Medlock on being drafted - Page 2

NIU32 · 05-03-2007, 02:50 PM

UCLA's Medlock, USC's Sartz, Lua chosen
Bruins player is the first kicker selected. Trojans are picked by the Redskins and Patriots, respectively.
By Chris Foster and Gary Klein, Times Staff Writers
April 30, 2007

Justin Medlock was lounging around his Westwood apartment Sunday, trying to keep his interest in the NFL draft as casual as possible.

He knew kickers rarely get drafted, at least that was the tale he'd often heard. Still, as the second-leading scorer in UCLA football history, Medlock had gained a toehold in the minds of NFL scouts.

"I was with my girlfriend and my mom and a friend," said Medlock, who scored 357 points during his Bruins career. "We were watching the picks, then Kansas City came up, and I had a feeling that might be the team. Then my phone rang and all of a sudden everyone got real quiet."

The Chiefs made Medlock the first kicker selected in the 2007 draft, taking him with their second pick of the fifth round. No other UCLA player was drafted.

USC linebackers Dallas Sartz and Oscar Lua also were chosen Sunday, increasing the number of Trojans drafted to five.

Medlock was confident he'd be selected but admitted being excited to get the call.

"Everyone started talking, asking who it was, and my mom had to tell them all, 'Sssssh,' " Medlock said. "I was just excited. You never know if you're a kicker where you might go, fourth round, fifth round, maybe not at all and you sign as a free agent. I was wondering, but I had little doubt."

That came from a successful career at UCLA, where he was the Bruins' most consistent weapon on offense last season. He made 28 of 32 field goals and led the team with 113 points. He missed only one extra-point attempt in four seasons.

Medlock wasn't sure what his chances were, even after attending an NFL combine and going through a handful of individual workouts. Only 10 kickers were selected in the previous five drafts. Still, he had a hunch about the Chiefs after General Manager Carl Peterson — a UCLA graduate — talked with him at the East-West Shrine All-Star game.

"I knew they were looking for a kicker," Medlock said. "I talked with their special teams coach during the combine. But it is a situation where the teams that like you have to keep quiet. They all have a poker face."

The only thing teams were unsure about was Medlock's leg strength on kickoffs. His predraft workouts were enough for the Chiefs.

Lawrence Tynes, the Chiefs' kicker last season, made 24 of 31 field goals and finished with 106 points. Throughout his career, though, Tynes has made only 14 of 24 field goals from 40 to 49 yards, a 58% success rate that is below the NFL average of 72%. Medlock was 25 of 33 (76%) from 40 to 49 yards while at UCLA.

Tynes signed a one-year, $850,000 contract, but his hold on the job seemed shaky.

The Washington Redskins took Sartz in the fifth round, and the New England Patriots took Lua in the seventh round.

Sartz and Lua received their good news a day after three USC Trojans teammates were drafted in the second round. The Carolina Panthers took receiver Dwayne Jarrett and center Ryan Kalil and the New York Giants selected receiver Steve Smith.

USC Coach Pete Carroll said Jarrett's slip to the second round was another lesson for draft-eligible juniors who contemplate turning pro without assurance from NFL evaluators that they are regarded as the top player at their position.

"I think this is an extraordinary statement about how things work," Carroll said. "It's so clear about what we've been talking about the last few years. It couldn't be more obvious."

USC receiver Chris McFoy agreed to a free-agent contract with the Oakland Raiders, according to his agent. Fullback Ryan Powdrell said he would sign with Green Bay. Offensive lineman Kyle Williams said he would sign the Baltimore.

UCLA defensive end Justin Hickman was expected to sign as a free agent with Washington.

chris.foster@latimes.com

gary.klein@latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/sports/colleg...ports-coll-usc

Deberg_1990 · 05-03-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Tynes was TWENTY PERCENT below the league average on kicks from 40-49 yards. Everybody likes to talk about the big kicks from 50+, but 40-49 is the absolute critical range.

I agree 100%.

Mr. Laz · 05-03-2007, 03:43 PM

they better have gave Medlock a tryout with a Pro football using an NFL tee.

in fact, they better have stuck one in the freezer and had him kick that thing too.

i don't wanna hear any crap about using different equipment the first time Medlock's kickoff lands at the 20 yard line.

htismaqe · 05-03-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

they better have gave Medlock a tryout with a Pro football using an NFL tee.

in fact, they better have stuck one in the freezer and had him kick that thing too.

i don't wanna hear any crap about using different equipment the first time Medlock's kickoff lands at the 20 yard line.

I'm sure he's been working with a K-ball leading up to the draft...

Direckshun · 05-03-2007, 04:01 PM

Anybody know if he can send a kickoff into the endzone?

**The Franchise** · 05-03-2007, 04:13 PM

Anybody know if he can tackle? You know....just incase.

