcons.

2005: Auburn (4) – Ronnie Brown/Miami; Jason
Campbell/Washington; Carlos Rogers/Washington;

Carnell Williams/Tampa Bay.

2006: Ohio State (5) – A.J. Hawk/Green Bay; Donte Whitner/Buffalo;
Bobby Carpenter/Dallas;

Santonio Holmes/Pittsburgh; Nick Mangold/N.Y. Jets.

Florida State (4) – Ernie Sims/Detroit; Kamerion Wimbley/Cleveland;
Brodrick

Bunkley/Philadelphia; Antonio Cromartie/San Diego.

North Carolina State – Mario Williams/Houston; Manny Lawson/San
Francisco; John

McCargo/Buffalo.

2007: Louisiana State (4) – JaMarcus Russell/Oakland; LaRon
Landry/Washington; Dwayne

Bowe/Kansas City; Craig Davis/San Diego.

Miami – Brandon Meriweather/New England; Jon Beason/Carolina;
Greg Olsen/Chicago.

CALIFORNIA/TEXAS/FLORIDA

Number of times at least 3 players who played college football
in California have been selected

in top 10: 9

1942 Pete Kmetovic Stanford Philadelphia (#3)

Bob Robertson USC Brooklyn (#7)

Frankie Albert Stanford Chicago Bears (#10)

1947 Cal Rossi UCLA Washington (#4)

Ernie Case UCLA Green Bay (#6)

Herman Wedemeyer St. Mary’s (CA) Los Angeles (#9)

1953 Johnny Olszewski California Chicago Cardinals (#4)

Billy Anderson Compton J.C. Chicago Bears (#6)

Al Carmichael USC Green Bay (#7)

Donn Moomaw UCLA Los Angeles (#9)

1968 Ron Yary USC Minnesota (#1)

Haven Moses San Diego State Buffalo (#9)

Mike Taylor USC Pittsburgh (#10)

1972 Sherman White California Cincinnati (#2)

Gregory Sampson Stanford Houston (#6)

Willie Buchanon San Diego State Green Bay (#7)

Jeff Siemon Stanford Minnesota (#10)

1977 Ricky Bell USC Tampa Bay (#1)

Marvin Powell USC N.Y. Jets (#4)

Gary Jeter USC N.Y. Giants (#5)

1981 Freeman McNeil UCLA N.Y. Jets (#3)

Kenny Easley UCLA Seattle (#4)

Rich Campbell California Green Bay (#6)

Ronnie Lott USC San Francisco (#8)

1982 Chip Banks USC Cleveland (#3)

Darrin Nelson Stanford Minnesota (#7)

Marcus Allen USC Oakland (#10)

1994 Marshall Faulk San Diego State Indianapolis (#2)

Willie McGinest USC New England (#4)

Trent Dilfer Fresno State Tampa Bay (#6)

Jamir Miller UCLA Arizona (#10)

Number of times 3 players who played college football in Texas
have been selected in

top 10: 5

1939 Ki Aldrich Texas Christian Chicago Cardinals (#1)

Davey O’Brien Texas Christian Philadelphia (#4)

I.B. Hale Texas Christian Washington (#8)

1949 Doak Walker Southern Methodist Boston (#3)

Paul Page Southern Methodist New York (#4)

Robert Goode Texas A&M Washington (#8)

1958 King Hill Rice Chicago Cardinals (#1)

John David Crow Texas A&M Chicago Cardinals (#2)

Charlie Kreuger Texas A&M San Francisco (#9)

1970 Larry Stegent Texas A&M St. Louis (#8)

Cedrick Hardman N. Texas State San Francisco (#9)

Ken Burroughs Texas Southern New Orleans (#10)

1980 Johnny “Lam” Jones Texas NY Jets (#2)

Curtis Dickey Texas A&M Baltimore (#5)

Jacob Green Texas A&M Seattle (#10)

Number of times three players who played college football in
Florida have been selected

in top 10: 4

1987 Vinny Testaverde Miami Tampa Bay (#1)

Alonzo Highsmith Miami Houston (#3)

Jerome Brown Miami Philadelphia (#9)

1997 Peter Boulware Florida State Baltimore (#4)

Walter Jones Florida State Seattle (#6)

