BoomerBlast No. 3 - Sooners in the NFL Update

NORMAN, Okla. -- With NFL training camps in full swing and the preseason now underway, an extensive list of former OU greats are back to work. This week, the Boomerblast gives you an update on the Sooners in the NFL.

Thirty-three players who formerly wore the Crimson and Cream are currently participating in NFL camp, including 2007 draft picks C.J. Ah You, Rufus Alexander and Adrian Peterson, as well as undrafted rookie free agents Larry Birdine (Packers), Zach Latimer (Chargers) and Paul Thompson (Packers).

The Baltimore Ravens employ the largest Oklahoma contingent in the NFL, with five former Sooners on the roster. OU has at least one representative on 18 teams around the league.

Following is a breakdown of each player's current status and expected contribution for the upcoming season, including notes from training camp and links to their professional bios.

Projected Starters
	Jammal Brown \| New Orleans Saints \| OT \| No. 70 A Pro Bowl starter last season, Brown has quickly established himself as one of the top offensive tackles in the NFL... suffered a bruised right knee during training camp on August 7, but the injury is not expected to keep him out of any significant action... the blind-side protector for All-Pro quarterback Drew Brees.
	Chris Chester \| Baltimore Ravens \| OG \| No. 65 Slated as the starting right guard Ravens entering camp... a regular at the Ravens' facility during the offseason, Chester added noticeable bulk to his 6-foot-3 frame without losing any quickness... Baltimore's most versatile lineman, Chester started four games at right guard in 2006 and saw brief action at left guard... his athletic ability makes him available to switch to center as well.
	Mark Clayton \| Baltimore Ravens \| WR \| No. 89 Paired with Derrick Mason and Demetrius Williams, Clayton has helped form a receiving corps that is rated among the best in the NFL... his breakout performance in 2006, in which he led the Ravens in receiving yards and TDs, created buzz around the league... Sports Illustrated recently ranked him as one of the top-25 receivers in the game... after adding 10 pounds of muscle in the off-season, he is poised to continue his ascension as one of the NFL's elite receivers
	Dusty Dvoracek \| Chicago Bears \| DT \| No. 98 Trying to secure the starting spot at right tackle next to fellow Oklahoma alum Tommie Harris... missed his entire rookie campaign in 2006 with a foot injury but began training camp this year at a position that was shared last year by Tank Johnson and Ian Scott, two veterans who are no longer with the Bears... competing with fourth-year player Antonio Garay out of Boston College for the starting nod.
	Kelly Gregg \| Baltimore Ravens \| DT \| No. 97 Signed a four-year contract extension over the offseason... a stalemate for the Ravens at nose guard... the cornerstone of the Ravens' defensive line, Gregg is perhaps one of the most underrated players in the NFL... was named to USA Today's All-Joe team last season, given to players that are critical to their team and do the dirty work but don't get the recognition... one of the most valuable members of a Baltimore defense that finished with the NFL's top ranking in 2006.
	Tommie Harris \| Chicago Bears \| DT \| No. 91 Has nailed down the starting spot at left tackle for the Bears... selected as a Pro Bowl starter each of the last two years... missed the final six games of the 2006 season, including Super Bowl XLI, but entered training camp at full strength.
	Clint Ingram \| Jacksonville Jaguars \| LB \| No. 51 Slated as a starter at outside linebacker for the Jaguars heading into camp... paired with Mike Peterson, Daryl Smith and Justin Durant, Ingram is part of the fastest group of LBs in the NFL... stock is rising as one of the top young linebackers in the league... ranked second on the team and fourth among NFL rookies with 117 tackles in his first season.
	Brandon Jones \| Tennessee Titans \| WR \| No. 81 The Titans lost their top two receivers from a year ago (Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade) to free agency, opening up a starting spot for Jones... one of Vince Young's favorite redzone targets, Jones posted a team-high four touchdown receptions in 2006... voted by his teammates the 2006 Ed Block Courage Award winner for playing in all 16 games last season after recovering from a torn ACL suffered in 2005.
	Davin Joseph \| Tampa Bay Buccaneers \| OG \| No. 75 Has established himself as one of Tampa Bay's most reliable offensive linemen in just his second NFL season... slated as the starter at right guard... part of the foundation of an offensive rebuilding project for the Bucs... may be protecting a new quarterback in 2007, as Tampa Bay picked up veteran Jeff Garcia to challenge Chris Simms... Buccaneers.com feature story on Davin Joseph.
	Brandon Moore \| San Francisco 49ers \| LB \| No. 56 Projected to start at middle linebacker... has steadily progressed over the last couple seasons, turning in the best all-around season of his career in 2006, leading the team in tackles (114) and sacks (6.5)... was named the Matt Hazeltine Award winner given each year to the most courageous and inspirational defensive player.
	Brodney Pool \| Cleveland Browns \| DB \| No. 21 Expected to assume a full-time starting role for the first time in his career after veteran Brian Russell departed via free agency... grabbed everyone's attention at the start of training camp by recording an interception during the team's first 11-on-11 drills on July 28... has played in 20 consecutive games with the Browns in his first two seasons, including eight starts last year.
	Roy Williams \| Dallas Cowboys \| DB \| No. 31 A stalwart in the defensive secondary, Williams has started 82 consecutive games for the Cowboys... named to the Pro Bowl the last four seasons... capable of making plays in coverage or rushing the passer, Williams is likely to see more time playing closer to the line of scrimmage in Wade Phillips' style of the 3-4 scheme in 2007.

