Citizen Staff Writer
ARIZONA WILDCATS FOOTBALL
JOHN MOREDICH
jmoredich@tucsoncitizen.com
Getting drafted into the NFL can cause all sorts of emotions.
Angry is the best way to describe former Arizona offensive tackle Eben Britton.
The Wildcat junior, who declared early for the NFL, is thrilled about Jacksonville choosing him.
But he’s ticked off about going in the second round of Saturday’s NFL’s draft.
“I’m extremely (upset) about not being taken in the first round,” Britton told the Tucson Citizen. “I’m the most underrated player in this draft. I will lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Super Bowl.”
Britton will join former Wildcat receiver Mike Thomas, who was drafted Sunday in the fourth round by Jacksonville. The two will take part in a Jaguars’ minicamp next week.
Britton, projected by several news outlets as a first-round pick, going as early as No. 22 to Minnesota, or No. 28 to Buffalo, fell to the 39th pick overall.
The 6-foot-5, 317-pound lineman was the fifth offensive tackle chosen, and one of seven picked in the opening two rounds.
“I’m angry. But I am thrilled about going to a great organization in Jacksonville,” Britton said. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to go than playing for the Jaguars and coach Jack Del Rio. They like to run the ball, and I want to help them do that.”
Britton wasn’t the first offensive tackle taken by Jacksonville, which picked Virginia’s Eugene Monroe eighth in the first round.
Monroe is slated to be the future left tackle. Britton will compete for playing time at right tackle or right guard.
“I think there’s room for him,” Del Rio told the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Web site. “We just made the (offensive line) more competitive.”
Jacksonville has a need for help up front after ranking 23rd in the league a year ago in sacks allowed, and going from second in rushing during the 2007 campaign to 18th last season.
Britton played the first two years at Arizona at right tackle before switching sides before the 2008 season.
The switch was geared to help the Wildcats, and to boost Britton’s draft stock. SI.com wrote days before the draft that Britton would be better served to stay in college another year to guarantee him a higher pick.
Britton isn’t backing down from his decision or what he plans to do.
“Every team that passed on me is going to regret it,” Britton told the Jaguars’ Web site. “I’m going to work my (butt) off to be a Jacksonville Jaguar. When that first game comes, somebody is going to pay for it. People (have always) told me I wasn’t big enough. I wasn’t strong enough. That all ends today.
“There’s nobody in this draft that has a bigger heart than I do. I’m so fired up to be a Jacksonville Jaguar, you can’t even believe it.”