**Smed1065** · 05-03-2007, 04:41 PM

In 49 games at UCLA, Medlock scored 357 points, the second-best total in school annals. He made 79.5% of his field goal tries (70-of-88) and 147-of-148 extra point attempts. He was successful on 31-of-42 field goals from past the 40-yard line, including 6-of-9 from 50-plus yards away. Of his 214 kickoffs during his last three seasons, the opposition returned 137.

Led the nation with an average of 2.15 field goals per game, adding all 29 extra point tries to lead the team in scoring for the third time during his career, amassing 113 points…Made 7-of-10 field goals past the 40-yard line, including being successful on both 50-plus yard attempts…Kicked off 72 times for a 61.6- yard average.
---------------------------------------------------------

I remember posting his touch backs versus kicks and it seemed to be around 20 percent (maybe it was 20 touch backs out of 72 tries), IIRC. I tired to find that website again but missed it.

Hootie · 05-03-2007, 04:50 PM

It's tough to kick touchbacks in the NFL...hardly any kicker can do it...I rather have a guy who kicks FG's CONSISTENTLY (unlike Tynes), so I don't need to be STRESSED out every time our kicker lines up for a FG from ANY distance (20 yards, 30 yards, 40 yards)...

It would be nice to say, "hey, this guy is going to make this field goal!"

Something I haven't been able to say since Tynes was signed on as our kicker.

Ultra Peanut · 05-03-2007, 05:14 PM

UNFUNFUNFUNFUNF

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yeahhhhhh

penchief · 05-03-2007, 05:46 PM

Gil Brandt said that Medlock had much better form than Crosby.

I believe we can get a draft pick out of Tynes.

Frosty · 05-03-2007, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penchief

Gil Brandt said that Medlock had much better form than Crosby.

I believe we can get a draft pick out of Tynes.

Both the Giants and Falcons are desperate for a kicker with Cundiff being about being the only thing out there. Maybe Carl can work the same mojo he worked against the Bucs and squeeze out a pick for Tynes.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 05-03-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arc

Both the Giants and Falcons are desperate for a kicker with Cundiff being about being the only thing out there. Maybe Carl can work the same mojo he worked against the Bucs and squeeze out a pick for Tynes.

Tynes playing 8 games a year int he Meadowlands?

Yeah, that would work......

Atlanta, however......

Mecca · 05-03-2007, 06:41 PM

We might get more for Tynes than Green, how the market works.......

Hammock Parties · 05-03-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Tynes was TWENTY PERCENT below the league average on kicks from 40-49 yards.

Not last year.

Halfcan · 05-03-2007, 08:39 PM

Bye bye Tynes!

**The Bad Guy** · 05-03-2007, 08:48 PM

Mason Crosby also kicked for Colorado and the air has a lot to do with his distance on kickoffs, field goals.

We picked the right kicker.

05-03-2007, 02:50 PM
NIU32 Starter Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	Medlock on being drafted UCLA's Medlock, USC's Sartz, Lua chosen Bruins player is the first kicker selected. Trojans are picked by the Redskins and Patriots, respectively. By Chris Foster and Gary Klein, Times Staff Writers April 30, 2007 Justin Medlock was lounging around his Westwood apartment Sunday, trying to keep his interest in the NFL draft as casual as possible. He knew kickers rarely get drafted, at least that was the tale he'd often heard. Still, as the second-leading scorer in UCLA football history, Medlock had gained a toehold in the minds of NFL scouts. "I was with my girlfriend and my mom and a friend," said Medlock, who scored 357 points during his Bruins career. "We were watching the picks, then Kansas City came up, and I had a feeling that might be the team. Then my phone rang and all of a sudden everyone got real quiet." The Chiefs made Medlock the first kicker selected in the 2007 draft, taking him with their second pick of the fifth round. No other UCLA player was drafted. USC linebackers Dallas Sartz and Oscar Lua also were chosen Sunday, increasing the number of Trojans drafted to five. Medlock was confident he'd be selected but admitted being excited to get the call. "Everyone started talking, asking who it was, and my mom had to tell them all, 'Sssssh,' " Medlock said. "I was just excited. You never know if you're a kicker where you might go, fourth round, fifth round, maybe not at all and you sign as a free agent. I was wondering, but I had little doubt." That came from a successful career at UCLA, where he was the Bruins' most consistent weapon on offense last season. He made 28 of 32 field goals and led the team with 113 points. He missed only one extra-point attempt in four seasons. Medlock wasn't sure what his chances were, even after attending an NFL combine and going through a handful of individual workouts. Only 10 kickers were selected in the previous five drafts. Still, he had a hunch about the Chiefs after General Manager Carl Peterson — a UCLA graduate — talked with him at the East-West Shrine All-Star game. "I knew they were looking for a kicker," Medlock said. "I talked with their special teams coach during the combine. But it is a situation where the teams that like you have to keep quiet. They all have a poker face." The only thing teams were unsure about was Medlock's leg strength on kickoffs. His predraft workouts were enough for the Chiefs. Lawrence Tynes, the Chiefs' kicker last season, made 24 of 31 field goals and finished with 106 points. Throughout his career, though, Tynes has made only 14 of 24 field goals from 40 to 49 yards, a 58% success rate that is below the NFL average of 72%. Medlock was 25 of 33 (76%) from 40 to 49 yards while at UCLA. Tynes signed a one-year, $850,000 contract, but his hold on the job seemed shaky. The Washington Redskins took Sartz in the fifth round, and the New England Patriots took Lua in the seventh round. Sartz and Lua received their good news a day after three USC Trojans teammates were drafted in the second round. The Carolina Panthers took receiver Dwayne Jarrett and center Ryan Kalil and the New York Giants selected receiver Steve Smith. USC Coach Pete Carroll said Jarrett's slip to the second round was another lesson for draft-eligible juniors who contemplate turning pro without assurance from NFL evaluators that they are regarded as the top player at their position. "I think this is an extraordinary statement about how things work," Carroll said. "It's so clear about what we've been talking about the last few years. It couldn't be more obvious." USC receiver Chris McFoy agreed to a free-agent contract with the Oakland Raiders, according to his agent. Fullback Ryan Powdrell said he would sign with Green Bay. Offensive lineman Kyle Williams said he would sign the Baltimore. UCLA defensive end Justin Hickman was expected to sign as a free agent with Washington. chris.foster@latimes.com gary.klein@latimes.com http://www.latimes.com/sports/colleg...ports-coll-usc
Posts: 44

