The football team officially announced its captains today. For the first time since 1991, five players have been selected to lead the team.

All seniors, the offensive captains are center A.Q. Shipley and wide receiver Derrick Williams.

Defensive end Josh Gaines and safety Anthony Scirrotto will captain the defense.

And linebacker Sean Lee has been named an honorary captain after tearing his ACL during spring practice. Lee will redshirt this season and has the opportunity to become the seventh two-time captain in Penn State history.

The Collegian has learned that Austin Scott has signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns' Jamal Lewis rushed for 1,304 yards last season, but after that the cupboard's pretty bare. So if Scott can return to on-field form, he could make some impressions and find himself a roster spot.

According to a reliable source (his facebook page) former Penn State wide receiver Terrell Golden has signed a free agency contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. To quote Golden's status, "Terrell is thanking GOD . . . he's a Philly Eagle!"

A big wideout, Golden could become a possession receiver at the next level, but he has a lot of work ahead of him if he wants to stick with a team.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times, former Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli has signed a free-agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals. The terms of the deal have not been released.

Morelli finished his Penn State career ranked second in school history in pass completions (460), third in pass attempts (821), fifth in passing yards (5,275) and sixth in touchdown passes (31).

He has the tools (size, strong arm) to be develop into a good NFL quarterback but has never been consistent. He struggled against good competition and relied on his arm so much that at times he would force throws into coverage, leading to interceptions. If he can get with the right coach he could become a good quarterback.

Unfortunately, Cardinals second-year quarterback coach Jeff Rutledge's coaching resume includes four years as quarterback's coach at Vanderbilt and five seasons as head coach at Montgomery Bell Academy, a high school in Nashville, Tenn. Not exactly known as a quarterback guru.

http://www.fantasyplayers.com/nfl/HotOffTheWireStory.asp?NOTE_ID=468527

Finally, Justin King is off the board. The St. Louis Rams took King with the second pick of the fourth round (101 overall). Wonder if he's kicking himself for not coming back for his senior season. King has all the tools and athleticism to be a good corner in the NFL, but he was inconsistent last season. He's shown he can cover elite wide receivers, during his sophomore year he shut down Ohio State's Ted Ginn and Tennessee's Robert Meacham, both were first round picks in last year's draft. But during his junior season, he struggled against Indiana's James Hardy and Michigan State's Devin Thomas. If he can get some good coaching and work on his technique, he could develop into a fine corner, but it will take some time.

Well it only took two and a half rounds, but former Penn State linebacker Dan Connor was finally selected in the NFL draft. The Carolina Panthers used the 11th pick of the third round (74th pick overall) to take Connor. In Carolina, he'll join his former teammate, linebacker TIm Shaw who was a fifth round pick last season.

The Panthers got a steal here. Sure, Connor's not that big to be a middle linebacker and struggles with coverage so playing outside doesn't really look like a good fit, but he's a playmaker. He's the all-time tackles leader at Linebacker U, that's gotta say something about his ability. Maybe not a first-rounder, but we didn't expect him to fall this far. Carolina got a steal and should be throwing high fives around their draft.

Former Nittany Lion cornerback Justin King is still on the draftboard.

— Wible

Well the eve is upon us. Tomorrow is the first day of the 2008 NFL draft. The time for every Dorito-munching, Natty-guzzling, armchair quarterback to play general manager of an NFL squad. Sure, we know you already have your 18 mock drafts by your side and your Tivo ready, but we've got the inside skinny before Mel Kiper has a chance to gel his hair.

The Collegian football writers have made their picks, and here's how the first round's gonna go (don't really hold us to this, I mean after all, we're college kids right?)

Without further ado, the Collegian mock draft

1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long - OT - Michigan
The deal's already been signed, it's a done deal, pretty boring. Let's just pray the Dolphins don't use all 10 minutes of their selection clock.
Interesting Fact: Three-sport star in high school playing first base for his baseball team, center on the basketball court and even saw time at fullback on the gridiron. Imagine for a second trying to drive the lane on a 6-foot-7, 315-lbs. center, scary.

