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

Former UAlbany standout Drew Smith has been released by the Buffalo Bills.

Here is the team's release.

This is what Smith tweeted on Thursday afternoon.

Thanks again @buffalobills, for making this one hell of a year. Goodluck in the playoffs this year 😉! http://t.co/VF26S0Q29Z
— andrew smith (@isayaaa10) September 5, 2013

Smith suffered a finger injury late in training camp and was placed on Injured Reserve.

For Smith to make it as far as he did, as an undrafted free agent, speaks volumes for how much he accomplished. 

AP

One year ago, Drew Smith was working with his University at Albany teammates, trying to get ready for the season opener against Colgate.

This season, Smith is hoping just to make the team -- in the NFL -- with the Buffalo Bills.

Smith went undrafted after finishing off a terrific career for the Great Danes, but was signed as a free agent by Buffalo and invited to training camp at St. John Fisher College, in Rochester.

He's listed as a fullback and fighting for a precious roster spot with the Bills.

Smith has already started to make a name for himself, catching a touchdown from fellow rookie EJ Manuel, in a scrimmage and making one catch in the Bills first preseason game against Indianapolis.

Smith's success at the highest level hasn't surprised his former offensive coordinator Ryan McCarthy.

“He’s just a guy that everybody we played, whether it was Youngstown State, Maine, New Hampshire, they all knew exactly who that guy was.”

Smith rushed for more than 1,000 yards, as a junior and a senior for UAlbany, and while he wasn't playing against talent like he'll see in the NFL, his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame is certainly big league.

“He looks like he belongs to me," McCarthy said. "He looks like one of those guys. I would not be surprised if he makes that roster.”

Smith's versatility could help his chances to make the roster. For the Great Danes, he played quarterback, running back, fullback, receiver and was on special teams. 

“I think the NFL teams want to see that on tape, see a guy moving around,” said McCarthy. 

Smith is a guy who certainly has the looks of a pro, but now he's hoping his play will keep him on the field for the Bills. 

“Everything I’ve heard is he has a legitimate shot to make the team," McCarthy said. "I hope nothing but the best for him. He’s the most versatile player I’ve every coached since I’ve been here."

AP

In what has been a big few days for local football players, CBA grad Joe Vellano and RPI's Mike Hermann have signed free agent contracts with NFL teams.

Vellano and Hermann join UAlbany players Drew Smith (Buffalo) and Jon Morgan (Detroit), as four players with local ties have now signed free agent deals.

Vellano, who played at Maryland, signed a deal with New England, while Hermann has inked with Oakland.

The draft came and went without any locals being selected, but it was shortly after where news happened.

Former University at Albany running back Drew Smith agreed to a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills.

Smith said Wednesday that the four most interested teams were the Bills, Falcons, Panthers and Saints. 

Smith's agent JR Rickert tweeted Saturday evening, “@JRRickert: JRSE is thrilled to announce that client @UAlbany @isayaaa10 Drew Smith has signed with the Buffalo #Bills!”

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. 

University at Albany football players Ocieka Bakou and Drew Smith talk about the team's 36-13 victory over Saint Francis (Pa.) on Saturday.

University at Albany senior running back Drew Smith talks about the team's upcoming Homecoming game against St. Francis (Pa.).

Smith, a Guilderland grad, is the leading scorer in the FCS level, averaging 12.0 points per game, with 12 touchdowns in six games this season.

AP

ALBANY — Drew Smith wants to make the most of every opportunity he gets to carry the football.
 
The senior running back is averaging nearly 100 yards per game so far this season for the University at Albany.
 
Smith will be one of the keys, as UAlbany (1-0, 3-1) gets set to host league rival Monmouth (2-0, 3-1), at home, on Saturday afternoon.
 
“It’ll be a tough ballgame,” said Great Danes coach Bob Ford. “We’ll have to play well.”
 
Smith, who has 392 yards and five touchdowns already this season, has been the Great Danes leading back for the past two years. He credits maturity with helping him turn things up even another level, as a senior.
 
“I think it’s me being more mature and knowing what to do, when to go and not being reckless,” said the Guilderland High grad. “I know my sophomore year, I was running high and got dinged up.”
 
