The Wide World of Wade Hampton Peery

My blog has moved

2012-01-20T11:07:00.001-08:00

It's been a fun ride blogspot but alas I've decided to move to Wordpress. If you want to keep checking out my new home--just click the link here--http://thegreatentertainer.wordpress.com/.

I'll be posting there from now on. Goodbye blogspot.

U.S. Army All-American Bowl Highlights

2012-01-13T14:51:00.001-08:00

U.S. Army All-American Bowl MVP Cyler Miles was playing like Superman last Saturday.

Put a S on his chest. West quarterback Cyler Miles certainly played like Superman during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl--completing seven of his eight pass attempts for 155 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for a touchdown as well. Miles made it look easy all afternoon en route to MVP honors and led his West team to a 24-12 victory over the East. Miles, a Denver, Colorado native out of Mullen High School, is committed to the Washington Huskies. Not only have the Huskies landed his services, they also landed the commitment of 2012 quarterback Jeff Lindquist. One of these players will transfer, mark my words. These guys are too talented and too competitive to want to sit the bench.

Below are some of the top performers that impressed me from the 2012 version of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

1. Cyler Miles--QB--Mullen High School (Denver, Colorado)--Miles was touted as one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in America coming into this game and he demonstrated why with a dazzling performance. He was easily the most accurate passing quarterback in this game, connecting on 7-of-8 passes for 155 yards and one passing touchdown. He showed flashes of excellent athleticism in the open field as well, rushing for a touchdown too. He'll be studying under current Husky quarterback Keith Price for a few years, but expect Miles to be a star in the Pac-12 for head coach Steve Sarkisian. He was easily the most impressive player in this contest regardless of position and demonstrated the talent of a superstar down the road. Committed to Washington Huskies.

2. Shaq Thompson--S--Grant High School (Sacramento, California)--If Miles earned offensive MVP honors then Shaq Thompson easily ran away with defensive MVP honors in my book. Blessed with great size at 6'2", 210 pounds, Thompson delivered several bone-rattling hits throughout the contest. He also displayed excellent instincts and was constantly flying to the football. He was scary good in the run game, racking up five tackles, including two tackles for loss. Look for him to be a star on the college level and strike fear in the hearts of opposing offenses for years to come. Rated as the top safety prospect in America according to Rivals.com, Thompson is a ferocious hitter. Thompson is currently committed to the Cal Golden Bears and will make one of the best defenses in the Pac-12 even stronger! Committed to Cal Golden Bears.

3. Adolphus Washington--DE--Taft (Cincinnati, Ohio)--Washington is easily one of the most impressive defenders in the 2012 recruiting class and he demonstrated why in this game. Blessed with a long, lean frame at 6'5", 245 pounds, Washington is able to grab opposing players when he gets near them due to his freakishly long wingspan. He was relentless in his pursuit of the football in this game and notched two sacks against Cyler Miles. He's super quick, explosive, and freaskishly strong. The long-armed defender will be a superstar in the Big Ten for years to come. Currently rated as the 20th best overall prospect in the 2012 recruiting class according to 247sports.com--Washington is committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Committed to Ohio State Buckeyes.

4. Trey Williams--RB--Dekaney High School (Houston, Texas)--Williams didn't rack up the stats in this game but he flashed his big play ability and speed on a few different plays. He had a 95-yard touchdown scamper that was called back due to a penalty. The game-breaking Texan also returned a kickoff for 38 yards. Blessed with excellent speed in the open field, Williams will be taking his game-breaking ability to Texas A & M. Committed to Texas A&M Aggies.

5. T.J. Yeldon--RB--Daphne High School (Daphne, Alabama)--Yeldon is oozing with athleticism out of every pore of his body. One of the best overall athletes in this contest, the Alabama native displayed uncanny cutting ability and eye-popping leaping ability in the open field. He leaped over defenders in the open field on two separate occassions in this game, bringing a roar from the fans in attendance. His highlight tape is extremely impressive and he displays excellent cutting ability, speed, and acceleration in the open field. Alabama will likely use him as a hybrid running back/wide receiver type of player. He seemed more comfortable at the wide receiver position in this game and he'll likely make that his permanent home eventually. It will be really interesting to see which of the stars of Bama's 2012 class stick and which ones end up transferring over the years. There's simply no way they can keep all of these playmakers happy because there aren't enough touches to go around. Either way, Yeldon will be a dynamic playmaker if the Crimson Tide give him touches during the next few years. Committed to Alabama Crimson Tide.

6. Stefon Diggs--WR--Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Maryland)--Diggs is without question one of the most impressive wide receivers in the 2012 recruiting class. He's blessed with uncanny ball skills, speed, and playmaking ability. His junior highlight tape is one of the most impressive I've watched of any member in the 2012 class. He's a dynamic two-way playmaker that demonstrates a knack for making incredible plays on his tape. He flashed his speed and dynamic playmaking ability in this game, making some impressive kick returns. Once the football is in his hands, Diggs is as dangerous as they come. The Maryland native will be a downright lethal weapon for whatever team he chooses to play for. He's currently down to eight finalists. Uncommitted.

7. Bralon Addison--WR--Hightower High School (Missouri City, Texas)--Currently rated as the 27th best receiver in America, Addison showed that he's one of the more underrated prospects in his class. He'll be joining Trey Williams at Texas A&M next fall. Addison made a beautiful grab in the 1st quarter which ended up being one of the most impressive grabs in this game. Look for Williams and Addison to star in the Texas A&M offense, which has been rather explosive the past two seasons. Committed to Texas A&M Aggies.

8. Kwontie Moore--LB--Norfolk Christian Academy (Norfolk, Virginia)--Moore is one of the best linebackers to commit to the Virginia Cavaliers in recent memory and he had an impressive showing in this game. He had a rushing TD and forced a fumble from Trey Williams in the fourth quarter. Moore could play next fall for the Cavaliers, as Mike London has shown he's not afraid to play true freshmen. Look for the Norfolk native to be a star for the Cavaliers for years to come. Committed to Virginia Cavaliers.

9. Eli Harold--DE--Ocean Lakes High School (Virginia Beach, Virginia)--Rated as the top overall prospect in the state of Virginia, Harold did not disappoint all week at the U.S. Army Bowl practices. 247sports.com analyst Barton Simmons even projected that Harold would be a top 10 draft pick a few years down the road. That's a lot of pressure on any youngster but Harold has the speed and athleticism to make that come true. The Virginia Beach native recovered a fumble in the game and was a nightmare to block the entire week according to reports. Currently committed to the Virginia Cavaliers, Harold is a lock to start from day one for the 'Hoos. The Cavaliers lose most of their defensive line and Harold can provide the dominant pass rusher the Cavaliers have been lacking the past couple of seasons. Committed to Virginia Cavaliers.

10. Dorial Green-Beckham--WR--Hillcrest High School (Springfield, Missouri)--Currently rated as the top overall prospect in America and the nation's top receiver according to Rivals.com, Dorial Green Beckham may very well be the most hyped recruit in the 2012 recruiting class. Blessed with NFL size at 6'6, 220 pounds, the gifted receiver is a matchup nightmare for any corner trying to defend him. The Missouri native also put up earth shattering numbers throughout his high school career at Hillcrest. He racked up 6,447 receiving yards during his high school career, breaking a national record in that category. Not only does he have prototype size but he's got prototype speed as well, clocking in with a sub 4.45 40 yard dash time. His finalists include Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and a few other teams. He's a tremendous possession receiver but I've seen DGB in games and I've seen him take plays off and have no interest in blocking opposing corners. You'd like to see maximum effort out of a receiver and for all the hype and hoopla, I'd have to say that he's just a touch overrated. Don't get me wrong, the guy is going to be a superstar wherever he goes because of his size, there's just plenty parts of his game that need refining and improvement. He's a raw route runner and he's hands are not as consistent as they could be. He needs to improve his concentration. It's been so easy for him on the high school level. He needs to learn to be focused and bring 100 percent effort every snap. There are a few other receivers I like better than him in the 2012 class, like Sterling Shepard, Durron Neal, and Stefon Diggs. I'm not saying that DGB doesn't deserve any praise, I just don't think he's the top overall prospect in America for my money. I'd put him somewhere in the 25-30th best prospect in America range. In the U.S. Army game, he had a beautiful one-handed catch that he turned into a 78 yard touchdown. He got a nice push off on the corner on the play but still displayed why he's so difficult to defend. He dropped a touchdown pass on a slant pattern that hit him square in the hands and he also dropped another perfectly thrown ball. He'll be a superstar in college but he's got plenty to improve on. If he improves on the things I listed, he'll likely find himself as a top 5 draft pick in the NFL draft years down the road. Uncommitted.

11. Mike Davis--RB--Stephenson High School (Stone Mountain, Georgia)--Davis is one of the best all-purpose backs in this class and it showed in this game. He's excellent about getting upfield and he's quite slippery between the tackles. He's one of the better North-South runners in his class and he also displayed a super soft set of hands catching the football. He hauled in two catches for 31 receiving yards and rushed for 13 yards on six carries. The Georgia native is speedy and explosive and he'll be an excellent addition to whichever team he lands on. Uncommitted.

12. Kendall Sanders--WR/DB--Athens High School (Athens, Texas)--The Texas Longhorn coaches are probably re-thinking their decision of slotting Sanders at the wide receiver position when he comes to Austin. He picked off two passes in this contest and was the most impressive defensive back in this game. The second one he picked off a deflection, showing his tremendous hand eye coordination and ball skills. It will be interesting to see what position he plays at Texas but one thing is for sure, Sanders will be a playmaker with excellent ball skills for the 'Horns. Committed to Texas Longhorns.

That's it for now, look for more from me in the future! Until next time, remember that "Life is best described in football terms!"

Under Armour All-American Game Highlights

2012-01-10T18:38:00.001-08:00

The Under Armour All-American Game has established itself as one of the premiere showcases for high school football talent in America. For the past five years, football talents such as Julio Jones, A.J. Green, Matt Barkley, and many others have participated in the event. Last week the nation's top football stars put on a showcase for college coaches, recruitniks, and college football fans alike.

Who were some of the top performers from the 5th annual Under Armour All-America Game?

Below are some of the players that impressed me the most.

1. Channing Ward--DE--Aberdeen High School (Aberdeen, Mississippi)--Channing Ward was easily the most impressive defensive player in this contest regardless of position. He gets my defensive MVP award for the Under Armour All-America Game. He was flying around the football field and making plays all over the place--he was constantly in the Black team's backfield. For the contest, Ward racked up two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. Blessed with a long, lean body at 6'4, 250 pounds, Ward is blessed with tremendous, speed, size, power, and instincts. Currently rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Ward is currently ranked as the sixth best defensive end in the nation. He's the total package and I look for him to make an instant impact for the Ole Miss Rebels next fall.

2. Jameis Winston--QB--Hueytown High School (Hueytown, Alabama)--I've followed Winston's recruiting process very closely ever since I got to watch his highlight tape this summer and was absolutely BLOWN AWAY. Winston might very well be the best dual threat quarterback I've seen coming out of the high school ranks since Vince Young. Yes, he's THAT good--not a doubt in my mind. Winston was touted as the best quarterback prospect in America according to ESPNU and he lived up to that billing in this game. He made several beautifully accurate passes, including a 75-yard touchdown pass to Alabama commitment Amari Cooper (more on him later). Winston demonstrated the ability to throw on the run accurately and also the ability to throw under pressure accurately. He was named offensive MVP in the game--completing 8 of his 9 attempts for 178 yards and two touchdowns. The MVP honors were well deserved for Winston and the accolades simply keep rolling in for him. He also won the quarterback skills challenge--demonstrating uncanny accuracy when hitting the targets and then uncorking a deep ball that traveled at least 80 yards in the air. His combination of size, running ability, accuracy, and arm strength has been unrivaled on the high school level. He tied for 1st place with BYU commitment Tanner Mangum at the Elite 11 competition over the summer--a competition of the nation's best quarterbacks. Winston came into this game as one of the most talented high school football prospects in recent memory and this game only further cemented that notion. There have been talks that Winston could possibly be a top 10 draft pick in the Major League Baseball draft but for now he's chosen to play quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles next fall. Watch out E.J. Manuel--with Winston coming to town, no quarterback's job is safe. Look for the gifted signal-caller to push Manuel for starting time as a true freshman.

3. Amari Cooper--WR--Miami Northwestern High School (Miami, Florida)--The Alabama commitment is the next great product of Miami Northwestern High School--a school that produced the likes of current Louisville stars Teddy Bridgewater and Eli Rogers last year. Cooper is blessed with uncanny speed and acceleration and demonstrated his big play ability on a couple of occassions throughout the game. One play came when he torched Deion Sanders, Jr. on a 75-yard touchdown catch. Cooper burned down the sideline, got behind Sanders, Jr. (younger son of Deion), made a beautiful catch in stride, and coasted his way to the end zone. Then he had a scintillating punt return in which he ran to the right side of the field, cut back all the way across to the left side, turned on the burners and raced 93 yards to paydirt for the touchdown. Blessed with tremendous footwork, speed, and ball skills, Cooper will be a big-play threat for the Crimson Tide for years to come. Currently rated as four-stars by Rivals.com--Cooper lived up to his lofty billing in this game and then some.

4. Ronald Darby--DB--Potomac High School (Oxon Hill, Maryland)--Darby is one of the most talented defensive backs in America and he showed why in this game. He was easily the most impressive DB in this contest, blanketing receivers for much of the contest and breaking up several passes thrown his way. He demonstrated that he'll be a lockdown corner at the next level, wherever he ends up. He recently decommitted from Notre Dame and decided to re-open his recruitment. The talented corner has an upcoming visit to Florida State and is strongly considering Clemson as well. A track phenom as well, Darby has said he's considering other options to look at stronger track programs, something that isn't Notre Dame's strong suit. He's still considering the Fighting Irish but somehow I'm doubting he ends up there. Blessed with legit sub 4.40 speed, Darby can flat out fly and he's also blessed with tremendous feet. He'll be a great addition to the track and football programs at wherever he ends up.

5. Latroy Pittman--WR--North Marion High School (Citra, Florida)--Pittman gets my award for hit of the game. He absolutely leveled FSU commit Chris Casher when he laid a bone-rattling crackback block on him. Pittman also had one catch in the game too and is committed to the Florida Gators.

6. Jordan Jenkins--DE--Harris County High School (Hamilton, Georgia)--Jenkins was easily one of the most impressive defenders in this game and was constantly in the White team's backfield. He racked up two sacks for the Black team. He recently committed to Georgia and it will be interesting to see where their coaches decide to play him. He could play DE or LB and has an impressive looking frame, 6'3, 245 pounds with not an ounce of fat on his body. He was a very, very impressive player and it's going to fun to watch him wreak havoc in opposing SEC backfields for years to come.

7. Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick--TE--Whitney High School (Rocklin, California)--He had one of the most acrobatic catches of this game and demonstrated the athleticism of a wide receiver. He made a beautiful touchdown grab when he was able to rotate his body in mid-air, pulling down a TD catch between a couple of defenders. He's currently committed to USC and appears to be the next Trojan great at the tight end position.

8. Marcus Maye--S--Holy Trinity High School (Melbourne, Florida)--Maye was one of the most impressive members in the secondary in this contest. He was constantly making plays all over the football field and broke up a number of passes. Not only that--he blocked a punt and recovered a fumble for a safety. Maye is currently rated as four-stars according to Rivals.com and is committed to the Florida Gators.

9. Brian Poole--DB--Southeast High School (Bradenton, Florida)--Poole demonstrated his ball skills and ability to return the rock with ease in this contest. He picked off a pass and set the Under Armour All-America Game record with a 93-yard interception return for a touchdown. Poole is committed to the Florida Gators as well.

10. Cyrus Jones--DB/WR--Gilman (Baltimore, Maryland)--Cyrus Jones was one of the most explosive playmakers in the country coming into this game and once again that was on fine display. Jones snatched an interception and cruised 40 yards for a touchdown return for his team. Jones has a highlight tape that will leave you shaking your head. He wants to play wide receiver at Alabama but I wouldn't be surprised to see him transfer at some point down the road. The Crimson Tide are landing so many big-time stars and they all want to play, which is simply not possible considering their depth at a variety of positions.

11. Landon Collins--S--Dutchtown High School (Geismar, Louisiana)--Collins was rated as a five-star prospect before this game and he only helped his status, showing his tremendous ball skills and speed in the open field. He snatched an interception and then returned it for around 20 yards (unofficial) before being brought down. Collins is one of the most impressive safeties in this class and I'd say he's earned the lofty ranking as the top safety in America. Blessed with blazing speed and ball skills, look for Collins to make a splash within the next two years for the Crimson Tide. He'll help to provide depth at the safety position, where Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix is already waiting in the wings for 'Bama.

12. Johnathan Gray--RB--Aledo High School (Aledo, Texas)--Johnathan Gray is the most decorated high school football player in the history of the sport. He was blessed with tremendous bloodlines from day one as his father is the all-time leading rusher at Texas Tech and his brother Cyrus Gray is a dynamic tailback for Texas A & M. The youngest of the Grays shattered numerous records owned by the "Sugar Land Express" throughout his earth-shattering high school career at Aledo High School. He became just the third high school football player to eclipse 10,000 rushing yards in his career. He set state records for career carries, touchdowns, points, 100-yard games, and single-season rushing touchdowns. As a senior, Gray earned Gatorade National Player of the Year honors. He rushed for 3,435 yards and 59 touchdowns on 295 carries entering the postseason round of four this past year. He also hauled in 22 catches for 458 yards and five touchdowns through 14 games. He set the national record for career touchdowns with 206 in his high school career. Gray also finished in the top five nationally in career rushing yards, points, carries, and 100-yard games. So with his endlessly impressive resume, did he live up to the hype? YES! Gray was very impressive in this contest, displaying excellent vision and speed between the tackles and a super soft set of hands in the open field. The talented Texan made one of the most acrobatic grabs in this game when he hauled in a catch over a defender down the sideline, but he ended up landing out of bounds. He's dubbed as the top all-purpose running back in the nation and this game did nothing to change that. Gray will take his dynamic all-around skill set and take it to Austin, Texas, where he'll be suiting up for the Texas Longhorns. If their offensive line can fix their issues, the Texas ground attack should be something special for years to come with Gray and Malcolm Brown in the same backfield.

13. Ifeadi Odenigbo--DE--Centerville High School (Centerville, Ohio)--When describing Odenigbo, the only phrase that comes to mind is "freak of nature). He reminds me very much of current South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney. If there is one player who gets my award for most underrated player in the country, Odenigbo is hit. He's blessed with an insanely relentless motor and is highly, highly disruptive in opposing backfields. He spent most of his time laying crushing hits on White team's quarterbacks. He's super quick off the edge and will be a starter from day one when he lands at Northwestern. He's the most decorated recruit ever to sign with Northwestern and the Wildcat fans will embrace him with open arms. Currently rated as the nation's 50th best prospect according to ESPNU and 109th best prospect according to Rivals.com--you could make the strong argument that Odenigbo deserves to be ranked in the top 10 overall. He's that good. He's going to be fun to watch at Northwestern.

14. Randy "Duke" Johnson--RB--Miami Norland High School (Miami, Florida)--Randy "Duke" Johnson is one of the most talented all-purpose backs in America. Blessed with a super soft set of hands and excellent moves between the tackles, Johnson is one of the most gifted running backs in his class. He and Johnathan Gray were extremely impressive at "The Opening", a national 7-on-7 tournament hosted by Nike over the summer. Johnson is very explosive on special teams and even ripped off a huge return in this game. He must take care of his ball security issues as he fumbled a couple of times. That being said, it's easy to see Johnson is oozing with talent out of every pore. He'll be a great one for years to come for the Miami Hurricanes. I look for him to make an instant splash next year as a true freshman.

15. Chad Kelly--QB--St. Joseph's (Buffalo, New York)--Chad Kelly was one of the more impressive quarterbacks this summer at Nike's "The Opening" and he had yet another impressive showing in the Under Armour game. He showed excellent escapability in the pocket and was scrambling for his life against an unber-talented defensive line from the White team. He's got excellent speed in the open field and made several accurate throws but he definitely has room for improvement as a passer. If he can refine his passing skills, he'll be a dynamic dual threat quarterback for the Clemson Tigers for years to come.

16. Tanner Mangum--QB--Eagle High School (Eagle, Idaho)--Mangum is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the 2012 recruiting class. He's tied for the best quarterback in this class in my book, right there with Jameis Winston. Mangum actually tied Winston for the best quarterback at the Elite 11 camp this summer. Throwing a beautifully accurate ball, Mangum connected with a variety of receivers in this game. He didn't have his best performance but he also switched teams due to QB depth on the black team--which shows how much of a team player he is. The BYU Cougars are lucky to have this ultra-accurate signal-caller. He completed over 70 percent of his passes as a high school senior and has excellent ball placement. Mangum will serve a two-year Mormon mission before he lands at BYU, so Cougar fans will wait in anticipation of his arrival.

17. Marvin Bracy--ATH--Boone High School--(Orlando, Florida)--Bracy was one of the most explosive players in this contest, putting his mind-blowing speed on fine display on numerous occasions. He made several catches throughout the contest and was simply a nightmare to defend. Blessed with sub 4.40 speed, Bracy is a track phenom as well and will take his talents to Florida State.

Other players that impressed: Joe Bolden (Michigan commit), Noah Spence (Ohio State commit), Daris Powe (Cal commit), Keith Marshall (UGA commit), Bryson Echols (Texas commit)

That's it for now, folks! Look for more from me in the upcoming days about the U.S. Army All-American Game! Until then, remember that life is best described in football terms!

Semper Fidelis Bowl Highlights

2012-01-10T10:41:00.000-08:00

The nation's top high school football talent was on display this past week. College football recruitniks across the country were treated to a few different games--the Semper Fidelis Bowl, the Under Armour All-American Game, and the U.S. Army All-American Game.

I'll be taking a look at all three games but for this post I'm just going to take a look at the Semper Fidelis Bowl.

Below are a few of the players that impressed me from the first annual Semper Fidelis Bowl.

1. Jaydon Mickens--WR/RB--Dorsey High School (Los Angeles, California)--Mickens (pictured above) was easily the most impressive player in this contest and showed that he's much, much faster than his listed 4.55 40 yard dash time. Mickens is a true home-run hitting threat with the football in his hands and will likely be used as a WR/RB hybrid at the next level. He currently lists the Washington Huskies as his leader but has an upcoming visit on January 20th to Eugene, Oregon--where the Ducks' coaching staff will likely put on the full court press. Oregon running backs coach Gary Campbell has already said Mickens would fit into their offensive scheme like De'Anthony Thomas. The kid is speedy and highly explosive in the open field and it's easy to see why Campbell would make such a comparison. Mickens made several big plays in this one, including a 14 yard TD catch en route to MVP honors. He's super explosive in the open field and is one of the most underrated players in the country in my eyes. He's currently rated at three-stars. Make no mistake about it--this guy will be a dynamic playmaker on the next level as long as his coaches fit the scheme to his skill set.

2. Deontay Greenberry--DB/WR--Washington Union High School (Fresno, California)--Greenberry was one of my favorite prospects in the 2012 class and this game did nothing to dispell that notion. As a matter of fact, it made me like him even more. The kid is blessed with tremendous ball skills, leaping ability, and instincts. He's one of the best wide receivers in the 2012 class and he's got the highlight tape to prove it. He's likely going to be a wide receiver at Notre Dame and could be an instant impact type of player for the Irish. The Notre Dame coaching staff might give a second thought to putting him at defensive back, however, since he impressed at the position in the Semper Fidelis Bowl. Greenberry snatched a game-sealing interception for the West squad and displayed his tremendous versatility by playing on the opposite side of the football. Listed at 6'3, 187 pounds with 4.44 speed, Greenberry figures to help fill the void left by a departing Michael Floyd very early in his career. Look for him to be a big time playmaker for the Fighting Irish for years to come.

3. Donaldven Manning--DB--Miami Central (Miami, Florida)--Manning was definitely one of the best cornerbacks in this game, blanketing his receivers the whole contest and breaking up several passes. He did get beat on one play by Corey Batey (Vandy commit) on a 26 yard touchdown catch. That being said, Manning still made plays all over the field for the East squad. The Virginia Tech commitment also looked very explosive in the kick return game and will likely make his mark on special teams early in his career for the Hokies. He returned one kick for 53 yards in this game. Virginia Tech seems to crank out the nation's top corners year in, year out and Manning appears to be the next Hokie great at the position. Blessed with tremendous instincts, ball skills, and speed, Manning will be a lockdown corner at VT. He was one of the best performers for the East squad and VT defensive coordinator Bud Foster is somewhere smiling at how lucky he is to have this budding star on his roster.

4. JaQuay Williams--WR--Sandy Creek High School (Tyrone, Georgia)--The speedy and explosive receiver made one of the nicest touchdowns by any receiver in this game--when he burned past an opposing corner and cruised his way to a 47-yard touchdown. He seems to have big play ability and for now, he's an Auburn commitment. He's super fast and is blessed with excellent height at 6'4. There have been rumors swirling about him possible changing his commitment but wherever he ends up, Williams figures to be a big time playmaker.

5. Marshall Morgan--K--American Heritage High School (Miami, Florida)--Georgia fans probably can't wait for the arrival of Morgan. The talented kicker was very impressive in this game--booting a 46 yard field goal which happened to be the game winner for the West squad. While Blair Walsh was one of the best kickers in the country for two of the past three seasons, he missed a ton of big kicks for the 'Dawgs this year, including a potential game-winner in their bowl game. Have no fear Georgia fans, help is on the way in the form of Morgan.

6. Tee Shepard--DB--Washington Union High School (Fresno, California)--If the high school sounds familiar, then your eyes are not deceiving you--Shepard is the high school teammate of fellow Notre Dame commitment Deontay Greenberry. Shepard was arguably the most impressive cornerback in this game and was all over the field breaking up passes for his team. He's got excellent instincts and ball skills, something the Fighting Irish desperately need at defensive back. Shepard will likely play as a true freshman and help take the Notre Dame defense to the next level by providing them something they didn't have this year--a lockdown corner.

7. Kye Morgan--RB--Franklin High School (Somerset, New Jersey)--Morgan showed excellent speed in the open field and the ability to get north-south on his runs came quite naturally to him. He also made a few catches in this one and displayed his super soft set of hands. Morgan is committed to the Virginia Cavaliers and compares favorable to current UVA RB Perry Jones. Due to the Cavaliers' excellent depth at the running back position, Morgan will likely redshirt as a freshman, but look for him to be a very solid, dependable back for the 'Hoos for years to come.

8. Jordan Westerkamp--WR--Montini High School (Lombard, Illinois)--Westerkamp made the most spectacular grab of any wide receiver in this game. The Nebraska commitment making a leaping grab down the middle of the field in which he left his feet and stretched horizontally to make the catch. I'm not really sure what would ever prompt a talented receiver to want to go to Nebraska since their quarterback situation is total garbage but hey that's where Westerkamp is headed. He'll catch anything that Taylor Martinez can throw his way--which is likely not very many passes. Westerkamp posted some of the gaudiest stats out of any receiver in the 2012 recruiting class. Over the past two seasons, he hauled in a combined 180 catches for over 3,200 receiving yards and 52 touchdown catches. Those are some pretty sick numbers and if he can ever get a decent passing quarterback under center in Huskerland, then his numbers will explode.

FinestPreps.com

2011-04-20T17:28:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

It's been a while for those of you that follow my blog on here. I'm terribly sorry I haven't been keeping things up to date on here. I have been writing for a few different sites. Anyways I started writing for the Marshall Rivals.com site on August 1 and finished on March 31st, 2011.

I recently started writing for a site called FinestPreps.com. We're going to have a lot of different coverage regarding college football recruiting, the NFL draft, and college basketball recruiting. Also look for the usual breakdowns of college football from me. Anyways guys you can hit me up on twitter at @wpeery23.

Also you can check out the new blog at: http://www.finestpreps.com/blog

Check it out guys and hope to hear from you soon!

Wade Peery

Nike 7ON: QB Bridgewater Leads Vapor Trail to Second Straight Championship

2010-07-09T19:20:00.000-07:00

The dust has finally settled from the Nike 7ON tournament in Beaverton, Oregon--the nation's premiere 7-on-7 passing tournament that assembles some of the nation's top high school football talent. A year might have passed, but not much has changed, as Miami Northwestern(aka Vapor Trail) claimed their second straight 7ON title in as many years, thanks to the exploits of their gifted signal caller, Teddy Bridgewater(pictured above). Vapor Trail defeated Hyper Fuse(Denton, Texas) 44-42 in triple overtime in a thrilling final that showcased impressive players from both teams.

Here are some of the players that impressed from the Nike 7ON Championship Game between Vapor Trail(Miami, Florida) and Hyper Fuse(Denton, Texas) on Friday, July 9th:

"The King of 7-on-7"--Miami Northwestern QB Teddy Bridgewater is one of the top quarterbacks in the 2011 class.

QB Teddy Bridgewater Vapor Trail--The team that wins a 7-on-7 tournament usually has the best quarterback and that was definitely the case in this tournament, as Teddy Bridgewater continued to make a name for himself as one of the best quarterback prospects in the 2011 class. He very rarely misfired in the championship game--disecting the Hyper Fuse defense with uncanny accuracy. His ball placement was superb--he makes it look easy how he always seems to put the football where it needs to be.

He also made two very impressive grabs at receiver at the end of the first half--showcasing his tremendous athleticism and willingness to line up at other spots on the field. His size(6'2) and impressive leaping ability make him a mismatch at WR as well--he really knows how to go up and get the rock at its highest point. That said, he's even better as a quarterback.

As a quarterback, his ball placement is so good it's hard not to see him playing that position at the collegiate level. It will be tough to find a QB who can place the ball as well as Bridgewater.

He led his team to back-to-back Nike 7ON championships with his beautifully lofted ball with a touch of air under it to WR Jerald Jenkins for the game-winning 2 point conversion to lift Vapor Trail to their 44-42 thrilling victory in 3OT.

Fittingly labeled as the "King of 7-on-7" by ESPNU's Craig Huber, Teddy Bridgewater displayed his uncanny accuracy time and time again and has established himself as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2011 recruiting class.

He's made it clear his intentions to play QB at the next level, but still recognizes his potential as an athlete. "When the season comes, I'm just going to be the quarterback. I want to just focus on that for college, but I have it set in my mind I'm a quarterback, but I'm also an athlete so I see myself as an athlete. It's alot of fun right now."

Class of 2011-committed to Miami Hurricanes

WR Eli Rogers(pictured above)--Vapor Trail--easily the most unstoppable player on the field--Rogers was probably the best receiver in the entire tournament--with defensive backs draped all over him all day--Rogers made plays time and time again. In terms of his ability to dominate, you simply won't find too many receivers out there that can take over a game like this guy. It helps that he has a gifted QB delivering the football, but make no mistake about it, Rogers is a special talent and will be a player to look out for in the future. The 'Canes landed a special tandem in Bridgewater and Rogers. They will be fun to watch.

Class of 2011--committed to Miami Hurricanes

WR Amari Cooper--Vapor Trail--a receiver that really began to make some plays in the second half for Vapor Trail--he looked impressive. Excellent focus on the football when he caught a 2-point conversion in OT to put Vapor Trail up 36-28. He was able to make the grab despite being dragged down by a defender from behind while hauling it in. The guy definitely has the potential to be one of the better receiver prospects in his class.

Class of 2012--Uncommitted

WR Elgin Hilliard--Vapor Trail--at 6'3, 165 pounds, this guy made some impressive grabs at times, but was even more impressive as a quarterback the end of the first half, when he completed two beautiful deep balls to QB Teddy Bridgewater. He has an excellent arm and can perform under pressure. Made an excellent TD catch on his knees in 2OT to tie it up 42-42. He will definitely be an excellent prospect to lookout for in the 2012 recruiting class.

Class of 2012--Uncommitted

QB J.W. Walsh(pictured above)--Hyper Fuse--this guy looked very impressive, not quite as accurate as Bridgewater, but Walsh put excellent rotation on his ball, he was very good about stepping into his throws and had excellent mechanics. I was impressed with him and it's clear that Oklahoma State got an excellent dynamic dual threat QB. Good arm strength and excellent ball placement can be a devastating combination--especially when mixed in with his lethal ability to run the football. This guy could be the next Zac Robinson for the Cowboys. His stats from his junior year at John H. Guyer high school are just plain filthy--he threw for over 2,500 yards and rushed for over 1,500 yards in the same season! He also lit it up in the end zone--27 touchdowns through the air and 22 on the ground--an incredible blend of balance and productivity. Staggering numbers to say the least--Walsh is easily one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the 2011 class--if not THE best.

Class of 2011--commited to Oklahoma State Cowboys

WR Josh Stewart--Hyper Fuse--made some very impressive grabs late in this one in the second half. His best grab came on an out route which he dove toward the sideline--and fully extended his arms to go out and snatch the football from the air. Made an incredible leaping grab in overtime--full extension to go out and get the football once again--to put Hyper Fuse down 36-34 in OT.

Class of 2011--Commited to Texas A and M Aggies

WR Quint Gardener--Hyper Fuse--this guy was the go-to guy for Hyper Fuse, he was absolutely unstoppable and caught nearly every ball thrown his way by QB J.W. Walsh--caught the TD to put Hyper Fuse up 26-22 with less than 2 minutes left in the game. He was the most impressive WR in this contest along with Eli Rogers. As usual, Gardener stepped up in the biggest of moments, making a leaping grab in the back of the end zone to tie it up in OT, 36-36.

Class of 2011--Uncommited

WR Dominique Rhymes--Vapor Trail--impressive grab across the middle at the end of the game from QB Teddy Bridgewater in which he dove into the nd end zone with :21 left in the game. Big time touchdown catch. Tied the game at 28-28. This guy will definitely be on alot of people's radars and it will be interesting to see where he ends up.

