Kevin McMahan Thread...

[Angry Pope]

Info here.....

[Angry Pope]

Kevin McMahan


Class:

Senior

Hometown:

Rochester, NY

High School:

Aquinas Institute

Height / Weight:

6-2 / 200

Position:

Wide Receiver

Birthdate:

03/02/1983



2004: Saw action in eight games, including three starts at the tight end/H-back spot ... Caught 14 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns ... Topped 1,000-career receiving yards ... His 11.5 average per catch tied for third best on the team ... Led the team with 108 punt return yards on 13 opportunities for an 8.3 average ... Also returned four kickoffs for 38 yards (9.5 avg.) ... His 18 points scored were sixth most on the squad ... Caught four passes for 35 yards, including a five-yard touchdown toss from Ron Whitcomb for Maine's first score versus Northern Colorado (9/11) ... Also returned five punts for 63 yards (12.6 avg.), including a season-long 38-yard return in the victory for the Black Bears ... Caught the game-winning touchdown pass (17 yards) from Whitcomb with 2:55 to play in the 9-7 victory at Mississippi State (9/18) ... Hauled in two catches for 29 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown versus James Madison (10/16) ... Caught a season-long 46-yard pass at Massachusetts (10/30).

2003: Played in all eleven games and scored five touchdowns on 36 catches for 598 yards ... His 598 yards ranked second on the team ... In the opener against Montana (8/30) had one catch from Ron Whitcomb for 40 yards and a touchdown ... Had a team-high four catches for 29 yards an a touchdown against Florida International (9/13) ... Had two receptions for 81 yards, including a long of 48, against Richmond (10/4) ... Posted a four catch, 117-yard game with a long of 47 yards at Morgan State (11/8) ... Had a career day at New Hampshire (11/22) as he caught eleven balls for 190 yards and three touchdowns ... His three touchdowns tied the school record for touchdowns in a game ... Long of 49 yards was from Ron Whitcomb for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

2002: Played in all 14 games as a true freshman ... Third in total receiving yards with 343, averaging 26.4 yards per game ... His 16.3 yards per catch was tops among Black Bear wideouts ... Fourth in total receptions with 21 ... Had a pair of 100-yard receiving games, including a season-high 125 yards and two TDs on five receptions at Richmond (11/16) ... His 38-yard TD catch from Chris Legree was his longest reception of the season ... Pulled in seven receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown against Delaware (11/9) ... Had Maine's lone touchdown in its NCAA I-AA quarterfinal loss at Georgia Southern (12/7).

BEFORE MAINE: Played wide receiver for coach Dave Nieman at Aquinas Institute... Finished his career with 748 yards and 13 touchdowns on 37 receptions ... Helped lead Aquinas to a state title, and was named MVP of the championship game ... An All-State and All-City selection ... Aquinas' Student-Athlete of the Year ... Recipient of the team's "Go-To Player" Award.

PERSONAL: Born March 2, 1983 ... Son of Margaret Izzard ... A Business major.

[Angry Pope]

He is 6'2"...196 lbs at runs a 4.35 40

[CrossBones]

He is 6'2"...196 lbs at runs a 4.35 40Very "Al like"...:D

[Angry Pope]

Here is something....

POSITIVES: Sure-handed wideout who took his game to another level as a senior . Quick-footed, sells routes and displays sharpness into breaks. Throws double moves on defenders and gets separation from opponents. Shields opponents away with his frame and effectively uses the sidelines.

[Plunkett16]

Very "Al like"...:D
hi crossbones

so how you feel about the draft? I am sure you very happy al listen to you about not drafting young:D

[CrossBones]

hi crossbones

so how you feel about the draft? I am sure you very happy al listen to you about not drafting young:DI liked out draft. We seemed to address some needs and got some good football players. I like the Huff pick although I'll tell you I was a little excited when our pick came and Matt Leniart was still there. I thought that maybe this was the year Al would take a shot at a "so called" franchise quarterback. But there must be something teams saw in Leinart that they didn't like. Falling to 10 was pretty telling to me. Huff looks to be a stud and he was clearly the best DB in the draft and now he's a Raider. I hear he'll wear #24.

I also like Howard. Hoefully he'll be the answer for us at LB to complement Morrision. I am hoping Sam Williams finally shakes the injury bug and plays like we saw him play at the end of the 2003 season. We'll see. That could move orrision to "mike" and move Clark to the bench if all pans out as scripted.

The OL we took have some promise. The kid in the third I had never heard of but it looks like the Raiders did their home work. Could be our future RG.

Vince Young? :rolleyes:

[Angry Pope]

Some thoughts on Al by Art....

Unabashed admiration

The Raider-speak can get a little out of control in Alameda. With all the talk of Commitment to Excellence and The Greatness of the Raiders, it sometimes seems like everyone in the organization has swallowed the Kool-Aid.

But coach Art Shell sounded sincerly affectionate and impressed late Saturday when, wrapping up the day's picks, he spoke of 76-year-old owner Al Davis.

