USC's Jarrett hurt by separation anxiety - LA Times
...questions linger about why Jarrett, a two-time All-American, was there for the taking after seven receivers had already been selected. Those questions are especially http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.bold.gif
insert bold tagssignificant because Jarrett gambled by leaving school a year early, and now serves as a cautionary tale for other players who might consider the same path...

...his agent said Tuesday that the receiver was surprised that he'd dropped from the first round even though he had braced for the possibility.

"We knew the draft was unpredictable," Darin Morgan said of the tumble. "We knew some people were fixating on his 40 [-yard dash] times...

Panthers release Keyshawn Johnson - AP via LA Times
The Carolina Panthers released receiver Keyshawn Johnson today, three days after they selected another former USC receiver in the second round of the draft.

It was thought Johnson would help groom Dwayne Jarrett of USC, taken in the second round with the 45th pick. But apparently Johnson was deemed expendable -- he and Jarrett are both 6-foot-4 possession receivers.

Johnson, who will turn 35 in July, had 70 catches for 815 yards and four touchdowns last season, his first with Carolina...

...Johnson worked as an analyst for ESPN during the network's draft coverage last weekend...

Also, [Yasinkas] Why Panthers canned Keyshawn - Charlotte Observer

Southern Cal star to sign with Hamilton - Hamilton Spectator
Products from two American college powerhouses are the latest pigskin prospects to join the Tiger-Cat lair.

The Tabbies are expected to announce today the signing of former University of Southern California tight end Kori Dickerson.

Dickerson, 28, started his pro career in 2003 with the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League before joining the Washington Redskins in 2004 and the Detroit Lions in 2006. Most recently, the 6-foot-4, 241-pounder was a member of the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europe...

Redskins' draft is a family affair - Hampton Roads Daily Press
...the Redskins drafted Southern California outside linebacker Dallas Sartz...

...Sartz, 23, who led the Trojans with seven sacks as a senior, also knows something about sporting genes. His father, Jeff, was a strong safety at Oregon State, while his grandfather, also named Dallas, was a Golden Gloves boxer at Washington State and a professional hydroplane racer.

"Back when (my grandfather) was racing them, it was basically just a jet engine on the back of a boat," Sartz said. " … I had sports all around me when I was growing up. A lot of what (my dad and grandfather) taught me, and a lot of the way they lived their lives, taught me about how I live my life and how to compete."...

Also, USC's Sartz, Lua chosen - LA Times
Redskins shake family trees for 2nd-day picks - Roanoke Times
Linebacker Situation Addressed; Two Picks Have Good Bloodlines - Washington Post

Patriots draft Indio's Lua - Desert Sun
Former Indio High School star Oscar Lua goes from the college football dynasty of this decade to the NFL's dynasty of the decade.

The USC middle linebacker, who won two national titles during his time in Los Angeles, was the first pick of the seventh round by the three-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots on Sunday.

"How gnarly was that?" said Lua, who had 26 unanswered messages on his cell phone an hour after his selection at approximately 1 p.m. "It's a good deal. My family's happy. My mom is a little sad because I'll be on the other side of the map."...

Also, Lua's life set to change as NFL draft begins - Desert Sun
Indio's Lua elated to be Patriot - Inland Empire Press-Enteprise

SMITH FILLS GIANTS' PASSING FANCY - New York Post
...Eli Manning looked downfield and no one was able to emerge as a target.

This coming season, the Giants envision Steve Smith filling that role, which is why last night they used their second-round pick in the NFL Draft on the productive receiver from USC.

"If they're going to take away 17 [Burress] and they're going to take away 80 [Shockey] you got to have somebody else," general manager Jerry Reese said. "Quarterbacks like these kind of guys."...

USC's Jarrett going to Carolina - OC Register
Dwayne Jarrett left USC after just three seasons, but as the all-time leader in the Pac-10 with 41 touchdown receptions. He declared himself eligible for the NFL draft, joining a deep class of receivers, but confident he would receive a call at some point in the first round.

But on Saturday six wideouts were selected in the first round, matching the second-highest total since the 1982 draft, and the 6-foot-4 Jarrett was not one of them.

The Trojans' career receptions leader was not selected until the second round, going 45th overall to the Carolina Panthers, where he will join an offense that includes former USC receivers Keyshawn Johnson and Keary Colbert. Though there had been speculation that he would slide in the draft, Jarrett said that it still was something of a surprise...

Also, Three square-peg players put Trojans in first-round hole - LA Times
Round 2 | USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett - Charlotte Observer
Panthers welcome top picks - Charlotte Observer
WAITING GAME - East Brunswick Home News Tribune

USC's Kalil first center taken in NFL draft - Inland Empire Press-Enterprise
...What more could USC offensive lineman Ryan Kalil have wanted? Well, um, a phone call would have been nice.

For what seemed like an eternity, Kalil sat on the leather couch in the living room of his family's Corona home watching Saturday's NFL draft and clutching a portable phone that would not seem to ring. Only after the Carolina Panthers finally called to tell him they were taking him with the 27th pick of the second round (59th overall) could Kalil relax and enjoy what he'd accomplished...

Also, Round 2 | Center Ryan Kalil - Charlotte Observer
Panthers get young copies of their stars - Charlotte Observer
[Yasinkas] Kalil really was 'best available' - Charlotte Observer