Pitt’s Spencer and Lay on their way to the NFL

The wait was long for former Pitt cornerback Josh Lay.

“I couldn’t go to sleep,” Lay told… The wait was long for former Pitt cornerback Josh Lay.

“I couldn’t go to sleep,” Lay told the Tribune-Review earlier this month. “I wanted to hurry up and get it over with.”

But good things come to those who wait. As the 174th pick of this year’s NFL Draft was announced on ESPN, “Josh Lay, CB, Pittsburgh” rolled across the bottom of the screen.

The New Orleans Saints chose Lay with their second pick in the 6th round, which they acquired from Green Bay. Lay joined former teammate Charles Spencer, taken in the third round by Houston the day before, as the only two Pitt players chosen in this year’s draft. Lay’s drafting could also be the start of somewhat of a hometown trend.

Lay hails from nearby Aliquippa, which is also the home of New York Jets cornerback Ty Law. Lay’s cousin and current Panther standout cornerback Darelle Revis will most likely be a first-day pick should he leave after his junior year this upcoming season. Revis is also from Aliquippa.

Lay becomes the fifth Panther defensive back to be drafted since 2000, joining the ranks of Hank Poteat (3rd round, Pittsburgh, 2000), Ramon “The Stalker” Walker (5th round, Houston, 2002), Torrie Cox (6th round, Tampa Bay, 2003) and most recently Shawntee Spencer (2nd round, San Francisco, 2004).

Charles Spencer, however, didn’t have to endure the waiting that Lay did.

Houston chose the offensive lineman with the 65th overall selection, the first pick of the third round. Spencer follows in the footsteps of former Pitt teammate Rob Pettiti, who was drafted by Dallas last year. Pettiti went on to have a spectacular season, earning a starting spot at offensive tackle as a rookie.

Spencer, a two-time All-Big East performer, will most likely play offensive guard for the Texans. Guard is Spencer’s original position, which he played until his senior season at Pitt, when he was forced to fill in at tackle for the departed Pettiti.

Spencer looks to continue the rich tradition of Pitt offensive lineman in the NFL, dating back to Mark May, who was taken in the first round by Washington in 1981.

Since then, the other first rounders have been Bill Fralic (Atlanta, 1985), Jimbo Covert (Chicago, 1983) and Ruben Brown (Buffalo, 1995). Both May and Fralic have had their numbers retired at Pitt.

Neither Spencer nor his agent Joe Linta could be reached for comment.

Many considered Lay and Spencer to be guaranteed picks along with another former Panther, wide receiver Greg Lee. Lee’s shaky senior season after an explosion of a junior year left the Florida native’s draft future uncertain as to when he would be chosen.

When — not if.

Turns out, the latter proved to be more appropriate. As the last pick was announced and the draft officially closed, Lee’s name was not among the 255 players chosen.

Lee’s decision to forgo his senior year at Pitt and enter the draft was criticized when it was announced, and not being drafted has only added to the stress that the wide receiver has to endure.

“Greg wants to sort of lay off the interviews for now,” Lee’s agent, Michael Highyue said when asked for an interview.

Although Lee’s future in the NFL is uncertain at best, he does have a present. Days after the draft, Lee was picked up by the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent, joining former Panther and now Pro-Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Along with Lee, two other Panthers signed free-agent deals with NFL teams — tight end Erik Gill signed with Dallas and kicker Josh Cummings with St. Louis.