"He amazes me every time I am around him when you go through this process," Shell said. "I mean, the knowledge of all the players in this league and the recall of all the players that have gone through the draft -- he is amazing. He can talk about a player we chose today and compare him to somebody who played in 1970 just like that, off the top of his head. He'll say 'Remember this guy?' And then you'll have to think for a while. And he knows the name, the guy's wife's name. He knows everything."

--Phil Barber

[Angry Pope]

Here is a story and information on him....

Kevin McMahan Selected by the Oakland Raiders in the Seventh Round of the 2006 NFL Draft

First Black Bear to be drafted since 1990

April 30, 2006

ORONO, Maine - University of Maine wide receiver Kevin McMahan (Rochester, N.Y.) was selected with the 255th pick in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft on Sunday in New York City. He becomes the first Black Bear since 1990 to be taken in the NFL Draft.

McMahan turned in a spectacular senior season in 2005. He set career highs in receptions (59), receiving yards (893) and touchdowns (13). He finished his career eighth all-time in school history with 1,995 receiving yards, and set a school-record for TD receptions in a game with four versus New Hampshire in the 2005 season finale. McMahan, who saw action in all 11 games including nine starts at the one wideout spot, was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Third-Team for his efforts.

He was also among the leaders nationally, as he ranked 21st in receiving yards per game (81.18) and 48th in receptions per game (5.36). McMahan caught at least four passes in nine games, including five with at least six. He recorded over 70 yards receiving and caught at least one touchdown pass in eight games. He played his best late in the season and hauled in at least two touchdown passes in three of the final five games.

"This is a great honor for Kevin McMahan," Maine head football coach Jack Cosgrove said. "He has worked hard throughout his career and it paid off for him today. I'm really excited for him."

By being picked last in the draft, McMahan became the "Mr. Irrelevant" pick for the 2006 draft. With the honor, McMahan will be the guest of honor at the 31st Annual Mr. Irrelevant Week in Newport Beach, Calif., later this summer. It marks the 31st year the last pick in the draft has been called Mr. Irrelevant. Jim Finn, the Mr. Irrelevant pick in the 1999 draft to the Chicago Bears, has been a member of the New York Giants roster as a fullback for the last two seasons.

McMahan is the first Black Bear picked in the NFL Draft since 1990, when three players were selected in the first 11 rounds. Quarterback Mike Buck went in the sixth round to the New Orleans Saints, while offensive lineman Scott Hough also went to the Saints in the seventh. Offensive lineman Justin Strzelczyk was picked in the 11th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers and went on to start for the team for several seasons. He was a starter on the offensive front for Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XXX. Overall, 12 Black Bears have been selected in the NFL Draft, including Thurlow Cooper, who was Maine's first-ever draft pick in 1956 with the Cleveland Browns in the 16th round.

[Angry Pope]

An interview with McMahan...

FF LiveWire Exclusive Interview w/ Kevin McMahan
Luke Nicholson
3/22/2006



Enthusiastic wide receiver Kevin McMahan sat down and answered a few questions for FF LiveWire's Luke Nicholson about his career at Maine, the NCAA, and persuing a career in the NFL.


Luke Nicholson: Who is your biggest role model? Why?

Kevin McMahan: my grandmother. shes a hardworking women that has worked for everything shes had. growing up in a poor and segregated south carolina shes perservered through so much. I just try to bring some of that perserverance into my everyday life and onto the field whenever things get tough.

Luke Nicholson: What current NFL player does your game most resemble? Why?

Kevin McMahan: athletically I'd have to say randy moss because theres very few 6'3'' receivers running 4.3 like ourselves but our personalities dont seem alike.. Im very humble and still feel like I have so much to learn and I always want to get better. In that aspect I'd probably say someone like Tory Holt or Marvin Harrison

Luke Nicholson: What is your greatest football moment to date?

Kevin McMahan: 56 yd TD versus Nebraska this year. I asked coach to call a vertical because I knew I was faster than those guys. I caught at about 20 and let my feet do the rest. In front of 80,00 it was just a moment I'll never forget

Luke Nicholson: During your career at Maine, what did your typical day during football season consist of?

Kevin McMahan: I like to wake up early and get day started whether I have class or not.. so Id wake up ealy to get a good breakfast, hang out for a little while then head to class. After class I'll go watch film on my own usually on my mistakes or on an NFL player then Ill get lunch and come back to our position meeting where we install plays and watch game film.

Luke Nicholson: Who is the best player you faced during your career?

Kevin McMahan: Most people would think I am going to name a nebraska player but I wasnt very imppressed honestly. Id have to name a couple guys I actually played with. as far a defensive back David Cusano, all conference safety/corner he just was so smart and technically sound.. But overall Stephen cooper linebacker for the chargers now he was just unbeleivable with the things he did on the field

Luke Nicholson: Did you play any other sports in high school? How did they help you develop as a wide receiver?

Kevin McMahan: I only played one true year of football in HS. I was a basketball player planning on getting basketball scholarship. Then my best friend convinced me to play football and I did well at it and was offered a couple scholarships. since I knew I couldnt afford school and I feel I was more of a limited commodity as a fast tall reciever than I was as a 6'3'' small forward or shooting guard I figured it'd be in my best interest to try football in college. Basketball just made me that much more athletic as far an jumping and maneuvering

Luke Nicholson: Have you ever played fantasy football? Did any of your teammates at Maine play?

