Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 26, 2008 1:37:25 GMT -5
nfldraft.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=778362
Phillips,Campbell Next on Canes Streak
Steve Megargee
Rivals.com NFL Draft Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS — Miami may have fallen from its perch as one of the nation's elite programs, but the Hurricanes remain atop the college football world in one important category.
In each of the past 13 drafts, at least one Miami player has been selected in the first round. Defensive end Calais Campbell and safety Kenny Phillips — both of whom left after their junior seasons — have an excellent chance of extending a streak that ranks as the longest in NFL history.
A total of 32 Miami players have been selected in the first round during that streak, and you won't find too many flops included on that list. Potential Pro Football Hall of Famers Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Warren Sapp headline a fraternity that features 15 players who have earned Pro Bowl invitations.
That kind of track record helps make NFL executives feel comfortable drafting former Hurricanes.
"I think it's the confidence those players have," said Arizona Cardinals vice president of football operations Rod Graves, who used his first-round pick three years ago on Miami cornerback Antrel Rolle. "I think there's a swagger about the University of Miami, and there's camaraderie among those players.
"They believe they have a first-rate program. The players believe in their ability to play. They come into an NFL setting with a lot of confidence. Obviously they're talented and they have a lot of ability, but I think that added element of confidence that a lot of the University of Miami players display goes a long way with them in the NFL."
The camaraderie that exists between Miami's current and former players has helped younger players make a smooth transition to the NFL. Miami's former players often return to campus to keep in shape during the offseason and spend much of that time giving pointers to their protégés.
Phillips credited Reed and former teammate Brandon Meriweather – now a New England Patriots safety – for teaching him how to benefit from film study. Phillips said he now spends about three or four hours a day watching film.
Campbell indicated he has received similar advice from former No. 1 overall draft pick Russell Maryland, Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jerome McDougle and Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason.
"When you get to some of the guys and just pick their brains and stuff, it helps you out a lot and gives you inspiration to want to be like them," Campbell said.
Campbell emulated them well enough to collect 33 tackles for loss and 17 sacks over the past two seasons. Phillips started each of his three years in college and generally is regarded as the top safety in this draft. Frank Coyle of draftinsiders.com rates Phillips as the No. 5 overall prospect and Campbell as the No. 15 player in this draft class. Coyle's latest mock draft has Phillips going to the New Orleans Saints with the 10th overall pick and Campbell getting taken by Carolina with the 13th selection.
Many of Miami's previous first-round picks were taken at a time when the Hurricanes were regularly competing for conference or national championships. Campbell and Phillips played for Miami teams that went 12-13 over the past two seasons, including a 5-7 mark last fall.
The Hurricanes annually produced first-round picks when they were recovering from probation in the mid- to late 1990s, but this marks the Hurricanes' worst two-year stretch since the beginning of the streak. This recent slump lends credence to the theory that perhaps the Miami brand name won't carry as much weight with NFL scouts anymore.
"I think about it a little bit," Phillips said. "But I think the way I played speaks for itself. Even though we didn't have a good season, I played hard and I think I performed well this season."
There may be some disagreement on that subject.
While Coyle ranks Phillips as one of the top five prospects in this entire class, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. isn't quite as enamored. Phillips compiled a career-high 82 tackles last season, but he also picked off only two passes after recording four interceptions a year earlier.
"He played like a first-round pick a couple of years ago and played like a third- or fourth-round pick this year," Kiper said. "What year do you determine is the critical year? Kenny Phillips has talent. I think he probably goes in the second round, and I think at that point you're balancing it out. He played like a 'one' two years ago and played like a 'three' this year."
Campbell also probably didn't help boost his draft fortunes last season. After ranking seventh in the nation with 20.5 tackles for loss his sophomore year, Campbell had 12.5 tackles for loss as a junior. His sack total dropped from 10.5 in 2006 to 6.5 last season.
"It was a tough season for everybody across the board at the University of Miami, very tough," Campbell said. "I could have played a lot better. I worked hard, and thought I played very well against the run. I could have had a couple more sacks, but I played through a couple nicks, small injuries."
Because both players are coming off relatively disappointing seasons, Campbell and Phillips probably need big performances at the Combine to solidify their status as first-round picks. And that would allow them to uphold at least one portion of the Miami legacy.
