Amateur Lewis, Bjorn share British Open lead

Thomas Bjorn and Tom Lewis have nothing in common except for the unlikely position they shared Thursday atop the leaderboard at the British Open.


It's not just that one is twice as old.


Or that Bjorn is a 40-year-old pro who wonders how much longer he can compete at the highest level, while Lewis is an amateur making his major championship debut, his best golf still to come.


The biggest difference are their memories of Royal St. George's.


Bjorn took a small step toward atonement with a birdie on the par 3 16th — the hole that cost him the claret jug in 2003 when he took three shots to escape a pot bunker — on his way to a 5-under 65 in the toughest conditions of the opening round.


He made a birdie on Thursday, and couldn't help but smile when he saw it bounce away from trouble and toward the flag.


"When I hit the shot, I thought, 'This is going to struggle.' So when it just made it over that bunker, that was just a smile of knowing that things were going my way today," Bjorn said.


Lewis ran off four straight birdies late in his round, an amazing stretch that began on the par-5 14th. That's the hole where Lewis wrapped up the British Boys Amateur Championship two years ago, the highlight of a sterling amateur record. A par on the final hole gave him a 65, the lowest ever by an amateur in the British Open, making him the first amateur to lead this championship in 43 years.


"It was a special moment for me, winning here, and to come back to where you've won is extra special," Lewis said. "I was just thrilled to be here, but to shoot 65 the first round was something I wouldn't have thought. I was just happy to get the drive off the tee at the first, and that was all that mattered."


Adding to the nerves was playing alongside Tom Watson, such a popular figure in the Lewis household that they named their oldest son after the five-time Open champion. And to think the kid only wanted to make sure he didn't embarrass himself in front of Watson.


"He could be my grandson," Watson said. "I just had to smile inside to watch him play. I didn't play particularly well myself, but I certainly was impressed by the way he played."


Equally impressive to Watson was to overhear Lewis' caddie tell him there were still 54 holes left.


But what a start.


Bjorn wasn't even in the tournament until Vijay Singh withdrew on Monday, giving the Dane another shot at Royal St. George's. When someone suggested if he would be better off not playing to avoid memories of his meltdown, Bjorn cut him off.


"A couple of people asked me that question, 'Would you not just want to go home?"' Bjorn said. "This is The Open Championship. Where else do you want to be?"


Miguel Angel Jimenez also played in the windy morning conditions and had a bogey-free 66. He was joined later in the round by former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover and Webb Simpson.


Vintage links golf


A dozen players were at 68, a group that two major champions from last year — PGA winner Martin Kaymer and U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, who was 3 over through five holes until a ferocious rally.


There are no Canadians in the field.


It was vintage links golf along the Strait of Dover, where the seaside wind can be as fickle as the bounces on rolling turf of Royal St. George's. Flags that were crackling throughout the morning when Bjorn and Jimenez faced cold conditions and a spot of rain were only rippling when Lewis teed off in the afternoon, and they were drooping when the round ended.


The change was reflected in the scores.


Rory McIlroy, coming off an eight-shot victory in the U.S. Open that made the 22-year-old the centrepiece of this major, rallied from a sloppy start for a 1-over 71, and he had no complaints.


"Anywhere around even par is a good start," McIlroy said.


It didn't feel that way toward the end of a long day.


The morning half of the draw were a combined 223-over par. The afternoon half combined to go only 94-over par. There were a dozen rounds in the 60s in the morning, and 23 in the afternoon.


"Looks like the wind gods are having an afternoon tea?" came a tweet from John Daly, who was proud of his 72 in the morning.


The calmer conditions are expected for Friday morning when Lewis goes out for his second round, with the wind shifting and becoming more fierce in the afternoon. That figures to only help Lewis, Glover and those who got the late-early portion of the tee times.


Lewis figures he has other advantages.


He has been around golf all of his life — his father once played the European Tour — and he really feels at home on links courses. The Royal & Ancients tends to play its championships for amateurs on the seaside courses, and Lewis has played only links this summer except for one tournament.


'Used to the wind'


"We're used to the wind," Lewis said. "Watching it on the TV this morning, I didn't think scores would be as low as they are. But the wind dropped, and that was the opportunity to shoot a good score. And I'm thankful I did play well."


