First, I have to say that reducing the time limit on the first round picks from 15 minutes to 10 minutes was a genius move. The pace picked up and it wasn’t so agonizing that I could actually watch the whole round without thinking the world was passing me by. The first day was reduced from 6.5 hours to just fewer than 4. Great job Mr. Commissioner!

Congratulations to Vernon Gholston! The 6th overall pick to the New York Jets in the first round. Great decisions all around. I’m not a big fan of a player leaving early unless he is assured a first round selection and if he is legitimately ready for the next level at his position. Vernon is ready to play in the NFL and he went where expected, to a team that can really use a player with his abilities. Now it’s time to prepare for a much longer season in a whole new world. Good Luck Vernon!

We knew with so many Buckeyes electing to return for their senior season, the draft would be thin for the Bucks but I was glad to see Kirk Barton and Larry Grant get drafted. After the first couple of rounds, it is impossible to predict where you may go. There are so many trades and moves, that in some instances it is sometimes a good idea to wait and sign as a free agent, so you can pick a team that would give you the best chance of making a roster. But on the other hand, it is very hard to reject an offer to be drafted, regardless of the team.

Larry Grant was the first of the two to go in the 7th round (214 pick) to the San Francisco 49ers. Grant is from California and went to San Francisco Junior College, so he gets to go home and even though he didn’t get the spot light at OSU, I think the 9ers will be pleasantly surprised with their last pick. Good luck Larry!

Barton was the 247 selection in the 7th round to the Chicago Bears. This may be a tough place for Kirk to make the roster but a good place for him to prove his worth to the league and if he doesn’t make the cut, he could get picked up down the line by another team looking for a tough, well coached, high quality young man with great credentials. Hope he makes the cut but I still see him spending some time in the league. Go getem’ Kirk!

I thought the feel good story of the draft was Caleb Campbell from Army going in the 7th round to the Detroit Lions. Obviously he is a long shot to make the team as a DB but may make the roster as a special team player. The reason this is so cool, is that for the first time, the military has changed their policy on athletes going to the pros after their military commitment has ended. Caleb, if he makes the roster, will be able to stay with the team and serve his country in the off season in a domestic role as a recruiter or the like. Good PR move Mr. Chief of Staff.

Then there is always the Mr. Irrelevant pick. This is the last man selected in the draft. This goes to Davis Vobora, a DB from Idaho to the St. Louis Rams. Now, even though he did get drafted and has a very low chance of making the Rams roster, he does get a shot at stardom since Mr. Irrelevant gets a guest spot on the David Letterman show. Maybe he can sing or dance?

As far as the rest of the draft, beyond moving much faster, it went pretty much as planned. There were a couple very good moves for some teams moving up to get there picks. I think that Washington and Baltimore did well. I think the Brown and Bengals improved their opportunities and the Colts, Giants and Pats filled some of their holes. I thought it was interesting that the “character” issue was so pronounced in the league and with the media. I know it’s a lot of rhetoric for the “analysts” to waste hour upon hours talking about but I hope it makes the up and comers more aware of the off-the-field exploits in the future. We’ll see how it all falls out. A lot of guys go in every year and most of them end up preparing for the real world.

On the rest of the Bucks, only the two fullbacks, Dionte Johnson and Tyler Whaley signed free agent contracts on draft day. Dionte went to the Cardinals where his father’s teammate Maurice Carthon now coaches the running backs. Tyler was picked up by the Bengals where his dream will continue after walking on at OSU. Good luck guys, give’em your best.

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