Kevin McMahan: I dont play but people on my team play and my roomate lives by it. Its actually quite rediculous how much my roomate talks about fantasy football... and for the record in case he reads this.. HE LOST!

Luke Nicholson: What NFL teams have shown interest in you? Is there a specific team you would like to play for?

Kevin McMahan: My agent, Dennis Boyev with ETL associates, has been doing all of the talking and there seem to be some teams who really liked the way I performed on pro day and seem to be very intrigued by me being 6'2'' and running a 4.31. It doesnt mater to me what team I go to. I just want someone to bring me to camp and see how hard I work and how easily I can adapt and learn a system because thats where I will impress people. they already know I can run, jump and catch a football well.

Luke Nicholson: If you could catch a pass from any NFL quarterback, who would you choose?

Kevin McMahan: Neither of which are current but Id say Joe Montana and Steve Young because I idolize Jery Rice and It woudl be an honor to say I caught passes from the same guys he did.

Luke Nicholson: Are you a cat or a dog? Why?

Kevin McMahan: Id have to say a cat. as far as my game play I feel like I am not loud and aggressive Im more the type that is quick and quiet. A dog always runs after the cat but never catches it..

Luke Nicholson: If you could be an inanimate object, what would you be? Why?

Kevin McMahan: a cross. a cross cant speak, say or do anything but it posseses such a power just when you look at it or hold it. If i had to be an inanimate object Id want to at least be something that still has an affect on peoples' lives.

Luke Nicholson: What one thing do you have to work on the most in order to excel at the NFL level?

Kevin McMahan: watching film.. I watch film here but sometimes without a purpose. No one ever taught me to watch film until recently so I used to watch because I was supposed to. Im just starting to be able to watch and recognize tendencies and weak spots. Once I develop that better I can stop relying on my god given athletic ability. That will get me far but I want all the tools to get me to the most elite football player I can be.

Luke Nicholson: Coming from a Division I-AA school, what changes would you make in the governance of college athletics? In other words, what changes would you make in the NCAA?

Kevin McMahan: Personally I think 1A should have a playoff.. If you ask me theres is no true champion in 1A.. I like how In 1AA you have to play extra games at the end of the season and determine a real winner. Usually the teams that are ranked number 1 dont end up actually winning it all... Also Id like to see more good 1AA schoolsplay 1A schools because people dont realize the talent difference is minimal. They definitely have more depth and I think the biggest difference lies in O and D line but skill position I think we are right there. Looking back at nebraska I came name a few ppl on our team that could start for them.

Luke Nicholson: Finish the following sentence: Kevin McMahan’s hands are softer than…

Kevin McMahan: baby sh** lol

Luke Nicholson: What is something unique about you that most people don’t know?

Kevin McMahan: I used to play soccer when I was a kid.lol I was a sick goalie. where I come from soccer isnt a sport ppl play but my rec. center put together a team and I played.

[Angry Pope]

From Art.....

And the Raiders maintained the tradition of nabbing the draft's annual "Mr. Irrelevant" player, selecting Maine wide receiver Kevin McMahan with the 255th overall pick.

The team had back-to-back "Mr. Irrelevant" picks in 2003-04, taking great care to select wide receiver Ryan Hoag out of football powerhouse Gustavus Adolphus in 2003 with the 262nd pick overall, then drafting Colorado State linebacker Andre Sommersell (255th overall) in 2004.

Shockingly, neither made the team.

Shell, however, thinks McMahon, who caught a 52-yard touchdown pass in Maine's 25-7 loss against Nebraska last season, has a chance.

"The last guy? He's 6-2. And he can run, a 4.4 (40-yard dash),'' Shell said. "And he can catch the ball. We saw (film) cut-ups of him against Nebraska. He's kind of exciting.''

[Angry Pope]

He thought it was a prank....


Ex-Maine WR last pick in draft


Kevin McMahan didn't believe what he was hearing.

After 254 players had been selected in the NFL draft, a woman called McMahan and told the former University of Maine wide receiver that the Oakland Raiders were going to take him with the final pick of the seventh round.

"I thought it was a prank," McMahan, an Aquinas graduate, said by phone last night from Orono, Maine. "She started asking me questions and for my Social Security number. I didn't give her anything until I saw my name come up on the screen."

And when it did?

"I was speechless," the 23-year-old Rochester, N.Y. resident said.

But, not for long. Because he was the last player taken in the draft, McMahan became Mr. Irrelevant, the tongue-in-cheek nickname given to the final draft selection each year.

McMahan was interviewed by ESPN Radio and several other stations across the country. ESPN2's Cold Pizza also called trying to set up an appearance, possibly for today.

The 6-foot-2, 196-pound McMahan took it all in stride.

"A lot of people know what Mr. Irrelevant is and this just gives me something going into training camp that separates me from other people," said McMahan, who caught 59 passes for 893 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and ranks eighth on Maine's career receiving list. "You are always looking for something to separate yourself, now I'm looking forward to going to camp and working hard."

