Baltimore selects UM's
Tavares Gooden in 3rd round
Apr/28/08 07:55 AM Filed in:
Tavares
Gooden
For University of Miami
linebacker Tavares Gooden, the pick came a day
late. Still, the feeling was the same. After not
being selected in the first two rounds, he was
chosen Sunday by the Baltimore Ravens at No. 71 in
the third round. "It's cool," said Gooden, who
played at St. Thomas Aquinas. "This is what I
expected. I had potential to be taken on the first
day, but my range was (No.) 45 to 88. I'm just
happy to get picked."
Gooden had a gathering of family and friends on
Saturday hoping to be taken in the second round. The
party grew quiet when the Ravens were set to pick at
No. 55. The family began talking of the possibilities
of Gooden being mentored in Baltimore by former UM
standout Ray Lewis. But the Ravens selected Rutgers
running back Ray Rice, and Gooden fell out of the
second round. Baltimore couldn't refuse to pass on him
again. "Yesterday was yesterday," Gooden said. "It
doesn't matter now. This is a celebration for what's
going to happen." The pick also allows Gooden to join
former UM players Ed Reed and Willis McGahee. Gooden is
coming off a season senior where he improved his draft
stock. He led the Hurricanes with a career-high 119
tackles and one interception. He credited his
improvement to moving from outside to inside
linebacker. "I think that helped me out a lot and I
thank (linebackers coach) Michael Barrow for doing it,"
Gooden said. "I'm just glad I'm able to play at the
next level."