Far more impressive was Bjorn, because of the conditions and his history on this ancient turf. Players stuck their hands in the pocket to fight the chill, the wind and occasional rain. Bjorn also made his move on the 14th, making back-to-back birdies.


And then came the par-3 16th.


It was his first time on that hole in competition since that dreadful Sunday afternoon in 2003. Eight years later, the difference was the day of the week — and what was riding on it. Just like then, he had a two-shot lead in the British Open. His tee shot had him concerned as it drifted in the blustery wind toward one of the seven bunkers guarding the green.


The ball barely cleared a bunker, hopped onto the green and trundled toward the hole.


"That gives you the trust and belief that sometimes things can turn out your way, and it does that in links golf," Bjorn said. "We all know what its' like — a bounce here or there and then it goes either wrong or right. And today it went my way."


But he was dismissive when it was suggested that hole — and this course — owes him something.


"This hole owes nobody anything," Bjorn said. "No hole in golf does, and no golf course does. I played that Open and I played fantastic the whole week. I tried to hit the right shot every single time, and I didn't hit the right shot on 16. That happens in golf. That's the nature of this game. You've just got to deal with them things."


He has coped as well as can be expected, even if no one believes him. Bjorn had a tough time when he returned to the British Open the following year at Royal Troon, then moved on. A year later, in the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol, he was tied for the lead and poised for a playoff until Phil Mickelson birdied the final hole to win. That at least told Bjorn he could still contend.


Thursday was another reminder, although he is not sure how long it will last.


That holds true for Lewis, the English amateur who is advancing quicker than he could imagine. He poured in a 20-foot birdie putt on the 17th for his last birdie, and was so locked into what he was doing that he didn't take time to glance at the yellow scoreboard atop the grandstand, or even wait for Watson to walk first onto the 18th green, a tradition reserved for the most respected players in the game.


Either way, they were cheering for Tom.

Robinson: Too much made of McIlroy too soon

With apologies to those who may have found solace in other tournaments in the interim, this week marks the return of Rory McIlroy and talk about whether golf has found its next big superstar.

A few weeks have passed since McIlroy's epic win in the U.S. Open at Congressional, where the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland set the golf world on its ear with his wire-to-wire romp.

The victory has, predictably, and quite understandably, given rise to talk that golf perhaps has its next Tiger Woods — or at least a player to approach what Woods has accomplished.

More on that subject in a moment. But first, the task that confronts McIlroy and the rest of the field in the British Open, which tees off Thursday at Royal St. George's in Sandwich, England.

McIlroy is the prohibitive favourite and, after three weeks of not playing and doing the rounds in Britain and Ireland on chat shows, magazine shoots, even appearing in the royal box at Wimbledon, his play will be monitored every bit as close as Woods was when he was pocketing major titles like Halloween candy.

McIlroy didn't shoot a single round in the 70s in last year's Open Championship at St. Andrews. The problem was just three were in the 60s, the other an ugly 80 that cost him a chance to seriously challenge eventual winner Louis Oosthuizen. McIlory tied for third.

St. George's is about as far away geographically from St. Andrews as you can get in Britain, situated along the south coast of England. But it's a pure links just the same.

The 2003 Open held at St. George's produced, arguably, the most unheralded major winner in the past decade-plus in Ben Curtis.

That year, Curtis was the last man standing after the two best players in the world at the time, Vijay Singh (T2) and Woods (T4), could not completely figure out the nuances of St. George's. Curtis registered six birdies early and a key 10-footer for par at the last to take the title. That year's event was equally memorable for the sad demise of Thomas Bjorn (T2), who failed to get out of bunker twice on 16 and blew his best chance at a major title.

Fast forward to 2011 and the golf world is abuzz with talk — some of it sensible, some of it not — that McIlroy is the next heir to the throne.

But comparing McIlroy to Woods at this stage can be summed up with a single digit: 1. That's how many major titles the gifted youngster has won versus 14 for Woods and how many majors McIlroy will need to win per season to match Woods's pace by the time he turns 35, the age the former world No. 1 is right now. Put another way, Phil Mickelson's pace of four major titles in a shade more than seven seasons is likely a more realistic barometer for McIlroy.

