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JONESBORO — The NFL’s Carolina Panthers announced Monday they have agreed to terms with undrafted college free agent Darren Toney of Lake Village, who completed his career as a cornerback on the Arkansas State football team last season.
Toney was one of 10 undrafted college free agents the Panthers agreed to terms with and will participate at the team’s upcoming mini-camp, Friday, May 2, through Sunday, May 4, at Bank of America Stadium.
Despite missing four games in 2007 with an injury, Toney still posted two interceptions for 32 yards and a touchdown, 27 tackles, four pass break-ups, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He recorded a career-high eight tackles against Florida International and 21 tackles over ASU’s final four games. He was part of a defensive backfield that ranked No. 2 in the Sun Belt Conference and 19th in the nation in pass defense.
Toney completed his four-year career with 95 tackles and six interceptions for 111 yards. He finished his career ranked second at Arkansas State and third in Sun Belt Conference history for kickoff return yards with 1,513 to his credit. He was named the Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week twice during his career.
He posted career-best numbers of 39 tackles and three interceptions in 2006 as a junior. Toney joins over 90 other all-time Arkansas State players that have signed pro contracts with an NFL franchise. While fullback Oren O’Neal and safety Tyrell Johnson were both taken in the 2007 and 2008 NFL Drafts, respectively, Toney becomes the first ASU player to sign a free agent contract with an NFL franchise since running back Shermar Bracey, quarterback Nick Noce and running back Antonio Warren all signed in 2006.

arkansasbusiness.com

Bucs head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen shared their post-draft thoughts on their 2008 NFL Draft selections with the media on Sunday evening. Find out what they said about their new players, the Bucs' interest in DE Jason Taylor, potential trades and and more in this article.
The 2008 NFL Draft officially concluded on Sunday evening.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen shared their post-draft thoughts on their seven draft selections, which are listed below:
In addition, Gruden and Allen discussed Tampa Bay's interest in Miami defensive end Jason Taylor, potential trades and roster moves between now and the start of training camp on July 25.
Pewter Report shares the thoughts of Gruden and Allen below.
GENERAL MANAGER brUCE ALLEN
“We are pleased with the way the draft turned out today and yesterday. If you look at our draft it is very unusual, in the fact that we filled a need in every position of our football team. We got an offensive lineman, we got a defensive lineman, we got a defensive back, we got a quarterback, we got a running back, and a receiver. At all the key positions on a football team, we got someone we think will come in and help us compete. Obviously, we feel good with the kicking situation, we didn't do that.”
(On why they chose a quarterback)
“We like the talent of Josh. He has not good statistics, not great statistics, he has spectacular statistics. He has been coached by coaches that we are very familiar with, Johnnie Morton has said some very positive things about him, and Coach [Jim] Harbaugh has said some great things about him. We want to give him a chance to see what he can do in the NFL.”
(On the timeframe to compete for Johnson)

pewterreport.com