[b11ac725]1.11 - CB Damon Blassingame, University of Cincinatti[/b11ac725]

[img11ac725]http://i.imgur.com/O3BPDl.jpg[/img11ac725]

Part of a big push by Albany to create an impenetrable defense, Blassingame is the second 1st round cornerback in two years for the Crows. Fast, strong and agile, Blassingame is certain to start opposite last year's 1st rounder, Marvin Loniewski. It's a defensive backfield that will be a terror for opposing passers to face - just how Albany wants it.

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[b154619b]1.22 - OLB Mark Koopmans, University of Wisconsin-Madison[/b154619b]

[img154619b]http://i.imgur.com/4T6vJ.jpg[/img154619b]

Another solid defensive pick for the Crows - Koopmans is smart, strong and agile, creating an excellent counterpoint to WLB Bernie Harvey. The pick is the seventh 1st rounder in Albany's starting defense.

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[b5645d2c]2.15 - WR Melvin Parrish, University of Hawaii[/b5645d2c]

[img5645d2c]http://i.imgur.com/TpClp.jpg[/img5645d2c]

A solid young wideout, overshadowed in a talent-heavy pool this year, Parrish is still expected to start for Albany. While scouts panned his incredibly sloppy routes, he has excellent speed, soft hands and a knack for clutch receptions.

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[bd393107]3.14 - K Sammy Vaughn, University of Colorado[/bd393107]

[imgd393107]http://i.imgur.com/baLSR.jpg[/imgd393107]

In an attempt to improve from the mediocre performance of Roderick Jordan, Albany blew an early pick to get one of the draft's best kickers. Missing out on #1 prospect Chad Gaytan who went in the late 2nd, Albany deemed Vaughn still worth the use of a 3rd rounder for his skills and excellent combine performance.

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[b4a24e28]4.13 - DE Reggie Rathbone, University of Minnesota[/b4a24e28]

[img4a24e28]http://i.imgur.com/9PHyJ.jpg[/img4a24e28]

Having not attended the combines, Reggie Rathbone was and is a mystery to many scouts. What is known is that the defensive end was an excellent pass rusher for the Golden Gophers last year, and could turn out to be exceptional if he can adapt to the professional game.

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[b473aedb]5.12 - DT Phillip Chinn, University of Minnesota[/b473aedb]

[img473aedb]http://i.imgur.com/vqIPm.jpg[/img473aedb]

Ironically, the player Albany picked as a safeguard against Reggie Rathbone's mystery is one of his college teammates, Phillip Chinn. Chinn, who played defensive tackle for the Gophers, is expected to move out to end for the Crows and provide an alternative there.

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[bd9e38ad]6.11 - ILB Leo Delgado, University of Idaho[/bd9e38ad]

[imgd9e38ad]http://i.imgur.com/yH14Q.jpg[/imgd9e38ad]

While slighted for his low physical strength, Albany decided to take a late-round chance on Leo Delgado. With their interior LB slot a war between veteran Amos Marvin and young gun Bruce Wallace, the Crows decided to throw one more body into the mix to break the deadlock.

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[bd33b1cc]7.15 - S Kelvin Vance, University of Eastern Michigan[/bd33b1cc]

[imgd33b1cc]http://i.imgur.com/dbNI1.jpg[/imgd33b1cc]

Most agree that Kelvin Vance has little future in professional football - but Albany's scouts seem to think different. At the very least, he should fill in their gap at backup safety for a year, replacing the elderly departing Spencer Gaylor.

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I *really* liked Blassingame. Frankly, I'm surprised he wasn't drafted even earlier. I could've seen him easily going as high as #5. You got a steal there at 1.11.

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Ring of Fire Division Champions - 2009, 2011-2026, 2028-33
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[quoteb2b3d23="Fonzie"]I *really* liked Blassingame. Frankly, I'm surprised he wasn't drafted even earlier. I could've seen him easily going as high as #5. You got a steal there at 1.11.[/quoteb2b3d23]

Don't I know it. I hadn't wanted to pick another CB - I was actually looking for a WR or maybe a DE, but when Blassingame fell that far? I couldn't pass up that level of talent.

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