Österreich » Sports Writers Will Graves

NEW YORK -- It took a few hours on the final day of the NFL draft for A.J. McCarron, Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger to finally hear their names called. It took much longer, but Missouri defensive end Michael Sam, the first openly gay player to enter the draft, heard his in the seventh and final round. Sam was taken 249th out of 256 picks, by St. Louis. There was applause at Radio City Music Hall from the slim crowd on hand. Scouts had pegged him to be a mid- to late-round selection, but he didnt perform well at the combine; some questioned whether he would be drafted at all. The star quarterbacks of the SEC went earlier, but will be long shots to become early starters in the pros. McCarron led Alabama to two national titles, but had to wait until the 164th overall spot to be selected by Cincinnati. Georgias Murray went one pick earlier Saturday to Kansas City. LSUs Mettenberger didnt go until the sixth round, to Tennessee. Virginia Techs Logan Thomas, not nearly as accomplished as the SEC passers, was the first QB chosen on the last day, by Arizona in the fourth round. Murray had a penchant for big plays with the Bulldogs, but the SECs career passing leader tore his ACL on Nov. 8 and did not work out during the NFL combine. He figures to compete for a third-string job this year. "Theres no restrictions, no second thought when Im running, cutting," Murray said. "Its full-speed, full-go ahead." McCarron expects to learn behind Andy Dalton, who led the Bengals to three straight playoff berths for the first time in franchise history. "Im confident in myself, but at the same time, I know Andys the QB out there and I respect that," McCarron said. "All I want to do is go in and help us in whatever way I can. If that means me holding the clipboard for a couple of years and giving Andy reports during the week and watching film with him and helping him in any way I can, Im just ready to do it." Thomas comes out of school healthy, but the inconsistency that plagued his career hurt his draft stock. Thomas never really improved to the level expected with the Hokies after a strong debut. Hes big, with a strong arm, but is turnover prone. "Ive grown as a quarterback in this off-season," Thomas said. "Everybodys basing it off the season, which I understand. Thats whats on film. But this off-season was a chance I was able to really go refine some things." In all, 14 quarterbacks were selected. Early Saturday, many picks had ties to Clemson star receiver Sammy Watkins. Watkins, the fourth overall selection in the first round by Buffalo, saw his older brother, Florida cornerback Jaylen Watkins, taken by Philadelphia to open the fourth round. Philadelphia acquired the selection the previous day from Houston, trading its third-round pick (No. 83) for the Texans fourth- and fifth-round spots. "Today is a very big day for our family," Jaylen said. "I texted him (Thursday) before he went on stage and he just texted me ... were both excited for each other. We cant complain about anything that happened this year for us." The next pick, by Washington, was Sammy Watkins college teammate, cornerback Bashaud Breeland, who went up against the nations top wideout in practice for several years at Clemson. Watkins fellow receiver with the Tigers, Martavis Bryant, also went in the fourth round, to Pittsburgh. Andre Williams of Boston College, the nations leading rusher, went to the New York Giants, whose backfield has been plagued by injuries. Williams rushed for 2,177 yards and won the Doak Walker Award as Americas top running back in 2013, but he is considered a weak receiver. "Patience is a really valuable thing," Williams said. "It worked out the best possible way it could, no matter what round it ended up being." Arizonas KaDeem Carey, like Williams, an All-American runner, was taken four spots later by Chicago. Oregons DeAnthony Thomas went to Kansas City, ostensibly to replace departed Dexter McCluster. National champion Florida State had two players go in the first five picks Saturday: running back Devonta Freeman to Atlanta, and centre Bryan Stork, another All-American, to New England. Big 12 power Oklahoma, which was blanked in the first three rounds, broke through when the New York Jets drafted receiver Jalen Saunders. Another powerhouse program, Texas, did not have anyone taken, although its former quarterback, Garrett Gilbert, who transferred to SMU, was chosen at the end of the sixth round. While the Longhorns were looking for someone to be picked, Duke had a drafted player. When Buffalo made cornerback Ross Cockrell the 109th overall selection, it was the highest a Blue Devil had gone since offensive lineman Lennie Friedman went to Denver in the second round in 1999. Cockrell thought Duke making the Chick-Fil-A bowl helped his stock. "I think it opened a lot of eyes that this guy from Duke can actually play a little ball and will be able to compete at the next level," he said. The final player chosen, dubbed "Mr. Irrelevant," was Memphis safety Lonnie Ballentine. He was taken by the Texans. There were a record 102 early entrants into