40 Acres Sports

No first-round receiver? Vince Young says no problem. I hope he’s right, I wish they’d moved up and gotten one in the 2nd though.

Safety [tag]Drew Kelson[/tag] and linebacker [tag]Robert Killebrew[/tag] have been invited to the Chicago Bears’ rookie camp for a try-out. They will join 26 other unsigned players, 12 draftees, and 10 rookie free agents at the Bears’ rookie minicamp this weekend and will have three practices to try to get someone’s attention.

A try-out is not the same as signing a rookie free agent deal, there will definitely be a huge uphill battle in front of them to make the team. Their best hope may be that in this limited opportunity they can impress enough to make the Bears’ coaching staff believe they could make an important contribution on special teams. Even if they don’t make the Bears’ roster it is important they show up well and generate a little buzz around their name, hopefully resulting in a try-out with another team.

Five Longhorns were selected this weekend in the 2008 NFL Draft this weekend but several eligible players went unselected. Players like [tag]Marcus Griffin[/tag] might have been disappointed Sunday, but being signed as a free agent by the best team who made the best offer is often a better situation than being a 6th or 7th round pick. Last year Selvin Young sign with perfect team (Denver) and ended up rushing for 729 yards on the season.

On Monday four players were quickly snatched up by NFL teams. Griffin and wide receiver [tag]Nate Jones[/tag] were both signed by the Minnesota Vikings. If those two can earn a roster spot they’ll join Cedric Griffin and Brian Robison and definitely make the Vikings a team for Texas fans to keep an eye on.

Defensive tackle [tag]Derek Lokey[/tag] signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, one of several teams that he had to choose from. “Evaluating it all, Kansas City was the best option for me and I jumped on it. I’m really excited about the opportunity. They were one of the teams that showed a lot of interest in me throughout the process,” Lokey said. Lokey well join Derrick Johnson and fellow rookie Jamaal Charles in KC.

[tag]Brandon Foster[/tag] agreed to a deal with the Indianapolis Colts. If any team can look past Foster’s height it would be the Colts, starting Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders is only 5-foot-8. Foster is the only cornerback the Colts are bringing in.

On Tuesday receiver [tag]Billy Pittman[/tag] became the fifth Horn to sign a free agent deal when he agreed to terms with the San Diego Chargers.

SI.com 2009 NFL Mock Draft has Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo going in first round.

Limas Sweed to the Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the 10 best marriages of talent, team needs from 2008 NFL Draft.

Jamaal Charles in the 3rd round was one of Peter King’s favorite draft selections. Thinks he’s a great fit in Kansas City.

Texas defensive tackle [tag]Frank Okam[/tag] won’t have a long flight to join his new NFL team. Frank was drafted with the 16th pick of the 5th round (151st overall) by his home state Houston Texans. The Texans have a good stable of young defensive lineman so Frank will have to work hard and earn his place in the rotation. He’s got as much upside as any defensive tackle in this draft, getting him this low could end up being a steal for the Texans.

Congratulations Frank, show up and work your tail off and show them what you’re capable of.

Update: From the official Texans’ site, an interview with defensive coordinator Richard Smith about Frank and also available his conference call with Houston media.

Texas offensive tackle [tag]Tony Hills[/tag] will be joining Limas Sweed in Pittsburgh this season. Hills was selected with the 31st pick of the 4th round (130th overall) by the Steelers. Offensive line was one of Pittsburgh’s biggest needs and Hills is the first lineman they’ve selected today. The right tackle position is wide open so he should have the chance to compete right away for playing time.

Congrats Tony, go up there and tear it up with Limas.

Update: Read a transcript of Hills’ media conference call and an interview with Larry Zierlein (Steelers offensive line coach) discussing his selection, both from the Steelers’ official site.

Texas tight end [tag]Jermichael Finley[/tag] was picked by the Green Bay Packers with the 28th pick of the 3rd round (91st overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. This is a little higher than what most experts expected (including myself). There were thoughts that his inconsistency and poor blocking would drop him to the 4th or 5th round, but the Packers must have fallen in love with Jermichael’s great potential. In Green Bay he should be able to come in right away and compete to be the team’s second tight end.

Congrats to Jermichael, stay warm and good luck in Green Bay!

Update: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has posted Finley’s media conference call and a good discussion about him with assistant tight ends coach Ben McAdoo. Both interesting reads.

Texas running back [tag]Jamaal Charles[/tag] has been selected with the 10th pick of the 3rd round (73rd overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs. A decent place for Jamaal, he’ll have a chance to back up Larry Johnson and provide a gamebreaking threat for the Chiefs. The Chiefs need to relieve some of Johnson’s workload to keep him healthy, so there should be carries available.

Congrats to Jamaal and good luck with the Chiefs. We’ll be watching you and Derrick Johnson on Sundays.

Update: The official Chiefs’ website has a Q&A up with Jamaal.