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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL — Major League Baseball has completed the first day of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, which aired live on ESPN2 this afternoon from The Milk House at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. In total, 202 players were selected through the first six rounds and the two compensation rounds — the first of which followed the first round and the second that followed the third round.
The First-Year Player Draft is scheduled to resume via conference call on Friday beginning at 11:30 a.m. (EDT). The Draft will have 50 rounds and will conclude after all 30 teams have passed on a selection or after the final selection of the 50th round, whichever comes first.
The following players chosen today have participated in events at Major League Baseball’s Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California: Tyler Chatwood (2nd round, 74th overall, LAA), Zachary Collier (Compensation Round A, 34th overall, PHI), Cutter Dykstra (2nd round, 54th overall, MIL), Anthony Gose (2nd round, 51st overall, PHI), Aaron Hicks (1st round, 14th overall, MIN), Mike Montgomery (Compensation Round A, 36th overall, KC), Clark Murphy (5th round, 153rd overall, TEX) and Kyle Skipworth (1st round, 6th overall, FLA).
On Friday, MLB.com will continue its comprehensive, live multimedia coverage from Florida on The Baseball Channel through the conclusion of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. Live interactive pick-by-pick results will be available through the Draft Tracker.

mlb.mlb.com

The first day of the 2008 NFL Draft was full of the big names that fans have become familiar with watching football on Saturdays and from reading five months of mock drafts.
Most fans enjoyed the first two rounds and then moved on to the NBA playoffs, cleaning out the garage or cutting the lawn… but there were some late round gems drafted on the second day.
Now before you bet on your favorite team to win the Super Bowl, take a look at some of the second-day prospects that may help your team win more games next season.
Arizona Cardinals – Kenny Iwebema DE Iowa 4th round
Strong, physical, run-stopping end. Very good at the point of attack.
Atlanta Falcons – Kroy Biermann LB Montana 5th round
72 tackles, 15 sacks, and five forced fumbles as a DE last season.
Baltimore Ravens – Tom Zbikowski S ND 4th round
Will help immediately on special teams. Smart and strong in run support.
Buffalo Bills – Reggie Corner CB Akron 4th round
Good instincts in coverage and possesses good closing speed.
Carolina Panthers – Dan Connor LB PSU 3rd round
Projected as a late first-round pick, he’s a tackle machine that slid to the third.
Chicago Bears – Craig Steltz S LSU 4th round
Starting safety for the national champions. Smart and tough.
Cincinnati Bengals – Mario Urrutia WR Louisville 7th round
6’6”, 242 lbs, and 17.5 ypc. Could be a steal in three years.
Cleveland Browns – Beau Bell LB UNLV 4th round
Thumper inside in the 3-4 scheme. Will compete for the starting spot.
Dallas Cowboys – Orlando Scandrick CB Boise St 5th round
Converted WR. All the natural tools, just needs some coaching.
Denver Broncos – Josh Barrett S ASU 7th round
4.35 in the 40. Has had injury problems, but a playmaker when healthy.

theonlinewire.com

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KIRKLAND – It’s not that the intricate subtleties of blocking are not exciting or important, but when it already has been determined that the first pick of today’s NFL draft will be an offensive tackle there is not a lot of room for athletic flights of fancy.
Indeed, among today’s top 10 picks, seven are projected to be defensive players, with only Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden giving this draft a touch of flair.
Michigan tackle Jake Long already has negotiated a five-year, $57.75 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, leaving little drama for who will chosen with the first pick.
Thereafter, the majority of the picks will be a who’s who of defensive linemen.
“I think overall draft-wise maybe it is average,” Seahawks vice president of player personnel Ruston Webster said of this year’s talent. “I think there is pretty good depth at certain positions. Out of every draft there are always players that come out of the later rounds. But I would say overall it is an average draft.”
This is the first year the NFL is changing the draft’s format, going from three rounds the first day to just two, with the remaining five rounds on Sunday. Also, there will be only 10 minutes between picks in the first round instead of 15 minutes, decisions driven primarily by television ratings.
Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell said teams have had to adjust accordingly, holding discussions about potential trades beforehand to map out possibilities.
“We have gone 25 years the old way,” Ruskell said. “But there are times when it drags. That can be tough. It will be a different tempo. We have to get used to it. But I think it was a good change. I think it was necessary.”

thenewstribune.com