ALBANY - Before Greg Gattuso even took the head coaching job at the University at Albany, he had ties to the Capital District.

Gattuso coached Rexford native Joe Vellano, currently a member of the New England Patriots, at the University of Maryland.

“We talk pretty regularly," said Gattuso, who introduced as the successor to Bob Ford, on Wednesday.

Vellano even called his former defensive line coach recently to talk about schemes that the Patriots are using and how he could be more effective in them. 

“What a great kid," Gattuso said of Vellano, who was The Record's 2006 Defensive Player of the Year, when he helped lead Christian Brothers Academy to the Section II Class AA Super Bowl.

Vellano has always been trying to get the advantage and outwork the opponents. On Maryland's tip sheet, Gattuso even wrote in big red letters, "Do not bother Coach Stewart during the game." They called it the Vellano Rule.

Coach Stewart was Defensive Coordinator Brian Stewart and Vellano would try to get his ear about different ways to attack the offense.

Joe Vellano's name is on the facing below Byrd Stadium's upper deck at Maryland, a place where all of the All-Americans are recognized. So is his father, Paul Vellano Sr. According to Maryland, they are the first father-son All-America combo at the same school in ACC history and one of just four known in FBS history (Florida - Lee and Travis McGriff, Georgia - Kevin and Drew Butler, Old Miss - Archie and Eli Manning).

“What a joy," Gattuso said about the entire family.  

Drew Smith, who played at UAlbany and was on the search committee contacted both Vellano and Albany's Dion Lewis, who played for Gattuso at Pitt, as he became one of the five finalists to next lead the Great Danes.

“Vellano couldn’t stop talking about him," said Smith.

Vellano has 47 tackles and one sack for the Patriots this season. When his playing days are over, whenever that may be, he could have a job waiting for him -- maybe even at UAlbany. 

“Joe sees everything," Gattuso said. "Some day when he wants to get into coaching, I’ll be the first one in line."

AP

J.S. Carras/The Record

The NFL Draft kicks off tonight in New York City.

The first round takes place Thursday evening, with the draft stretching to Friday and Saturday. Over
the weekend, a few local products hope they hear their names called or their phones ring with interest from NFL teams.

RPI quarterback Mike Hermann (right) impressed scouts at a Pro Day at Stony Brook, back in March, and his size (6-5, 260) is big league. He hopes to get a chance with a NFL team. 

The most recent local player to be drafted was former Albany Academy standout Dion Lewis, who was chosen in the fifth round by Philadelphia, in 2011, after a college career at Pittsburgh. Lewis, who was The Record's 2006 Offensive Player of the Year, was traded to Cleveland two weeks ago. 

University at Albany running back Drew Smith (below) hopes he can either be chosen in the late rounds or find himself to a team as a priority free agent. Also, CBA grad Joe Vellano could be chosen in the late rounds.

AP

 Below is video of Hermann talking about his chances, on Wednesday, before he gets in a workout. 

Here is a story, written by our sister paper the Delco Times in Pennsylvania about former Albany Academy star Dion Lewis.

Following an impressive preseason, Lewis made the 53-man Philadelphia Eagles roster.

Below are some videos of Lewis talking about learning the game at the NFL level and returning kicks, something he's expected to do during his rookie season.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Dion Lewis is now an official member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Lewis, the Eagles’ fifth-round draft choice, agreed to a four-year deal, worth a little more than $2.2 million, according to FoxSports.com’s Adam Caplan.

Lewis (right) made it official by tweeting “Officially an EAGLE”, on Wednesday afternoon.

Philadelphia opens its 2011 training camp this afternoon, at Lehigh University, the summer home of the club and Lewis is expected to be there.

The former Pitt star was one of eight draft picks the Eagles came to terms with on Wednesday, each received four-year deals.

Lewis rushed for 2,860 yards in two seasons at Pitt.

He earned Big East Rookie of the Year honors after his first season with the Panthers and was the first player since Michael Vick, in 1999, to win both the Big East Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season.

Lewis’ freshman mark of 1,799 yards broke Tony Dorsett’s 36-year-old school record for freshmen.

Lewis was named The Record's 2006 Football Player of the Year, after leading Albany Academy to the Class B New York State title game, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

Lewis ran for 1,368 yards and 22 touchdowns for the Cadets, while also making 70 tackles and intercepting three passes. Albany Academy finished 12-1 that season, losing to Geneva in the championship game.

Lewis then on to play for Blair Academy (N.J.), where he finished with 1,243 yards on just 88 carries (14.1 ypc), in his second season, while also scoring 26 total touchdowns.

Former Albany Academy standout Dion Lewis could be in store for big things as we are less than one month from his sophomore season at the University of Pittsburgh.

Lewis was The Record's Football Offensive Player of the Year in 2006, when he helped lead the Cadets to the Carrier Dome and the Class B State Title game.

Sports Illustrated has an article on Lewis and West Vriginia's Noel Devine as two pint-sized running backs who are turning heads and could be Heisman candidates.

Here is a link to the story.

Tim Steadman/Icon SMI

Albany native Dion Lewis, who was named The Record's 2006 Football Offensive Player of the Year for his accomplishments in leading the Albany Academy football team to the Carrier Dome during his junior season, appears in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated.

Lewis is second in the country in rushing with 918 yards as a freshman for the Pitt Panthers.

(SMI)

Lewis, who spent two years at Blair Academy (NJ), was listed at 5-foot-7 and weighed just 170 pounds, but rushed for 1,368 yards and 22 touchdowns as the Cadets went 12-1.

Lewis, who is now listed on the Pitt web site as 5-8, 195 lbs., was also named a mid-season all-american by SI.

Here's the link to the story.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1161598/index.htm