As the seconds ticked away and teams picked player after player in the 2009 NFL Draft, it looked as if former University of Memphis defensive tackle Clinton McDonald would have to find a different route into professional football. Then, just a few minutes before the end of the day, McDonald's name was called.

After watching the 2009 NFL Draft for most of the weekend, it's still hard to say who the bigger loser is - the Detroit Lions or their No. 1 overall pick, Matthew Stafford? Though current reality shows make being a "loser" sound like a positive thing, I don't see much positivity coming out of Detroit in the coming year.

When Josh Pastner was introduced as the Tigers head coach weeks ago, the one thing that stuck out about him was his positivity. With no insurance of what the future held, Pastner won over Memphians with his never-ending enthusiasm. His first two assistants, Willis Wilson and Glynn Cyprien, are no different.

I want to take some time and thank the Oakland Raiders for bringing some much-needed comic relief to the 2009 NFL Draft. Come to think of it, thank you for the laughter you've created by the many questionable and downright bone-headed moves you guys have made over the years.

Following a turbulent freshman year, Tigers forward Matt Simpkins will transfer to another university following the Spring 2009 semester, University of Memphis men's basketball coach Josh Pastner announced Tuesday. "We've been talking the last few days and Matt has decided, he felt that it's best for him to look elsewhere," Pastner said.

Even though he wasn't selected in the 2009 NFL Draft, former University of Memphis offensive lineman Brandon Pearce found an alternate way into the league - through free agency. The 6-foot-6 offensive tackle signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals, the team announced Monday.