2. St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU
The Rams have missed on defensive tackles in recent history (see Jimmy Kennedy, former Nittany Lion) but Dorsey's the most sure-fire pick in the draft so the Rams can't pass up on the monster in the middle.
Interesting Fact: Dorsey's nickname is "Putt" and his hometown of Gonzales, Louisiana is the Jambalaya capital of the world. And if you have the guts to call him Putt to his face, go right ahead.

3. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan - QB - Boston College
Thanks to a guy nicknamed "Ron Mexico" who decided to have a little too much fun with dogs (Mike Vick) the Falcons need a signal caller to be the face of their franchise. As far as we know, Ryan's never been involved in any underground dog-fighting rings, the Falcons should be safe. Just don't give him any Puppy Chow
Interesting Fact: He has two first names (the dude ain't that flashy)

4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas
Raiders owner Al Davis loves the "bad guys" and since McFadden's awaiting the results of paternity tests and had some barroom scuffles during the offseason, he fits the bill.
Interesting Fact: McFadden once wore a dress to high school. Nothing else to say

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Ryan Clady - OT - Boise St.
The Chiefs need offensive line help and Clady could be the cornerstone of an NFL line for the next ten years. Who cares if he played at Boise St., he was the guy Ian Johnson ran behind on the famed "Statue of Liberty" play during the Orange Bowl.
Interesting Fact: He played on blue turf during college and one time a duck mistook the turf for a pond. Thinking he was finding a place to chill and get a drink, the duck decided to take a nose dive directly into the middle of the field. Needless to say, Quackers is no longer with us.

6. New York Jets - Chris Long - DE - Virginia
The Jets want a pass rusher because, well, their defensive line has been pretty horrendous. Long is not flashy, but he gets to the quarterback.
Interesting Fact: His dad sports a crew cut, likes to sell trucks and was a star of the blockbuster hit (sarcasm) "Broken Arrow."

7. New England Patriots - Vernon Gholston - DE - Ohio State
This kid has the chance to be wicked good. Just don't give him a chance to hold a video camera on the sideline.
Interesting Fact: His Ohio State bio says "has been on a cruise and likes beaches and tropical climates." We'll leave the rest up to you.

8. Baltimore Ravens - Chad Henne - QB - Michigan
Before you say "What the . . . ?" Let just preface this with, the Ravens will trade out of this spot if Ryan's off the board. They want a QB but don't want to take Henne this high in the draft. But instead of trying to do all the mind-numbing trade analysis, we'll just say the Ravens will take Henne at some point. Plus it gives us another chance to show this intense video . . .
Interesting Fact: This is Henne's high school coach a week after his Wilson High School was upset by Lancaster McCaskey. Henne's in the lockeroom. The best part about the video is Wilson went out and lost!

9. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis - DT - USC
The Bengals need a lot of help and Ellis is a premier pass rusher on the inside.
Interesting Fact: Ellis can bench press 510 lbs. Damn!

10. New Orleans Saints - Leodis McKelvin - CB - Troy
The Saints need secondary help and McKelvin is the best in what is a shaky group of corners.
Interesting Fact: His name's LEODIS

11. Buffalo Bills - Devin Thomas - WR - Michigan State
The Bills need a receiver to draw attention away from Lee Evans and although Thomas was only a one-year wonder, he's emerging as the best receiver in a down year for wideouts.
Interesting Fact: He was born in Ann Arbor, Mich. Home of the rival Wolverines.

12. Denver Broncos - Chris Williams - OT - Vanderbilt
The Broncos running game is predicated behind a mauling offensive line and Williams is the next star Broncos lineman.
Interesting Fact: Williams was vice president of his high school's National Honor Society and a member of the Key Club, French Club and Beta Club.

13. Carolina Panthers - Branden Albert - OG/OT - Virginia
The Panthers need a right tackle and Albert has the size and footwork to make the move from guard.
Interesting Fact: Didn't begin playing football until his junior year of high school. (Why are some people just naturals?)

