NFL Draft Wrap: Slick's Opinion

Well, it's finally over. Twenty-eight hours, two hundred and fifty-two picks, and countless beers later, we've now seen the entire draft. And, of course, I have thoughts.

The local college football players fared pretty well this year. Brian Brohm, of my beloved Cardinals (thank you very much, Joker) landed safely in Green Bay, where it looks like things might bode well for him in the long run: the team already has one of his former offensive linemen, Jason Spitz, on the roster, and added another (Breno Giacomini) late in the draft. The team did, however, also add LSU quarterback Matt Flynn in a late round, so there might be some QB drama come training camp time.

Brohm's in-state rival (seemingly since birth), Andre' Woodson of Kentucky, lucked into the cushy position of clipboard holder for Eli Manning, the face of the New York Giants franchise for the foreseeable future. He can always ask his UK (and Giants) predecessor Jared Lorenzen for tips on how Eli likes his Gatorade.

As for other local highlights: Louisville WR Harry Douglas landed in Atlanta (here's hoping the fact he was a Bobby Petrino recruit at Louisville doesn't get him daily ass-whoopings once he reports to the team); Louisville TE Gary Barnidge was drafted in the fifth round by the Carolina Panthers; Kentucky receivers Keenan Burton (product of my high school!) and Steve Johnson wound up at St. Louis and Buffalo, respectively; and Kentucky TE Jacob Tamme was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, where Peyton Manning loves to share the ball amongst his targets.

And inexplicable early-exit Mario Urrutia of Louisville, who made the decision to go pro after what was, by all accounts, a disappointing season (too many dropped passes, idiot penalties, and general lollygaggery), was drafted among the final ten picks by the troubled Cincinnati Bengals. One piece of advice for surviving training camp, Mario: Kick someone's ass the first day...or become someone's bitch.

As for the draft class of my beloved Tennessee Titans, I'm kind of so-so on it. Their first pick was for a wickedly speedy back out of East Carolina, but they didn't address their gaping wide receiver need until the fifth round, when they took Lavelle Hawkins of California. I was kind of pulling for them to draft my fellow Manual Crimson, Keenan Burton, but I guess we'll see what happens with Hawkins.

A couple of other notes:

-This year's "Mr. Irrelevant"--the final pick of the entire draft--is David Vobora, a linebacker from the University of Idaho. Let's all congratulate David, who actually gets a week of goofy events in his honor, to be held in Newport Beach, CA, later this summer. What a bizarre tradition.

-The "Saving Private Ryan" award has to go to the Detroit Lions, for drafting safety Caleb Campbell of Army. The Army has developed a special exemption for its academy athletes who are drafted by major-league sports teams, such that Campbell will not have to serve overseas in his capacity as an Army officer. He will have duty as a recruiter here in the States, due to the unique public relations opportunity his new situation affords him (and the army)...which beats the heck out of baking in the Baghdad sun (and risking death by explosion). So congratulations to Campbell for dodging that particular bullet, and to the Lions for making a move that might bring them some good P.R. for a change.