It appears that Carolina will draft Newton first overall, which if it does not work out, may set the franchise back five years or more. There is possibly an elite QB draft class coming out next year with the likes of Andrew Luck, Nick Foles and Matt Barkley. In my opinon Carolina is being extremely short sighted not taking a potential blue chip franchise player (Marcel Dareus, AJ Green, Von Miller, etc) instead at another position.

There are several quarterback needy teams, however there is not a single franchise QB in the entire draft. As a result quarterback needy teams (Carolina, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Washington, Minnesota, Miami, Seattle) all may overdraft the QB position if they take any QB in the first 20 picks.

Kyle Rudolph will get drafted in the first round but Keep Reading...]]> 1. Cam Newton

It appears that Carolina will draft Newton first overall, which if it does not work out, may set the franchise back five years or more. There is possibly an elite QB draft class coming out next year with the likes of Andrew Luck, Nick Foles and Matt Barkley. In my opinon Carolina is being extremely short sighted not taking a potential blue chip franchise player (Marcel Dareus, AJ Green, Von Miller, etc) instead at another position.

2. Overdrafting of QB’s

There are several quarterback needy teams, however there is not a single franchise QB in the entire draft. As a result quarterback needy teams (Carolina, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Washington, Minnesota, Miami, Seattle) all may overdraft the QB position if they take any QB in the first 20 picks.

3. Kyle Rudolph 1st round

Kyle Rudolph will get drafted in the first round but after the 20th pick. Rudolph appears to be one of the best tight end prospects in years and should be an every down player who is equally adept at catching the ball as he is at blocking.

4. Players falling due to medical

Three players (Da’Quan Bowers, Mark Ingram and Adrian Clayborn) will fall in the first round due to medical concerns. While I am not saying they all fall out of the first round (I doubt Bowers or Ingram will), Clayborn is a definite possibility to fall out of the first round.

5. Nick Fairley

I do not think Fairley is going to drop as far as people think and he will still go in the top 10 as he showed too much dominance last year in the SEC. Other than his inconsistent motor I think the rest of his character concerns have been overblown. Granted, looking at him he does not have a prototypical body but neither did Warren Sapp who I think he compares favorably to.

6. Premium on guys that can play now

Partly because of the current lockout/labor situation and because of the limited signing time on free agents, I think players who are believed to be able to step in right away rather than the potentially more talented longer term developmental players will get drafted earlier this year than in other years.

7. Mark Ingram

Will be the first back taken in the draft and the only back drafted in the first round. However Mikeal Leshoure will have a longer and more productive career as I think Ingram’s knee issues (has been thought to be arthritic) will limit the length of his career.

8. Corners

Only 3 corners, Patrick Peterson, Prince Amukamara and Jimmy Smith will be drafted in the first round. Jimmy Smith is just too physically gifted for a team not to bite on him at sometime in the first round.

9. Justin Houston

While a borderline first rounder before the marijuana allegations (I had him going late first round), he now will be a guaranteed 2nd rounder. Not because he used marijuana but because he was stupid enough to get caught using it before the NFL draft when he knew he was going to get tested.

10. Wide Receivers and Linebackers

Only 2 linebackers, (Von Miller and Akeem Ayers) and 2 wide receivers (Green and Jones) will be drafted in the first round. Jonathon Baldwin is the only player that could upset this prediction however his character concerns and lack of consistency will push him back to early in the second round.

11. Jake Locker

Locker goes first round after the 15th pick and is acquired by a team trading up or trading down to get him. Locker in my opinion never puts it all together and at best becomes a part time starter in the league.

Summary

Many consider Mikel Leshoure to be the back with the least amount of question marks coming into the draft and maybe the only back capable of carrying the entire rushing load for a team. Mikel had a breakout season in 2010 rushing for 1697 yards and 20 touchdowns seeming to only get stronger as the year went on. He had his best rushing performances in November when he went for 330 yards and 2 touchdowns against Northwestern and in the Texas Bowl taking home MVP honors and rushing for 184 yards and 3 touchdowns. At 5’115/8, 227 pounds Leshoure possesses terrific size, is wide hipped and thick throughout his frame. He shows superior strength in his lower half Keep Reading...]]>

Summary

Many consider Mikel Leshoure to be the back with the least amount of question marks coming into the draft and maybe the only back capable of carrying the entire rushing load for a team. Mikel had a breakout season in 2010 rushing for 1697 yards and 20 touchdowns seeming to only get stronger as the year went on. He had his best rushing performances in November when he went for 330 yards and 2 touchdowns against Northwestern and in the Texas Bowl taking home MVP honors and rushing for 184 yards and 3 touchdowns. At 5’115/8, 227 pounds Leshoure possesses terrific size, is wide hipped and thick throughout his frame. He shows superior strength in his lower half possessing both the ability to run defenders over and the ability to avoid defenders exhibiting very good elusiveness for his size. In addition, Mikel showcases the ability to press the line of scrimmage quickly demonstrating a very good burst through the hole and good stopping and starting ability. Leshoure displays quick feet and good agility for his size but does lack some lateral cutback ability when going sideline to side line. As well, Leshoure is not considered much of a home run threat lacking elite straight line speed and elite instincts as he at times fails to recognize the proper hole or cutback lane. While Leshoure has 1st round skills and talent he will likely not go until the first part of the second round due to the continuing devaluation of the running back position over the last several years.

Inside Runner

Leshoure is a strong inside runner who is at his best as a one cut runner. At times Leshoure will run a little upright but he shows the ability to bend well, lower his pads and limit the areas defenders have to hit. He can run through arm tackles and is wide hipped making it difficult for defenders to wrap him up enabling him to gain a large portion of his yards after contact. He displays good short area quickness and some elusiveness in tight spaces allowing him to make the first guy miss most of the time. He also shows good patience allowing the time for his blocks to be setup.