In following with the tradition of Mr. Irrelevant, McMahan and his family will be invited to spend a weekend in Newport Beach, Calif., where he will be treated to a roast and receive the Lowsman Trophy.

[Angry Pope]

More on McMahan...

As Mr. Irrelevant, McMahan sure is getting lots of attention


(May 2, 2006) — The tradition began 31 years ago and was the brainchild of a former USC football player.

Paul Salata was the guy who first bestowed the tongue-in-cheek nickname Mr. Irrelevant on the last pick of the National Football League draft.

In the years since, Mr. Irrelevant has been made to feel anything but.

There is an Irrelevant Week celebration each June in Newport Beach, Calif., to honor that year's final draft pick. The festivities include a parade, a roast, celebrity appearances and the presentation of the Lowsman Trophy (patterned after the Heisman, only with the player dropping the football.)

"I was aware of the nickname," said this year's winner, Kevin McMahan of Aquinas Institute and the University of Maine. "But I didn't realize all the stuff that goes with it. It's a lot bigger deal than I thought."

Shortly after the Oakland Raiders made McMahan the 255th and final selection of the NFL draft Sunday, the wide receiver started fielding interview requests. He was anonymous no more.

"The phone hasn't stopped ringing," he said Monday from his off-campus apartment in Orono, Maine. "I must have taken at least 30 calls."

He did interviews with ESPN radio, as well as stations in Los Angeles, Denver and St. Louis. An appearance on ESPN2's Cold Pizza fell through Monday because of satellite difficulties, but may be rescheduled.

"I look at the Mr. Irrelevant designation as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. "I'm going to have fun with it."

Once McMahan arrives at Raiders training camp Thursday, he'll do his best to become relevant in the minds of head coach Art Shell and receivers coach Fred Biletnikoff. Making the Oakland roster won't be easy because the Raiders are loaded with wideouts, including Randy Moss, Jerry Porter, Ron Curry and Doug Gabriel.

"That may be true," McMahan said. "But the way I see it is if they didn't want to take a look at another wideout, they wouldn't have used a draft pick on me."

The 6-foot-2, 196-pounder is coming off a productive season in which he caught 59 passes for 893 yards and 13 touchdowns. Though some questioned the receiver's quality of competition, McMahan opened eyes with a 52-yard touchdown catch against the Cornhuskers in Nebraska.

"The last guy?" Shell told reporters. "He's 6-2, and he can run a 4.4 (40-yard dash). And he can catch the ball. We saw (film) cut-ups of him against Nebraska.

"He's kind of exciting."

That word was used often to describe McMahan at Aquinas. He earned first-team All-Greater Rochester honors in basketball and was second team in football. He was one of the main cogs in the Little Irish's state football title run in 2001.

McMahan may be a long shot, but he can take inspiration from former Mr. Irrelevants. Perhaps the most successful of those was quarterback Bill Kenney, who spent nine seasons in the NFL and made it to the Pro Bowl in 1983 with the Kansas City Chiefs.

"It's just like being an unknown freshman," McMahan said. "You have to go out there and compete and compete and compete. I'm going to do whatever it takes. If that means playing special teams and learning the ropes from the great receivers they have, then I'll do it."

McMahan has never been irrelevant to the folks at the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester. He credits the mentorship of executive director Dwayne Mahoney for helping him develop as a person.

McMahan always stops at the club on Genesee Street when he is back home, and will do so again today before heading to Oakland.

"He's come back often to speak to the kids and the adults," Mahoney said. "That he wanted to do that again, despite being on an extremely tight schedule this week, means a lot to us. He's always been a good young man."

A young man who knows the difference between what's relevant and what's not.

[Angry Pope]

McMahan on his training....

McMahan, UMaine's first draftee since 1990, owes a debt of gratitude to former UMaine standout Dave Cusano. The assistant track coach and strength and conditioning coach at UMaine trained McMahan and Owens for much of the past year.

McMahan ran a speedy 4.3-second 40-yard dash and Owens also turned in a personal best - with pro scouts looking on.

"[Cusano] put in a lot of time, a lot of effort, to train me for free, to teach me everything that he's studied for so long," McMahan said. "It's improved my 40 so much and that's really where I got drafted."

Cosgrove said the recent attention garnered by UMaine players is also a function of the program's tough schedule.

"Kevin caught the winning touchdown against Mississippi State. Montell had four carries for 28 yards on the winning drive, and Jermaine and Brandon [McGowan] were our defensive leaders," Cosgrove said.

"The program itself has prospered to the point where they have been put in significant football games."

[Angry Pope]

Here is a video of McMahan....

Hit it here... (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8359595802905649468&q=kevin+mcmahan&pl=true)

[Angry Pope]

McMahan Visits His Roots

by Mike Hedeen
Published May 02, 2006

After being the last player selected in the NFL draft Sunday, Kevin McMahan came home for a short visit before heading to mini-camp with the Oakland Raiders. And the former Aquinas and University of Maine star receiver made it a point to stop by the Boys and Girls Club.

“This is a place where I could come, stay out of trouble,” McMahan explained. “I always had a group of friends around that were into the same things I was into, playing basketball and coming to the Boys and Girls Club. It really kept me out of trouble."

