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Bullitt Aggies' best shot on draft day
By Charean Williams
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
While Texas A&M has had 36 players drafted in the past 10 years -- three more than Texas -- only two have been in the first 30 picks. This year, though, the Aggies are just hoping for anyone to be drafted, anywhere.
Inside linebacker Justin Warren was the only Aggie invited to the combine, and his lack of speed (4.85) and strength (16 reps in the 225-pound bench) likely will keep him from being drafted. Strong safety Melvin Bullitt has the best chance of keeping the Aggies' streak of draft picks alive.
A&M has had at least one player drafted every year since 1974.
Bullitt said he has been contacted by the Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. He visited the Indianapolis Colts.
"Melvin Bullitt is probably a borderline late rounder, undrafted free agent," draft analyst Mel Kiper said Wednesday. "He had some pretty good workouts, but he was an inconsistent player."
Bullitt, a Garland Naaman Forest graduate, was disappointed he wasn't invited to the combine. But his workout in College Station was one of the best turned in by any draft-eligible safety. He ran a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash, had a 3.97 in the 20-yard short shuttle, did 15 reps in the 225-pound bench press and had a 40 1/2 -inch vertical.
"That was probably one of the biggest disappointments of my career, not getting invited to the combine," said Bullitt, who had 183 tackles, 18 pass breakups and four interceptions in 44 games at A&M. "But I definitely proved I'm one of the best safeties in this draft and one of the fastest. I proved I should have been there."
Bullitt had expected to be invited to Valley Ranch last week when the Cowboys hosted local players, but he never heard from team officials.
"It was funny," Bullitt said. "One of my friends went and said they had a No. 33 Bullitt Dallas Cowboys jersey and a bag with my name on it. But they never called me. Hopefully, they'll call me on draft day."
Echols remembers
Kansas State defensive tackle Quintin Echols is hoping to carry on Fort Worth's NFL tradition. The city lost two of its NFL players in recent seasons with the deaths of San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Thomas Herrion and Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams. Echols, who played with Williams at O.D. Wyatt, was a pallbearer at Williams' funeral in January.
"Fort Worth is not a small town," Echols said in a telephone interview Thursday. "But when somebody in your city does something good, there's a sense of pride. So it hurt the whole city. My main focus is to never let people forget. Three years from now it's not going to be as fresh, but I don't want people to forget what [Williams] did for us."
Echols has drawn the interest of most teams that use the 3-4 defense, including the Cowboys. He is projected as a seventh-round pick by NFL Draft Scout. Echols, who graduates in May with a degree in social science, got a lot of advice from Williams and now is seeking advice from Williams' mother, Rosalind.
"He always told me, 'You can do this. This game is not much different,'" said Echols, a 6-foot-1, 328-pounder who made 113 tackles with 5.5 sacks in 49 career games. "His confidence made me confident that I could play in the NFL."
Having a Ball
New Hampshire receiver David Ball broke Jerry Rice's career Division I-AA touchdowns record with 58. Ball was only 8 yards shy of Rice's career receiving yards mark of 4,693.
"I don't think it could have happened to a better guy, what he brings to the table and the way he works his butt off," Rice said last week. "I think he did a great job there.
"When he broke the record, I called him and I congratulated him. That's just part of it. Records are meant to be broken. Now, if he comes into the NFL and that should happen all over again, I'm going to have to go get David."
Ball, projected to be a late-round pick, was led by Rice to sign with DeBartolo Sports and Entertainment and Rice's long-time agent, Ralph Cindrich.
Ricky's return
Ricky Williams has sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell seeking reinstatement. Although he is eligible to return Wednesday, Williams is not expected to be cleared to return to the Dolphins until after the draft.
Goodell has 60 days to rule on Williams' future.
The former Texas running back was banned last year after a fourth failed drug test. He now is undergoing regular drug testing.
Dolphins coach Cam Cameron and GM Randy Mueller have not commented on Williams, but their actions seemingly indicate they are planning for his return. They have not replaced backups Sammy Morris and Travis Minor, both of whom left as free agents.
MY FIVE CENTS
1 LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell's work habits scare some teams, but he did help himself by showing up at his Pro Day 9 pounds lighter than he was at the combine. No matter, he won't last past the third pick. The Cleveland Browns, whose general manager, Phil Savage, has a longtime relationship with Russell, have made no secret of their interest in Russell.
2 Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis could be the Buffalo Bills' choice with the 12th pick, but Detroit is rumored to be interested in trading down for Willis. Willis' interviews impressed scouts at the combine, and he ran a 4.37 at his Pro Day after running a 4.51 at the combine.
3 Jason Allen, the Miami Dolphins' first-round choice last year, worked exclusively at cornerback at the team's mini-camp last weekend. He made only 20 tackles and one interception last season at safety after playing cornerback at the University of Tennessee.