Outside Runner

Mikel is also a very good runner in space displaying a good amount of wiggle for his size, possessing the ability making a defender miss or the ability to power through opponents. He is a load to bring down in the open field and while not a burner he has enough speed and acceleration to reach the edge where he can punish smaller defenders.

Receiving

While not a gifted receiver Leshoure shows enough potential that he will be able to get the job done at the next level. Consistency and at times letting the ball hit his body at times rather than plucking the ball out of the air are his biggest issues. On screen plays he shows discipline in allowing the play to develop and runs well behind his blocks. As a route runner he still rounds off his routes too often and is not tight enough in and out of his breaks but he does set up his routes nicely possessing a second gear once he catches the ball.

Ball Security

Demonstrating excellent ball security Leshoure did not fumble once during his college career and does an excellent job of holding the ball tight against his frame.

Vision, Instincts & Awareness

While not elite in any one of these areas, Leshoure sees the field well and shows a good feel of where defenders are coming from. At times though Leshoure still lacks the ability to recognize cutback lanes and may chose the wrong hole to run through. He is also indecisive at times stopping his feet, taking too long for a play to develop and getting caught in the backfield losing yards.

Elusiveness/Tackle Breaking

In tight areas he demonstrates a powerful lower body displaying the ability to beak arm tackles and possessing enough short area quickness to make defenders miss in the hole. In the open field he does provide some shiftiness but he is more of a guy that will try and run through defenders and is a load to bring down. He showcases a good stiff arm as well.

Pass Blocking

Pass blocking is the area of Leshoure’s game that likely needs the most refining as he displays the desire to be a good pass blocker but still lacks the technique to be consistent at it. He exhibits the ability to provide a good pop on contact and is not afraid to take on a blitzer but he will whiff at times, get off balanced and not anchor his base. He also lacks the awareness and instincts to recognize where the rush is always coming from.

Leg Drive

Leshoure exhibits a strong and powerful leg drive, demonstrating the ability to move the pile and consistently get those tough yards in short down and distance situations. He also has a nose for the end zone scoring many of his touchdowns on goal line short yardage situations.

Size, Speed, Strength & Agility

Mikel has an elite combination of size speed and strength, reminding me of a poor man’s Steven Jackson. At 6’0 he is slightly taller than a prototypical back but shows the ability to bend and good agility for his size. He ran a 4.56 at the combine which is about how fast he appears on film, and is a guy that will break 30-40 yard runs on a consistent basis. Leshoure also benched 21 reps at the combine showing that his upper body strength is definitely not a weakness either.

Durability

Durability is not an issue with Leshoure as he had 281 rushes his junior year and seemed to only get stronger as the year went on. In addition he is a very young running back in terms of college carries with only 424 total rushes his entire college career, so he comes into the NFL very fresh without any injury concerns.

Additional Information

In 2008 Leshoure had a run-in with a teammate which left him with a broken jaw and in 2009 he was suspending for 1 game for an undisclosed violation of team rules. He has not had any incidents since 2009 and from all accounts appears to have matured. Of any RB Leshoure projects the most as a 3 down workhorse back capable of carrying the entire load at running back for a team that has become so uncommon in today’s NFL. He has the skills and the talent to be a pro bowl caliber player but like most running backs it will depend on the team philosophy and scheme that he is drafted into that will determine a good portion of his success.

Academics

Majored in Communications.

Production/Experience

2010: 11 games played, 11 starts
2009: 11 games played, 3 starts
2008: 9 games played, 1 starts

Awards & Honors

2010: 1st Team All-Big Ten

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Summary

In 2009 Ingram was far and away the best back in the country in leading Alabama to the National Championship and garnering the Heisman Trophy for himself. 2010 however proved to be a different story for Ingram as he struggled missing the first 2 games of the season due to a knee injury and then battled a multitude of minor injuries and setbacks the rest of the campaign. While still thought by most to be the number #1 back coming into the draft his injury history and the fact that he appears often times beat up are causes for concern. Overall though, Ingram possesses elite vision, instincts, awareness and balance which will enable him to start at Keep Reading...]]>

Summary

In 2009 Ingram was far and away the best back in the country in leading Alabama to the National Championship and garnering the Heisman Trophy for himself. 2010 however proved to be a different story for Ingram as he struggled missing the first 2 games of the season due to a knee injury and then battled a multitude of minor injuries and setbacks the rest of the campaign. While still thought by most to be the number #1 back coming into the draft his injury history and the fact that he appears often times beat up are causes for concern. Overall though, Ingram possesses elite vision, instincts, awareness and balance which will enable him to start at the next level from day one and have the capability to be a Top 10 running back in the league for years to come.

Inside Runner

Inside running is the strongest part of Ingram’s game as he possesses a strong compact frame, a low center of gravity and the understanding to always maintain a low pad level. He also demonstrates excellent acceleration to press the line quickly showcasing an exceptional burst through the hole. As a one cut runner he is at his best, when he is able to use his elite vision and instincts to routinely pick the right hole. He also displays a strong leg drive, always pumping his legs and moving the pile forward for extra yards. In addition Ingram also showcases outstanding patience as he waits for plays to develop allowing his teammates to set up their blocks.

Outside Runner

As an outside runner Ingram in is not quite elite but very good as he shows the ability to turn the corner consistently but due to his lack of top end speed he is not always the first one to the edge. While Ingram lacks elite elusiveness he does have the ability to make defenders miss at times in the open field with his short area quickness; generally though he opts to just power through them. As well, Ingram exhibits an outstanding stiff arm allowing him to punish defenders while he moves down the field.

Receiving

Ingram is a reliable receiver out of the backfield especially in the screen game where his patience and ability to set up blocks really shines. But while he has the capacity to catch the ball Ingram is not an exceptional receiver as he struggles plucking the ball out of the air, handling it cleanly and bringing it into his body. In addition he is not a polished route runner and should not be considered in the same breath as versatile backs like Ray Rice or Maurice Jones Drew.

