Missouri Tackle John Clay Raiders’ 1st-Round Choice

The Los Angeles Raiders used their first-round selection in today’s National Football League draft to pick 330-pound offensive tackle John Clay of Missouri, who hardly fits the Raiders’ tough-guy image.

“I give people expectations to be something I’m not,” Clay said before the draft. “I’m not a big, rowdy guy who bullies people. I just like to relax and take it easy.”

The Raiders had the 15th choice overall in the first round.

“We were looking for a young offensive lineman,” said Raiders’ Coach Tom Flores. “That’s been one of the secrets of our success. Whenever we’ve had a lineman ready to retire, we’ve had a young one ready to step in.”