Smith and his fellow seniors haven’t lost to Monmouth in their careers. The last time the Hawks won in this Northeast Conference matchup was back in 2006.
 
Smith says he spends more time in the tub and talking to trainer Jay Geiger, if even the slightest things flares up.
 
“I know my body now,” Smith said. “I know what to expect of it. I have Omar too, to help me out.”
 
Sophomore Omar Osbourne and Smith have helped UAlbany excel in the running game this season. The Great Danes are averaging more than 200 yards rushing per game and haven’t been held to fewer than 110.
 
Smith will likely become just the third running back in school history to surpass the 3,000-yard mark for his career, joining David McCarty (2006-09) and Gary Jones (2002-03), both also Section II high school products.
 
Smith has dealt with injuries in past seasons, but he says he’s running lower now, which helps him avoid some of the more violent contact.
 
For his career, Smith has averaged 5.3 yards per carry (484 total rushes) and scored 27 rushing touchdowns.
 
All this for a guy who played quarterback in high school and initially was slotted behind Vinny Esposito in the QB depth chart for the Great Danes.
 
The goal for the UAlbany running backs is to pick up four yards per carry. Smith just wants to do as much as he can to help the team to victory.
 
“I want to make the most of every carry,” he said.

The University at Albany football team kicked off the 2012 season on the right note, on Saturday, knocking off Colgate, 40-23.

Ocieka Bakou and Drew Smith were big reasons for the season-opening victory.

Bakou blocked two kicks and Smith ran for a career-high 174 yards.

On Monday, Smith was named Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Week, while Bakou picked up special teams player of the week honors.

Here is a link to the conference's release.

Here is a link to the game story, from the 40-23 victory on opening night. The crowd was one of the biggest in school history, with an announced 6,194 at the game.

ALBANY - The University at Albany football team knew that had to win to get into the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs.

On Saturday, they went out and did just that, defeating Sacred Heart 31-21, to capture the Northeast Conference title.

The Great Danes (7-1, 8-3) will find out on Sunday, who they will play when the 20-team postseason begins.

Dan Di Lella threw four touchdown passes for UAlbany, three of them to Ryan Kirchner. Drew Smith ran for 135 yards on 23 carries.

Di Lella's 24 touchdown passes for the season, set a single-season program mark.

The Great Danes were picked fourth in the preseason, but they proved throughout the season that they were the best team in the league.

ALBANY - Occasionally, quarterback Buddy Leathley will turn a handoff into a scramble.

It's something that running back Drew Smith can appreciate.

See, Smith used to be a mobile quarterback, while playing at Guilderland High School.

Now, he's the tailback and Leathley, who took over the starting job from Dan Di Lella, is the mobile quarterback.

“We joke about it sometimes,” said Smith, who would still prefer to get the ball.

Leathley's legs may be one of his most dangerous weapons, but they are also something he needs to learn how to keep under control.

“He’s got to do a better job of holding onto the ball,” said UAlbany coach Bob Ford after Wednesday's spring practice on University Field.

Leathley (who is seen in the above picture, throwing a touchdown in last year's spring scrimmage) was dynamic in his rookie season, but he has to cut down on turnovers.

“We have to stop that,” Ford said. “If we can’t stop that, we’ll keep searching. He can’t turn the ball over.”

While Leathley is just a red-shirt freshman, he has stepped up in leading the Great Danes through the start of the 2011 spring practices.

“He’s leading with his actions,” said fellow frosh, running back Dillon Romain.

“The team believes in him and follows him a little bit,” added Ford.

Two starters (Chris Wilk - ILB; Kyle O'Keefe - OG) are out with injuries.

The spring practices culminate with the intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, April 9, at 3 p.m.

"You hope to be healthy,” Ford said. “When it’s all said and done, you want to come out of this thing healthy.”

Here's a quick recap of what Ford thought about each area (this isn't quotes, but rather a paraphrase)

• Defensive line should be strong
• Three inside linebackers should be good (4 or 5 in the hunt for the fourth)
• Solid at safety and corner spots
• Very good at punter
• Fairly decent at kicker
• Offensive line "highly suspect"
• Wide receivers and running backs are very good