Orangeyes Daily Articles for Friday - for Football | Syracusefan.com

Orangeyes Daily Articles for Friday for Football

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Yes, That is Melvin Gordon Posing with the ED Heisman Trophy at Manley. He Idolized Davis, Had Great Interest in Syracuse But Wheatley, Marrone, et al Dropped the Ball

Reminder of What Might Have Been with Round 1 Pick # 15 Melvin Gordon (PS; Axe)

Melvin Gordon stared at the replica of Ernie Davis' Heisman Trophy before him during a visit to Syracuse.

A voice next to him said "Melvin, I've been coaching high school football for a long time. With your work ethic, if you continue to practice harder than you play in games, this trophy, one day you could be holding it."

Gordon, fascinated by the trophy and the history of the man who won it, looked at the man who told him that and said "Coach, I appreciate you telling me that. It would be a dream."

"It's every kid's dream, Melvin," the voice replied. "You have to think like that. You have to reach for the stars. You have the ability to do that."

The Wisconsin running back's 408-yard performance against Nebraska last Saturday may have nailed it down to a two-person race for the 2014 Heisman Trophy along with Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Gordon's dream may become reality just five years after standing next to a replica of Ernie Davis' Heisman Trophy in the Iocolano-Petty Football Wing at Syracuse University, strutting his own Heisman pose for a photo.

This is the story of how Heisman candidate Melvin Gordon had boots on the ground at Syracuse University, but never spoke with a member of the coaching staff that day or was seriously pursued by SU until it was too late.
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Durell Eskridge Might be Drafted Earlier Than Expected

Syracuse Prospects Expected to be Chosen in Late Rounds of NFL Draft (watertowndailytimes.com; Manganiello)

Syracuse fans watching the NFL Draft to see which Orange prospects are turning pro will need to apply patience, as the first SU player will likely not be called until Saturday.

The first round of the NFL Draft kicks off today at 8 p.m. on ESPN and the NFL Network. Rounds 2-3 will be broadcast on ESPN2 and the NFL Network on Friday at 7 p.m. The Draft concludes with Rounds 4-7 on ESPN and the NFL Network on Saturday at noon.

In all likelihood, Syracuse will have three football prospects selected on Saturday: safety Durell Eskridge, offensive lineman Sean Hickey and running back Prince-Tyson Gulley. Two other players, outside linebacker Dyshawn Davis and defensive lineman Robert Welsh, are possible late-round picks.

Eskridge is a big guy (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) for his position, and his combination of height, length and frame make him an attractive prospect at the next level. Scouts love his awareness in coverage and against play-action.

Where Eskridge, a junior at Syracuse, is lacking is against the run — where he is a “careless tackler” — and in recovery. One AFC scout told NFL.com “there is no question he should have stayed another year. He thinks he’s ready but he needs to define the type of player he is.”

Analyst Charles Davis named Eskridge to his all-underrated draft team, and called Eskridge “a long, rangy guy” that NFL teams might develop as a press corner. Eskridge is projected to go in Round 5.
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2015 NFL Draft Position Reports-Top Offensive Tackles (sportnetwork.com)

Other

2015 NFL Draft: NY Giants Select Ereck Flowers, OL From Miami, in First Round (PS; Mink)

The New York Giants have selected Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers with the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-6, 329-pound Flowers primarily played left tackle throughout his career but could play guard for the Giants.

There were mixed reactions from ESPN's draft analysts about the pick, especially regarding his pass protection technique.

Jon Gruden called Flowers a "prototypical New York Giant" who will "add pop to the running game."

Mel Kiper Jr. called Flowers "raw" during the broadcast and believes he will be "overmatched" at left tackle.
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Assessing Jameis Winston and the Rest of the First-Round Picks (PS; Fairburn)

It may take a few years to fully judge how each team performed in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, but it doesn't hurt to gauge the initial reaction from each selection.

The mock drafts are over, and the real thing is finally underway. Throughout the night, we will be grading the picks as they come in. The Buccaneers kicked things off by selecting Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the No. 1 overall pick.

Winston will have to stay out of trouble to justify the pick, but the first of our grades is a good one. Here's our running list of grades for the first round.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, quarterback, Florida State
Grade: A

The Buccaneers made the obvious pick to start the 2015 NFL Draft. Tampa has been locked into Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston for a while now, and for good reason. Winston may have some red flags off the field, but he has tons of potential on the field. Despite a step back in 2014, Winston has shown the ability to read defense and throw the ball with anticipation. He's a big passer with plenty of arm strength to make all of the throws. The Bucs got this one right.

2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, quarterback, Oregon
Grade: B+

Another solid pick. Marcus Mariota didn't grade out as highly as Winston, but the Titans still come away with a potential franchise quarterback. Despite fielding offers for the pick, Tennessee made the smart move by trying to upgrade over Zach Mettenberger. The only thing that keeps this grade from being an "A" is how Mariota fits in Ken Whisenhunt's scheme. Hopefully the Titans show patience with Mariota.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler Jr., edge rusher, Florida
Grade: B-

The Jaguars wasted no time getting their pick in. Florida pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. is a fine prospect and fills a need for the Jagaurs, but USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Clemson edge rusher Vic Beasley seem to have a higher ceiling. It's tough to fault the Jaguars too much, but this pick could have been better.
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