Quiet Sunday for UT

It was a surprising and notable distinction.

"I'm just shocked Michael Munoz didn't get drafted in the second or third round,'' UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "He's as good of a combination of talent, intelligence, work ethic and character as we've had at Tennessee.''

Munoz was not, however, among the 24 offensive tackles drafted into the NFL. This, after earning All-America honors and being projected as a second-to-fourth round selection by the NFL's draft advisory committee each of the past two seasons.

Fulmer said he wouldn't have thought Munoz's past injury troubles would have been such a large concern.

"Every injury he had here, he overcame and played well,'' Fulmer said. "But he'll get with a team, like Rashad (Baker) and Jabari (Greer) did last year, and prove his worth.''

Anthony Munoz, voted the greatest offensive lineman in the history of the NFL by his peers, was shocked as well.

"I don't know what to say,'' said Anthony, who's acting as Michael's agent. "I'm just numb.''

Fulmer said he also was a bit surprised center Jason Respert and receiver Tony Brown went undrafted.

"I would have bet my life that Michael would have been picked on the first day,'' said Respert, who had a personal workout for the Philadelphia Eagles. "My agent said he's never seen it where they show as much interest before the draft, and then don't call on draft day.''

Brown signed a free agent deal with the Buffalo Bills after being contacted by more than 10 teams after the draft, according to Mike Steinberg, an agent with Premiere Sports.

Defensive end Karlton Neal signed a free agent deal with the Tennessee Titans, according to his agent, Derek Spratley.

"They'll have six ends fighting for five spots,'' Spratley said.

Receiver/return specialist Derrick Tinsley reached an agreement with the Atlanta Falcons.

The fact that Houston went so late - in the sixth round with the 182nd overall pick to the New York Jets - also caught Fulmer off guard.

"I think Cedric was a steal for them,'' Fulmer said. "He was extremely competitive and productive in this conference, which arguably was the best in the country.''

Houston was the 16th running back selected in the draft.

"I'm just happy to be on the team,'' said Houston, who reports to camp Thursday. "I want Curtis Martin to teach me all he can teach me, and then one day, I want to be right there in that spotlight.''

The Vols had a total of three players selected this weekend: linebacker Kevin Burnett went in the second round to the Dallas Cowboys and punter Dustin Colquitt was a third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs. The 2003 Vols had four players picked.

Mike Griffith covers Tennessee football and may be reached at 865-342-6289.