Ball Security

Showcasing excellent ball security, Ingram has only fumbled the ball twice during his time at Alabama. At times Ingram does still carry the ball high but his hands are so strong and he clutches the ball so tightly that defenders find it nearly impossible to knock the ball out.

Vision, Instincts & Awareness

Possessing elite vision, instincts and awareness Ingram consistently picks the right holes and cutback lanes always running towards daylight. His vision, instincts and awareness are so elite that he has been compared to Emmitt Smith by many observers.

Elusiveness/Tackle Breaking

While Ingram does show some shiftiness in the open field and the ability to make a guy miss in tight areas, elusiveness is not really a focal point of his game. Mark is more or a power runner who stays low and compact, not giving defenders much to hit while regularly running through contact. Bottom line, if you want to tackle Ingram you better wrap him up.

Pass Blocking

Ingram is a willing pass blocker who does not shy away from contact and likes to give defenders a good pop. However, he lacks technique often going to low on cut blocks, taking bad angles or not anchoring himself well enough. At times Trent Richardson has even been brought in during passing situations as he is seen as the better blocker of the two.

Leg Drive

Excellent leg drive, Ingram has a strong lower half, is extremely powerful and is able to run through contact. He also exhibits the ability to move the pile always churning his feet forward. Ingram’s strong leg drive is evident by him getting around half of his career yards after contact.

Size, Speed, Strength & Agility

With near prototypical size for the position (prototypical is considered 5’11 225) Ingram is built low to the ground and is very thick through his hips making it hard for defenders to wrap him up. He possesses excellent upper and lower body strength showcasing the ability to consistently run through arm tackles. He also exhibits quick feet with the skill to accelerate getting up to top speed quickly. His balance is elite in every sense of the word and it is extremely difficult to knock him off stride. In addition he possesses excellent lateral agility with enough wiggle to make a defender miss. From a physical standpoint Ingram’s only drawback is his top end speed as it is not elite which may limit some of his big play ability, however he certainly has enough speed to make the 30-40 yard runs on a consistent basis.

Durability

Durability is an issue for Ingram as he had a hip injury in 2009, he missed the first 2 games of the 2010 season with a knee injury and then struggled with minor injuries throughout his junior year. While he has only had 572 carries (14.7 carries per game) during his time at Alabama his running style is not conducive for staying healthy and he has yet to learn how to avoid the big hit.

Character

There have been no character issues with Mark Ingram during his 3 years at Alabama and he even received the Derrick Thomas Community Service Award in 2010. His father, however, former Giants WR Mark Ingram Sr, is currently serving a 92 month sentence (which was increased by 2 more years) for money laundering and bank fraud. It has been well documented though that Mark Ingram has been able to rise above his father’s transgressions and become a leader on the Crimson Tide. A testament to Ingram’s selflessness is not hearing of any complaints from of the young running back as he was forced to share carries with Trent Richardson last season.

Toughness

Generally the first thing people notice about Ingram when they watch him run is his never say die attitude and how he does not shy away from contact. In addition, Ingram has continued to play hard and stick in the lineup despite the plethora of nagging injuries throughout the 2010 season.

Potential

Ingram has played against the very best in college football in the SEC conference and there is no doubt he will be able to run the ball from day 1 in the NFL. He has the potential to be a top 5 back in the NFL but his career long term will depend largely if he can stay healthy or not.

Additional Info

Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, who won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants. He is a nine-time All-State track star in high school with runs of 10.69 100-meter dash and 21.9 200-meter dash and a best long jump of 23 feet, 8 inches. He is a telecommunications and film major at the University of Alabama.

Production/Experience

2010: 11 games played, 11 starts — 158 car 875 yds 5.5 avg 13 Tds — 21 rec 282 yds 13.4 avg 1 Tds

2009: 14 games played, 13 starts – 271 car 1,658 yds 6.1 avg 17 Tds — 32 rec 334 yds 10.4 avg 3 Tds

2008: 14 games played, 0 starts — 143 car 743 yds 5.1 avg 12 Tds — 7 rec 54 yds 7.7 avg 0 Tds

Academics

Unknown major at Alabama.

Awards & Honors

2010: n/a
2009: Heisman Trophy winner. Unanimous 1st Team All-American. 1st Team All-SEC. SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
2008: SEC All-Freshman team.

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Chad Spann, RB (5-9, 198 lbs) Spann lead the MAC in rushing this year with 1388 yards and 22 touchdowns while finishing the Humanitarian Bowl with 99 yards and 2 touchdowns. At 5-9, 198 he lacks ideal size for a back at the next level but does have some thickness through his hips and shows some strength in his lower half. Spann is generally a one cut runner who is most effective when is able to run north/south. He possesses good balance and keeps his pad level low, protecting the ball and not giving defenders much to hit. His instincts and vision are above average and he runs very hard and aggressive, which are probably his best attributes. Spann’s major deficiencies are his lack of explosion and elusiveness whether he is running between the tackles or Keep Reading...]]> A review of the prospects from the Humanitarian Bowl

Northern Illinois Huskies

Chad Spann, RB (5-9, 198 lbs)
Spann lead the MAC in rushing this year with 1388 yards and 22 touchdowns while finishing the Humanitarian Bowl with 99 yards and 2 touchdowns. At 5-9, 198 he lacks ideal size for a back at the next level but does have some thickness through his hips and shows some strength in his lower half. Spann is generally a one cut runner who is most effective when is able to run north/south. He possesses good balance and keeps his pad level low, protecting the ball and not giving defenders much to hit. His instincts and vision are above average and he runs very hard and aggressive, which are probably his best attributes. Spann’s major deficiencies are his lack of explosion and elusiveness whether he is running between the tackles or in space. While he does exhibit the ability to reach the edge he is not likely to take it to the house due to his lack of elusiveness, shiftiness, and speed. When running between the tackles Spann runs extremely hard but because of his lack size and elite lower body strength he will struggle at the next level with yards after contact. He is not much of a pass catcher either hauling in only 9 catches for 45 yards on the season.

