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Mon April 30, 2007

OU: Alexander joins Adrian

 
 
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By Scott Wright
The Oklahoman
The NFL Draft has Sooner fans seeing purple.

Adrian Peterson was selected by Minnesota on Saturday, and the Vikings picked up linebacker Rufus Alexander in Sunday's sixth round, No. 176 overall.


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"I wish I had gone earlier, but it's a good situation,” Alexander said. "It's good going up there with Adrian. At least there will be somebody up there that I know.”

Defensive end C.J. Ah You was the only other Sooner drafted when the Buffalo Bills called his name in the seventh and final round, No. 239 overall.

Both Alexander and Ah You have plenty of work ahead for them to make their respective teams.

In hopes of bolstering their play at the position, the Vikings now have 10 linebackers on their roster. But head coach Brad Childress is known for his desire to take a hard-working, coachable player whose skills he believes are underestimated. Alexander fits that mold.

Ah You becomes the seventh defensive end on the Bills' roster, but his versatility could help him.

He occasionally played defensive tackle last season, and though he is undersized at that position in the NFL, he could still be useful inside as a speed rusher.

And at least three Sooners were in position to join teams as free agents Sunday.

Quarterback Paul Thompson was in contact with a handful of teams, but settled on an offer from the New York Jets, who have Chad Pennington, Kellen Clemens and Marques Tuiasosopo already on the roster.

Linebacker Zach Latimer received offers from both Washington and Seattle, while defensive end Larry Birdine was said to be contemplating offers from the Jets and Green Bay.

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