Viewed in that context, it shows how much work McIlroy has in front of him — and how premature the chatter has been. Make no mistake, McIlroy's triumph at Congressional was only comparable to Woods's victory in the 1997 Masters because both players were vritually the exact same age and dominated in a similar fashion.

But where the comparison gets even more out of whack is in assessing Woods's game in his prime to McIlroy's now. Woods showed sublime ball striking and holed virtually every pressure putt he could during his prolonged run(s) as the world's No. 1 player. At least it seemed that way. Putting, especially the pressure putts between five and 10 feet, remain the one weakness in McIlroy's game. That's what cost him at the Masters and it has been a bugbear at other times early in his professional career.

To be fair, when he's playing well, McIlroy's ball striking is so superior that it's possible he will win many majors and other big tournaments without truly being tested on the greens. That's how good he is tee to green.

Overall, the comparison talk seems incredibly premature, but at least McIlroy has earned the right to initiate the conversation. All too often over the years — remember banter about Sergio Garcia versus Woods, or how about the Big Five battles between Woods, Singh, Mickelson, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen that never quite materialized? — the conversation was stamped out by Tiger's incredible ability to crush the competition.

Yet what McIlroy has done so well since the U.S. Open is get people talking and there's no harm in that.

Football Hall of Famer John Mackey Dies at 69

John Mackey, the rugged Hall of Fame tight end and union president who later fought for stronger health benefits of retired players and struggled with dementia, has died. He was 69.

Mackey's wife notified the team about her husband's death, Baltimore Ravens spokesman Chad Steele said Thursday. No official cause was given.

Mackey played for the Baltimore Colts from 1963-71, and helped the team beat the Dallas Cowboys in the 1971 Super Bowl by catching a pass from Johnny Unitas after it deflected off two other players for a 75-yard touchdown.

He also played for the San Diego Chargers in 1972, and finished his 10-year career with 331 catches for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Mackey's efforts after his playing days were just as important as his performance on the field. An NFL labor agreement ratified in 2006 includes the "88 Plan," named for Mackey's number, 88. It provides up to $88,000 a year for nursing care or day care for ex-players with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, or $50,000 for home care.

"John Mackey is still our leader. As the president of the NFLPA, he led the fight for fairness with a brilliance and with ferocious drive," union executive director DeMaurice Smith said. "His passion continues to define our organization and inspire our players. His unwavering loyalty to our mission and his exemplary courage will never be forgotten."

The health care of former players has become a prominent issue in the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. An NFL lockout has been going on since March.

"John Mackey was one of the great leaders in NFL history, on and off the field," Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "He was a Hall of Fame player who redefined the tight end position. He was a courageous advocate for his fellow NFL players as head of the NFL Players Association. He worked closely with our office on many issues through the years, including serving as the first president of the NFL Youth Football Fund. He never stopped fighting the good fight."

Mackey was drafted in 1963 out of Syracuse -- by the NFL's Baltimore Colts in the second round, and the AFL's New York Jets in the fifth round.

He wound up playing for the Colts just as the passing game was taking on a major role in pro football. His size, speed and ability to catch the ball while also blocking in the running game made him the prototype for future generations of tight ends.

"John revolutionized the tight end position during his Hall of Fame career, and he laid the foundation on and off the field for modern NFL players," Ravens general manager and fellow Hall of Fame tight end Ozzie Newsome said.

He caught 35 passes for 726 yards as a rookie in 1963, when he was selected to the first of five Pro Bowls. He also was voted first-team All-Pro by The Associated Press in 1966, '67 and '68.

Mackey helped the Colts beat the Dallas Cowboys in the '71 Super Bowl. His touchdown on a 75-yard pass play helped set the stage for a 16-13 win on Jim O'Brien's 32-yard field goal in the closing seconds.

After he retired, Mackey joined Mike Ditka as the first tight ends selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The John Mackey Award was established to honor the nation's top college football tight end, and Syracuse retired his number in 2007.

"John was the perfect role model for Syracuse football student-athletes," Syracuse coach and former NFL player Doug Marrone said. "He was a larger-than-life man and he influenced so many people. Many consider him the greatest tight end in NFL history and he was a pioneer in the development in the NFL Players Association."

Mackey has become closely associated with the plight of many former players who helped build the NFL in the era before million-dollar contracts, safer equipment and better health care.