this draft, and 61 were selected. AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi, College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo, and Sports Writers Will Graves, Joe Kay and Dave Skretta contributed to this story. Adam Henrique Jersey . -- Pinch-runner Rajai Daviss decision to steal third base just as Oakland catcher Derek Norris was throwing the ball back to the pitcher caught most everyone by surprise -- including several of his Detroit teammates. Cam Fowler Jersey . Kripps, of Summerland, B.C., and Edmontons Barnett used a terrific second run to move up two spots, putting the Canadian duo in medal contention with the final two runs set for Monday (11:15 a.m. ET, streaming live at cbc. http://www.authenticduckspro.com/Customized/. Both moves were announced Tuesday. The Titans had waived Matthews on Saturday when they promoted wide receiver Michael Preston from the practice squad. Corey Perry Jersey . -- The Tampa Bay Lightning are disappointed, though not discouraged. Teemu Selanne Jersey .C. -- Cam Newton wasnt flawless on Sunday.BARCELONA, Spain - Pedro Rodriguez filled in for Barcelonas missing star forwards by netting a hat trick in 10 minutes before setting up Cesc Fabregas twice as the visitors erased a two-goal deficit in a wild 5-2 win at Getafe on Sunday. Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. With Barcelonas strike-duo Lionel Messi and Neymar unavailable, Getafe surged forward from the start and stunned the visitors shaky defence with two goals in 15 minutes. But Pedro led the comeback by scoring in the 34th, 41st and 43rd minutes to swing the match in Barcelonas favour before halftime. Pedro crossed for Fabregas to score his first goal in the 68th before Pedro provoked a penalty in the 72nd that Fabregas converted to secure the result. In his fifth season with Barcelonas first team, the 26-year-old Pedro has settled for a role of reserve player with the occasional start. Despite his limited playing time, Pedros second treble of the season made him Barcelonas leading scorer in the league with 10 goals, tied for fourth best overall. "Im happy, confident and taking advantage of the opportunities my coach gives me," Pedro said. "The game was difficult. We didnt play well in the first few minutes, but we switched it on and pulled out the win." Also, Athletic Bilbao beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 at San Mames to strengthen its hold on fourth place, while Espanyol routed Valladolid 4-2 for its first win at home in four rounds. Barcelona was without the injured Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Victor Valdes, while Neymar was suspended. But it was the first-choice defensive line that struggled early on, despite having Dani Alves back from a monthlong injury. The Brazilian back looked rusty, Javier Mascherano was often out of position, and Gerard Pique conceded two unnecessary corner kicks— the second of which led to Getafes second goal. After Pique had miissed a chance for Barcelona, left back Sergio Escudero worked a one-two with Angel Lafita to speed by Dani Alves and give Getafe the 10th-minute opener.dddddddddddd Centerback Lisandro Lopez was then completely unmarked to head in Pedro Leons corner, leaving Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino to scratch his head and pace the touchline. But Fabregas and Andres Iniesta took control of the ball and suddenly it was Getafes defence that sprang leaks, especially down the left flank occupied by Pedro. "The best part of the win was the teams attitude during the comeback," Pedro said. Pedro pulled the first one back when Fabregas threaded a ball through for the forward to fire a looping strike that goalkeeper Miguel Moya touched but couldnt stop from going into the net. Iniesta was next to find Pedro, who cut back to his right foot and unleashed an untouchable shot just inside the far post. Pedro was helped by Getafe on his third goal. A defender flubbed in his attempt to clear Jordi Albas low cross after Fabregas had played him wide, and instead laid the ball off for Pedro to pound it past Moya. Pedro turned playmaker after halftime. Fabregas volleyed in Pedros lobbed pass at the far post, and the former Arsenal captain scored from the spot after Pedro was brought down by Borja Fernandez in the area. Barcelona will face Getafe twice more in January in the Copa del Reys round of 16. At Mestalla Stadium, Angel Di Maria blasted Madrid in front in the 28th when he controlled Marcelos lobbed pass, dribbled between two defenders and drilled in a left-footed strike. Juan Bernat set up the equalizer for Valencia when he picked out Pablo Piatti with a cross to head in the 34th-minute equalizer. Cristiano Ronaldo put Madrid back in front with a header in the 40th for his 18th league goal of the season. But Valencia toughened its defence after halftime and defender Jeremy Mathieu fended off Sergio Ramos to head in a corner in the 62nd for the 2-2. Jese went on in the 73rd and nine minutes later he capped Madrids buildup after Luka Modric spotted him on the right side by rifling a low shot between goalie Vicente Guaita and his near post. ' ' '