Class of 2011--Uncommited

WR Cameron Hunter--Hyper Fuse--Hunter made some very big plays on defense--including his interception at the end of regulation on the 2-pt conversion to send the game into OT. Made an excellent catch at WR in 2OT to put Hyper Fuse up 42-36.

Class of 2011--Uncommited

That's it for now--look for more from me in the future!

Interview with Former N.C. State Running Back T.A. McLendon

2010-06-30T18:16:00.000-07:00

The second line of former N.C. State legend T.A. McLendon's(above) Wikipedia page says it well: "Alongside Ken Hall and Brett Law, McLendon is one of the most productive high school football players of all-time." High words of praise to say the least--for those of you who don't know about high school football legend Ken Hall--allow me to fill you in.

Ken Hall, aka, "The Sugar Land Express" set the standard for high school football excellence.

The man was a god amongst mortals on the gridiron. Nicknamed "The Sugar Land Express"(pictured above), the Sugar Land, Texas native destroyed virtually every high school football rushing record imaginable--setting 17 records--several of which still stand today. In 1953, Hall rushed for a disgusting 4,045 yards in ONE season! He played in a single-wing offense(running style), but it doesn't matter if you run the ball the entire game for a whole season--those are unfathomable numbers. To this day, Hall is still the only Texas running back to rush for over 4,000 yards in one season. 55 years later, "The Sugar Land Express" still owns quite a few Texas state football records--including--career scoring(899 points), single-season scoring(395 yards), rushing yards per game(337.1 ypg.), points per game(32.9 ppg.), and career rushing(11,232 yards).

Sure, Ken Hall and Brett Law were insanely good, but T.A. McLendon was so good he managed to shatter some of their records. Pretty crazy, especially when you consider he started out his high school football career as a defensive end. The rest, as they say, is history.

T.A. smiles in his high school uniform--the Albemarle High School Bulldogs.

An Albemarle, North Carolina native, Tristan Akeen McLendon(pictured above) blazed a legendary path along the high school football fields in the Tarheel state for the Albemarle Bulldogs. He became the only player in high school football history to score over 1,000 points. He owns the national record for the most points in a career(1,076 pts.), most touchdowns in a career(178), and rushing touchdowns(170). He also ranks third nationally for points in a season(428 pts.). Did I mention that he also managed to rack up over 9,000 rushing yards in high school?! Filthy.

Former N.C. State running back T.A. McLendon leaves a Miami defender in his wake in the open field.

Jason Hickman of Maxpreps.com said it best in an article when he wrote, "A legend in North Carolina, nobody in high school football history put the ball in the end zone with more regularity than Albemarle High's T.A. McClendon." His numbers during the 2001 season were simply outlandish--he rushed for 3,070 yards and 68 touchdowns.

It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that Albemarle's offense put up dizzying numbers during McLendon's tenure there as well. The Bulldogs currently own the national record for most points in one season(903 points)--(16 games).

McLendon ended his career at Albemarle High School in fitting fashion--bruising and pummeling his way for 289 yards and a state-record seven touchdowns in leading Albemarle to the Class 1A state championship.

Beautiful painting of T.A. McLendon by Jonathan D. Gordon

His stardom on the gridiron continued when he traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina to suit up for the N.C. State Wolfpack alongside the surgically accurate signal-caller that is Philip Rivers.

The Wolfpack had a surprisingly successful season in 2002--much of it was due to the devastatingly accurate arm of quarterback Philip Rivers and the thunderous thighs of tailback, T.A. McLendon. While Rivers disected defenses through the air, McLendon used his lethal combination of power and speed to punish defenses at will.

The punishing tailback pounded and pummeled his way to the tune of 1,101 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground in 2002. His 108 points scored and 18 touchdowns were both single-season records at N.C. State. He also added 42 catches for 354 receiving yards to his dazzling freshman resume. That resume becomes even more impressive considering he was hampered by two shoulder separations and a right wrist fracture! So it shouldn't be surprising to anyone he garnered 2002 ACC Rookie of the Year honors at the end of the season.

The Wolfpack finished their 2002-2003 campaign with a 28-6 throttling of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Gator Bowl--thanks once again to quarterback Philip Rivers and his insanely accurate throws. McLendon was injured in the game and had to leave early.

McLendon celebrates a touchdown during N.C. State's 56-26 throttling of the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2003 Mazda Tangerine Bowl

Injuries would plague McLendon in 2003, as he appeared he only nine games, but still led the Wolfpack in rushing for the second straight season, with 608 yards, nine touchdowns, on just 130 carries. He still got to play in the 2003 Mazda Tangerine Bowl(pictured above) at the end of the season--in which he had a front row seat to watch quarterback Philip Rivers take a blowtorch to the Kansas Jayhawk secondary and their zone defense.

The 2003 Mazda Tangerine Bowl was a massacre of epic proportions as N.C. State rolled Kansas 56-26.

Kansas decided to sit back on their heels and play a zone defense against one of the most accurate quarterbacks in college football history--big mistake. All Rivers did was diabolically dissect their defense to the tune of a 56-26 massacre on the scoreboard, setting every Mazda Tangerine Bowl passing record imaginable in the process. He set the N.C. State and Tangerine Bowl records for completions(37), completion percentage(82.2), passing yards(475), touchdown passes(five), and total offense(495 yards). The Florida Citrus Bowl turf is still on fire from that one several years later. If you want to see the highlights of his 4th quarter from that game on YouTube just go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrgF2Ku-siw&feature=related

In 2004, McLendon was hampered by hamstring injuries, but was still able to lead the team in rushing for the third straight season--rushing for 770 yards on just 167 carries(4.6 ypc.), and six touchdowns.

He entered the NFL Draft as a junior in 2004, but went undrafted. He tried out for several NFL teams, but didn't get picked up.

In the end, it was likely his willingness to play through pain and injuries that did him in, but you have to respect a player who went out there and sacrificed so much individually just so the fans could watch him play. His love of the game and his tremendous amount of heart--nobody can ever take that away from the Albermarle High School product.

His name will always be legendary--regardless of his inability to make it to the NFL. Injuries aside, he still became one of the legends in North Carolina high school football history and one of the greats in N.C. State football history as well. Nobody will be able to take that away from him either.

I recently caught up with the football legend via Facebook--and he was gracious enough to answer my questions. Many thanks to him for doing the interview! I wish him the best in the future!

Q: First thing is first, you played with one of the greatest college football quarterbacks of all-time in Philip Rivers(pictured below). What was it like playing alongside such a talented signal-caller and what was the most amazing play you remember from Philip Rivers during your college days?

Former N.C. State quarterback Philip Rivers and his surgically accurate sidearmed release helped him become one of the greatest quarterbacks in college football history.

A: Well even then I knew he was going be to a great quarterback, but to have played beside him was an honor and a privilege. Playing beside him was the easy thing. He made the game easier for me. If I knew the play or not, before we would go up to the line of scrimmage, he always told me which way to go or what to do. I guess he thought I was still learning on the fly. A lot of the time I knew the play, he just wanted to make sure I did it right anyway. Phillip aka "Cheese" just had away of taking over the offense and making it his own. When he stepped into the huddle you listened, even when he was being funny, but you listened. I never felt out of a game when we were down because I knew at any time he could do something to get us back in the game. He put the team on his back any time he had to, and he stepped up to the challenge time and time again. The drive everyone sees now is what I saw the day we met. I knew then that we were a match made in heaven and I’m blessed to have been his sidekick.

The most amazing play he's ever done, no one saw it. It was the Texas Tech game in overtime. He didn't throw a pass, and it’s because we ran the ball every play. I scored the game-winning touchdown, but he called the game-winning play. He told Coach,"Let's just run it down their throats.” Coach listened and we won. But it was the confidence he had in us to get the job done when it mattered most. We then had to step up to challenge because he was the one who challenged us. So his leadership and confidence in that game is the best play I've seen first hand.

Q: Speaking of Philip Rivers--you got to watch one of the classic quarterback battles in ACC football history--Virginia's QB Matt Schaub(pictured below) vs. N.C. State QB Philip Rivers--what was it like to watch two quarterbacks like that duel it out?

T.A. has great respect for former Virginia signal-caller Matt Schaub

A: Well being on the field with one is one thing, but to watch them from the best seat in the house is another. It was like we knew we had to score points anytime we played (Matt Schaub) because he was just as good or better than Cheese(Philip Rivers). Every time we stepped on the field, as usual, we tried to score. But when we played them we knew we had to because it could get ugly at any time if someone got too far ahead. But watching them duel was like watching two gladiators with reputations to protect, while still living up to the killer in the ring they say you are. It was an honor to have played on the same field because he (Schaub) was one of the best.

Q: You scorched a rather legendary trail along the gridiron in the state of North Carolina--becoming one of the best players ever to come out of the Tarheel state. What was your favorite memory from your high school days, suiting up for Albermarle High School?

A: I scored a lot of touchdowns and I won a lot of games. But my favorite memory was pouring the Gatorade on Coach Gaster’s head when we knew it was over(the state championship). He was and still is the best coach I’ve ever been around and played for. He loved his players just like he loved his kids. Being one of his many kids on the field were my favorite times because I can never forget those memories. He was part of a lot them and made of them possible for me. I owe my success as a football player to my high school coach. Suiting up every Friday playing for the best Coach and team,"Albemarle Bulldogs", my favorite memory is the Fridays. R.I.P. Coach G.

Q: Your freshman year was your best year at N.C. State--you earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 2002, despite being plagued by two separated shoulders and a right wrist fracture. How in the world were you able to play at such a high level, considering the amount of pain you must have been playing through?

McLendon endured some brutal hits during his days at N.C. State--often jarring the ball loose and causing him to fumble.

A: Some were more excruciating than others, but it was three things that kept me going: my teammates, the fans, and the adrenaline that was pumping in my veins. I played through a lot of injuries, but I only did it for those three reasons. My teammates are counting on me just like I count on them, it's a team. I could be a cheerleader on the sideline or I can play and beat the enemy with you. Since I can walk and run I'm going to go to battle with you. I could worry about the injuries and repercussions later. The fans came to watch their team play and I play on the team so why not give them their money’s worth. I love the game just like the fans, so I know what I want to see when I see a game. And so I played that way. Adrenaline enough said.

Q: Who was your favorite college football player growing up and why?

A: I didn't have a favorite college player. I just watched NFL and that’s it. I didn't care about college until the North Carolina Tarheels came on during basketball season. But if I had to chose one its Barry Sanders. He's the greatest man to ever run a football hands down, I love Emmitt Smith. Barry to me is just the greatest period, enough said.

Q: What was your favorite game as a player at N.C. State and why?

His performance against UVA in 2003 was his favorite--the Wolfpack won the shootout--51-37.

A: My favorite game was Virginia my sophomore year(2003). I’d just had my two surgeries on my knee, and to have the game I had that day was by far my favorite. I had over 100 yards rushing(112) and over 100 yards receiving(104), so individually having that type of game under those circumstances, again, by far is my favorite. Not to mention we were the only team playing that night, and to end up having the game-winning touchdown wasn't bad either.

Q: You got to play with another legendary college football player in safety Andre Maddox(pictured below), one of the best safeties in college football history. What was it like to line up against such a feared defender in practice?

A: Well I knew just like the rest of the offense that there were no breaks on the field when he was out there. He's 1000 mph every play, so you always had to keep your eyes locked on him or you could pay the price. He could line up anywhere on the field, but if didn't keep your eyes on him well....you knew the rest. But practicing against him only made me and the team better, so it was great shedding blood, sweat, and tears with him.

Q: Throughout all of your playing days in football--who hit you the hardest and explain in detail.

A: It was Maryland. I think the hit is on YouTube(here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GQAxI9q5dI), but it was by far the best lick I've taken.

We were running our four minute offense just trying to keep the clock running and the chains moving. Well on this particular play I had the hole I wanted, and then all of sudden the lights go out and I’m waking up like what happened to the ball. We ran a zone and the linebacker wasn't touched because he was too far in for the receiver to block. Since he wasn't blocked, he had a laser beam on me. I never saw him coming. He had the best form ever when he hit me because it was just like you teach it " hit'em under the chin". That’s exactly what happened, I fumbled, and we lost. The hit itself didn't hurt, it was just unexpected. I knew I was hit hard because I blacked out and didn't remember the hit itself.

Q: Let's say you win the lottery this week and you win a million dollars. What do you do with the money and why?

A: I'd buy some land in the country, build a house on it, and put the rest in the bank. I like my privacy so the money would be used for emergency purposes only. I'm a simple man so I would live a simple life. I'd watch my kids grow and spend every moment with them that they're not in school. Now that’s what I call living life.

Q: What song track is playing the most often in your car currently?

A: There goes my baby by Usher

Q: If you could have played any other sport at a professional level besides football, which one would you choose and why?

A: Baseball. It’s not easy to hit and catch the ball, but the concept is fairly easy. Hit the ball and catch it. Not only that, they get paid a lot more and it is guaranteed. So of course getting paid is better, but the passion football players play with doesn’t match any other sport. So baseball, only for the money.

Q: What made you choose N.C. State when you decided to sign with the Wolfpack in 2002?

T.A. says he wanted to stay close to home and play alongside QB Philip Rivers

A: Well I'm a hometown boy and I wanted to keep it that way. My family and friends didn't have to travel far to come to games, and not to mention watch a great quarterback. If you don’t want to play with a proven quarterback you are just playing football for the wrong reasons. I wanted to win and contend for a national title, and with the players we had, there wasn't any doubt in my mind that we couldn't. It was good program so why not playing with the best of everything, and still so close to home.

Q: Give me a list of your favorite college football players of all-time--let's go with the top 3.

T.A. has alot of love for the legendary Mr. Barry Sanders.

A: 1.Barry Sanders(above) 2.Deion Sanders 3.Adrian Peterson

Q: Who is your favorite actor and why?

A: I don’t have one I just like good movies.

Q: Do you miss football and what are the current life plans for T.A. McLendon(below)?

Former N.C. State legend T.A. McLendon wants to hear from you!

A: I love football to death. I would play for free--so of course I miss it. TIME WILL TELL. And for everyone reading this--thanks I enjoyed your love and I did it for you(the fans). So again thanks and I hope you enjoyed a few of my thoughts. My e-mail address is touchdoe4life@yahoo.com. Don’t be stranger. I would love to hear from you.

That's it for now folks, I'm sure you will hear from me soon! Remember, "Life is best described in football terms!"

My Favorite Virginia Cavalier Football Players of All-Time(5-1)

2010-06-06T09:50:00.001-07:00

Finishing this list was long overdue, but allow me to finish my list of Top 10 Favorite Virginia Football players of all-time. Let's get down to it shall we!

special thanks to hoosfootball.com for the classic poster image of Billy McMullen and Angelo Crowell

5. Angelo Crowell--nicknamed "Maximus" by his teammates--if there could be an award given to the toughest Virginia Cavalier football player in history--Angelo Crowell would clearly be it. He played on two bad knees during his final year at Virginia, but still manage to play through it and rack up astronomical numbers--155 tackles in 2002--a Virginia football record that will stand for quite some time. Did I mention that he also tallied 6 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries that same season? Filthy.

Perhaps even more ridiculous is the fact that it wasn't the first time that Crowell had set the school record in tackles. He broke his OWN record! He set the school record for the first time a year earlier in 2001, when he was dialed in for 144 tackles.

Another testament to his toughness was the fact that he became one of only three players in school history to play in 50 collegiate games(including bowls).

In terms of productivity, Crowell set the gold standard for production at the linebacker position at Virginia. His 420 tackles in his career rank 3rd all-time in Virginia football history, only Charles McDaniel(432) and Jamie Sharper(435) have put up better numbers during their days in Charlottesville.

The Winston-Salem, NC native was an absolute tackling machine and simply had a knack for being around the football. He also had 10 forced fumbles in his career, one shy of the Virginia school record set by Stuart Anderson.

In terms of accolades, Crowell was arguably one of the most underrated linebackers in the country during his days at Virginia. How a guy can rack up 144 tackles in a season and not land on a post-season awards list is beyond me?! In 2002, he was named as a second-team All-America by the NFL Draft Report and was named a first-team All-ACC selection as well. One place where he was not underrated was in the Virginia locker room, he earned the Ned McDonald award for the 2001 and 2002 seasons--the award given to the team's most outstanding defensive player.

Underrated and underappreciated, all "Maximus" did in his days at Virginia was pepper his name all over the school's record books and play the game with class. You never heard of him getting in any kind of trouble during his days at Virginia and he was known for giving back to charities on his website http://www.angelocrowell55.com/ when he was with the Buffalo Bills.

He has posted some excellent numbers in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills--racking up 343 tackles during his five year career with them(2003-2007). Injuries have slowed his career as of late, but he is currently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Underappreciated elsewhere around the country, rest assured here at TWWHP--Angelo Crowell's exploits on the gridiron at UVA did not go unnoticed. "Maximus" will always be one of my favorite Virginia Cavalier football players.

4. Thomas Jones--all Thomas Jones did during his four years at Virginia was become arguably the best all-purpose running back in Virginia football history not named "Bullet" Bill Dudley.

A native of Big Stone Gap, Virginia--Jones had a legendary high school career for the Powell Valley Vikings--becoming one of the best football players to ever grace the gridiron in the state of Virginia. He led Powell Valley to back-to-back state championships in 1994 and 1995. He plastered his name all over the VHSL record books after it was all said and done--he currently ranks in the top five of the VHSL record book with: most scoring in a career, most scoring in a single season(twice), rushing yards in a career, most rushing yards in a single season(twice), and most rushing yards in a single game. He rushed for 462 yards during ONE game when he was a junior at Powell Valley--numbers that would be hard to reach on a video game--let alone the real deal.

Anybody who knows about Thomas Jones' family bloodlines shouldn't be surprised that another legendary running back came out of the family bloodlines. Jones' uncle was Ed Clark, also known as "The Stonega Stallion"--one of the best running backs ever to come out of southwest Virginia. In 1994, Jones broke Ed Clark's single-season rushing yardage record--racking up a staggering 3,319 yards. He also set the single-season touchdown record at Powell Valley in 1995--dominating opposing defenses to the tune of 49 touchdowns. Perhaps even more impressive is the number of touchdowns he scored thoughout his high school career--104--a mind-boggling amount by anyone's standards.

If you want to check out some classic footage of Thomas Jones dominating the gridiron for the Powell Valley Vikings--then check out this classic video I found on YouTube--many thanks to SWVA video for the footage--Jones is in the powder blue uniforms--he's number 6. Just copy and paste this link into your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urUrAsUoYr0

The southwest Virginia native continued his stardom on the gridiron when he got to Charlottesville--plastering his name all over the Virginia and ACC record books. He shattered 15 school records and eight ACC records. After it was all said and done, Jones would leave Mr. Jefferson's academic village as the school's all-time leading rusher, chewing up 3,998 yards of real estate--mind-blowing numbers.

He became the first player in ACC history to rush for over 200 yards and have over 100 receiving yards in one game against the lowly Buffalo Bulls--331 all-purpose yards. He also set an ACC record with six-200 yard rushing performances during his career at UVA. After he left the grounds at Virginia he finished with 4,698 all-purpose yards, fourth all-time.

One of my favorite memories of Thomas Jones came in the 1998 game against Virginia Tech--when he played a crucial role in the greatest comeback in Virginia football history. With the Cavaliers trailing in the fourth quarter, quarterback Aaron Brooks lobbed a pass into the middle of the end zone, where Jones leaped into the sky, fully extended his body, and crashed back down to the turf with the football wrapped up in his arms. Simply an incredible football catch.

That's an excellent example of what makes Thomas Jones such a lethal all-purpose threat--while he is an excellent runner with uncanny cutback ability, he was also blessed with a super soft set of hands.

His best season for the Virginia Cavaliers came in 1999, when he blazed his way for 1,798 yards and 16 touchdowns on 334 carries--numbers that were good enough to land him many accolades. He finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting in 1999, was a Doak Walker Award finalist, and landed ACC Player of the Year honors. He scorched opposing defenses to the tune of 2,054 all-purpose yards that season as well--numbers that Virginia fans will not see from another running back in Charlottesville for quite some time--if ever. His staggering numbers earned him consensus first-team All-American honors--becoming only the third running back in ACC history to earn such an honor.

Thomas Jones will always be a fan favorite as far as Virginia football players are concerned. He raced his way from the coal mines of Big Stone Gap, Virginia and overcame alot of adversity in becoming a star on every level of the gridiron. As a writer for the Kingsport Times News Online so eloquently put it, "Jones scorched a rather legendary trail across the gridiron grass of Bullitt Park, the Powell Valley High School Vikings home field."

Not only did Thomas Jones scorch a legendary trail on the gridiron, but the manner in which he did it is equally as impressive--Jones has always been a class-act and you've never heard about him getting in any major kind of trouble. He graduated from the University of Virginia in three years with his degree in psychology. Forever a gridiron legend in the state of Virginia, Thomas Jones will not soon be forgotten by Virginia football fans. He's very deserving of the number four spot on this list.

Look for numbers 3 through 1 to come later this week!

Path to the Draft: Ohio DB Thad Turner

2010-04-20T15:58:00.000-07:00

The NFL Draft is only two days away as it steps into primetime on ESPN this Thursday night, April 22nd. Fans across the NFL will be downright giddy as their NFL teams paint a bright or bleak future for their franchises. The decisions of GMs, owners, and scouts will ultimately decide their own fate. In the cutthroat league that has been dubbed the "No Fun League" by many, it certainly won't be a fun next couple of years if they happen to draft the next Ryan Leaf.

On the other hand, if a decision maker can land the next Drew Brees or Peyton Manning, bust out the champagne bottles and get the party started because good years are ahead.

Fans nationwide will tune in to see what prospects the decision makers of their team have chosen. When it comes to the first round, most football fans will know the Sam Bradfords and the Jimmy Clausens of the world, but when the later rounds develop is where the guys in the NFL war rooms truly make their money. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to crown Sam Bradford as the next Joe Montana--his football excellence is blatantly clear.

Where NFL GMs will truly make their money are on prospects such as Ohio University's Thad Turner, an under-the-radar prospect who recently exploded at his pro day in Athens. His numbers were very impressive--at 5'11, 185 lbs. he ran a 4.46 40 yard dash time, posted a 41-inch vertical leap, posted a broad jump of 10 feet, 3 inches, and had 14 reps of 225 lbs. on the bench press.

Turner is a prospect who has improved drastically at the position during his days in Athens, Ohio and will likely surprise some people heading into rookie camps and training camps.

Check out his 2009 highlight video on YouTube below:

It's going to be interesting to see how it all shakes out. That said, Turner stopped in to deliver another one of his highly entertaining Q and As through e-mail with me. I thank him for his time once again and wish him the best of luck! Below is the interview.

Q: You've told me that you have gotten to train with running back Javhid Best of Cal when preparing for the NFL Draft. What has the experience been like--training down in Florida around players of his caliber?

A: Training with Jahvid and others that are regarded as the best college football players of last year really just pushed me. Every day we hit the gym and rather you were tired or not one or all of these guys would just naturally push me to keep going. It was basically all of our competitive nature that pushed each and every one of us. Other than that getting a tip or two from Jacoby Ford about running my forty yard dash or watching Eric Berry during DB drills and how he attacks the balls when it is in the air surely helped and when help in the future.

Q: Your pro day numbers were excellent at Ohio University. Did you hear any buzz from scouts or from any NFL organizations after your pro day?

A: Yes, after my pro day there was definitely some positive buzz about me in the NFL circle. I have been on a couple visits to teams and a couple private work outs since and just did the Atlanta Falcons Local Pro day for prospects of Georgia residents which I think I did well in also.

Q: Play Mel Kiper or Todd McShay for a minute for us. Give us your top three quarterbacks in the 2010 NFL Draft and a breakdown of them.

A: Sam Bradford- a very accurate thrower which is the most important attribute as a NFL QB. On top of that he would have been a top pick in the last year draft. The extra year of college grooming only helps.

Colt McCoy- his high completion percentage shows he makes the right decision, though this was due to him throwing a lot of underneath passes I actually believe in the “throw short to run long” theory he bought into. He will have to be able to complete the long ball throughout his career. However the success of a rookie QB comes when throwing less than 22 balls a game and not turning the ball over. Colt will manage the game well early in his career and will grow to a Drew Brees caliber player.

Tony Pike- this guy looks like a NFL quarterback to me. Tall kid with a strong arm; definitely won’t be the third QB taken but should. He will fit perfect in a situation where he has a chance to start but wont and the competition will push him to a better player, but I see him having a long a prosperous NFL career and may out last all of the quarterbacks in this years draft.

I would be remiss not to mention Tim Tebow and Jimmy Clausen. If I were Tebow I wouldn’t even play football, not because of his skill set but because people love him so much. He could do whatever he wanted like be the president or walk on the moon with no space suit. I’m only kidding but Jimmy Clausen I like him, but his deep ball seems to float in the air and that will be intercepted everyday of the week in NFL.

Q: You had to guard WR Blair White of Michigan State for most of the East West Shrine Bowl. Why don't you talk about him and tell us if you think he will be a good receiver in the NFL?

A: Blair is a good player, those college all-star games make it tough to defend guys because of the rules that they put in place we only played one defense which was cover 3 and we were not able to press the Receivers which I feel is my strength however playing against him and others that are considered the best was a great experience.

Q: What's the biggest surprise you've had throughout the experience of training for the NFL Draft?

A: Every day I learn new things about the NFL. The main thing I have learned and I am constantly reminded of is that it is a business and should be treated as such. Everything I do as a future NFL player could affect my future in the league. Now when i wake up in the morning and work out it is me going to work and me fighting for a job.

Q: Everybody has an opinion on Tiger Woods. What's your opinion of him after the scandal?

A: Tiger has never been an open book and has in general been hush hush about his personal life. So for people to be in shock by the news of him cheating on his wife, that's based on the assumption that we as a public knew him to be a morally good person and we didn’t. It kind of bothered me when I heard different analysis and people saying Tiger owes us an apology.

Tiger does not know owe anyone anything. He has proven he is a great golfer, and I would consider him the best and that is why we love him. Charles Barkley said it best in his campaign in the 90’s “I am not a role model”, I am just a good athlete. People feel they know a athlete personally because they like what they do on their playing field before ever shaking their hand.

Q: Let's say you can throw a party with five people throughout the course of history--any five people--dead or alive--who do you choose and why?

A: Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson- great personality, seems like a great person to have fun with.

Hugh Hefner- he is going to bring the women, duh.

T.I. - to do a mini performance and seems like someone who knows how to party

P Diddy – his parties are legendary so you know he knows how to party

Tiger Woods- he obviously would be a great wing man

Q: What's your favorite memory from your collegiate playing experience as an Ohio Bobcat in Athens, Ohio.

A: The people I was able to meet while playing in Ohio. Going to school in South East Ohio put me in a different environment that I was uncomfortable with as a freshman but i learned to love it and some of my teamates such as Mark Parson and Chido Nwockocha will be lifelong friends as many others.

Q: You get to choose any actor to star in a movie made about your life--The Life and Times of Thad Turner--who do you choose to portray you in the movie and why?

A: I think I could be the perfect actor in the movie about myself. I would be great crossover athlete breaking into the Hollywood world. I loved Ray Allen in “He Got Game”. That could be me.

Q: You mentioned in your last interview with me that you would make your "special lady" sign a pre-nuptual agreement with you if you happened to find her. Is that still what you are interested in and do you have any more interesting takes on women?

A: With so many cases against professional athletes and problems with women I can’t help but to be even more cautious. Instead of going to college women are going to clubs and nice hotels waiting to pick up a rich guy to have a baby with or call rape to get paid. It’s a sad world. Everybody is trying to get a piece of the pie.

That's it for now folks! Be sure to look for more articles from me in the future!

Path to the Draft: Ohio DB Idris Lawrence

2010-04-16T23:42:00.000-07:00

The NFL Draft is rapidly approaching on next Thursday night, April 22nd, when it debuts in prime-time for the first time ever(which I'm completely and totally against). NFL hopefuls across the country will be sitting at home, anxiously awaiting text messages or phone calls from their agents or NFL teams.

Leading up to the draft fans across the country will have already heard about quarterback Sam Bradford's dazzling spirals, quarterback Jimmy Clausen's near-flawless mechanics, or about the electrifying running back from Clemson, C.J. Spiller.

What story will fans not have heard about?

Take Idris Lawrence, defensive back from Ohio University. Sure, Lawrence didn't rack up any awards during his tenure for the Bobcats, nor did he land on any all-conference or All-American lists.

What Lawrence did have was a big heart, you can see that in his ferocious hitting style on the gridiron. A smaller prospect at, 5-8, 176 pounds, Lawrence is an extremely physical corner for somebody his size and was well-known for his outstanding play as a gunner on the Ohio Bobcats special teams' unit.

Often the first defender down the field to make a tackle, Lawrence was quick to lay the big hit on opponents over the past four years and made his mark on special teams.

He saved the best performance of his entire college career for the 2009 MAC Championship game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Ford Field in Detroit Michigan.

Lawrence was dialed in for the Bobcats, making plays all over the field, shadowing his man and making life more difficult for Central Michigan's legendary quarterback, Dan LeFevour.
Just imagine--you've been dreaming of putting up a performance like this for your entire career--national TV--MAC Championship on the line--and you are "in the zone".

Just as Lawrence began to live out that dream--it was taken away from him though, by a Central Michigan wide receiver. The receiver chop blocked Lawrence in the knee--drilling him with his helmet. Whether the play was a "cheap shot" is open for debate, but it didn't look pretty.

Right before the end of the first half, you could see tears in his eyes as the ESPN cameras showed him on the sidelines of Ford Field. Tears of disappointment that such a great performance had been cut short by an unfortunate play.

The Bobcats ended up losing in the MAC Championship game to Central Michigan, but the individual performance by Lawrence in the first half definitely raised some eyebrows.

That performance was good enough to garner Lawrence some attention from NFL scouts who had never paid attention to him before and some teams in the CFL have shown interest in him as well.

I had the chance to catch up with Lawrence over the phone and below is the Q and A he did with me. Many thanks to him for taking the time to answer my questions!

Q: If you could invite five people to a party, dead or alive who do you choose and why?

A: George Washington because he was our first president of the United States, I just want to hear his thoughts of having such a powerful position and having so many people look up to him. How did he handle that position of his life. For the people to nominate him as a first president, he had to have had such an impact on the people around him, inside and outside the country. I just know I would want to meet such a powerful person.

My mother. My mother is very special, she’s been there with me my whole life. If I was going to a special dinner I would need her there.

Spud Webb—because of the adversity he faced. He was a little boy amongst men. I would have to bring him with me.

My great grandfather—he was in Vietnam, I didn’t get to meet him in person.

My great grandmother—she lived to be 105 years old. She’s had my grandmother. My grandmother. She started the bloodlines of the family essentially.

Q: Who is your favorite football player of all-time?

A: I like Charles Woodson man. I wanted to say someone I’ve watched. I watched him in high school, watched tape from him at high school, watched him at Michigan, become All-American, win the Heisman. Me being a corner, I admire his skill level. He’s been my favorite player because I’ve watched him from high school to the pros.

Q: What do you want to be doing with your life once football is over?

A: First of all I want to be healthy. I want to be the best positive role model for my kids. I just want to be a valuable resource for all my family. Whether that be an office building job, teacher, whatever that profession may be, whatever it is, that’s my main goal to be successful.

Q: What do you think made you play at such a high level in the first half of the MAC Championship game against Central Michigan?

A: That’s very easy to answer to that. We’re on quarters here at Ohio University. We were done with school, the Wednesday before the week started for preparation for Central Michigan. Basically I had the whole eight days to watch film, no homework, no classes. It was just straight football. I was more prepared for that offense. The Thursday before we left I knew I was fully prepared to have a great game because of my preparation that whole week. I never prepared like that in my whole life.

Q: Did you think the block that messed up your knee(chop block) was a cheap shot?

A: I don’t want to say that people are cheap. I hope that it wasn’t a cheap shot. I hope he was just playing his assignment out—playing to the whistle. It was away from the play, the guy already got tackled. I just wasn’t paying attention to him. I’m not going to say it was cheap because you keep playing to the whistle.

Q: Have you heard anything from any NFL scouts from your performance in the MAC Championship game?

A: I felt like my play propelled me to a level that I was in search of for a long time in my career—to get noticed by people. We’ve had numerous corners come through Ohio University and get noticed by NFL scouts. We’ve put a little asterisk by DBU—we want Ohio University to be known by defensive backs. Bop White, Dion Byrum, Mark Parson, there’s a great tradition of defensive backs here at Ohio University, and I just want to continue that tradition.

Q: What was it like taking Brookhaven(Columbus, OH) to the state championship in high school?

A: It was a pleasant experience—we were the first City League team in Columbus to win a state championship in Ohio. It wasn’t easy, it was a lot of hard of work. It was a good feeling. I was able to win a championship at each level. Pee Wee level and high school.

Q:What’s one place you must travel to before you die?

A: I want to go to Egypt—I’m named after an Egyptian king who led his people to the promised land. My mom studied abroad in Egypt and got it from there. I just wanted to go there and study the history behind my name and see why I’m named Idris.

Q: Do you ever wish you played another Division 1 sport, like basketball?

A: All the time, I wish I ran track. I wish I played basketball. I always wanted to play basketball, that was my favorite sport.

Q: What made you decide to play football growing up?

A: Actually it’s an interesting story. My first year of pee wee football I played quarterback. After six practices in pads I quit. I came home and told my momma, “I don’t wanna do this anymore.” I don’t like this contact. My mom was going to make me take all my pads off in front of the whole team. So six o’clock the next day I took off all my pads, was crying, it was bad. So I think me quitting helped me discover my love for football.

