Sedrick Ellis, 7th overall, Saints: 30 tackles, 4 sacks.
Keith Rivers, 9th overall, Bengals: 37 tackles (in 7 games), a forced fumble and an interception before being eliminated from the season by a crushing block from Hines Ward.
Sam Baker, 21st overall, Falcons: Started 5 games, played 7. Integral force in Matt Ryan and the Falcons impressive post-Vick turnaround.
Lawrence Jackson, 28th overall, Seahawks: 29 tackles, 2 sacks.
Chilo Rachal, 2nd round - 7th pick, 49ers: Started 6 games, played 8.
Fred Davis, 2nd round -17th pick, Redskins: 3 receptions for 27 yards. If Sanchez lands there, Davis may get a increase in passes thrown his way.
Terrell Thomas, 2nd round, 32nd pick, Giants: 45 tackles, a blocked kick, a forced fumble and an interception.
John David Booty, 5th round, 2nd pick, Vikings: Has yet to get his feet wet.
Thomas Williams, 5th round, 20th pick, Jaguars: 1 tackle, 1 forced fumble.
Chauncey Washington, 7th round, 6th pick, Jaguars: 4 carries, 9 yards. 1 reception, 9 yards.

So the big winners last year were Terrell Thomas and Keith Rivers until...

• The Trojans are learning that playing is also an art form. [WeAreSC]
• A few weeks ago, Kurt Streeter argued that USC should stop honoring convicted felon O.J. Simpson. Notice anything different yet? [LA Times]
• Rey Maualuga: One part manimal, one part mensch. [Trojan Wire]
• 49er interim head coach Mike Singletary is fast-tracking Chilo Rachal. [SF Chronicle]
• USC alum Jeff Fisher, dean of NFL coaches, got some love in yesterday's paper. [LA Times]
• Who said girlfriends are a distraction? [TMZ]

Hoops

• Luke Winn did a great interview with Daniel Hackett. [SI]

Elsewhere

• A columnist tried to match college football coaches with their potential jobs in government. Pete Carroll was obviously the secretary of Defense. [Columbus Dispatch]
• A blog did a great photo comparison of college football coaches and political figures. [Hugging Harold Reynolds]
• A 73-year-old scored in a college basketball game. [NBC Sports, h/t to LA]

-- Adam Rose

Clare Farnsworth of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says Mike Holmgren wasn't happy with a pass-interference call levied against Seattle cornerback Kevin Hobbs. I watched the play repeatedly and thought Hobbs played the ball well, except for when he reached his right hand around the right shoulder pad of the receiver. That was the only appearance of interference, but Holmgren wasn't buying: "Can I get fined in the preseason? Holy Toledo. I thought Kevin Hobbs made a great play on that long ball. I couldn't ask him to do it any better. I didn't agree with the call, and it's too bad because we needed that."

Also from Farnsworth: Lofa Tatupu says he'll be OK after suffering a knee injury. The three-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker is arguably the Seahawks' most important player on defense. Counting today, Tatupu has 13 days to get ready for the regular-season opener at Buffalo.

Michael Steffes of Seahawks Addicts found the play on which Tatupu suffered the knee injury against the Chargers. It happened at the 3:15 mark of the second quarter. Steffes: "My first thought was that it might be a bad high ankle sprain. However, Lofa actually plays the next play, but he struggles pushing off the knee and then walks off."

Frank Hughes of Seahawks Insider wonders how the Seahawks will proceed at quarterback for their final exhibition game. Starter Matt Hasselbeck (back), backup Seneca Wallace (groin) and third-stringer Charlie Frye (knee) all have injury concerns.

Also from Hughes: Patrick Kerney felt good in his first extended action of the exhibition season, while Leonard Weaver said he likes his new backfield pairing with Owen Schmitt.

Jose Romero of the Seattle Times says Holmgren was pleased with Frye's efforts against the Chargers. The better Frye plays, the more comfortable Holmgren feels using Wallace as a receiver or return specialist (although that probably changes if Hasselbeck's sore back remains an issue).

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee describes 49ers coach Mike Nolan as "on the fence" as to keeping five or six receivers. Ashley Lelie probably doesn't make the team unless the 49ers keep six.

Matt Maiocco of Instant 49ers says the 49ers are getting players back from injuries, but receiver Bryant Johnson isn't one of them. It's fair to wonder if Johnson can recover from his hamstring injury in time to enter the regular season as a starter.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com describes Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart as upbeat for a guy who tossed three interceptions Saturday night, then heard about Chris Mortensen's report about Kurt Warner's expected ascension to the starting job.

Also from Urban: "Kurt Warner named Week 1 starter" flashed on the screen in the Cardinals' locker room as ESPN covered the quarterback situation. Coach Ken Whisenhunt: "Contrary to everything [reported], nothing has changed. We have not made a decision. We have not named Kurt the starting quarterback."

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic quotes Leinart on news of Warner's expected ascendancy to the starting job. Leinart: "You can't afford to listen to that stuff because everybody's going to have their own opinion and that's basically what it is, an opinion."

Romando Dixson of the Asheville Citizen-Times says the locals are grateful after Rams defensive end Leonard Little paid for 116 youth football helmets. Said Little, who is from the area: "When I retire, I will do a lot more in the city. I have a busy schedule right now. Once I leave the game, I can make an impact in the community."

Tom FitzGerald of the San Francisco Chronicle checks in with 49ers right tackle Jonas Jennings, who disputes his reputation as an injury-prone outcast lacking toughness.

Also from FitzGerald: The 49ers aren't sure on a starter at split end, and they continue to juggle starters on the offensive line. Tony Wragge worked at left guard, with rookie Chilo Rachal at right guard.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams' offensive line drew praise for its performance against the Ravens on Saturday night.