Returning to the club is Kevin’s way of giving back to those who gave him so much. He’s look up to as a role model by some of the younger members, proving good things happen to those who work hard.

“It's always good to have examples like Kevin, he's a great kid and we have a lot of great kids that come here,” said Dwayne Mahoney, Boys and Girls Club Executive Director. “A lot of the kids are visual learners and this is a great experience for them to see somebody that they have known and grown up with succeed in life.”

McMahan tries to make a good first impression with the Raiders this weekend. However with veterans like Randy Moss and Joey Porter anchoring the receiving corps, Kevin knows he must do more to get noticed.

“I'm willing to go out there and play on special teams, any special teams they want me to play on I'm willing to do,” said McMahan. “I'm the type of guy that's going to go into a camp, do whatever the coach asks me to do, whatever you ask me to do I'm going to do it and I'm going to do it hard.”

A work ethic learned at the Boys and Girls Club.

[Angry Pope]

Last NFL Draft Pick Receives Honors, Too

Fast Times
By Ted Nyman

The NFL Draft may be over now, but sports fans continue to discuss the nuances and details of the big event. Should Mario Williams have been the first pick? Is Reggie Bush going to be one of the greats? Whatever, whatever. Let's not forget about the last pick in the draft - the so-called Mr. Irrelevant.

Mr. Irrelevant this year is a wide receiver named Kevin McMahan. McMahan - who is originally from Rochester - played for Division I-AA Maine, and was picked by the Oakland Raiders with the last pick in the seventh round.

He'll have to work hard to make the Oakland roster. But, more importantly, he'll soon be heading down to Southern California for a legendary event - in June, he will become the sole honoree at the 31st annual "Mr. Irrelevant Week" celebration in Newport Beach, Calif.

It's a five-day event that will honor McMahan for, well, being the last pick in the draft. It all started in 1976, when an ex-football player named Paul Salata put together the first Irrelevant Week as a kind of joke to "do something nice for someone for no reason." Since then, it has morphed into a fairly popular local booster and charity event.

The five-day extravaganza will start with a Chamber of Commerce sponsored arrival party. On Day 2, McMahan will visit Disney's California Adventure theme park in Anaheim. The next day, however, is the highlight of the week, as the "Lowsman Trophy" will be awarded (Lowsman, as in the opposite of the Heisman Trophy). There is apparently some kind of sailing regatta on Day 4, and then the week is closed out with a parade on the final day.

Now, despite the Mr. Irrelevant title, some recent final picks have in fact made the rosters of NFL teams, and a few have even had a degree of success in the league.

New York Giants fans probably know fullback Jim Finn as a key blocker for running back Tiki Barber. The Penn graduate has been a starter for the Giants over much of the past three years. However, those fans may not realize that Finn was also Mr. Irrelevant 1999, as the Chicago Bears took him with the 253rd overall pick.

Safety Mike Green (Mr. Irrelevant 2000) was also drafted by the Chicago Bears, and he eventually became a starter. Although he was recently traded to Seattle, Green has notched a respectable total of 400 career tackles. He should continue to earn playing time at Qwest Field.

And let's not forget about Mr. Irrelevant 1978, Bill Kenney, who became a Pro Bowl quarterback with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1983. He later went onto a successful career in state politics in Missouri, demonstrating that irrelevance need not be limited to the football field.

Anyway, when all this hoopla began thirty years ago, the NFL Draft had a total of 12 rounds, as opposed to the seven rounds it has these days. Mr. Irrelevant was, in fact, even more irrelevant back in the day. So, with fewer picks in the modern draft, there's a better chance that Mr. Irrelevant may indeed become, well, kind of relevant.

This year's final pick, McMahan, had a pretty good season last year for Maine. He scored 13 touchdowns and had 59 receptions for 893 yards. He apparently got some attention among pro teams back in September, when he caught a 52-yard touchdown pass in Maine's 25-7 loss to Nebraska. And some real college football fans may recall McMahan's game-winning touchdown reception against Mississippi State in 2004, which gave Maine its first-ever win over a Division I-A school.

When Raiders head coach Art Shell was asked to describe his team's draft result (which included Cornell offensive lineman Kevin Boothe in the sixth round), he noted McMahan's height and his speed in the 40-yard dash.

"The last guy?" Shell said. "He's 6-2, and he can run a 4.4 ? he's kind of exciting."

Perhaps he will be exciting enough to find his way into relevance.

[Angry Pope]

McMahan.....

Maine wide receiver Kevin McMahan was the third "Mr. Irrelevant" chosen by the Raiders in the last four years. The "Mr. Irrelevant" designation goes to the player selected with the final pick in the NFL draft and includes prizes and a ceremony in his honor in Newport Beach, Calif.

"He was so excited we drafted him. He said, `Coach, I've had so many phone calls wanting to sign me as a free agent. We came in and took him, and he was excited about that," Shell said. "The opportunity to talk to (Hall of Famer and Raiders wide receivers coach) Fred Biletnikoff may have been even more exciting for him."

[Angry Pope]

Kevin McMahan...


