After months of speculation and ample consideration to a handful of worthy players, the Detroit Lions finally chose University of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford as the top overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft this afternoon. But the deal was settled late last night as Matthew signed a six-year, $78 million deal. With $41.7 million being guaranteed (the richest rookie contract in NFL history), it once again brings up the sore subject of college players making obnoxious sums of money without having played a down in the National Football League. Because no rookie player is worth that kind of money.
Matthew seemed …read more

Check out the NFL Network’s 2009 NFL Draft commercial with hip-hop artist K’Naan. K’Naan is a native of Somalia who immigrated to the United States during the Somali Civil War. For this commercial, he joined NFL hopefuls Darius Butler, Vontae Davis, Darrius Heyward-Bey, B.J. Raji and Knowshon Moreno on a two-day shoot at various locations in New York City, home of the NFL Draft.

Photo courtesy U.S. Military Academy
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When Army safety Caleb Campbell was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the 218th pick in the seventh-round of the 2008 NFL Draft, he had played his way out of deployment to Kuwait or Iraq and into the National Football League. If he makes the team, that is.
“If football wasn’t going to happen, I branched as an air defense artilleryman, and that’s what I would go into as an officer. I would be a platoon leader in charge of about 32 soldiers. A lot of ADA guys right …read more

Image details: 2008 NFL Draft served by picapp.com

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This was my fifth straight year covering the NFL Draft on-location in New York City. It never gets old for me. With each passing season, the Draft brings with it a new hope for all 32 teams. And it’s always exciting to be a part of that. I travel to the Super Bowl, to the Scouting Combine, to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement weekend, and to select preseason and regular season games. Each is special in its own right and I enjoy them all, …read more

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NFL Draft guru Lloyd Vance (Taking it to the House) and I got together in the press box at Radio City Music Hall to compare notes on the entire first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Here’s a recap of our thoughts.
1. MIAMI DOLPHINS – Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Lloyd: This is the safest pick in the Draft. Jake is signed, sealed and delivered. What you get with Jake Long is an NFL-ready player. He should be able to contribute right away and fill a hole that’s …read more

Image details: Players Pose On Radio City Music Hall Marquee served by picapp.com

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Being invited to the NFL Draft is an honor, for sure, but it also means you have to do more than show up on Saturday and put on the cap of your new team. NFL Draft prospects Glenn Dorsey, Vernon Gholston, Chris Long, Jake Long, Darren McFadden and Matt Ryan had a full slate of activities today, including this photo session on top of the marquee at Radio City Music Hall. The players also appeared on NBC’s Today Show, participated in …read more

Photo by Denny Wolverton
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Former Oregon State center Kyle DeVan continues his NFL Draft diary for EMQB with this quick Q&A. Be sure to check out Kyle’s previous post.
If you could pick one team to play for, who would it be? I don’t have a specific team that I would want to play for. Any team that wants me to play for them will be new favorite team. No matter where at in the country the team is located, I will be excited to contribute to their organization. Who is your favorite football player …read more

Photo courtesy Miami Dolphins
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As predicted yesterday, the Miami Dolphins not only announced former Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long as the first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, they also signed him to a five-year, $57.75 million contract, complete with a hefty $30 million guarantee. Jake was understandably excited:
“It’s such a great honor to be the No. 1 pick. I don’t think it has sunk in yet. It’s something every kid dreams about. I’m just real excited that it happened. Now I’m coming to a great place.”
The deal gets done a full four days …read more

Photo OU Athletics Department
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Former Oklahoma safety D.J. Wolfe continues his NFL Draft diary for EMQB with this quick Q&A. Be sure to check out D.J.’s previous post and the EMQB Interview with D.J. Wolfe.
If you could pick one team to play for, who would it be? It would be any team that would draft me and want me to be a part of their team and play a role in its success. Who is your favorite football player of all-time and why? If I had to choose only one player I think it …read more

Photo by Denny Wolverton
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Former Oregon State center Kyle DeVan offers his NFL Draft Diary, exclusive to Every Morning Quarterback. Here is Kyle’s first entry:
Well it’s less than one week out from my inaugural Draft weekend and I am very excited to see what the future holds. I have been working hard for this one weekend for a very long time. Five years of college football seems like an eternity; however, it has gone by so fast. These past few months have been such an awesome experience. Not very many people have been able …read more