So while guys like Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen are guaranteed millions of dollars on NFL draft weekend next weekend, just keep in mind the story of Ohio DB Idris Lawrence--who's hoping to be guaranteed just one thing--an opportunity to continue chasing a dream.

That's it from me folks, look for more football articles and sports articles from me sometime in the future!

Tiger Wood's First Public Remarks: Defensive and Arrogant

2010-02-19T08:53:00.000-08:00

Tiger Woods finally faced the world this morning, nearly two months after the news of his now world famous sex scandal hit newsstands.

After watching the 13 minute speech--sportswriters and media members across the globe are analyzing it--while many of them might say it was heartfelt and sincere, I'm not buying that bs Tiger!

First of all, scripting a speech like that was a big mistake in my opinion. I would've had a lot more respect for Tiger if it wasn't scripted. It would sound more from the heart, more honest, more genuine, and more sincere. All qualities that the American public needed to see from Tiger during this trying time. This speech seemed way too prepared and too scripted.

Secondly, it's about freaking time Tiger! What in the world took you so long? You've could have saved your wife, your kids, your fans, your sponsors, and millions of other people around the world a lot of trouble if you could have addressed this whole mess months ago! Not days, not weeks, but months! Simply ridiculous. Why wait? Your wait was part of the reason there was constant speculation and rumors about what happened on Thanksgiving night.

Third, Tiger pleaded with the media, "Please leave my wife and kids alone." I'm sorry Tiger, that's never going to happen. You are the world's most recognizable athlete and you seem to think that you will somehow be given a free pass and that the media will leave you and your family alone? I don't like the paparazzi much at all, but asking the media to leave your wife and kids alone is like holding up a raw juicy steak in front of your dog's face and telling him to stop salivating--simply isn't gonna happen.

You gave up that freedom back when you first turned pro, stepped up to the microphone, smiled with your capped white teeth and said, "Well, I guess it's hello world huh?"

One of the most puzzling remarks throughout the entire speech came when Woods wanted the media to stop blaming his wife Elin.

"But there's one issue I really want to discuss. Some people have speculated that Elin somehow hurt or attacked me on Thanksgiving night. It angers me that people would fabricate a story like that. Elin never hit me that night or any other night. There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage, ever. Elin has shown enormous grace and poise throughout this ordeal. Elin deserves praise, not blame."

All I have to say about this is, "Where in the world are you coming from with this Tiger?" Who has been blaming Elin for all of this? I haven't read any articles about anybody blaming his wife for Tiger's "transgressions." Tiger, it's great that you want to protect your wife, but getting defensive in front of the media does you absolutely no good. It only comes across as arrogant and makes you look like you think you're above everybody else. Also, if Elin really did hit you, would anybody be blaming her? I'd say she'd deserve a good solid punch or two.

Tiger should just ignore what everybody says, because when you're a professional athlete or in the public spotlight, you cannot control what everybody writes or says about you or your family. You have to learn how to grow thick skin and just let it roll off your back.

This speech reveals something about Tiger Woods in its purest form--he's felt entitled his entire life. He's been placed on a pedestal by the American public--from the time he was on the Johnny Carson Show making putts when he was a little boy to his dominant days as a U.S. Amateur golfer. He admitted in his speech that he felt he worked really hard his entire life and that he felt "entitled" to indulge in all the temptations surrounding him.

The whole Tiger Woods' situation boils down to just that--over indulgence of life's pleasures. If Tiger could just admit that, it would make me respect him a lot more than discussing his return to "patient therapy" for his so-called "sex addiction." Give me a break Tiger. You mean to tell me you're addicted to sex? Okay, that's just a bunch of bullshit. There's no such thing and no sex doctor on this earth will be able to prove me otherwise. The whole "sex addiction" thing is just a stupid crutch for Tiger to rely on to help blame all of his "transgressions" on.

It makes me depressed because it makes me wonder if there is any more accountability in American society today--when the sports' world's largest and most recognizable role model--claims that he needs to act like a better role model, but fails to follow up those words with actions. Instead of blaming your problems on a ficticious idea of "sex addiction", why not just face the music and say, "I made a conscious decision to indulge in life's pleasures, I had complete control over my decisions and actions, and I am deeply sorry for the mistakes I have made." That's really all the American people needed to hear Tiger.

People appreciate honesty, Tiger. I don't think you were entirely honest in this speech. This quote bothered me somewhat, "There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage, ever." Call me crazy, but that sounds like a hard one to believe, especially since you could consider the car crash an "episode of domestic violence".

If there is one thing in this world I cannot stand it's a liar. I don't even care if Elin hit Tiger Woods or if she didn't, one thing I cannot tolerate is him lying to the world about it. I just find it hard to believe that Tiger could crash a car coming out of his own driveway and there not be some sort of domestic dispute.

So today, marks a pretty sad day for me. I will always love Tiger Woods for his near flawless performances on the golf course, for his countless majors, for his ability to reach a level of perfection that likely won't ever be reached in the world of sports ever again. But, Tiger will never be able to gain the amount of respect I have lost for him as a man in his terrible handling of this whole scandal. You learn a lot about somebody when things are going wrong and nobody is in your corner--and today we learned that Tiger Woods continues to think he's above the rest of the world in many regards.

I will always respect Tiger Woods the golfer, but Tiger Woods the man has lost a great deal of respect with me and many people in the general public that he will ultimately never be able to regain.

Five Gridiron Greats: U.S. Army All-American Bowl Highlights

2010-01-22T14:44:00.001-08:00

The U.S. Army All-American Game is the nation's premiere showcase of high school football talent. Although the Under Armour All-American Game has done an excellent job in recent years displaying a wide array of high school football talent, there's simply no matching the prestige, tradition, and current NFL and college stars the U.S. Army All-American game has showcased.

The game was played on January 10, 2010 in the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas.

While many players might believe that simply playing in this game punches their ticket to the NFL, stardom on the next level, college, or pro, is not handed to them, and not all of the U.S. Army American Bowl alumni will be future stars. Scouting has never been and never will be an exact science--no matter how many people tell you otherwise.

That being said, I still enjoy crowning the next big stars and the "stars of tomorrow" as much as any football fanatic out there. Here are five players that I was very impressed with after watching the game:

1. DE/WR--Ronald Powell--Moreno Valley, California(Rancho Verde High School)--(Pictured above--photo by Eric Gay/Associated Press) Listed at 6'4, 250 pounds on his Scout.com profile with 4.6 speed, Powell is arguably the most supremely gifted athlete in the entire 2010 recruiting class. He won MVP honors at the U.S. Army All-American game and deservedly so. This kid is a freak of nature who will probably be a top 10 NFL draft pick in three years. Perhaps one of the most impressive physical specimens I've ever seen on the defensive side of the ball, Powell plays much faster than his listed 4.6 forty yard dash time. He leaped in the air and displayed his impressive leaping ability and body control after quarterback Connor Wood rolled out to his left and tossed a 23-yard touchdown strike to Powell in the back of the end zone. Powell was also surrounded by two defenders, making the catch even more impressive.

The California native also had another highlight play when the West defense blocked an extra point attempt, Powell scooped the ball up, scooted to the left side of the field, and NBC's cameras had already turned away because they figured the play was over, but no so fast, here comes Powell racing down the sidelines, no defenders anywhere in sight. That's right folks, a 98-yard PAT conversion for Mr. Powell. In all Powell racked up five unassisted tackles, a 98-yard PAT return, a blocked field goal recovery, and a 23-yard touchdown catch. A simply dazzling array of numbers for the Rancho Verde High School product. He was by far the most dominant player in this game and I don't know if I've ever seen one football player dominant so many different aspects of a game the way he did--on offense, defense, and special teams. Florida's coaches will likely use him as a defensive end and he'll be a nightmare to block off the edge with his speed. They could also utilize him as a tight end/wide receiver on certain plays if they want--he's certainly displayed the skill set and ability to play both sides of the ball. It's all about what their coaches want to do with him.

It's easy to see why he earned MVP honors in the game and his performance in the game also earned him Rivals.com #1 overall ranked player in the 2010 recruiting class. I simply can't argue with that after watching him in the U.S. Army All-American game. He will be an absolute terror on the gridiron, probably as soon as next year for the Florida Gator's--who happened to assemble one of the most dominant defensive lines ever put together in one recruiting class.

Signed with Florida Gators

2. QB--Cole Marcoux--Bronx, New York(The Fieldston School)--out of all the offensive players in this game, I was easily the most impressed with quarterback Cole Marcoux. The funny thing is he had to win a reality show called "The Ride" to be able to play in this game. He is currently committed to Dartmouth and I find it flat out astonishing that this kid does not have any Division 1A scholarship offers. Especially after his performance in this game, why weren't more coaches not blowing up his cell phone and asking him about potentially playing football on a bigger and brighter stage? Surely he will receive more offers late in the stage of the game, but who knows.

Marcoux displayed beautiful ball placement on his throws in this game. He connected on 5 of his 8 passing attempts for 99 yards, while tossing in two touchdowns and no interceptions. One of his most impressive passes of the game was when he threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ivan McCartney--who was streaking down the middle of the field. Marcoux placed it right in McCartney's hands in stride and he was off-to-the-races. His other touchdown pass also showed some beautiful touch, Marcoux drifted to the ride side of the field to the right hash mark, lofted a beautiful lofted screen pass to receiver Gerald Christian, who caught the ball at the 18-yard line, shook a few defenders in the open field, and found the end zone.

Different people look for different attributes in their quarterbacks, I have always been one to place a very high premium on ball placement and accuracy. Marcoux is one of the most accurate quarterbacks I've gotten to see out of the 2010 class and I'm very shocked that he doesn't have any bigger offers.

The kid can play and at an extremely high level, I think we will be seeing this kid get a shot to play on Sundays a few years down the road. Obviously, it's tough to tell how he will adjust to the speed of the game from the Ivy League to the NFL, but I'm interested to see how his accuracy translates to the next level. So many guys are always harping about how strong a kid's arm is, this and that, well JaMarcus Russell has a rocket launcher attached to his right shoulder and look at how good he's doing in the NFL.

Marcoux will likely have opposing defensive coordinators in the Ivy League shaking in their boots after watching his performance in the All-American game. Be afraid Ivy League. Be very afraid. The ultra-accurate arm of Cole Marcoux is coming to a field near you.

If you want to read more about Cole Marcoux and his amazing ride to stardom--read this excellent story written by Kevin Armstrong in the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/sports/ncaafootball/08quarterback.html

Signed with Dartmouth Big Green

3. OLB/DE--Josh Shirley--Fontana, California(Kaiser High School)--When writing about defensive end/linebacker Josh Shirley the first phrase that comes to mind is "highly disruptive". This is a kid who was downright dominant in the U.S. Army All-American game. He made one of the best plays in the game, picking up a blocked field goal and returning it 70 yards for a touchdown with ease. He was constantly in the backfield and you could see his "high motor." The kid never gives up on plays and in constant pursuit of the football, even if he overruns the play. When you watch his highlights on YouTube--he's constantly in the backfield and is excellent at getting intense pressure on the quarterback. His release off the line of scrimmage is lightning quick and he's in the backfield almost immediately after the snap of the ball. He sheds blocks of the offensive lineman with ease, and when he does get to the quarterback he can lay jarring hits or sling them to the ground like a ragdoll.

He's remarkably fast for somebody his size. At 6'2, 225 lbs. Shirley runs a 4.53 40-yard dash time and I assure you he plays just as fast as that on the field. This was a huge land for Rick Neheuisel and company, as he turned down offers from the USC Trojans and Miami Hurricanes to play in the powder blue. Not as many people know about Shirley as they might the more highly touted 5-star DT, Owamagabe Odighizuwa, but trust me when I say the kid is a special talent. He racked up astonishing numbers his junior year in high school, tallying 117 tackles Shirley joins an elite class of defenders that will ensure that UCLA football will continue to stay on the rise with head coach Rick Neuheisel. The Bruins will not only be competitive in the Pac-10, but will likely compete for the Pac-10 championship within the next few years.

Shirley joins an impressive defensive class that ranks in the top 5 in the country, with other stars such as the previously mentioned Owamagabe Odighizuwa, and Woodberry Forest DE/OLB Aramide Olaniyan, and DT Cassius Marsh. When you put stars like that on a defense that is already loaded with talent, such as All-American FS Rahim Moore and SS Tony Dye, well you've got yourself a rather devastating combination, dominant pass rushers with dominant defensive backs. UCLA's defense will be posing plenty of problems for other teams in the conference in the future.

Look for Josh Shirley to be a dominant force on this Bruin defense as soon as next year and in the years to come.

Signed with UCLA Bruins

4. DT Sharif Floyd--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania(George Washington High School)-- The 2010 recruiting class for Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators very well may be the greatest recruiting class ever assembled in the modern era of college football recruiting. The 6'3, 310 pound behemoth of a man that is Sharif Floyd is a very big reason for that. Their defensive lineman class could go down as the best ever and players like DE Ronald Powell, Sharif Floyd, and DE Dominique Easley are very big reasons for that.

Floyd is more than a "space-eater" who can clog up the middle, he is remarkably light on his feet for somebody his size and has a very quick release off the line of scrimmage. He's been timed at 4.8 in the 40 yard dash. I don't think you'll find a defensive tackle in this class that has the combination of size and speed of Floyd. He was rather dominant and disruptive in the U.S. Army All-American game, racking up two sacks and one quarterback pressure. He was constantly harassing the East quarterbacks. It really is amazing to see a guy his size run as well as his does, and Floyd will pose serious problems for offensive lineman in the SEC with teammates Ronald Powell and Dominique Easley. Floyd is ranked as the top defensive tackle in the 2010 recruiting class and it is a well-deserved ranking. He's a kid with a remarkable story and if you want to read more about it just check out this story in USA Today written by Jim Halley:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2009-11-22-top-recruit-floyd_N.htm

If you are an opposing quarterback in the SEC, I'd be very afraid of this guy. Floyd will be dominant for years to come in the SEC and will likely be a dominant player in the NFL years

down the road. The Florida Gators--setting the recruiting gold standard this year with their stellar class of defensive lineman who Urban Meyer had high words of praise for this this class. "As far as the defensive front, I don't know if I've ever seen one like this," Meyer said.

Pretty high words of praise from Coach Meyer, but there's simply no topping this defensive class of Florida's. It is oozing with athleticism from all different directions.

Signed with Florida Gators

5. RB Lache Seastrunk--Temple, Texas(Temple High School)--I don't want to put too much stock into one game, and players like RB Lache Seastrunk are exactly why. I like to take a look at the whole body of work, highlights, throughout high school, and all-star game performances, but obviously game film/highlights is going to weighted more highly than the all-star game. This game just gave me a better look at some of the prospects to see how they stacked up against the competition, but again, it's one game.

Alot of recruiting services were extremely high on Seastrunk coming into the U.S. Army All-American game and with his "subpar" performance, many dropped him in the national rankings, including Rivals.com. The Texas native only had two rushes for five yards, and one reception for two yards on the day, certainly not good numbers by even the most modest of standards. He didn't get a lot of touches because RB Dillon Baxter was ahead of him on the depth chart and once you take that into account, his numbers really don't bother me that much at all.

The variety of recruiting services and many scouts are allowed to have their opinions, I just don't agree with dropping Seastrunk that much over one performance. He was ranked as high as the number 3 overall player in the country by Rivals.com--after his performance in the U.S. Army All-American game--he slid down to number 26 overall--but still maintained his five-star status.

That said, Rivals.com still rates Seastrunk as the 3rd best player in the country at his position--which is tough to argue with. He has signed with head coach Chip Kelly and the Oregon Ducks, and I'm a big believer that the Texas sensation will fit in beautifully in Chip Kelly's "zone-read" offensive scheme.

At 5'11, 192 lbs. Seastrunk has pretty solid size, but what separates him from other running backs in the country are his stunning agility and speed. Listed with a 4.5-40 yard dash time, he plays much, much faster than that. His numbers for his senior campaign at Temple High School were very impressive, averaging over 6.5 yards per carry on 177 attempts, chewing up over 1,100 yards on the ground, while scoring 11 touchdowns. He became the Temple Wildcats' all-time leading rusher and broke the school record for the most rushing yards in one game with 305.

Rivals.com says that Seastrunk reminds them of former Cal RB Jahvid Best and I think that's an excellent comparison--dead on. The Temple high school product slices through defenses laterally so easily, it's hard not to think of Jahvid Best when watching his high school highlights. Seastrunk has excellent acceleration and has the ability to maintain top speed while cutting laterally, which are two of the biggest reasons why he is such a dangerous running back in the open field.

Temple runs the Wing-T offense so it could take Seastrunk a little bit of time to adjust to Chip Kelly's spread offense and his "zone-read" scheme, but he will have plenty of time to learn. He might be able to break into the starting lineup his freshman year, but he will have a hard time beating out speedsters LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner for playing time.

Look for Seastrunk to be a gamebreaker in Chip Kelly's scheme--whenever it is that he actually gets playing time!

That's about it for now folks, look for more coverage of college football recruiting, college football, and the NFL Draft from me soon!

Remember, "Life is best described in football terms!"

COLLEGE FOOTBALL RECAP WEEK 9

2009-11-02T00:54:00.000-08:00

Oregon redshirt freshman RB LaMichael James announced himself as a college football star this weekend!

College football—the beauty of the game is regardless of how much guys like me and many other pundits try and predict what is going to happen—anything can happen—the beauty of sports. As Chris Berman says, “That’s why they play the game folks!” Check out my column this week as I discuss the UNC upset over Virginia Tech, Oregon's throttling of the USC Trojans, Iowa's improbable run towards a BCS game, and much more!

UNC STUNS VT

The weekend got off to an interesting start as the unranked North Carolina Tar Heels shocked the 14^th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies in Blacksburg. UNC kicker Casey Barth nailed two field goals in the final three minutes of the contest to lift the ‘Heels(5-3 overall) to the 20-17 victory. Virginia Tech redshirt freshman running back Ryan Williams made one of the few mistakes of his dazzling freshman campaign thus far, fumbling the ball on his own 24 yard line with 2:09 left in the 4^th quarter. UNC recovered and all they did was run the football, run the clock down, and take a shot at a field goal. They did just that and sure enough the ‘Heels had pulled off one of the more improbable victories of this college football season thus far. The Tar Heels have been plagued by a rather atrocious offensive line and young and inexperienced receivers that don’t run proper routes. Their senior quarterback, T.J. Yates, is one of the more talented signal-callers in the ACC but you wouldn’t know it by looking at his stats this season. He has simply had little or no protection from his offensive line all season long. It’s definitely a big win for the Heels, but until that offensive line finally begins to gel and block effectively for Yates, they will likely struggle the rest of the way.

Freshman running back Ryan Williams was obviously very dejected at the end of the game and despite numerous attempts by UNC players and Virginia Tech players alike to cheer him up, still held his head buried in his hands. It’s understandable why the guy would be so upset, feeling guilty for costing his team the football game, but Williams has done so much for the Hokies as a freshman. He’ll learn from this experience and another star of a running back has already been born in Blacksburg—a place that seems to produce them year-after-year.

The Hokies were ranked as high as fourth in the country at one point this season, but have since dropped to 22^nd in the AP poll and 24^th in the Coaches’ Poll, respectively. They will likely need help from Georgia Tech and Duke if they wish to have a shot at the ACC title.

Speaking of Duke: I was thinking before this college football season that Duke would have an awfully good shot of going to a bowl game…yes you read that correctly, Duke going to a bowl game! Well, sure enough the Blue Devils and their head coach David Cutcliffe have the folks believing down in Durham. After wins this season against in-conference foes N.C. State, Maryland, and Virginia—the Blue Devils are 5-3 overall and only need two more wins to become bowl eligible. I’m not gonna lie I’m not sure I would ever hear the words Duke football and bowl eligible in the same sentence in my lifetime, but you have to give head coach David Cutcliffe all the credit in the world.

Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis has made sure that Duke football is no longer the laughing stock of the ACC. He's one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country and is currently second in the ACC in passing yards per game.

He has done what so many other coaches could not accomplish in Durham and that’s turn the Blue Devils into a very solid football squad. He owes it all to his golden-armed gunslinger this season, quarterback Thaddeus Lewis is truly one of the most underrated players in college football. The super senior nearly led the Blue Devils to an upset victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies(they lost 34-26) when he torched the Hokie secondary for 359 passing yards, while completing 22 of his 40 pass attempts, while tossing in two touchdowns and no interceptions. This season, Lewis has put up gaudy statistics but simply not enough college football fans could tell you, because, it’s Duke. He’s second in the ACC in passing yards per game(289.4 ypg.). Lewis has completed 188 of his 296(63.5 percent) passing attempts while firing 15 touchdown passes and just four interceptions.

Duke is not the Duke football of old, let me tell you folks. They are a team to be reckoned with. While they won’t be making a BCS title run any time soon, the Blue Devils are a very solid football team that is tough to beat.

As long as David Cutcliffe is there they will compete to be a decent team in the ACC. His reputation as a quarterbacks coach has top-notch signal-callers knocking down the door to come to play in Durham. He already has the highly touted quarterback Sean Renfree on his roster, who attended the Elite 11 QB camp in high school, a camp for the nation’s elite high school signal-callers.

High school senior QB Brandon Connette(Santiago High School) could be a future star for the Blue Devils.

One kid who I’m extremely high on and he could end up being a dynamic quarterback of the future for the Duke Blue Devils is QB Brandon Connette, a senior signal-caller for Santiago High School in Corona California. He has already committed to head coach David Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils for the class of 2010. In 2008, he threw for 1,460 yards and 14 touchdowns, while rushing for 861 yards and 10 touchdowns! Simply gaudy statistics folks. The kid throws a beautiful looking football on the run and has an excellent sense of when to take off in the pocket. He can beat you with his arm or his legs and I really love this kid’s overall skill set. He reminds me in many ways of QB Tate Forcier coming out of high school. A lofty comparison, I know, but this kid has excellent potential. You can’t teach that sixth sense of knowing when the pocket is going to collapse and Connette has that sixth sense. Look out for him in the years to come for the Blue Devils! Check out his highlights below from the 2008-2009 season and judge for yourself:

Holy Hawekye: The fourth-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes continue to make their improbable run towards a BCS game, possibly even a BCS national championship game. Their luck has to run out at some point you would think. Well their string of luck continued on Saturday—with Indiana leading 21-7 and with the ball on the 2-yard line, about to go up three scores, the improbable happened. Just as if it appeared that Iowa’s dream season was going to come crashing down, Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell dropped back fired a pass that richoted off five different players, yes five, and then into the awaiting arms of Iowa defender Tyler Sash, who raced 86 yards for a touchdown to cut the Indiana lead to 21-14 with less than 8 minutes left in the third quarter. From then on the Hoosiers would only score three points the rest of the contest as the Hawkeyes piled in on in the fourth, outscoring the Hoosiers 28-0. The Hawkeyes ended up winning 42-24, a very deceiving final score. The loss must be extremely tough to stomach for the Hoosiers, they blew a lead last week against Northwestern. Indiana was up 28-3 against Northwestern last week in the second quarter, but managed to squander that lead as well, losing a 29-28 heartbreaker.

If quarterback Ricky Stanzi keeps throwing interceptions the way he did against Indiana, Iowa's dream season will come to a screaching halt at some point.

I’d look for the clock to strike 12 on the Hawkeyes on November 14^th, when they face the Ohio State Buckeyes. Their luck has to run out at some point. It’s amazing they escaped the Hoosiers, especially since quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw five interceptions. Stanzi threw a game-winning touchdown pass last week against Michigan State at the buzzer and he nearly went from “Spartan Killer” to “Hawkeye Killer” in a matter of two weeks.

Without a doubt, the Hawkeyes are by far the luckiest team in college football, having won four games by three points or less. Two of those wins are against less than flattering opponents(Northern Iowa and Arkansas State). Will the Hawkeyes continue their magical run? We shall see next weekend as they face off against Northwestern on November 7^th.

South Florida knocks off West Virginia yet again:

South Florida quarterback B.J. Daniels is one of the most sensational players in all of college football. AP Photo by Chris O'Meara.

Sure the players might change at each program, but as the years pass not much changes when South Florida and West Virginia get together on the gridiron. The Bulls defeated the Mountaineers for the third time in four years on Friday night as South Florida knocked off the 20^th-West Virginia 30-19 on Friday night. The Bulls’ “dual-threat” sensation of a quarterback B.J. Daniels made a name for himself in a big way. The dazzling redshirt freshman passed for 232 yards, three touchdowns, and also rushed for 104 more yards in the Bulls upset victory. The kid clearly has a bright future ahead of him and will be a pleasure to watch once quarterback Matt Grothe graduates next season. Daniels also racked up over 300 all-purpose yards against the Florida State Seminoles earlier this season in leading South Florida to a stunning 17-7 victory in Tallahassee. An interesting matchup looming in the coming weeks will be when South Florida hosts signal-caller Jacory Harris and the Miami Hurricanes. The way Daniels has been playing an upset could definitely be in the works for that game—especially since Miami travels to South Florida.

The best quarterback you’ve never heard of:

Over the past two college football seasons Houston QB Case Keenum has quietly set the college football world ablaze.

That dubious distinction definitely belongs to Houston QB Case Keenum. All Keenum has done the past two seasons at Houston is set the college football world on fire, but because of the visibility of Conference USA, not enough college football fans could tell you who the guy is. One of the most gifted quarterbacks in the country, Keenum puts up some of the gaudiest stat lines you will ever see from a quarterback, week-in, week-out. His latest victim—the Southern Miss Golden Eagle secondary. The junior quarterback led his troops down the field for a game-winning touchdown pass with 21 seconds left to lead the Cougars to a 50-43 shootout victory over the Golden Eagles.

Keenum had a career day in shredding the Southern Miss secondary for an eye gouging 559 yards, completing 44 of his 54 attempts, while tossing in five touchdowns and just one interception. It’s true that Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin loves to sling the ball all over the yard, but when you have a signal-caller like Keenum why wouldn’t you? The guy has put up video game ridiculous numbers, through 8 games this season, he’s already completed over 71 percent of his passes for a staggering 3,293 yards, while tossing in 25 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

Keenum is a native of Abilene, Texas and has helped to add even more tradition to the signal-caller position at Houston, who also produced the likes of the legendary Kevin Kolb under former head coach Art Briles. It would be nice to see Keenum get some Heisman consideration, but Houston’s loss earlier in the season to UTEP hurt the Cougars’ national profile too much. Either way he’s just a junior, so if the Cougars could run the table next season and make it to a BCS bowl game, Keenum would definitely be launched right in the forefront of the Heisman Trophy race.

Bearcats Continue To Roll:

QB Zach Collaros and the 5^th ranked(BCS) Cincinnati Bearcats seem like a team on a mission to destroy anything and everything in their path.

The closest any team has come to defeating them was when the Bearcats beat Fresno State 28-20 on September 26^th. Even though they lost starting quarterback Tony Pike to a wrist injury against Louisville on October 24^th, the Bearcats have not missed a beat since, cruising past Louisville 41-10 and Syracuse 28-7 on Saturday. The biggest reason for that is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in all of college football, the nimble-footed Zach Collaros. The sensational sophomore is blessed with some of the best footwork you will ever see in a quarterback, heck there are a lot of excellent running backs out there that don’t have the feet that Collaros does.

That’s not even mentioning his uncanny passing ability—his ability to throw it on the run and place it with uncanny accuracy. Collaros took the snap on a fake field goal, calmly placed the ball down, picked it up and rolled to his right, bounced back to avoid a defender, then launched a pass off his back foot from the 22-yard line as he was getting hit by a defender. The prayer was answered as a wide open Kazeem Alli caught the pass at the two yard line and scored to make it 14-7 Bearcats.

Then in the third quarter Collaros made one of the most impressive passes of the 2009 college football season. With 12:29 to go in the third quarter, Collaros took the snap in the shotgun, faked a handoff to the Cincinnati running back, took a step to his right, then took another step back to the inside of the field, only to see a Syracuse defender, so he circled back around to his right, and fired a beautifully lofted pass from the 20-yard line that found the outstretched hands of receiver Armon Binns in the back of the end zone. Binns made a remarkably acrobatic grab, fully extending his arms in the air while still managing to getting both feet down in the back of the end zone, all the while being blanketed by a ‘Cuse defender. If you want to see the highlights of the Bearcats 28-7 win over Syracuse—simply click the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt5TE-7o8eo

Collaros is simply a phenomenally gifted quarterback. You might as well nickname him the “great improviser” because there is no better quarterback in college football at improvising in the pocket and finding an open receiver while on the move. Not surprisingly, it’s something the Bearcats practice quite often. Collaros told reporters after the game that the Bearcats practice a scrambling drill every day. “All I know is I like to improvise a little bit,” he said. That's the understatement of the weekend!

Kudos to Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly who has been one of the best coaches in college football since he was at Central Michigan and guided the golden-armed Dan LeFevour to one of his best seasons ever. It seems like no matter who Kelly inserts at quarterback, Ben Mauk, Tony Pike, Zach Collaros, they succeed in his offensive system. He’s a man that knows the quarterback position extremely well and what it takes to succeed at that position. He also knows his offensive scheme(spread) extremely well and knows how to package it around his different personnel.

The Bearcats athletic department better be ready to open up their wallets, because you better believe a ton of top-tier programs will be going after Kelly in the off-season. He seems committed to Cincinnati, but they need to show that commitment back by building the proper facilities and spending the money necessary to attract top-flight talent to the Queen City. They do that and they’ll have a highly successful program for years to come.

Check out his postgame speech after the Syracuse game below on YouTube. Kelly is a charismatic figure who knows how to get the troops fired up and just knows how to get a city buzzing about his football team!

THE HIGH FLYING DUCKS: How about those Oregon Ducks? After losing their season-opener to Boise State, the Ducks have rattled off seven straight victories and currently control their own Rose Bowl destiny. Who would’ve thought it after their tough loss to Boise State and the now infamous post-game punch of star running back LeGarrett Blount. When Blount landed that punch, I thought the Ducks’ season was headed down the tubes with him, but sure enough head coach Chip Kelly has rallied the troops, stuck behind dynamic signal-caller Jeremiah Masoli, and things have fallen into place.

Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli shredded the USC defense on Saturday for over 300 all-purpose yards and helped hand Pete Carroll his worst loss ever at USC.

Chip Kelly is simply too good of an offensive mind for his system to not finally start working. You can credit Oregon’s offensive line, which got off to a rather slow start and just needed time to gel. After the Ducks’ 47-20 throttling of the 5^th ranked USC Trojans—its safe to say the Ducks are a clear cut BCS contender, maybe even BCS national championship contender. Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli showed why he’s such a perfect fit for coach Chip Kelly’s “zone-read” scheme, shredding the USC defense for 164 rushing yards and a touchdown, while also throwing for 221 yards and a touchdown.

Oregon running back LaMichael James made his official announcement as a college football star, loud and clear—the redshirt freshman running back set an Oregon school record for the most yards in a game by a freshman running back by gashing the USC defense for 183 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 24 attempts. The the 5’9, 190 pounder makes up for what he lacks in size with his lethal combination of speed and acceleration. A true burner in the open field, James has already rushed for over 900 yards this season and averages over 7 yards per carry for the Ducks. A former track star from the state of Texas, James won the state track title in the 2006 meet in the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.51 seconds.

To get their hands on that coveted crystal football, the Ducks will likely need some help from people above them to lose though. Either way, the Oregon Ducks are one of the hottest teams in college football and if anybody faces them in a BCS game they will be in for a stiff, stiff challenge from one of the most explosive offensive attacks in all of college football.

That’s it for this week folks. Remember, “Life is best described in football terms!” Feel free to drop me an e-mail at wadepeery@yahoo.com or drop me a message on Facebook.

Rashawn Jackson Propels Cavs to 20-9 Win Over 'Terps in College Park

2009-10-18T19:02:00.000-07:00

(Photo courtesy Virginia Media Relations/Jim Daves)

The story coming into the Virginia-Maryland matchup was all about how the Cavaliers were without running back Mikell "Juice" Simpson. Many Cavalier fans will remember how in 2007 at College Park, Simpson had one of the most remarkable performances by a running back in Virginia football history(271 all-purpose yards) in propelling the Cavaliers to an 18-17 victory over the 'Terps on homecoming.

Two years might have passed by, but not much has changed during that time in College Park. Another career performance by a Cavalier running back(Rashawn Jackson) and another sweet Cavalier victory.

Virginia running back Rashawn Jackson celebrates after his touchdown plunge in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach, giving the Cavaliers a 20-9 victory in College Park, Md. (Photo courtesy Virginia Media Relations/Jim Daves)

Rashawn Jackson bruised his way through the Maryland defense to the tune of 90 rushing yards, 29 receiving yards, and one touchdown en route to leading his Cavaliers(3-3, 2-0 ACC) to a 20-9 victory over the 'Terps(2-5, 1-2 ACC) in College Park on Saturday.

The field conditions were horrendous, a rain-soaked field proved to be slippery for both teams and caused a variety of "ball security" issues for Maryland, who had four turnovers in the game.

There were no such "ball security issues" for Jackson, who was the workhorse which the UVa offense leaned on once their star QB Jameel Sewell left during the third quarter with an ankle injury.

The Cavaliers were trailing the Terrapins 9-6, when Maryland quarterback Chris Turner tossed a pass that was deflected by Virginia linebacker Darren Childs into the awaiting hands of defensive lineman Nate Collins. The 290-pounder caught the pass, scooted down the left sideline, and rumbled 32 yards for the score. The touchdown put the Cavs up 13-9 with 1:43 remaining in the third quarter.

Virginia would not relinquish their lead the rest of the way, thanks in large part to their reliable and punishing running back Rashawn Jackson. Back-up quarterback Marc Verica has provided heroics before for Virginia football, but given the rainy and sloppy field conditions, Virginia's coaches were smart to put the ball in the hands of Jackson.

