I’m going to admit right here, I’m not the biggest Tiger Woods fan. My favorite golfer is actually Phil Mickelson, but the criticism Woods is taking from NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown is not fair.
In short, Jim Brown doesn’t think Tiger Woods speaks out enough on social issues. This came out recently during Brown’s interview with Bryant Gumble on Gumble’s HBO show Real Sports.
I agree with Leonard Shapiro of CBS Sportsline assessment of the situation here: Lay off on Woods
Since forming the Tiger Woods foundation in 1996 with his father Earl Woods, it is estimated that Wood’s foundation has helped over 10 million young people. His Chevron World Challenge event raises more than $1 million for programs in the Tiger Wood’s Foundation. His AT&T National Event has awarded over 100 grants to youth organization in the Washington D.C. area. In addition, he distributes free tickets to military personal in the Washington area for his AT&T event. His foundation has even gone international, opening youth programs in different parts of Asia. You can barely list all of the charitable activities that Woods is involved in.
When you’re the most recognizable athlete in the world, it may be in your best interest to stray away from controversial topics, but it’s not for me to say. What I can say is that Tiger Woods seems to do plenty for social change without speaking out on every topic.
A lot of attention has been focused on the early round draft picks, and deservedly so. Those are your All-Americans, your 4.3 Runners, your franchise guys. What about the seventh round, does anyone even care? I do, because there just might the next Tom Brady (sixth round) in there, Shannon Sharpe (seventh round), or Donald Driver (seventh round) waiting.
Which 10 seventh round players have a shot to hit it big?
1. Chris Ogbonnaya RB Texas (211) Team: St. Louis Rams
This north-south running back saw a major increase in yards his senior year. He averaged 5 yards per carry on an explosive Texas team. He also had 46 catches. When have you known Mack Brown to not recruit someone with raw talent?
2. Taufui Vakapuna RB Brigham Young (215) Team: Cincinnati Bengals
This running back runs well and can pick up yards after contact. He also is a fierce blocker with a lot of strength. Vakapuna is a little under 6′ and 250lbs. He posted an impressive 34” Vertical and completed 29 bench press reps in the combine. Vakapuna could have a long career as an NFL Fullback.
3. Captain Munnerlyn CB South Carolina (216) Team: Carolina Panthers
This guy has hands down the best name in the draft. How could you not pick someone named Captain? Munnerlyn has shown an aptitude for special teams and he was one of the SEC’s better return specialists last year. At 5’9″ Munnerlyn is on the smallish side, but the Panthers have had good success with small guys. Can you say Steve Smith?
4. Brad Jones OLB Colorado (218) Team: Green Bay Packers
The “silver surfer,” as Brad Jones is known in Colorado racked up 78 tackles and 7 sacks his senior year. This lone draftee from Colorado can run a 4.6 and could be a real steal for Green Bay.
5. Troy Nolan S Arizona State (223) Team: Houston Texans
Nolan played two years for the Sun Devils. He started all 25 games. A second team All Pac-10 member, and the team captain for 2008. Nolan had 10 interceptions his last two years at Arizona St. and scored five touchdowns on defense. Obviously he has the ability to make the big defensive play, but may need to work on tackling.
6. Demetrius Byrd WR LSU (224) Team: San Diego Chargers
An LSU standout, Demetrius has great speed. In his two year career at LSU he collected 11 touchdowns and over 1000 yards. Some felt Byrd was a slight disappointment at LSU, but there’s potential to be an NFL reciever.
7. Mike Mickens CB Cincinnati (227) Team: Dallas Cowboys
Mikens led a ferocious Bearcats defense in interceptions. He was a steal in the late round, as he had the ability to be a mid round pick. Could be injury prone as he did miss three games his senior year with some torn cartilage in his knee, and that might have scared some teams off.
8. Manuel Johnson WR Oklahoma (229) Team: Dallas Cowboys
Has an outstanding work ethic and NFL caliber toughness. An underrated WR that’s not afraid to go over the middle. Like his contemporary Mack Brown at Texas, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has an eye for raw talent.
9. Rickey Jean-Francois DT LSU (244) Team: San Francisco 49ers
An early entry into this year’s draft, it seems that he may have been better served to wait another year. He was defensive MVP of the 2008 BCS national championship game. He is a very athletic player with great size. It might take a couple of years of development, but the 49ers might have “THE STEAL” of the seventh round. Francois may have as much raw talent as anyone drafted outside the first round.
10. Freddie Brown WR UTah (252) Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Brown had a wonderful season at Utah, finishing the year with 77 catches for 900 yards. Freddie played a big role in keeping the Utah Utes undefeated. He has the maturity and a work ethic that will serve him well in the NFL. Route running needs works, but Brown’s work ethic will take care of that.
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