Overall – Spann has an uphill battle on his hands as he looks like a reserve/backup type at the next level. I see him as being either a late round pick or a potential free agent but a solid player who will get some looks from NFL teams in training camp. Northern Illinois also has a reputation of producing NFL caliber backs including such notables as Michael Turner and Garrett Wolfe, so Spann may be one to keep an eye on in the future.

Fresno State Bulldogs

Chris Carter, DE/LB (6-2, 240 lbs)
Carter led the WAC this year in sacks with 11.0 but he is considered undersized as a prospect for the NFL. At 6-2 240 lbs Carter is thin throughout his frame and does not possesses the thickness needed to stand up at the point of attack. Because of his lack of bulk he projects as a standup outside rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. During the game, the Bulldogs used Carter exclusively as a down lineman in a rush end position however this does not look like his natural position as he did not demonstrate the ability to explode out of his stance with the power and strength required by a down lineman. Athletically he showcases good agility, exhibits a very good first step and demonstrates the ability to change directions quickly. He also possesses good speed and quickness for the position but because of his diminutive frame and lack of strength once lineman are able to get their hands on him, Carter becomes ineffective for the most part. Against the run I cannot be sure how he performs because Northern Illinois did not run at him much but I suspect because of his inability to hold the point of attack, lack of physicality and the way he seems to get caught up in traffic at times he would likely struggle.

Overall – At this point Carter is basically a pure speed rusher who combines a bull rush and spin move occasionally. At the next level if he can demonstrate enough ability to rush the passer he may be able to stick but projects only as a pass rush specialist and is likely to get drafted in one of the later rounds or picked up as a free agent by a 3-4 team.

Ryan Colburn, QB (6-3, 220 lbs)
Colburn finished the game with 2 TD’s and 288 yards passing on 28 of 38, but from what I saw in this game I do not envision Colburn being able to play at the next level. While he does have good size and shows reasonable athleticism his decision making and his ability to handle defensive pressure is very poor. Each time he faced any kind of pass rush Colburn would get extremely anxious and just look to get rid of the ball as quick as he could. Additionally if Colburn was pressured and began to scramble he did not keep his eyes down field which limited his ability to find the open receiver or make big plays down the field. When Colburn did get time he demonstrated the ability to run through his progressions but he did it very slowly and methodically, it was as if the game was just too fast for him. While Colburn still needs to work on his release and his mechanics, most obvious is the fact that he stares down his receivers consistently and tends to use only part of the field to throw to, enabling the defense to defend him much more easily.

Overall – Based upon what I saw in the Humanitarian Bowl I do not think Colburn has the ability to be a QB at the next level (NFL, CFL or UFL) and even though he does possess the size and possibly the arm to compete he does not seem to have the mental makeup. I do not expect him to be drafted and I would be surprised if he received any free agent offers.

All you have to do is pick the winners of each of the BCS games starting with the Rose Bowl on Jan 1, 2011 along with the total points scored for the BCS championship game to be eligible to win.

Top Prize – $25 Gift Certificate to the Winners choice of Retailer (Amazon, Best Buy etc) The person who picks the most winners and is closest to the total amount of points scored Keep Reading...]]> Games Aaron Chad Chris Gil Matt Ryan Will TCU vs Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin TCU Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin Connecticut vs. Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Virgina Tech vs Stanford Stanford Stanford Stanford Stanford Stanford Stanford Stanford Arkansas vs. Ohio State Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Auburn vs. Oregon Auburn Auburn Oregon Oregon Auburn Auburn Auburn Points 62 68 82 73 76 76 64

To Win

All you have to do is pick the winners of each of the BCS games starting with the Rose Bowl on Jan 1, 2011 along with the total points scored for the BCS championship game to be eligible to win.

Prizes

Top Prize – $25 Gift Certificate to the Winners choice of Retailer (Amazon, Best Buy etc)
The person who picks the most winners and is closest to the total amount of points scored in the BCS championship game will win a $25 gift certificate to their choice of retailer (Amazon, Best Buy, etc).

Additional Prizes – Draft Breakdown Drink Koozies
Anyone who beats at least 2 of our staff writers will win a Draft Breakdown Drink Koozie.

Instructions

1. If you are not already a member of the NFL Draft Co-Op message board register here.

2. Once you have registered go to the NFL Draft Co-Op message board under the Football Categories/College Football Discussion/BCS Bowl Picks Contest or go here.

3. Once you are in the Topic BCS Picks Contest just post your picks for each of the BCS Bowl Games along with the total points for the BCS Championship game.

Rules

1. Please only post your picks once, as your first post will be considered your only entry into the contest
2. Contest will end  at 11:59 PM on December 31, 2010.
3. If you have any questions regarding this contest do not hesitate to contact me, Chris Lomas

Good luck to everyone and enjoy the bowl season!

Auburn Survives – The Iron Bowl was an absolutely great game and with Oregon surviving Arizona everything seems to be back on track for an Auburn-Oregon BCS game. If you go undefeated in the SEC I don’t think anyone can argue that you don’t belong in the title game.

Boise maybe next year – One of the best football games I have ever seen when the Broncos lost to the Wolf Pack in OT. Boise just ended up on the wrong side of it this time and while I feel bad for Brotzman, those looked like chip shots to me.

Alabama disappointing – All year I thought Alabama had the most talented team in the country and I do still, but they were unable to finish in all of their losses.

Bo Pelini –I understand that there was quite a disparage in the number of Keep Reading...]]> Quickhitters

Auburn Survives – The Iron Bowl was an absolutely great game and with Oregon surviving Arizona everything seems to be back on track for an Auburn-Oregon BCS game. If you go undefeated in the SEC I don’t think anyone can argue that you don’t belong in the title game.