14. Chicago Bears - Jeff Otah - OT - Pitt
The Bears need a line to keep whichever of their 87 quarterbacks healthy and Otah is the best prospect left on the board.
Interesting Fact: Otah was a standout basketball player until he realized he wasn't going to be heavily recruited so he switched to football. Next thing you know, he's a first round draft pick. If only we all could be 6-foot-6, 322 lbs.

15. Detriot Lions - Derrick Harvey - DE - Florida
The Lions need help getting to the quarterback and if there's one thing Harvey's good at, it's getting sacks. In only 18 career starts at Florida, Harvey recorded 20.5 sacks.
Interesting Fact: Went to the same high school — Eleanor Roosevelt in Greenbelt, Md. — as Penn State's Derrick Williams

16. Arizona Cardinals - Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Illionis
The Cardinals will consider themselves luckier than a pig stumbling into a Catholic church on a Friday during lent. Mendenhall could be the best running back in this draft and could be the kind of solid presence that a franchise could build itself around.
Interesting Fact: Mendenhall's from Skokie, Ill. home of this famous scene from the Blues Brothers.

17. Minnesota Vikings - Phillip Merling - DE - Clemson
The Vikings top pass rusher, Kenechi Udeze will most likely miss the 2008 season while he battles leukemia so the Vikings need someone who can get to the quarterback. Merling's the best pass rusher available.
Interesting Fact: Missed the combine because of a hernia. We feel his pain.

18. Houston Texans - Mike Jenkins - CB - South Florida
If the Texans can't land an elite offensive lineman, corner is their next concern and Jenkins is the next-best corner in this draft.
Interesting Fact: Born in Nuremburg, Germany, home of the famous war crimes trials. Also likes lederhosen, bratwurst and Heineken.

19.Philadelphia Eagles - James Hardy - WR - Indiana
T.O. Who? Donovan McNabb needs a big-time wideout and Hardy has that potential.
Interesting Fact: Started three games for the Hoosiers basketball team during the 2004-05 season.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Brandon Flowers - CB - Virginia Tech
You've heard it by now, the Buccaneers need help in the secondary and Flowers fits that bill.
Interesting Fact: Is from Virginia Tech but has never been known to hoard dogs and train them to fight.

21. Washington Redskins - Calais Campbell - DE - Miami (Fla.)
Not fast for a defensive end, but has size. And more importantly, Washington's defensive line coach John Palermo coached Campbell at Miami in 2006. Little bit of home cooking?
Interesting Fact: Four of his brothers have played or are currently playing college football.

22. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones - RB - Arkansas
Now that the Cowboys have signed Rainman Jones, they don't need a corner, so running back is the natural pick here. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is an Arkansas grad, so why not show the hogs some love?
Interesting Fact: Has never started a game in college

23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Gosder Cherilus - OT - Boston College
Spent last year protecting Matt Ryan's blindside and the Steelers need someone to protect their $100 million investment in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Interesting Fact: Was born in Haiti but does not play with voodoo dolls.

24. Tennessee Titans - Malcolm Kelly - WR - Oklahoma
Don't get it twisted, Vince Young can't do it all by himself. He needs a quality receiver to throw to and Kelly has the potential to be a gamebreaker.
Interesting Fact: Ran a disappointing 4.68 40-yard dash during his pro day and blamed it on the fact that he had to run on the turf at the Sooners' indoor practice facility. Crybaby.