Jackson's punishing runs not only chewed up yardage and helped move the sticks, but also allowed Virginia to control the clock late in the game.

To the house big fella! Virginia defensive tackle Nate Collins intercepts a Chris Turner pass and rumbles 32 yards for the game-changing touchdown against the Terrapins! The score put the Cavaliers up 13-9 late in the third quarter and the 'Hoos would not relinquish their lead after that. (Photo courtesy Virginia Media Relations/Jim Daves)

Virginia defensive tackle Nate Collins gets the award for Player of the Game without a doubt. He posted nine tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception returned for a touchdown. He sacked Maryland quarterback Chris Turner at a time when it was the most crucial late in the fourth quarter.

Maryland was trailing 13-9 with less than three minutes to play in the game, and it was 3rd down and 10 from their own 9 yard line. Terrapin quarterback Chris Turner dropped back, only to be slammed to the turf at the Maryland two yard line by Collins.

That made it 4th down and 17 for the 'Terps and they turned it over on downs after an incomplete pass by Chris Turner. That allowed Virginia to feed the ball to their workhorse, running back Rashawn Jackson, who punched it in the end zone to make the score, 20-9 Cavaliers.

Virginia head coach Al Groh has proven that he thrives when his back is against the wall and sure enough in the 2009 campaign, perhaps nothing could be more true. This was a Virginia Cavalier football team that many deemed to be "dead in the water" after their 26-14 nightmare of a loss to D-1AA opponent William and Mary. Their offense struggled mightily once again against TCU, but at the end of that game, something began to click for the Cavalier offense, Jameel Sewell was throwing beautiful strikes, and the Cavaliers have not looked back since.

Sure, the Cavaliers might have lost to Southern Mississippi 37-34, but it was apparent that it was a completely different football team that started the season out by losing to William and Mary, of all teams.

The Cavaliers started out with three straight losses this season, but sure enough they've rattled off three straight wins and currently sit atop the ACC Coastal standings all by themselves at 2-0. If you would've said the Cavaliers would be in this position after the William and Mary game, you surely would've been locked up in a room with padded walls and keyless entry. The Cavaliers continue to fight and continue to take on the "never say die" personality of their head coach, Al Groh, who barked after the UNC game to reporter Mike Hogewood, "We're pretty hard to stick a fork in Mike!"

Next up for the Cavaliers are the 11th ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets--fresh off an impressive 28-23 upset victory over the then fourth ranked Virginia Tech Hokies. Kickoff is slated for noon on Saturday, October 24th. The game will be televised by Raycom Sports.

EXTRA NOTES

MEMO TO VIRGINIA OC GREGG BRANDON: The man needs to stop his love affair with the QB draw. It's unbelievable how he didn't learn anything from the Indiana game. Brandon called one of the best offensive games seen in Scott Stadium in years against the Indiana Hoosiers when the 'Hoos rolled up over 500 total offensive yards and routed the Hoosiers 47-7. That was a little more than a week ago, but apparently Brandon seems to have a case of amnesia. His play-calling against Maryland in the first quarter was eerily reminiscent of the TCU and William and Mary games all over again.

Virginia offensive coordinator Greg Brandon needs to stop being so predictable and putting Jameel Sewell in bad situations with the QB draw. It's simply too predictable and he continues to run it, time and time again. Sewell is having far too good of a season to put him in high-risk situations.

Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell was hotter than grease on a stove on their second offensive drive in the first quarter, connecting passes in the tightest of spaces to a variety of receivers. He was simply dialed in throwing the football. So what does Brandon call when the Cavaliers get in a 3rd and goal situation from the 13 yard line? A delay QB draw. You've got to be kidding me. Not only is it predictable, but it's also unreasonable when your best player on offense is on fire throwing the football. Let Sewell make a play, coach. He's done it for the 'Hoos time and time again. At least give him the option.

You never want to blame a player getting injured on a coach, but if you continue to call the same, predictable, play, over and over, there's bound to be a swarm of defenders waiting for you. That's exactly what happened when a QB draw was called once again in the third quarter. Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell ran up the middle, where he was met by a slew of Maryland defenders, continued to churn his legs after contact, and was eventually bent backwards over his knees. He then left the game with an ankle injury. All I ask of Brandon is that he needs to stop his love affair with the QB draw, or else you could end up getting the franchise of Virginia football, Jameel Sewell, knocked out for the season. That will not be good for the team or your job security in Charlottesville.

KUDOS TO VIC HALL: I've said it time and time again that Virginia should use Vic Hall solely on the offensive side of the football and I stand by that statement. But you've got to give him props for the tremendous pass breakup he had near the end zone, in which he prevented a potential Maryland touchdown. The saavy veteran has improved drastically at the defensive back position and made a big-time play for the Cavalier defense. I'd still love to see Virginia utilize his athletic skill set and let him run the football more on jet sweep motions, maybe reverses, or just hand it off to him in the backfield a few more plays a game.

Virginia receiver/holder/safety/QB Vic Hall makes yet another acrobatic grab against a Maryland defender. He's already hauled in 12 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown this season, the majority of which have come in the past two games. (Photo courtesy Virginia Media Relations/Jim Daves)

Hall has been remarkably impressive as a receiver the past few games. He's made some remarkable grabs for the Cavaliers and you have to give the guy credit for being a jack-of-all trades. He's arguably the second-most versatile player in Virginia football history, of course the first being "Bullet" Bill Dudley.

Virginia receiver Kris Burd is having a spectacular season. He's seen here making an amazing catch against Southern Miss. He leads the team in receptions with 18 catches for 251 yards this year.

IT'S A BURD: Major props go to receiver Kris Burd, who made the most amazing catch of the year for Virginia football against the 'Terps. With the Cavaliers still down 9-3 in the third quarter, it was 3rd down and 8 for Virginia from their own 31 yard line, when quarterback Jameel Sewell dropped back and lofted up a prayer into double coverage. The ball was tipped by a Maryland defender, then somehow dropped in the arms of Burd, who was lying on the ground when he made the catch. He somehow managed to keep his foot in bounds, too. It was a 28-yard catch and it was huge in extending the drive and allowing Virginia to put a field goal up on the board and only trail 9-6. Simply unbelievable grab by Burd. If you want to see the grab then copy and paste the following link, go to www.virginiasportstv.com and check out the video highlights there.

The Virginia Cavalier defenders were constantly getting their helmets on the football, jarring it loose from Maryland players. This was a picture that became all too familiar for Maryland players on Saturday night in College Park. Turnovers plagued them all night long. (Photo courtesy Virginia Media Relations/Jim Daves)

BALL DISRUPTION: Kudos to the Virginia Cavalier defense, which seemed to have a knack for laying their helmets on the football and jarring it loose from the ball carrier on Saturday. Two Maryland running backs(Douglas and Meggett) had problems securing the football in the sloppy conditions. The Cavalier defense caused four turnovers on Saturday, two fumbles and two interceptions. You know that Al Groh was smiling in that locker room, because he probably only says the phrase 10,000 times over the season!

That's all for now folks, remember, "Life is best described in football terms." Look for more from me as the college football season continues! Don't be afraid to message me on Facebook or send me an e-mail at wadepeery@yahoo.com.

Interview with Stevie Lynn Leow

2009-10-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen. I'd like for you to meet the lovely Miss Stevie Lynn Leow.

She's a native of Paris, Ohio, is an immensely talented photographer(check out her photos on her Facebook page), and oh yeah did I also mention that she happens to be a stunningly beautiful model as well?

One of the best-written descriptions about Stevie Lynn was an IGN article which described her as "a fountain of feminine foxiness". I'm gonna go ahead and step out on a limb here and agree with that assessment.

Stevie Lynn is one of the hottest models in the business right now and recently landed in the November issue of Maxim Magazine! Better hustle out and get 'em while they're hot fellas. Stevie is currently a finalist in Maxim's Hometown Hotties contest and if you want to help her out and vote for her click the following link below: http://www.maxim.com/girls/hotties/2009/81586/stevie-tampa-fl.html?position=2&year=2009#1,84231

Photo courtesy of Terry White Photography

For anybody who thinks they might have a shot with Stevie Lynn, better luck next time, she's already taken by DJ Kidd Leow. Moment of silence. Anyways, I decided I would mix things up and I figured I've never interviewed a model before, so I decided to send Stevie Lynn a few questions on Facebook.

She was kind enough to take the time to write me back and sent me some excellent answers! Anyways, thanks to Stevie Lynn for doing the interview and we all wish her the best of luck in her modeling and photography career! Below is the interview:

Q: You can choose any five people in history to invite to a party. Which five do you choose and why?

A: Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Frank Sinatra, Marylin Monroe, and Chris Farley. Dan and John because I love the Blues Brothers, Frank can sing, Marylin is beautiful, and Chris Farley can make everyone laugh!

Stevie Lynn a "fountain of feminine foxiness?" You be the judge.

Q: What's the funniest pick up line you've ever had a guy say to you?

A: “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?”

Q: Since you've become a Maxim Model, have you seen any new career opportunities arise for you?

A: Yes, I've gotten lots of modeling offers and my friend requests are out of control! It’s nice to know I have a lot of support.

Q: Tell us the story on how exactly you got discovered?

A: I started as a photographer doing mostly landscapes and people kept telling me I was on the wrong side of the camera. So, finally I gave modeling a shot. I still do photography as a hobby.

Q: How big of a sports fan are you?

A: I love college football.

Stevie is a big fan of college football.

Q: Have you gotten to meet any big celebrities that you've always wanted to since you were a kid?

A: Don't laugh but I was a big Backstreet Boys fan when I was little. I met Nick Carter a few times...I realized he's just like everyone else. I also met Shaq a few years ago and actually got to go to his house!

Stevie Lynn admits to being a huge fan of Backstreet Boys back in the day!

Q: Being married and being a model has to be tough on you and your husband at times. I mean, it's honestly every guy's dream to say, "Yeah, I'm married to a model." How do you and your husband handle it?

A: My husband and I have total trust in each other. He's a DJ and I trust him, I'm a model and he trusts me. I think trust and honesty are the most important things in a successful relationship.

Q: Who's your favorite actor/actress and why?

A: I love Sandra Bullock because she's not only beautiful but she is down to earth.

Q: Fill in the blank. "People always come up to me and tell me I look like...(insert famous person).

A: "People always come up to me and tell me I look like Meagan Fox."

Megan Fox? I can definitely see the similarities.

Q: What kind of music have you been listening to lately?

A: Usually I listen to rock n roll, but lately more hip-hop and dance.

Q: What's your favorite part of being a model?

A: Getting to travel.

Q: Tell us one place in the world that you must see before you die.

A: Romania ( I love Dracula).

That's it for now, folks. Look for a college football column coming from me soon! Take care and remember, "Life is best described in football terms."

Self Interview No. 3: Ramblings on Life

2009-09-09T18:45:00.000-07:00

What's up everybody? It's one of those moments where I step away from the game of football for most of my article and just discuss life in general. It's a stress reliever for me and if people can relate to some of my column--then that's just a beautiful thing. Anybody that reads any of my columns knows my tendency to ramble. Anyways I hope you enjoy and don't be afraid to send me a comment on Facebook, or e-mail me at wadepeery@yahoo.com.

The first topic I wanted to discuss are natural highs. Natural highs in life--are really just a thing of beauty. So often in the world today people look for drugs to treat their depression, to calm their nerves, and a variety of other things. I'm not a doctor, nor do I profess to be, but natural highs are awfully addicting if you ask me. The problem is you can only produce them every so often. Let's say there's a person of interest you are excited about--that's likely to produce a natural high if you get to spend time with them. They make you smile, laugh, and feel good about yourself. You can't manufacture that feeling in a laboratory--not cymbalta, not prozac, nothing really comes close to being able to spend time with somebody you really care about. Natural highs people, they make it happen!

The drive alongside Oregon's Columbia River Gorge scenic highway is one of the best drives on the interstate in the United States. If you can ever make the drive, you simply will not be disappointed.

"What's the best drive you've ever been on in your entire life?"

This is an excellent question and while I haven't traveled a ton of places in my life, I can tell you that without a doubt, the drive along the Columbia River Gorge scenic highway(pictured above) outside of Portland, Oregon is easily the best drive I've ever been on in my life. My mom, brother, and me were riding along the interstate and you could see waterfalls cascading down giant sheets of rock around you. The words on this page don't even do it justice I tell you. Basically the Columbia River Gorge is kind of like a miniature Grand Canyon with water flowing in the middle. Giant sheets of rock surround the river on both sides, making for a beautiful sight.

You can hike the different trails along the Columbia River Gorge and they will lead you to several different waterfalls within walking distance. There are several beautiful waterfalls, but none compares to the grandaddy of them all--Multnomah Falls(pictured below). With a breathtaking view of the falls from the bridge, it's all free and the site will offer you one of those moments where you just stop and say to yourself, "This is what life is all about." The state of Oregon does an absolutely spectacular job of taking care of their natural landmarks and Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge are two excellent examples of that. I'm telling you if you're ever in the state of Oregon, you definitely want to check the drive and the waterfalls out. The best part about it all is that it's free. You will leave with an experience that will last a lifetime.

Multnomah Falls, located just out of Portland, Oregon, is the second-tallest year-round flowing waterfall in America. It's quite a sight.

"What type of music have you been listening to lately?"

Keith Urban(pictured above) is a rock star who enjoys every second of it! His guitar skills are simply unmatched. Watch him live and you will be blown away!

I'm not gonna lie, I've never been a huge fan of country music, but Keith Urban has made me a huge fan overnight! My dad, mom, and my sister recently went to a concert in Charlottesville, Virginia in John Paul Jones Arena with Sugarland and Keith Urban and I was blown away. Keith Urban isn't just a country music star, he's a bonafide rock star who enjoys every minute of it. He got out in the middle of the crowd--was jamming his electric guitar in the middle of thousands of screaming fans. They cut the lights off in JPJA--then Urban was jamming his electric guitar which changed a variety of colors, purple, red, blue, you name it. It was simply unreal. I purchased his CD, "Defying Gravity" recently and discovered that it was a USB port with a chip inside of it--maybe the wave of the future for CDs. Either way, the CD is flat out incredible and I think you should give it a try. His electric guitar skills are amazing and the guy has a voice to go with it. Check out his video on YouTube: "Til Summer Comes Around"--it's my personal favorite.

Captain Charismatic: Lead Singer Percy Womack of The Dickens Band is a charismatic figure who knows how to light up the room!

Speaking of music--if you ever need a band to play at a wedding--The Dickens Band in Greensboro, North Carolina is one of the best bands I've ever gotten to see live. They know how to play a variety of songs and their lead singer, Percy Womack, is a charismatic figure and natural people person who knows how to get the crowd hyped up and excited. They played Journey, Bob Marley, and even a little Louis Armstrong. Womack has tremendous range in his vocals and is a natural talent.

Sarah and Clayton rock out with Percy Womack at their wedding reception at the Links in Gettysburg, Pa.

My sister's wedding reception at The Links in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was one of the best times I've ever had in my life. It was such a magical night I never wanted it to end. The band was playing incredible music all night long, a ton of people in the room were burnin' up the dance floor, and the alcohol was flowing! Remember what I said about natural highs, well this was one of those moments folks. A magical moment that offers such a high level of euphoria and enjoyment that no drug in the world can capture it.

Nearly everybody I spoke to about the band said they loved them. They were simply incredible and trust me, if you book The Dickens for your next wedding, it will too, be the time of your life!

Check out their myspace page at the following link: http://www.myspace.com/thedickensband.

That's it for now folks, feel free to message me on facebook or drop me an e-mail. Be sure to look for me as the college football season progresses!

Virginia Football Looks to Surprise in '09

2009-08-24T21:21:00.000-07:00

College football season is only a few days away folks! I cannot wait and I know thousands upon thousands of college football fans are right there with me. Anyways, fellow UVA writer Ben Gibson decided to e-mail us a few questions for a Roundtable Discussion on Virginia football on the Bleacher Report. Below are his questions and my answers!

1. Complete the following sentence: Virginia will surprise people if...

The Cavaliers follow through on my prediction and go 8-5 this season. I honestly think that all of the preseason magazines are not giving the Cavaliers enough credit. Granted the ACC Coastal Division will be extremely tough this season, with teams like GT, UNC, Miami, and VT looking extremely strong. I still think you have to put the Cavs right in there with that group and say they could easily beat any of those teams on any given day. Although I think the chances the 'Hoos beat the Heels at UNC are very, very slim. Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech come to Scott Stadium and I honestly feel like many people tend to forget how good Virginia plays on their home turf.

Quarterback Vic Hall is a natural born leader who is one of the more complete and versatile football players in Virginia football history. As a coach, your eyes would have to light up when this guy walks into the room. When he was gliding down the field last year against VT, it seemed like it took him forever to turn the corner, but once he did he just glided down the field ever so smoothly and nobody could catch him.

Quarterback Vic Hall will look to lead the Cavaliers to a bowl game this year, his first year under center as the 'Hoos starting QB.

No matter what anybody says about Virginia football, I feel like number 4 is a proven winner--the guy led his high school team to back-to-back state titles as a QB. Virginia fans have been waiting for years to see Vic Hall at QB and I think he's just one of those types of players that will make big-time plays happen. He reminds me alot of Marques Hagans in that he plays with a tremendous amount of heart and he's extremely versatile. If Al Groh wishes to stay in Charlottesville for another year, there shouldn't be a player he should trust more than Vic Hall.

2. What game are you most looking forward to this season and why?

Defensive end Jerry Hughes makes the TCU game worth the price of admission alone. He'll likely be a top draft selection in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Tough question, but I'm going to pick three games. First, the TCU game. I'm excited to watch the 'Hoos against a very tough top 25 opponent and I was actually shocked they priced the TCU game at $35 bucks, lower than many other games on UVA's schedule. Defensive end Jerry Hughes will be a treat to watch and Coach Gary Patterson has always been one of college football's most underrated coaches. Hughes will be a big-time draft pick, possibly even a first rounder, so it's quite a treat to see a player of that caliber on your home turf. TCU's always had a dominant defensive unit, so it will be a fun match-up to watch with Virginia's explosive offense with players like Mikell Simpson going up against them.

Every Virginia fan would love to see Mikell "Juice" Simpson rekindle the magic on the road against the Maryland Terrapins this year.

Second, the Maryland game. If there is one team Virginia fans cannot stand it's Maryland--the rivalry between the two teams has only intensified over the years and Virginia's thrashing of the 'Terps last season in Scott Stadium surely doused a little gasoline on the fire. I think all Virginia fans are excited to watch Virginia go on the road to Maryland, because of the magical performance of Mikell Simpson two years ago. I would love to see him "rekindle the magic" and have another phenomenal performance like he did on Homecoming in the Cavaliers "heart-stopping" 18-17 win in 2007.

Third, the Virginia Tech game. I think all Cavaliers fans would love to see the 'Hoos spoil the Hokies season by beating them for the first time since 2003. I think Virginia Tech is slightly overrated in the pre-season rankings--I would rank them around 15 or 16 to start out the season, no way would I place them in the top ten. I think it's ridiculous to put a team with an erratic passing quarterback like Tyrod Taylor in the top ten. He's a playmaker with his legs, but still very raw as a passer and I think too many people, fans and media alike, tend to forget that.

3. Who will be the biggest surprise player this season?

I think quarterback Jameel Sewell has the chance to be a big time player in Virginia's offense. Obviously Vic Hall is the go to guy at quarterback, but I would love to see Virginia utilize Sewell and Hall on the field at the same time.

Offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon needs to take advantage of Sewell and Hall's strengths. Many Virginia fans might be down on Sewell, but they shouldn't forget that he was a very big part of their surprise 2007 season.

Sure, he can't complete a pass over twenty yards, but he has excellent football fundamentals. His ball fakes are some of the best I've seen, his shovel passes and screen passes are excellent, and he's also excellent at hitting the tight ends and receivers with the shorter passes inside 15 yards. This prediction hinges on how many snaps a game Sewell will get, but I think Gregg Brandon is innovative and creative enough to put Sewell out there more. I think he'll be making a big mistake if he doesn't, because Sewell was simply captain clutch in 2007 when it came time for the Cavaliers to move the sticks.

I think running back Keith Payne could have a big year as well and I think he's an excellent complement to Mikell Simpson. Payne is blessed with excellent hands and kind of reminds me of Jason Snelling. I think with all the attention focused on Simpson, Payne will have every opportunity to come out of the backfield and make plays as a receiver and as a bruising runner.

4. Who will be the biggest disappointment this season?

Quite honestly, I don't think there will be any disappointment. If you want to talk about the weak link of the team, well there's no question it's the linebacker unit. There are some extremely talented players in the linebacker corps, but they have very little to no game experience under their belts, which makes a huge difference. I'm expecting a big year from linebacker John Kevin Dolce--he's extremely strong and explosive and can lay the big hit. Cameron Johnson has created quite a buzz in practice and Al Groh has high words of praise for him as well. I'm also excited to watch Steve Greer, from Solon, Ohio. The second I watched his high school highlights on Rivals.com I thought the kid was going to be a star on the Division 1 level. He's remarkably good at shedding his blocks and making the play. I like his game alot and from what I've read so far about Greer, so far, so good. He'll get tons of experience for his very bright future in Charlottesville.

5. What is your prediction for the season?

I've already said it, but 8-5. I know the schedule is tough. Southern Miss on the road is extremely tough, TCU at home is tough, and VT, GT, UNC, and at Miami are tough, but I definitely think that Virginia is capable of winning a few of those. In the end, it all comes down to the fact that Vic Hall will be at quarterback this season. One of the greatest quarterbacks in Virginia high school football history is finally at his natural position and it's going to be a thing of beauty. He was born for the spread offense and the "zone-read", which I'm sure the 'Hoos will utilize as their bread and butter this season. Running back Mikell Simpson thrives in the "zone-read" play as well, just ask Maryland from 2007.

Virginia cornerback Ras-I Dowling is one of the best cover corners in Virginia football history and will lead a Cavalier defensive unit that has the potential to be dominant, if the linebackers progress throughout the season.

The Virginia Cavaliers are a far more talented team than many of the pre-season magazines are giving them credit for. It's one of the best defenses Virginia fans will see in a while, of course the linebackers will likely go through growing pains. I think the rest of the defense is so talented that the 'Hoos will be able to bring their linebackers along slowly and not throw too much at them. Many people might call me crazy, but I say the Cavaliers go 8-5 and yes, that's including a bowl win at the end of the season, something like a Champs Sports Bowl victory or maybe even a Meineke Car Care Bowl win.

NFL and College Football Podcast with Jimmy Smith

2009-06-16T19:58:00.000-07:00

What's up everybody,

I've been away from the keyboard for a while, but I recently did a podcast with Jimmy Smith and discussed college football and issues in the NFL today. Check it out if you want:

http://forthesportsminded.blogspot.com/2009/06/for-sports-minded-podcast-003-with.html

2009 NFL Draft: Best Draft: New York Giants

2009-05-05T23:53:00.000-07:00

Sure, we might not be able to tell the “true value” of any of the prospects from the 2009 NFL Draft three to four years down the road, but it’s simply too much fun to analyze who the winners and who the losers were. Every NFL fan out there wants to see how their team fared in the draft and the first part of my 2009 NFL Draft coverage—I’ve decided to unveil one of the teams I thought graded the best, “The New York Football Giants” as Chris Berman likes to say. So let’s get down to it shall we!

I'm sorry, but I tried to post all of the videos from YouTube on prospects--but it began slowing the site down too much!

1. The Giants landed receiver Hakeem Nicks from North Carolina late in the first round. His performance in the Meineke Car Care Bowl against West Virginia was simply spectacular.

Even though the Tar Heels lost, Nicks clearly came out a winner and saw his draft stock skyrocket because of his performance in that game. He made one of the greatest catches of the 2008-2009 college football season when he caught a pass from quarterback T.J. Yates and switched the football from his left hand to his right behind his back.

Listed at 6’1, 215 lbs, Nicks should be a dominant possession receiver in the NFL, he might not have elite speed, but he does more than make up for it with his excellent hands and physical nature. He was one of the best receivers in the draft and the Giants were lucky to get him so late in the first round.

UNC receiver Hakeem Nicks dominated the Meineke Car Care Bowl against West Virginia, making several dazzling catches throughout the game in the loss for the Heels.

2. In the second round, the Giants went with linebacker Clint Sintim out of Virginia. This is an excellent pick to help bolster the Giants linebacking corps’ and Antonio Pierce. Giants defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan has said that Sintim will be a strong side linebacker for the Giants but he will also be used to rush the passer in third down situations. Sintim was one of the best pass-rushing linebackers in the draft, he racked up 27 sacks over his four-year career in Charlottesville, Va. Even though he played in a 3-4 scheme at Virginia—look for Sintim to thrive on a defense that has a lot of flexibility and a lot of weapons.

UVa linebacker Clint Sintim established himself as one of the premiere pass rushers in the ACC over the past few seasons and was a terror for quarterbacks--just ask Graham Harrell of Texas Tech!

3. In the second round, the Giants also drafted offensive tackle William Beatty out of Connecticut. This guy is super athletic and is one of the biggest reasons that Donald Brown became one of the nation’s premiere running backs over the past few seasons. When you watch his highlights you have to like this kid’s hustle, he never gives up on running plays downfield and is constantly looking for somebody to block. He has tremendous potential and has the chance to blossom into a starter for the G-Men.

Offensive tackle William Beatty never gives up on the play!

4. In the third round, the Giants selected one of my favorite “sleeper” picks for the 2009 NFL Draft, wide receiver Ramses Barden out of Cal Poly. Listed at 6’6, 226 lbs. with 4.55 speed, Barden is blessed with the complete package you would look for in a possession receiver in the NFL. He has superb hands, size, leaping ability, and moves remarkably well for somebody his size. If anybody could make the Giants fans forget about Plaxico Burress, it’s definitely Barden. His hands are massive and measure 10 ¾ inches, so look for him to be a “red-zone killer” for the G-Men. He will be flat out unstoppable in the red zone, Eli Manning can just close his eyes and let Barden go up and get it.

Don’t be fooled, just because he’s from a lower-level school, doesn’t mean he’s not as talented. He caught 206 passes for 4,203 yards and 50 touchdowns during his career for the Mustangs. He also caught a touchdown catch in 20 consecutive games, breaking a record previously held by Jerry Rice. He’s definitely a name to remember, Eli Manning has to be drooling as we speak.

The next Plaxico Burress? Giants' fans are hoping Ramses Barden can help fill some big shoes.

5. The Giants also took another excellent player in the third round, former Wisconsin tight end Travis Beckum. As a junior, Beckum hauled in 75 passes for 982 yards and six touchdowns. He battled a few injuries this past season and only played in six games. He likely would’ve been a first-round selection if he was healthy and he’s definitely a steal in the third round. The guy has phenomenal leaping ability, body control, and hands, and he’ll be a big-time mismatch for linebackers in the NFL. The Giants already have a stud tight end in Kevin Boss, so I would look for the Giants to possibly employ some two tight end sets this season. Beckum was one of the best tight ends in college football and I think he’ll show a lot of people how dominant he can truly be.

Former Wisconsin tight end Travis Beckum has a knack for making the acrobatic grab. He's pictured above getting airborne in the end zone against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

6. In the fourth round the Giants selected running back Andre Brown out of N.C. State. Brown was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school and never really lived up to the hype, but has an excellent all-around skill set that will make him an intriguing prospect in the NFL. He’s a power running back with an excellent set of hands to go with it.

Brown can also do a variety of things for the Giants if they need him—he actually returned kicks for the Wolfpack and piled up over 3,500 all-purpose yards for N.C. State during his career. He’s excellent at churning his legs after contact and is also excellent in pass protection—both qualities will serve him well on the next level. Brown should complement Ahmad Bradshaw extremely well in the Giants running game.

Former N.C. State running back Andre Brown has a knack for pushing the pile and churning his legs after contact. He's pictured above carrying a slew of Miami Hurricane defenders!

7. In the fifth round the Giants made an interesting selection—drafting the former highly touted signal-caller Rhett Bhomar out of Sam Houston State. Bhomar had all the talent in the world coming out of high school and was one of the nation’s elite high school football recruits, but after being dismissed from Oklahoma he ended up at Sam Houston State.

All he did in two years at Sam Houston State was become the school’s all-time leading passer. He has a remarkably strong arm and he’s a very interesting prospect that the Giants picked up.

Former Sam Houston State QB Rhett Bomar was one of the most sought after quarterbacks in the country coming out of high school.

8. In the sixth round, the Giants landed free safety DeAndre Wright out of New Mexico. He was one of the best cornerbacks in the Mountain West Conference the past few seasons, he snagged 10 interceptions and tallied 25 pass breakups for his career.

Free safety DeAndre Wright was one of the best cornerbacks in the Mountain West Conference over the past few seasons.

9. In the seventh round, the Giants picked up defensive back Stoney Woodson out of South Carolina. He led the Gamecocks in interceptions in 2008 with four.

South Carolina defensive back Stoney Woodson was one of the better corners in the SEC this past season--teaming up with fellow cornerback Captain Munnerlyn to form a dyanamic tandem in Columbia.

Grade: A+

Final take: The Giants definitely had the best draft in my opinion—I would put them right up there with the New England Patriots. There are plenty of teams out there that definitely deserve A grades in the 2009 NFL Draft, but none can match the talent top-to-bottom that the Giants and Patriots pulled in. The GM of the G-Men is to be commended for bringing in top-notch talent at nearly every position.

I’ll have more on the Patriots draft soon—that’s it for this time folks. Until next time, “Life is best described in football terms!”

NFL Draft: Five "Bust" Prospects

2009-04-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

The 2009 NFL Draft is less than a day away and the excitement continues to build! Trade talks, different players' draft stocks continue to rise and fall, and war rooms across the NFL are buzzing with activity! I've decided to unveil a list of five players that I think will "bust" and not live up to their hype.

1. Matthew Stafford--QB--Georgia--Let me be the first to say that I like Matthew Stafford and I really liked his game coming out of high school. I kept waiting for him to live up to his lofty billing coming out of high school, in Dallas, Texas, but it never really happened. I hope he does well in the NFL, but my mind is saying since he's going to Detroit he has no chance of succeeding. Sure, $41 million in guaranteed money and being the top overall pick sounds great, but it also comes with great expectations and pressure.

Every year NFL scouts seem to fall in love with the tall, strong-armed quarterbacks and Matthew Stafford is this year's love affair. Every which direction you see nothing but praise for this rocket-armed gunslinger.

Stafford is a pretty solid quarterback, but there's no way I would pick him or Mark Sanchez in the first round. The Lions would be smarter to start building an offensive line in this draft, then take QB Colt McCoy out of Texas or QB Sam Bradford out of Oklahoma next year. The Lions simply have too many needs and drafting a QB when your offensive line gave up 52 sacks last year doesn't make alot of sense to me.

Stafford has an extremely strong arm, but he's never had the accuracy to match it. Ball placement is what the quarterback position is all about and Stafford simply has average ball placement on his throws.

He only completed over 60 percent of his passes during one of his three seasons at Georgia, and he also threw double-digit interceptions each of his three seasons, throwing 13 his freshman year, 10 his sophomore year, and 10 this past year.

To his credit, Stafford made several clutch plays for the Bulldogs over the years--none of them being bigger than the touchdown pass to Mikey Henderson to beat Alabama in overtime in 2007.

The Lions must draft offensive line and a solid supporting cast on the defensive side of the ball--time will tell if they can make me eat my words. For Stafford's sake--I hope they do.

Below are his highlights:

2. B.J. Raji--DT--Boston College--Listed at a behemoth, 6'2, 337 pounds, it's not surprising that big things will be expected from Raji on the next level, because he'll be drafted in the top 10. There are plenty of other nose tackles out there I think are better than Raji, including his teammate Ron Brace and Missouri DT Evander "Ziggy" Hood. There were rumors surrounding Raji about a failed marijuana test at the combine. I'm not sure if it was a team starting the rumor to see if his stock would drop and they could get him at a cheaper spot, but I don't like to hear that.

If anybody fails a marijuana test at the combine--then they must be certifiably insane. You know the test is coming months in advance, so if you can't stop smoking marijuana when there are millions of dollars at stake, what's to stop you from failing tests during the regular season. Doesn't make a lot of sense.

Marijuana rumors aside, Raji is a behemoth of a man and his size is coveted by many teams that want a "space-eater" to clog the lanes in the middle and take on two blockers at all times. Having a guy like Raji would help free up so many other players on a team's defense.

Raji is one of those guys I really can't tell you why I don't like him, but I just don't. Time will tell if the behemoth can control his weight problems and become a force on whatever NFL team he lands on.

3. Percy Harvin--WR--Florida-- The guy is an exceptional playmaker and will be a threat to take the rock to the house as soon as his hands get on the pigskin, but the more I watch Percy Harvin in interviews the less I like him. I think he'll be a locker room cancer and will be detrimental to his team.

Also, anybody who fails a marijuana test before the NFL combine must be an absolute idiot(please see above). I think there will be numerous off-the-field or locker room issues with Harvin.

One of the biggest issues with Harvin is also the fact that he never played an entire 12 game schedule in college football without being injured. What makes anybody believe that he will last 16 games in the National Football League? I have my doubts.

4. Darrius Heyward-Bey--WR--Maryland-- This guy has bust written all over him. His measurables are extremely attractive and he has excellent, vertical, straight ahead speed. I've followed his career pretty closely throughout his college career at Maryland and he disappeared in numerous games. His hands were questionable and apparently the Maryland coaches almost told him to go ahead and focus on track exclusively and to forget about football.

The guy is a solid football player, but there are plenty of receivers that you could choose ahead of him with better hands like Hakeem Nicks of North Carolina.

Scouts are in love with him because of his speed, but fast football players don't always make the best players.