Boise maybe next year – One of the best football games I have ever seen when the Broncos lost to the Wolf Pack in OT. Boise just ended up on the wrong side of it this time and while I feel bad for Brotzman, those looked like chip shots to me.

Alabama disappointing – All year I thought Alabama had the most talented team in the country and I do still, but they were unable to finish in all of their losses.

Bo Pelini –I understand that there was quite a disparage in the number of penalties (16-2) in favor of the Aggies but regardless you are a grown man who is suppose to be a leader of men and that is not how leaders act. You should also be worried that you may have damaged your relationship with Taylor Martinez. If a coach did that to me or if a coach did that to my kid there would be some confrontation I guarantee. Exploding like that can’t be good for your health either Bo, I know that is what would be most important to your family.

Von Miller – Another huge game and 2 sacks for the Aggies, I know he is rising up my draft board again.

Go Ducks – If you have not seen the new football facility that Phil Knight of Nike fame is donating to the University of Oregon take a look HERE. If I was a recruit this would be pretty enticing.

Ohio State vs. Iowa

Very entertaining game played on both sides. The big matchup in this game for me was how Ohio State was going to handle the defensive line of Iowa with prospects like Clayborn, Ballard and Daniels. In the end the Buckeye O-line was successful and it proved to be the difference. Justin Boren and company limited the play of Iowa’s defensive front giving Pryor time to throw nearly the entire game. Excellent performance by this unit and in particular the job Mike Adams did on Clayborn.

Prospects

Iowa

Ricky Stanzi – After reviewing this game my opinion of Stanzi has not changed, however I have to admit that Stanzi’s arm is a bit better then what I thought and I think he should be able to make nearly every throw on the next level. I still question his overall arm strength especially on the deep balls but I am told by scouts (much more knowledgeable about the subject then me) that a QB can actually develop arm strength over time. I guess there is always hope Jeff Garcia…. Stanzi again showed that his decision making ability is not elite especially in crunch time. In my opinion he projects to be more of a manager of the game rather than a guy who will go out and win you a game.

Overall, I see Stanzi being a backup at the next level and probably a middle round selection in April.

Adrian Clayborn – Clayborn played a much better game against Ohio State than he had against the Spartans. There was such a significant difference in Clayborn’s play that I think he may have been battling an injury or illness against Michigan State. His first step was quicker this game but by no means was it elite. His stamina was also much better because unlike the Sparty game he was not as winded in the second half. I have now seen Clayborn on two separate occasions and the things I like the most are his frame and his intelligence. He frame is thickly built especially through his lower half which should help him to anchor and leverage in the run game. He is also one of the more intelligent linemen out there as he reads and recognizes the play very well. He also exhibited the ability to contain the edge and is normally not out of position to make a play. With that being said there are some deficiencies in his game. A number of times in the run game Clayborn allowed Mike Adams (the OT) to push him back a good 2-3 yards when Clayborn failed to get his pad level low enough. He still needs to work on his leverage, pad level and anchoring at the POA. The other drawback I saw in his game was his spin move that he often used during inappropriate situations including running plays where he was completely taken out of the play. Clayborn has a good spin move but needs to be judicial in when he uses it.

Overall, Clayborn is likely a top 20 pick however I think he won’t be a starter his first year and it may take him a couple of years to assume a full time starting role.

Tyler Sash – After reviewing this game he reminds me a lot of John Lynch not because he is white and plays in the secondary but because similar to Lynch, Sash is very aggressive and hits like a linebacker. He also exhibits a strong ability to read the play and does an excellent job of coming up to support the run. Sash has some deficiencies however, namely his coverage skills which are only average for a player in the secondary. Due to his lack of speed and athleticism Sash is also unable to stay with receivers for an extended period of time making him vulnerable to giving up the big play. As mentioned he is a big hitter however he still needs to improve his tackling especially in open space where he missed a tackle on Pryor allowing a big run.

Overall, Sash looks more like a solid backup and who could start in the pinch because of his lack of coverage skills, speed and athleticism.

Ohio State

Cameron Heyward – Heyward played a decent game, not dominating but played the run very well maintaining the edge, exhibiting good leverage and anchoring at the POA. He has more pass rushing ability then I think he is given credit for but does not possess elite abilities by any means. At 6’5 288 Heyward possesses prototypical size for the defensive end position. His strengths are his versatility as he could play the 4 or 5 technique in a 3-4 or either end position in a 4-3. His play against the run, where he is consistent and demonstrates excellent edge awareness is also impressive. As mentioned in the preview he does lack the explosion and suddenness of an elite pass rusher but he may be a perfect fit for a 3-4 team that needs an end to eat up blockers.

Overall, Heyward looks like an eventual starter at the next level for a 3-4 team. At this point I would say early to mid second round for him because of his lack of pass rush ability.

Chimdi Chekwa – I was not able to see a ton of him in this game but as mentioned in my preview he has excellent size and speed measurables but I do not see him as a great football player yet. This is mainly due to sloppy footwork and ball skills. He needs to work on his balance in all aspects of his game including his backpedal, his transitions and his click and close ability. Additionally body control and ball skills while in the air are issues.

Overall, I cannot really give a good opinion of him because I just did not see him enough in the game, but I would probably look at the 3rd round or later for him. Looks like a possible starter or a depth corner at this point.

Guys who didn’t impress me

Ohio State

Ross Homan – Really did not like him and do not see him being drafted in the first 3 rounds. If it is possible to play smaller then you actually are it seems that Homan does it. After watching the game I honestly thought that this guy was about 5’8 and 200 lbs before I checked after the game that he is 6’0, 227 lbs. The Iowa linemen and backs were continually able to take him out of the play really limiting his effectiveness; he actually looks more like a safety and plays like one. His instincts appear only average, he lacks stack and shed ability and is unable to keep himself clean. Tackling looks like an issue too as I saw him miss several tackles that should be routine for most linebackers. I do think he runs well and shows lots of hustle throughout the game giving max effort the entire time.