They're already dissatisfied about the way their college careers ended. They certainly don't want to be responsible for the end of the streak.
"I don't want to mess up the tradition," Phillips said. "I definitely don't want to be the one to mess it up."
INSIDE THE STREAK
At least one Miami player has been selected in the first round in each of the past 13 drafts. Here are the 32 Miami players who have gone in the first round during this streak, which is the longest in NFL history. The 15 players who have been selected to at least one Pro Bowl are listed in bold:
Year Player Team Pick
1995 DT Warren Sapp Tampa Bay 12
1996 LB Ray Lewis Baltimore 26
1997 WR Yatil Green Miami 15
1997 DE Kenard Lang Washington 17
1997 DE Kenny Holmes Tennessee 18
1998 CB Duane Starks Baltimore 10
1999 RB Edgerrin James Indianapolis 4
2000 TE Bubba Franks Green Bay 14
2001 LB Dan Morgan Carolina 11
2001 DT Damione Lewis St. Louis 12
2001 WR Santana Moss N.Y. Jets 16
2001 WR Reggie Wayne Indianapolis 30
2002 OT Bryant McKinnie Minnesota 7
2002 TE Jeremy Shockey N.Y. Giants 14
2002 CB Phillip Buchanon Oakland 17
2002 S Ed Reed Baltimore 24
2002 CB Mike Rumph San Francisco 26
2003 WR Andre Johnson Houston 3
2003 DE Jerome McDougle Philadelphia 15
2003 RB Willis McGahee Buffalo 23
2003 DT William Joseph N.Y. Giants 25
2004 S Sean Taylor Washington 5
2004 TE Kellen Winslow Jr. Cleveland 6
2004 LB Jonathan Vilma N.Y. Jets 12
2004 LB D.J. Williams Denver 17
2004 OL Vernon Carey Miami 19
2004 DT Vince Wilfork New England 21
2005 CB Antrel Rolle Arizona 8
2006 CB Kelly Jennings Seattle 31
2007 S Brandon Meriweather New England 24
2007 LB Jon Beason Carolina 25
2007 TE Greg Olsen Chicago 31
Phillips,Campbell Next on Canes Streak
Steve Megargee
Rivals.com NFL Draft Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS — Miami may have fallen from its perch as one of the nation's elite programs, but the Hurricanes remain atop the college football world in one important category.
In each of the past 13 drafts, at least one Miami player has been selected in the first round. Defensive end Calais Campbell and safety Kenny Phillips — both of whom left after their junior seasons — have an excellent chance of extending a streak that ranks as the longest in NFL history.
A total of 32 Miami players have been selected in the first round during that streak, and you won't find too many flops included on that list. Potential Pro Football Hall of Famers Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Warren Sapp headline a fraternity that features 15 players who have earned Pro Bowl invitations.
That kind of track record helps make NFL executives feel comfortable drafting former Hurricanes.
"I think it's the confidence those players have," said Arizona Cardinals vice president of football operations Rod Graves, who used his first-round pick three years ago on Miami cornerback Antrel Rolle. "I think there's a swagger about the University of Miami, and there's camaraderie among those players.
"They believe they have a first-rate program. The players believe in their ability to play. They come into an NFL setting with a lot of confidence. Obviously they're talented and they have a lot of ability, but I think that added element of confidence that a lot of the University of Miami players display goes a long way with them in the NFL."
The camaraderie that exists between Miami's current and former players has helped younger players make a smooth transition to the NFL. Miami's former players often return to campus to keep in shape during the offseason and spend much of that time giving pointers to their protégés.
Phillips credited Reed and former teammate Brandon Meriweather – now a New England Patriots safety – for teaching him how to benefit from film study. Phillips said he now spends about three or four hours a day watching film.
Campbell indicated he has received similar advice from former No. 1 overall draft pick Russell Maryland, Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jerome McDougle and Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason.
"When you get to some of the guys and just pick their brains and stuff, it helps you out a lot and gives you inspiration to want to be like them," Campbell said.
