Jaguars take Monroe

When he arrived at the University of Virginia in 2005, Eugene Monroe was touted as a future first-rounder.

It was not hyperbole.

The Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday selected Monroe, a 6-5, 309-pound offensive tackle, with the eighth pick of the NFL draft.

The Plainfield, N.J., resident was among the players who accepted invitations to attend the proceedings at Radio City Music Hall in New York. He waited little more than an hour before Jacksonville's pick was announced.

"It was incredible," Monroe told reporters. "I heard my name called and I pounded the table."

Another Cavalier, Clint Sintim, went to the New York Giants with the 13th pick of the second round (45th overall). The 6-3, 256-pound Sintim was a four-year starter at outside linebacker in Virginia's 3-4 defense.

A Gar-Field High graduate, Sintim led the nation's linebackers in sacks in 2007 and again in '08. He finished with 29 career sacks, a U.Va. record for a linebacker.

In New York, Sintim will be reunited with former U.Va. teammate Chris Canty, who left the Cowboys this year to join the Giants. Also, former Virginia star Charles Way is the Giants' director of player develoopment.

The Jaguars weren't sure, when the draft began, if Monroe would still be available at No. 8. Some draft analysts believed he could go as early as No. 2.

"We feel very fortunate to have him fall to us," the Jaguars' general manager, Gene Smith, told reporters last night.

The NFL took about six hours to complete the first two rounds of its annual draft yesterday. The final five are today, and players such as Victor "Macho" Harris (Highland Springs High/Virginia Tech), Lawrence Sidbury (University of Richmond), Cedric Peerman (U.Va.), John Phillips (U.Va.) and Kevin Ogletree (U.Va.) are expected to be taken.

Monroe, who turned 22 last weekend, became the 16th first-round pick in U.Va. history. The others include Jeff Lageman, who's now the Jaguars' radio color analyst.

Jacksonville's coaching staff also has a U.Va. connection. Offensive-line coach Andy Heck was an assistant at Virginia under Al Groh. Heck came to the Cavaliers' pro timing day in Charlottesville last month and ran Monroe through some blocking and footwork drills.

"He's a guy we would anticipate being a starter here for a long time," Heck told reporters last night.

Monroe was the third offensive tackle selected -- Baylor's Jason Smith went No. 2 and Alabama's Andre Smith No. 6 -- and the third player from the ACC drafted yesterday.

"As a player, the thing that stands out to you is how good he is as a pass protector," Heck said. "As a young tackle, he has plenty to learn. The pro-style offense is a little different than what he is used to in terms of the run game. Because he has such a great work ethic and is such a great person, I expect him to come and pick up things very quickly."

Jacksonville's veterans include former Virginia tailback Alvin Pearman.

"We have good ties there at the University of Virginia," Smith said. "It's a place where you can go and get a good feel for the players who are draft-eligible. They can't say enough good things about [Monroe] as a person."

Monroe is the third offensive linemen from U.Va. in the past four drafts to be taken in the first round, joining D'Brickashaw Ferguson (No. 4 overall in 2006) and Branden Albert (No. 15 in 2008).

Ferguson "was a mentor to me," Monroe said. "I learned a lot from him, both about the college experience that would be ahead of me and also playing football at left tackle."

Albert "was my roommate and one of my closest friends," Monroe said. "Branden is like my brother, and to experience the process with him closely this past year and to get advice from him helped me tremendously."

As a true freshman in 2005, Monroe backed up Ferguson at left tackle. Coming off a knee injury, Monroe played in all 12 games in 2006, starting six, but he didn't establish himself as one of the ACC's premier linemen until his junior year.

He elevated his play again in 2008. Monroe received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given annually to the ACC's top blocker, and was named a second-team All-American last season.

Monroe, who has 15 siblings, also distinguished himself in the classroom, graduating in three-and-half years. All the while, Groh said Thursday, Monroe stayed humble and purposeful.

"All the brightest lights were out there shining for him," Groh said. "It didn't ever affect him."