Time will be the judge on Heyward-Bey.

5. Josh Freeman--QB--Kansas State--Freeman is pretty much a more athletic version of Matthew Stafford, tall and strong-armed. It's easy to see why scouts would fall in love with him because they constantly fall in love with tall and strong armed quarterbacks.

Freeman has accuracy issues and didn't do nearly enough at Kansas State to prove to me that he can be a top-notch quarterback in the NFL--let alone be worthy of a first-round draft pick.

He's a reach in the first round and I can't see him doing well in the NFL. Out of all these prospects, I might like Freeman the least. Him and Heyward-Bey battle out for that dubious distinction.

NFL Draft: Sports Talk in Athens, Ohio

2009-04-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

What's up guys--here is a sports talk radio show I recently appeared on here in Athens, Ohio talking about the upcoming NFL Draft--topics discussed include sleepers in the draft(Cal Poly's WR Ramses Barden), the Jets interest in QB Mark Sanchez from USC, and much much more! Check it out below--special thanks to Jimmy Smith for having me on the show once again! Check back soon for a review of the draft on Tuesday!

NFL Draft: Five "Can't Miss" Prospects

2009-04-23T15:31:00.000-07:00

The NFL Draft is rapidly approaching so I've decided to announce a list of five players I think will do extremely well in the NFL.

1. Michael Crabtree--WR--Texas Tech--Out of all the prospects in the 2009 NFL Draft, Crabtree is easily the biggest "can't miss" prospect. He's a lock to be a future star and a future all-pro receiver for several years. He's blessed with excellent hands, precise route running, and has a knack for his ability to put his ass on opposing defenders and shield them away from the football. He finished his two-year career at Texas Tech as one of the best receivers in the history of college football, becoming the only player ever to win the Biletnekoff Award twice--the award given to the nation's top receiver. His stats after his freshman season were flat out astronomical--he hauled in 134 catches for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns. Those are video games numbers, folks! During his redshirt sophomore campaign, he still put up outrageous numbers and snatched 97 balls for 1,195 yards and 19 touchdowns. In two years, he had piled up 231 receptions for 3,127 yards, while scoring 41 touchdowns.

Here's his highlight package below:

2. Aaron Curry--LB--Wake Forest--the 6'3, 250 lb. Curry is what I like to call a "heat-seeking missile" in pads. He flies to the football remarkably quick for somebody his size and is a ferocious hitter on top of that. Over his four-year storied career at Wake Forest, Curry racked up 320 tackles, forced 5 fumbles, and even snatched 6 interceptions. He's definitely the best defensive prospect in this draft.

Here's his highlight package below:

3. Jeremy Maclin--WR--Missouri--Maclin quickly established himself as one of the premiere players in all of college football, in 2007 he chewed up over 2,776 yards as a redshirt freshman--setting the NCAA record for all purpose yardage by a freshman. Listed at 6'0, 199 lbs. Maclin is blessed with stunning speed and even better acceleration to allow him to coast through opposing defenses in the open field. He runs so smoothly in the open field, it really looks like he's on cruise control out there. He once said, "I have a tendency to start gliding. When I'm running and I know I'm beating everybody, I have a tendency to start gliding."

Maclin was a jack-of-all trades for the Missouri Tigers over the past seasons--returning punts, kickoffs, running out of the backfield, and of course his primary position, receiver. He can do it all and do it all with a very high level of efficiency. Missouri used him very well in their spread offense--using alot of misdirections, jet sweeps, and reverses, to help them get the ball in his hands.

The biggest thing about drafting a receiver like Maclin is you get such an excellent value out of him because you can utilize him at a variety of different positions. He's probably the best receiver in this draft after the catch in the open field because of his lethal combination of speed and acceleration.

Below are his highlights:

4. Alphonso Smith--DB--Wake Forest--Alphonso Smith established himself as one of the premiere cornerbacks in all of college football over the past four years. I realize that Malcolm Jenkins of Ohio State is probably the best cornerback in this draft, but I decided to mix it up a bit and go with Smith in this spot. Picking all of the top prospects is too easy, anyways. You have to get bold and stick your neck out there a little, or else it isn't any fun.

Smith is 5'9, 190 lbs., but makes up for what he lacks in size with unbelievable ball skills, hauling in 21 interceptions for the Demon Deacons over the past four years. He's also blessed with blazing speed and acceleration, making him a threat to take the rock to the house once the ball touches his hands. He even returned four interceptions back for touchdowns during his career at Wake Forest.

Below are his highlights:

5.Knowshon Moreno--RB--Georgia

Knowshon Moreno established himself as one of the best running backs in SEC football and college football history over the past two years. He's blessed with one of the best all-around skill sets that I've seen in a running back in a long, long time. He can jump over, spin around, and dance his way through defenders with ease. Moreno is also blessed with tremendous balance.

He's the best all-purpose running back in this draft, without question. He has excellent hands and is extremely elusive in the open field. Over the past two seasons, he piled up over 2,700 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground. He also hauled in 53 passes for 645 yards and 3 touchdowns.

He plays with tremendous passion and intensity and is one of the first players to bounce up off the ground and head back to the huddle. His passion for the game is contagious and I think that will rub off on his teammates.

Below is his highlight package:

Look for my Five "Bust" Prospects sometime tomorrow!

NFL Draft Podcast

2009-04-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

Here's the NFL Draft Podcast I did on Wednesday with Caleb Troop and Brian Boesch on the SportsFan on 970 WATH located in Athens, Ohio.

Here is the link if you want to listen in: NFL Draft talk begins around 20:00 into the podcast...just wait a few minutes for it to load.

http://thesportsfan.mypodcast.com/2009/04/The_Sears_Sports_Fan_42209_with_Wade_Peery-201717.html

Look for me in the near future about the NFL Draft!

Where Are They Now? Former Ohio LB Matt Muncy

2009-04-16T22:27:00.000-07:00

The older I’ve gotten the more I’ve learn to appreciate football players like Matt Muncy. Sure, he took care of business on the gridiron, but he also took care of business off of it. In this era of players like Pacman Jones and Plaxico Burress, it seems like you can’t sneeze without turning on the television and watching another football player get in trouble. It aggravates me to watch players that play the sport I love make such stupid mistakes.

It is refreshing to have players like Muncy, who was an elite football player, but a good citizen as well. In 2006 he was nominated for the Lott Trophy as the Defensive IMPACT(Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity). Past winners of the Lott Trophy are: LB James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, DT Glenn Dorsey of LSU, DB Daymeion Hughes of California, LB DeMeco Ryans from Alabama, and DE David Pollack of Georgia. Simply being nominated for the award is quite an honor.

A dominant linebacker for the Ohio Bobcats in his college days, Muncy racked up an impressive 203 solo tackles, ranking him second in Ohio football history. He also had 39.5 career tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks during his days in Athens, Ohio. One of his best seasons came in 2006, when he led the Bobcats to a MAC East title, a MAC Championship game appearance, and a 2007 GMAC Bowl berth against Southern Miss. The bowl appearance marked the first time the Ohio Bobcats had gotten a bowl since 1968.

Muncy ended up making a roster in the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals, and in doing so fulfilled a life long dream. The dream was short-lived, but not many of us can say that we have filled our childhood dreams like that. The Miamisburg, Ohio native was gracious enough to answer a few questions through e-mail on Facebook with me. Below is the interview and I hope you enjoy it.

Q: You were a legendary linebacker for the Ohio Bobcats--you finished your career as the second all-time leading tackler in Ohio Bobcat football history. What was your favorite game that you played in for the Bobcats and why?

A: I played in alot of memorable games so it's tough to choose one. I guess I would have to say our OT win over Pitt my junior year. It was Frank's first home game, our first nationally televised home game, and Pitt was ranked that year to start the season.

Q: You and fellow linebacker Tyler Russ spearheaded a dominant Bobcat defense that was crucial in leading the Bobcats to one of the best seasons in Ohio football history, earning Ohio its first bowl berth(GMAC Bowl) since 1968. Could you talk about how much it means to you to be such a big part of a special season in Ohio football history?

Ohio LB Matt Muncy leaps through the air to tackle Jeremy Young of Southern Miss during the GMAC Bowl.

A: It was definitely a memorable season. It meant even more since my classes’ first four years had been losing seasons. I think all that losing gets to you after a while and we just had enough of it.

Q: You had a mysterious "staph" infection during your senior year at Ohio--a problem that has become more and more common across the country in the game of football. Could you explain how exactly you got the infection and talk about how serious it was?

A: We had a lot of staph infections that year; I was one of the only ones who had to be hospitalized. I had gotten a turf burn against Northern Illinois and the next week we played at Rutgers. I guess I didn't cover up the burn well enough because as soon as the game was over I could tell something wasn't right.

Q: What's the hardest tackle you ever dished out on anybody throughout your football career? Could you give me a play-by-play description?

A: Once again it's hard to pick one. I laid out a guy pretty hard against Kent State my junior year. They ran a quick underneath route and it looked like the quarterback didn't like the guy he was throwing it to because he just set the guy up to get killed.

Q: You had the privilege to play for the Cincinnati Bengals for a little bit in the NFL, why don't you talk about how that was a dream come true for you, being that you are from the Dayton, Ohio area.

LB Matt Muncy fulfilled a lifelong dream, getting to play for the Cincinnati Bengals.

A: It was definitely a surreal experience at first because nobody had been a bigger Bengals fan than myself. I got over the "awe" factor pretty quickly and did everything I could to make the team. In the end they picked a guy off waivers who I felt was an inferior player. That’s another story, but it just wasn't the way I would have liked it to end.

Q: Of all the players you played with in your football career, high school, college, or professional, which player did you admire the most and why?

A: I had to think pretty hard about this one and I can't honestly name one. I would have to say I admire the whole class of seniors in '06 for perservering through all the hard times. It meant a lot to go out on a high note and start taking the program to a higher level.

Q: Which coach or person had the most influential impact upon your football career?

A: Once again I had so many great coaches throughout my football career that I can't name just one. All my high school coaches, coach Steve Russ, Pete Germano, Sonny Sano, Ross Els, the list goes on and on. You always remember the coaches who you felt cared about you more so than just a football player.

Q: What are you planning to do and where are you planning to live these days?

A: I'm living in Dayton at the moment working in sports marketing. I enjoy what I'm doing and couldn't ask for a better first job. I would like to go back to school and get my masters so I can continue to work in sports; in coaching or athletic administration.

Q: If you somehow won a lottery of $500,000 what would you do with the money and why?

A: First of all there is no way that would happen because I'm not a very lucky person. If it did I would probably buy a few things and use the rest to start my own business.

Q: Let's say a doctor tells you that you've been hit with a mysterious illness which will kill you and you only have 24 hours left to live. What would you do with those precious 24 hours?

A: I would let every person who made an impact on my life know how much I appreciate them.

Q: What kind of music are you cranking these days?

A: I listen to it all depending on the mood I'm in.

Q: Name one city that you plan to travel to that you've never been to before and explain why you want to go there.

Muncy would like to go to Japan someday, pictured above.

A: I won't name one city but I would really like to go to Japan.

That’s it for now folks, look for more interviews and football articles from me in the future! Remember, “Life is best described in football terms!”

Where Are They Now? Former Gallia Academy QB Donnie Johnson

2009-04-02T21:16:00.000-07:00

Donnie Johnson. A mere mention of the name brings back fond memories of watching him play football and basketball for the Gallia Academy Blue Devils. I had the privilege of covering him for WOUB’s hit high school football Friday night show—Gridiron Glory.

In my two years of working with Gridiron Glory, the fleet-footed quarterback was without a doubt, my favorite football player that I watched in Southeast Ohio. He danced around defenders with ease and when the pressurized moments reached their peak, Johnson always seemed to raise his game up another notch.

He returned a fumble for a touchdown against Athens in a game that was so foggy, it looked as if the clouds practically landed on the field. That touchdown also happened to be a crucial turning point in the game, giving the Blue Devils a victory. Then when he had a SEOAL crown on the line and a playoff berth at stake against Logan, Johnson delivered what was arguably his finest performance of his high school football career—five rushing touchdowns, one passing touchdown, and one interception on defense. Simply put, it gets no better than that folks.

Johnson was a player who always had a knack for making the biggest plays on the biggest of stages. In his senior season for the Blue Devils, Johnson coasted through opposing defenses to the tune of 1,372 yards on 124 carries, averaging a gaudy 11 yards per attempt, and piling up 15 touchdowns on the ground.

The southpaw was clearly a far better runner in the open field than he was a passer. In 2003, he threw for over 1,000 yards, tossed ten touchdowns, while throwing eight interceptions. Still, he could throw a beautiful looking deep ball from time-to-time, one such occasion came against the Logan Chieftains in 2003, when he completed a beautifully lofted touchdown pass to a Blue Devil receiver.

He helped the Blue Devils win the SEOAL title in 2003 and led them to a playoff berth. Johnson racked up the individual honors in the post-season, including the prestigious award of 2003 Gridiron Glory Player of the Year—the honor given to the top football player in Southeast Ohio by WOUB.

Johnson is discussed in the video at 1:30 until the end.

The thing about Johnson is he was a superior athlete—not just a football player. He earned all-state honors twice in Division III(Ohio) for basketball and football. Perhaps even more impressive, he was the only player ever to earn MVP honors in the SEOAL in both football and basketball in the same season. He was a remarkable athlete and I’ll never forget watching him play. He went on to star for the Tiffin University Dragons, where he played quarterback, receiver, and running back at times.

A torn PCL later, Johnson landed a GA position at Urbana University, where he began coaching quarterbacks and working as the team equipment manager in summer of 2008. He’s been coaching there ever since.I had the chance to catch up with Johnson via Facebook and ask him some questions through e-mail.

The fleet-footed signal caller was gracious enough to answer some of my questions and I thank him once again for taking the time to answer some questions. The interview is listed below and I hope you enjoy the interview with a man that will forever be known as a Southeast Ohio legend—former Gallia Academy QB Donnie Johnson.

Q:You were one of the best athletes in the history of the SEOAL—the only athlete ever to be named MVP in both basketball in football in the conference in the same season. Was there ever a moment when you were growing up as a kid when you thought, “Hey, I could have a serious future in athletics!”

A: As a kid I grew up with two guys--Joey and Greg James--who were great basketball athletes. They were also seven and nine years older than I was at the time, so playing against someone everyday who was that much older than me—it forced me to always raise my game up to not be kicked off the court day after day. I always excelled in sports at a young age. I always dreamed of becoming the best I could be throughout my career and just in life as well. All the hard work from when I was a young kid to present day has been a big contribution to my success.

Q: You were a rather legendary signal-caller for the Gallia Academy Blue Devils in high school, tormenting opposing defenses time and time again. What was your favorite game in your high school football career and why?

A: My favorite game would have to be the Logan game my senior year. It was for the SEOAL title, and we also needed a win to have a chance to get in the playoffs. This game was a playmakers’ dream because what better game to play in than the tenth game of the season with league title and playoffs written all over it. I love pressure situations and this was a pressure game. So, by far, this was the favorite game in my high school career. It shows from the stats of that game, I had five rushing touchdowns, one passing touchdown, and I had one interception on defense.

Q: You made one of the most amazing plays I’d ever seen by a football player against Athens High School. It was so foggy that you couldn’t even see the action from our cameras with Gridiron Glory on WOUB. You stole the ball from Athens WR Ryan Mingus, then raced off to score a touchdown that happened to be a difference maker in the game. Can you talk about how you pulled that off?

A: Hahaha that game was crazy. Initially it was a clear game with no fog, then Athens scored a touchdown. Then, as me and Jaymes Haggerty were back to return the kickoff, we look out of the end zone and the fog was just settling in. We looked at each other and were wondering “What the heck is that?” We thought it was smoke from someone grilling at the game. Then we thought maybe it was smoke from a cannon, but we didn’t hear a cannon. Then about five plays later, you couldn’t see from the sideline to the opposite hash. That play was crazy. Athens quarterback Grant Gregory threw an out route and I broke on the receiver(Mingus), wrapped him up, and saw our free safety coming to clean up the tackle. Then I just stripped the ball out, picked it up, and jogged to the end zone with only the ref who was right in front of the play.

Q: Who is your favorite football player of all-time and why?

A: I would have to say running back Reggie Bush, his running style is what I take after and also his versatility. He’s my favorite player even though he doesn’t play QB, but I moved to QB my senior year in high school because we didn’t have anyone else to play the position.

Q: What person had the biggest impact on your football career throughout your life?

A: I know you said one person, but there are too many people who have had a huge impact on me. My mom, dad, my brother, and two sisters. All of my friends, and my boy Jim Jim.

Q: You joined the Urbana Blue Knights coaching staff in the summer of 2008, serving as the quarterbacks coach and equipment manager. What made you want to get into football coaching?

Donnie Johnson now coaches quarterbacks for the Urbana University Blue Knights. He's chatting with some of his players right here.

A: I love the game of football and when I tore my PCL in my left knee during my fourth game of my senior year at TU, I had to think of a way to stay involved with football. I’ve always wanted to coach but I never thought it would be this soon. Since I was a kid I’d always wanted to play somewhere at the next level and when the injury happened I knew I had to take a different route. So I finished my senior season with a torn PCL. Then the opportunity came for me to follow most of the coaching staff at Tiffin to Urbana and become a grad assistant and coach quarterbacks. Now that I'm here, I love this profession and will continue to strive from here on out to become successful.

Q: What qualities/characteristics do you think most great quarterbacks have?

A: All great quarterbacks have to have a great amount of work ethic, drive, confidence and be great leaders.

Q: What is your favorite type of offensive scheme and why?

A: The spread offense is the best offensive scheme in all levels of football. It is really changing the way the game is played and the type of athletes playing it.

Q: You saw action at quarterback, running back, and receiver for the Tiffin University Dragons. What was your favorite position to play and why?

Donnie Johnson was also a star for the Tiffin University Dragons.

A: I loved playing all of the positions. First, we had a great quarterback in Matt Root and he was a beast. So it was great because I could do a lot of the quarterback running plays, then next I could line up at wide receiver. It made the defense very nervous to have two quarterbacks on the field the whole game. So I really loved playing all of them, not just one.

Q: What was your favorite moment of your college days at Tiffin?

Johnson discusses his best memory at Tiffin.

A: The best moment from TU was kinda like the same from high school, we were going into the last game of the season and fighting for a league title. We played Central State at their place and won 62-23 to cap off a 9-2 record and 19-3 for my junior and senior year.

Q: What kind of music do you like to listen to?

A: Man, I listen to R&B, Rap, anything with a good beat, but Lil’ Wayne most of the time.

Q: Do you have any aspirations to coach football on the Division 1-A level or NFL someday? What teams would you be interested in coaching?

A: Yes, I would love to coach at the highest level possible. That would be great to reach the top as a coach. My favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys so I would love to coach there.

Q: Who are some of the current coaches in college football that you admire the most and why?

A: Dave Taynor, this guy is a coaching machine. He knows the game very well and brings a lot of passion to the game of football. He is a coach who fits my style of play and loves the game even more than I do. (Coached me at TU and now is the head coach at Urbana University).

Jim Osbourn--basketball coach at Gallia Academy. He developed me in the sense of having the mindset I have to play any sport. If you have no chance of winning a game on paper, this is the coach you want to prepare you for having a chance to win that game.

Head coach Matt Bokovitz (Gallia Academy), coach Saunders (football coach—Gallia Academy) and everyone else who I had the privilege to play for.

Interview with Ohio Defensive Back Thad Turner

2009-03-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Kyle Grantham

Stories like Thad Turner’s are why I love college football so very much. Players have the opportunity to blossom and grow under the development of their position coaches and coordinators.

A prime example of that is Thad Turner, a Marietta, Georgia native. He came into Ohio University’s football program in 2005 as a former first-team all-state wide receiver. After redshirting in 2005, he played sparingly in 2006, then was switched to cornerback during December of 2006. Head coach Frank Solich and defensive coordinator Jimmy Burrow tried to convince him to make the switch, saying they needed more speed at the cornerback position.

At the time, Turner was skeptical of the switch, but decided to give it a try anyway. During the 2007 season, Turner struggled mightily at his new position. He was routinely beat in practices by opposing players in drills and struggled to make tackles in the open field. You wouldn’t have been blamed if you thought Turner should have stayed on offense after all.

Then, in the 2008 season the light came on. The Marietta native made his coaches look brilliant, posting a season that made him the most improved player on the entire Ohio football roster. Statisically, it might not have been the greatest year, but he did lead the team in one of the most important categories for a defensive back—pass breakups—with six. Better yet, he had his best performance of the season against the third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio. Turner played like a man-possessed, making plays all over the football field for the Bobcats. He notched seven tackles and three pass breakups(unofficial) in that game, making life miserable for Ohio State receiver Brian Robiskie and company.

The Bobcats nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in college football history, but eventually fell to the third-ranked Buckeyes 26-14.

His spectacular performance against Ohio State was just the tip of the iceberg. He also had a huge game against the Northwestern Wildcats in Evanston, Illinois. The redshirt junior posted five tackles, recovered a fumble, and had two pass breakups! It was yet another impressive performance by Turner and yet another indication that coaches made the right move after all.

If you watch his highlight video of one on one drills on YouTube—you’ll see that Turner is no longer getting pushed around by opposing players. He’s much more physical at the line of scrimmage and he’s excellent at re-routing receivers and not allowing them to have the inside release. Check the video out below!

Standing at 5’11, 179 lbs. Turner refuses to get outmuscled and plays much bigger than his size. His physicality combined with his speed(4.43 40 yard dash) will likely make him an attractive prospect for NFL scouts for the 2010 NFL Draft. If he keeps improving at the rate he has, the possibilities are endless for Turner.

Spring ball begins on Monday, March 30th for the Bobcats. Luckily, I had the chance to interview him in a Q and A session through e-mail about a variety of topics—ranging from his improvement on the gridiron to his philosophy on women. Below is the interview and I hope you enjoy it!

Q: You had a spectacular season last year and were one of Ohio's most improved players on the gridiron. What made the difference?

A: I think it was just a matter of time. I never doubted that I was a good player and I knew that I would have a good year whether I was playing wide receiver or cornerback. It has been a rough road because one of the big reasons I committed to OU was a promise I would play early. Unfortunately, my performance was delayed due to early injuries and a position change. But I never lost my faith in my skills. It was only a matter of time for it to all come together.

Q: Your position coach is cornerbacks Coach David Brown. Would you like to tell us about your relationship with him?

A: Coach Brown is a great coach. I thought that we were gonna lose him to the N.F.L. but luckily we were able to keep him at least through my last year. But what makes Coach Brown so good is he always looks for ways to make our cornerback group better in ways where we can be game changers. He is cool and very relaxed which is a good change in coaching.

Q: Who is your favorite football player of all-time and why?

The electrifying running back that needs no introduction, Mr. Barry Sanders.

A: Barry Sanders. In Pop Warner football I played running back and looking at him on Sundays was an absolute thrill. I thought he was untouchable. I hated to see him retire early.

Q: Are there any players out there that you try and model your game after? How so?

Baltimore Ravens' ball-hawking safety Ed Reed is one of the players that Turner tries to model his game after. The hall-of-famer is an excellent role model for any DB in the game today.

A: Of course Deion Sanders, he was a playmaker and was truly feared. Also Ed Reed, he is a ball hog and always seems to score. I love exciting players and how they entertain the crowd by making plays with a loud personality that backs it up. That is totally up my alley. Lastly Ray Lewis, I love hearing him on TV while he plays. If I played with him I know my intensity would be elevated so much more.

Q: You were a receiver in high school. What was the toughest part of the transition from the offensive side of the ball to the defensive side of the ball?

A: Not getting the ball as much. I like the feeling with the ball in my hands and having the opportunity to score. I guess I need to create more turnovers.

Q: You were simply dialed in during the Ohio State game last fall--a spectacular performance where it seemed like you could do no wrong. You only got beat on one play that I could recall, but the receiver dropped the ball. Was that one of those moments where you were "in the zone"?

Ohio's Thad Turner makes sure that Ohio State receiver Brian Robiskie can't catch the pigskin. The Ohio State game was one of the best performances of Turner's career.

A: I was ready for that game years in advance so I was so pumped out. I was in a zone and my intensity level was at an all-time high. Actually I learned a lot about how I can perform at my greatest. I learned that I play better when I am almost obnoxiously intense, but it helps me stay focused and play hard.

Q: You're from Georgia. You've grown up around that southern home cookin'. What's your favorite food to eat?

A: My dad makes the best ribs and steak ever. I’m going to get a grill this summer and learn all the secrets.

Q: You have some rather hilarious takes on women on Facebook. Could you discuss your philosophies about women with me?

A: I have read somewhere that 90% of marriages in the N.F.L. fail in the first year. So I feel that since I’ve had a dream of going to the N.F.L. since I was a little boy why should I split my rewards in half within a year. So if I do find that special person they will be signing a prenuptial agreement. This is all being said, if god willing, I’m lucky enough to make it to the N.F.L.

Q: Imagine that you are the general manager of the Detroit Lions. Who do you take in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft and why?

Thad really likes quarterback Matthew Stafford from the University of Georgia.

A: The quarterback position means so much to a team. I like the way Matthew Stafford(Georgia) plays. If he has a rookie year like Matt Ryan(Atlanta Falcons) that would be phenomenal. But I also have a problem putting so much pressure on a rookie QB. You can always pick up a quality quarterback through free agency every year. Last year it was Brett Farve, this year it could be Garcia or even the most exciting QB to date, Michael Vick.

Q: What qualities do you think make for the best offensive and defensive coordinators in college football?

Thad really likes University of Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. He's one of the most passionate and intense coaches in college football today.

A: I think that attention to detail is very important. I really like University of Texas defensive coordinator, Will Muschamp. He is so intense and gets his players in a position to make a play.

Q: Have you heard about any NFL scouts or teams buzzing about your performance last season?

A: There is some buzz. I just want to have a great season this year and hopefully I will be blessed with the opportunity to make it to the NFL.

Q: Lastly, after football is done, what do you plan to do with your life? Give me a detailed description if you could.

A: I think it is important to do what I love. I love football so I want to be a college football coach. I’ve always had a dream to take a small historical black college and build it up to win a national championship.

Under Armour All-America Game Prospects: The Quarterbacks

2009-03-16T00:29:00.000-07:00

I’ve been away from the keyboard for quite some time, but trust me when I say it’s great to be back in the swing of things. My internship at Athens Community Center is finally winding down and I’m going to be free more often to write more football articles.

I’ve decided to kick it off by writing about some of the nation’s top college football recruits from the 2nd annual Under Armour All-America Game(January 4, 2009). The U.S. Army All-American Game is the more popular high school all-star game, but Under Armour has shown in recent years that there is plenty of talent to display in another game. I like it because it gives more prospects the opportunity to showcase their skills and talents before a nationally televised audience.

Let’s get down to business shall we! I like to go in-depth with my analysis of prospects so I’m going to start with my favorite position in football—the quarterbacks.

Here are a number of quarterback prospects from the 2nd Annual Under Armour All-America Game that caught my attention:

Quarterbacks

UCLA QB Richard Brehaut will be exciting to watch blossom in offensive coordinator Norm Chow's system.

Richard Brehaut-QB-Rancho Cucomonga, CA.(Los Osos High School)-When Brehaut committed to UCLA it was big news and why wouldn’t it be? He was named to the Elite 11 QB camp which honors the nation’s top quarterback prospects in the country each year. The golden-armed gunslinger also happens to be the next signal-caller in line waiting to be groomed by two of the finest quarterback coaches in the country (UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow). Brehaut was one of the more impressive quarterbacks in this contest.

One of the biggest things that sticks out about him is his excellent ability to place the ball on short and intermediate routes. The inside slant pass seems to be his bread and butter. He operates almost exclusively out of the shotgun in his highlights, so it will be interesting to see how often Norm Chow puts Brehaut under center.

He has excellent footwork in the pocket and while I wouldn’t call him a “true dual-threat” the guy makes excellent decisions on when to run with the football and can pick up decent yardage at times.

During his junior year, he had 90 attempts on the ground for 596 yards(6.6 average) and five touchdowns. He is excellent about setting his feet before he throws and is great about throwing off his front foot when given the proper amount of time. He puts excellent velocity on his passes and can really zip the ball into tight spaces. His junior season he completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 2,248 yards and 22 touchdowns, while throwing eight interceptions. He graduated from high school early and is already enrolled at UCLA so he can participate in spring ball for the Bruins, which begins on Thursday, April 2nd.

He’ll likely compete for the starting job right away, since the Bruins are in dire need of a quarterback. It will be exciting to watch him grow and develop in Norm Chow’s scheme. I also think Rick Neuheisel is one of the best developers of quarterbacks in college football—his prized pupil was Cody Pickett at Washington—who made a name as one of the best quarterbacks in college football history.

Bruins fans should be very excited to see this top-notch talent in powder blue this spring!

USC QB Matt Barkley is looking to continue the proud tradition of excellent quarterbacks for the Men of Troy.

Matt Barkley-QB-Santa Ana, CA.(Mater Dei High School)-This guy is without a doubt the most heralded recruit of the 2009 recruiting class. After watching him play in the Under Armour game it’s easy to see why he’s racked up all the attention, hopefully he doesn’t let it go to his head. Rivals.com rates him as a five-star prospect and the number one quarterback in the country. He was named the 2007 Gatorade Player of the Year after completing 62 percent of his passes for 3,560 yards, while tossing in 35 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. His senior season he struggled mightily, only completing 54 percent of his passes for 2,877 yards while throwing 22 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He’ll definitely need to cut down on those interceptions if he wants to see the field sometime in the next few years for Coach Pete Carroll at USC. He’s been enrolled at USC since January of this year so he’ll be ready to compete in spring practice. He won’t be tossed into the fire early because it seems as if Aaron Corp will be the starter for the Trojans, if he can’t snag the job Mitch Mustain will likely be the man under center. Barkley will have plenty of time to learn the offense and get adjusted to the speed of the college game.

He had an excellent performance in the Under Armour game, completing 11 of his 22 pass attempts for 237 yards and two touchdowns, earning co-MVP honors. He connected with big-play receiver Marlon Brown on a slant pass the first play from scrimmage and Brown turned on the jets and coasted to the end zone for a 71-yard touchdown. Barkley also threw a beautifully lofted fade pass into the hands of a streaking Jamal Reid for a 35-yard touchdown. From a scouting perspective, one of Barkley’s biggest assets is his ability to freeze the safety in the middle of the field with his eyes. When a quarterback his age is that good at using his eyes, you can tell he’s spent a lot of time in the film room. His play-action ball fakes are a thing of beauty as well. When it comes to studying in the film room, you can tell he’s done his homework.

He’s a pure pocket passer who has an excellent setup and extremely smooth release. He has excellent ball placement and is very accurate with the ball when he wants to be. The kid has the total package personality(excellent in his interviews), grades(3.77 GPA), and has won nearly every award imaginable—the biggest question mark for Barkley is will he not let all the attention and hype get to him. I think he probably had a case of that during his senior season after he was patted on the back with all the awards. If he stays focused and doesn’t get complacent I think Barkley could have a very bright future ahead of him at USC. He will definitely need to work hard to live up to all the hype and hoopla surrounding him—just ask Mitch Mustain and Jimmy Clausen.

Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert figures to be the next great QB for the Longhorns.

Garrett Gilbert-QB-Austin, TX(Lake Travis High School)-It’s not very often that a five-star recruit is overshadowed, especially at the quarterback position, but Garrett Gilbert has definitely flown under the radar due to all the attention given to Matt Barkley. Make no mistake about it folks, Gilbert is a special talent. The more I watch him on film, the more I fall in love with his game. He might not have received quite as many awards, but you could easily make the case for Garrett Gilbert being the top quarterback in the 2009 class. He’s excellent at improvising in the pocket and keeping the play alive. Another one of his strengths is his pocket presence—he can side-step pressure up the middle with ease and step up in the pocket and complete the pass. One of his biggest strengths is his uncanny accuracy—his ball placement is one of the best of any QB in the 2009 class. He simply places the ball where only the receiver can make a play on it.

He throws a beautiful looking ball with excellent rotation on the football when it’s released from his hand. One of the most beautiful passes I watched on his highlights on YouTube was when he settled his feet at the 45 yard line on the right hash, and sent a beautifully lofted ball to the left side of the field, where it landed over his receiver’s outside(left) shoulder and into his hands at the 8 yard line for a leaping reception. When it comes to passing stats, few quarterbacks will ever put up the numbers as outrageous as Gilbert’s junior campaign. In 2007, he completed 64.7 of his passes for a dazzling 4,826 yards, while firing 52 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. In terms of running, he’s definitely not a “true dual-threat” but he’s deceptively fast in the open field and can gain 10-15 yards when he needs to. For somebody who is listed at 6’4, 205 lbs. Gilbert is very nimble.

His junior year he rushed 96 times for 400 yards, scoring six touchdowns on the ground. He has the genes of an elite athlete, his dad Gale Gilbert was a former NFL quarterback. Not surprisingly he was named to the prestigious Elite 11 QB camp as well as a junior. He also led his team to a state title during his junior season, despite suffering a shoulder injury that required surgery in the off-season. Gilbert is easily one of my favorite quarterbacks in the 2009 class and I realize that Colt McCoy is one of the best quarterbacks in Texas Longhorn football history, but Gilbert will likely be the next great one in line. Texas fans have every reason to be excited, Vince Young, Colt McCoy, and the future—Garrett Gilbert. The kid is a truly special talent who has a chance to do great things at Texas and beyond.

photo of LSU QB Russell Shepard courtesy of rivals.com

Russell Shepard-QB-Austin, TX(Cypress Ridge High School)- If Matt Barkley is the most hyped recruit of the 2009 class, then Russell Shepard might just be right beside him. In terms of pure athleticism, there probably isn’t a better overall athlete than Shepard in the 2009 class. He ran a 10.7-100 meter dash time, 21.5-200 meter dash, posted a 23 feet 7 inch long jump, and also ran a blistering 4.44-40 yard dash. I think Shepard is the best athlete in this class, but as a quarterback, he’s extremely overrated at this point and needs a ton of work. In the Under Armour game, he would drop back and look for a reason to run.

