Warriors in the Draft

Following up on the previous post, here are a few noteworthy news stories and links from other national sources about the Warriors who were drafted this weekend.

From the Express Times in New Jersey, regarding Nate Ilaoa.

Powerful back packs 248 pounds onto 5-8 frame and also played fullback in college. But the Eagles are looking at him as a halfback, according to Reid. Rushed for 990 yards on just 131 carries as a senior.

From the Sun Sentinel in South Florida regarding Samson Satele and Reagan Mauia. June Jones had some great things to say:

"I'm excited for the Dolphins because they got two good football players and great kids, just what they're looking for," said Jones, who coached the Falcons from 1994-96. "Of all the players I've ever coached, and that includes [Pro Bowl fullback] Craig ``Ironhead'' Heyward, Reagan is the most physical and best football player.

"Samson is a powerful pass pass protector and run blocker, and I put him in the same category as [Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz] on the Bears."

Miamidolphins.com also has audio as well as transcripts of conference calls Samson and Reagan had with the Miami press.

There are more links in the liveblogging posts I did over the weekend.

To finish it out, even though he wasn't in this year's draft, just wanted to link to a transcript where Tampa Bay coach John Gruden talks briefly about former Warrior Chad Owens and how he'll fit in with the Bucs.

(On late round picks helping on special teams)
“That’s the area we got better at, there’s no question about that. We’re a lot better on special teams. If there’s one guy who’s happy with our draft, it’s Rich Bisaccia. Our special teams coach is happy. We got a good kicker here, we got a good punter. We added Chad Owens, a return man that we really liked two years ago out of Hawaii. He is thick and quick and he has a knack for making plays. He and Mark Jones will battle for that role and one of those guys has to step up and become the punt and kickoff returner. We can’t have a guy return punts, and kickoffs, and a long snapper, and a nickel back, and a fourth receiver. Somebody has to become more sophisticated and become all-purpose. We’re going to have competition there and it’s going to be interesting.

Good luck to Chad! Hopefully he'll be playing against a lot of his former teammates this year.

UPDATE: Forgot to mention that Ikaika Alama-Francis has a new post on his blog. Here's an excerpt:

I drove back to my place and there were 100 people there. I was like is this all for me? What's going on? There were family, friends, and neighbors there, even some fans. My family was so happy. It was a really good thing to see.

It's hard to find Lions stuff out here in Hawaii. I really wanted a hat, but I went around everywhere today and couldn't find one. All of it was sold out. I had to drive out to the main mall on the island to finally get one.

I'm flying out to Detroit on Tuesday for camps. Am I really a Detroit Lion? I'm so excited.

Go check it out.