Raiders' Mr. Irrelevant takes it all in stride

Posted 5/8/2006 5:37 PM ET

By Steve Bradley, Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Kevin McMahan didn't believe what he was hearing.

After 254 players had been selected in the NFL Draft, a woman called McMahan and told the former University of Maine wide receiver that the Oakland Raiders were going to take him with the final pick of the seventh round.

"I thought it was a prank," McMahan, an Aquinas graduate, said by phone last week from Orono, Maine. "She started asking me questions and for my Social Security number. I didn't give her anything until I saw my name come up on the screen."

And when it did?

"I was speechless," the 23-year-old Rochester resident said.

But, not for long. Because he was the last player taken in the draft, McMahan became Mr. Irrelevant, the tongue-in-cheek nickname given to the final draft selection each year.

McMahan was interviewed by ESPN Radio and several other stations across the country. ESPN2's Cold Pizza also called trying to set up an appearance.

The 6-foot-2, 196-pound McMahan took it all in stride.

"A lot of people know what Mr. Irrelevant is and this just gives me something going into training camp that separates me from other people," said McMahan, who caught 59 passes for 893 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and ranks eighth on Maine's career receiving list. "You are always looking for something to separate yourself, not I'm looking forward to going to camp and working hard."

McMahan was a football and basketball standout at Aquinas and was named MVP for the Little Irish in the 2001 state Class A championship game.

He said he heard from several teams leading up to the draft, including Green Bay, New England and the Chicaco Bears, but the Raiders were a surprise.

"I hadn't even talked to them at all," McMahan said. "A couple of teams had talked to me about possibly doing something in the seventh round, but Oakland wasn't one of them."

In following with the tradition of Mr. Irrelevant, McMahan and his family will be invited to spend a weekend in Newport Beach, Calif., where he will be treated to a roast and receive the Lowsman Trophy.

[Angry Pope]

Here is a question and answered period with Kevin McMahan....

Kevin McMahan Q&A Transcript
Luke Nicholson
5/11/2006



Moose Knuckle Ball Four: kmacWR5. Looks like he is here!

kmacWR5: I am here.. I thought this wasnt starting for awhile but im here and may as well start to asnwer some questions for you guys... to bad there isnt a chat feature.lol

ChairMan: How large of an impact will training with Randy Moss influence you?

kmacWR5: anytime trainign with an athlete of his status can be benefial top any athlete. For the record for everyone here he goes hard in practice and really sets a good example. sits in front of meetings with a pan and pad takingnotes and asking questions.

whtsuxh8r: Do you like having the tag of "Mr. Irrelevant?" Also, does being the last pick in the draft give you added motivation to prove to the other 31 teams that passing on you was a big mistake?

kmacWR5: definitely! i am the type of player constantly looking for something to add fuel to my fire. I like being the underdog and often times in my mind even if im not the underdog or doubted i will find a way to make myself think that because i really feed off of people doubting me.

Lukin: Where were you when the Raiders made you the final selection in the 2006 NFL Draft?[/b]

kmacWR5: I was in my living room with some friends up here at school and I never expected teh raiders to be the team to take me. I had interest as far as a draft from SF, GB, and a couple others then about 10 more teams as a priority free agent. Oakland raiders werent one of them, at least as far as i knew.

Tom22406: The hardest thing rookies say is the most difficult thing to adjust to is the speed of the game.What are you doing to prepare yourself for this?

kmacWR5: I like to think that i am pretty fast and I didnt find the speed of the game to be overwhelming at all. I have the experience of playing at nebraska this year and missisippi state last year and that was good to have experienced but i didnt find the speed to be too crazy.

But as far as traingin my goal is to be the best conditioned and hardest traignin WR int eh NFL and right now i train hard abd sacrifice alot to try to be in an elite category as far as fitness at least.

Tom22406: If you could play with any current or former NFL QB, who would it be and why?

kmacWR5: any QB i would have to say joe montana or steve young and i say that because those are the guys who threw to jerry rice and Id be honored to say i caught passes form the same QB as jerry

EMPIRE: What are his thoughts now that the first mini-camp is over?

kmacWR5: I am glad to finally see what it is like. I wasnt overwhelmed and I feel like i deserve to be there. Its a crazy busy and you can be cut anytime but i feel like as far as talent i can make this team

EMPIRE: Funniest thing that happened at mini-camp?

kmacWR5: not too much really funy but warren sapp really likes golf and watched it during lunch and that was a shock and i found it funny

EMPIRE: Funniest thing that happened to him at mini-camp?

kmacWR5: nothing just yet maybe when i report on monday.lol

EMPIRE: Scariest thing that happened at mini-camp?

kmacWR5: nothign scary yet either.

