NFL 2012 Draft: Teh Mega Thread!

[sbr]

Dan wetzel just tweeted Vilma is suspended for the year.  Danny.

[CountDeMoney]

Not all teams are evil, heartless and devoid of humanity.  Like New England.

TAMPA, Fla. -- In a symbolic gesture, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand, whose playing career was ended by a spinal cord injury, on Wednesday morning.

LeGrand played for Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers. In a game Oct. 16, 2010, against Army, LeGrand suffered fractures of two vertebrae and a spinal cord injury.

Schiano called LeGrand's mother in New Jersey to let her know of his intention the night before breaking the news to his former player.

"I said, 'Are you serious? You want to do this?' He said: 'It's the least we could do,' " LeGrand said Wednesday during a conference call. "I said I don't even know what to say to you right now, coach. This is amazing.

"It's something I always dreamed about, go to the NFL and retire and become a sportscaster," LeGrand added. "Dreams do come true if you really believe. You do the right things in life, good things happen to you. He really just did this out of the kindness of his heart. It's really what he wanted to do. I had no idea this was going to happen."

LeGrand initially was told he would be a quadriplegic and would have to remain on a ventilator.

Five weeks later, LeGrand began breathing on his own. Later, he became able to stand upright with the aid of a metal frame.

LeGrand resumed his studies in spring 2011. He led the Scarlet Knights onto the field for an Oct. 29, 2011, game and has remained close with Schiano.

"Leading up to the draft, I couldn't help but think that this should've been Eric's draft class," Schiano said. "This small gesture is the least we could do to recognize his character, spirit and perseverance. The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer Men."

The Buccaneers also decided to make the signing May 2, to represent LeGrand's college number (52).

He put up a photo of a Tampa Bay helmet on his Twitter page, tweeting, "We ready!!!"

"It's a symbolic gesture. They can't give me any money with the salary cap and all that kind of stuff," LeGrand said in his conference call. "It's symbolic, something coach wanted to do and I appreciate that. It just shows the man that he is." LeGrand is planning to graduate this fall with a degree in labor studies.

[sbr]

I saw that too, nice move by the Bucs.

[derspiess]

Dunno how I overlooked it, but I just now read that the Ravens took Bruce Gradkowski's "little" brother Gino in the 4th round.  Does my heart good to see two Blue Hens on the same team 

[MadImmortalMan]

Is it over? Who gets to fuck that chick with all the hair?

[Neil]

Vilma of the Saints got a year
Hargrove of the Packers got 8 games
Will Smith of the Saints got 4 games
Scott Fujita of the Browns got 3 games

The penalties seem proportional to the level of stardom of the player.

[katmai]

Reports Junior Seau is dead.

[sbr]

Seau supposedly committed suicide.

More post concussion syndrome?

[Neil]

If only more Patriots players and fans would go that route.

[katmai]

Junior was a decent guy from few times I came into contact with him.
SBR reports are he shot himself in chest, leading people to wonder same thing as that was the route Dave Duerson took so his brain would be intact for concussion studies.

[derspiess]

WTF.  That sucks.  I liked Seau.

[MadBurgerMaker]

Is it over? Who gets to fuck that chick with all the hair?

  This guy:



QB from Northern Illinois.

[Sophie Scholl]

Sad to hear about Seau.  Even though he played for teams I hated, he seemed like a decent enough guy, especially early in his career with all of his charity work.  The suspensions are silly and waaaay too long, but I'm not surprised at all.  Goodell continues his quest to be the biggest douche GM in the major sports in America, a tough battle to win.  Also, awesome on Bruce's little big bro hitting the pros.

[Neil]

Unless Goodell manages to demolish the popularity of the NFL, I think that Bettman's crown is secure.

Yeah, the suspensions seem a little bit over the top, especially Vilma's.  They're framing this as a player safety issue, but it's really a league rule issue with non-contract bonuses.

[jimmy olsen]

Reports Junior Seau is dead.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/02/junior-seau-legendary-linebacker-dies-at-43/related/