05-03-2007, 03:43 PM	#17
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	they better have gave Medlock a tryout with a Pro football using an NFL tee. in fact, they better have stuck one in the freezer and had him kick that thing too. i don't wanna hear any crap about using different equipment the first time Medlock's kickoff lands at the 20 yard line. __________________
Posts: 95,626

05-03-2007, 04:01 PM	#19
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4133447	Anybody know if he can send a kickoff into the endzone?
Posts: 59,323

05-03-2007, 04:13 PM	#20
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2635047	Anybody know if he can tackle? You know....just incase.
Posts: 92,310

05-03-2007, 04:41 PM	#21
Smed1065 Supporter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Returning From Hell Casino cash: $7533673	In 49 games at UCLA, Medlock scored 357 points, the second-best total in school annals. He made 79.5% of his field goal tries (70-of-88) and 147-of-148 extra point attempts. He was successful on 31-of-42 field goals from past the 40-yard line, including 6-of-9 from 50-plus yards away. Of his 214 kickoffs during his last three seasons, the opposition returned 137. Led the nation with an average of 2.15 field goals per game, adding all 29 extra point tries to lead the team in scoring for the third time during his career, amassing 113 points…Made 7-of-10 field goals past the 40-yard line, including being successful on both 50-plus yard attempts…Kicked off 72 times for a 61.6- yard average. --------------------------------------------------------- I remember posting his touch backs versus kicks and it seemed to be around 20 percent (maybe it was 20 touch backs out of 72 tries), IIRC. I tired to find that website again but missed it.
Posts: 9,887

05-03-2007, 04:50 PM	#22
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	It's tough to kick touchbacks in the NFL...hardly any kicker can do it...I rather have a guy who kicks FG's CONSISTENTLY (unlike Tynes), so I don't need to be STRESSED out every time our kicker lines up for a FG from ANY distance (20 yards, 30 yards, 40 yards)... It would be nice to say, "hey, this guy is going to make this field goal!" Something I haven't been able to say since Tynes was signed on as our kicker.
Posts: 56,356

05-03-2007, 05:14 PM	#23
Ultra Peanut v^V^v^V^v^V^ Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Holland* Casino cash: $10005177	UNFUNFUNFUNFUNF ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yeahhhhhh __________________
Posts: 39,518

05-03-2007, 05:46 PM	#24
penchief MVP Join Date: Feb 2003 Casino cash: $6315286	Gil Brandt said that Medlock had much better form than Crosby. I believe we can get a draft pick out of Tynes.
Posts: 17,035

05-03-2007, 06:41 PM	#27
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2147050	We might get more for Tynes than Green, how the market works.......
Posts: 111,255

05-03-2007, 08:39 PM	#29
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	Bye bye Tynes!
Posts: 43,200

05-03-2007, 08:48 PM	#30
The Bad Guy Scott Pioli Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Copacobana Casino cash: $9363645	Mason Crosby also kicked for Colorado and the air has a lot to do with his distance on kickoffs, field goals. We picked the right kicker. __________________
Posts: 23,212