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Cottam picked by Kansas City
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As far as the NFL draft goes, Sunday was a pretty easy day for Brad Cottam.
Tennessee’s 6-foot-8 tight end figured to be a third-round pick. Sure enough the Memphis native came off the board with the 77th overall pick, going to the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round.
For Cottam, the waiting was over well before noon.
“I’m definitely glad it’s over and I wasn’t sitting there waiting anymore,” Cottam said. “It was tough. It was only 45 minutes or an hour (Sunday), but it was still tough waiting that long. I’m glad it’s over and glad I know what I’m doing now.”
Cottam only played in five games this season after breaking his wrist in UT’s final preseason scrimmage.
He caught just five passes for 125 yards and a touchdown last season, but impressed scouts and executives with his workouts leading up to the draft.
He’s also going to a place with some familiar faces.
Cottam is the third Tennessee player drafted by the Chiefs in the last four years, joining defensive tackle Turk McBride (2007) and punter Dustin Colquitt (2005).
“It’s always good to go somewhere you already know some people,” he said. “It’s nice to know there are people who are there that I know.”
Quarterback Erik Ainge, offensive lineman Eric Young and defensive back Jonathan Hefney are among former Vols waiting to hear their names called as the NFL draft continues.
Check GoVolsXtra for more updates throughout the day.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by TommyJack on April 27, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bring it.
Posted by VOLinDAWGland on April 27, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If he can stay healthy he's got a ton of upside. Had he been able to play last year he might of made 1st round. Brad's brother and the other TE studs we've got are going to thrive in Clawson's offense. Come on football season!!!
Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on April 27, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
3rd round is pretty good for a guy that hardly played this past year. I'm happy for him. Wish the NCAA had allowed him to stay one more year. The guy is a big play threat.
Posted by VolPride_13 on April 27, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THE replacement for Tony Gonzalez. GREAT Pick for the Chiefs!!
Posted by jimr07 on April 27, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ahsley--what would we do without your thought provoking comments. i guess you figure the rest of us do not have a callender
Posted by mikes70gto on April 27, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go Brad.A good pick for the Chiefs.Staying healthy will only bring good things to Brad,possibly as good as Gonzalez.
Posted by utfpmd on April 27, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Darn, I was hoping he would fall to the Colts.
Posted by volsrock54 on April 27, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone thinking Ainge wont be drafted?
Posted by thesavageorange on April 27, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Too bad we never got to see how good Cottam could have been as a college player.If he had stayed healthy , we may have been mentioning him in the same breath as Whitten.
With all that he's been through, I'm just glad he is getting a shot.This should also give Jeff plenty of motivation.Jeff was actually ranked much higher than Brad coming out of HS, plus Aaron Douglas will add some competition.We may get to see another all-sec tight end in the near future.
Posted by KingsportVol on April 27, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Erik Ainge just signed with the Boston Celtics.
Posted by kdt0725 on April 27, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ainge goes to the Jets.
Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 27, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Erik Ainge just got picked up by the Jets. I was hoping the Titans would try to pick up Cottam or Ainge, but no luck. I think the Titans draft has been pretty poor once again.
Posted by thesavageorange on April 27, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
IBleedOrange444, I agree on the Titans.I hate to judge a draft before they play, but they have done alot of things the last couple of yr's that left me scratching my head.
It is well known that the Jets have QB problems, and Eric is the only one they took, so they must think he has an upside.It will be interesting to see his arm strength w/ a healthy shoulder and finger.Don't be suprised if he gets on the field next yr.
Posted by jimr07 on April 27, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ashley--you can post whatever you like. i personally, i think it is silly but if it floats your boat, do it.
Posted by jimr07 on April 27, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thesavageorange--i know this will ruffle a lot of feathers especially among the anti-fulmerites, NFL channel was in high praise of Ainge. they, mike mayock and Jamie Dukes could not believe he was picked that low. we will see. i thought he did a fairly good job what with the surrounding cast of characters and obviously poor coaching.
Posted by thesavageorange on April 27, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jimr07 ,I think the Ainge we saw in the outback bowl is more of what he is when healthy.I think the shoulder injury hampered him all yr.That might also be why the O struggled so bad in 2nd halfs last yr.The shoulder probably stiffened up on him during halftime, and got sore.And from what I understand(atleast now)UT does not give shots for pain.Either way, I'm going to cheer for him.After all, he is still a VOL.
Unfortunately every QB(fair or not)at Tennessee will be held to the standard set by Manning and Martin.
Posted by hmhawk on April 27, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why wasn't Hefney drafted?IMO I saw lesser players taken.Am I missing something?Can someone please explain.
Posted by givehim6 on April 27, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Brad, wish we could have seen you play your whole sr. year. Hope you will be for KC what Whitten is for Dallas.
Posted by invisiblekid on April 27, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think if Cottam stays healthy, he will have a nice career in the NFL. By all accounts I have seen, he has all the physical tools, just bitten by the injury bug and the TE being an afterthought in the offense most of his time at UT.
Posted by KingsportVol on April 27, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hmhawk the scouts evidently saw what we did his senior season.He did not even seem like the same player this year.That's what you get for playing it safe.
Posted by UTfan4life on April 27, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
way to go brad!
Posted by General_Watermelon on April 28, 2008 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kingsport - good one on the Celtics.
Posted by johnlg00 on April 28, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good points by thesavageorange on Ainge and KingsportVol on Hefney. I agree with most on Cottam's potential, but he will have a LONG way to go to replace Gonzales, a sure-fire Hall of Famer.
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