He suffered from frontotemporal dementia in later years that is believed to have been caused by the contact associated with playing football. Four years ago, the dementia forced Mackey into living in an assisted-living facility.

The costs associated with his care, which far outpaced Mackey's pension, led to the "88 Plan" for retired players. Now, former players are pushing for better pension plans and health benefits from the league.

"John Mackey has inspired me and will continue to inspire our players," Smith posted on Twitter. "He will be missed but never forgotten."

UPDATE 1-Olympics-S.Korea expects huge economic boost from Winter Games

Shares in South Korean casino and resort operators and construction firms spiked on Thursday, buoyed by expectations that Pyeongchang's hosting of the 2018 Winter Olympics could pump tens of billions of dollars into the economy.

At an International Olympic Committee meeting, South Korea won the right to host the contest at the third attempt, capping a decade-long campaign to bring winter sports to this rustic town, and sparking all-night celebrations.

A study by the Hyundai Research Institute has said hosting the 2018 Games will inject 65 trillion won ($61 billion) into Asia's fourth largesteconomy through investment, spending, and spin-off consumption.

On the Seoul stock exchange, Seunghwa Premium Construction Co surged to its daily limit of 15 percent on expectations the builder might be involving in the construction of a highway to Pyeongchang.

Hyundai Cement , which owns a resort in Gangwon Province, home to Pyeongchang, also surged 15 percent, while shares in casino operator Kangwon Land jumped as much as 9.5 percent.

The winning bid was a coup for Korea Inc. as major conglomerates threw their support behind the bid, which was headed by Cho Yang-ho, chairman of flag carrier Korean Air Lines 003490.Ks. Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee is the country's sole IOC member.

Japan is the only Asian country to host a Winter Olympics -- in Sapporo in 1972 and Nagano in 1998.

Pyeongchang ran under the slogan "New Horizons", arguing Asia's stellar economic growth in recent decades and the continent's massive population offered an untapped market for winter sports.

South Korea also hopes the event will serve as a catalyst for improved ties for rival Koreas, which stand at war technically under a truce that ended their 1950-53 conflict and have engaged in confrontations that have made tension on the peninsula a constant backdrop to economic development.

"This is a day for both South and North Korea," Unification Minister Hyun In-taek said at a former military training ground in Hwacheon, about 30 minutes drive from the North Korean border at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new centre for defectors, whose numbers have swelled in the South.

For many local residents, the Games come as a chance to breathe life into their sleepy town and help portraying a better image for their country as a place of skilled bureaucracy and business opportunities.

"I think this will help Korea's brand name," said Kim Young-soo, 39, who runs a lubricants shop in the nearby town of Chuncheon. "Korea has been seen as a more difficult place to do business than other developed countries."

Kim was among the nearly 1,000 local residents and visitors who gathered around the Alpensia resort, one of the planned venues for the 2018 Games, dancing to a K-pop boy band and enjoying Korean folk dance and songs before the decision.

Robed monks and hundreds of soldiers in fatigue were among the throng of patriotic supporters waving the flag and "clapper" balloons popular at South Korean sports events, emblazoned with the bid's logo "New Horizons."

South Korea hosted the Summer Games in 1988 and the World Cup soccer finals together with Japan in 2002.

NFL Lockout Appeal to Be Heard June 3

The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on Tuesday granted the NFL's request for an expedited hearing, NFL.com reported.

The Eighth Circuit will hear the appeal June 3.

On Friday, the three-judge panel voted 2-1 to grant a temporary stay, reinstating the league-imposed lockout. A federal judge had lifted the lockout last week.
The Eight Circuit in St. Louis has not ruled if it will extend the hold on the lockout, pending the appeals process. A decision on that is likely to be made in the coming days, according to the report.

Should the panel vote to deny the extended stay, the NFL would be forced to reopen its doors to players until the appeals process is concluded. The league also would be forced to begin the league year, opening the door for free-agent signings and trades.

The league has until May 9 to hand in its appeal brief, with the players having until May 20 to issue a reply.

Judge Susan Nelson granted the players' request for an injunction to lift the NFL lockout April 25, ending a 45-day standoff between the league and the players.

Panthers take Cam Newton first

Cam Newton's selection as the No. 1 pick was perhaps the only predictable element of this most unusual NFL draft.

