Huskers Going Into the NFL Draft And Free Agent Signings

by Jon Johnston on Apr 26, 2009 11:29 PM CDT in Football Comment 6 comments

Matt Slauson joins his old college coach, Bill Callahan with the New York Jets after being selected in the fifth round.

In seven rounds, only three Huskers were taken in this weekend's NFL draft.

- Cody Glenn being the first Husker drafted was a big surprise. He went in the fifth round to the Washington Redskins. It’s a big surprise because Glenn only played linebacker for one season that was cut short due to his being suspended for ticket scalping.

One partial year, and he’s the highest Husker drafted. Maybe that says something about his desire. Maybe it says something about linebackers coach Mike Ekeler. Or maybe.… it’s because he’s the Husker I chose to put on the cover picture for “A Sea of Red” last season. Yeah, that’s it.

- Matt Slauson gets reunited with his old buddy New York Jets offensive line coach Bill Callahan after going in the sixth round. I don’t know if Slauson can ever get to be a high-paid NFL lineman, but the Jets need linemen pretty badly. I’m all for him, loved the face paint.

It’s easy for us as Husker fans to bash on Billy C, but maybe if Bill can focus on line coaching without all those other distractions like running a full offense, then there’s hope for Slauson. I certainly hope so.

- Lydon Murtha dropped all the way to the seventh round, going to the Detroit Lions. Not that surprising Murtha dropped as far as he did. He missed four games in 2007 and again in 2008 with injuries. In 2008, there was an indication that the injuries weren’t serious, leading one to speculate that Murtha is going to have to get a lot tougher to stay on a NFL roster. This didn't escape the NFL guys.

Although with the Lions, how good do you have to be, really?

Several Husker players were signed as undrafted free agents:

- Joe Ganz, Tamba Bay

- Marlon Lucky, Cinncinati Bengals

- Zach Potter, New York Jets

- Todd Peterson, Jacksonville Jaguars

- Nate Swift, Denver Broncos

Otherwise:

- Our buddy Chase Daniel signed with the Washington Redskins

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Comments

So Joe Ganz is going to be competing with Josh Freeman as a rookie?

I know which one is the better player, but they’ll probably go with the guy with the “measurables” instead.

by Husker Mike on Apr 27, 2009 6:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ganz tells the Journal-Star he hasn't signed with Tampa

Maybe Josh’s dad complained… :-) Anyway, no deal between Ganz and the Bucs yet..

by Husker Mike on Apr 27, 2009 6:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I should have confirmed that on a SB Nation NFL site before posting it.

Our NFL guys did a remarkable job with the draft, got credentials and covered it.

I guess – Ganz may get a shot, an opportunity, but he’ll probably join the long list of quarterbacks that excelled in college but don’t fit a pro offense. Hmmmm….. just like Chase Daniel.

Graham Harrell – surprising he wasn’t drafted.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Twitter!

by Jon Johnston on Apr 27, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am surprised

that Potter wasnt drafted…..really thought he would be the first Husker to go. And kind of surprised that Lucky wasnt drafted either……thought he had good enough hands to at least be a late round pick. I think he will make a roster somewhere. As will Swift. Another guy I figured would be an end of the draft pick.

by taflorom on Apr 27, 2009 7:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Joe Ganz

signed with the Redskins. Along with Chase Daniel. That should be interesting.

Could the NFL be looking to add more spread to it’s mix? Maybe these guys will be cheap quarterback fodder?

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Twitter!

by Jon Johnston on Apr 27, 2009 12:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

adding

it’s a good way to get these guys killed – the QB’s in the spread, I mean. NFL coaches don’t seem to worry TOO much about overrunning their running backs (Adrian Peterson?), so you have to wonder what they’d do with someone like Ganz and Daniel.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Twitter!
cornnation@gmail.com

by Jon Johnston on Apr 27, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs