So, Will Anybody Draft Troubled Tommy Blake?

One of the best stories featured on ESPN's Schaaptastic E:60 show was Michael Smith's profile of troubled Texas Christian University defensive lineman Tommy Blake. Blake, who at one point in his college career was on the fast-track to the NFL, derailed early his senior year. He was a no-show for many of TCU's games and practices, and it was later revealed that Blake suffers from both depression and social anxiety disorder. Given his condition, his millionaire dreams seemingly vanished completely.

Smith's piece didn't really do much to help Blake's stock, as it clearly showed a kid heavily medicated, emotionally numb, with a frozen, far-away look in his eyes. Fort Worth Star Telegram writer Ray Buck brings up a valid point about the toll this upcoming weekend will have on him given the nature of Blake's condition:

Now we're told that pressure can trigger depression. Oh, great. What's the NFL Draft to a young man coming out of college with first-round potential and a low-round (or no-round) projection other than pressure and anxiety?

It's safe to say Blake's a major long-shot for any team to draft him higher than the seventh round — if at all.

His scouting report doesn't do him any favors either:

Compares to: ALONZO SPELLMAN/DIMITRIUS UNDERWOOD...Well-known flame-outs who saw their careers shortened by social disorder issues, Underwood and Spellman had natural talent. Despite that, off-field and personal issues limited their on-field impact. Likewise, Blake has more red flags than the Kremlin. Even before his meltdown in 2007, coaches weren't sure Blake was the type of dedicated worker who could make it in the NFL. Even later in the draft, teams will need to do extensive homework and be committed to working overtime with Blake both on and off the field.

It'll be one of the most interesting subplots of this lonnng weekend once you get past the first round fireworks.

It's Not Blake's Ability That Scares NFL Teams [Fort Worth Star-Telegram]