Overall, I think Homan will be a depth guy in the NFL and since he always plays so hard could contribute on special teams immediately.

Ricky Stanzi 6’4” 230 QB I have watched a good number of his games this year and I continue to think: nice player who generally Keep Reading...]]> Iowa will take on the spoiler roll in this game as Ohio State attempts to continue their March towards at least a share of the Big Ten title. Coming into this one the Buckeyes have won 3 in a row since their loss at Wisconsin on October 16. However, OSU’s last 3 victories have come against Purdue, Minnesota and Penn State, who are a combined 12-19 on the year. Iowa on the other hand is trying to and bounce back from an embarrassing loss to Northwestern in what I suspect was classic long ahead game for the Hawkeyes. Iowa will also be trying to avenge last year’s loss in Columbus when they were eliminated from the Big Ten Title chase.

Prospects

Iowa

Ricky Stanzi 6’4” 230 QB
I have watched a good number of his games this year and I continue to think: nice player who generally shows poise in the pocket and looks to be backup quarterback on the next level. I cannot fathom how some experts are suggesting that he will be a second round pick. His arm is only average and his accuracy/ball placement while improved this year are just not good enough to warrant such a high selection. Factor in his injury history and you have a 3rd rounder at the very most. This will be a great opportunity to see Stanzi play against one of the better defenses in the nation and really analyze his ball placement, his accuracy and how he reacts to pressure in the pocket.

Adrian Clayborn 6’4” 285 DE
Since I reviewed him against the Spartans his stock has drop somewhat from a likely top 10 pick to more of a middle of the first round pick. He has disappointed this year with his sack totals and has yet to show the dominance that he displayed last year. There have also been some questions concerning his conditioning which I myself had during their game against Michigan State. In one of Iowa’s biggest games of the year I want to see if he plays hard the entire game, whether he can dominate in getting pressure on Pryor and if he is able to prove that he is worthy of a top 10 selection.

Tyler Sash 6’1” 210 DB
Honestly, I have not seen much of him yet but from what I have read he is a smart player demonstrating good instincts and awareness, who plays well in run support and is a good tackler. Drawbacks are his overall athleticism, lacking elite balance, and the ability to quickly turn his hips, struggling in his transitions. I will be watching him closely to see his coverage skills, his run/pass recognition skills and his overall athleticism.

Ohio State

Cameron Heyward 6’5” 288 DT
At the beginning of the season if you asked most draft pundits they would have said Heyward was a top 15 pick, but his lack of production this year has dropped him most likely to the latter part of round 1 or possibly round 2. Described as a Tweener at the next level he does not show the necessary skills to be a dominant pass rusher at the next level, however, he showcases versatility where he could be an end in a 4-3 or a 3-4. At times his motor and his consistency has been questioned so I will be looking for any drops in effort level and how well he plays the entire game.

Ross Homan 6’0” 227 LB
A backer who lacks ideal size at only 6-0, he possesses good instincts, awareness and does well to consistently find the ball. In coverage he shows the ability to turn his hips and minimize separation with tight ends and backs. Homan is another guy who lacks elite athleticism and explosion in his game, he appears to be a possible backup at the next level. I want to see how active he is. The common thread I am seeing in nearly every linebacker this year is their indecisiveness and lack of activity. I also will be watching his coverage abilities and if he is able to keep himself clean while moving towards the ball.

Chimdi Chekwa 6’0” 190 DB
My first look at him, he is known to have very good athletic ability, possessing excellent size and speed. Like all corners I want to see if he is a complete corner who plays the run and the pass or if he is just a coverage corner. In addition I will be analyzing his balance and footwork in every aspect of his game and how fluid he is in turning his hips.

Prediction

The Buckeyes have had one of the easiest schedules in the entire country this year and their only loss was to the Wisconsin Badgers which not coincidently also the highest ranked opponent on their schedule. Iowa would like to do nothing better than to return the favor and knock the Buckeyes out of Big Ten Title contention.

Iowa +3, and they win outright 27-21

Stanley Havili 6’1″ 230 FB Known mainly as a pass catching fullback, Havili is actually a better blocker then given credit for. As I fullback I will be watching to see how explosive his pop is on contact and if he is as effective blocking the run as the pass.

Jurrell Casey 6’1″ 295 DT Is not seen by most to be in the top tier of the draft eligible DT’s this year but has a good sized frame on him, showing the ability to anchor on contact and demonstrating very good leverage. His main deficiency at Keep Reading...]]> In a week that there is no marquee game and given the fact that I have spent quite a bit of time in the SEC and Big Ten lately, I thought I would go against the grain and take a look at the Trojans and the Wildcats.

Prospects

USC

Stanley Havili 6’1″ 230 FB
Known mainly as a pass catching fullback, Havili is actually a better blocker then given credit for. As I fullback I will be watching to see how explosive his pop is on contact and if he is as effective blocking the run as the pass.

Jurrell Casey 6’1″ 295 DT
Is not seen by most to be in the top tier of the draft eligible DT’s this year but has a good sized frame on him, showing the ability to anchor on contact and demonstrating very good leverage. His main deficiency at this point appears to be his ability to get off the ball and his limited pass rush ability. I will be interested in seeing if he has improved his first step, how his pass rushing ability has developed and his run/pass recognition skills.

Ronald Johnson 6’0″ 190 WR
Very explosive player with a lot of top end speed who is not a strider so he gets up to speed quickly. Showcases good body control and possesses excellent hands. His major drawback is that he has been injured quite frequently and as a result has not developed into a consistent route runner. I will be specifically watching to see how he sets up his routes with his feet and how smooth he is coming in and out of his breaks.

Arizona

Brooks Reed 6’3″ 255 DE
Smaller defensive end that projects as an outside linebacker in the NFL right now. He exhibits an excellent motor and gets off the snap very quickly. For his size is able to create a good pop on contact and shows the ability to play with leverage. Possesses good speed for the position however his body control and balance limit his ability to threaten the edge and therefore is limited as a pass rusher at this point. I will be looking to see how well he does against the run, stack/shed, and how well he locates the ball. Additionally I want to see if has any pass rush moves or just a speed/bull rush guy.