EMPIRE: What is Al Davis really like?

kmacWR5: didn't meet him yet actually

EMPIRE: After going through mini-camp, what are his thoughts on the Raider QB's?

kmacWR5: i think they are vey solid actually. aaron brrooks is very good and "tui" is much better than i ever knew im very impressed

EMPIRE: Who was your favorite NFL team before becoming a Raider? Favorite player?

kmacWR5: SF 49ers, Jerry rice

EMPIRE: What's it like being coached by an HOF'er like Fred Biletnikoff and what has he helped you with the most so far?

kmacWR5: it is crazy that guy knows so much and he is gonna help me with the mental part of the game understadnign the game better nto just being a good athlete

Lukin: What do you typically eat for breakfast?

kmacWR5: 4 egg whites, i slice wheat bread, i piece of fruit and water

Lukin: What number do you plan on wearing in the NFL?

kmacWR5: im in 5 right now and itd be awesome to be able to keep that but idk if the rules of the NFL have made it legal for WRs to wear 5 yet

chad@ffLiveWire: Is it cool with you that our logo features your picture?

kmacWR5: def. i think its awesome!

chad@ffLiveWire: Where can I get a Kevin McMahan jersey?

kmacWR5: that i dont know my roomates and friend went and ordered them form nfl.com but had to customize them and it was expensive but its not a replica its the threaded game jersey. made up a generic number thought since they dont know the real number but they put number 1 on it. i think itd be awesome if they couldve put number 255 on it

Lukin: I've heard that Fabian Washington, who is known for his speed, looked impressive at mini-camp. Could you comment a little on your experiences with Fabian during mini-camp? Did you ever line up against him? What were your thoughts on his ability? Can he cover you?

kmacWR5: faian is a very good corner. I was most impressed withim in camp actually. I thought he did agreat job against randy actually. he never covered me i dont think because hes usually guarding someone thats a starter.lol

Tom22406: Did you take the Wunderlic test and how do you feel about it?

kmacWR5: i took it. i dont rememeber my score but i rmember i did real well on it. i think its pointless and shouldnt be used as part of the selection process because it doesnt determine a good football player

Moose Knuckle Ball Four: Which other rookie, besides yourself have impressed you so far at mini-camp?

kmacWR5: i was impressed with the tackle from weber state.

whtsuxh8r: How does it feel to have a cult following at FFLW?

kmacWR5: LOl feels good to have fans.. seriously at maine i mean we dotn get a big following thats why i love doign stuff like this and let people know what the real me is like. i think its a shame so many pro athletes are distant from the reality with there fans.. i think connecting with fans will always be apart of my character

Moose Knuckle Ball Four: Kevin, I know you are coming to the end of the questions and want to thankyou from everyone here at fflivewire. Feel free anytime to log on and drop us a post or 2. You have a big cult folowing here and we will be rooting for you come camp time. Thanks again. MKB4

kmacWR5: i am still here for at least another 30 minutes or as long as people wanan ask questions... and thanks for the support and i hope u all keep an eye on whats going on with my career

Moose Knuckle Ball Four: d any one particular player take you under his wing during mini camp?

kmacWR5: no player really took me under there wing but the older guys did an awesome job of trying to teach me everything they could.

Moose Knuckle Ball Four: How has the press treated you in the bay area?

kmacWR5: the press was great the covered me and there has been a few interviews on the raiders website.. make sur eu guys keep checkign the site for new news

Tom22406: What was your first impression of coach Shell?

kmacWR5: first inpressionof coach shell is that hes a guy that wants to take care of his players on and off the court the raiders organization is big on takign care of there guys and hes such a great role model and person im honored and hope i can stay aroundd him for along time.

cont'd...

[Angry Pope]

cont'd....

Tom22406: What role do you expect to play with the Raiders this year?

kmacWR5: I am trying to get onto special teams and anything i can. i think i can play some snaps at reciever if i learn the system and continue to take coaching liek i have been

Lukin: What was the toughest part of mini-camp?

kmacWR5: i wouldnt say anything was tough physiacally but the new plays are diificult yo learn. i have been accustomed to certain terminolgy and now that has all changed so its different but i am getting it quickly...

Tom22406: Give us a rundown of what you have to do on an average day at the Raiders camp.

kmacWR5: 6- wakeup
7 breakfast and then meetings
9 practice and then lunch and more meetings lil time off then practice again at 2 then dinner and more meetings back at the room around 9 i go to bed at 10

Moose Knuckle Ball Four: Which DB that you faced in college gave you the toughest challenge?

kmacWR5: honestly i think i faced the best DB's in practice everyday.. guys knowing my play style and our play call made it hardest for me to get open and we have a DB coming out next year named daren stone that will be on teams radar screen. we always have good matchups

Lukin: What DBs did you line up against at mini-camp? How did you fare against them?

kmacWR5: i thought i did wellin camp.. i pretty much faced everyone with 1 on 1's and stuff but i dont think i faced fabian. rookie didnt get many reps because moss and porter and everyone was there.lol

EMPIRE: When I was younger(a lot younger), and before I was in position to be a starter, I always looked at special teams as a way to get on the field. Would you rather be a returner, or on kick coverage? You have the speed to be a returner, and the size and speed to cover kicks. Any chance you may be asked to contribute on special teams?

kmacWR5: definitely i would love to be on special teams... i would rather cover kicks than return them i think.. i think i am a better punt returner than kick returner.. u need that runnign back vision on kicks but punt i can free lance a little but.. but id like to cover kicks

Lukin: Why will you succeed where Ryan Hoag failed? (Hoag was Mr. Irrelevant 2003 and also drafted by the Raiders as a WR)

kmacWR5: i ersonally dont look at myself as a 7th round talent.. i wa a 7th round draft pick but i believe if i went to a different school im taken much higher so i dont think im the average 7th round pick... if i had 500 yrds receiveing and all my tests were the same and i went to idk any 1a school say WVU id prob be a 2-3 rounder... not many 1a guys run 4.3 and dotn get drafted early.