25. Seattle Seahawks - Kentwan Balmer - DT - North Carolina
The Seahawks need to solidify the interior of their defense and Balmer has about as much upside as any player in this draft.
Interesting Fact: His favorite football dream is to pick off a pass. Kinda hard for a 6-foot-5, 295 lbs. defensive tackle.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Lawrence Jackson - DE - USC
The Jaguars' ends are old and banged up and Jackson could become the steal of the draft. We predict Jackson will be the NFL's rookie of the year next season and will become a legitimate pass-rushing threat.
Interesting Fact: His nickname is LoJack, pretty badass. And he's from Inglewood, the town made famous by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's song the Next Episode. (I'd include a link, but it's rated R)

27. San Diego Chargers - Chris Johnson - RB - East Carolina
Might be a stretch to take Johnson in the first round, but after trading Michael Turner, the Chargers need a backup for LT. And Johnson is wicked fast, running a 4.27 40 at the combine.
Interesting Fact: Ran anchor leg on fastest 4x100 relay team in the nation while at Olympia High School in Orlando, Fla.

28. Dallas Cowboys - Aqib Talib - CB - Kansas
Even though they signed Pacman Jones last week, the Cowboys don't know when he'll be eligible to play. So they still need to address their secondary and Talib is the most physical corner in the draft.
Interesting Fact: His favorite thing about Kansas is the school colors. Are you serious? Take a look at their uniforms, pretty hideous. http://www.arinitout.com/aqib.JPG

29. San Francisco 49ers - Quentin Groves - DE/LB - Auburn
Another sleeper pick, the 49ers have so many voids to fill, but a good pass rusher can help any defense. We think Groves will be a surprise performer in the NFL and is undervalued because he played through injuries last year.
Interesting Fact: Played most of last season with three dislocated toes and a dislocated shoulder. Also had surgery during the offseason to remove an extra circuit from his heart that could have potentially caused a rapid heartbeat. But believe it or not has been given a clean bill of health from doctors.

30. Green Bay Packers - Antoine Cason - CB - Arizona
Al Harris and Charles Woodson are in their 30s (wow, that makes me feel old because I remember watching Woodson return a punt for a touchdown against Ohio State). But the Packers' corners are old and they need to build for the future and Cason is a solid coverman. Will not become a shutdown corner, but has the potential to become a starter in the NFL.
Interesting Fact: Was co-president of Arizona's student athlete advisory board and also was an usher at his church. Sounds like he'd fit in well with the exciting people of Green Bay there dontchaknow.

31. New England Patriots - Spygate
No pick for the Patriots because the NFL decided to punish them for videotaping the Jets sideline. Bad Bill Belichick, Bad boy.

32. New York Giants - Dan Connor - LB - Penn State
Finally!!! Connor's a first round talent and the Giants will take him with the final pick of the first round. Solid football player who hits like a Mack truck and is fundamentally sound. Maybe not a Pro Bowl-type player, but will be a solid starter for 10 years or more.
Interesting Fact: Plays the guitar and lists Wang Chung "Let's Go;" Tiny Tim "Tiptoe through the Tulips;" Kenny G "Songbird;" The Gleaming Spins "Are You Ready;" Wham "Wake Me Up Before You Go." as the most played songs on his ipod. Yes, you read that right, Kenny G

Hello and welcome to The Daily Collegian's Footblog. I'm sports enterprise writer Dean Myers and I'll be taking you through today's action as it happens.

The opening drive pitted the second-string offense (white, led by quarterback Pat Devlin) against the first-string defense (blue). On just the third play of the drive, Stephfon Green burst past the left side and down the sideline for a 57-yard touchdown run.

The first-string offense (blue, led by quarterback Daryll Clark) counters with a wide receiver pass from Derrick Williams to Deon Butler, after which Evan Royster walks it in over the right side. Score tied 7-7.

4:00 left in the first quarter and the white team runs on kicker Colin Wagner, who promptly pulls the kick wide-left. Blue team takes over and marches to the opposing 43 yard line, with a pass from Clark to tight end Mickey Shuler. Brent Carter is seeing some carries in relief of Royster, mainly just short stuff through the line though.

2:05 left, third down and three yards to go, Clark throws a beauty down the left side for a 33-yard touchdown to Derrick Williams.

White team offense back on the field, and the general consensus from the media types up here in the booth is that redshirt freshman tight end Andrew Szczerba looks good. With three receptions so far, young No. 80 is proving himself to be a solid target at a hulking 6-6 252. End of the first quarter, blue team 14 to the white team's 7.

