Who knows if it was the slow 40 times, the criticism of OU following pro day or the rumors about chronic knee problems.
Whatever caused it, former Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly didn't go as high as he had hoped Saturday in the NFL Draft, falling to the Washington Redskins with the No. 51 pick in the second round.
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Kelly, along with linebacker Curtis Lofton who was taken with the 37th pick in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons, were the only two Sooners selected in the opening two rounds.
It was the first time in seven years that a Sooner wasn't taken in the first round of the draft, though perhaps it shouldn't have come as a surprise.
Despite any hype coming from the analysts, both Kelly and Lofton received second-round grades from the NFL when they were mulling over their decisions about whether to skip their senior seasons and enter the draft.
The remaining five rounds will conclude today, during which former OU defensive back Reggie Smith among other ex-Sooners are expected to be taken.
For Kelly, hearing his name called concluded what has been a tumultuous last six months.
First, he had to recover from a partially torn quadriceps, which kept him from playing in the Fiesta Bowl and later participating in the NFL Scouting Combine.
Then, rumors were spread throughout the league that Kelly had chronic knee problems, prompting his agent, Chad Speck, to send a letter to every NFL team calling the rumors "untrue” and "irresponsible,” and enclosed a doctor's note stating that Kelly was "100 percent healthy.”
Finally on his pro day, Kelly ran the 40-yard dash in a disappointing 4.68 seconds before criticizing the OU strength staff for moving the location of the testing to FieldTurf and accusing the OU training staff of initially misdiagnosing his quadriceps tear.
A day later, Kelly publicly apologized for his remarks.
"Malcolm knows he didn't handle that with the maturity he should have,” Speck told The Washington Post. "He was frustrated and said some things he knows he shouldn't have, and some people tried to paint him as a bad-attitude guy, which isn't the case. He never had any problems like that before. It's not who he is.”
Kelly will now be able to put all of that behind him as he heads out to Washington.
A Redskins contingent, which included quarterback Jason Campbell, owner Daniel Snyder and first-year head coach Jim Zorn, visited Norman on Thursday to put Kelly through a private workout, suggesting that Washington might take him with the 21st overall selection in the first round.
Instead, the Redskins traded the pick to Atlanta for two second-round selections, which they used to take Michigan State wide receiver Devin Thomas and USC tight end Fred Davis.
The Redskins were pleasantly surprised to find that Kelly was still available late in the second round.
"That was surprising. You read most draft things and he was projected to go early,” said Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations, during the team's draft press conference. "I'm sure the time thing hurt him. But when you watch him on film, you can't get carried away with the 40 time because there's functional speed. He plays faster than his time. We don't care how he runs on the track. We care that he plays fast.”
So with its third and final pick of the day, Washington took Kelly, meaning Campbell will now have a bevy of weapons to throw to next season as the Redskins transition to Zorn's West Coast offensive scheme.
The Redskins already have starting receivers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El as well as pro bowl tight end Chris Cooley.
"We'll be able to help each other. It's going to be good in the end,” Kelly told ESPN of teaming up with Thomas. "The more receivers we have, the more plays we can make. We're going to have a lot of fun next season.”
Thomas (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) and Kelly (6-4, 229) will also add much-needed size to the attack, since both Moss and Randle El are only 5-10.
"When we worked him out, we saw that Malcolm is very explosive off the line of scrimmage,” Zorn said during the press conference. "And with his height, we're hoping to use him in the red zone, where he can catch some touchdowns.”
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James, I saw every college game he played minus 1 or 2. He's really good. His attitude has always been good as far as the fans know, never anything made public. He always interviewed well with the local media. He had family financial and health concerns (not his) and was under quite a bit of pressure when he lashed out, but he made his peace with Stoops. Everybody around here liked him. Trust me, on game day he runs like a deer.
The attitude problem is overblown as was his slow time in the 40. I realize I'm biased as a Sooner fan but I watch a lot of college football. I simply cannot understand some of the WRs that went off the board before Kelly. Perhaps the others could assist in the return game. Kelly is a gamer. These other guys may run a faster 40, jump higher, shuttle quicker....just run me a comparison of highlights. The other guys won't come close to making the same catches. Kelly will be the most successful WR selected this weekend - mark it down.
Mike, Scoot and Lou!!! You're the winners in the newest search for “Delusional Aggies of the Week” for April 28-May 2. Congratulations!! You’re an embarrassment to your team and your species.
John, John, John from Perry. “We were able to limp through to the national title”? We? Do you have a turd in your pocket? Move to Stillwaterbreedsstillminds and SHADDUP!!!!!
