DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Article about my U of Memphis Tiger - Brandon McDonald

McDonald relieved to be a Brown

Brandon McDonald

By Phil Stukenborg
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April 30, 2007

University of Memphis defensive back Brandon McDonald tried to prepare his mother, Lisa Gant of Collins, Miss., for the NFL Draft.
And, no, he didn't time her in the 40-yard dash or chart her vertical leaping ability.

He tried to caution her about getting too caught up in the weekend. About watching too much of ESPN's coverage. About worrying too much about where her son would be taken.
When McDonald's selection by the Cleveland Browns was announced Sunday -- McDonald was taken as the third pick in the fifth round and the 140th player overall -- Gant was mentally exhausted.

''You have no idea,'' she said. ''I kind of felt like that Brady Quinn did (Saturday).''

Quinn, the Notre Dame quarterback, was expected to be taken early in the first round, but wasn't chosen until, coincidentally, the Browns took him with the 22nd pick. McDonald, who spent the past two seasons at the U of M, had no preconceived notions about hearing his named called Saturday.

''I expected it to be Sunday,'' said McDonald, who was watching draft coverage at his father's home in Collins, Miss., when the announcement came. ''I had been marking off the cornerbacks (rated) ahead of me.''

McDonald said the St. Louis Rams chose ahead of the Browns in the fifth round and Cleveland officials called him to inform him they'd be taking him with the following selection. McDonald walked outside of his father's home when taking the call and returned in a playful mood.

''I wanted to make it a surprise,'' McDonald said. ''So when I walked back in the house I had a sad look on my face. Then they announced I was going to Cleveland.''

After a solid pro day at the U of M's Murphy Athletic Complex in late March, McDonald flew to Cleveland for a personal visit. That the Browns took him was no surprise. Still, he was glad he didn't have to wait any longer than he did.

''It was a sigh of relief when I found where I was going,'' he said.

McDonald played two seasons at Jones (Miss.) County Community College after a successful prep career at Collins High. He helped Collins to back-to-back unbeaten seasons and consecutive state titles before signing with Jones County CC. At Jones, he played wide receiver and defensive back.

For the U of M, McDonald started 11 games in 2005 and finished with three interceptions for a team that played in the Motor City Bowl in Detroit. Last year, McDonald played both safety positions and cornerback and led the Tigers with 84 tackles and four interceptions for a team that changed defensive schemes during the season and ended with a 2-10 record. McDonald earned second-team all-Conference USA honors.

McDonald (5-10, 182) said he'll likely remain in Collins until the Browns bring him up to Cleveland for a minicamp in the next few weeks.

He said his mom should be much more relaxed, but there's little he could have done to alter her viewing habits over the weekend.

''She likes that stuff,'' he said.

Other second-day draft picks with area ties included Mississippi State defensive tackle Antonio Johnson (fifth round by Tennessee), former Cordova High cornerback Michael Coe (fifth round by Indianapolis)

Also, former Melrose High and Central Arkansas product Jacob Ford went in the sixth round to the Tennessee Titans. Ford, from Melrose, played one season at the University of Memphis in 2001, but became academically ineligible. He didn't return to football until 2004 when he enrolled at Holmes (Miss.) Community College before signing with UCA.

Two area players were taken in the seventh round -- Ole Miss cornerback Trumaine McBride by the Chicago Bears (221st pick) and Arkansas defensive tackle Keith Jackson Jr., selected by the St. Louis Rams, the 248th pick.

"It feels good to get this opportunity, especially from a Super Bowl team like the Chicago Bears," McBride said. "I didn't know if they would draft me or not, but it really wasn't a surprise when they called my name. I heard a lot from the Bears during the NFL Combine and then again during our Pro Day at Ole Miss. They showed a great deal of interest in me."

Rory Johnson, an outside linebacker from Ole Miss, was not drafted. Johnson declared for the draft after his junior season and was considered a potential late-round selection. He is expected to sign with a team as a free agent.

-- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543 Staff writer Scott Cacciola contributed to this report

Yay for you.

Ooookay. Just thought I'd give ya some info on our new player. Sorry if it doesn't please you!

I'm still waiting on the "information" Tenn....

It's a fluff piece about a local boy for you. Again, I say "Yay for you."

I hope he does well for us.....I hope he makes the squad and contributes.

I don't give a damn about the fluff stuff......as I'm sure many others don't either. Sorry for stating the truth.....

Thanks Tenndawg, appreciate you sharing story with us. I hope he can make it with us as our nickel or dime man.

Are you happy about ANYTHING the Browns did over the weekend? Lighten up already.

It may be old age setting in Nothing good to say about anything

I dont think it would matter who we drafted. Maybe we should have just skipped the whole thing.

I like McDonald.

I caught a few Memphis games on the tube and he was one few players who caught my eye. He was a big hitter from what I recall and the kid seemed to be all over the field.

For the short term he will be a very good special teams players and with another 10-15 lbs he has the ability to be a starting FS for us.

I like the pick.

Thanks for the article! It's always nice to read about our new players.

Keiper was talking this guy up a little bit today on ESPN saying he really liked the pick. He went to say we were his winner in this years draft.

I've never heard of this guy.. never seen him in the Draft magazines.. haven't seen him on nfl draft sites... soooo.. i dont know about using a 5th on this guy, but if they think he is worth it.. sure.. go for it!

Quite honestly, I don't know much about him. I posted the first article, because there's not alot on him. Gee, Shep, SOOOO sorry!