While the league's labour dispute played out in the courts, and the commissioner struggled to speak over a howling crowd chanting “We want football,” the draft got under way Thursday night with a few surprises.

Newton was not one of them.

The Auburn quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner went to the Carolina Panthers —the worst team in the league — and vowed to immediately fix that. Newton led Auburn to an undefeated season and its first national championship since 1957.

“I'm ready to change this whole organization around, to go from worst to first,” he said. “Just being a Panther is the most special part about this.”

Not so special but certainly unusual was Commissioner Roger Goodell getting booed as he prepared to conduct a moment of silence for victims of the devastating storms that ripped through the South. He responded to their chants for football by saying, “I hear you. So do I.”

Then he was bear-hugged by a player who is suing the league.

With the second pick, Denver took Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, a plaintiff in the antitrust lawsuit players filed to block the lockout. He strode across the stage with tears in his eyes and embraced Goodell.

“I've never had anything against Roger Goodell,” Miller said. “I just want to make sure football continues to get played. When I walked across the stage, I was meeting the commissioner. That was it.”

Later, offensive lineman Danny Watkins of Kelowna, B.C., was selected 23rd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles. Watkins is the fourth Canadian to be picked in the first round of the NFL draft.

The guard from Baylor apologized to Giants fans in the audience who booed him for going to the rival Eagles. Watkins was told to get used to such treatment in New York.

The 26-year-old Watkins is a former firefighter who took an unconventional route to the NFL. He has more experience as a firefighter (five years) than a football player (four) and played hockey and rugby in high school. Several Kelowna firefighters were in attendance in New York, and hockey personality Don Cherry announced his pick on CBC during the second intermission of the NHL playoff game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Nashville Predators.

Watkins, listed at six-foot-four and 312 pounds, played left tackle in college, but projects as a guard in the pros. He could help an offensive line that allowed 49 sacks last season, despite the presence of Michael Vick.

It was a strange opening for what normally is a festive occasion. In this off-season of labour strife, the league's first work stoppage since 1987 temporarily ends Friday. The 32 teams will resume business in compliance with U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson's order to lift the lockout.

Then again, the lockout could be back in place if the NFL wins an appeal. If that happens, Newton, Miller and all the players chosen Thursday night would be thrown back into a labour limbo.

For now, they will be allowed to report to their teams, meet coaches and get playbooks. Contract negotiations are uncertain until the league announces its rules for the 2011 season — rules that might be in force for only a short time if an appeal is granted.

The draft was never in danger of being held because it was protected under the old collective bargaining agreement that expired in March.

Moments before the annual spring ritual got under way, Goodell requested a moment of silence for victims of Wednesday's storms, which left at least 280 people dead in six states and hundreds more injured. On stage, he was surrounded by the Auburn and Alabama stars and their coaches.

Of those stars, none shined brighter than Newton, who has shown he can handle the heat of a spotlight. He turned in a sensational 2010 season while the NCAA investigated his recruitment. Newton's father, Cecil, has admitted soliciting money from Mississippi State during the recruiting process, but said neither the player nor Auburn knew about the pay-for-play attempt.

With the third pick, Buffalo selected Alabama nose tackle Marcell Dareus, who gave Goodell an even bigger hug. Of course, Dareus weighs 308 pounds, about 70 more than Miller — and at least 100 more than Goodell.

“I wanted to give him a hug because I finally made it to the big dance,” Dareus said.

Cincinnati, perhaps calling the bluff of quarterback Carson Palmer, who is demanding a trade, instead took the top receiver in this crop, A.J. Green of Georgia.

Arizona, also in need of a quarterback, selected the top cornerback available, Patrick Peterson of LSU.

The labour strife caused speculation not many trades would be made Thursday. But just six picks in, Atlanta cut a massive deal with Cleveland and moved up from No. 27 to grab Alabama receiver Julio Jones — the fifth Southeastern Conference player in the first six.

“We knew it was going to be an aggressive move and cost us,” Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said. “As an organization we felt very strongly about the move for a player who truly adds the explosive, urgent athleticism we're looking for ...”

The Browns received the Falcons' first-rounder, second- and fourth-rounders, plus their first pick and fourth-rounder in 2012.

San Francisco chose defensive end Aldon Smith of Missouri to bolster a weak pass rush, then the second quarterback was selected: Washington's Jake Locker to Tennessee.