Hello from the Nations capital....I was very happy with the pick of Malcolm by my Skins.There has been some talk up here that he might have some attitude problems.Is this true? I thought I would track down an Oklahoma forum and,ask the fans who have watched him over the past 3 years...He looks like a great WRs but,I just wanted to see if he had a good head on his shoulders....Thanks for any feed back you vcan give me.
Hope he works hard and becomes successful and gives credit to where he came from. Like so many before him. I also still embrace our mascots. One advantage they are more child friendly, since Pete looks like a pissed-off drunk cowboy with two revolvers.
Again, the reason we are favored is because we have a cake walk through the Big 12. We get one challenge the 2nd week of Sept, the rest is downhill. That's why we don't peak at the right time.....during the bowl. If we face an SEC in the bowl....look-out! That team will have proven its worthiness and will be tested and ready.
Hey Michael in Oklahoma City, did you happen to see this last signing day? I guess not because see the SOONERS did not again go into a rebuilding mode. Yet they RELOADED again and already have 9 commitments for the '09 class. Oh yea by the way I guess you have not seen the pre-season predicitions that have them in the National Championship game versus Georgia. Yes that is preseason and anything can happen but do a little more research.
Come on guys, OSU will win the Big XII football title for sure and Bill Self to OSU is a done deal, his wife is hunting for houses in Stoolwater as we speak. Must be nice to be a delusional cowgirl fan
Michel, OSU has little to no chance, that's foolish talk for a barely .500 team. You're also wrong about Stoops losing his mojo, in fact, he has lost it. Janet, you need to put the pipe down, too. Getting a cake walk through the Big 12 into a BCS year after year only to get spanked is getting old. The Big 12 needs to step it up from being the 4th ranked (3rd at best) conference. We're lucky the SEC knocked themselves out of the title game and we were able to limp through agianst Fla St for the National Title back in 2000.
It is unbelievable how much Bob Stoops gets out of his players. He does not have a first round draft pick this year, yet won the Big 12 and played in a BCS Bowl. What a coach he is! And JJ, do you really think OSU will finish 5th in the South? Surely they are better than that. Boone will not be happy.
Looks like Mike was hitting the sauce last night and was still drunk this morning when he was posting. OSUcks Big XII champs? lol More like Big XII CHUMPS! OSU will finish behind OU, Texas, Texas Tech and possibly A&M this year.
Ha, Michael is so funny! OSWHO winning a football title, that is hilarious! They can't even beat Troy St. and he thinks they will be contender for a Big 12 title?! Always great to start a morning with a laugh! Good one Michael!
Hey Michael, get real man. The Sooners will be fine and there hasn't been a downward spiral (2 Big 12 Championships in row). Why don't you focus on positives of OSU and forget about making comments about OU. Your jealousy of OU is going to make you look foolish like your previous comment did.
Looks like the Stoops mojo is wearing off.I dont see the Gooners doing much this year.Most of the players who are going into the draft were not on the field for the Feista bowl and we all watched what happend in that game.....No Kelly,No Smith,No Lofton....That spells,no chance for the Gooners in 08.They have been on a downward spiral for the last 3 years now.I am concerned about Texas but,my Pokes should brush aside the Gooners without to much trouble this year.
OSU 2008 Big12 champs baby!!!
Glad to see Kelly go to my Redskins.We need some size in our WRs corp and,maybe he can push our overpaid WRs (Randel El and Loyd) to start earning there paychecks...Good Luck Malcolm and, Hail to the Redskins.
Glad to see Kelly go to my Redskins.We need some size in our WRs corp and,maybe he can push our overpaid WRs (Randel El and Loyd) to start earning there paychecks...Good Luck Malcolm and, Hail to the Redskins.
Glad to see Kelly go to my Redskins.We need some size in our WRs corp and,maybe he can push our overpaid WRs (Randel El and Loyd) to start earning there paychecks...Good Luck Malcolm and, Hail to the Redskins.
Glad to see Kelly go to my Redskins.We need some size in our WRs corp and,maybe he can push our overpaid WRs (Randel El and Loyd) to start earning there paychecks...Good Luck Malcolm and, Hail to the Redskins.
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Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton (40) and the Sooner defense run off the field as they celebrate Lofton's interception during the second half of the Big 12 Championship game on Dec. 1. by BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN archive
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Sheesh. So, I'll perhaps sit on my criticisms of the coaching staff. Maybe it's not their coaching that's suspect, but their recruiting. Or both.
John, John, John from Perry. “We were able to limp through to the national title”? We? Do you have a turd in your pocket? Move to Stillwaterbreedsstillminds and SHADDUP!!!!!
OSU 2008 Big12 champs baby!!!