Ike Hilliard Florida N.Y. Giants (#7)

1998 Andre Wadsworth Florida State Arizona (#3)

Fred Taylor Florida Jacksonville (#9)

Duane Starks Miami Baltimore (#10)

2000 Peter Warrick Florida State Cincinnati (#4)

Corey Simon Florida State Philadelphia (#6)

Travis Taylor Florida Baltimore (#10)

FIRST ROUND BY POSITION

Most first-round selections by position (one year):

Quarterback (6-1983):

John Elway/Baltimore, Todd Blackledge/Kansas City, Jim

Kelly/Buffalo, Tony Eason/New England, Ken O’Brien/NY

Jets, Dan Marino/Miami

Halfback/Running Back (9-1938, 1941):

(Last time) 1941 – Tom Harmon/Chicago Bears, John

Kimbrough/Chicago Cardinals, Norm Standlee/Chicago

Bears, John Thomason/Detroit, George Franck/New York,

George Paskavan/Green Bay, Dean McAdams/Brooklyn,

Don Scott/Chicago Bears, Forrest Evashevski/Washington

Wide Receiver (7-2004):

Larry Fitzgerald/Arizona, Roy Williams/Detroit, Reggie

Williams/Jacksonville, Lee Evans/Buffalo, Michael

Clayton/Tampa Bay, Michael Jenkins/Atlanta, Rashaun

Woods/San Francisco.

Tight End (3-1970, 2002):

(Last time) 2002 – Jeremy Shockey/N.Y. Giants; Daniel

Graham/New England; Jerramy Stevens/Seattle

Center (2-1949, 1950, 1968):

(Last time) 1968 – Robert Johnson/Cincinnati, Forrest

Blue/San Francisco

Guard (4-1982):

Mike Munchak/Houston, Sean Farrell/Tampa Bay, Ron

Hallestrom/Green Bay, Roy Foster/Miami

Tackle (7-1966, 1996):

(Last time) 1996 – Jonathan Ogden/Baltimore, Willie

Anderson/Cincinnati, Pete Kendall/Seattle, Jermane

Mayberry/Philadelphia, John Michels/Green Bay, Jamain

Stephens/Pittsburgh, Andre Johnson/Washington

Defensive Back (7-1998, 2006):

(Last time) 2006 – Michael Huff/Texas, Donte

Williams/Buffalo, Tye Hill/St. Louis, Jason Allen/Miami,

Antonio Cromartie/San Diego, Johnathan

Joseph/Cincinnati, Kelly Jennings/Seattle

Linebacker (7-1990):

Keith McCants/Tampa Bay, Junior Seau/San Diego, Chris

Singleton/New England, James Francis/Cincinnati, Percy

Snow/Kansas City, Lamar Lathon/Houston, Tony

Bennett/GB

Defensive End (6-1992):

Steve Emtman/Indianapolis, Sean Gilbert/LA Rams,

Chester McGlockton/LA Raiders, Alonzo

Spellman/Chicago, Chris Mims/San Diego, Robert

Porcher/Detroit

Defensive Tackle (6-1977, 2001, 2003):

(Last time) 2003 – Dewayne Robertson/N.Y. Jets,

Johnathan Sullivan/New Orleans, Kevin

Williams/Minnesota, Jimmy Kennedy/St. Louis, Ty

Warren/New England, William Joseph/N.Y. Giants.

Nose Tackle (1-1986, 1988):

(Last time) 1988 –Ted Gregory/Denver

Kicker/Punter (1-1966, 1973, 1978, 1979, 2000):