Adam Grant 6’6″ 325 OT
Possesses a nice frame at 6’6 325, who is more of a run blocker then a pass blocker, demonstrating the ability to anchor, drive his opponents off the ball, and give a good punch at the point of attack. However, he lacks sound footwork on his kickslide and plays unbalanced when pass blocking. Not exceptionally gifted athletically I will be watching his footwork on pass plays and his pad level throughout the game.

Ricky Elmore 6’5” 260 DE
Possesses good size at 6-5, could really be more effective if he was able to put on weight and play more to his strengths. Elmore lacks explosion throughout his game however shows good balance and the ability to leverage. He also showcases good hands and is able to extend his arms creating separation to help keep himself clean. As he is not going offer much or pass rush I will be concentrated on how well he seals the edge if he can produce a push off his pass rush and how well he finds the ball in the run game.

Prediction

Many people are calling for this to be an upset of the week with the Trojans taking out the Wildcats, however with the Wildcats getting embarrassed last week against Stanford, and with them being at home I just can’t bet against the Cats. This is also nick Foles second game back from injury and he should be much better.

34-30 Wildcats

Cam Newton – I hope that everyone realizes that as of today none of the allegations with regards to a pay-to-pay scenario have been proved. Can we please reserve judgment until that time?

BCS Championship Prediction – Oregon vs. TCU, with Auburn still having to face Alabama in the Iron bowl, as well as a SEC championship game, the likelihood of them escaping without a loss is very low in my opinion. A loss would open the door for TCU, already ahead of Boise in the standings.

TCU – What can you say but wow! I predicted a win by 2 touchdowns but I do not think anyone predicted a 47-7 victory over the 3rd ranked offense in college football.

Marcus Cannon – Excellent size and athletic combination, very few guys that are 6-6, 350 move as well as he does. Now he does need Keep Reading...]]> Quickhitters

Cam Newton – I hope that everyone realizes that as of today none of the allegations with regards to a pay-to-pay scenario have been proved. Can we please reserve judgment until that time?

BCS Championship Prediction – Oregon vs. TCU, with Auburn still having to face Alabama in the Iron bowl, as well as a SEC championship game, the likelihood of them escaping without a loss is very low in my opinion. A loss would open the door for TCU, already ahead of Boise in the standings.

TCU – What can you say but wow! I predicted a win by 2 touchdowns but I do not think anyone predicted a 47-7 victory over the 3rd ranked offense in college football.

Marcus Cannon – Excellent size and athletic combination, very few guys that are 6-6, 350 move as well as he does. Now he does need to work on his footwork and technique, but he is explosive, impossible to move and showcases the ability to get out in space. Some team is going to like him enough to take him in the first round, there is just too much potential.

Andy Dalton – Thought he played very well, showcasing excellent poise in the pocket and demonstrating a decent arm being able to get down the field. This guy is going to be an NFL QB and I think could be better than either Mallett or Locker.

Von Miller – One guy that scouts have many different views about is Von miller. Up until this point Miller had not had a great season but on Saturday he may have put himself back into 1st round status with 8 tackles (3TFL), 1.5 sacks and many pressures on the night . A&M has won 3 straight games which coincides with Millers improved play.

Alabama vs. LSU

Les Miles continues to astound people and should be getting more respect then he has gotten, however I also think he is coaching a team whose talent is actually very underrated. Other then the QB position they have excellent players at nearly every position and have 2 solid 1st rounders in Peterson and Nevis and several 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounders potentially with players like Kelvin Sheppard and Terrence Toliver.

Prospects

Alabama

Julio Jones – Cemented my thinking that the separation between him and AJ Green as the top wideouts is getting smaller by the game. I personally think Jones will be a better pro then Green because of his overall physicality. Against Patrick Peterson, Jones was extremely impressive, getting enough separation to give McElroy a good target nearly every time he dropped back. Additionally, Julio was able to use his frame to beat Peterson to the inside on his touchdown catch and make very athletic opposite shoulder catch in the first half. Jones finished the game with 10 receptions for 89 yards a touchdown and at least gave the impression that his concentration issues are behind him.

Marcel Dareus – If I was not looking for him on every play I would not have even noticed he played. Everything about Dareus still holds true, he is very gifted athletically, possessing the size and instincts to be an elite player at the next level. I am however starting to question his desire as he just is not a difference maker every game. Up to this point this was the biggest game for Alabama this year and he failed to show up. He is a top 10 pick and I will wait for final judgment on him until after the Iron bowl, but there are a number of DT’s that are playing much better than him this year, namely Nick Fairley and Drake Nevis.

Dont’a Hightower – He played much better than I had seen him on two previous occasions, but instinctively he is not all there and he just is not aggressive enough. He was around the ball more and made some tackles in the run game but he continued to act very tentatively. He is not a difference maker out there for Alabama, and if he isn’t a difference maker in college how do you expect him to be one in the NFL. Depending on how he finishes the year, possibly looks like a 3rd round pick but could drop further if he continues to be unimpressive.

LSU

Drake Nevis – Had the best game of any player on either team Saturday. The best thing he does is the way he uses his hands to slip blocks and was able to get consistent pressure on McElroy even though he was double teamed most of the game. Nevis also made the game changing play when he was able to slip a block and then knock the football out of Greg McElroy’s hands. Nevis did show up for this game on the biggest stage but as mentioned in the telecast he had not been quite so dominate in previous games demonstrating some lapses in consistency.

Patrick Peterson – I had watched him in other games but had not seen teams throw at Peterson as much as McElroy did. The way he prevented Jones from getting any significant separation throughout the game and tackling him immediately after catch, I was incredibly impressed. As well at 6-2 220, he plays the run like a linebacker and is a complete football player in every aspect of the game. While he still needs to improve his recognition of routes and his anticipation, based upon potential and athleticism he would be my first choice at CB. Prince Amukamara would be slightly behind.

