Fifth-round pick John Conner, a fullback from Kentucky, didn't get much pub Saturday because ... well, it's easy to get overlooked when your team cuts a nine-time Pro Bowl lineman and trades one of its most popular players. But we did find out a little something about Conner: He was one of Rex Ryan's favorite players in the draft.

Now I know why.

Spoke to a scouting buddy of mine today and he raved about Conner's toughness and blocking skills.

"He's a hammer," said the scout, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "He didn't carry the ball much in college (only 54 times), but I'm telling you now, he'll knock you on your (butt). I watched him at the Senior Bowl. He was an easy study. Oh, my God, he's an old-fashioned, I-fullback. Woody Hayes and John McKay would've loved this guy. He would've been an all-American under Woody Hayes."

Now we know why Conner's nickname in college was "The Terminator." As a rookie, Conner is expected to back up Tony Richardson and contribute on special teams, but he sounds like the ideal heir apparent on a team that believes in "Ground & Pound."