Although not as a Brown, Smith is in the NFL
An end to an agonizing weekend came Sunday for five Buckeyes, including Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, selected by the Ravens in the 5th round and running back Antonio Pittman, snatched in the 4th round by the Saints.
Of the two, Smith probably has the most cause for optimism, because he's going to a Baltimore team with an older starter in Steve McNair and a backup (Boller) who's entering the final year of a contract. Smith went a lot later than expected by most even as his free-fall over the last four months has been pretty well documented. But all he needs is a good shot and that he has. Some guys can just ball, while others have the numbers and we all know that the draft, much like recruiting is a crap-shoot.
Pittman, on the other hand, appears to have been dealt two blows. First, he slipped to being the 10th running back selected, even as pre-draft speculation had him rising. Then, to add insult to injury, he's picked by the Saints, a team with two awfully good running backs. If McAllister leaves town after this season, Pittman could find a small role with the team, but it's unlikely that he has the chops to take the primary spot from Reggie Bush.
The other Buckeyes selected on Sunday were defensive end Jay Richardson, wide receiver Roy Hall and center Doug Datish. Richardson was selected by the Raiders in the 5th round and has a shot to make the team although the only thing that the Raiders did reasonably well last season was play defense. Hall went to the Colts in the 6th round. He has the size and speed to play at the next level (Drew Carter anyone?) and has to be pumped, like Gonzo, to have been drafted by the explosive Colts. Datish also went in the 6th round, to Atlanta.
Comments
I can't believe Pittman hung around so long and then got stuck with the Saints. I guess he could be trade bait or maybe they are ready to trade Deuce. Either way he is a heck of a rb for the 11th one taken.
Smith got picked by the perfect team. Wasn't it McNair's camp that got Smith in trouble?
Yes, it was McNair's camp. Good call. Smith and McNair supposedly have a relationship already and don't forget that Ozzie Newsome loves him some Ohio boys.
yep. maybe he can return the favor & take McNair's job! It is a possibility with how injury prone McNair!
It's too bad Pittman did not stay another year, it looks like it may have cost him 10-20 million dollars by coming out early. At least he ended up in a good situation, I hear the Saints may use Reggie Bush more as a receiver. Can you imagine Duece, Reggie and Antonio on the filed at the same time? Unstoppable.
I think all the Buckeyes ended up in good situations for themselves. I see Antonio Smith was signed by the Colts yesterday, making them OSU west.
Pittman is not that good, which is why he was taken behind a guy with one leg and a guy (from Arizona) who didn't even start. He'll be a servicable back, maybe a little better than Jonathon Wells, but not a pro-bowler.
As for Smith, I just hope the Steelers don't hurt him to badly.
What the hell is hanging around Troy's neck!?!
I was hoping the brownies were going to take Pittman our Bush in the second when they traded up, but took shady Eric Wright.
But with Quinn under center I feel a lot better!
You mean, this Eric Wright?
Straight out of Compton!
hell, they didn't even need to trade up & they coulda picked up Bush in the 3rd & then woulda still had their early 4rth round pick to get Pittman. 1 of them would have to pan out.....then again if Eric Wright pans out he could really help our D. & if not......watch out ladies of cleveland!
I'd be surprised if Pittman honestly even made the Saints.
Your crazy to think Pittman will not make the Saints. He is a good back, with size and speed (tied for fastest at the combine) and Sean Payton will find a way to use him productively. Reggie Bush was a better receiver than runner last year and Duece maybe done in NO in the next year or two. Pittman will have a good season.
Yeah, Pittman will make the team. But he may not get much playing time this year. At least until Deuce is gone.
Pittman is not in a good situation, but I highly doubt he won't make the team. Deuce made it through the entire season last year (I think), but he's been very injury prone in his career. Payton is a good offensive mind and utilizes his players very well. Although Antonio should have stayed another year to get better I think he'll be fine. He's fast and tough. The only problem is size. Stiff arming a Hoosier DE is a little easier than stiff arming Peppers.
How am I going to get 1000 yards without playing the Browns defense twice? Maybe the NFL will allow me to include practice yardage in my season totals.
I'll shoot someone else & get suspended for one of the games you play against us to make up for it.
Not to worry, Jamal, you still have us twice.
Yeah, but it's tough to run when you're down 24 pts mid way through the 3rd.
It's ok. I'll get over 100 yards in the first half against the bunGALs defense.
Stop dreaming, Jamal; you only had 113 yards on 41 carries in two full games against us last year. Your long rush was only 15 yards. Yeah, that's domination (eyes roll).
By the way, you'll running behind Cleveland's O-Line this time around. Good luck.
Sam, I'm gonna use you for bait on my next fishing trip with my dad.