EMPIRE: The pre-draft scoop on you was your size, speed, hands, and routes. After your 1st mini-camp, what do you feel is the thing you need to improve on?

kmacWR5: i think the hardest thing again will be to learn the playbook. and i want to run better routes i think they are good not but i want ppl to watch me one day and say keving mcmahan runs the best routes.. im never satisfied. so i feel i need to work on everything. i run a 4.3, i wanan run a 4.2. i catch 100 balls i wanan catch 110.. im just like that in everything.

Lukin: How are you as a blocker

kmacWR5: think i block rally well.. its more effort than anything.. and i am very passionate about it. i want my lineman blockin so the Qb can throw me the ball so why wouldnt i block my man hopign the RB can break free.. plus i think it look SOOOO dumb when a WR doesnt block and his man makes the tackle

Tha rizzock: yo kev what up pimp as a huge raider fan how do you like dealing with coach shell and fred biltnikoff and have you met al davis??

kmacWR5: I really liek both of those guys.. unbelievable coaches. not many peopel can say they are coached by 2 legends and HOFers. i havent met al davis yet.

Portis26: What "perks" will you receive as Mr. Irrelevant??

kmacWR5: i dotn kow everything yet but my biggest thing is having all the press i enjoy that. but there is a parade and banquet. i go to disney and there are some gifts i get but i wont really find out until it happens

Lukin: You mentioned that you were surprised about Warren Sapp's interest in golf? Was there anything else about any other player that you found interesting?

kmacWR5: randy moss is real down to earth and cool guy.. he talks to everyone cracks jokes and acts like a normal guy... i dont kno why he gets a bad rep hes a great guy.

Tha rizzock: so keving did jerry porter and randy try and help you and did fred beltinkoff help you alot to??

kmacWR5: yeah both of those guys were real cool. they gave me all the information i asked for... coach B is def very helpful too.. couldnt have better people to learn from.

frybry02: If you weren't an NFL player, what other profession would you pursue?

kmacWR5: well my undergrad is in business with a concentration in accoutnign and when football is over ill get my masters in kinesiology. i will probably open my own business. i want to train athletes. I currently train with a guy that helped me big time run that 4.31 and i want to help him acquire more clients

Vols44: Kevin, has coach Biletnikof spent some one on one time with you in the classroom, on the field or in between practices?

kmacWR5: yes we worked together everyday after pracitce to critique route running and i always ask him questions after practice and go to his office to pick his brain a little bit when hes not busy already.

Tha rizzock: what did you think of porter and moss cuz

kmacWR5: both of the guy swere awesome. liek i said great to learn from and set very good examples for the young guys

frybry02: What is youur strongest quality that you feel will help you be successful in the NFL? (From your responses so far, I'd say it sounds like you have a tremendous work ethic, like your favorite player, and that you are very determined.)

kmacWR5: i would def say my work ethic is my best quality... but also willingness to learn and be coached.. i think athletically i am at an elite level when u look at size speed jumping all that but i think there are tons of guys that can do that and i think the way for me to separate myself is by showing coaches i just wanan win and and willing to do whatever to do that. i work hard int he offseason and ill sacrifice to do that.. alot of people take for granted thsi opportunity and while guys do that i want to just continue to get better and better and eventually be the best i can be

Vols44: Another question, what unique qualities do you feel you can bring to the Raiders that other wideouts don't have?

kmacWR5: i really dotn know any of them that well to say but along what i said before i know alot fo gus that arent willign to sacrifice like i am.. i have been on extremely strict diets before i have trained 2 a days on my own before. im willing to put my body through alot to get myslef to a certain level where alot of people may give up at a certain point im willing to keep fighting for my goals

Tom22406: Which CB in the NFL do you most look forward to facing in your career?

kmacWR5: i would like to face all of the elite guys.. champ bailey, fred smoot, all the pro bowlers to really test my ability and go against the best.

Tom22406: Are you a trash talker?

kmacWR5: im not apublic trash talker but on the filed i tend to say a few words here and there.

Tha rizzock: how do the raiders talk about rivals such as the chargers,broncos and chiefs cuz we all no they hate the raiders im wondering what the raiders players think of that? example Ladinan tomlinson said the raiders are a pathetic orginzation that its not just the pathetic players its the fans to all around its the raiders. as a raiders fan i take that very personal so what do the players think of that kind of stuff?

kmacWR5: there isnt much talkright now about the season we are really focusing on getting ourselves better at this point and i think we will focus on opponents in the future and i am too young as a raider to really know much about rivalries

Tha rizzock: yo kev man as a raiders player there are going to be alot of people against you do you think you can overcome that?

kmacWR5: definitely i feed off of things like that. i like being an underdog! and it comes with being a raider