During the break, Michael Robinson received a huge ovation from the crowd. Second quarter is starting up.

Paul Cianciolo on in relief of Pat Devlin, throws a pass Tyrell Sales' way (he's on defense) and procedes to run over and through much of the offense before Cianciolo brings him down himself. Thought the red jersey meant no contact.

Back-up center Mike Lucian just caught on offsides flag to the helmet. Either nobody else up here saw it, or nobody else thought it was notable. I thought it was funny. Young Mr. Szczerba just came in with another catch. Let's hope he's not wasting all his talent now and he's saving some for this fall. And there's another. Turns out they're not missing suspended tight end Andrew Quarless as much as one would have thought.

Cianciolo must be colorblind. After tackling Sales earlier, he just escaped the pocket and ran head-on into a pack of defenders, he lowered his shoulder though. I guess being in the midst of baseball season has him in full swing already. In the meantime, touchdown for Penn State legacy running back Joe Suhey. The white team has tied the score at 14 with about six to go. (LJ is in da house).

Aaron Maybin is back in last season's form with a sack of Daryll Clark. Don't fret Lions fans, he was gentile with the quarterback, practically setting him down for the six-yard loss. And while we're on that subject, the entire defensive line is having flashbacks to last year, with Jared Odrick getting a sack of his own (the refs blew the play dead before the untouched Odrick had a chance to make contact).

Possession changes, and the d-line continues to make its presence known. Tackles Abe Koroma and Ollie Ogbu celebrate back-to-back sacks with some plus-sized dancing. End of first half, score tied at 14. Happy halftime to all, and to all a good afternoon.

The halftime award presentations are going on, and your beloved Anthony Morelli was just announced as the PNC player of the game from last season's Florida International game. The crowd seems to remember a different player, because they're booing... Slightly.

So let's go over the halftime stats, shall we.

Stephfon Green's 76 yards on nine carries pops right out at you, and would be really spectacular, if it weren't for that fact that about 80 percent of those yards came on one carry.

All of the quarterbacks also look sharp, as both the Blue and White team quarterbacks have gone a combined 16-for-21, counting D-Will's wideout pass and, of course, Cianciolo's on-the-money throw to Tyrell Sales. Hey, the man's gonna make mistakes, but he might want to start worrying about finding the proper way to hold the clipboard next season. Three-man quarterback battle, Joe ... please.

Beginning of the second half, and Maybin is at it again. I think Clark is just wishing he'd just go away. Blue team eventually has to punt.

In the most flashy five-yard run of the game, Green shoos away State College-product Nathan Stupar. Maybe fellow State College native Jordan Norwood told Green how to exploit a Little Lion. It's third and two yards to go and Devlin hands to Joe Suhey, who does what his great granddaddy taught him -- running up the gut for a sure first down.

Devlin continues to operate for the second-team offense, and he drops back, throws deep for ... Devin Fentress? Weird. But he's really showed some nice pocket presence, as on second down Devlin dodged a furious pass rush from Ollie Ogbu for a short dump off to Green. On third down, the White team hands to Green, who looks to get around the corner, but Drew Astorino, who played for the White team in the first half, swaps jerseys and hogties Green before he can get to the corner. He's all over the place.

The Blue team has the ball, and Clark looks for Brett Brackett. The converted high school quarterback shows why he didn't catch passes before college, dropping a ball that hit his chest.
As that is going on, the stadium announcer mentions that this Blue-White game passes the attendance record with an estimated 73,000 in the stands.

Play-action fake by Devlin on first down for the Blue team, and he hits Brackett, yes, that same Brackett, for a nice completion along the sideline. That's called redeeming yourself. Then, on the very next play, another tall wideout, Graham Zug, with the "Zug's Thugs" fan group glaring in anticipation, hauls in a jump ball down the left sideline.

