[img448d30f]http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/8136/minnesotao.jpg[/img448d30f]
2.28. QB Allen Kelley, Minnesota Golden Gophers
6-5, 233 lbs.
[img448d30f]http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/870/preview08.jpg[/img448d30f]
Drafted as a long term project with starting potential, Kelley will have time to hit the books and learn an expanded playbook. His seven formations now won't work in the CFL. I thought he looked like a pretty good candidate for the patched game, good potential in the screen pass, great potential in the short, medium, and deep pass game but the long ball escapes him. Accuracy, Timing, Sense Rush, Read Defense, Two Minute Offense are all potentially outstanding.
I liked his height and since anecdotal evidence suggests that FOF recognizes height in blocked passes, it was worth taking him at 6-5.
His combine skills were average for the league, but he didn't have any negatives. He'll be given time to develop.
[img448d30f]http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/3285/illinicoed.jpg[/img448d30f]
3.2. DE Alvin Blanchard, University of Illinois Fightin' Illini.
6-6, 305 lbs.
[img448d30f]http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/772/illini.jpg[/img448d30f]
The first in a pair of bookend Defensive Ends who could terrorize division rivals for years, Blanchard stands at 6-6 making it a challenge for rival qb's to dump off on the screen...translation...blocked passes.
There isn't really anything about his bars that are a negative, he looks to be a solid defensive end with huge upside.
[img448d30f]http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/7650/ark1bcs.jpg[/img448d30f]
3.4. DE Brock "The Knack" Barokas, Arkansas Razorbacks
6-6, 300 lbs.
[img448d30f]http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6946/728634.jpg[/img448d30f]
The guy intrigued me since he was a mirror image to the Illini defensive end. Same height, similar weight, similar ability. I drafted him to transition him to a dt, but the more I look at him and the other de, I'm thinking...what a hell of a combination in the future. So, he'll stay. Very low volatility could mean a creeper, but he'll be playing behind. RDE Ray Fitgerald.
[img448d30f]http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/8949/southcarolinacheerleade.jpg[/img448d30f]
3.8. TE Ian "George" Burns, South Carolina Gamecocks
6-0 240 lbs
[img448d30f]http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/7650/tightend.jpg[/img448d30f]
Okay, he's short and light for a tight end, but with the way I use the West Coast Passing Game, he fits us well. The guy doesn't drop the football, has good speed and courage, and adjusts to the ball. Route Running sucks, but he's not a wideout. Worth the gamble and with the tight ends I have on the roster, an improvement.
[img448d30f]http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4898/rugirlcd8.jpg[/img448d30f]
3-10. C Clifton Wilbanks, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
6-2 284 lbs.
[img448d30f]http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/5969/largerutgers20vs20navy.jpg[/img448d30f]
A need based pick, the centers were rapidly moving off the board and I needed a young long snapper and backup to nine year pro Monty "Python" Monroe, who isn't the world's greatest long snapper. Wilbanks was the best looking center with that ability left on the board, and I thought....heck..I've already had three picks in the third, and a low second round pick, I could afford this.
Combine scores that jump out: intelligence, agility, and broad jump.