Milwaukee Sports Headlines

The ooohing and aaahing about the Packers' good fortune to get Alabama running back Eddie Lacy with the 61st pick in the second round rippled across the airwaves.

Tom Haudricourt ranks the teams in the National and American leagues from top to bottom.

If it wasn’t apparent before Saturday, it should be clear now that Wisconsin erred in not offering a scholarship to linebacker A.J. Klein in 2008.

Klein, a two-time Fox Valley Association linebacker of the year who led Kimberly High School to two WIAA Division 2 state titles, eventually chose Iowa State over Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and Wyoming.

On Saturday, Klein was taken in the fifth round of the National Football League draft, No. 148 overall, by the Carolina Panthers.

“I think all the other teams are going to miss out,” Klein said by phone from Kimberly after talking to Carolina officials. “I’m ecstatic they decided to pick me. Obviously they liked what they see. They said they got away with a steal.”

Klein, 6-foot-1 ½ and 248 pounds, was a three-year starter at Iowa State. He finished with 361 tackles and returned four interceptions for touchdowns, an NCAA record for linebackers.

He was the co-defensive player of the year as a junior in 2011 and was a unanimous first-team all-league pick as a senior last season.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to football,” said Klein, who expected to be taken by the end of the fourth round. “I want to show them that they didn’t make a bad decision and really contribute early.”

Carolina finished 7-9 last season and failed to make the playoffs. The Panthers finished 10th in the league in total defense (333.1 ypg) and 14th in rushing defense (110.1 ypg).

Klein believes he can contribute immediately on special teams and eventually get time on defense.

“I think I’ll be able to be consistent like I always have,” he said. “I think I am very good against the run and pass. I’m just hoping to show them I am an overall, well-rounded player.”

Asked about the decision by UW to look at other linebackers when he was a senior at Kimberly, Klein said: “Everything happens for a reason. I believe in putting it in God’s hands and that was the plan that he had.

“The next step in that plan is going to start in Carolina...

“I am really excited to get the opportunity. It is a dream come true.”

UW-Milwaukee pitcher Jake Long didn't have his best stuff Friday, but he was still good enough.

Based on talent alone, some personnel men and special-teams coaches say Louisiana State's Brad Wing should be the first punter selected in the NFL draft.

The Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn assesses the top specialists in the draft this week.

UNSUNG HERO

Bob McGinn projects every first-round pick in Thursday's NFL draft.

The Journal Sentinel’s Bob McGinn lists the first 100 players that he expects to be taken in the National Football League draft this week.

UNSUNG HERO

The Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn assesses the top defensive backs in the draft this week. Included is each player's height, weight, 40-yard dash time and projected round.

Houston's D.J. Hayden almost lost his life, let alone his career. Tyrann Mathieu of Louisiana State lost just about everything he ever had. These two cornerbacks, back from the depths of darkness and despair, make for the most compelling stories at their position with the NFL draft just a day away.

The Packers are the best drafting team in the NFL since the league went to seven rounds in 1994, according to a metric devised by Pro Football Reference.

ALPINE
Ladies Handicap

MIZUNO/WITTEK CLASSIC
Washington County; par 72

The experts have spoken. The Bucks will have to shoot great to beat Miami.