Key Contributers
	Stephen Alexander \| Denver Broncos \| TE \| No. 82 Entering his 3rd season with the Broncos and 10th overall in the NFL... currently listed second on the depth chart behind Daniel Graham, who the Broncos acquired as a free agent from the Patriots in the offseason... has started 31 of the Broncos 34 games during his first two years with the club... has posted 40 or more receptions three times in his career but is more noted for his blocking.
	Corey Ivy \| Baltimore Ravens \| DB \| No. 35 Slated as Baltimore's backup at right corner... valuable special teams' contributor and nickelback for the top-ranked defense in the NFL a year ago... earned the Ed Block Courage Award after missing only two games with a kidney injury which he was told would end his season... six-year NFL veteran entering his second season of a three-year deal with the Ravens.
	Stockar McDougle \| Jacksonville Jaguars \| OL \| No. 73 Currently listed second on the depth chart at right guard... experience and ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line will help him see significant playing time... played in 11 games as the primary backup at right tackle and on special teams in his first season with the Jaguars... entering his eighth season in the NFL.
	Adrian Peterson \| Minnesota Vikings \| RB \| No. 28 Peterson is expected to make an immediate impact and could very well see time as a starter in the backfield by the end of the year... suffered a hip pointer on August 2 and has been held out of some contact drills as a precaution, but the injury does not appear to be serious... with Tarvaris Jackson being a first-year starter at quarterback, Peterson will pair with veteran Chester Taylor to carry the load for a Minnesota offense in a two-back system that has proven successful around the league in recent years (i.e.: Dallas' Julius Jones and Marion Barber and New Orleans' Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush).
	Jimmy Wilkerson \| Kansas City Chiefs \| DE \| No. 96 Should once again play a key role in the Chiefs defensive line rotation after appearing in 13 games with one start a year ago... dependable and versatile defensive lineman expected to once again work at his natural left defensive end position, but can line up at any spot on the defensive front... entering his fifth season with the Chiefs after signing a one-year deal on March 21, 2007.
	Travis Wilson \| Cleveland Browns \| WR \| No. 81 In a heated battle for the No. 3 wide receiver spot for the Browns behind Joe Jurevicious and Braylon Edwards... who steps up as the third receiver in Cleveland could become a big story big story as the season progresses... Wilson came on late last season as a rookie and saw significant action at receiver in the final three regular season games... ClevelandBrowns.com feature story on Travis Wilson.

