Michael Sam: I should've been drafted in the first three rounds

cbs sportsline ^ | 5-11-14 | John Breech

[FlJoePa]

Former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam became the first openly gay player in NFL history to be drafted when the Rams took him with the 249th pick on Saturday, but Sam almost didn't make history because he almost fell out of the draft.

Sam was taken with the eighth-to-last pick, meaning he almost wasn't drafted at all, something he found rather shocking. The NFL's first openly gay player said he should've been picked higher.

"From last season alone, I should've been in the first three rounds -- SEC Defensive player of the year, All-American," Sam said, listing off his 2013 accomplishments, via the Rams official website. "I should have gone in the top three rounds easily."

Instead of going in the first three rounds though, Sam almost didn't go in any round. So what would have happened if Sam wasn't drafted?

According to NFL Network, the Bears, Giants and Ravens were all interested in signing Sam if he hadn't been taken by St. Louis. The Rams also would have tried to sign Sam if they hadn't grabbed him with the 249th pick.

Bears coach Marc Trestman said on Saturday that Sam would have been a defensive end in Chicago, not a linebacker, "When someone has that number of sacks, you have to pay attention to that," Trestman said of the Bears' interest in Sam, via the Chicago Sun-Times.

As it is though, Sam is with the Rams, and he's happy about that. "The Rams know what the hell they're doing."

And what the Rams did was draft Sam, which you can watch below.

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

Queer? Guess that’s why...

[rcrngroup]

Well, there went my late supper!

[Figment]

He’s really going to squeal when he gets cut. He’s not NFL material, and it’s not because he’s a queer.

[BeadCounter]

I’ve said, if Sam wasn’t drafted, the complaint would be he wasn’t drafted because he’s gay. Now, if he’s not a first stringer, the chorus will be he’s not playing because he’s gay.

[Mike Darancette]

If he stays in football shape, he might get a look during the season as teams suffer injuries and refill their practice squad.

If the Rams try him out as LB he'll be ruined. The only thing he can be in the NFL is as a containment guy (DT) in pass situations.

[Doc Savage]

He’ll end up in the lingerie League..........

[Shadowstrike]

The guys a”marginal” player at best, and a cry baby at best.

I miss the days when Fred Hunter played.

[Chode]

Money Shot???

[dfwgator]

“Can you speak Canadian?”

[Shadowstrike]

dammit I meant FRED DRYER who later played in HUNTER.

[DJlaysitup]

I think a lot of teams passed him over because they don’t need the circus atmosphere that will inevitably surround the Rams training camp.

I think that was part of it, but also, when he didn't shine at the combine it had to make scouts/GMs wonder about his true ability. NFL teams don't care if you are from an SEC team or Middle of Nowhere U. It's all about ability.

Thing is - if you can get a guy with the same abilities who doesn't bring in the circus...

[rlmorel]

"The sense of entitlement is strong with this one."

[Figment]

“The old LA Rams were a good team. Times have changed. We will see.”

There were some questionable players on those “old” Rams teams, but they kept it to themselves. Roman Gabriel and Rosie Grier come to mind

[peyton randolph]

South Park already covered the future of the NFL.

[Mike Darancette]

The old LA Rams were a good team.

I loved that team - no thanks to Ma Damn Ram.

[FlJoePa]

Bloomsburg University had more players drafted than the University of Texas. NFL Execs aren’t stupid, and don’t play favorites.

[Mike Darancette]

He’s not good enough to play in the NFL.

Match up of the century Sam vs Richie Incognito.

[Girlene]

What an ingrate.

[dfwgator]

I think it’s clear now that Sam’s motivation is to further the gay agenda, even more than playing football.

[BenLurkin]

http://www.johnspeedie.com/healy/georgia.wav