Vic Viloria drafted by Scottish Claymores
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 9:53 amJACK'S DELIGHT AT SUPER AGENTS
Claymores head coach jack Bicknell has declared himself delighted after the free agent draft returned a few familiar faces to Scotland.
The Claymores had earlier protected 2003 running back Maurice Hicks in the NFL draft and added last season's team-mate, linebacker Isaac Keys, from the free agent pool late on Sunday evening. Bicknell also moved to bring back 2003 cornerback Jermaine Chatman and wide receiver Todd Elstrom, who spent last season's Tampa training camp with the Claymores before switching to Rhein Fire and Bicknell's former team, FC Barcelona Dragons.
In the end, only two players from last year were protected - Hicks and Keys - and although they could have secured four, Bicknell admitted he was in no hurry to do so. The only player he lost out on was 2003 defensive lineman TJ Bingham, who preferred to team up with coaching mentor Jim Tomsula at Berlin Thunder and requested not to be protected.
Bicknell, speaking after a frantic day of wheeling and dealing with his coaching staff in New Hampshire around the NFL and free agent draft, said: "The plan we had worked in our favour and the kids we wanted, for the most part, were available to us.
"Originally, we were given a good group of NFL allocates and we added to that in the subsequent drafts and with the two players we protected.
"We could have protected four from last year but most of the exceptional players from the Claymores made it in the NFL last season. We did not take any kids we didn't know, only those we had fully evaluated and we've come out with some really good guys. The way the NFL allocation draft worked it left us with more offensive players than defensive, so that was our focus in the free agent pool, and we're excited with what we have.
"As always, the real proof will come when we get into training camp next month but we're more than satisfied with the talent available to us."
Claymores Free Agent Draft '04
1. Ivory McCoy, DE, Michigan State.
2. Gerald Dixon, CB, Alabama.
3. James Lewis, S, Miami.
4. Andy Bowers, DE, Utah.
5. Gavin Walls, LB, Arkansas.
6. Isaac Keys, LB, Morehouse College.
7. Don McGee, CB, North Texas.
8. Jermaine Chatman, CB, Arizona.
9. JJ Jones, LB, Arkansas.
10. Vic Viloria, LB, Southern Methodist.
11. Matt Anderle, T, Minnesota.
12. DeRonnie Pitts, WR, Stanford.
13. Todd Elstrom, WR, Washington.
Claymores head coach jack Bicknell has declared himself delighted after the free agent draft returned a few familiar faces to Scotland.
The Claymores had earlier protected 2003 running back Maurice Hicks in the NFL draft and added last season's team-mate, linebacker Isaac Keys, from the free agent pool late on Sunday evening. Bicknell also moved to bring back 2003 cornerback Jermaine Chatman and wide receiver Todd Elstrom, who spent last season's Tampa training camp with the Claymores before switching to Rhein Fire and Bicknell's former team, FC Barcelona Dragons.
In the end, only two players from last year were protected - Hicks and Keys - and although they could have secured four, Bicknell admitted he was in no hurry to do so. The only player he lost out on was 2003 defensive lineman TJ Bingham, who preferred to team up with coaching mentor Jim Tomsula at Berlin Thunder and requested not to be protected.
Bicknell, speaking after a frantic day of wheeling and dealing with his coaching staff in New Hampshire around the NFL and free agent draft, said: "The plan we had worked in our favour and the kids we wanted, for the most part, were available to us.
"Originally, we were given a good group of NFL allocates and we added to that in the subsequent drafts and with the two players we protected.
"We could have protected four from last year but most of the exceptional players from the Claymores made it in the NFL last season. We did not take any kids we didn't know, only those we had fully evaluated and we've come out with some really good guys. The way the NFL allocation draft worked it left us with more offensive players than defensive, so that was our focus in the free agent pool, and we're excited with what we have.
"As always, the real proof will come when we get into training camp next month but we're more than satisfied with the talent available to us."
Claymores Free Agent Draft '04
1. Ivory McCoy, DE, Michigan State.
2. Gerald Dixon, CB, Alabama.
3. James Lewis, S, Miami.
4. Andy Bowers, DE, Utah.
5. Gavin Walls, LB, Arkansas.
6. Isaac Keys, LB, Morehouse College.
7. Don McGee, CB, North Texas.
8. Jermaine Chatman, CB, Arizona.
9. JJ Jones, LB, Arkansas.
10. Vic Viloria, LB, Southern Methodist.
11. Matt Anderle, T, Minnesota.
12. DeRonnie Pitts, WR, Stanford.
13. Todd Elstrom, WR, Washington.