Anyway, he made the mistake of coming to Memphis. We've had Joe Lee Dunn as a defensive coordinator. Joe Lee was trying to run some sort of weird hybrid defense. Coach West ended up firing Joe Lee about midseason last year (Joe Lee was so stubborn he would change his defense in practice to match the opponent for the week when the head coach asked him to). Anyway, since we completly change defensive philosophies midstream, the defense absolutely stunk.

I'm surprised ANYBODY noticed him last year with Memphis' fiasco last year.

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Sure you can...but you don't seem to want other people to voice their pleasure.

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How 'bout reading what I actually wrote, instead of trying to read something behind the lines that isn't there??????

I said I hope he makes the squad and contributes.....and I called the articles what I felt they were---fluff. Hell, the second one doesn't even have an author or a link, anybody could have written it. How is that informational?

Tell us more about the kid Tenn....your last post about the DC and the defense at UM was more informational than these "articles."

The point is, who cares if they're "fluff" articles? People seem to be excited about the Browns for the first time in a loooooong time...and that's a good thing. Whether anything actually comes of it is another story entirely.

See I told you he'd miss the point and turn it around. He's so good at telling everyone else how to post but if someone does the same to him he does no wrong it's always EVERYONE else.

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You think she's stalking you?!?!

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Yes I do. I have addressed this in PMs with her in the past and throughout this evening, and I am sure of that, based on her responses.

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Some of us just don't appreciate the way you talk to and treat people at times.

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And I don't appreciate people jumping my ass for stating my opinion, when it HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE THREAD AT HAND. It's really not that hard to understand.....I would be more than happy to discuss it over another beer with you....hopefully at a campground very soon now that the weather has changed (finally).

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You get mad because people start stupid threads in General Discussion and then you start stupid NASCAR stuff.

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The threads I have made fun of are stupid.....and you have agreed with that in private discussions yet give me hell for it here. Hellooooooo......

As for nascar threads, I respond to many but start few. Mine are adequately titled, and anyone who doesn't wish to partake in said threads can exempt themselves easily by reading the title.......

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Stalking. Oye.

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Yep.....stalking. I have discussed this in PMs in the past and tried to do so again this evening, but she has failed to provide facts. It's not rocket science.

Talk atcha soon....I'm going to bed. G'nite.
(my apologies for those that have had to read this drivel in the PF forum)

The FACT is that I made snide comments to or about him on two threads (recently) where he did the same to someone else. So to call it stalking seems rather dramatic don't ya think?

Good read. Anyone know anything else about what's going on with UDFA's?

I was expecting something in the PD Tuesday morning but so far nothing. My guess is they need the space because there is actually Cavs news for a change, usually by this time we have complete bios on all the picks.

You and DawgyLama can stalk me if ya want..get 's boring in here sometimes..
I saw a report on my local news last nite about stalkers..pretty timely..

Oh good maybe you can tell me how it's done

HEY!! I don't stalk people..
But EVERYONE knows how it's done..
I better not start seeing pictures in my inbox or mystery emails

Nice read TENN...

Any read you can get on those late round unknowns is a good read.

This aint recycled info....its all that can be had......Chill Shep

I like Joe Lee......way better than Tommy West.


Both were here in Chattanooga at one time....and I will tell you I would take Joe Lee Dunn over Tommy West any day.

ClevelandBrowns.com Career Transactions
Selected by the Browns in the fifth round (140th overall) at the 2007 NFL Draft.

Career Highlights
A cousin of Philadelphia Eagles running back Correll Buckhalter and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair, McDonald made a name for himself as a playmaker in the Tigers' secondary the past two years. With just three years of collegiate experience on defense, this former wide receiver has made a smooth transition to the other side of the ball. McDonald led Collins High School to back-to-back state championships in 2001 and 2002 and was selected to play in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game as a senior. During his prep career, he earned all-state, all-region and all-area honors. He also lettered in basketball and baseball. He enrolled at Jones County Community College in 2003, spending that season competing as a wide receiver. He shifted to cornerback in 2004, coming up with 25 tackles and a team-leading eight pass interceptions. He also led the team in punt returns and received MACJC Player of the Week honors when he returned six punts for 132 yards against East Central Community College. He also had three interceptions in the bowl game against Blinn College, as he helped his team to an 8-3 record. He was named all-state and all-region first team, adding All-American honorable mention in 2004. Two knee injuries sidelined McDonald before his first season at Memphis in 2005 as he underwent an arthroscopic procedure over the summer to repair a lateral meniscus tear. He went on to start 11 of 12 games at right cornerback as a junior, posting 49 tackles (34 solos) with 3½ stops for losses. He deflected 11 passes and picked off three others. He blocked one kick and gained 153 yards on 32 punt returns (4.8 average). In 2006, McDonald earned team Defensive MVP and second-team All-Conference USA honors. He started four games at left cornerback and eight others at free safety, leading the team with 84 tackles (45 solos), including two stops behind the line of scrimmage. He blocked one kick and caused a fumble while also batting away four passes. He returned four interceptions for 83 yards and 14 punts for 152 yards (10.9 avg.). In 24 games at Memphis, McDonald started 23 contests. He produced 133 tackles (79 solos) with 5½ stops for losses of 13 yards and a forced fumble. He deflected 15 passes and intercepted seven others for 158 yards in returns (22.6 avg.). He blocked a pair of kicks and gained 305 yards on 46 punt returns (6.6 avg.). Courtesy of NFL.com