Daily Bullets (March 17)

Washington the First

George Washington, the first president. James Washington, (should be) the first receiver selected (per Jenni Carlson).

I have no doubt Calvin Ridley from Alabama would be a great pick. Ditto for Courtland Sutton from SMU or Christian Kirk from Texas A&M. Great receivers all.

But none is any better than Washington.

It’s because of his skills, yes. His athleticism, of course. But it’s also his personality — this guy runs completely counter to the selfish, flashy, needy stereotype that often sticks to receivers.

“Teams have asked me, ‘Are you really a receiver? Most receivers, they’re the diva type,’” Washington said, then shrugged. “I’m like, ‘I’ve put plenty of stuff on film. You know my character. When I talk to you, that’s who I am.’ [NewsOK]

The team-first attitude makes Washington so easy to pull for. Not that we don’t love Dez’s confidence but man… a humble, hard-working college football player is hard not to cheer for.

Running for Office

Mason Rudolph assembled the brain trust of Cowboy Football for his pro day – a nice gesture and a politically unifying move.

Until Thursday, (T. Boone) Pickens had not been in Stillwater since the Nov. 4 Bedlam football game. During the pro day exercise, Rudolph was one of 17 former Cowboys who worked out for NFL coaches and scouts.

“Mason reached out to Boone two months ago and invited him to (pro day),” said Jay Rosser, Pickens’ spokesman. “Boone was grateful to have been invited. Mason came down to see Boone in Dallas two years ago, and they just clicked and really respect each other. He’s a quality kid with a quality family.” [TulsaWorld]

How many 22-year-old recent graduates from college wouldn’t kill to have access to one of the more brilliant businessmen over the last 50 years?

OSU and NCAA Notes

Want to know who will be successful in the tourney? Check preseason polls….Cowboys struggled in the second day of wrestling championships….Ian Boyd looks at the return of the fullback via the quarterback….Kelvin Sampson/Rob Gray tandem: castaways fighting their way back into the party

Wow… just wow.

16 seeds were 0-135 all-time against 1 seeds…until tonight!

UMBC becomes the first 16 seed to ever beat a 1 seed.

It's the Retrievers' first-ever NCAA Tournament win. pic.twitter.com/3af1eyCqTc

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 17, 2018

PAC 12 is (in) the pits.

UCLA lost to St. Bonaventure
Arizona State lost to Syracuse
Arizona lost to Buffalo

The Pac-12 was eliminated by upstate NY alone.
(H/t @redditCBB)

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) March 16, 2018

Celtics hopeful Smart will be back for the playoffs:

The Celtics announced that Marcus Smart underwent successful surgery on his right thumb. The team is hopeful he can return in the postseason:https://t.co/bnZpaGCh7N

— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) March 16, 2018

Thunder-related but this layup was insane.

Nifty. pic.twitter.com/eNaKaxTkK8

— Up The Thunder (@UpTheThunder) March 17, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• Cowboys advance six to round two of the NCAAs
• Mason Rudolph and Co. talked at pro day
• Luke profiles Cowboy wrestler Nolan Boyd

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Jerami Grant makes an appearance in Zach Lowe’s ten things
• Bill Connolly on salary cap scheming NFL teams was fun