Vobora among few who land a spot on NFL roster

David Vobora is known as Mr. Irrelevant XXXIII for being the last pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. However he is also now known officially as a member of the St. Louis Rams, as he survived the final cuts and earned a spot on the team’s 53-man roster.

Vobora, a 6-foot-1, 241-pound linebacker from the University of Idaho, has also been contributing on special teams.

As a senior at Idaho, Vobora made 148 tackles to lead the Western Athletic Conference in that category. He ranked fourth nationally in tackles per game at 12.33.

Vobora, who signed a three-year contract with the Rams in July, is the first Mr. Irrelevant to make a club out of training camp since 2000, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Defensive back Ramzee Robinson, last year’s Mr. Irrelvant also survived the final cuts and landed a spot on the Detroit Lions’ roster.

Wide receiver Kevin McMahan, the Mr. Irrelevant of 2006 originally drafted by the Oakland Raiders, was one of seven added to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.

Fullback Chris Manderino, a former Newport Harbor High standout, was waived by the Chiefs.

Wide receiver Ryan Hoag, the 2003 Mr. Irrelevant, did not make the final roster for the Jaguars, who also waived defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona, an Orange Coast College product.

Punter Eddie Johnson, who played at Newport Harbor and OCC, was released from the Lions after playing playing one preseason game.

— From staff reports