October 27, 2012; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Kiko Alonso (47) looks on in the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

He was taken 46th overall in the NFL Draft by the Bills and has signed a 4 year deal worth $4.3 Million with $1.5 million guaranteed for the 2nd round draft pick.

According to OregonLive.com, he took a straightforward approach with NFL teams when asked about his past.  

“I just told them I put in my time and I’m moving forward,” Alonso said. “I’m ready to play football and compete.”

Alonso will compete for a starting job in a revamped defense that’s making the switch to a 3-4 system under new coordinator Mike Pettine. The Bills thought highly enough of Alonso’s potential that they traded returning starter Kelvin Sheppard to Indianapolis two days after the draft.

Only two players remain unsigned for the Bills from the Draft. First Round pick, Quarterback E.J. Manuel and Second Round pick, Wide Receiver Robert Woods.

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Costa Comes Back to the Nest

Former Oregon Quarterback Nate Costa is returning to the U of O as a Graduate Assistant for Coach Mark Helfrich. He’ll be doing all the things Graduate Assitants love to do, and then some. 

Final Living Member of 1939 Championship Team Passes Away

Some sad news to report, on Friday the Ducks lost the final living member of the 1939 National Championship Oregon Ducks known as the Tall Firs. Ford Mullen died at 86. Larry Stone from the Seattle Times talked to Ford a few years back. It provides a nice retrospective.

Oct. 14, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former Duck Sets the Bar in the NFL

Some NFL News, the Buffalo Bills have put their franchise tag on former Oregon Duck, Safety Jairus Byrd. It is set at $6.916 Million.

Did the Ducks Frustrate a Coach into Resigning?

ESPN has reported that Monte Kiffin, USC’s Defensive Coordinator this past season told his son Head Coach Lane Kiffin that he would resign at the end of the season. Why is that a big deal? He told the USC Head Coach following the Oregon game this past season. The Ducks beat the Trojans 62-51. Shortly after leaving USC he was hired back to the NFL as the Defensive Coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.

2013 Soon to Be Household Names

Finally, if your looking ahead to the 2013 Season (the Oregon Spring game is just under two months away), then check out some of the players set to have a ‘Breakout’ Season. Some of the names on the list are known contributers from this past year, others are guys who have been with the program and for one reason or another haven’t had the chance to perform on the field…yet.

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Jan 3, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks coach Chip Kelly reacts after the 2013 Fiesta Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at University of Phoenix Stadium. Oregon defeated Kansas 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Cleveland will “reboot their coaching search” after two of their highest candidates, Kelly and Syracuse’s Doug Marrone, didn’t work out. Marrone interviewed with Buffalo and agreed to take the head coaching job there, which was also another destination for Kelly.

Unless there are more teams that Kelly is going to interview for, that leaves the NFL opportunity to Philadelphia. They still aren’t done with their coaching search, still on their list to interview is Denver Broncos’ offensive coordinator, Mike McCoy, today and is still getting permission from the Cincinnati Bengals to interview their offensive coordinator, Jay Gruden.

The Eagles seemed to be the second-best fit for Kelly as we broke down a few days ago. Now with the Bills job gone, and reports that talking with the Eagles lasted for nine hours on Saturday, it’s no wonder that Kelly is the lead candidate for Philadelphia.

Slight hope emerges for Kelly to return to Oregon, but on top of not working out with two NFL teams that he became a lead candidate with, he could be receving NCAA sanctions with loss of scholarships and/or a postseason ban if returns.

It’s still fully expected to see Kelly jump to the NFL, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take the job at Philadelphia later today or early in the upcoming week.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor of Autzen Zoo and Clones Confidential. Follow more Oregon Ducks coverage with the zoo on Twitter.