NEW YORK – Heismans and hoopla accompanied Sam Bradford and Tim
Tebow during their college careers. Now, the quarterbacks share
something else heading into the NFL: first-round status in the
draft.
For Bradford, it was a matter of whether he would go at the top of
the first prime-time draft Thursday night. He did, to the St. Louis
Rams.
For Tebow, it was a question of how deep in the proceedings his
name would be called, with many predicting it would not happen
until the second round. The Denver Broncos ended the intrigue at
No. 25 after trading with Baltimore to get that spot.
Celebration, drama and a touch of mystery at Radio City Music Hall:
The Rockettes would have loved this show.
“I want to be a great quarterback,” said Tebow, who helped Florida
win two national championships, earning the 2007 Heisman. “For the
next few years, my mindset is going to be to repay (Denver coach
Josh McDaniels) for what he did for me, believing in me. Just like
it was when I was at Florida. My biggest joy was doing things for
Coach (Urban) Meyer, winning championships, being able to help
him.”
At least Tebow goes to a team with some talent around him.
Bradford, the 2008 Heisman winner who missed all but three games in
2009 after right shoulder surgery, is saddled with the Rams, who
scored 175 points on the way to a 1-15 record last year.
He’s not complaining.
“You have no idea how excited I am just to have the opportunity to
come to St. Louis and play my NFL career there,” Bradford said.
“It’s just a blessing and I can’t wait to get there and get to
work.”
While Tebow figures to serve an apprenticeship in Denver as he
adapts to a pro-style offense, Bradford almost certainly will start
for the Rams. Their most accomplished quarterback is A.J.
Feeley.
“There’s no preconceived notion or game plan with Sam right now,”
coach Steve Spagnuolo said. “I think we’ve put ourselves in a
situation that we can go either way. We’ll do what’s best for him
and what’s best for our team.”
What was best for most teams in the first round was raiding the Big
12, with Oklahoma leading the way with four drafted players.
Starting with Bradford, five of the top six picks were from the Big
12 – three of them Sooners. In all, nine first-rounders came from
the conference.
“That’s pretty cool because I know the Big 12 has been getting a
lot of slack lately,” said Bradford. “People for some reason didn’t
think that we played much football in the Big 12 and sure didn’t
think we played much defense, so for two defensive tackles to go in
the first three picks is a credit to the Big 12.”
Bradford was immediately followed Thursday night by defensive
tackle Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska, the AP Player of the Year; DT
Gerald McCoy and OT Trent Williams, Bradford’s teammates with the
Sooners.
And what about the Sooners’ run at the top of the
festivities?
“It’s insane isn’t it?” McCoy said with a huge smile. “We can’t
play football in the Big 12, but the first four picks went out the
Big 12? Mmmmm – three of ’em from Oklahoma, by the way.”
Suh is considered the best defensive tackle prospect in more than a
decade. He won the Lombardi, Bednarik and Nagurski trophies in 2009
and comes off a dominant Big 12 title game in which he had 12
tackles with 41⁄2 sacks.
“He made it an easy pick for us,” Lions coach Jim Schwartz said.
“He’s not just a one-year wonder. He’s strong. He’s good versus the
run. He’s good versus the pass. He’s very intelligent.”
McCoy should boost a Tampa defense that once was feared but flopped
last season when it yielded 400 points. He displayed his Buccaneers
jersey to the crowd and pumped his fist high in the air as “Pirates
of the Caribbean” played on the loudspeakers.
The Big 12 bonanza kept rolling when Washington took Williams, an
All-American, to fill a huge hole at tackle left by the retirement
of Chris Samuels. Williams engulfed commissioner Roger Goodell in a
hefty bear hug onstage.
Tennessee safety Eric Berry, also an All-American, went fifth to
Kansas City, breaking the Big 12 stranglehold. Berry, noted for his
versatility, also has the potential to play cornerback.
Then it was back to the Big 12 for Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung,
who went to Seattle, where perennial Pro Bowl blocker Walter Jones
might retire.
Florida cornerback Joe Haden was chosen by Cleveland, followed by
Alabama inside linebacker Rolando McClain to Oakland. Both were
All-Americans last season.
That also gave the Southeastern Conference three picks in the first
eight.
Clemson running back C.J. Spiller went ninth to Buffalo, then the
surprises and the swaps began.
Jacksonville took California DT Tyson Alualu, projected as a
second-rounder by many. San Francisco moved up two spots, dealing
for Denver’s pick to get Rutgers OT Anthony Davis. San Diego,
desperate for a running back after cutting LaDainian Tomlinson,
jumped from 28th overall to 12th in a trade with Miami. The
Chargers took Fresno State’s Ryan Mathews, the nation’s leading
rusher at 150.7 yards per game.
“I always loved L.T.,” Mathews said. “I’ve watched games here and
there. They were basically my team growing up. I’m really
excited.”
The Broncos then sent the 13th overall choice they got from the
49ers to Philadelphia, which grabbed Michigan defensive end Brandon
Graham.
That made four trades involving three consecutive picks.
Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees announced the champion Saints’ pick to
finish off the showcase, Florida State cornerback Patrick Robinson.
The swift round lasted 3 hours, 28 minutes.
The SEC was almost as popular as the Big 12 with seven players
chosen, three from Florida. Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Alabama,
California, Georgia Tech and Rutgers each had two players
chosen.
