Sunday links/ Draft Day notables

April 26, 2008

By Drew Champlin

Here’s the story I wrote on Leodis McKelvin going to the Bills. It ran in Sunday’s Dothan Eagle.

It’s also got some draft info and quotes on other teams thanks to the help of strength coach Richard Shaughnessy.

Also, from the Advertiser in Lafayette, Troy and ULL split in baseball, with some quotes from Troy head coach Bobby Pierce.

Round 5 of the NFL Draft is starting right now as I edit this post. Troy LB Marcus Richardson could go in rounds 5 or 6.

EDIT 4:30 p.m. CST - Surprising that no other Trojans have gone since McKelvin in Round 1. Watch for Seattle’s two seventh-round picks. They told Troy kicker Greg Whibbs they would draft a kicker, and he was one of four they worked out.

EDIT 4:54 p.m. CST - Ah, well Seattle held true on their promise to draft a picker, but got the guy from Georgia. 19 picks left. At this point it’s almost better to be a free agent because you have your choice of teams to sign with (of course, the teams have to be interested in you).

Check the blog later Sunday and I should be able to let you know where any undrafted Trojans signed as free agents.

Post-spring look: LINEBACKER

By Drew Champlin

TOP GUYS: MLB - Boris Lee (Jr.), WLB - Bear Woods (Jr.)
TOP BACKUPS: MLB - Xavier Lamb (RFr.), WLB - David McDowell (Sr.)
TOP NEWCOMERS: Jacoby Thomas (Fr.), KaNorris Davis (Fr.)

Right now, Troy defensive coaches aren’t sure yet who will play the SAM linebacker position because they’re figuring out who the nickel back will be in the secondary, but there’s no question about it - Boris Lee and Bear Woods are the top linebackers.

Woods was the biggest surprise, and he’s starting to make the same transformation that former walk-ons Brannon Condren, Frankie Lloyd and Ryan Babb made into key starters on a defense that led Troy to a New Orleans Bowl win in 2006. Woods came to Troy as a walk-on in 2005. Woods may be listed as a senior, but he played just eight plays in the season opener in 2006, got injured, and didn’t play again. Troy will have to appeal for his fifth year and they should get it.

“He’s earned every bit of his starting spot,“ defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell said. “I hope it will be his position to lose when fall camp starts.“

A few other linebackers - senior Trinidy Thomas and redshirt freshmen Lennie Richardson and Donnell Golden - will be the mix. Davis and Thomas are two highly-rated linebacker signees.

Briefly spoke to Leodis

By Drew Champlin

About getting drafted. “I guess I’ll go make me some snow angels,“ he said.

McKelvin obviously thought he should have been picked higher, but was having a great time with family and friends, and was thrilled to be the first cornerback taken. I didn’t talk to him long, but got enough for a story for tomorrow.

McKelvin said he’d be in Buffalo Wednesday.

McKelvin picked by the Bills

By Drew Champlin

Leodis McKelvin goes No. 11 to the Bills. Reminds me of a quote he gave me Tuesday when I asked about Buffalo.

“If they sign me, I’ll be out there making snow angels. It doesn’t matter to me.”

I’m going to try to get him briefly today, not sure how that will work out because it’s a whirlwind in Atlanta, where his draft party is.

Here’s a Chris Berman quote on Troy - “They had a schedule tougher than half the NFL teams.“

McKelvin went at the same spot that Demarcus Ware did in 2005 to the Dallas Cowboys.

Saturday link

By Drew Champlin

Been a pretty busy week for me so I haven’t had a chance to touch on much baseball. Well, Troy lost at ULL last night 7-3. There’s a detailed game story from the Daily Advertiser. It mentions that the teams may play a doubleheader today because of bad weather.

Speaking of which, if you’ve got CSS, Troy@ULL Game 2 is on at 3 p.m. Maybe Leodis McKelvin will have been picked by then.

Check Sunday or Monday - I may have a good idea of where some guys end up as free agents if they don’t get picked.

EDIT - Looks like baseball today WILL BE A DOUBLEHEADER, Troy@ULL beginning at 3 p.m. First game is on TV, second game listen to Barry and Jason on the radio. Actually I’d check out Barry and Jason on the radio in Game 1 too.