Draft flashback: Romo, Gates weren’t even picked in ’03
Article By viyer.tsn on 2nd April, 2010
A look back at the best and worst picks of the draft seven years ago:
Steals Tony Romo, QB, Eastern Illinois
Cowboys: Undrafted
The Division I-AA star had a big fan in then-Dallas quarterbacks coach Sean Payton, an Eastern Illinois alumnus. Romo won the chance to start from Bill Parcells three years later and since has settled in as the next great Cowboys quarterback. At 29, he is just hitting his prime.
Antonio Gates, TE, Kent State
Chargers: Undrafted
The Colts (Dallas Clark, Round 1) and Cowboys (Jason Witten, Round 3) also found elite tight ends in this draft, but San Diego's scouts had the foresight to see how Gates' great basketball skills as a power forward would help him become the best "post-up" receiver in the NFL.
Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Cal
Raiders: Round 1, Pick 31
It was a good draft for cornerbacks, and Asomugha was the last of five to go in the first round. He also has been the best, noting that Andre Woolfolk and Sammy Davis went right before him. Asomugha's name was hard to pronounce on draft day, but every top receiver in the league now knows it.
Asante Samuel, CB, Central Florida
Patriots: Round 4, Pick 120
New England realized just how deep the cornerbacks ran in this draft and landed the premier ballhawk of the group. Samuel helped the Patriots reach three Super Bowls before signing as a free agent with Philadelphia two years ago. He has 35 interceptions and four touchdowns in seven seasons.
Robert Mathis, DE, Alabama A&M
Colts: Round 5, Pick 138
Thanks to team president/G.M. Bill Polian, the Colts find late-round gems year after year. In the same year, Polian also grabbed linebacker Cato June in the sixth round and signed linebacker Gary Brackett as an undrafted free agent. Mathis has been a consistent, disruptive force opposite All-Pro Dwight Freeney.
Stinkers Charles Roge...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for NFL
Steals Tony Romo, QB, Eastern Illinois
Cowboys: Undrafted
The Division I-AA star had a big fan in then-Dallas quarterbacks coach Sean Payton, an Eastern Illinois alumnus. Romo won the chance to start from Bill Parcells three years later and since has settled in as the next great Cowboys quarterback. At 29, he is just hitting his prime.
Antonio Gates, TE, Kent State
Chargers: Undrafted
The Colts (Dallas Clark, Round 1) and Cowboys (Jason Witten, Round 3) also found elite tight ends in this draft, but San Diego's scouts had the foresight to see how Gates' great basketball skills as a power forward would help him become the best "post-up" receiver in the NFL.
Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Cal
Raiders: Round 1, Pick 31
It was a good draft for cornerbacks, and Asomugha was the last of five to go in the first round. He also has been the best, noting that Andre Woolfolk and Sammy Davis went right before him. Asomugha's name was hard to pronounce on draft day, but every top receiver in the league now knows it.
Asante Samuel, CB, Central Florida
Patriots: Round 4, Pick 120
New England realized just how deep the cornerbacks ran in this draft and landed the premier ballhawk of the group. Samuel helped the Patriots reach three Super Bowls before signing as a free agent with Philadelphia two years ago. He has 35 interceptions and four touchdowns in seven seasons.
Robert Mathis, DE, Alabama A&M
Colts: Round 5, Pick 138
Thanks to team president/G.M. Bill Polian, the Colts find late-round gems year after year. In the same year, Polian also grabbed linebacker Cato June in the sixth round and signed linebacker Gary Brackett as an undrafted free agent. Mathis has been a consistent, disruptive force opposite All-Pro Dwight Freeney.
Stinkers Charles Roge...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for NFL
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