Draft thoughts

What, you thought I'd given up on this blog? Naw, I was just in Florida, playing the dogs and getting some sun without access to the Internet (okay, we had dial-up, but that doesn't count).

Was very excited to watch the draft -- hoped to have more than four guys picked, and expected to, but at the same time pleased all four Badger draftees went in the third round, and happy with the situation they're in. To recap:

Matt Shaughnessy, Raiders: Terrible team, so there has to be playing time available, right? Derrick Burgess is the only defensive end on Oakland's roster that I've heard of, so hopefully there's some playing time available for Matt right away. It will be interesting to see if Shaughnessy can take his game to another level, from simply above-average to very good.

DeAndre Levy, Lions: Did I say terrible team? Sounds like Levy's going to get a chance to start in the middle right off the bat, which is interesting since I can't remember him going anywhere near the middle with Wisconsin. Ernie Sims is a player, and Julian Peterson a recent acquisition, so there's some talent at the position; Jordan Dizon was a recent high draft pick. And don't forget about Alex Lewis, who manages to stick around in the league while more highly-touted Badgers have packed it in.

Kraig Urbik, Steelers: Can't beat going to the defending Super Bowl champions, right? If I was a lineman, Mike Tomlin seems like the type of guy I'd want to play for.

Travis Beckum, Giants: This is a great situation for Travis. Kevin Boss is a solid starter at tight end for New York, but Becks has to be a better receiver. Plus, the team lost Plaxico Burress, and even after drafting wideout Hakeem Nicks it wouldn't be surprising to see Beckum immediately play an important role in the team's third-down package.

After the third round concluded, I remarked to Jana's Uncle John, who you may recall is a Michigan State fan, "I can't believe this team had so many talented seniors and went 7-6." Oh well, let's just hope these guys carve out solid professional careers that help entice future recruits to Madison.

NFL Badgers

Last week Corby asked me my thoughts on the most successful Badgers currently playing in the NFL. [ADD: In general, this is based on 2008 performances.] What do you think?

1. Joe Thomas

2. Jim Leonhard

3. Owen Daniels - did you realize he had the third-most receiving yards of any tight end this year?

4. Lee Evans

5. Chris Chambers

6. Mark Tauscher

7. Casey Rabach

8. Aaron Stecker

9. Jim Sorgi

10. Alex Lewis

11. Nick Hayden

Badgers in the NFL: an '07 recap

Went to the Packers game yesterday, with a much better outcome than my last trip to Lambeau. Got a chance to watch former Badgers Mark Tauscher and Alex Lewis, but Brian Calhoun is hurt. As I saw Ron Dayne having another solid game, and when I got home and saw Jim Sorgi at quarterback for the Colts and Chris Chambers catching a touchdown for the Chargers, it got me thinking what a nice season this was for UW alumni in the NFL. Let's run it down:

-Michael Bennett, Buccaneers: 241 yards rushing, 1 TD.
Has over 3,600 yards rushing for his career.

-Brooks Bollinger, Vikings: 391 yards passing, 1 TD

-Brian Calhoun, Lions: 35 yards rushing

-Chris Chambers, Chargers: 970 yards receiving, 4 TD. Has over 6,200 career receiving yards.

-Owen Daniels, Texans: 768 yards receiving, 3 TD

-Ron Dayne, Texans: 773 yards, 6 TD. Has over 3,700 career rushing yards.

-Lee Evans, Bills: 849 yards receiving, 5 TD. Has over 3,700 career receiving yards.

-Jamar Fletcher, Texans: 19 tackles

-Nick Greisen, Ravens: 30 tackles

-Erasmus James, Vikings: 7 tackles, 1 sack

-Jason Jefferson, Bills: 11 tackles

-Al Johnson, Cardinal: 14 starts at center

-Matt Katula, Ravens: 16 games at long snapper

-Ross Kolodziej, Cardinals: 3 games

-Jim Leonhard, Bills: 54 tackles, 2 interceptions, 6 starts at safety

-Alex Lewis, Lions: 29 tackles, 1 forced fumble

-Jason Pociask, Jets: 1 reception

-Casey Rabach, Redskins: 15 starts at center

-Mike Schneck, Falcons: 12 games at long snapper

-Jim Sorgi, Colts: 132 yards passing, 1 TD

-Scott Starks, Jaguars: 22 tackles, 1 interception

-Aaron Stecker, Saints: 448 yards rushing, 5 TD

-Mark Tauscher, Packers: 16 starts at right tackle

-Joe Thomas, Browns: 16 starts at left tackle

-Brandon Williams, 49ers/Rams: 10 games, 2 fumbles

Lots of Badgers in the NFL. You could just about field a whole team of them, here's how it would look:

Offense: Sorgi, Bennett/Stecker, Dayne, Thomas, Tauscher, Rabach, Johnson, Dan Buenning (Bucs), Evans, Chambers, Daniels
Defense: James, Jefferson, Kolodziej, Anttaj Hawthorne (cut by Raiders in training camp), Greisen, Lewis, Fletcher, Starks, Leonhard, Rogers, BJ Tucker (last seen with 49ers)

Looking at these lists something strikes me: for a program built on defense and running the ball, the pro players we've produced have been offensive skill position players and linemen known for their pass blocking. It wouldn't be entirely surprising if none of those defensive players were on NFL rosters come September. Hopefully Ike, Shaughnessy, Casillas, et al can reverse that trend.

Looks like the Bills and Texans are my favorite teams other than the Packers. Also, if you would have asked a fan in 2000 which former Badger running back would be playing the best at the end of the 2007 NFL season - Dayne, Bennett, or Stecker - who would you have said?