He’s definitely a run first type of quarterback and I don’t like that one bit in a quarterback. After watching his highlights on YouTube—it’s easy to see why he loves to run so much. He’s excellent at improvising in the pocket and utilizing his legs to escape pressure. As an ESPN scouting report so adeptly put it, he plays with a lot of “wiggle” to him, meaning he’s extremely good at juking defenders in the open field. His running style is extremely smooth and he glides along the field with ease. He is excellent at finding cutback lanes and can maintain top speed while cutting. He’s really fast and is blessed with excellent acceleration, which makes him impossible to catch once he beats a few defenders. His uncanny field vision combined with his blend of speed make him a threat to take the rock the distance every time he gets his hands on it.

During his senior season he ran for more yards(1,946 yards) than he passed for(1,843 yards). He piled up 28 rushing touchdowns and passed for 20 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. The biggest issue with Shepard as a quarterback are his accuracy issues, he only completed 55 percent of his passes in his senior season. He looks to run too quickly when pressured and doesn’t have the patience to wait in the pocket and make a throw. He reminds me of Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in so many ways. He’s clearly a better runner than a passer and I can’t see him making enough improvements to make it as a quarterback in the NFL over the next few years. USC wanted to use him as a Reggie Bush type of player and not at quarterback. Texas told him that if he didn’t win quarterback job they could use him at a variety of positions. Throughout his high school career, he posted gaudy numbers on the ground, rushing for 66 touchdowns while only passing for 32 touchdowns.

His future is at receiver in my opinion—line him up at several different areas of the field and utilize his running ability on jet sweep plays and occasional quarterback draws. Coaches at LSU should be creative in finding a variety of ways to get the pigskin in his hands. He’s currently enrolled at LSU and has been participating in spring practice. The Tigers began their spring ball on Thursday March 12th. Apparently he’s been taking reps at quarterback, but I don’t think he’ll progress enough to beat out Jordan Jefferson or Jarrett Lee. He enrolled at LSU because he felt he had the best chance to compete for the starting quarterback position there. I think if he had a change of heart to play receiver, it would be in his best interest and LSU football’s best interest as well. I doubt that’s likely to change. I think LSU coaches will likely use him in special packages as a true freshman—getting him out on the field to utilize his playmaking ability. I would say it’s likely that they use him on a number of quarterback draws and other running plays, but we’ll see what happens this fall.

Shepard is a world-class athlete who can make plays with his legs at any given moment on the gridiron. If he moves to receiver I think he could recognize his full potential on the Division 1 level and beyond, but if he stays at quarterback I think he’ll just be another over hyped quarterback who depends on his legs entirely too much. In the end, only time will tell.

Oklahoma Sooners: Why they will win the 2009 BCS National Championship?

2009-01-08T00:38:00.000-08:00

So it’s finally come down to this—game day of the 2009 FedEx BCS National Championship. While there is a bit of controversy surrounding this year’s game—with Oklahoma getting in over Texas and undefeated Utah not being invited to the party—one thing is still strikingly appealing about this matchup—it features two of the best offenses in college football. There’s no need to waste time so let’s get down to the matchup shall we?

I think on paper, many people look at this match up and see how much more talented Florida’s defense is than Oklahoma’s and give them the edge. They see that both teams have prolific offensive attacks, with one having a decisive advantage on the defensive side of the ball and say, let’s go with Tim Tebow and the Gators. My mind is telling me that Florida will win this one, but for once I am picking with my heart.

Why I think the Oklahoma Sooners will win?

My heart is telling me Oklahoma. I’m not going to lie, I’ve fallen in love with Oklahoma’s offensive attack. Oklahoma’s offensive balance is probably the best I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. The Sooners’ offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson has put together a no-huddle attack which has scored the most points in college football history. Part of that has to do with the plethora of offensive talent—the biggest reason being the distributor of the football—Oklahoma’s poised and ultra-accurate sophomore of a quarterback—2008 Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford.

For a redshirt sophomore, Bradford put up scintillating numbers this year. In 2008, he completed 302 of his 442 passes(68.3 percent) for 4,464 yards while tossing in 48 touchdowns and just six interceptions. His strength lies in his tremendous footwork and his ability to freeze the defense with his eyes. He can look to his left for most of a play to hold the defenders in that side of the field, then take a quick glance to his right and fire a strike to a number of talented receivers. He’s also blessed with tremendous footwork in the pocket—his feet slide along the grass so smoothly as if he were dancing on glass. Last but not least, the quarterback position is all about processing information and Bradford is one of the smarter players in college football. He can process a high level of information without getting stressed out and always seems relaxed in the pocket. He also puts some beautiful spin on the football, with tight rotation on the pigskin when it is released from his hand.

If Oklahoma is going to win this ballgame, clearly it starts with Sam Bradford and giving him plenty of time to distribute the football and find his playmakers on offense. Oklahoma’s gargantuan and extremely talented offensive line will help to keep his jersey clean all night long. Their five starters on the offensive line average 6-5, 302 pounds! The Sooners’ offensive line boasts one consensus All-American in left guard Duke Robinson. Their offensive line also has two first team All-Big 12 players in center Jon Cooper and left tackle Phil Loadholt. The unit only allowed 11 sacks all season and was easily one of the most dominant in college football. The buffet busters up front blocked for not only one, but two 1,000 yard rushers this season(running backs Demarco Murray and Chris Brown). They also were a key ingredient in the Sooners’ offense lighting up the scoreboard for over 60 points a game over their last five games of the season, a feat no other team in college football history has accomplished.

Another way the Sooners’ offense has been able to attack opposing defenses is by limiting their substitutions with the no-huddle scheme they run. They run the no-huddle very efficiently, not only does it allow them more plays to score more points, but defenses also have fewer opportunities to make substitutions. While Florida’s defense is extremely fast, I think the no-huddle will help the Sooners’ offset that advantage by tiring them. They won’t only be tired, but the Gators’ defense will likely be caught out of position on numerous plays, which isn’t good at all if you’re trying to stop one of the most prolific offensive attacks in college football history.

Everybody wants to talk about how big of a loss it is with Oklahoma having running back Demarco Murray out due to injury. Yes, I agree it is a pretty big loss, because the numbers that Murray put up in his junior season are dazzling—he chewed up opposing defenses for over 2,000 all-purpose yards this year. What many don’t realize is that the Sooners’ offensive unit has arguably the best combination of skill players in the entire country. Everywhere you look there is a game breaking receiver, tight end, or running back.

Losing Murray would be a crushing blow to most teams, but the Sooners have running back Chris Brown, who not only rushed for over 1,100 yards this season, but he also led his team in scoring with 21 touchdowns. Sophomore running back Mossis Madu also might be one of the most overlooked players on this offense, he’s quietly rushed for 463 yards and six touchowns this season on 111 attempts. He’ll definitely get more carries in tonight’s game and the nation will get a chance to see just how speedy Madu is.

Two of the Sooners’ fastest players are receivers Manuel Johnson( 38 catches, 685 yards, nine touchdowns) and Ryan Broyles(42 catches, 661 yards, six touchdowns). Both players have excellent acceleration and can turn on the burners and leave defenders in their wake in a hurry. The best hands on the record-setting Sooner offense belong to the likes of receiver Juaquin Iglesias(69 catches, 1,092 yards, 10 touchdowns) and tight end Jermaine Gresham(58 catches, 888 yards, 12 touchdowns). While both receivers might not be as fast as Johnson or Broyles, don’t be fooled, once they get in the open field they can scoot in a hurry. Gresham might play tight end but he moves like a receiver and is a huge mismatch for opposing defenses. Both players will be playing on Sundays next fall.

This Oklahoma offense is one of the best I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. It truly has been fun to watch them. After they lost to Texas, I hoped and wished they would get their chance to get into the BCS National Championship game and sure enough, I got my wish. For once I would love to see an elite offense(Oklahoma) defeat a great defense(Florida) and modify the old adage in football: “Defense wins championships.” I would love to see that not only does a great defense win championships, but so does a great offense. If my prediction comes true—then I will get another wish—to watch the golden armed gunslinger of a quarterback(Sam Bradford) hoist the Waterford crystal skyward.

Final prediction:In the end, Oklahoma’s prolific offensive attack is simply too much for the Gator’s defense to handle. I don’t think Oklahoma’s defense will be able to stop Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, and the Gators’ lethal offense, but it all comes down to the Oklahoma offensive attack and how it is one of the best in college football history. Sam Bradford and company outscore Tim Tebow and the Gators in one of the best national title games in history.

Oklahoma 49 Florida 42

Heisman Heist: Harrell Snubbed out of Heisman Ceremony

2008-12-11T18:13:00.000-08:00

When college football fans across the country tune into ESPN at 8 p.m.(EST) on Saturday night to watch the 2008 Heisman Trophy presentation—they will be treated to a presentation filled with a lot of things. First, they will get a look inside the dazzling facility that is the Sports Museum of America, which recently opened in May of 2008.They will hear about the history of the Heisman—which happens to be the most prestigious individual award in college football. They’ll learn of past winners of the award, such as Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders, Brigham Young’s Ty Detmer, or Nebraska’s fleet-footed Eric Crouch. Fans will also be treated with highlights of the 2008 Heisman finalists.

They’ll watch the highlights of the calm hand of Sam Bradford guiding his team to five straight performances in which the Sooners put up 60 points or more—a feat no other team in the history of college football has accomplished.

Fans will watch the punishing hits and superhuman strength of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in leading his Gators to a SEC title and another BCS National Championship game berth. Tebow’s face will of course look strikingly familiar because he won the award last season. That and the fact that ESPN has a love affair with Tim Tebow—constantly playing his highlights and the pieces about Tebow traveling to the Philippines to complete missionary work.

Fans will also get a good look at the golden boy that is Colt McCoy, gunslinger extraordinaire for the Texas Longhorns. McCoy’s uncanny accuracy on his passes(over 77 percent) this season might be the best in the history of college football, unless he tops the mark next season of course.

Fans will get to hear about Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford, and Tim Tebow, but the one player they won’t be hearing about is Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell. Harrell, for some odd reason wasn’t invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony—despite posting numbers that are comparable to the other three finalists. This year Harrell was an air-assaulting assassin with the pigskin, commanding the nation’s top ranked aerial assault. The Red Raiders’ tormented defenses all season long with their passing attack this season, piling up over 417 yards per game through the air. Harrell’s numbers are difficult to put up in EA Sports NCAA Football ’09, let alone real life!

Let’s put it this way, in the 2008 season, Harrell was ranked in the top ten in the nation in five major offensive categories: 2nd in total passing yards(4,747), 2nd in passing yards per game(395.5), 9th in passing efficiency(163.0), 2nd in total offense(390.8), and 4th in points responsible for(23.83). He also managed to complete a staggering 71.4 percent of his passes despite leading the nation in passing attempts with 568. Now compare that with Tebow’s completion percentage of 64.9 percent of his passes with 268 pass attempts and it seems even better. Then you look at McCoy’s ridiculous completion percentage(77.3) with nearly 200 pass attempts less than Harrell(375) and you see yet again, how impressive Harrell’s completion percentage was. Finally, take a look at Sam Bradford’s 68.3 completion percentage with only 442 pass attempts. All three of those stats prove to us one thing—Graham Harrell’s completion percentage with over 550 pass attempts is out of this world!

Did I mention that Harrell also passed for more yards this season than any of the three finalists? Oh yeah and I guess that whole game-winning touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree never happened in the Texas game either! Who will ever forget that beautifully lofted “back-shoulder fade” he threw to stun the top-ranked Longhorns before a nationally televised audience? Last, but not least, this is the same Graham Harrell who played with two shattered fingers in his non-throwing hand against Baylor and lifted his team to a 35-28 comeback victory. The Red Raiders were trailing by 14, but Harrell drove the offense down the field multiple times to put up 21 straight points—in doing so ensuring the Red Raiders’ of their first 11 win season since 1973.

I’m not trying to belittle the accomplishments of the Heisman finalists—Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, and Colt McCoy, are all very deserving of being finalists for the award. They all posted astronomical numbers on the gridiron this season and led their teams to dazzling campaigns. I’m just saying that Graham Harrell deserves to be invited to New York with them. I realize his chances of winning the award were pretty slim because the Heisman committee decided to choose the finalists due to a “natural breaking point” in the votes. Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach was furious about the snub and justifiably so. Leach said Wednesday that "if Graham is not invited to the Heisman, they ought to quit giving out the award. It is a shameless example of politics ruling over performance."

Leach has every right to be mad because his quarterback had one of the best seasons in college football history and apparently the Heisman committee was too blind to see that. Just remember that when you’re watching the ceremony on Saturday night and you feel like there’s something missing—because Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell is it.

Snapbomb Allows Bloggers to Earn Money

2008-12-10T12:13:00.000-08:00

I recently read an e-mail about blogging and earning money and I honestly thought the e-mail was going to be like all the other e-mails I've received about blogging and earning cash--highly unrealistic. Many of the previous services I have tried to earn money on my blog with such as google ad sense are far too complicated and also require your page to generate a ridiculous amount of hits in order to earn cash.

I mean common man, I love to write but I'm definitely not drawing in enough traffic to make even the smallest amount on google ad sense. So I checked out this snapbomb website and one of their support people--Nik--was nice enough to help me to figure out how to post my first link so I could get a payment. Sure enough, after my first article about the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year--they paid me $9.00. Maybe that's not alot to some people out there, but it is nearly impossible to find people out there on the internet to pay for sports articles.

Snapbomb offers a few different assignments that you can choose from if you wish to earn some cash and depending on how much traffic your site draws, then you could make a decent amount of money. One of the problems with Snapbomb is there isn't a wide variety of assignments--they are mostly about promoting businesses and services. Hopefully they have more sports assignments which match my blog in the future, so we'll see what happens.

In the meantime, a site like snapbomb is definitely worth a try in my opinion. Whether you're a broke college kid like me, or if you're just tryin' to make a few bucks during this economic recession. Just go to the following link: http://www.snapbomb.com/bloggers.html?acp=7551 and see if snapbomb is for you!

2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year

2008-12-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

The 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year finalists have been announced for Division 1A and the finalists are:

Mack Brown: University of Texas
Pat Fitzgerald: Northwestern University
Brady Hoke: Ball State University
Urban Meyer: University of Florida
Joe Paterno: Penn State University
Chris Petersen: Boise State University
Bob Stoops: University of Oklahoma
Nick Saban: University of Alabama
Jim Tressel: Ohio State University
Kyle Whittingham: University of Utah

The commitment of college football coaches across the country is a very big one, to say the least. Every man on this list has had to spend hours and hours away from their families, missing holidays, birthdays, and many other important family functions that every day college football fans take forgranted. They spend long hours every day going through activities such as team meetings, film breakdowns, and coaches' meetings.

The demands of a college football coach are greater than many people believe and alot of times people don't get to truly appreciate the product that is placed out there on gameday. Their passion for the game is at an extremely high level because they must spent so much of their daily lives to one thing: football. That's not even considering the fact that players get in trouble during the off-season and place a tremendous amount of unncecessary stress on their coaches. If it was all about what was happening between the lines, then the life of a college football coach would be much easier. But it's not and it will continue to be that way because of the intense media scrutiny and pressure that comes with making millions of dollars every year.

College football coaches must wear many hats, they must be able to please the boosters, the president and athletic director of their University, the media, and last but not least, the fans of their team. They also have to deal with a variety of people in the academic arena from teachers and faculty members to academic advisors and tutors. More and more pressure is being placed on college football coaches to make sure their players successfully complete their academic careers.

One question posed on the award's website: http://www.coachoftheyear.com/. If a coach is fired mid-season, should he continue coaching the team through the end of the season? I think the answer to that question should be completely up to the coach. He's spent an endless amount of his time, breaking down film, hitting the recruiting trail, practicing during two a days, and many other activities that require a ton of time, so if he can handle finishing out the season then he should. If he feels like it would cause too much mental anguish for him to finish, then I think he should step down. I just don't think it's for the "good of the program" for a coach to step down mid-season.

The players will have to adjust to new personalities and new schemes in the middle of the season, which is usually an extremely difficult transition. Coaches often speak of putting the "team" before themselves and I think if a coach quit on his team in the middle of the season, then that's putting himself before the team and not following his own advice. Coaches love to talk about sacrificing individual needs and wants for the good of the team and the program and I think stepping down would tell your kids, "It's okay for me to be selfish, but not you guys." No coach in college football wants to set a double standard like that. For your players to want to sacrifice all of their blood, sweat, and tears for you on the gridiron, then you must show them that you are all equals.

If I was going to vote for a head coach on the finalists list: I would choose Kyle Whittingham of Utah simply because the Utes have had such a dazzling campaign this season. He led the Utes to a sparkling 12-0 campaign this year and a BCS berth in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Utah completed its best season since Urban Meyer was the head man in Salt Lake City, posting two wins over top 20 opponents in TCU(13-10) and arch-rival BYU(48-24). The Utes also defeated two BCS conference opponents in Michigan(25-23) and Oregon State(31-28).

Utah's Louie Sakoda is arguably the best kicker in college football.

Under Whittingham's tutelage, Utah's kicker Louie Sakoda was recently named a first-team All-American kicker by the AFCA. In doing so, Sakoda became the first player in school history to make a major All-America team at two different positions(kicker and punter). A top three finalist for both the Lou Groza(kicking) and Ray Guy(punting) awards, Sakoda is second in the entire nation in kick-scoring points with 115 and has connected on an eye-gouging 91.3 percent(21-23) of his field goal attempts this season. He nailed several clutch kicks throughout the season, none of them being bigger than his 37-yarder as time expired to lift the Utes to victory over the Oregon State Beavers(31-28) and keep their BCS dreams alive.

Utah quarterback Brian Johnson made several key plays throughout the season to ensure that his Utah Utes kept their BCS dreams alive. The Utes will face Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on January 2nd.

Under Whittingham's watch, Utah has also produced one of the most prolific quarterbacks in Mountain West Conference history in quarterback Brian Johnson. Johnson has been the catalyst to the Utes' spectacular season, completing 68.8 percent of his passes for over 2,600 yards, while tossing in 24 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. The senior is the undisputed leader of the Utah football team and without his production in critical moments, this magical season clearly would not have been possible.

My choice for the 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year: Utah's Kyle Whittingham.

If you want to vote for Kyle Whittingham for the 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year please go to the following site: http://coachoftheyear.com/?oppId=162 Fans can continue to vote for Whittingham or any other candidate until December 22nd. Fan votes account for 20 percent of each coach's final score while the College Football Hall of Famers and national college football media account for 55 percent and 25 percent, respectively.

The 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award winners will be announced on ESPN during halftime of the Music City Bowl on Dec. 31.

Head Coach Tommy Tuberville Fired at Auburn

2008-12-03T19:36:00.000-08:00

After reading the story earlier today, I simply couldn’t believe my eyes. The headline on a message board read, “Tuberville fired.” Auburn has officially fired head coach Tommy Tuberville and will owe him around $6 million to buyout his contract--$3 million within the next thirty days and an additional $3 million within one year.

I still can’t believe it. I’m feeling a combination of anger and sadness about the firing. Angry at the Auburn administration and athletic department for firing a coach who was so loyal to his University and sad a day like this has come in college football. I’m sad that it’s come to the day that a coach can rattle off eight straight winning seasons in the SEC and the second he has one losing season—he’s canned.

In 2003, Auburn’s former president(William Walker) and former athletic director(David Housel) flew to Louisville with two Auburn trustees—Byron Franklin and Earlon McWhorter—on November 20th to discuss the Auburn job with Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino. This was two days before the Iron Bowl—the annual showdown between Auburn and Alabama. The meeting took place without three key people knowing about it: Tuberville, the Louisville president, and the Louisville athletic director. Auburn ended up defeating Alabama and finishing 8-5 that season after a bowl victory in the Music City Bowl. Tuberville ended up being retained after news of the “secret meeting” became public and support from Auburn fans poured in from all directions.

William Walker then met with Tuberville shortly after, apologized to him and said he hoped he would choose to remain at Auburn. Tuberville displayed unwavering loyalty to the program in deciding to stick with the Tigers and an administration that had clearly stabbed him in the back. "Everybody has shed a lot of tears, and right or wrong, everybody's learned from this," Tuberville said."Dr. Walker said he made a major mistake, and we talked about it," he said.

I realize that the current athletic director at Auburn(Jay Jacobs) has no connection to the situation, but how in the world can you justify firing a head coach who was not only loyal his program, but also happened to be one of the most successful coaches in college football?

During his ten seasons at Auburn, Tuberville only had two losing seasons! Those happened during his first year(1999) and his last(2008). He won 85 games in 10 seasons and led the Tigers to a SEC championship and undefeated season in 2004. In 2004, the Auburn Tigers finished 13-0 and won the SEC championship, but were left out of the BCS national championship game—in what will forever be known as one of the biggest screw jobs in college football history. Auburn still defeated Virginia Tech 16-13 in the Sugar Bowl that season, and Tuberville piled up the hardware: he was named Coach of the Year by the AFCA, the Associated Press, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

In 2006, his Tigers posted huge victories over two top 5 opponents who later played in BCS bowls, including the BCS National Champion Florida Gators. Under Tuberville the Tigers had recently dominated their series with heated in-state rival Alabama in the Iron Bowl, winning six straight games in the rivalry until losing 36-0 on Saturday. The loss was Auburn’s worst defeat in the series since losing 38-0 in 1962.

Tuberville is not only one of the best game day coaches in America, he’s also one of the finest recruiters in all of college football. Known as “The Riverboat Gambler” for his aggressive play-calling style on 4th down, very few coaches have the level of game day smarts that Tuberville is blessed with. His coaching staffs at Auburn were always among the best in going out and landing recruits that fit their style of football. Some of the best players in SEC history played at Auburn under Tuberville’s watch: who will forget the dazzling running back tandem of Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown or the tremendous growth of quarterback Jason Campbell throughout his career? One of the most feared linebacker tandems in college football history suited up for Tuberville—Karlos Dansby and Dontarrious Thomas. Who will forget the likes of Carlos Rogers and Junior Rosegreen roaming the gridiron in the secondary for Tuberville? That’s not even mentioning the fearless running style of former Auburn great Kenny Irons, who seemed to explode through the line of scrimmage with a rare fire and energy. Linebacker Tray Blackmon has had a few problems off-the-field, but the kid has NFL talent written all over him if he can stay out of trouble. Last year the Tigers landed an excellent class once again, defensive back T’Sharvan Bell appears to be a future star on defense for the Tigers.

Over the past few years, Auburn’s players have always played with a high motor and played with a high level of intensity. I think a lot of that can be contributed to Tuberville’s coaching staff and their ability to prepare the Tiger football players for game day. His teams always played with a passion and intensity that made Auburn football a beautiful thing to watch.

Beyond the gridiron, Tuberville also did an excellent job in teaching his players to give back to their respective community. He required his players to spend a day at the Storybook Farm, an equestrian-based program offering free therapeutic care to children with debilitating illnesses. He also hosted several charity golf events for the Auburn University Marching band and many other organizations.

Unfortunately for Tuberville, none of that matters. In the graveyard of coaches in the SEC, it’s about winning now. If you don’t, you will pay the price. Just ask former Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin—who was in just his seventh game of implementing the spread offense for the Auburn Tigers before he was canned (including the 2007 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl). Franklin was fired by Tuberville because he knew that if he didn’t get things turned around in a hurry, he was next on the chopping block.

In the end, I think it was the “Riverboat Gambler” and his willingness to gamble which eventually sealed his fate. Changing up Auburn’s offense was a pretty risky proposition—especially with two inexperienced quarterbacks under center in Kodi Burns and Chris Todd. I still can’t believe how outrageous it is that Tommy Tuberville was fired, but in the graveyard of the SEC I guess it isn’t too hard to believe.

An Aerial Assault for the Ages: Texas Tech Clashes with Oklahoma

2008-11-21T17:38:00.000-08:00

One of the most anticipated college football games of the 2008-2009 season will take place this Saturday when the 2nd ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders travel to Norman, Oklahoma to face the 5th ranked Oklahoma Sooners. The winner of this game likely controls their own destiny in their road to not only the Big 12 Championship game, but the BCS National Championship game as well.

If Oklahoma wins out, and Texas Tech wins next week against Baylor, and Texas wins out, there would be a three-way tie atop the Big 12 South standings. Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech all would all be sitting at 7-1 in conference. The tie-breaker that determines who would go to the Big 12 title game is which team is ranked the highest in the BCS rankings. The team that would represent the Big 12 South in such a case would likely be the Oklahoma Sooners. At this point it is pure guess work and speculation, but it could end up being a reality in a few weeks. If Texas Tech wins out, then there is no doubt they would be the Big 12 South representative in the Big 12 Championship on December 6th in Kansas City, Missouri.

This game features two of the most prolific passing attacks in all of college football. The Red Raiders own the best aerial assault in the land(433.7 ypg.) while Oklahoma’s aerial assault is not far behind at 3rd in the nation(355.5 ypg.).

As you might imagine, both teams are blessed with golden-armed gunslingers commanding their respective offenses. Senior Graham Harrell and sophomore Sam Bradford are both air-assaulting assassins who have put up video-game like numbers from the signal caller position this season. Not surprisingly, both players will likely end up being Heisman Trophy finalists in December.

The numbers for both quarterbacks this season have been so gaudy they are almost unbelievable. Consider this—Harrell and Bradford rank among the nation’s top 10 quarterbacks in five passing categories: passing efficiency, total offense, points responsible for, passing yards per game, and total passing yards.

Here’s exactly how they rank in those categories among college football’s quarterbacks: Graham Harrell ranks 7th in passing efficiency(169.2), but perhaps the most impressive stat is he is the nation’s leader in four passing categories: total offense(407.2 ypg.), points responsible for(25.6 ppg.), passing yards per game(407.7 ypg.), and total passing yards(4,077). Sam Bradford is no slouch either, as he ranks 2nd in the nation in passing efficiency(188.9), 4th in total offense (343 ypg.), 2nd in points responsible for(25.2 ppg.), 3rd in passing yards per game(340.6 ypg.), and 5th in total passing yards(3,406). Those numbers are astronomical—to say the least. Harrell has completed 332 of his 463 pass attempts(71.7%) for 4,077 yards, while tossing in 36 touchdowns and just five interceptions, whereas Bradford has completed 224 of his 330 pass attempts(67.8%) for 3,406 yards, while tossing in 38 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Both quarterbacks are not known for their ability to gash opposing defenses with their legs, but they’ve both rushed for multiple touchdowns this season, Harrell with six, Bradford has found the end zone four times on the ground.

A quick scouting report on both quarterbacks—Sam Bradford is much more comfortable with the five-step drop and you’ll see him do that quite often on Saturday, although Oklahoma does operate out of the shotgun a great deal, they run a no-huddle offense at times to keep the defense off-balance. Bradford’s footwork is unparalleled and his feet are so calm and quiet in the pocket, it truly is a thing of beauty. He seems to slide his feet along the turf with such ease. He’s also blessed with a quick release, excels in his pump fakes, ball placement, and the ball just rolls off his hand to throw a beautifully spun tight spiral.

Graham Harrell has perhaps the best ball placement of any quarterback in all of college football. He is excellent at placing the ball where the only player that can make a play on the ball is his receiver. He operates exclusively out of the shotgun in head coach Mike Leach’s well publicized spread attack. He stands tall in the pocket and is excellent at improvising and finding the open man even when he is flushed out of the pocket. The Texas native can also throw on the run remarkably well and he’s incredibly good at finding the open man. One of his best passes is the screen pass, Texas Tech runs this play perhaps better than any other team in the country. The Red Raiders’ spread attack is predicated on spacing, if you watch their running backs you’ll see that head coach Mike Leach drags the backs to the edges of the field, thus driving the linebackers out of the middle of the field. This clears the middle of the field for Texas Tech’s plethora of receivers. The Red Raiders’ receivers are excellent at keeping their proper spacing throughout the play, forcing the defense to cover them one-on-one, which increases the chances for somebody to get open.

Behind every great quarterback there is usually a great offensive line and both teams are blessed with two of the top offensive line units in the nation. Oklahoma has two gargantuan offensive linemen by the name of Duke Robinson(6’5, 330 lbs.) and Phil Loadholt(6’8, 337 lbs.) that as one publication so eloquently put it “block out the sun”. They’ve kept Sam Bradford’s jersey squeaky clean all season long and have helped pave the way for a running attack that helps to add excellent balance to the Sooner offense. Through 10 games, the unit has only allowed 9 sacks. They’ve also paved the way for a dynamic Sooner rushing attack that has chewed up over 1,900 yards on the ground this season, ranking them 24th in the nation in that category. More on them later.

Texas Tech’s offensive line is no slouch either, in fact you could argue it’s slightly better than Oklahoma’s, when it comes to pass protection at least. The Red Raiders’ offensive linemen have extraordinarily large splits, a key cog in their spread attack. The philosophy is that if you have larger splits among the linemen, the defensive ends will have a greater distance to travel to the quarterback. If you want beef up front, the Red Raiders’ offensive line is certainly not short on it by any stretch of the imagination. Left tackle Rylan Reed is one of the most talented offensive linemen in all of college football. Tipping the scales at a hefty, 6’7, 305 lbs. Reed bench presses over 500 pounds. Then there’s the mountain of a man that is Brandon Carter, who stands at an eye-popping 6’7, 354 lbs. The Red Raiders’ offensive line has been instrumental in keeping Harrell’s jersey clean all season, only allowing only 5 sacks in 499 pass attempts. The buffet busters up front have also allowed Texas Tech to do something many critics argued they could not do over the years: run the football. The Red Raiders have gashed opposing defenses for over 1,400 yards and 25 TDs on the ground this season. While those are not the highest numbers, the threat of running helps to add balance to the Red Raider offensive attack, crucial for any offense. I’ll have more on the running backs in a bit.

The Oklahoma running back that is easily the most electrifying and most dangerous running back in this game is a man that I like to call “Reggie Bush reincarnate”, sophomore standout Demarco Murray. He’s an ultra-elusive running back who excels when he was the ball in space and can turn on the burners and leave defenders in his wake in a hurry. According to an article written by Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News, Murray’s teammates say he’s the hardest player on the team to tackle. “He has three exit routes. He can run you over, he can shake you, or he can outrun you,” OU linebacker Keenan Clayton said. Blessed with a 41-inch vertical and a 4.4 40 yard dash time, there isn’t a better athlete in the nation at running back than Mr. Murray. He’s an all-purpose threat who can take it the distance any time he gets his hands on the football. This season, Murray has juked and jived his way to 804 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground on 146 attempts. He’s also displayed his soft set of hands, hauling in 26 passes for 308 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Las Vegas native is also a dynamic threat in the kick return game, gaining 548 yards on 20 attempts, averaging a blistering 27.8 yards per attempt. He’s already piled up over 1,600 all-purpose yards this season, ranking him 8th in the country in that category. All of the praise for Murray is not to take away from the talent of his fellow running back, Chris Brown. The speedy junior can pick up yards in a hurry and is an excellent complement to Murray. This season he’s gashed opposing defenses for 782 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground on 128 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Look for sophomore stud Mossis Madu to see some action as well as he’s rushed for over 300 yards for the Sooners this year. The Oklahoma running attack is a key to this game because it will help the Sooners keep the Texas Tech defense honest. The Sooner offense’s tremendous balance is a huge factor in this game and cannot be overstated enough.

The Texas Tech running backs, while not quite as dangerous as the Sooners’ unit, fit remarkably well into the spread attack that the Red Raiders’ run. Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach has long been hailed as a passing genius and his offensive record speaks for itself. Senior Shannon Woods will split carries with sophomore stud Baron Batch throughout this game. Both backs are excellent in the Red Raiders’ zone-read play, which is their bread-and-butter on offense. Woods and Batch both have the initial burst through the line of scrimmage that is needed to hit the gaps of the defensive line. Batch leads the team in rushing yards with 667 yards on 93 attempts(7.2 ypc.), while also racking up five touchdowns. In the 2008 season, Woods has gashed defenses for 588 yards on 116 attempts(5.1 ypc.), while also scooting his way to 11 touchdowns. Both running backs won’t likely break the big one, but they can easily get six to seven yards each play out of the zone read. In the passing game, both running backs are utilized extremely well out of the backfield. As mentioned earlier, Texas Tech loves to send their running backs out horizontally, stretching the linebackers to the edges of the field and clearing space for their receivers in the middle. Batch and Woods will likely get their fair share of screen passes on Saturday, because Harrell runs it extremely well. This season, Woods has hauled in 21 balls for 267 yards(12.7 per catch) and 2 touchdowns, whereas Batch has snagged 32 passes for 374 yards(11.7 per catch) and 1 touchdown. Both running backs are excellent receivers and will have to be accounted for by the Oklahoma defense.

A big part of why the Oklahoma aerial assault has such big play ability is its plethora of dynamic, home-run hitting wide receivers. Receivers like Juaquin Iglesias, Ryan Broyles, and Manuel Johnson all have superb hands and can stretch the field vertically. They are all threats to take it the distance on any given play because of their electrifying speed. Iglesias is the Sooners’ top receiving threat, corraling 51 passes for 853 yards(16.7 ypc.), and six touchdowns. Broyles and Johnson both have excellent acceleration and once they put the gas pedal to the floor, the defender simply has no chance to catch them from behind. Johnson has hauled in 34 passes for 587 yards(17.3 ypc.) this season while finding the end zone eight times and Broyles has snatched 30 balls for 502 yards(16.7 ypc.) and 5 touchdowns. Even though he’s not listed as a receiver, senior tight end Jermaine Gresham is just as dangerous as any other receiver on the roster because he plays like one. Gresham is one of the top tight ends in the country and has caught 36 passes for 553 yards(15.4 ypc.) and nine touchdowns this year.