That began a small run on passers. After Dallas went for offensive tackle Tyron Smith of Southern California with the ninth pick,

Jacksonville saw a chance to get its future quarterback. The Jaguars moved up six slots for Missouri's Blaine Gabbert, dealing their first-round pick and a second-rounder to Washington.

“You really don't have any idea where you will go, especially with the lockout,” Gabbert said. “But the trades are happening now.”

Houston bolstered its weak defence with Wisconsin end J.J. Watt at No. 11 before yet another QB was chosen: Florida State's Christian Ponder, who impressed Minnesota with his workouts leading up to the draft.

Auburn DT Nick Fairley, once projected as a top-three selection, was chosen 13th by the Lions. It was a head-scratcher because the Lions already have a star defensive tackle in Ndamukong Suh, the 2010 defensive rookie of the year.

St. Louis, undeterred by Robert Quinn's lost season — the linebacker-end was suspended from North Carolina for his role in an agents scandal — took him at No. 14.

Mike Pouncey, whose twin brother, Maurkice, was a sensational rookie centre for Pittsburgh last year, was chosen by Miami to play the same position.

After moving down to No. 16, Washington took Purdue LB Ryan Kerrigan. Cleveland traded again, from No. 27 to 21st for Baylor DT Phil Taylor, with Kansas City sliding to 27th.

New England addressed concerns about protecting Tom Brady by taking Colorado tackle Nate Solder, and archrival Indianapolis safeguarded Peyton Manning by selecting Boston College tackle Anthony Castonzo.

Baltimore passed after using all 10 minutes at No. 26 and Kansas City, in the next slot acquired through Atlanta and Cleveland, swooped in. The Chiefs got Pitt wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin while the Ravens still pondered their pick.

Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner, went 28th overall to New Orleans, which traded with New England to get the spot. The Saints surrendered a 2012 first-rounder for the Alabama running back, giving them two Heisman winners in their backfield — sort of. Reggie Bush won the award in 2005, but he relinquished it after an NCAA probe found he accepted improper gifts while playing at Southern California.

Super Bowl champion Green Bay concluded the 3 1/2-hour first round by taking Mississippi State tackle Derek Sherrod. Defensive Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson, once considered a top-five pick, was not chosen after recent knee surgery.

Who Dat? Cameron Jordan

Every mock draft had Cameron Jordan going in the first round of Thursday night's NFL Draft.

But other teams kept passing over him, selecting other defensive ends instead of the former Cal standout. So Jordan waited at New York City's Radio City Music Hall, his tan suit and red plaid shirt perhaps too flashy for someone whose name had not yet been called.

They'll fit perfectly in New Orleans, where Jordan will play next NFL season after the Saints selected him with the 24th pick.

He is the 26th Cal player to be picked in the first round of the NFL draft.

Five defensive linemen were selected ahead of Jordan, whose father Steve played in the NFL for 13 seasons and was invited to six Pro Bowls as a tight end with the Minnesota Vikings.

The younger Jordan knows what it's like to be looked over.

Jordan arrived in Berkeley as Rivals' No. 8 prospect in Arizona. He played in all 13 games as a freshman, but did not earn his first start until his sophomore year. Against Arizona State on Oct. 4, the fifth game of the 2008 season, Jordan made his first career start. He had eight tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble, earning him Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week honors.

He started all but one game after that.

Jordan was a honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection in 2008 and 2009. As a senior, he finally made the first team, finishing the season with 62 tackles, 12.5 for loss. Pro Football Weekly dubbed him an honorable mention All-American.

The Chandler, Ariz., native was a star for Cal's defense, and when the season ended and pre-draft buzz and workouts started up, Jordan's name held more repute than his team that went 5-7 on the season.

In a sport full of egos, attitudes and off-the-field drama, the affable Jordan was targeted as much for his athletic abilities as his personality. His strong character stood out in interviews, according to many sources.

Teams also appeared to like his versatility, that at 6-foot-4, 283 pounds with a 4.74 40-yard dash, Jordan can play both defensive end and tackle, and perhaps linebacker as well. He is considered to have a quick first step, and the endurance to play every down.

Still, 23 picks went by without Jordan hearing his name called.

He's in good company though. The only other Bear to be the 24th pick in the first round? Aaron Rodgers.