Two more Cougars land in NFL

The wait wasn’t great, but the end result was worth it for Calvin Armstrong.

The former Washington State Cougar offensive tackle was selected by Philadelphia late in the sixth round of the NFL draft Sunday. The Eagles, who have been the NFC’s most consistent team in recent years, are just a few months removed from losing to New England in the Super Bowl.

“I hoped there was an outside chance I’d get picked Saturday, but I didn’t so I went to sleep hoping for the best. I waited a little longer than I thought I would, but it finally came around to my turn,” said Armstrong, the 211th overall pick. “You go right down the list and they have a bunch of Pro Bowlers. They have a great team, and I’m all about winning games so it’s a great situation for me.”

Safety Hamza Abdullah was selected by Tampa Bay in the seventh round, No. 231 overall, giving the Cougars three draft picks. Cornerback Karl Paymah went to Denver in the third round Saturday. Eastern Washington’s Michael Roos was picked by Tennessee in the second round.

Armstrong followed the draft with about 40 guests at his family’s home in Centralia, Wash., but he was out shooting free throws when the Eagles called his cell phone. Moments later he was celebrating being drafted, something only 255 players could relate to on Saturday and Sunday.

“Just a lot of screaming and yelling,” Armstrong said. “Everybody was really excited.”

The Eagles appear to be looking for depth to back up two veteran starters –Tra Thomas at left tackle and Jon Runyan on the right side. Philadelphia drafted another tackle, Saginaw Valley State’s Todd Herremans, in the fourth round. According to NFL.com, 24 offensive tackles were drafted, four after Armstrong.

Armstrong will participate in a mini camp this weekend in Philadelphia.

Abdullah was one of two strong safeties selected by the Buccaneers, who snagged Oklahoma’s Donte Nicholson in the fifth round, No. 141 overall.

The Bucs lost starting safety Dwight Smith in free agency.

“Hamza was one of the bigger hitting safeties in the draft,” coach Jon Gruden said on the Buccaneers’ Web site. “We got two safeties that can tag you.”

Abdullah made 70 tackles and forced four fumbles as a senior.