The Right Stuff

Kalil’s draft journey ends in Twin Cities

Jim Reineking — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:05:55 +0000

Follow the final steps of Matt Kalil‘s draft journey, from NFL draft week in New York City (during which Kalil frets over the possibility of the Minnesota Vikings not drafting him) to becoming the first-round pick of the Vikings.

Blackmon puts cap on draft journey

Jim Reineking — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:06:05 +0000

Go behind the scenes with Justin Blackmon as his promising NFL career kicks off with a night to remember in NYC and his first touchdown in Jacksonville.

Kalil arrives in Minnesota

Jim Reineking — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 04:56:33 +0000

Matt Kalil arrives in the Twin Cities. Before he gets to meet his new head coach — Leslie Frazier — and fellow first-round draft choice — Harrison Smith, the 2012 NFL Draft‘s No. 4 overall pick checks out the Mall of America and gets a nice cheer from fans at a local sports bar.

Blackmon lands in Jacksonville

Jim Reineking — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 02:11:46 +0000

Justin Blackmon has officially arrived in Jacksonville (via private jet, no less), where he met with his new quarterback — Blaine Gabbert — and the team’s owner, Shad Khan.

Blackmon meets his new quarterback

Jim Reineking — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:08:02 +0000

Justin Blackmon poses with his new quarterback, Blaine Gabbert, a day after being the top pick of the Jaguars. (David Benhaim/NFL.com)

In consecutive years, the Jacksonville Jaguars hope they have found their quarterback-wide receiver combo for years to come with Justin Blackmon and Blaine Gabbert.

In Jacksonville, Blackmon’s selection by the Jaguars was met with celebration, with fans chanting and even new teammates lauding the pick. Jaguars offensive tackle Cameron Bradford told a gathering of fans, “This is a great day for the Jacksonville Jaguars.”

Inside Kalil’s fascinating draft night

Jim Reineking — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:01:12 +0000

Head into the green room at the 2012 NFL Draft with the new member of the Minnesota Vikings, Matt Kalil. Experience his memorable draft night first-hand.

Blackmon basks in draft glory

Jim Reineking — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:58:19 +0000

The newest member of the Jacksonville Jaguars — Justin Blackmon — makes his way around the media circus in Radio City Music Hall after being drafted with the No. 5 overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. Along the way, Blackmon runs into the No. 1 overall pick.

Blackmon’s big moment

Jim Reineking — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:17:19 +0000

What happens when an NFL hopeful gets the phone call of his dreams? Take a look at Justin Blackmon as he learns that the Jacksonville Jaguars made him the No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Blackmon follows Kalil at pick No. 5

Jim Reineking — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:55:15 +0000

The Jacksonville Jaguars are apparently very serious about upgrading the talent around last year’s first-round draft pick, QB Blaine Gabbert. The Jaguars traded up in the 2012 NFL Draft to pick Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon with the No. 5 overall selection.

Kalil goes No. 4 overall to Vikings

Jim Reineking — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:00:56 +0000

After trading down to the No. 4 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the Minnesota Vikings selected Matt Kalil.

The 6-foot-7, 306-pound Kalil left college after his junior year, giving the Vikings an obvious upgrade for their offensive line to better protect young quarterback Christian Ponder‘s blind side.

The Vikings haven’t selected in the top three since 1968, when they drafted offensive tackle Ron Yary first overall. Yary, another USC product, is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Vikings haven’t even been in the top five since 1985, when they got defensive end Chris Doleman, a soon-to-be Hall of Famer.