Local Players Get Good Reviews in Draft
Kentucky MUST be a footall state. Nine players from state schools were selected in this past weekend’s NFL Draft.
Here in Central Kentucky, four players from UK and one from EKU were drafted. All have received complimentary remarks from reporters and bloggers in their new cities.
EKU defensive back Antwaun Molden was the first local player selected. Molden went to Houston in the 3rd round. After transferring to Eastern from Toledo, Molden began to make a name for himself with his physical play. At 6-foot-2, 190 lbs., Molden has the size to cover NFL receivers.
UK fans might remember Molden from the first game of the 2007 season. Andre’ Woodson nearly had his completions streak broken when Molden picked off one of Woodson’s passes. There was a penalty on the play, wiping out Molden’s interception.
The Houston Chronicle praised the Texans’ selection of Molden, saying, “Molden will compete for a nickel job.” In other words, Molden won’t likely break into the Texan’s starting lineup as a cornerback, but will find time on the field when Houston goes to a nickel or dime package (five or six defensive backs).
In the 4th round, UK’s Jacob Tamme and Keenan Burton were selected, by Indianapolis and St. Louis, respectively. The knock on Tamme is he’s not a good run-blocking tight end. Tamme is projected as a possession-type tight end, one that will be able to stretch the field. The Indianapolis Star suggests the Colts were right to select two tight ends — Tamme, and Virginia’s Tom Santi, who is big and sought after for his ability to block. According to the Star, Indianapolis loves to run a two tight end set, something that’s sure to please quarterback Peyton Manning.
Burton heads to the Rams, where, according to St. Louis Today, the team is trying to replace its aging receiving corps. Once billed as The Greatest Show on Turf, because of the Rams blazing speed at wide out, things have changed over the past couple of years. Gone is Mike Martz, who orchestrated St. Louis’ run to the Super Bowl.
New Vice President of player personnel Billy Devaney also sent his scouts out with a directive: look for players with high character. “We kept stressing to our evaluators that we want smart, passionate and productive players,” Devaney said.
Devaney also said the Rams removed several players from their draft boards because of concerns. As UK fans can attest, Burton is of high character, having been the Wildcats’ emotional leader off the field.
The biggest disappointment was quarterback Andre’ Woodson’s meteoric fall. Woodson, once projected as a first day pick, fell to the 6th round, the 11th quarterback taken in the draft. The aforementioned Martz tried to change Woodson’s mechanics at the Senior Bowl. Woodson struggled with Martz’s suggestions.
It may have cost Woodson dearly. The Giants took Woodson, but already have four quarterbacks on their roster: starter Eli Manning, newly-signed David Carr, Anthony Wright and former Wildcat Jared Lorenzen, who recently signed a one-year tender with the club.
The New York Daily News says Woodson’s presence likely ends the Giants career of either Wright or Lorenzen. Coach Tom Coughlin also is quoted as saying Woodson was too good to pass up in the 6th round.
The last UK player taken was receiver Steve Johnson. The Bills took Johnson in the 7th round. According to the Buffalo News, Johnson is rated a good possession receiver, with the size and skills to challenge for a backup position. The News goes on to say that while not all players drafted by Buffalo will make the team, Johnson has the talent to compete for a job.
As these players will tell you, all they want is a chance to compete.
Three other Wildcats have signed free agent deals. Running back Rafael Little and center Eric Scott signed with Tennessee. Little is still trying to rehab his surgically repaired knee, while Scott is just two years into moving to center.
Linebacker Wesley Woodyard went undrafted, but was picked up by Denver. There are still some teams that think Woodyard might have to move to saftey to play in the NFL.
If Woodyard makes the Broncos squad, I’m sure some of the credit has to go to regional scout Champ Kelly. Kelly played at Kentucky, before spending time with the Horsemen. He now works for the Broncos, based out of Lexington.
Here’s hoping all these guys play for pay on Sundays.
Those are the highlights… Stay tuned.
