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The Daily OrangeFB | No SU players picked in draft for 1st time since '75
McClain, Smith sign free agent deals
By Zach Schonbrun
Posted: 4/27/08, 10:40 PM EST Section: Sports
Jameel McClain kept looking at his cell phone Sunday evening, hoping the call he was waiting for would come in.
While the final rounds of this weekend's NFL Draft unfolded on television, the former Syracuse defensive end fielded calls from several pro teams about his availability as a free agent. None, however, were to announce they were drafting him.
For the first time since 1975, draft weekend came and went without a Syracuse player taken. McClain, wide receiver Taj Smith, safety Joe Fields and defensive back Dowayne Davis - each considered possible late-draft selections heading into Saturday - were not picked.
McClain and Smith, though, each signed free agent deals late Sunday evening. McClain signed with the Baltimore Ravens and Smith the Green Bay Packers. Neither Fields nor Davis were available for comment.
Reached by phone Sunday night, McClain said he was thrilled to be trying out for Baltimore, and the news quickly washed away any disappointment from not being drafted.
"I'm excited to be a part of such a prestigious organization," McClain said. "Hopefully I get the opportunity to come in there and showcase my abilities. If I could have picked any team in the world I'd want to be on, that would've fit my versatility and style the best, it's the Ravens."
McClain said he began to grow slightly frustrated as name by name flashed on his television screen and his phone kept silent.
"My feelings were, 'Aw, man,'" McClain said. "I guess that's the best way to describe my feelings. Just 'Awww, man.' Just one 'Aw, man' after another."
But midway through the seventh round, he received calls from several teams including the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans. When it was Baltimore on the other end, he couldn't resist.
"When it came time to make a decision, there was a lot of communication going on with myself, my agent and the Ravens," McClain said. "That's what made it so appealing. Other than the fact that, you know, it is the Ravens."
While the final rounds of this weekend's NFL Draft unfolded on television, the former Syracuse defensive end fielded calls from several pro teams about his availability as a free agent. None, however, were to announce they were drafting him.
For the first time since 1975, draft weekend came and went without a Syracuse player taken. McClain, wide receiver Taj Smith, safety Joe Fields and defensive back Dowayne Davis - each considered possible late-draft selections heading into Saturday - were not picked.
McClain and Smith, though, each signed free agent deals late Sunday evening. McClain signed with the Baltimore Ravens and Smith the Green Bay Packers. Neither Fields nor Davis were available for comment.
Reached by phone Sunday night, McClain said he was thrilled to be trying out for Baltimore, and the news quickly washed away any disappointment from not being drafted.
"I'm excited to be a part of such a prestigious organization," McClain said. "Hopefully I get the opportunity to come in there and showcase my abilities. If I could have picked any team in the world I'd want to be on, that would've fit my versatility and style the best, it's the Ravens."
McClain said he began to grow slightly frustrated as name by name flashed on his television screen and his phone kept silent.
"My feelings were, 'Aw, man,'" McClain said. "I guess that's the best way to describe my feelings. Just 'Awww, man.' Just one 'Aw, man' after another."
But midway through the seventh round, he received calls from several teams including the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans. When it was Baltimore on the other end, he couldn't resist.
"When it came time to make a decision, there was a lot of communication going on with myself, my agent and the Ravens," McClain said. "That's what made it so appealing. Other than the fact that, you know, it is the Ravens."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
Doug
posted 4/28/08 @ 3:31 AM EST
What a sad state the Syracuse football program is in. Didn't we have a streak that started in the 90s and went until Freeney was drafted in 2002 of at least one SU player going in the first round? Now we cannot even get one of our players picked in any round! In the last 33 years we've had some bad seasons, but we've at least had one player good enough to be one of 200+ picks in the NFL Draft. (Continued…)
Brian Boitano
posted 4/28/08 @ 5:19 AM EST
I hope Donte Greene also goes undrafted. $100 says Taj Smith will have a better NBA career than Greene. Seriously, what is Taj thinking. Maybe he should star in Van Wilder: The Return of Taj 2. (Continued…)
Marc LeVine
posted 4/28/08 @ 10:49 AM EST
I know that some equate Smith's decision to turn pro with Greene's. I do not and wish Taj, well as a signed free agent with Green Bay.
If he decided to return to SU in the fall, he'd be a fifth year senior in his mid twenties with a degree already in hand and nothing to do between games but watch Regis and Kelly on TV and work out. (Continued…)
Jon
posted 4/28/08 @ 3:38 PM EST
Pasqualoni and DeLeone are to blame. Garbage play calling, garbage player development and garbage recruiting. Where's coach Mac??????
M
posted 4/29/08 @ 4:16 PM EST
Call me uninformed, but I was kinda shocked to know a few days back that Syracuse football was the 14th best program in the country if you look at win%. (Continued…)
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