New York, NY (UHND) – Yesterday’s first day of the NFL Draft showed just how far Notre Dame has fallen in the ranks of the football world. Justin Tuck, the all-time leader in sacks in the storied history of Notre Dame football fell all the way to the 74th overall pick when the New York Giants used their third round selection on the Alabama native.
Tuck finished his Irish career with 24.5 sacks, but a torn ACL in the final season game of 2003 slowed Tuck this past season and his draft stock fell. Still, Tuck projected to possibly squeeze his way into the first round a possibly pick for the Philadelphia Eagles according to the Philadelphia Daily News this past Friday.
The Eagles however passed on Tuck and grabbed Mike Patterson from USC at pick 31 and then Reggie Brown four picks later. Thirty one other teams passed on Tuck as well for 73 picks before he fell into the lap of the Giants who reportedly considered taking him with their 2nd round pick.
First off I hate seeing the Giants grab Tuck as a rabid fan of the Birds. The Eagles needed a defensive end opposite of Jevon Kearse after Derrick Burgess left for the Raiders this past off-season. Secondly, the thought of Tuck coming off the corner after Donovan McNabb is not something that I want to see.
The Giants got the second best steal of the draft (after Aaron Rodgers fell into the Packers lap at #24) in my opinion. With Michael Strahan getting up there in years the Giants can use an end and Tuck was one of the most under rated ends in the Draft.
Tuck’s senior year was solid, but un spectacular. The torn ACL in the Syracuse game slowed him a bit this past season. Had Tuck been 100% healthy he would have been a first rounder. Now that he is a 3rd rounder though he should have a chip on his shoulder which should benefit him.
Tuck will have a solid NFL career… I just hope he is not a Giant for too long so I don’t have to watch him in the Eagles backfield too often.
WTT? I would not like to be at 74, where he landed!