|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Three former Huskers picked in NFL draft
Posted: Monday April 17, 2000 03:22 PM
By Joshua Camenzind Lincoln, Nebraska (U-WIRE) -- The 2000 NFL Draft will not go down as one of the greatest in history for Nebraska players, but it did fulfill the dreams of three defensive stars from last season's Cornhuskers. Mike Brown, Steve Warren and Ralph Brown were all fortunate enough to hear their names called during the two-day draft held in New York's Madison Square Garden. The draft provided a roller coaster of emotions for the three Husker stars. Mike Brown surprised many when he was taken in the second round by the Chicago Bears with the No. 39 pick overall. Mike Brown said his selection may have surprised a few people, but he just wanted a chance to prove his worth on the next level. "I am glad I have the opportunity," said Mike Brown from his mother's home in Scottsdale, Ariz. "I will give it my best effort, and if it is not good enough, then it was just not meant to be." Mike Brown, the first safety selected in the draft, said the Bears are looking for him to play the free safety position and special teams in his rookie season. NU's highest pick received rave reviews for his work ethic from the critics. "He is on the shorter side for a safety, but he makes up for this with outstanding instincts and tackling ability," said Tom Donahoe, a former player personnel director for the Pittsburgh Steelers on ESPN.com. "The Bears probably felt that he fit better than some of the other safeties." Warren, who played defensive line for the Huskers, sat in his Springfield, Mo. home and wondered when his name was going to pop up. It popped up, but it was further down the list than he thought it would be. Green Bay drafted Warren with the 74th pick in the third round. Warren said on Thursday he believed he would be drafted between Nos. 20 and 60, possibly an outside first-round pick. "I was real nervous and just ready for it to get over with last night," he said. "It was a very long day." Warren said the Packers told him they were thin at his position, and he might get a chance to start next season. Saturday's three rounds ended without Ralph Brown's name being called, but Ralph Brown, who watched his best friend Mike Brown get drafted, said he took it all in stride. "My family was more stressed out than me," he said. "The only thing that was tough was when Mel Kiper had me rated as, like, the No. 2 defensive back in the second round, and there were 14 other defensive backs taken before me." Ralph Brown received the good news on Sunday morning when the New York Giants took him as the 140th pick in the fifth round. Brown said it all went pretty fast, considering he was sleeping when the Giants called to tell him he was about to get drafted.
| ||||||||||||||
