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4/28/2008 10:03 AM
 
FB Tyler Whaley  (United States)
NFL draft
End was near, but Bears take Ohio State's Barton
Monday,  April 28, 2008 3:16 AM
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
"At least someone wanted me and was willing to give me a chance. But, oh man, was it a long day." — Ohio State offensive tackle Kirk Barton
RENEE SAUER | DISPATCH
"At least someone wanted me and was willing to give me a chance. But, oh man, was it a long day." — Ohio State offensive tackle Kirk Barton
Though he tried to remain calm, Kirk Barton couldn't help but get upset as he watched the waning picks in the NFL draft yesterday.

The Ohio State offensive tackle was projected to be taken anywhere from the fourth to the sixth round. But as the seventh round came and he was still sitting, undrafted, in his Canton home, Barton was suffering.

"It was hard, down towards the last 30, 20, 10 picks, wondering, 'Is it going to happen?' " Barton said.

It did happen, finally. Chicago drafted him with the 247th overall pick, with just five picks left in the draft.

He was the third and final Buckeyes player drafted. Defensive end Vernon Gholston went sixth overall to the New York Jets on Saturday, and linebacker Larry Grant was a seventh-round selection (214th overall) of San Francisco yesterday.

Two OSU fullbacks signed free-agent deals immediately after the draft: Dionte Johnson with Arizona and Tyler Whaley with Cincinnati.

But of them all, Barton had the most difficult weekend. He was a four-year starter for OSU, and last season earned all-Big Ten and All-America honors.

Barton said he's not sure why he slipped. He does know the experience will send him to the Bears with something to prove.

"I'll be ready to go for minicamp," he said. "At least someone wanted me and was willing to give me a chance. But, oh man, was it a long day."

Grant was drafted about where he was projected to go -- late, if at all.

He was thrilled the 49ers drafted him. It will be a homecoming for Grant, who spent the majority of his childhood in California and also played the 2004 and 2005 seasons at San Francisco City College before transferring to Ohio State.

He spent the draft with family in Sacramento, Calif.

"I've got a lot of family in the San Francisco area," Grant said. "My emotions are out of control right now, I'm so happy and excited."

Johnson feels he's in good hands with Arizona. The running backs coach who called him numerous times yesterday is Maurice Carthon, a former New York Giants teammate of Dionte's father, Pepper Johnson.

Dionte was looking forward to heading to Glendale, Ariz., for minicamp this weekend.

"I've got some unfinished business in that stadium," he said, referring to Ohio State's loss to Florida in January 2007.

Whaley's signing was a bit of a surprise, but it fits his pattern. He walked on to Ohio State five years ago as an offensive lineman, and he didn't see significant playing time until switching to fullback in 2007.

He parlayed that year of experience into a $3,000 signing bonus and a chance to make the roster of the Bengals, his favorite team as a kid growing up in Ironton, Ohio.

"It's another dream come true, just like walking on to Ohio State," Whaley said. "I couldn't ask for more."

 
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4/29/2008 10:15 AM
 
Re: FB Tyler Whaley  (United States)

Bengals sign 2 college free agent fullbacks

ELDER’S GLATTHAAR IN THE HOUSE; GO YOU PANTHERS, GO!

As a proud graduate of THE Ohio State University (1976) and Cincinnati Elder High School (1972), “Ludwig At Large” is pleased to announce the Cincinnati Bengals have signed a pair of fullbacks from both my alma maters to free agent contracts.

They are Bradley Glatthaar of the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Elder Panthers, and Tyler Whaley of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Both players improve the depth at a position occupied by incumbent starter Jeremi Johnson, who enters his sixth season with the Bengals.

Glatthaar is a 5-foot-11, 242-pounder who looks and plays even bigger. He has a chance to stick because he’s a bruising blocker who served as the Bearcats’ short-yardage specialist, especially at the goal line, scoring 21 career rushing TDs.

At UC’s Pro Day, he unleashed 26 repetitions at 225 pounds in the bench press.

BUCKEYE BRUISER

Whaley is a 6-1, 265 pounder who also saw action at center. He walked on the Buckeyes’ squad out of Ironton High School and was awarded a scholarship prior to the 2007 season.

His bio reads: “He could been a starter at a lower level, but wanted to play for Jim Tressel at Ohio State. He does not know the meaning of quit.”

 
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4/29/2008 10:16 AM
 
Re: FB Tyler Whaley  (United States)

Draft raises many questions for Bengals players and fans

COMMENT: What questions do you have about the draft?

Staff Writer

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Bengals fans have draft questions. I have answers.

Q Why didn't the team trade up to get USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis?

A Too expensive. The Bengals would've had to give up their No. 1 and No. 3 picks, which turned out to be linebacker Keith Rivers and defensive tackle Pat Sims (Nos. 9 and 77 overall). Two is better than one.

Q Who was the Bengals' big winner?

A Tailback Rudi Johnson. His sigh of relief was heard for miles after the team didn't draft at his position.

Q Who was the big loser?

A Wide receiver Chad Johnson. The club ignored agent Drew Rosenhaus' plea to trade Johnson, who is left with two options — play for the Bengals or sit out and face fines of $1,700 per day for mandatory minicamp (June 12-14) and $14,000 per day at training camp in July, plus forfeiture of his $3 million salary.

Q Has the team signed any college free agents?

A Yes. The Bengals reported reached agreement with two fullbacks — UC's Bradley Glatthaar (Cincinnati Elder) and Ohio State's Tyler Whaley (Ironton), so far.

Q What positions are cause for concern?

A Tailback, center and defensive end. If Rudi Johnson can't return to form after an injury-plagued 2007, a "tailback-by-committee" concept will be unveiled with Kenny Watson, Chris Perry and DeDe Dorsey. Kenny Irons, a 2007 second rounder, is recovering from knee surgery and not expected to be ready for the start of the season. Center is the weak link on the O-line with Dan Santucci, Nate Livings and Kyle Cook pushing incumbent Eric Ghiaciuc. As for defensive end, unproven Frostee Rucker and rookie Angelo Craig are the only backups to Antwan Odom and Robert Geathers.

Q What would you do with Chad Johnson?

A Bring him to Cincinnati for a meeting. This fiasco needs a peaceful resolution. If not, the distraction of his trade demand and expected holdout will destroy the team.

Q Why didn't the Bengals sign UD's Kevin Hoyng?

A Because they are smug, arrogant and lost in what ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit calls "the great abyss."

 
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