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Mallett Drafted by Patriots
By
Matt Jones
This article was published April 29, 2011 at 8:10 p.m.
PHOTO BY WILLIAM MOORE
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/WILLIAM MOORE Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett looks for a receivers against Georgia Saturday, September 18, 2010 in Athens.
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FAYETTEVILLE — Former Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett is off the board.
Mallett was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the NFL Draft Friday, ending a two-day wait to hear his name called. Mallett was the 74th pick overall and the seventh quarterback taken in the draft, which began Thursday.
Mallett, once thought to be a lock to be selected in the first round, didn’t attend the event, instead opting to watch with family and friends at a duck lodge outside of Stuttgart. His fall down the draft board was the focus of much national attention throughout the first two days of the draft, much like it was in the months leading up to the annual event.
On the field, Mallett holds every major passing record at Arkansas, passing for 7,493 yards and 62 touchdowns in two seasons as the Razorbacks’ starting quarterback. As a redshirt junior, Mallett helped Arkansas win 10 games and earn its first Bowl Championship Series bid in school history.
Mallett is one of just four players in SEC history to pass for at least 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. He impressed scouts with his passing accuracy at both the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis and his pro day in Fayetteville.
Off the field, though, allegations of drug use and questions about Mallett’s character made national headlines throughout the lead-up to the draft. Despite the negative press, Arkansas coaches and players repeatedly defended Mallett in recent months.
After playing his freshman season at Michigan, Mallett transferred to Arkansas in the spring of 2008 and was a two-year captain for the Razorbacks.
Mallett will step into a less pressured situation in New England, where three-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady is the starter and still in the prime of his career as the reigning Most Valuable Player in the NFL.
Tight end D.J. Williams and offensive linemen DeMarcus Love and Ray Dominguez are former Arkansas players also expected to be drafted during the final of the three-day event Saturday.
Comments on: Mallett Drafted by Patriots
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Ran2133 says... April 29, 2011 at 11:12 p.m.
Ryan is going to a great organization which could really help him in his career in the NFL. Mr. Kraft is the best owner in pro-football, in my view, and the New England coaches are the best, too. Ryan will only be limited by his desire to work and excel in the NFL, learning from the best quarterback in the league and the best coaching staff. Ryan, I wish you the very best and a long, illustrious career in pro-football. Work hard and listen, good results will come.
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roadkill says... April 30, 2011 at 10:35 a.m.
The Patriots are on their A-game by getting Ryan Mallett. My guess is that one day he will make some teams rue their decision by passing him up after buying into the rumors and unsubstantiated innuendos which made his stock tumble. He is truly a gifted athlete and I believe a good person. Go Ryan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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NoUserName says... April 30, 2011 at 12:17 p.m.
Sorry, if you don't think Ryan did drugs, you're an idiot.
If you are 100% clean, you don't avoid the question when asked directly. Whether it was a single joint or something more I have no idea. But I wouldn't classify it as rumor or unsubstantiated innuendo.
Fact is, I think the Pats are taking a chance. We'll see in a couple of years, and Mallett went to about the best team/situation he could. I think his success is totally up to him. We'll see if he'll rise to the challenge. Many don't.
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