4 Jacksonville is expected to draft a defensive player in the first round. The Jags love Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis but expect him to be gone before they select at 17. Florida safety Reggie Nelson and Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer are other options on their board. Spencer's stock seems to be rising.
5 Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher has expressed optimism that receiver David Givens will be ready to return sometime in training camp. Others in the organization aren't as confident that Givens can come back that soon after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and the cartilage in his left knee on Nov. 12. During surgery, Givens also required bone plugs for a broken bone in the knee.
WHO'S HOT
Penn State OT Levi Brown: There is at least one offensive line coach who rates Brown ahead of Wisconsin's Joe Thomas. Brown (6-6, 323) should be selected in the top 10 and could go in the top five.
WHO'S NOT
Michigan DT Alan Branch, above: Every year, a first-round prospect falls. That could be Branch this year. Some teams consider him an underachiever, but ultimately his medical evaluation might prompt a slide. There are some concerns about his legs, both of which have stress fractures.
THE NUMBER
14 Starters the Chargers have gotten out of their past five drafts, which is an NFL-best. Of the 1,292 players drafted the past five years, 318 are starting. The Jets, Jags and Raiders all have found 13 starters. Atlanta has an NFL-low six.
THE BLITZ
The Cowboys have 10 selections in next weekend's draft. They have one in each of the seven rounds and three others obtained in trades -- a sixth-round pick from the Jets for Sean Ryan, a seventh-round pick from the Jets for Pete Hunter and a seventh-round pick from the Saints for Scott Shanle.
The Cowboys have $12.4 million in salary cap room.
Six players were invited to New York for the NFL Draft. Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams, Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson, Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn and LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell accepted the NFL's offer. Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Thomas chose to stay home for draft day.
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt revealed that running back Edgerrin James had minor surgery on his right knee in the off-season. James experienced swelling in his knee last season, prompting the procedure. James said he isn't concerned that the Cardinals might use the fifth overall pick on Adrian Peterson. "They don't need a running back, but if you have a lot of money, and you want to buy something, you go buy it," James told the Arizona Republic
Chiefs quarterback Trent Green is expected to join the Dolphins no later than Saturday. Green can decide where he plays by refusing to restructure his contract, which has a base salary of $7.2 million in 2007. He's already agreed to a new contract with the Dolphins.
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760 cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
By Charean Williams
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
While Texas A&M has had 36 players drafted in the past 10 years -- three more than Texas -- only two have been in the first 30 picks. This year, though, the Aggies are just hoping for anyone to be drafted, anywhere.
Inside linebacker Justin Warren was the only Aggie invited to the combine, and his lack of speed (4.85) and strength (16 reps in the 225-pound bench) likely will keep him from being drafted. Strong safety Melvin Bullitt has the best chance of keeping the Aggies' streak of draft picks alive.
A&M has had at least one player drafted every year since 1974.
Bullitt said he has been contacted by the Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. He visited the Indianapolis Colts.
"Melvin Bullitt is probably a borderline late rounder, undrafted free agent," draft analyst Mel Kiper said Wednesday. "He had some pretty good workouts, but he was an inconsistent player."
Bullitt, a Garland Naaman Forest graduate, was disappointed he wasn't invited to the combine. But his workout in College Station was one of the best turned in by any draft-eligible safety. He ran a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash, had a 3.97 in the 20-yard short shuttle, did 15 reps in the 225-pound bench press and had a 40 1/2 -inch vertical.
"That was probably one of the biggest disappointments of my career, not getting invited to the combine," said Bullitt, who had 183 tackles, 18 pass breakups and four interceptions in 44 games at A&M. "But I definitely proved I'm one of the best safeties in this draft and one of the fastest. I proved I should have been there."
Bullitt had expected to be invited to Valley Ranch last week when the Cowboys hosted local players, but he never heard from team officials.
"It was funny," Bullitt said. "One of my friends went and said they had a No. 33 Bullitt Dallas Cowboys jersey and a bag with my name on it. But they never called me. Hopefully, they'll call me on draft day."
Echols remembers
Kansas State defensive tackle Quintin Echols is hoping to carry on Fort Worth's NFL tradition. The city lost two of its NFL players in recent seasons with the deaths of San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Thomas Herrion and Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams. Echols, who played with Williams at O.D. Wyatt, was a pallbearer at Williams' funeral in January.
"Fort Worth is not a small town," Echols said in a telephone interview Thursday. "But when somebody in your city does something good, there's a sense of pride. So it hurt the whole city. My main focus is to never let people forget. Three years from now it's not going to be as fresh, but I don't want people to forget what [Williams] did for us."
