I think Tampa Bay just ended up with two of the best, and least heralded, linebackers in college football. They took Quincy Black yesterday and just selected Adam Hayward of Portland State. Don't worry too much about competition ... Black will play outside or middle linebacker, while Hayward is an inside guy. The thing is both these guys are really athletic and had tons of tackles last season. No one paid much attention to them and dismiss them because of the level of competition they faced, but I think they're a very strong tandem. Of course Tampa Bay has some great guys already on defense, but I foresee them playing cover two the way Rocky Long does -- rotate a ton of guys to keep the thing running like hell on wheels. Never let up on a single down ever. Could be a lot of fun to watch and a great formula for success.

And as I wrote this, Houston stepped up and took Wyoming safety John Wendling with the ninth pick of the sixth round and 183rd pick overall. I interviewed Wendling twice and think he's a pretty nice, down-to-Earth guy. He was up for a lot of academic and service awards in addition to being the centerpiece of a very strong Wyoming defense. The scouts say they don't care, but I think it does hurt when you come from a small school and your team wasn't always competitive. You can't deny this guy is talented and he should be able to stay on Houston's roster.

Posted by ilimon at 12:58 PM | Permalink