Projected linebacker recruit Brandon Beachum is playing some running back today, and he's showing some excellent vision with two carries for quite a few yards. That set up a nice roll out pass to the for Devlin, who then finds "the thug" Zug, who hand fights with a defensive back in the end zone for a TD. Shortly after the extra point, the N.Y. Giants fans in the stadium give a rousing applause to former Nittany Lion defensive tackle Jay Alford, who gets some dap for his sack of New England Patriots QB Tom Brady at the end of the Super Bowl. Giselle, on the other hand, was crying inside.

Yet, the loudest cheer of the afternoon can now be given to "Poz," who returned to Happy Valley for the weekend. The Buffalo Bills linebacker now wishes they could relocate the NFL franchise farther south and back into Pennsylvania. Just kidding.

Again, this Drew Astorino fellow is getting the job done, picking off Cianciolo to get the Blue team the ball back. Hopefully things get better for the quarterback when he starts playing some baseball for Penn State in an afternoon series against Indiana.

And on second down, Beachum is chopping his feet into the hole gaining 10 yards on a nice cutback to the left side of the field. A three running back system, Joe?

Welp, we got to get back to reporting. Good bye, and have a good one. Hope you've enjoyed the show.

Penn State Sports Information Director Jeff Nelson just confirmed that star linebacker Sean Lee suffered a torn right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during practice on Friday. Lee is scheduled to have surgery within the next 2-4 weeks, with the recovery period lasting about nine months.

This is a blow to the Nittany Lion defense. Lee would have been the team's leading returning tackler.

Howdy yall, it's your always trustworthy and truthful (wink mom and dad) Collegian football writer Andrew Wible coming at you live from a rather empty Beaver Stadium press box observing practice and the ensuing scrimmage. We'll give you play-by-play details of the scrimmage when it begins, for now, there's a lot of position and 6-on-6 drills.

Well the first-team offense found the end zone on its first two possessions against the second-team defense. But if the offense could be compared to ice cream, it'd be rather vanilla. A lot of runs and the patented Derrick Williams flare for four or five yards helped march the offense down the field. Evan Royster capped the opening drive with a 15-yard catch and run out of the backfield for the score. During the drive, Royster ran up the middle with toughness and looked solid. The offensive line was opening holes, but looking at the second-team O-line, which left Pat Devlin out to dry on a number of occasions, the hogs in the trenches better not get injured or there will be trouble.

Howdy yall, it's your always trustworthy and truthful (wink mom and dad) Collegian football writer Andrew Wible coming at you live from a rather empty Beaver Stadium press box observing practice and the ensuing scrimmage. We'll give you play-by-play details of the scrimmage when it begins, for now, there's a lot of position and 6-on-6 drills.

Well the first-team offense found the end zone on its first two possessions against the second-team defense. But if the offense could be compared to ice cream, it'd be rather vanilla. A lot of runs and the patented Derrick Williams flare for four or five yards helped march the offense down the field. Evan Royster capped the opening drive with a 15-yard catch and run out of the backfield for the score. During the drive, Royster ran up the middle with toughness and looked solid. The offensive line was opening holes, but looking at the second-team O-line, which left Pat Devlin out to dry on a number of occasions, the hogs in the trenches better not get injured or there will be trouble.

Daryll Clark appears to have the lead in the quarterback battle. He was never asked to do too much, but looked confident in the pocket and had a command of the offense. Pat Devlin showed flashes of brilliance with some impressive passes in tight spaces, but was inconsistent on the day and didn't handle pressure well.

On the injury front, Sean Lee is on crutches on the sidelines with a brace on his right leg. He injured his knee during practice yesterday and a timetable on his return has not been set.

Evan Royster looked solid during the scrimmage today breaking a few 15-yard runs. Nothing flashy, but just solid, we may have another Tony Hunt-type back here in Happy Valley.

The first-team defense applied a decent amount of pressure and caused some havoc in the backfield. Stephfon Green didn't break off any electrifying runs, but did show some signs of tough, up-the-middle running that could make him a complete back.

Well, the team's running conditioning drills, and I'm sure you don't want a run-by-run blog of the team's suicides, so we're heading out.