Also from Coats: Brock Berlin is looking good as the likely No. 3 quarterback for the Rams.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch assesses injuries in the Rams' secondary. Safety Oshimogho Atogwe is back at practice after suffering a hamstring injury. Cornerback Fakhir Brown hasn't participated fully in a practice since suffering a shoulder injury July 25.

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat checks in with Rams rookies Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton, talented receivers who made an impact against the Ravens. Nerves got the better of Avery early in the game, but he settled down and finished with five receptions for 65 yards. The Rams put together a 91-yard touchdown drive with both rookies in the game.

Football

• Dennis Dodd wrapped up his series of position coach evaluations by naming Pete Carroll top head coach in the land. [CBS Sports]
• The Matt Barkley hype is up to another unprecedented level. USC's future quarterback is the first junior ever to be named high school athlete of the year -- out of all male sports. No pressure, kid! [LA Times]
• Thomas Williams inked his first NFL contract. [AP]
• Chilo Rachal signed as well. [RF365]
• Hey ladies! Taylor Mays is a football star, funny, and apparently single. Check out this interview. [Video on USCFootball.com]
• USC is an early 18 point favorite over Virginia. [Vegas Insider]

Hoops

• DeMar DeRozan is good to go. [LA Times]
• O.J. Mayo made the US Select team to prep for international competition. [AP]
• SI dubbed O.J. Mayo the #8 breakout freshman of 2007-08. [Sports Illustrated]
• Davon Jefferson says he has no regrets. [Riverside Press-Enterprise]

Elsewhere

• Another publication tried to re-rank the top school in all sports from last year. USC was seventh. [Sports Illustrated]
• A trio of Trojans made Sports Illustrated's gallery of best college photos from 2007-08: Desmond Reed, Vidal Hazelton, and Janessa Currier.

Historical Perspective: USC has sent 446 players to the League via the draft. 42 have been picked in the 7 years since Pete Carroll arrived, including 11 in the first round.

No Rush: For four USC draft picks, an extra year in school may have rewarded them with a big payday. Gary Klein explains in Sunday's LA Times.

No Hype: An interesting forum post found that 10 first rounders in this draft were given two stars or fewer coming out of high school (by at least one of the top recruiting services).

The Trojans:

• Sedrick Ellis (DT) - New Orleans - 1st round, 7th pick
  • Times-Picayne's blog story
  • The Saints traded up to get Ellis
• Keith Rivers (OLB) - Cincinnati - 1st round, 9th pick
  • Enquirer article
  • Enquirer video interview
• Sam Baker (OT) - Atlanta - 1st round, 21st pick
  • Journal Constitution article
  • The Falcons traded up to get protection for new quarterback Matt Ryan
• Lawrence Jackson (DE) - Seattle - 1st round, 28th pick
  • Post-Intelligencer article
  • The Seahawks actually traded down from 25th
• Chilo Rachal (OG) - San Francisco - 2nd round, 8th pick (39th overall)
  • Chronicle article
  • Transcript of Chilo's conference call
  • Local reaction is that the 49ers had a boring draft
• Fred Davis (TE) - Washington - 2nd round, 17th pick (48th overall)
  • Post article
  • The Redskins got two receivers as well as pass-catching Davis
• Terrell Thomas (CB) - New York Giants - 2nd round, 32nd pick (63rd overall)
  • Post blurb (seriously, this was the best coverage we could find in the New York press)
• John David Booty (QB) - Minnesota - 5th round, 2nd pick (137th overall)
  • Star Tribune article
  • LA Times article
  • Booty slipped lower than some though he might, but the Vikings traded up in the 5th round and now it's a great match.
• Thomas Williams (OLB) - Jacksonville - 5th round, 20th pick (155th overall)
  • Times-Union article
• Chauncey Washington (RB) - Jacksonville - 7th round, 6th pick (213th overall)
  • Times-Union article

USC had a phenomenal draft. Nearly 13% of picks drafted in the first round were USC Trojans. USC owned 11% of picks through the end of the second round. USC had 10 draft picks overall, the most out of any school, including four in the first round (also the most out of any school). Here's the draft breakdown by Trojan player.

Sedrick Ellis - 1st round, 7th pick to the New Orleans, Saints.
Keith Rivers - 1st round, 9th pick, to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sam Baker - 1st round, 21st pick - to the Atlanta Falcons
Lawrence Jackson - 1st round, 28th pick - Seattle Seahawks

Chilo Rachal - 2nd round, 8th pick - San Francisco, 49ers
Fred Davis - 2nd round, 17th pick - to the Washington Redskins
Terrell Thomas - New York Giants - 2nd round, 32nd pick (63rd overall)

John David Booty - 5th round, 2nd pick - Minnesota Vikings
Thomas Williams - 5th round, 20th pick - Jacksonville Jaguars

Chauncey Washington - 7th round, 6th pick Jacksonville Jaguars

There are 11 USC seniors heading into the NFL draft, and then there's Chilo Rachal. The starting offensive guard was the only Trojan junior to declare. He might not have the clout as a Sedrick Ellis, Keith Rivers or Lawrence Jackson, who all raised their draft-stock with super senior-seasons. But Rachal can't wait another season. That's because, according to Clark Judge of CBS.com, Rachal doesn't have the same luxury of time.

They are:

* SAM BAKER

* JOHN DAVID BOOTY

* FRED DAVIS

* SEDRICK ELLIS

* LAWRENCE JACKSON

* CHILO RACHAL

* DREW RADOVICH

* KEITH RIVERS

* TERRELL THOMAS

* CHAUNCEY WASHINGTON

* THOMAS WILLIAMS