The Texas Tech pass catchers as a unit may not be as dangerous as the Sooners’ in terms of big play ability, but they do have greater depth on their unit and they also have the nation’s best receiver in the scintillating sophomore that is Michael Crabtree. Crabtree not only has the best set of hands in the land, but what makes him so dangerous is his ability to pick up yards after catch. He’s far more dangerous after the ball is in his hands and is a threat to take it to the house on any given play. He’s blessed with perhaps the best package of leaping ability, body control, speed, acceleration, and hands in the country. Crabtree has also demonstrated his willingness to block downfield on numerous occasions. He’ll likely be a top 5 draft selection in the 2009 NFL Draft if he decides to leave Texas Tech after this season. In the 2008 campaign, Crabtree has snagged 78 balls for 1,010 yards and 18 touchdowns. He leads the nation’s receivers in touchdowns and ranks in the top ten in two other categories: sixth in receiving yards per game(101 ypg.) and fifth in receptions per game(7.8). He’ll likely land his second straight Biletnikoff Award at the end of the year. It’s the award given to the best wide receiver in the country. Crabtree is deserving of every second of attention given to him, but there are plenty of other talented receivers in this Texas Tech receiving corps. Sophomore Detron Lewis is having a huge year, hauling in 57 passes for 730 yards(12.8 ypc.) and one touchdown. Eric Morris, dubbed “The Elf”, has snatched 56 passes for 595 yards(10.6 ypc.) and six touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Tramain Swindall has snagged 36 passes for 456 yards(12.7 ypc.) and one touchdown. Junior Edward Britton has corraled 29 balls for 482 yards(16.6 ypc.) and four touchdowns. In all, the Texas Tech receiving corps’ has seven players who have hauled in over 20 passes or more this season. The excellent ball distribution in this offense is yet another reason why this Red Raider offense is so difficult to defend. The receivers in this offense don’t run alot of vertical routes, they run alot of crossing routes that stretch the defense horizontally. They also like to run alot of receiver screens, so I would look for plenty of those as well. Look for them to attack the middle of the Oklahoma Sooner defense, it is their biggest weakness because Texas exploited it earlier this year.

On defense, I would say that Texas Tech has the edge but not by much. Both Oklahoma and Texas Tech have given up generous amounts of real estate and points on defense this season. Sophomore linebacker Brian Duncan is the leader for the Red Raiders’ defensive unit, racking up 74 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 5 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception this season—simply ridiculous numbers by anyone’s standards. Safety Darcel McBath is another man to watch for in the Texas Tech defense, he’s hauled in six interceptions, 56 tackles, and seven pass breakups so far this year. Junior Jamar Wall is one of the Red Raiders’ best cornerbacks and he leads the team with nine pass breakups. He’s also snagged two interceptions. Yet another safety, Daniel Charbonnet has posted big numbers for Texas Tech, racking up 53 tackles, three tackles for loss, six pass breakups, and five interceptions. Like I said earlier, the Red Raider defense has improved, but has still been generous, surrendering 244 yards per game(98th in the nation) in the air, while yielding 22.2 points per game(46th in the nation). I’d look for defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill to play alot of zone defense and just try and keep the Oklahoma receivers in front of them. Neither of these teams is talented enough defensively to play alot of man coverage, nor could they afford to with the level of offensive talent they are matched up against.

Oklahoma’s defensive unit has many talented players, they are just extremely weak across the middle of their defense in the linebacker area. Like Texas Tech they’ve been generous in surrendering real estate and points, yielding 23.6 points per game(57th in the nation) and 238 yards per game through the air(93rd in the nation). Losing linebacker Ryan Reynolds in the Texas game was a huge blow to this defense, but I think even with him this defense is extremely vulnerable in the middle. Redshirt freshman Travis Lewis leads the team in tackles from the linebacker position, racking up 104 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions already this season. Defensive back Brian Jackson leads the team in pass breakups with eight and has hauled in one interception. Defensive back Nic Harris is a seasoned veteran of this team and he’s notched 44 tackles, four pass breakups, and recovered one fumble so far this year. Defensive lineman Gerald McCoy will be crucial in getting pressure on Graham Harrell—he’s notched a team-leading six sacks and nine tackles for loss thus far this year.

Final Prediction: This game will be one of the best football games of the entire 2008-2009 college football season. I’ve been looking forward to this one for two weeks and anybody that likes good offensive football is probably right there with me. This game is oozing with a level of offensive talent that likely won’t be seen in any other match up this season. Sam Bradford and Graham Harrell, Michael Crabtree and Juaquin Iglesias, Shannon Woods and Demarco Murray, the list goes on forever folks. This game is very evenly matched, but the factors I like in Oklahoma’s favor are three-fold: revenge, home field, and offensive balance. Oklahoma lost to Texas Tech last season in a shootout and they will be gunning for revenge. They will jump at their shot to get back in the BCS national championship race. The home crowd in Norman is another factor that I’m very big on. Texas Tech won both of its big games against Texas and Oklahoma State at home in Lubbock. I think they’ll have trouble being away from their home crowd. The Sooners’ offensive balance is a little bit better than the Red Raiders and I look for that balance to cause problems for the Texas Tech defense. Running back Demarco Murray presents a wide variety of problems and I think he’ll have so much space that he and Chris Brown will have a bigger impact on this game than Shannon Woods and Baron Batch. In the end, the Sooners prevail victorious in front of their home crowd in “The Aerial Assault for the Ages” and get one step closer to the 2009 BCS National Championship.

Oklahoma 49 Texas Tech 45

Virginia-Miami Preview

2008-10-30T19:54:00.001-07:00

This is my latest article--a preview of the Virginia-Miami game this weekend! Check it out if you want... I'll be in attendance.

Here is the link:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1165278/streaking_cavaliers_clash_against_youthful.html?cat=14

Youth Soccer

2008-09-30T22:20:00.000-07:00

What's going on everybody,

For once I've decided to show everybody a little bit of my writing outside of the world of football, I know, sounds crazy doesn't it. Contrary to popular belief, I do have a world outside of football and sports. I had to write this report for my field experience, which is officiating Youth Soccer here in Athens, Ohio for a good amount of fall quarter. Anyways, check it out and look for more articles from me in the future.

Week 1: Youth Soccer

Wade H. Peery

Field Experience

Working with youth soccer in Athens has been a tremendous amount of fun for me. While it has its positives and minuses like any other job out there, officiating youth soccer has been a very pleasurable experience for me. The first day I was pretty nervous, but as time has gone along it has gotten more fun for me.

About two days into the experience, I really started to feel comfortable out there. I started telling the kids, “Guys are we ready to have some fun?!” They responded with a quiet…”Yeaaa!” Then I piped back up and was like, “Guys are we ready to have some fun?!” Then they all responded with a “Yeaaaah!” in unison. That put a smile on my face I tell you. I like throwing my hands up in the air when the kids score and it is pretty cool to see the smiles on their faces.

Another thing I enjoy is when the kids recognize me when they are leaving the soccer fields. One girl had gotten cleated in the back so I had to whistle the play dead. She was crying and was in pretty bad shape at the time, but after a few minutes she was feeling better. It was good to see her feeling better. She waved at me when she was driving away from the fields and that was a pretty cool feeling for me. I liked that a lot. I think that is the biggest part about being a ref that I take pretty seriously—making sure that none of the kids get hurt.

Sure I might make a bad call when a ball goes out of bounds and I can’t see it, but I definitely don’t want to see anybody get seriously injured and I make sure to whistle the play dead when it is needed. It is funny because sometimes the kid will act like they aren’t injured right after the play, but 30 seconds later they will be crying so you are forced to whistle it dead.

Officiating takes on more jobs than just officiating the game. I kind of have to play a parental role out there, because some kids need their shoes tied and they ask me to do it for them. I have no problem doing it for them and I’m happy to help in that regard. One of the more dangerous things to watch with these younger kids is they tend to fall on the ground a lot and I have to pick them up off the ground to ensure they don’t get cleated in the mouth.

Another parental thing I need to do is to try and make sure everybody gets to kick the ball in because a lot of times, just one kid might try to take all of the kicks. Sometimes they will all just stand there and look at me funny, which is pretty funny for me. On corner kicks they are pretty funny because they just stand there for a while and stare at the ball, until they finally decide to kick it. Some will look for my signal to go, which speeds up the process.

I haven’t had too many people question my calls, which I’m sure I have made some bad ones because sometimes I will be away from the play and I will just have to guess to the best of my ability. One of the coaches today was like, “That’s an extremely questionable call.” I was laughing about it, because he was joking with me and I’ve known him for a while. He dated one of my neighbors for a long time and he’s been in a few of my classes. I laughed it off and told him I was in a questionable mood.

Steve is probably one of the better coaches I have seen in terms of dealing with the kids and getting on their level. It’s pretty funny to see how all the coaches handle 10 different kids at once. They love having more of them on the field, because that means the officials have to deal with em. I don’t mind that, because it means more kids get to play, which means more of them will have fun. That is essentially the point of the entire league—for all these kids to have fun, learn some of the rules, and not get injured while doing it.

That is my least favorite part, to see a kid get injured because I have been there and know what it’s like to take a shot with a soccer ball in the face—not pleasant at all. One of the difficult things in the past few days has been determining which teams are on what field and who is going to officiate those games, but we have been able to get it straightened out eventually. I’ve always worked with Jon Kondrich—he works on the field right beside me and I’ve been keeping the time. He looks for my signal when the quarters and games are officially over. One kid was making me laugh because he said I smelled like one of his friends because I was sweating. Those kids will give you a workout running up and down the field let me tell ya.

I’m already starting to develop a bit of an attachment to these kids and I think I will miss it after I am done. Those kids have a ton of energy while there might be times where they can make you angry—they make me laugh and smile most of the time. I’m interested to see what the rest of the experience brings!

Showdown in SEC: Florida at Tennessee Preview

2008-09-19T17:50:00.000-07:00

Florida Gators at Tennessee Volunteers
Saturday, September 20th
3:30 p.m.(CBS)
Knoxville, Tennessee(Neyland Stadium)

Quarterback Tim Tebow and the fourth-ranked Florida Gators travel this Saturday to Knoxville, Tenn. to square off against Arian Foster and the Tennessee Volunteers in a heated SEC showdown.

The Gators are coming off a bye week and it couldn’t have come at a better time, because it gave them an extra week to allow game-breaker Percy Harvin to rest his heel. Sure, he played against Miami on September 6th, but he only touched the ball six times. It’s going to be interesting in this match up to see if Harvin will finally be 100 percent after it’s taken him longer than expected to recover from off-season heel surgery on his right heel.

The Virginia native spoke to the media earlier this week and sounds like he’s licking his chops: “Coach just came to me and said he’s ready to cut me loose.” That’s bad news for the Volunteer defense. Urban Meyer is excellent at getting his do-it-all playmaker the football in a variety of formations and plays. Look for Harvin to receive the ball on a variety of end-arounds, jet sweeps, and zone read handoffs . These type of plays allow the speedster to cut on the burners and turn the corner against opposing defenses. Perhaps no other receiver in college football besides Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin is a greater all-purpose threat on the football field than Harvin. Last season he racked up over 1,600 all-purpose yards for the Gators and 10 touchdowns on the bad heel. Imagine what kind of numbers he can put up if he’s 100 percent for a change, which he claims he hasn’t been since his heel bothered him in high school. Look for him to get more than 15-20 touches on Saturday in a variety of ways.

While the Gators are excited to have Percy Harvin back to full health, that’s not to say they don’t have a variety of offensive weapons at their disposal. Senior receiver Louis Murphy is an emerging big play threat who has posted dizzying numbers this year for the Gators’ offense. He’s already hauled in 6 passes for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging over 21 yards per catch. Those are video game numbers, folks!

Then there’s yet another all-purpose threat, receiver/punt returner/kick returner Brandon James, who also happens to be one of the most dangerous return men in all of college football. So far this season, James has 7 punt returns for 144 yards, averaging over 20 yards per return. He already has a 74 yard punt return for a touchdown. As dangerous he is as a punt returner, he’s arguably even more dangerous on kick returns— he has 3 returns for 82 yards—a blistering 27.3 average per return. Make no mistake about it, James is definitely a man the Vols want to keep an eye on. Urban Meyer is excellent about getting his playmakers touches and James also has 5 catches on the season and is the Gators’ second-leading receiver thus far. He will be all over the place so the Volunteer defense might get sick of seeing him on the field, but if they want a chance at winning this one, they must limit James’ big plays.

Running back Jeff Demps is yet another burner the Volunteer defense must worry about. He ran the 100-meter dash at an eye-gouging 10.01 seconds in high school and like many of other Florida’s players, he can hurt opponents with his lethal dose of speed. Running back Chris Rainey is yet another weapon to watch out for on the offensive side of the ball for the Gators. Rainey is in the mold of a Reggie Bush, in that he’s blessed with scintillating speed and jaw dropping jukes in the open field that allow him to leave defenders in his wake with ease. He’s averaging over 7 yards per rushing attempt this season and has one touchdown. Look for a breakout year this season from Rainey. As long as he gets the touches, the sky is the limit.

Last, but not least on the Florida offense is junior quarterback Tim Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner that ESPN just won’t stop talking about. Tebow is one of the finest players in all of college football, because of his ability to bruise through defenders and run between the tackles with such tenacity and force, it is almost unbelievable. The man is a living legend on the gridiron, because his superhuman strength allows him to play through almost any injury, break any tackle, and carry a variety of defenders on any given play. He’s already thrown for nearly 400 yards through the air this season, while completing over 60 percent of his passes and 3 touchdowns, with no interceptions. He’s also currently the Gators’ leading rusher, gaining 92 yards on the ground so far on 22 attempts. Tebow’s body was smashed and jostled around more than you could believe last season and head coach Urban Meyer has said that he will limit Tebow’s running opportunities this season to keep his star fresh. If there is one man you will be seeing a lot of, and by that I mean a ridiculous amount of on Saturday, it’s number 15, Tim Tebow. As he goes, so does the entire Florida Gators’ offense. He is the engine, he is the catalyst. Without him, the entire operation wouldn’t be nearly as successful.

On defense, if the Volunteers wish to slow the Florida Gators’ offensive arsenal of weapons, then they must look to the defensive line and linebackers to create a push in the backfield and disrupt the offense. If they allow playmakers like Harvin to turn the corner uncontested, it won’t be a pretty sight for Volunteer fans.

Linebacker Ellix Wilson currently leads the Vols’ defense in tackles and they are going to need a huge day from him on Saturday if they wish to have a chance against UF. He’s been all over the place for the Volunteer defense this season, racking up 19 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 interception. Another playmaker for Tennessee is sophomore sensation of a cornerback Eric Berry. The kid was one of the most highly rated high school recruits in the country last season and he hasn’t disappointed a bit. He is currently tied for the team lead in interceptions(2) and is second on the team in tackles(10). Trust me, Eric Berry is a man that Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators’ must be aware of at all times on Saturday or he will make them pay and pay dearly. He’ll be helped by senior defensive back DeAngelo Willingham who also has two picks for the season. Another man who is super talented as long as he keeps his head on straight is safety Demetrice Morley. He posted a phenomenal sophomore season for the Volunteers but left school after the 2006 season due to academic issues. He could definitely be a factor on Saturday.

Linebacker Rico McCoy is another man to watch on the Volunteers’ defense, he’s fourth on the defense in tackles(8) and was a second-team All-SEC selection last year. If the Tennessee defense wants any chance of stopping Tim Tebow, they must not allow him to have a day like UCLA’s Kevin Craft did. The Volunteer secondary allowed the Bruins’ clearly rattled third string quarterback to throw for over 250 yards against them. Those numbers won’t be acceptable on Saturday.

On offense, the Tennessee Volunteers offense is centered around running backs Arian Foster, Montario Hardesty, and Lennon Creer. Foster has 25 attempts for 196 yards on the ground this year, while Hardesty and Creer have combined for over 180 yards and 5 touchdowns between them. The Vols’ senior quarterback Jonathan Crompton is dripping with jaw-dropping potential, but he’s unfortunately never had the work ethic to realize it. The kid is oozing with talent, but it remains to be seen if he can post the kind of numbers that he’s capable of. This season he’s completed over 52 percent of his passes for 429 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Those numbers are less than impressive for a kid who was touted as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks out of the state of North Carolina in high school.

Crompton’s favorite target is senior receiver Lucas Taylor, who leads the team in catches(12) and receiving yards(169). Another man he’ll be looking for is sophomore Gerald Jones, who has hauled in seven passes for 79 yards this season and two touchdowns. Jones is a dynamic playmaker in the open field and the Volunteers will also utilize his speed on kickoff and punt returns. He’s averaging 38 yards per return on kickoffs and 19.5 on punt returns. The Gators’ will definitely be keeping an eye on the Vols’ version of Brandon James.

On defense for the Florida Gators, their undisputed leader is junior linebacker Brandon Spikes. He is currently tied for the team lead in tackles(11) and has 1.5 tackles for loss. He’s one of the best linebackers college football has to offer and it will be a treat to watch him on Saturday. Lookout for number 51. Junior defensive end Jermaine Cunningham has come on strong as of late for the Gator defense, he is tied for the team lead in tackles(11), has racked up 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble already!

Defensive back Joe Haden will look to cause problems for Crompton once he attacks the air, he already has 8 tackles and 1 fumble recovery on the season. Ahmad Black is a sophomore safety who has stepped up big for the Gator defense early, picking off two passes this season. Defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap was one of the most highly touted members of Florida’s recruiting class and I’d look for him to have a big season as the year progresses. This Florida defense has looked extremely sharp in their first two games, only allowing 13 points total in two games.

Final analysis: Quarterback Jonathan Crompton has all the potential in the world. If he ever played up to his potential, it would be a thing of beauty. He’s struggled early on this season and I can’t see him performing any better against a stiff Gator defense that’s only allowed 13 points so far this season. The Vols’ strength lies in their running game, which is ranked in the top 20th in the country, racking up over 221 yards per game. The Gators’ defense has only allowed a stifling 60.5 yards per game on the ground. The match up of this game will likely be won and lost in that area. Tennessee’s offensive line must be able to move the pile and help the Vols running backs find space against the Gators. I can’t see the Tennessee defense stopping Tim Tebow and the Gators high-powered attack, although Miami did an excellent job for three quarters last week. Percy Harvin will be a difference maker that will cause problems all day long for the Vols. If he says he is ready to be unleashed, I’d be very afraid if I was a Volunteer fan. Percy Harvin at full speed is flat out unstoppable and the Vols will find out on Saturday. Their only chance to stay in this one is to force some interceptions with their ball-hawking secondary, which has 7 interceptions already. I think Tennessee stays in this one for a half until Florida pulls away in the second half. Speed, speed, and more speed. Florida has it all over the place and on Saturday it will be in full display. A healthy Percy Harvin is simply lethal for opposing teams.

The pick : Florida 31 Tennessee 17

Thursday Night Spotlight: West Virginia vs. Colorado

2008-09-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

Photo Courtesy of Colorado Athletics Department

Week 4 Thursday Night Spotlight
Thursday September 18th, 8:30 p.m. EST (ESPN)
(21) West Virginia Mountaineers at Colorado Buffaloes

Last week, the Mountaineers and Pat White simply got it handed to them by Patrick Pinkney and the ECU Pirates, 24-3. It was a display that has come all too familiar for West Virginia football fans—their team failing to live up to their lofty preseason expectations. Their running back of a quarterback Pat White is surely one of the most overhyped players in college football. Don’t get me wrong he’s fun to watch run in the open field and he’s ultra-elusive, but the guy simply cannot attack the football field through the air. He’s a playmaker, but he will never be as good of a passer as he is a runner. West Virginia has to put passes in the playbook to try and keep defenses honest, but any good defensive coordinator with the right personnel will be able to shut White down(he only had 72 passing yards against ECU).

This Thursday night matchup should figure to be one of this weekend’s most entertaining games. The biggest match-up to watch in this game will be whether or not West Virginia can run the ball against a stiff Colorado defense that has only allowed 59 yards per game over their first two contests. The Buffaloes’ front seven features one of the most talented defensive linemen in college football, defensive tackle George Hypolite. He led the Buffaloes’ defense last season with six sacks and I’d look for him to cause problems for Pat White and company. Look for him to get after the quarterback early and often. Another Colorado player you should watch for is linebacker Jeff Smart, who leads the team with 20 tackles this season. Defensive backs Ryan Walters and Cha’pelle Brown will roam the secondary for the Buffs. Brown led the Buffs defense in pass breakups last season.

On offense, the centerpiece of the Buffaloes offense is without question their gifted signal-caller, Cody Hawkins, who is the son of head coach Dan Hawkins. When Cody was first named the starting quarterback at CU, I was suspicious and figured he was just getting the job because he was the coaches’ son. He turned out to prove me wrong in a big way last season, tossing for over 2,600 yards through the air while completing over 56 percent of his passes during the 2007-2008 season. He’s posted stellar numbers early in the 2008 campaign, completing 71.6 percent of his passes for 475 yards, four TDs, and two INTs.

His favorite target is receiver Scotty McKnight, who leads the team with 11 catches for 157 yards and 1 touchdown. Another dangerous receiver for the Buffaloes is Mr. All-Purpose himself, Josh Smith. The sophomore is a big-play threat for Colorado on special teams. He’s averaged 50 yards per return on kickoffs this season and has already taken one the distance. The California native also has averaged 19 yards per punt return, extremely impressive numbers to say the least.

The Buffaloes' backfield features one of the most hyped recruits of the 2008 college football season, freshman running back Darrell Scott from Ventura, California. The stud tailback chewed up over 3,000 yards during his junior season and was a nightmare for opposing defenses to tackle throughout his entire high school career. The freshman phenom already has 24 attempts on the ground for 93 yards and a touchdown. He has also hauled in three passes for 33 yards, averaging 11 yards per catch. The Buffs’ ground game has struggled this season and their offensive line must open up holes if the Buffaloes wish to have balance in their offense. Rodney Stewart and Demetrius Sumler will also be toting the mail for the Buffaloes. Sumler rushed for over 300 yards last season.

The Buffaloes ground attack has struggled this year, only averaging 3.5 yards per carry so it will be interesting to see if the offensive line can start clearing some holes for their talented running backs.

If the Mountaineers want to stop the Buffaloes’ offense, they will look to their top three tacklers, safety Quinton Andrews, linebacker J.T. Thomas, and linebacker Mortty Ivy. Ivy is the Mountaineers’ do-it-all playmaker on defense, and moved to strong side linebacker in the spring.

This year he has been at it again, posting eye-popping numbers through the first two games, 14 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 interception that he returned 30 yards for a touchdown. Andrews is currently tied for the team lead in tackles with 16 with J.T. Thomas.
Thomas has also blocked a kick and has racked up 2.5 sacks on the season.

Speaking of talented running backs, by far the most talented running back in this game is senior quarterback Patrick White of West Virginia. Sure, he’s not a conventional running back because he is listed as a quarterback, but make no mistake about it folks, White is a burner in the open field and can take it the distance on any given occasion. His speed in the open field makes him very difficult to defend and he is a master of the “zone-read” option. While his speed is his greatest asset, it’s also arguably his only asset. He has struggled mightily when teams force him to throw the football down the field, because he simply lacks accuracy and touch on his throws. As big of a playmaker he is, White has also had the tendency to fumble the ball in big games—he had two fumbles against ECU. One of those was one of the more bizarre fumbles ever—White dove out of bounds, placed the ball in bounds before he landed, and the ball just stopped completely. Of course, ECU recovered and it was a crucial turning point in that football game. If West Virginia wants to win this game, Pat White must take care of his “ball security” issues, in the words of Jay Bilas.

White’s running mate is arguably more dangerous in the open field, because of his uncanny acceleration. His name is Noel Devine, a sophomore who was a YouTube sensation well before he set foot on the West Virginia campus because of his electrifying runs in high school. Devine already has rattled off 141 yards on the ground, averaging a dizzying 6.7 yards per carry this season. Devine is what makes the zone-read at West Virginia a nearly unstoppable staple in the Mountaineers offense. He will help to keep defenses honest and from just keying in on Pat White.

Devine is also a threat on the Mountaineers’ kick return unit, which Colorado will have to be aware of. Also, look for Pat White to get the ball in the hands of running back Jock Sanders, who is WVU’s leading receiver with 11 catches and two touchdowns.

Before the season there were talks of opening up the offense for Pat White to throw more passes down the field and I think that would be a huge mistake. The Mountaineers need to keep their playbook to the simple passes that Pat White is comfortable with, like the bubble screen. Asking him to throw more passes down the field is to ask him to flirt with the weakest part of his game and that could mean interceptions for the Mountaineers. If West Virginia wants to win, it should stick to the option and the zone-read, because the combination of defending Pat White and Noel Devine in the same backfield as running threats is near unstoppable. West Virginia just needs to ask itself: Why would we change something that has been so successful for us over the years? If West Virginia does just that, they have as good of a chance as having two 1,000 yard rushers at season’s end as anybody in the country.

Final analysis: This is a huge game for both teams, I think it’s bigger for West Virginia because they have already been embarrassed once on a national stage this season. The ECU loss was a crushing blow to a program with unrealistically high hopes this season. Colorado is announcing this game as a “blackout” game in which fans are encouraged to wear black, so this atmosphere will be rowdy and hostile. Under the lights on ESPN, it is a great opportunity for both teams to capture college football fans’ attention.

I think Pat White and Noel Devine will definitely put up some points on Colorado, which allowed 24 points to quarterback Matt Nichols and Eastern Washington. Although, it must be noted that Eastern Washington could also sling the rock through the air(Nichols threw for over 3,700 yards in 2007-2008); it’s been well documented in this article that White has struggled with that.

On the other hand, Colorado allowed running back Gartrell Johnson of Colorado State to rush for 95 yards against them. Sure he's not as good as Pat White or Noel Devine, but he's pretty darn good. It will be tough for the Buffaloes to stop two of the best running backs college football has to offer. I think Pat White and Noel Devine rush for over 100 yards a piece, but it won’t be enough because Colorado will continue to ride the hot hand of quarterback Cody Hawkins to victory. This will be the game in which the nation is introduced to Darrell Scott, a running back phenom who is sure to terrorize opposing defenses in the Big 12 as soon as his offensive line blocks for him. Colorado wins this one in a classic.

The pick: Colorado 28 West Virginia 24

College Football Mailbag: Kickoff Week

2008-08-28T04:53:00.000-07:00

College football has finally arrived folks! Man it’s been too long. Fall is easily the best time of the year if you ask me, but that’s coming from a football fanatic, so I’m ridiculously biased. Anyways I’ve decided to kickoff the 2008 season by answering some of these mailbag questions, which were long overdue! Thanks to all that sent me questions and please—keep em’ coming! Hit me up on Facebook, which would probably be the easiest thing to do! Take care and enjoy tonight’s games.

Billy Phelan of Cincinnati, Ohio asks:

1.What college football player that is an "unknown" in the minds of most college football fans will be one the biggest names this year?

There are an endless number of players I could choose from here, but I’m going to go with running back Darrell Scott—one of the nations top high school football recruits that landed at Colorado. Colorado and Texas battled it out for the highly touted tailback’s services, but in the end he chose to play for the Buffaloes and head coach Dan Hawkins. Just how good was Scott in high school? Well, as a junior at Moorpark(California), he had 337 rushes for 3,194 yards(9.5 yards per carry), while piling up 45 touchdowns on the ground as well. He also rushed for over 200 yards 10 times during his junior campaign. The Ventura, California native racked up 70 scholarship offers from Division 1-A schools. That’s the highest number of offers I have ever heard of for any recruit in Division 1-A.

He would transfer to St. Bonaventure for his senior season, where he would once again chew up opposing defenses for monstrous numbers, racking up 2,433 yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground. Not only that, Scott also punted for St. Bonaventure, averaging 36.9 yards per punt on 13 punts. He pinned 8 of those 13 punts inside the 20, which is flat out ridiculous! The kid is just a football player folks. After it was all said and done, Scott had finished his high-school career as California’s fourth all-time leading rusher, chewing up 7,605 yards and 99 touchdowns. Those numbers are all absurd but perhaps the most impressive is the fact that Scott rushed for over 100 yards in 37 of his 41 football games throughout his studded high school career.

They have some of his highlights on You Tube, but those really don’t do him justice, check him out on rivals.com if you know somebody that has a subscription. At 6’1, 225 lbs. Scott is already physically ready for the college game, has excellent change of direction, vision, and is rarely brought down by the first defender in the open field. Look for Scott to contend for Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors and to carry the Buffaloes’ rushing attack all season long.

2. Who would you see as a Darkhorse for the Heisman?

I’m not sure how much of a darkhorse he is because he plays for Oklahoma, but I can tell you I haven’t heard his name much in the discussion of the Heisman Trophy by many members of the national media. Running back Demarco Murray is one of the most electrifying players in all of college football and reminds many people of Reggie Bush. Last year he took the Big 12 by storm and danced around defenders for over 700 yards on the ground in 11 games of action, averaging 6 yards per carry. He was also one of the most dynamic kick returners in college football, returning two kicks back for TDs and averaging over 29 yards per return on 15 attempts.

He redshirted during the 2006 season and against North Texas in 2007, his first game as a Sooner, he rushed for 201 yards and 5 touchdowns. He became the first Oklahoma player ever to score four touchdowns in a half during their debut. His 15 touchdowns during his freshman season tied the school record set by Adrian Peterson. The reason more people aren’t mentioning him for the Heisman is because he suffered a dislocated kneecap in the 11th game against Texas Tech, which forced him to miss the remainder of the season and spring practice.

Unfortunately for other teams in the Big 12 and around the country, Murray has assured everybody he’s back to 100 percent, which is a scary thought. Oklahoma not only returns one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in sophomore Sam Bradford, but they return an offensive line that as one publication so aptly put it, “blocks out the sun.” Duke Robinson is a 6’5, 335 pound mountain of a man that happens to be one of the nation’s best offensive linemen. Then there’s Phil Loadholt, who towers above everybody with his gargantuan figure, 6’8, 337 pounds. So how good are Murray’s chances for the Heisman? Well, he’s got a talented quarterback to help keep opposing defenses from stacking the box, he’s got an offensive line that resembles the Great Wall of China, and he plays for a talented team that will get tons of national media attention and exposure.

The Oklahoma Sooners will likely hook up with Missouri in the Big 12 title game near season’s end. Trust me, as long as Demarco Murray stays healthy, his chances of winning the Heisman Trophy will only increase. Let us not forget, the kid is only a red shirt sophomore. If you want to check out his highlights copy and paste the following link in your browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F13--WSM2JQ&feature=related.

3. Do the Bobcats(Ohio U.) have a realistic shot at beating the Buckeyes(Ohio State)?

There is parity everywhere in college football, look no further than last college football season aka the season of the upset to demonstrate that. Upsets happen, but I honestly don’t see it happening, not by a long shot. I think the Ohio Bobcats are going to field a very talented team this fall that is going to surprise many of the pre-season magazines. Frank Solich’s squad is oozing with talent at all the skill positions, including receivers (Taylor Price and Lavon Brazil), running backs (Vince Davidson, Chris Garrett, L.J. Flintall, Donte Harden), and quarterback Theo Scott. They also have two of the best tight ends in the Mid-American Conference in David Carter and Andrew Mooney. After looking at all of that returning talent on offense, I was really baffled as to why the pre-season magazines really didn’t fall in love with the Bobcats more. I think the biggest reason is many of the magazines and experts think the loss of Ohio’s all-time leading rusher, running back Kalvin McRae, will simply be too devastating of a blow.

I think that the Bobcats’ season hinges on their offensive line gelling and turning into a dominant unit, something that hasn’t materialized in years past. If the offensive line can block effectively and efficiently, then the Bobcats end up in the MAC title game against Central Michigan. If the o-line doesn’t come together, then the Bobcats will likely find that it will be a long season.

Back to the Ohio State question, well when trying to figure out whether or not a team could beat somebody, you always try to match up common opponents. Ohio State trounced Kent State and Eugene Jarvis last year, 45-3. The Bobcats, on the other hand, struggled mightily with the slippery Jarvis, and lost a close one at home 33-25. That doesn’t bode well for the Bobcats and I just don’t think Ohio will be able to move the football very well on the Ohio State defense, which returns the likes of LB James Laurinaitis, LB Marcus Freeman, and CB Malcolm Jenkins, all of which are All-American candidates at their respective positions.

Ohio State is so talented on both sides of the ball, I like their chances of making a third straight national championship game appearance. Another thing I can’t see happening is Ohio being able to slow Ohio State’s workhorse of a running back, Heisman Trophy candidate Chris “Beanie” Wells. I think he’ll pile up the yardage against the Bobcats. Some people might argue that Ohio State might be looking ahead to the highly anticipated third game on their schedule(USC Trojans) when they face Ohio, but I don’t see that happening either. The Buckeyes have been so consistently dominant over the past few years and they return so much talent, I think you would be stupid to pick against them in a game against Ohio. 4. Who do you see as the most overrated/underrated team and player(s) in Division 1A?

Most overrated team: Lou Holtz picking the Irish to make a BCS appearance and win 10 or 11 games without question makes the Notre Dame fighting Irish the most overrated team that I’ve seen. Sure, the Irish return a lot of starters from last season’s squad and return gunslinger Jimmy Clausen, but that team was so bad last season there’s no way in a million years I could envision the Irish having a season remotely close to that. If Charlie Weiss would feed running back James Aldridge the ball more, maybe good things would happen for him.

Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen hopes he'll get a little more protection this year from the o-line.

