ALAMEDA, Calif. -- For Jack Del Rio, the phone rang in the third round, Bum Phillips' disembodied voice on the other side telling the USC All-American linebacker he was chosen by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 63 overall selection of the 1985 NFL draft.
This came after defensive back Donnie Elder went to the New York Jets, before defensive back John Hendy went to the San Diego Chargers. After 10 other linebackers were drafted.
For Reggie McKenzie, a less-heralded linebacker from Tennessee, the call from then-Los Angeles Raiders defensive coordinator Bob Zeman did not come until the 10th round, 275th overall, after offensive lineman Duval Love went to the Los Angeles Rams and before the Raiders picked defensive back Albert Myres.