Value Picks

Keith McGill and Trevor Reilly were both drafted later than projected, in the 4th and 7th rounds respectively, making them value picks in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Oakland Raiders used their second pick in the fourth round, #116 overall, on McGill. The big corner had a second day grade, but was still on the board on day three due to off the field concerns. He will join Tony Bergstrom in Oakland.

Reilly slipped all the way to #233, the last of twelve picks for the New York Jets. He has accrued some extra years and injuries, but anyone who has seen him play knows he is a difference maker. The lack of bowl game coverage may have been the difference in how many people did see Utah play last season.

Four more Utes signed free agent offers: Karl Williams and Jake Murphy with Oakland (benefit of PAC-12 coverage, perhaps?), Tenny Palepoi with San Diego, and Anthony Denham with Houston.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

C.J. Cron didn't have a long stay in Salt Lake. Right after hitting 3-5 with a two-run homer in a 14-5 win over the Reno Aces on May 2nd, Cron was called up to Los Angeles. He made the most of his major league debut the very next day, belting an RBI single off the first pitch he saw. Cron added a double and another RBI single for the winning run as the Angels beat the Rangers, 5-3. 

Professor Passed

Andre Miller has passed the first round of the playoffs! For the first time in his career, the Professor has passed the test! He helped the young Wizards win the first game against the Bulls, and they helped him get beyond round one!

Seattle's Second

The Seattle Storm of the WNBA used their second round pick to select Michelle Plouffe. Seattle drafted UConn's Bria Hartley with the 7th pick and Plouffe 19th overall. Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike was the first player chosen by the Connecticut Sun. Plouffe is the first Ute to be drafted since Morgan Warburton, a Utah assistant coach, in 2009. BYU's Jennifer Hamson was also drafted in the second round by the LA Sparks, although she has indicated she will return to school to play volleyball in the fall.   

Bee Ballin'

C.J. Cron is back in Salt Lake with the Bees! He has worked his way up through the Angels' organization to AAA, and in the process he's found his way back to the same ballpark (new name) where he played for Utah. In an opening weekend four-game homestand, Cron had five hits and five RBIs. He's hit three doubles on those five hits, and one of them brought in three of his five RBIs.

Gross Out

Jordan Gross announced his retirement from the NFL today.  He goes out on top - of the NFC South. Gross also went to his third Pro Bowl as an alternate. After finishing his current contract, the 33-year-old Gross decided it was the right time to hang it up. A starter ever since his was drafted eighth overall in 2003, he finishes his career with 167 starts, a franchise record.

Gross concludes his pro career at the same time that five Utes attempted to begin theirs at the NFL Combine. Trevor Reilly figures to be the first Utah player taken in the draft this May, but, having undergone a post-season knee surgery, wasn't able to run at the Combine. He did 26 reps on the bench press, which was sixth among linebackers (and five more than Jadeveon Clowney, by comparison). Tenny Palepoi's 31 reps placed him 15th among all participants. Anthony Denham went to the combine as a tight end, a position change for the receiver (like John Madsen). Jake Murphy was second among the tight ends in the 20-yard shuttle, with a time of 4.27 seconds. Murphy did the 3-cone drill in 7.18 seconds, the fourth-best time at his position. He also did more reps on the bench (24) than Clowney (21). His broken wrist must have healed up nicely!

The player who has impressed the most has been corner Keith McGill. He was second in the broad jump (10' 9") and tied for third in the vertical jump (39"). McGill ran the 40 in 4.51 seconds. His biggest measurements are simply his physique: 6' 3", 211 lbs., with 33 and 1/4 inch arms. Following the success of Seattle's defensive backs in winning the Super Bowl, McGill's draft stock has risen. He helped it in the Senior Bowl, where he had an interception. None of these players will be picked #8 like Jordan Gross, but they should aspire to make a team and play 11 years like he has.

First Action

Andre Miller saw his first action in 2014 after being traded to Washington. He played 16 minutes and scored five points in a victory over New Orleans. Miller provides veteran depth and leadership behind young starters John Wall and Bradley Beal. Washington wasn't getting enough production from Eric Maynor, who was sent to Philadelphia along with two second round picks. The Wizards also parted ways with Jan Vesely, the #6 pick in the 2011 draft, sending the forward to Denver.

The move reunites Miller with three former teammates: Al Harrington, Nene (out six weeks with an injury), and Martell Webster. He shouldn't have much friction with his new coach, since Randy Wittman was his coach in Cleveland his first two seasons. Miller could end his career with the same coach he started with.

Andrew Bogut saw his first action in 20 days, as he returned from a shoulder injury. He played 29 minutes and scored 4 points in a victory over Detroit today. Golden State is currently in sixth place in the West; Washington is fifth in the East. If Andre and Andrew meet in the playoffs this year it won't be in the first round!