Adding Depth
	C.J. Ah You \| Buffalo Bills \| DE \| No. 76 Bills' seventh-round draft pick signed his first NFL contract on June 11... has gotten second team reps at both left and right defensive end during training camp... currently listed third on Buffalo's depth chart at left defensive end... BuffaloBills.com video highlighting C.J. Ah You signing his contract.
	Rufus Alexander \| Minnesota Vikings \| LB \| No. 57 Vikings' sixth-round draft pick signed a four-year deal on June 19... What they're saying about Rufus: "The one thing we wanted this offseason was not only upgrade our depth at linebacker, but give us some help on special teams, especially the coverage unit. He definitely fills that role" - Rick Spielman, Vikings' VP of player personnel.
	Mark Bradley \| Chicago Bears \| WR \| No. 16 The Bears are stacked at wide receiver, so it won't be easy for Bradley to get a lot of touches this season, but he is having his best training camp since being drafted by the Bears in the second round in 2005... has missed significant time in both of his first two seasons due to injuries.
	Teddy Lehman \| Detroit Lions \| LB \| No. 54 Looking to make an impact this year after two injury-plagued seasons... his ability to play the middle and outside linebacker position will be a valuable asset for the linebacking corps... was the only rookie linebacker in the NFL to start all 16 games in 2004.
	Andre Woolfolk \| Tennessee Titans \| DB \| No. 26 Will compete for playing time at nickelback and as a backup corner in a young and talented secondary... Woolfolk served in a reserve role on defense in 2006 while playing in 10 games with one start.

Roster Hopefuls
	Remi Ayodele \| Dallas Cowboys \| DT \| No. 78 After spending time on the Cowboys' practice squad the past year, has a shot to make the roster this season as the backup nose tackle behind veteran Jason Ferguson... got the second-team reps at the position in first preseason game against the Colts... played for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe this past spring.
	Eric Bassey \| Buffalo Bills \| DB \| No. 21 Re-signed with the Bills on January 2, 2007... currently listed third on the depth chart at right corner... in a three-way battle with Riley Swanson and Reggie Lewis to make Buffalo's practice squad.
	Larry Birdine \| Green Bay Packers \| DE \| No. 93 Signed by the Packers as a non-drafted free agent on May 4, 2007... the Packers are deeper and more experienced on the defensive line than any other position, so Birdine's best shot at making the team is likely as a practice squad player.
	Dan Cody \| Baltimore Ravens \| LB \| No. 53 Placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list prior to training camp after again nicking his knee over the offseason... missed his entire rookie season and all but two games last year due to knee injuries... if healthy, could excel in the Ravens' attacking defense.
	Zach Latimer \| San Diego Chargers \| LB \| No. 58 Signed as a non-drafted free agent on August 1, 2007... hoping to catch on as a practice squad player... has reason to hope as Stephen Cooper (undrafted in 2003) is now one of the team's starting inside linebackers.
	Donte Nicholson \| Tampa Bay Buccaneers \| DB \| No. 30 Third-year safety prospect with good size who provides depth to Buccaneers secondary... listed third on the depth chart at strong safety...
	Antonio Perkins \| Indianapolis Colts \| DB \| No. 33 Claimed off waivers by the Colts from Cleveland on June 19, 2007... hopes to provide depth to the Colts' special teams unit... returned one punt for five yards in Colts first preseason game against the Cowboys... appeared in five games last season with the Browns.
	J.D. Runnels \| Chicago Bears \| FB \| No. 48 Sustained a serious knne injury over the offseason and therefore will likely be placed on injured reserve once the season starts... although listed as Chicago's backup fullback as a rookie last season, the Bears often used experienced third-string tight end Gabe Reid instead.
	Derrick Strait \| Carolina Panthers \| DB \| No. 22 Currently listed second on the depth chart at left corner... has bounced around the league in his first three years... playing with his fourth team in as many years.
	Paul Thompson \| Green Bay Packers \| QB \| No. 10 Signed by Green Bay as a non-drafted free agent on May 16, 2007... battling for the third QB position for the Packers with 2006 draft pick Ingle Martin out of Furman.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

BoomerBlast No. 3 - Sooners in the NFL Update

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