Guys who impressed me

Greg McElroy – Along with Julio Jones I think McElroy had one of his best performances as a collegiate player. McElroy finished the game only 23-34 for 223 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 1 tipped interception. Not overly impressive stats, but it is how he played. His ball placement was excellent throwing the ball into tight spots and leading his receivers perfectly. On one particular throw he hit Julio Jones along the sideline where he purposely through behind Jones on his opposite shoulder. Not Patrick Paterson or any cornerback in the NFL could have stopped that pass. He has always been known as a cool character while under pressure and had never lost a game as a starter until this year against South Carolina, but this game showed that McElroy possesses many of the skills that scouts look for in a quarterback.

Jordan Jefferson – While he may never be your prototypical drop back QB, I think without a doubt he is maturing and at least beginning to turn into a passer going 10-13, 144 yards and his first passing touchdown of the year. I think that Les Miles may abandon the 2 quarterback system next year making Jefferson the full time starter.

Kelvin Sheppard – Now I am not saying he is a first round pick by any means and is probably a 3rd round pick, but a person cannot watch one of his games and not come away without being impressed with his intensity and activity. Sheppard always seems to be around the ball which is an important trait for any linebacker and he possesses better instincts then a lot of other ‘backers out there. Demonstrates some play making ability at times as well.

Guys who didn’t impress me

Terrence Toliver – He caught 3 passes for 42 yards and was never a factor in the game. While he was not targeted often in the game I do think it suggests that on a team without a lot of elite offensive talent that he is not a larger part of the offense. The Tigers do not see him as an elite weapon and most likely the NFL will not either.

Marcel Dareus – By most opinions he is a top 10 pick and for my money the most talented defensive lineman in the draft. I reviewed his performance earlier in the year against Florida and he was nicked up and I wanted to see more from him. This week Dareus will go against Barksdale, who a lot of pundits think may be a first round pick. This should be a good test for Dareus and expect him to dominate the less aggressive Barksdale.

Julio Jones – Keep Reading...]]> Chose this as my game of the week because of the number of top more prospects in the Alabama-LSU game and even though #3 plays #5 neither TCU or Utah will make the BCS championship unless Oregon, Auburn or Alabama lose. Also easier to get tape on the Tide game, although I will be watching the TCU-Utah game.

Prospects

Alabama

Marcel Dareus – By most opinions he is a top 10 pick and for my money the most talented defensive lineman in the draft. I reviewed his performance earlier in the year against Florida and he was nicked up and I wanted to see more from him. This week Dareus will go against Barksdale, who a lot of pundits think may be a first round pick. This should be a good test for Dareus and expect him to dominate the less aggressive Barksdale.

Julio Jones – Huge game for Jones going up against agenst one of the top two corners in the country vs. Patrick Peterson. To me Jones is the best receiver available in the draft next to AJ Green, and I see a lot of Terrell Owens in his game. I want to see how precise his routes are, how well he sells his double moves and how well he creates separation.

Dont’a Hightower – This will be the 3rd time I will be seeing him this year and I have to say I was not that impressed with him the first two times watching him. This game will be a very good challenge for Hightower to see how well he can find the ball vs. a run orientated offense in LSU. I will be looking to see how well he can read and diagnose the plays; his instincts and how well he can stay clean and get to the ball. Many people have him as a first round linebacker; I don’t, so prove me wrong.

LSU

Drake Nevis – Before the season Nevis looked like a 2nd or 3rd round pick but with his dominating performance against Florida many have him jumping into the first round now. The main drawback with Nevis is his size, listed at 6-2 he is closer to 6-1 or 6-0, but he makes due with a thick frame, good quickness and the ability to slip blocks. Against an only so-so Alabama offensive line, I will be watching to see how many times he is able to get in the backfield and how well he is able to find the ball.

Patrick Peterson – Matchup against one of the best receivers in the country, it will be interesting just to see how many balls are thrown Peterson’s way. I am interested to see how physical Peterson will be against Jones, his transition skills (supposedly the best in the country), and how well his ball skills are.

Terence Toliver – Most scouts have Toliver as a 3rd round or later pick as he has a nice frame at 6-5 203, but is just not as athletically gifted (speed, balance, agility, ball skills) as the elite prospects. I saw him earlier in the year against Florida with Janoris Jenkins on him most of the night. To say the least he dominated Jenkins (a supposed first rounder), so it will be interesting to see if he can have a similar performance versus a weak Alabama secondary.

Prediction – Defensive first half where the teams just feel each other out, but in the second half the running back combination of Ingram and Richardson proves to be too much for LSU.
Alabama 27 – LSU 23

Other Games

TCU vs. Utah

Features some nice prospects in Marcus Cannon, the behemoth but athletic guard for TCU as well as Brandon Burton the cornerback for Utah who many feel is a top 5 corner in the country. TCU was able to manhandle Air Force while Utah played the Falcons much tougher, advantage TCU. Prediction, TCU defense dominates the Utah’s offense and wins by at least 2 touchdowns.
TCU 35 – Utah 21

Arizona vs. Stanford

This game is all about the quarterbacks with Andrew Luck regarded as the best in the nation vs. Nick Foles to most a second or third round pick, but who some think could develop it one of the best QB’s to come out of the draft. Unfortunately this is Foles first game back from injury and therefore he will likely not be as sharp as he wants to be. Prediction, close game with Luck pulling out the win in the final quarter.
Stanford 24 – Arizona 17

Upset of the Week

Illinois over Michigan

This is an important game for Rich Rod, but Michigan will continue to struggle until the Wolverines fix their defense. Illinois just too balanced and they win beating the spread in the process. As I write this it also appears that Denard Robinson will not be playing either, advantage Illinois.
Illinois 35 – Michigan 28