The Irish had well documented problems along the offensive line last season, arguably the worst line in the nation. Weiss figured that it would be a better idea to hand the ball off to scat back Armando Allen instead of the power back, Aldridge. I still didn’t understand that one. Aldridge should’ve gotten more carries because he was 6’0, 225 lbs., whereas Allen is 5’10, 190 lbs. Call me crazy, but if you’re having offensive line troubles wouldn’t you feed the rock to the man with more beef so he could break more tackles? The Irish also have yet another tank at running back in Robert Hughes who is 5’11, 237 lbs. Lucky for Irish fans, the Irish offensive line should be improve alot in 2008. They return three starters from 2007 and I could see the unit allowing around 30 sacks, as opposed to 58 from last season. That’s improvement, but the unit still has a ways to go before it becomes a dominant one. You have to be patient, especially when it comes to the chemistry of the offensive line. Another talented player that is currently listed on Notre Dame’s two-deep that I like a lot is freshman receiver Michael Floyd. I think he’ll be a game-breaker for years to come.

Sophomore receivers Golden Tate and Duval Kumara not only have some of the best names in college football, but they are also excellent players on top of that. Losing tight end Mike Ragone for the season due to injury is a tough loss for the Irish, I was looking for him to have a big season. Defensively, the Irish return a decent amount of players, but they still have a long ways to go in terms of their improvement. I’m gonna say 5-7 for the Irish this season, 6-6 at best. Give them another year of development and then we’ll be talking about a legitimate top 25 team. Lou Holtz might just like making the most unrealistic predictions ever to see how much college football fans can loathe him. I like his pep-talks and I think they are pretty funny, it is hilarious to hear Holtz speak because he sounds like Sylvester from “Looney Tunes”… “Suffferinnn’ Succaatasssssh”.

Most underrated team: The Florida Atlantic Owls definitely win this award if you ask me. Last season, they finished their 2007 campaign with an overall record of 8-5, including a 44-27 thrashing of Memphis in the New Orleans Bowl. They return one of the most talented quarterbacks in college football in junior Rusty Smith. Last season he set the Sun Belt conference on fire by completing 58.7 percent of his passes for 3,688 yards, while tossing in 32 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. The 2007 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Smith has all the tools to be a top-notch talent on the next level and has already generated a buzz among NFL scouts. The golden-armed gunslinger will be happy to see that he has a mammoth of a man blocking for him this season, the 6’8, 340 pound Carl Spitale, who transferred from Ohio University last season. Smith also has a variety of weapons at his disposal, including talented tight end Jason Harmon, all-purpose threat DiIvory Edgecomb, and running back Charles Pierre. Harmon has a patented leap called the “Harmon Hurdle” where he leaps over opposing defenders in the open field. Harmon hauled in 63 catches last season for 825 yards and eight touchdowns. I didn’t even mention the Owls’ leading returning wide receiver, Cortez Gent, who snagged 64 balls last season for 1,082 yards and 9 touchdowns. Florida Atlantic also boasts some of the best defenders that you’ve never heard of, including the sensational cornerback tandem of Tavious Polo and Corey Small.

Last season Polo picked off seven passes during his freshman season en route to earning Freshman All-American honors. Small had five interceptions last season and racked up over 100 tackles. The undisputed leader of the FAU defense is senior linebacker Frantz Joseph, who piled up 131 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks last season. The Owls won the Sun Belt title last season and while the Sun Belt isn’t the most talented conference in college football, I think this season FAU will show that it can play with just about anybody. Lookout this weekend, when the Owls play their first game against Texas, I could see Florida Atlantic upsetting the ‘Horns in Austin. Mark that game on your calendar, folks.

Most overrated player: QB Sean Glennon, Virginia Tech: The media constantly gives this guy more credit than he deserves and granted while he did have certain games where he had flashes of brilliance, Sean Glennon is simply a turnover waiting to happen. He throws a beautiful looking ball, but that means nothing when you can’t make the right decisions with the football and take care of it.

Most underrated player: QB Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan: All LeFevour has done in his first two seasons at Central Michigan is single-handedly rewrite the school and conference record books in route to winning back to back Mid-American Conference titles at Central Michigan. This year he will likely win his third in a row, but he won’t get any help from the CMU defense, which has given up generous amounts of points over the past few years. Last season he became the second player in NCAA history besides Vince Young to rush for over 1,000 yards and throw for over 3,000 yards in the same season. Heck, the guy even threw for over 3,000 yards two years ago when he was a red shirt freshman, which is unheard of. He also had 46 total touchdowns in his stunning sophomore campaign. The problem is I don’t think too many college football fans nationwide would know about LeFevour because the visibility of the MAC is very low. The media should give a player like him much more attention. Lookout for LeFevour—a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who can dance around the defense with his fleet feet or beat them with his ultra-accurate arm.

That’s it for the mailbag this week. Look for more college football coverage from me throughout the season.

The Redeem Team: USA Basketball Claims Gold in Beijing

2008-08-27T04:58:00.000-07:00

As the college football season approaches, I’d like to share with you my favorite part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. For many people, their favorite memory could have been a number of things: perhaps it was Jamaican speedster Usain Bolt’s bravado and showmanship en route to setting the track and field world on fire, perhaps it was American swimmer Michael Phelps and his successful climb to Olympic immortality, or perhaps it was watching the American women claim gold in a captivating beach volleyball match against the Chinese.

Like many people, I’ve been captivated by the Olympics the past few weeks, but my favorite memory can be summed up in one word: redemption.

Well, of course, I’m referring to the “Redeem Team”, the USA Men’s Basketball team that not only claimed the gold medal, but restored the world order in a game that we invented. I’d been waiting for years for this one, trust me.

I’ll never forget how disappointed I was to watch Allen Iverson and company standing on the podium with their bronze medals in 2004. Trust me, James Naismith would have been spinning in his grave! This was America’s game! If there was going to be a world competition in the game of basketball—America simply should not lose, no questions asked.

Then USA basketball decided to embarrass itself even more by laying an egg at the FIBA Americas Championship in 2005 and finishing fourth! It was without a doubt the low point for the USA men’s basketball program and they had to regroup.

The Americans now had their backs to the wall. A basketball program that routinely coasted to Olympic gold now had to worry about even qualifying for the 2008 Olympics! Thus in the summer of 2007, they had to advance to the finals of the FIBA Americas Championship or else they wouldn’t even have qualified for the 2008 games in Beijing. USA not even qualifying for the Olympics in men’s basketball was unfathomable to me.

Competing for a world title in basketball without America would be like competing for a world soccer title without Brazil—it simply wouldn’t seem right. Not to worry, the Americans earned their spot in Beijing by playing with a sense of purpose and focus that hadn’t been seen in a long time and won the FIBA Americas Championship in the summer of 2007.

The USA men’s basketball team arrived in Beijing with a mission: win the gold medal or else be viewed at as yet another embarrassment for a program with a once proud tradition. They were fittingly tabbed “The Redeem Team” by many members of the American media because of their quest to redeem not only themselves, but the name of USA basketball.

In exhibition play, USA basketball did not disappoint. They played their best basketball and in doing so, thoroughly dominated their opponents. They made dazzling plays look routine; like the alley-oop windmill dunk that Dwayne Wade had against Lithuania. This was a team that would accept nothing but victory, even if it really didn’t count. Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and company were clicking on all cylinders.

USA breezed its way through pool play, looking extremely impressive en route to a perfect 5-0 record. They couldn’t have looked any better. Each game looked like a highlight film, with the Americans utilizing their suffocating defense to get out and score easy baskets in transition: dunks, alley oops, and lay ups came with ease. It looked like one of the most dominant basketball programs ever assembled and many began comparing the “Redeem Team” to the “Dream Team” of 1992.

The Americans weren’t just beating their opponents; they were blowing them out of the water: in those five games they posted an average margin of victory of over 32 points a game! Not only that, the team that was supposed to be their toughest challenge—Spain—well that one wasn’t even close. America made a statement by throttling Pau Gasol and the Spaniards by 37, 119-82. The Americans shot a simmering 57 percent from the field in that game and had an astonishing seven players score double digits!

The biggest blowout in those five games came in the last game before the tournament. The Germans were on the wrong end of a 106-57 beat down. Dirk Nowitzki and company could simply find no answer for Dwight Howard, who stuffed the stat sheet with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

In the quarterfinals, USA cruised past Australia 116-85 thanks to Kobe Bryant, who shot a scalding 62 percent from the field and 57 percent from three point range. He racked up 25 points and 5 rebounds in one of his best performances of the Olympics.

The semifinals saw USA face their toughest test yet in Argentina. Kobe had mentioned before the game that they wanted to play Argentina because they were the defending gold medalists from 2004. Of course, let’s not forget that Argentina was the team that defeated the Americans in the semi-finals of 2004—this one definitely had a little extra on the line.

The Americans used some of the best defense they had played in the Olympics to bolt out to a 21 point lead before Argentina’s star Manu Ginobli left the game for good in the 2nd quarter. It seemed as if USA began to let up defensively and lose focus and Argentina used their zone defense to cut the American lead to six points.

They would never get any closer than that as Carmelo Anthony nailed several clutch free throws to stretch the American lead and ensure victory. He was perfect from the free throw line, 13-13 and had 21 points for the Americans. USA prevailed 101-81, but it wasn’t pretty and Luis Scola and company ensured it wasn’t easy. Scola tormented USA all night long; dumping in 28 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals in what was one of the best overall performances posted against USA in the Olympics.

So it wasn’t pretty but USA had finally arrived at the doorstep of the gold medal. Redemption was so close they could taste it, but first they would have to get past Spain, a team that was likely looking to avenge its 37 point shellacking earlier in pool play.

If the Spaniards were going to defeat the Americans it was going to have to be without their excellent point guard, Jose-Manuel Calderon, who was injured in their semi-final match against Lithuania.

Things got interesting early when the Americans saw two of their best players—LeBron James and Kobe Bryant—head to the bench early due to picking up two fouls apiece in the first quarter.

Dwight Howard meet Rudy Fernandez!

Rudy Fernandez and Pau Gasol made sure that Spain stayed in this one the entire game—hitting several clutch baskets for the Spaniards. Fernandez was hotter than grease on a stove—shooting over 53 percent from the field and over 55 percent from three point range, to finish with 22 points.

He nailed a fade away three pointer and had a thunderous throw down over Dwight Howard. Spain continued to feed Gasol the basketball on the pick and roll for most of the game and he finished with 21 points for Spain.

The Americans led by nine at the end of the third quarter, but a few buckets by Gasol and Fernandez and the lead was trimmed to two. After the American lead fluctuated, Gasol nailed a jumper to cut the lead to five, 99-104 with 3:27 left to play in the game.

On the next American possession, with the Spanish crowd cheering wildly, USA kicked the ball outside the three point line to Kobe Bryant, who not only nailed the biggest shot of the game, but drew a foul from Rudy Fernandez, fouling him out of the game with 3:10 left to play. Kobe’s competitive juices were flowing and you could see the killer instinct come out in him after this play.

After he drilled the shot, he froze into a statue and brought his index finger up to his lips to silence the raucous Spanish crowd behind the basket. Bryant made his free throw to stretch the American lead to nine, 108-99. Spain would cut the lead to four again, 108-104 with just over two minutes to play, but the Americans got another clutch basket from their most consistent player of the Olympics, Dwyane Wade. Wade nailed a three pointer to extend the lead to seven, 111-104 with 2:03 remaining in the game and the Americans would never look back as they won a classic—118-107.

Alas, the “Redeem Team” accomplished exactly what it set out to do and nothing made me happier. They didn’t do it without a tough test from Spain, who gave the Americans all they could handle and more. Spain brought its best performance to the floor, but they also faced the Americans’ best performance. Spain shot a simmering 51 percent from the field and 47 percent from three point range.

Team USA posted shooting numbers that have to be considered astronomical even for their lofty standards: 60 percent from the field and 46 percent from beyond-the-arc. The road to redemption surely couldn’t have been traveled without Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James—who all three made a plethora of dazzling plays throughout the Olympics to show why they are among the top 5 basketball players on the planet.

Kobe Bryant hushes the Spanish crowd. His killer instinct was on fine display in the gold medal game!

Kobe Bryant, in particular, did an extremely good job of endearing himself to an American public that loved to hate him. In these Olympic games, after watching Kobe Bryant hug Dwyane Wade after the post-game interview, how can you not love his genuine desire to restore the glory in USA basketball.

I used to hate Kobe Bryant because I thought he was an arrogant jerk who didn’t care about anybody but himself, but these Olympics helped to show the human side of Bryant. Kobe had a genuine desire to see the U.S. reclaim their rightful place in the basketball world and for that I will be forever grateful.

You could make the argument that the gold medal in Beijing was bigger than any NBA title ever will be for Kobe, simply because it restored the glory in the initials U-S-A. This gold medal was Kobe’s NBA championship. He already lost one earlier in the basketball season and we all know how much Kobe Bryant hates losing.

You could see that hatred in the stare down of the Spanish crowd—the intense competitor in Bryant that makes him a shark that will do anything to his opponent in order to win. In his post-game interview, Bryant said it was time to “let the black mamba loose”. His four-point play was just that, a lethal dose of poison from which the Spaniards could not recover.

Kobe averaged over 15 points a game throughout the Olympics and the gold medal couldn’t have been attained without him. I think you will see that many of the Kobe haters have a new level of respect for the game’s best player. My feelings towards Kobe will never be the same, like I told a friend, “Me and Kobe are on a new level.”

Dwayne Wade is my MVP of the "Redeem Team".

If you were going to name an MVP of the Olympic games for the “Redeem Team” you would have to go with Dwyane Wade. Wade once again proved that, when healthy, he is still among the top 5 players in the world.

Nobody on the planet can hit as many acrobatic shots around the rim as Wade, nobody. He’s so good at controlling his body in the air and his upper body strength is amazing. Wade, like Kobe, saved his best performance for when the Americans needed him the most, shooting a scintillating 75 percent from the field, including 4-for-7 from three point range.

Wade finished with a game-high 27 points. He led all American scorers with 16.0 pts per game and shot over 45 percent from three-point range during the eight games in the Olympics. The former Marquette star also averaged four rebounds per game and 2.3 steals per game. Clearly, it isn’t any secret why the “Redeem Team” played its best basketball when Dwyane Wade was on the floor—he was their MVP.

The funny thing is this wasn’t a team about one or two individuals. Make no mistake about it folks; this was a team that played like it from the start of the games all the way until the end of the gold medal final. I give Jerry Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyzewski a lot of credit because this team stayed focused on the task at hand and continued to defeat opponents with ease even when they faced more pressure than anybody else at the Olympics.

The “Redeem Team” is one that will forever be remembered not only for dominating opponents by an average of over 27 points a game, but restoring the glory in a game its country so dearly loves.

Ohio State-USC Scouting Report: Sept 13th preview

2008-08-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

Here is an in-depth scouting report of USC-Ohio State
In my opinion, this will be a game controlled by two very dominant defenses. There are extremely talented offensive players on each side, but I think that both defenses are so loaded that they will control the outcome of this game.

Let's get down to the tale of the tape shall we:
September 13th figures to be one of the best college football games in recent memory and could rival the Texas-Ohio State matchup when Vince Young and company came into the 'Shoe to steal the spotlight.

Ohio State Defense

The Ohio State defense features arguably the best linebacking duo in all of college football with the likes of James Laurinitis and Marcus Freeman manning the linebacker positions for the Buckeyes. Freeman is one of the best blitzing linebackers in college football and Laurinitis is perhaps the most complete linebacker in the nation.Laurinitis is blessed with uncanny instincts, speed, and ball skills that put him in rare company. Both players will likely be first round draft picks in the 2009 draft. Laurinitis is almost a definite to go inside the top 10 as far as I'm concerned.

At cornerback the Buckeyes have one of the best cover corners in all of college football in senior Malcolm Jenkins. Jenkins has the ability to shut down nearly any opposing receiver out there and is very high on many scouts draft boards. He appears to be yet another lock to be drafted in the first round as long as he lives up to expectations this season. He will be helped out by a kid named Chemdi Chekwa, a promising young corner who has gotten alot of love in the pre-season college football magazines.

The Ohio State defensive line is always tough in the trenches and this year they will have Lawrence Wilson, Todd Denlinger, and Doug Worthington battling for them in the trenches. I don't know much about these guys, but I expect them to be solid. I know that Denlinger got alot of PT last year and Wilson broke his leg in the first game last year, so look for him to help fill the shoes of departed stud Vernon Gholston.

The kickers and punter for the Buckeyes are super dependable... Ryan Pretorious is one of the most reliable kickers in the country and A.J. Trapasso has been booting bombs in Columbus for several years now.

USC Defense

The USC defense is in my opinion, the best in the country. Ohio State's defense is a close second or third, but nobody in the country can match the talent, on paper, that the Trojans have on the defensive side of the ball. Linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga are the best defensive players on this team, and that is saying alot. Cushing and Maualuga were both highly touted players coming out of high school and have not disappointed. Much like Laurinitis and Freeman, Cushing and Maualuga will both almost definitely be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. It all depends on the NFL team needs drafting and their need for linebacker, but make no mistake about it, if they need help at the LB position, all four of those guys will be looked at. Cushing is a freak of nature with blazing speed(remember the TD return he had on the onside kick against ND) while Maualuga lays bone rattiling hits--please see devasting hit on UCLA QB Pat Cowan on Youtube. Freshman Chris Galippo was one of the most highly touted LBs in the country at the linebacker position and he will look to provide some depth on the two-deep for the Trojans. He's a name that I definitely remember.

The cornerbacks for the Trojans are probably not as talented as the Buckeyes corners, but they should be solid enough to not cause any big time problems for them. Although the secondary did see lapses in certain games and was exposed by the Stanford Cardinal shocker.
Shareece Wright and Cary Harris are the two corners for USC. I don't know that much about them, but I do remember hearing both names in the past couple of years, especially Wright. Their game experience will serve them well.

Junior Averell Spicer looks to be a force on the Trojan defensive line and defensive end Everson Griffin posted 5 sacks last season as a freshman. I would look out for Griffin and I would look for him to post some huge numbers this season. Fili Moala is expected to start at defensive tackle again and is very talented. I'd look for a big season from him. He's very impressive.

If the most talented part of the Trojans defense is their linebackers, then not far behind are their safeties. Taylor Mays is a linebacker playing safety, and at 6-4, 225 lbs, scouts are simply foaming at the mouth because Mays is dripping with jaw-dropping levels of size, athleticism, and speed. He is a hard-hitter and has been one of the best safeties in college football for the past few seasons. Kevin Ellison is another big safety at 6-1, 225 pounds for the Trojans and I'd look for him to cause serious problems for opposing teams looking to go deep against USC.

I don't know much about returning punters and kickers--PK-- David Buehler and P--Greg Woidneck, but I know both are good enough for the position to not be a worry for Pete Carroll and company. Running back Joe McKnight is in the form of a Reggie Bush in that he can do a little bit of everything and he will certainly be dangerous on punt returns for USC. Look for Joe McKnight to break a big one in this game.

Ohio State offense
If there is one thing about evenly matched big-time games, it is that teams greatest weaknesses are magnified on the big stage.

I've met Todd Boeckman before and he's a great person, but in the big games last season he was a liability for the Buckeyes. He struggled mightily when teams were able to bring pressure and that's not what you want to hear if you are an Ohio State fan and guys like Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Everson Griffin will be coming at you from all angles. The Ohio State offensive line is solid, but guys like Alex Boone must prove once and for all that they were worthy of their lofty billing coming out of high school with a big-time year. The jury is still out on Alex Boone, in my opinion. He's a good tackle with massive size, but he still needs to prove himself.

Perhaps the best football player on the Ohio State roster and the man that will likely help to keep the Buckeyes in this game is Chris "Beanie" Wells. He's the most talented power running back in college football and reminds me an awful alot of Adrian Peterson. He can run inside, he can run inside, and good luck standing in his way because he will bowl you over and run right through you en route to cruising to the end zone. He's one of the most talented Ohio State running backs I have ever seen in my life and I think he has an excellent shot to win the Heisman Trophy, simply because he will get a ton of touches on a very high profile team with a very favorable schedule to get them to the national championship, minus this big matchup.Wells had off-season surgery on his left had and wrist and it will be interesting to see if injuries flare up again. I'm doubting that will be a problem. If he stays healthy he's virtually a lock to be a top 10 draft pick and probably the first running back selected in the 2009 NFL Draft.

The Buckeyes feature an excellent pair of receivers that are very dependable in Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie(aka Robo). Robo has a knack for making the acrobatic catch and has remarkable hands and body control. I saw him catch several passes last season leaping backwards in the air crashing to the turf. Simply beautiful catches. Hartline has a phenomenal set of hands and rarely drops the football from what I have seen of him. Tight end Rory Nichol is one of the better tight ends in the Big Ten and has a good set of hands and is a good blocker. He's also very tough, from what I hear from one of my buddies that has met him.

Running back Brandon Saine is one of the fastest football players I have ever seen, and I agree with one Buckeye fan who told me he needs to be lined up in the slot and utilized as a receiver for the Buckeyes to use his game-breaking speed in mismatches.

Maurice "Mo" Wells is solid for the Buckeyes, but I think he dances too much behind the line of scrimmage, I think he just needs to pick a hole and run to it. He'll help to keep Beanie fresh for if the Buckeyes hope to land a third straight BCS National Championship Berth.

The x-factor for Ohio State is the running back playing quarterback named Terrelle Pryor. Pryor is arguably the biggest recruit ever to land in Columbus and is probably the most hyped recruit in college football history. He's proof that college football recruiting is rapidly getting out of control. So much attention, so much hoopla, I think it will only get worse.

Pryor is a phenomenal runner in the open field and I would look for Ohio State's coaches to put TP in on clearly running situations, QB draws and maybe run some fake zone reads with TP out of the shotgun. He's still very raw as a passer and has a very long way to go(he only threw like 3 or 4 passes in his state title game). If he listens to Ohio State's coaches, the sky is the limit for Pryor but I am very wary of how he will be able to handle the spotlight and pressure in Columbus. Pryor will pose a tough player to gameplan for, especially since USC's coaches won't be able to see that much film of him, besides the first three games. It will be interesting to see how much they use him in this game.

USC offense
The more talented, but more unproven quarterback in this matchup is quarterback Mark Sanchez of the USC Trojans. USC head coach Pete Carroll has made it clear that Sanchez is his man and he was named the starter for the Trojans this spring.

If Sanchez gets injured, I'd look for super recruit Mitch Mustain to be the man under center for the Trojans. Sanchez has much more familiarity with the offense and has had more reps with the receivers, but in the end I am on the side of many people that I could definitely see Mitch Mustain taking over this job sometime later in the season. On film, he was one of the most talented quarterbacks I have ever seen coming out of high school and I think he was very worthy of his lofty rating coming out of Arkansas. He's a golden armed gunslinger.

USC is blessed with one of the most talented receiving corps in college football, but they must prove themselves first. They had plenty of drops last season, but I would look for big years this season from the likes of Vidal Hazelton, Ronald Johnson, and Patrick Turner. I've heard people from the USC camp rave about Rojo as he's called. He's supposedly a dangerous kick returner, so it will be fun to watch him this season. Vidal Hazelton and Patrick Turner were two of the most highly touted receivers in the country when they came out of high school. Hazelton is blessed with excellent body control, leaping ability, and hands. Patrick Turner hasn't done very much yet, but like much of the USC receiving corps I look for Turner and company to step it up this season and show the nation why they were so highly touted coming out of high school.

At running back, look no further than Joe McKnight as the man who could eventually unleash the dagger in the heart of the Ohio State Buckeye defense. McKnight is a game-breaker. Lightning quick speed with a soft set of hands, he reminds many people of former USC legend Reggie Bush. Those comparisons are very deserved in my opinion. The stable of running back is very deep at USC, with the likes of C.J. Gable and Stafon Johnson backing up McKnight. Fans could defnitely see one or both of those players in the Ohio State game in order for the USC coaches to keep their do-it-all-playmaker McKnight fresh. This isn't even mentioning prep All-American Marc Tyler, who might be lucky to see the field for USC this fall, such is the case at a powerhous loaded with four and five star prospects at nearly every position.

One of the biggest question marks for the Trojans is the offensive line and Pete Carroll has openly admitted that the Trojans may very well start rotating a group of players along the line. The only starter returning is the highly touted center turned guard in USA Today All-American Jeff Byers. He'll likely be on many scouts radars this fall. There's a group of players that have substantive game experience, but many of those positions appear to be up for grabs, thats what fall camp is all about. If one thing could prevent the Trojans from reaching the national title, it's their offensive line. A weak offensive line poses an endless amount of problems for a football team and it all starts up front, let's be honest.

The breakdown: This match up is nearly even on paper, with USC getting a slight edge on defense. I think they will be able to contain "Beanie" Wells to where he just rushes for 100 yards. I think you're going to see the USC linebackers come up to the line of scrimmage and stack the box, forcing Todd Boeckman to put the ball in the air. In the big games last season, he was a liability and I think we are going to see that weakness get exposed once again. Joe McKnight breaks a big one that will be the difference in a very tight, hard fought game that will be controlled by both defenses.

USC Trojans 24 Ohio State Buckeyes 21

Troy Smith: The Forgotten Gunslinger

2008-06-26T03:56:00.000-07:00

NFL Hall-of-Famer Frank Gifford once said, “Pro football is like nuclear warfare. There are no winners, only survivors.” If you ask current Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Troy Smith if he agrees with that statement, I’m willing to bet he would offer the affirmative. Nobody said it was easy to make it as a quarterback in the National Football League, as a matter of fact, I would argue it is the hardest position to play in all of professional sports, but that is another article for another day.

Anyways, it’s back to Troy Smith. It is a tough world out there in the National Football League and the former Heisman Trophy winner can attest to that statement as well. It seems just like yesterday it was the 2006 college football season and Smith and the Buckeyes were on top of the college football world. The Buckeyes were a marked team that season-- the unanimous favorite to win the 2007 BCS National Championship. Even with those lofty expectations on their shoulders, the Buckeyes went out and dominated nearly every opponent they faced, due in large part to the precise passing of Troy Smith.

The 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes were a marked team from the start of the season, but the air-assaulting assassin that is Troy Smith still guided them to an undefeated regular season and a 2007 BCS National Championship berth.

The thing that separated Smith from every other player in the country that season was his uncanny ability to throw accurately on the run. Let’s take a look at some of his key throws that highlighted his ability to escape pressure in the pocket and still make something happen.

In the Penn State game, with the heavily favored Buckeyes only up 7-3 with 13:06 remaining in the contest, Smith takes the snap and looks for receivers, standing at his own 42 yard line. He bounces backwards and trails to the right side of the field at around the 50 yard line, where a Penn State defender forces him to spin back to the inside of the field. He runs backward four more yards to the opposing 46 yard line, plants his left foot on the O of the Ohio Stadium turf, then begins his lengthy wind up before unleashing a hissing spiral that travels 60 yards through the air. The football hits receiver Brian Robiskie perfectly in stride in the middle of the end zone before he is immediately brought down from behind by a Penn State defender. While the fans of Buckeye nation breathe a collective sigh of relief, Smith extends his arms outward, looks toward the Buckeye sideline, and races down the field, as if to say: “Come on guys, I had it in me all along.”

Smith made a plethora of dazzling throws look rather routine that season, which makes it even more amazing that so many people seem to have forgotten how good he actually was in 2006. Perhaps his best throw came against Texas, when the Buckeyes traveled to Austin to face the Longhorns. The game was tied at 7-7 with 21 seconds remaining in the first half. Smith calmly takes the snap at the Texas 36 yard line in the shotgun formation. He takes a step back to the 37 but then bounces back to the 36 to set his feet. He sets both feet, winds up and sends a beautifully lofted tight spiral through the Austin sky, where it begins to dive nose down when it nears the end zone. Receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. tracks the football from behind his head until it lands directly on his chest right on the number 7 of his jersey, nose up. Yet another touchdown for the Buckeyes, yet another dazzling throw for Troy Smith to put in his Heisman resume.

Troy Smith dropping back to pass and beginning his classic windup before the throw!

Against the Indiana Hoosiers, Smith once again delved into his back of tricks. Smith took the snap at the Hoosiers’ 28 yard line, on the right hash mark. He faked the handoff to Antonio Pittman and barely eluded the arm of a Hoosier defender by spinning back to the inside of the field at the 33 yard line. He continued running to the left side of the field, being chased by three Hoosier defenders. He made it all the way to the left hash mark before he was forced to throw the ball off his back foot from the 30 yard line with a Hoosier defender jumping in his face. The football zipped through the air and eventually found the awaiting arms of receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. in the end zone.

Troy Smith won the 2006 Heisman Trophy award by a stunning margin--only O.J. Simpson has won by more votes.

Those are just a couple examples of what was a seemingly endless display of dazzling passes for Troy Smith in the 2006-2007 college football campaign. He completed 203 of his 311 passes (65.3 percent) for 2,542 yards while tossing in 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Those are simply stunning numbers by anyone’s standards and they were good enough to earn him the most coveted individual honor in Division 1-A college football(Football Bowl Subdivision)—the Heisman Trophy. Smith not only won the Heisman, but he racked up an astonishing 86.7 percent of the first place votes—a record. His margin of victory(1,662 votes) was also the second largest in the history of the award, eclipsed only by O.J. Simpson who won by 1,750 votes.

The weird thing is what happened after he won the Heisman Trophy made everybody forget about his spectacular season. He led the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship, a BCS National Championship berth, an undefeated record, and a hard fought victory over hated rival Michigan. Those are all very impressive accomplishments folks, but in American society today, you’re either number one or you’re nothing.

Former Ohio State signal-caller Troy Smith was on top of the college football world in 2006.

John Madden once said, “The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else.” Once you take a look at how the Buckeyes played in the national championship game, you begin to realize why the former Heisman Trophy winner is truly the forgotten gunslinger. The Buckeyes were completely embarrassed as the Florida Gators throttled them before a nationally televised audience—41-14. Troy Smith posted the worst numbers of his entire college career—he was 4 of 14 passing for 35 yards, threw an interception, fumbled once, was sacked five times, and was held to minus 29 yards rushing. It was a rough day at the office to say the least, for Mr. Smith.

To Smith’s credit—he had absolutely no blocking in that game—left tackle Alex Boone looked as if he had blocks of cement strapped to his cleats as Jarvis Moss continually beat him to the edge. He also was without his favorite target—receiver Ted Ginn, Jr.—who left the game after the opening kickoff with a sprained left ankle.

How in the world could scouts doubt this guy?

After the national championship embarrassment, it opened the floodgates for criticism of Smith and his game. A man that was the toast of the college football world for nearly the entire season all of a sudden was a nobody. People began harping on the fact that Smith was six feet tall and that he was too short to succeed as a quarterback in the NFL. Many scouts argued that his release was too slow. All of a sudden the nation’s college football memory had been completely erased. Blanked. All those awards that Troy racked up—well they didn’t mean a thing. Nada. I was thinking to myself, “Scouts are saying this about the same quarterback that nearly took his team wire-to-wire in Division 1A college football? The same Troy Smith that won the Heisman Trophy? The same Troy Smith that tossed all those remarkable throws in the 2006 campaign?” I simply could not believe my ears.

Fast forward to a year and a half later and the Baltimore Ravens’ starting quarterback job is nearly Smith’s to lose. In just his second NFL game as a starting quarterback, he led the Ravens to a victory over the Steelers in Week 17(granted the Steelers had pulled some of their starters for the playoffs). He completed 16 of his 27 passes for 171 yards, while tossing in a touchdown and no interceptions. While everybody in the world has since decided to crown former Delaware signal-caller Joe Flacco as the Ravens’ quarterback of the future, Smith has been doing nothing but impressing folks in the Ravens’ camp and outperforming Kyle Boller.

Ravens' quarterback Troy Smith has looked very impressive in off-season workouts.

According to an article written by Don Banks of cnnsi.com, Ravens’ offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has played a huge role in Smith’s development in the off-season. "Cam's very good at figuring out a player's strength, figuring out what he does well, and then tailoring the offense around those skills,'' an anonymous Ravens source said. "He's got Troy moving around and doing a lot of the same things he had success doing at Ohio State.'' That’s the definition of an excellent OC right there, somebody who makes the playbook fit their quarterback, not the other way around.

You see, ladies and gents, Troy Smith was born to throw the football on the run. Very few quarterbacks on this planet throw the football on the move as well as Troy Smith does. It is one of his many gifts from the genetic pool. Everybody is given a certain talent in this world: some people draw beautiful paintings, some people can juggle, and some people might be able to shoot the breeze with anybody on this earth. Troy Smith just happens to be able to throw a remarkably accurate spiral down a football field when he is off-balance. If the Ravens decide to put him in a moving pocket (like Cameron is reportedly doing) then they will be handsomely rewarded. You can go back to Smith’s highlights from his high school days at Glenville and you’ll see him running the bootleg with flawless efficiency. Watch his highlights from Ohio State and you’ll see his remarkable ability to improvise, escape pressure in the pocket, and toss a beautifully thrown football on the move. It is truly a no-brainer to put him in a moving pocket, put some bootlegs in the playbook, and allow Smith to use his greatest asset—throwing on the run.

Ravens quarterbacks Troy Smith(left) and Kyle Boller(right) drop back to pass during Ravens' voluntary workouts this off-season. The two quarterbacks are the top two candidates for the starting position, since rookie Joe Flacco is still learning so much.

It’s amazing how one game can erase so many people’s memories of how good a quarterback Troy Smith truly is. This fall will be the time when the “forgotten gunslinger” refreshes the nation’s memory and claims the starting quarterback position for the Baltimore Ravens. For once, we won’t be hearing about Kyle Boller or we won’t be hearing about Joe Flacco and how he is the quarterback of the future, but Mr. Bootleg himself, Troy Smith.