Echols has drawn the interest of most teams that use the 3-4 defense, including the Cowboys. He is projected as a seventh-round pick by NFL Draft Scout. Echols, who graduates in May with a degree in social science, got a lot of advice from Williams and now is seeking advice from Williams' mother, Rosalind.
"He always told me, 'You can do this. This game is not much different,'" said Echols, a 6-foot-1, 328-pounder who made 113 tackles with 5.5 sacks in 49 career games. "His confidence made me confident that I could play in the NFL."
Having a Ball
New Hampshire receiver David Ball broke Jerry Rice's career Division I-AA touchdowns record with 58. Ball was only 8 yards shy of Rice's career receiving yards mark of 4,693.
"I don't think it could have happened to a better guy, what he brings to the table and the way he works his butt off," Rice said last week. "I think he did a great job there.
"When he broke the record, I called him and I congratulated him. That's just part of it. Records are meant to be broken. Now, if he comes into the NFL and that should happen all over again, I'm going to have to go get David."
Ball, projected to be a late-round pick, was led by Rice to sign with DeBartolo Sports and Entertainment and Rice's long-time agent, Ralph Cindrich.
Ricky's return
Ricky Williams has sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell seeking reinstatement. Although he is eligible to return Wednesday, Williams is not expected to be cleared to return to the Dolphins until after the draft.
Goodell has 60 days to rule on Williams' future.
The former Texas running back was banned last year after a fourth failed drug test. He now is undergoing regular drug testing.
Dolphins coach Cam Cameron and GM Randy Mueller have not commented on Williams, but their actions seemingly indicate they are planning for his return. They have not replaced backups Sammy Morris and Travis Minor, both of whom left as free agents.
MY FIVE CENTS
1 LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell's work habits scare some teams, but he did help himself by showing up at his Pro Day 9 pounds lighter than he was at the combine. No matter, he won't last past the third pick. The Cleveland Browns, whose general manager, Phil Savage, has a longtime relationship with Russell, have made no secret of their interest in Russell.
2 Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis could be the Buffalo Bills' choice with the 12th pick, but Detroit is rumored to be interested in trading down for Willis. Willis' interviews impressed scouts at the combine, and he ran a 4.37 at his Pro Day after running a 4.51 at the combine.
3 Jason Allen, the Miami Dolphins' first-round choice last year, worked exclusively at cornerback at the team's mini-camp last weekend. He made only 20 tackles and one interception last season at safety after playing cornerback at the University of Tennessee.
4 Jacksonville is expected to draft a defensive player in the first round. The Jags love Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis but expect him to be gone before they select at 17. Florida safety Reggie Nelson and Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer are other options on their board. Spencer's stock seems to be rising.
5 Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher has expressed optimism that receiver David Givens will be ready to return sometime in training camp. Others in the organization aren't as confident that Givens can come back that soon after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and the cartilage in his left knee on Nov. 12. During surgery, Givens also required bone plugs for a broken bone in the knee.
WHO'S HOT
Penn State OT Levi Brown: There is at least one offensive line coach who rates Brown ahead of Wisconsin's Joe Thomas. Brown (6-6, 323) should be selected in the top 10 and could go in the top five.
WHO'S NOT
Michigan DT Alan Branch, above: Every year, a first-round prospect falls. That could be Branch this year. Some teams consider him an underachiever, but ultimately his medical evaluation might prompt a slide. There are some concerns about his legs, both of which have stress fractures.
THE NUMBER
14 Starters the Chargers have gotten out of their past five drafts, which is an NFL-best. Of the 1,292 players drafted the past five years, 318 are starting. The Jets, Jags and Raiders all have found 13 starters. Atlanta has an NFL-low six.
THE BLITZ
The Cowboys have 10 selections in next weekend's draft. They have one in each of the seven rounds and three others obtained in trades -- a sixth-round pick from the Jets for Sean Ryan, a seventh-round pick from the Jets for Pete Hunter and a seventh-round pick from the Saints for Scott Shanle.
The Cowboys have $12.4 million in salary cap room.
Six players were invited to New York for the NFL Draft. Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams, Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson, Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn and LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell accepted the NFL's offer. Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Thomas chose to stay home for draft day.
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt revealed that running back Edgerrin James had minor surgery on his right knee in the off-season. James experienced swelling in his knee last season, prompting the procedure. James said he isn't concerned that the Cardinals might use the fifth overall pick on Adrian Peterson. "They don't need a running back, but if you have a lot of money, and you want to buy something, you go buy it," James told the Arizona Republic
Chiefs quarterback Trent Green is expected to join the Dolphins no later than Saturday. Green can decide where he plays by refusing to restructure his contract, which has a base salary of $7.2 million in 2007. He's already agreed to a new contract with the Dolphins.
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760 cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
