Sports

NFL DRAFT: 5 Things to Look for in the First Round Thursday

Published

11 years ago

April 30, 2015

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston talks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

BARRY WILNER, AP Pro Football Writer

CHICAGO (AP) — Commissioner Roger Goodell says Chicago has “overdelivered” as host of the 2015 NFL draft. And the picks haven’t even begun.

Here are five things to watch for in the first round Thursday night:

CHARACTER: General managers, coaches, scouts and owners always insist that a player’s character is a key component in who gets selected, especially in the opening round.

Now comes a real test.

The 32 teams who will go on the clock Thursday have more than the usual tough decisions ahead. The NFL comes off a year marked by domestic abuse cases that placed the names Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and Greg Hardy in the spotlight for their off-field misbehavior, not their on-field skills. The last thing the NFL wants or needs is a slew of prospects with character problems being selected high in the draft.

Yet there are quite a few, from likely first overall choice quarterback Jameis Winston of Florida State to defensive end Shane Ray of Missouri and linebacker Randy Gregory of Nebraska.

“I’m not sure that you’ll ever be able to predict how a human being is going to respond or react,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. “That’s one of the things that makes the draft unique. As scientific as we try to make it, you’re still dealing with human beings and what motivations they have, where they are in their life, how mature they are. Some guys that had problems in their college years grow up and mature and they become great people, great citizens, great husbands and great players. Some don’t.

“Some that were very clean the whole time in college and had no issues at all, all of a sudden they make some bad decisions. We’re still talking about human beings. We’re very thorough in what we’re doing, collecting information and then you make decisions. Any time you’re dealing with human beings, there is a margin for error that has to be understood.”

QUARTERBACKS: Winston and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, the two most recent Heisman Trophy winners, by far are the top-rated players at the key position. They easily could go first to Tampa Bay and second to Tennessee — or some team that trades up.

Beyond them, any QBs going early would be a reach. Ranked next are Brett Hundley of UCLA, Bryce Petty of Baylor and, well, who knows? Not exactly the 1983 or 2004 crop.

POTENTIAL TRADES: Several personnel people quietly say they expect lots of bartering in this draft, particularly in the first two rounds. Teams dealing from strength would be Cleveland (12th and 19th) and New Orleans (13th and 31st). The Browns have their own pick and Buffalo’s, the Saints own theirs and Seattle’s for Jimmy Graham.

Speculation on possible dealers has centered on Philadelphia’s Chip Kelly, who coached Mariota in college; San Diego, which can’t seem to get quarterback Philip Rivers interested in a contract extension; and the Seahawks, who would like to climb back into the opening round.

RUNNING ON EMPTY: Running backs have not been a top commodity in recent drafts as the NFL has gone pass crazy. Teams tend to look for ball carriers in later rounds, but this draft has a strong group.

Will Todd Gurley of Georgia break into the Thursday festivities now that he has a clean bill of health after a major knee injury? Will 2,000-yard man Melvin Gordon go on opening night?

Other names to think about as the draft goes deeper: Miami’s Duke Johnson, Indiana’s Tevin Coleman, Boise State’s Jay Ajayi, Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah, Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon, and Michigan State’s Jeremy Langford.

DEFENSE, DEFENSE: A high priority almost certainly will be placed on the defensive side of the ball in the first round, even if Ray and Gregory plummet. Such standouts as linemen Leonard Williams of Southern Cal, Danny Shelton of Washington, Arik Armstead of Oregon, and Malcom Brown of Texas should go. Ditto linebackers Dante Fowler Jr. of Florida, Vic Beasley of Clemson and Shaq Thompson of Washington; DBs Trae Waynes of Michigan State, Landon Collins of Alabama, and Kevin Johnson of Wake Forest.

___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

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December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

10 months ago

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Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.