Well known names pepper later NFL draft rounds
After threatening Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record in college, Kevin Smith now can concentrate – or at least dream about – Sanders’ marks with the Detroit Lions.
The Central Florida running back and nation’s leading rusher in 2007 was chosen atop the third round of the NFL draft Sunday. The Lions even traded up two spots with Miami for the privilege of beginning the second day by grabbing Smith.
Last season, Smith rushed for 2,567 yards and scored 29 touchdowns. Sanders’ set the single-season record with 2,628 in 1988, when he won the Heisman Trophy. He went on to a Hall of Fame career over the next decade with the Lions.
Detroit will settle for a semblance of that from Smith, who left the Conference USA school as a junior after first saying he would return to college.
“I never thought of myself as chasing Barry Sanders. He’s a legend,” Smith said. “My numbers might have been close, but I was just thrilled to be close to someone like that. Now I get to play in the same organization, which is a dream come true.”
He was one of two All-Americans chosen in the third round. Penn State LB Dan Connor went to Carolina 10 spots later.
Other third-rounders looking to prove themselves in the NFL will be defensive back Chevis Jackson (Atlanta), running back Jacob Hester (San Diego) and receiver Early Doucet (Arizona), all from national champion LSU.
Texas running back Jamaal Charles was chosen by Kansas City and West Virginia RB Steve Slaton was taken by Houston. The Giants took Michigan receiver Mario Manningham.
New England chose San Diego State quarterback Kevin O’Connell, causing one pundit to remark: “Is this the end of the Tom Brady era?”
Uh, no.
Another San Diego area QB went late in the fifth round when Josh Johnson of the University of San Diego Toreros was chosen by Tampa Bay.
Southern California quarterback John David Booty was the second selection in the fifth round, by Minnesota after the Vikings made an in-division deal with Green Bay. The Packers already had their QB of the future: Brian Brohm, chosen in the second round on Saturday, yet chose Matt Flynn of LSU in the seventh. Tennessee passer Erik Ainge went to the Jets at No. 162.
The Bengals grabbed Kansas tackle Anthony Collins, another All-American, midway in the fourth round, one spot after Cleveland got Missouri TE Martin Rucker, also an All-American.
Chicago took LSU safety Craig Steltz in the fourth round. Yep, Steltz was an All-American, too.
“OL Demetrius Bell, the estranged son of basketball great Karl Malone, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the 219th overall pick out of Northwestern State.
The two have been estranged for most of Bell’s life. And Bell, who switched from basketball to football three years ago at Northwestern State University, doesn’t expect that to change after he was selected with the 219th overall pick.
“I wouldn’t say it’s disappointing. All of that’s behind me now,” Bell said when asked if it mattered that he couldn’t share the achievement with Malone. “I feel good I made it this far. Nothing against him.”
“Chadron State running back Danny Woodhead, the NCAA’s career rushing leader, signed a free-agent deal with the New York Jets, according to his agent.
Woodhead ran for 7,962 yards in four seasons for Division II Chadron State in western Nebraska, though teams passed on him likely because he’s 5-foot-7.
“Quarterback Dennis Dixon, one of college football’s best players last season for Oregon before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round.
NFL approves Jones trade
The NFL formally approved Tennessee’s trade of suspended cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones to the Dallas Cowboys.
Jones must still be reinstated by commissioner Roger Goodell.
Jones’ agent Manny Arora declined to discuss the details of the contract Jones signed.
Dallas gave the Titans a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft and a sixth-rounder next year for Jones. The Cowboys would get back a fourth-rounder in 2009 if Pacman isn’t reinstated, or a fifth-rounder if he returns then gets punished again.
Lehr implicated by dealer
A convicted steroids dealer claims he sold steroids and human growth hormone to NFL offensive lineman Matt Lehr, according to a published report.
David Jacobs also told The Dallas Morning News that Lehr, who played four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before moving on to Atlanta, Tampa Bay and now the New Orleans Saints, used a hair loss prevention drug that can mask steroid use.