(Last time) 2000 – K Sebastian Janikowski/Oakland

MOST PLAYERS DRAFTED FROM SINGLE SCHOOL SINCE 1970

Year College Players

1970 Grambling, Southern California 9

1971 Ohio State 13

1972 Michigan 10

1973 Oklahoma 11

1974 UCLA 12

1975 Southern California 14

1976 Nebraska, Ohio State 11

1977 Southern California 14

1978 Florida 10

1979 Notre Dame, Oklahoma 10

1980 Nebraska, Southern California 10

1981 Pittsburgh 12

1982 Texas 12

1983 Southern California 11

1984 Texas 17

1985 Wisconsin 11

1986 Illinois, Southern California 9

1987 Penn State 13

1988 Oklahoma 13

1989 Auburn 10

1990 Southern California 10

1991 Miami 11

1992 Washington 11

1993 Notre Dame, Miami 9

1994 Notre Dame 10

1995 Colorado, Florida State 10

1996 Penn State 10

1997 Arizona State, Miami, Nebraska 8

1998 Washington 10

1999 Florida, Ohio State 8

2000 Tennessee 9

2001 Florida State 9

2002 Miami 11

2003 Florida, Miami, Tennessee 8

2004 Ohio State 14

2005 Oklahoma 11

2006 Southern California 11

2007 Florida 9

UNDERCLASSMEN AND THE DRAFT

NOTE: In the 19 years underclassmen have been allowed in the
draft (since 1989), ten of the No. 1 overall

picks have been juniors (Jeff George – 1990, Steve Emtman –
1992, Drew Bledsoe – 1993, Dan Wilkinson –

1994, Ki-Jana Carter – 1995, Orlando Pace – 1997, Tim Couch –
1999, Michael Vick – 2001, Mario Williams –

2006, JaMarcus Russell – 2007).

Year Entered Drafted First-Round Picks

1989 25 12 3

1990 38 18 8

1991 33 22 4

1992 48 25 11

1993 46 24 10

1994 42 26 11

1995 42 22 11

1996 47 21 8

1997 44 27 13

1998 41 20 9

1999 42 27 10

2000 31 20 6

2001 36 31 13

2002 43 26 12

2003 45 32 10

2004 44 35 15

2005 49 38 10

2006 48 34 12

2007 40 29 14

2008 53 ??? ???

COLLEGES WITH MOST FIRST-ROUND PICKS

(Since first common draft in 1967)

College Total College Total

USC 56 Oklahoma 28

Miami (Fla.) 55 Nebraska 27

Ohio State 50 Alabama 26

Florida 35 Arizona State 22

Notre Dame 35 Michigan State 22

Florida State 34 UCLA 22

Tennessee 34 Texas A&M 21

Michigan 31 Colorado 20

Penn State 31 Georgia 20

Texas 30 Pittsburgh 20

COLLEGES WITH MOST FIRST-ROUND PICKS BY YEAR (Since 1967)

1967-Michigan State/4 1988-Arizona State, Miami, Oklahoma/2

1968-Southern California/5 1989-Florida/3

1969-Notre Dame, Ohio St., S. Cal./2 1990-Multiple with 2

1970-Oklahoma/3 1991-Tennessee/3

1971-Ohio State/4 1992-Multiple with 2

1972-Nebraska, Notre Dame/3 1993-Notre Dame/4

1973-Purdue, Southern California/3 1994-Notre Dame, Texas A&M/3

1974-Ohio State/3 1995- Fla. St., Michigan, Ohio St., Penn St./3

1975-Ohio State/3 1996-Ohio State/3

1976-Colorado, Oklahoma/3 1997-Florida State/4

1977-Southern California/3 1998-North Carolina, Tennessee/3

1978-Notre Dame/3 1999-Ohio State/3

1979-Multiple with 2 2000-Florida State/3

1980-Southern California, Texas/3 2001-Miami/4

1981-Southern California, Pittsburgh/3 2002-Miami/5

1982-Southern California/3 2003-Miami/4, Penn State/4

1983-Pittsburgh, Southern California/3 2004-Miami/6

1984-Maryland, Nebraska, Oklahoma/2 2005-Auburn/4

1985-Wisconsin/3 2006-Ohio State/5

1986-Iowa/3 2007-Lousiana State/4

1987-Miami/3

# # #

I mentioned earlier in the week how the Steelers have not been very successful in the later rounds of the draft as of the past few years. This morning Scott Brown touched on this as well in the Trib.

LINK HERE

Its time we start getting some depth and special teamers in this age of free agency.

Well word has got back to Terrell Owens about the porn picture and he is not too happy about it.

Link

As many know by now, I am very high on defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer. I think he would fit great into the Steelers defensive scheme and can function in the 3-4 or the 4-3. Here is a great article from the Charlotte Observer on him. With his stock soaring as of late, it is looking less and less he will fall to the Steelers in round one.