The second day of the NFL Draft was a big one for players who used to patrol the sidelines inside Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, as four former Cardinals heard their names called in New York, and two more quickly signed free agent contracts.
Here's a quick review of the day that was for six former Cards, complete with a mini-media roundup.
Harry Douglas: Third Round (Pick 84), Atlanta Falcons
Not only did Douglas go in the first round of the day, but he got some serious lovin' from the folks at ESPN to boot. In the moments after the Falcons made their selection, pro football hall-of-famer Cris Carter told the world that, "Wes Welker is not as good a football player as Harry Douglas is right now." Welker, you may recall, is a Pro-Bowler who just tied the NFL record for receptions in a season. Ron Jaworski joined the fun near the tail end of the broadcast, calling Douglas the "best pick of the second day."
While the Falcons aren't exactly known for their explosive offense these days, I still think that Harry is stepping into a pretty desirable situation. Mike Jenkins has been a perennial disappointment in Atlanta, and HD could certainly give guys like Brian Finneran or the aging Joe Horn a run for their money when it comes to playing time at the slot. Don't be surprised if he's making an impact right out of the gate. Not only is the kid that good, but we all know he's that smart, and he'll work that hard.
Media:
Jonesboro native 'proud to be an Atlanta Falcon'(The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Falcons took low-key approach to rebuilding (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Falcons Draft Recap, Day Two (The Falcoholic)
Falcons satisfied with draft's final day(The Macon Telegraph)
Gary Barnidge: Fifth Round (Pick 141), Carolina Panthers
Barnidge was another Cardinal who received some praise from a member of the four letter network, as none other than Mel Kiper Jr. referred to him as his "second favorite pick" of day two. The Panthers have now taken a tight end in each of the last three drafts, but neither of the players taken in '06 and '07 (Jeff King and Dante Rosario) possess the offensive skill set that Barnidge does. The presence of those guys means that Barnidge may be walking into a situation similar to that of the one he became accustomed to at Louisville, where he was utilized primarily as a threat downfield (although he'd turned himself into a more than capable blocker by his senior year), and Scott Kuhn was used mainly to do the dirty work on run plays. Even if that's the case, Barnidge will undoubtedly be asked to put on a few more pounds and bulk up from his current weight of 245.
Media:
Gary Barnidge Q&A (Panthers.com)
Panthers Draft Day 2 Wrap-Up (Cat Scratch Reader)
Draft helps Panthers fill most needs (Charlotte Observer)
Breno Giacomini: Fifth Round (Pick 150), Green Bay Packers
Offensive tackle Breno Giacomini was assured of being reunited with the man he's been protecting for the last two seasons (Brian Brohm) as well as a former teammate in the trenches (Jason Spitz) when the Packers selected him with the 150th overall pick. The word on Giacomini after the pick was about the same as it was before it: great size, raw talent, character concerns after his recent DUI arrest.
I'll say the same thing I said at the end of the season: so long as he's willing to put forth the required effort, Breno Giacomini's best football is ahead of him.
Media:
Louisville OT Breno Giacomini (includes transcript of his conference call) (Packers Blog)
Day 2 of the draft: Meet the Packers' picks (The Sheboygan Press)
Ted Thompson transcript (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Mario Urrutia: Seventh Round (Pick 246), Cincinnati Bengals
It didn't take a football-obsessed Rhodes Scholar to see this one coming. I don't know what's been going on with Mario for the last 12 months, or what compelled him to forgo the opportunity to make amends for an extremely disappointing junior season, but I suppose all we can do is wish him the best in Cincinnati.
Media:
Draft in Review (Bengal Nation Daily)
With the 246 pick of the 2008 NFL Draft, the Bengals select Louisville WR Mario Urrutia (Cincy Jungle)
Mario Urrutia (CBS Sportsline)
Lamar Myles: Free Agent Contract, Jacksonville Jaguars
Myles was the only reason this was just one of the worst Louisville defenses we've ever seen, and not unquestionably the worst Louisville defense we've ever seen. Sure it looks like he made a big mistake by choosing not to return for his senior year, but he had his reasons, and it'd be ridiculous for any of us to bash him after the effort he put forth last season.
Media:
Groves overcomes questions, hopes to bolster Jaguars defense (The Miami Herald)
UDFA Signed by Jaguars (JagNation.com)
Scott Kuhn: Free Agent Contract, Baltimore Ravens
It was pretty well advertised that the Ravens were looking to take a tight end late in the draft, which is why I thought Gary Barnidge might end up there. Baltimore doesn't have much depth behind Todd Heap, which means that Kuhn might have a real shot at making the roster if he performs as well as he did near the end of his career at U of L.
Media:
Team Will Sign Kuhn (KFFL)
Now I know there are a lot of you out there who are probably pretty disappointed that a certain former Lou Groza Award winner went undrafted, but I see this all as merely a cool future fact to be used on various sports shows 15 years from now. "Art Carmody was not selected in the 2008 NFL Draft" will soon be right alongside "Michael Jordan was cut his freshman year of high school" in sports folklore.
Get on the phone Millen. Jason Hanson's leg is due to fall off sometime in the next five months.