In Atlanta, D. Orlando Ledbetter wrote Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff made the "most controversial pick of his tenure" when he selected Notre Dame LB Prince Shembo, who "revealed at the scouting combine that he was investigated in a sexual-battery incident." Shembo "never was charged in connection with the incident" that occurred in his dorm room in '10. Shembo said, "Pretty much, it was an unfortunate event. My name was pretty much cleared." Ledbetter notes the Falcons have "avoided several players in Dimitroff’s previous six drafts for character issues." Dimitroff said, "We are very, very aware of the seriousness of the incident. ... We’ve done our due diligence as far as making sure that we feel comfortable in making that decision" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 5/11). Also in Atlanta, Mark Bradley noted reaction to the Shembo selection "wasn't kind" on Twitter. Shembo will "have more eyes on him than the average fourth-rounder" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 5/11).
REMEMBERING RALPH: In Buffalo, Jerry Sullivan wrote Bills President & CEO Russ Brandon on Saturday was asked if late Owner Ralph Wilson Jr.'s memory was "constantly on his mind" during the Draft. Brandon "looked down, fumbled with a pen and struggled for words." But he only said, “It’ll be on my ... ” Brandon then "stopped," and when he "looked up, his eyes were red with tears." Brandon continued, "It’ll be on my mind the rest of my life. Every day. As you guys know, he loved the draft. I thought about him a lot as we led up to it. He would have loved the last three days. He loved to wheel and deal.” Sullivan wrote Wilson would have "been in his glory in the war room this year" (BUFFALO NEWS, 5/11).
CARING MEANS SHARING: In Orlando, Mike Bianchi penned an open letter to Jaguars Owner Shahid Khan, writing, "I know you're a busy man, so I'm going to get right to the point: Because we have given you the future face of your franchise and provided you with more TV sets than any city in America, isn't it about time you give us a Jaguars home game in our completely rebuilt and renovated Citrus Bowl?" Bianchi: "We believe the Jaguars should start treating Orlando like a 'primary market' -- especially now that [UCF alum Blake Bortles] is your quarterback" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 5/11).
