Per Mel Kiper @ ESPN:
Ndamukong Suh DT: Explosive, relentless and consistent.
Gerald McCoy DT: Disruptive force. Productive NFL career ahead.
Eric Berry DB: Ultimate playmaker, in the Ed Reed mold.
Jimmy Clausen QB: Improved through adversity, has under-center experience.
Sam Bradford QB: Has underrated arm, great feel for position, is super-accurate.
Joe Haden CB : Polished cover corner with tackling ability to match.
Russell Okung OT: Athletic, strong and fiery blindside pass-protector.
Derrick Morgan DE: Proven pass-rusher, stout versus run. Very productive.
Dez Bryant WR: Dynamic receiver, punt returner and TD maker.
Rolando McClain LB: Fiery, vocal team leader with top instincts for position.
Jason Pierre-Paul DE : Explosive, natural pass-rusher out of juco ranks.
Brian Price DT: Powerful leverage guy who wreaks havoc.
C.J. Spiller RB: Multitalented, super-fast, electrifying game-breaker.
Carlos Dunlap DE: Physical tools are off the charts. Has unlimited upside.
Aaron Hernandez TE: Great hands and excellent run-after-catch skills for a TE.
Everson Griffen DE: Supremely talented, now gaining the necessary consistency.
Dan Williams DT: High motor, consistent, tremendously powerful lower body.
Anthony Davis OT: Gifted physically, quick feet and still improving.
Taylor Mays S: Has linebacker size with cornerback speed.
Brandon Graham DE: Awesome athlete and force off the edge.
Sergio Kindle LB: Production finally matches his talent.
Jermaine Gresham TE6-6258Analysis: The best pass-catching tight end in college football.
Jahvid Best RB: Versatile; home run threat on every play.
Arrelious Benn WR: Silky-smooth but physical playmaker. Great RAC threat.
Patrick Robinson CB: Consistent, even in a tough year. Best overall senior CB.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
BIG TEN still = BIG TIME
Last night, Iowa completed a great bowl season for the Big Ten by defeating Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. As I write this, I must confess to being born and bred in Big Ten country so of course my opinion is not without bias- but is not everyones'? With that said, I watch as much college football as any normal fan- if not a bit more than I probably should and I feel I can be pretty objective when I need to be. In light of that, since 2006 I had been persuaded by the national media that the Big Ten was on it's way out of college football dominance to be replaced by- gasp- the Big East?
With the onset of college football programs receiving more television coverage within the last decade than ever before- it's easy to see that the historically smaller programs have used the limelight to their advantage. Remember only a few years back when little upstart- choppin wood Rutgers upset Louisville in an 'epic' Thursday night game? Per the media- this might have been the greatest upset in college football history.
Rutgers and Louisville? Cmon.
Had we been programmed to think that 'if it's on tv- it must be good.'? These schools- it turns out were experiencing an abnormal shift in fortune as the undersized, easy scheduled and remodeled Big East- less the 'U'- and add UConn- had be gaining exposure by ripping through less than rugged team schedules to 7-0 records and somehow moving up the polls. Sure it was good for the overall coverage of college football but let's step back a bit and not ignore tradition and lets crown these programs until they pay some dues.
The reality is- Florida 51 Cincinnati 24. Cincinnati was regarded by some to be the best team in Ohio- yikes.
Turns out most of the craziness has been restored as the Big Ten stepped up with a 4-3 bowl record that very well could have been 7-0.
The problem with the Big Ten has not been speed or athletes- but more of game planning and execution. If anything, the Big Ten has been stuck in the 80's and 90's in game planning and play calling. I grew up use to seeing a chess match for pretty much the first quarter between teams as they tried to figure out schemes and match ups. These days I see, there is no time for delay as teams come out swinging and spreading the field and using trick plays every other drive. The SEC has gained a reputation of not punting and not settling for the field goal, which, somehow over the past three years seems to result in more touchdowns for them, but I'm not betting that in the long term.
With too many directions to go from here- I'm basking in the Big Ten today- they've answered the call and I'm excited to see the success this year. They were not out-manned in the losses and looked stout in the victories. What will 2010 hold? Hopefully BCS title coming back to the midwest...
With the onset of college football programs receiving more television coverage within the last decade than ever before- it's easy to see that the historically smaller programs have used the limelight to their advantage. Remember only a few years back when little upstart- choppin wood Rutgers upset Louisville in an 'epic' Thursday night game? Per the media- this might have been the greatest upset in college football history.
Rutgers and Louisville? Cmon.
Had we been programmed to think that 'if it's on tv- it must be good.'? These schools- it turns out were experiencing an abnormal shift in fortune as the undersized, easy scheduled and remodeled Big East- less the 'U'- and add UConn- had be gaining exposure by ripping through less than rugged team schedules to 7-0 records and somehow moving up the polls. Sure it was good for the overall coverage of college football but let's step back a bit and not ignore tradition and lets crown these programs until they pay some dues.
The reality is- Florida 51 Cincinnati 24. Cincinnati was regarded by some to be the best team in Ohio- yikes.
Turns out most of the craziness has been restored as the Big Ten stepped up with a 4-3 bowl record that very well could have been 7-0.
The problem with the Big Ten has not been speed or athletes- but more of game planning and execution. If anything, the Big Ten has been stuck in the 80's and 90's in game planning and play calling. I grew up use to seeing a chess match for pretty much the first quarter between teams as they tried to figure out schemes and match ups. These days I see, there is no time for delay as teams come out swinging and spreading the field and using trick plays every other drive. The SEC has gained a reputation of not punting and not settling for the field goal, which, somehow over the past three years seems to result in more touchdowns for them, but I'm not betting that in the long term.
With too many directions to go from here- I'm basking in the Big Ten today- they've answered the call and I'm excited to see the success this year. They were not out-manned in the losses and looked stout in the victories. What will 2010 hold? Hopefully BCS title coming back to the midwest...
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