Campbell emulated them well enough to collect 33 tackles for loss and 17 sacks over the past two seasons. Phillips started each of his three years in college and generally is regarded as the top safety in this draft. Frank Coyle of draftinsiders.com rates Phillips as the No. 5 overall prospect and Campbell as the No. 15 player in this draft class. Coyle's latest mock draft has Phillips going to the New Orleans Saints with the 10th overall pick and Campbell getting taken by Carolina with the 13th selection.
Many of Miami's previous first-round picks were taken at a time when the Hurricanes were regularly competing for conference or national championships. Campbell and Phillips played for Miami teams that went 12-13 over the past two seasons, including a 5-7 mark last fall.
The Hurricanes annually produced first-round picks when they were recovering from probation in the mid- to late 1990s, but this marks the Hurricanes' worst two-year stretch since the beginning of the streak. This recent slump lends credence to the theory that perhaps the Miami brand name won't carry as much weight with NFL scouts anymore.
"I think about it a little bit," Phillips said. "But I think the way I played speaks for itself. Even though we didn't have a good season, I played hard and I think I performed well this season."
There may be some disagreement on that subject.
While Coyle ranks Phillips as one of the top five prospects in this entire class, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. isn't quite as enamored. Phillips compiled a career-high 82 tackles last season, but he also picked off only two passes after recording four interceptions a year earlier.
"He played like a first-round pick a couple of years ago and played like a third- or fourth-round pick this year," Kiper said. "What year do you determine is the critical year? Kenny Phillips has talent. I think he probably goes in the second round, and I think at that point you're balancing it out. He played like a 'one' two years ago and played like a 'three' this year."
Campbell also probably didn't help boost his draft fortunes last season. After ranking seventh in the nation with 20.5 tackles for loss his sophomore year, Campbell had 12.5 tackles for loss as a junior. His sack total dropped from 10.5 in 2006 to 6.5 last season.
"It was a tough season for everybody across the board at the University of Miami, very tough," Campbell said. "I could have played a lot better. I worked hard, and thought I played very well against the run. I could have had a couple more sacks, but I played through a couple nicks, small injuries."
Because both players are coming off relatively disappointing seasons, Campbell and Phillips probably need big performances at the Combine to solidify their status as first-round picks. And that would allow them to uphold at least one portion of the Miami legacy.
They're already dissatisfied about the way their college careers ended. They certainly don't want to be responsible for the end of the streak.
"I don't want to mess up the tradition," Phillips said. "I definitely don't want to be the one to mess it up."
INSIDE THE STREAK
At least one Miami player has been selected in the first round in each of the past 13 drafts. Here are the 32 Miami players who have gone in the first round during this streak, which is the longest in NFL history. The 15 players who have been selected to at least one Pro Bowl are listed in bold:
Year Player Team Pick
1995 DT Warren Sapp Tampa Bay 12
1996 LB Ray Lewis Baltimore 26
1997 WR Yatil Green Miami 15
1997 DE Kenard Lang Washington 17
1997 DE Kenny Holmes Tennessee 18
1998 CB Duane Starks Baltimore 10
1999 RB Edgerrin James Indianapolis 4
2000 TE Bubba Franks Green Bay 14
2001 LB Dan Morgan Carolina 11
2001 DT Damione Lewis St. Louis 12
2001 WR Santana Moss N.Y. Jets 16
2001 WR Reggie Wayne Indianapolis 30
2002 OT Bryant McKinnie Minnesota 7
2002 TE Jeremy Shockey N.Y. Giants 14
2002 CB Phillip Buchanon Oakland 17
2002 S Ed Reed Baltimore 24
2002 CB Mike Rumph San Francisco 26
2003 WR Andre Johnson Houston 3
2003 DE Jerome McDougle Philadelphia 15
2003 RB Willis McGahee Buffalo 23
2003 DT William Joseph N.Y. Giants 25
2004 S Sean Taylor Washington 5
2004 TE Kellen Winslow Jr. Cleveland 6
2004 LB Jonathan Vilma N.Y. Jets 12
2004 LB D.J. Williams Denver 17
2004 OL Vernon Carey Miami 19
2004 DT Vince Wilfork New England 21
2005 CB Antrel Rolle Arizona 8
2006 CB Kelly Jennings Seattle 31
2007 S Brandon Meriweather New England 24
2007 LB Jon Beason Carolina 25
2007 TE Greg Olsen Chicago 31