Franks hopes to get as lucky as Lofton
Published: 6/28/2010 10:49 PM
Last Modified: 6/28/2010 10:49 PM
Two years ago, linebacker Curtis Lofton turned pro after contributing mightily to the Oklahoma defense. No harm in that, except that OU coaches were of the belief Lofton could have positioned himself much better had he played another year with the Sooners. As it was, Lofton was taken in the second round by Atlanta.
He is having tremendous success with the Falcons, and is on his way to earning the kind of money that would have been his had he been a first-round pick. It looks like things are going to work out for the former Kingfisher Yellowjacket.
Now, you wonder if fate will be as kind to a former Union Redskin.
Like Lofton, cornerback Dominique Franks played a pivotal role on the OU defense. Like Lofton, Franks felt the time was right to move on, despite the feelings of his coaches that another college season would have served him better. Like Lofton, Franks wound up a Falcon. .
Franks would do well to repeat Lofton's success story. He may be harder pressed, seeing as how he was drafted in the fifth round and not the second, but at least he's leaning on his old Sooner teammate as he launches his own pro career.
Here's an excerpt from Franks' recent interview with Steve Hunt of FoxSportsSouthwest.com...
Q: "How has your time in Atlanta been?"
A: "It’s been great. It’s been a pretty smooth transition for me. I have a former teammate in Curtis Lofton that has really had open arms to me. He’s really helped me learn the defense."
Q: "You were projected to go much higher in the draft. Does it bother you that you slipped to the fifth round?"
A: "I really didn’t care. All I wanted was somebody to give me a chance to make their team. It didn’t really matter what team, what round or anything like that. It worked our perfectly for me, to be able to come here and be with a former teammate like Curtis Lofton, an Oklahoma guy that I can ask questions at any time. It’s really helping me. This is the perfect place for me."
Q: "Were you and Curtis Lofton pretty close at OU?"
A: "Yeah, we were pretty good friends. He actually called me and told me he was going to take care of me and whatever I need like learning the defense to always give him a call or whatever. He told me he’s just here to help make this transition as smooth as possible."
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
