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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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2008 Top Prospects: Week 10 By Ron Jumper With some interesting events taking place over the weekend, there have certainly been some shakeups to this list. However, if you have been following and paying close attention, they should come as no surprise. The Heisman race has become clearer, but in no way decided. More on that as well… The Top 15 1. RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas Like I’ve been preaching, he was never out of the Heisman race. So yes, this is the part where I say I told you so. I said last week, and I quote, “This is a big game on ESPN2 and he can get right back in the Heisman race with a monster performance and perhaps a Razorback win.” Then, 321 yards later, the Hogs whipped the Gamecocks 48-36. Just as expected, different media outlets started making the usual comments like “honestly, tell me he isn’t the best player in the country” and “isn’t the Heisman for the best player in the country.” This is me patting myself on the back… 2. DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU Dorsey is the best DT prospect in a very long time. While individual numbers are great, that isn’t the best way to measure a defensive tackle’s dominance. The fact that LSU had only 20 yards rushing on 33 carries is a much more accurate measure. Oh yeah, here is another quote from last week, Dorsey has a chance to make a statement in a big game to show just how dominant he can be. Alabama likes to have a balanced attack. Keep an eye on how well the Crimson Tide are able to run the ball, especially early.” 3. QB Matt Ryan, Boston College Now, while it is easy to place the blame on Ryan, I ask you to dig a little bit deeper. Look at how the running game was shut down, as the running backs only accounted for 36 yards rushing. Also, while 3 interceptions is not going to impress scouts, he threw the ball 53 times. They were trailing and the running game was shut down, he was forced to throw the ball every down and take chances. Also, as I have said numerous times, he doesn’t have the same weapons as everyone else. BC isn’t blessed with the same talent pool as the rest of the ACC, they just don’t have the same level of speed at the skill positions. 4. QB Andre Woodson, Kentucky With a bye week last week and a game against Vandy coming up, not much to break down here. He has had a great season…blah blah blah. Stay tuned for next week. 5. QB Dennis Dixon, Oregon Making his debut in the top 5, Dixon is riding high. If the season ended today, he would most likely win the Heisman Trophy. So what does that mean, in terms of his draft stock? Is he capable of standing in the pocket and delivering throws? If your still not sold on his pocket passing, can we compare him to Vince Young? Tony Romo? Is it the system? Right place at the right time? To me, he is a playmaker that can become a good NFL quarterback in the right system. I am a little concerned about his durability, as he could poise as a stick figure if he ever decided to get into show business. 6. LB Dan Connor, Penn State Another week, another solid outing from Mr. Connor and the Penn State defense. This week they visit Temple. Yeah, I’m excited too… 7. WR Desean Jackson, Cal Had a bye, I mean, they played Washington State. He only had 5 catches for 45 yards but who could blame him? With USC coming to town next week, I’d be looking ahead too. This is the week he could be back in the Heisman race, it is the Trojans at home. Besides the fact Cal desperately needs this game, Jackson needs to show what he can do on center stage. I know, I say that every week with this guy. However, if nothing else, this could at least get him a trip to New York to be a finalist for the Heisman. I mean, hey, that ain’t so bad right? 8. QB Brian Brohm, Louisville Big week for Brohm, as the Cardinals head to Morgantown. This could either salvage their season or further cement them in mediocrity. As for Brohm, this could be the week that everyone says, “oh yeah, that QB for Louisville isn’t too bad.” Expect him to be a hot topic tomorrow if the Cardinals pull of the upset. Expect media guys to be saying things like, “don’t sleep on this guy” or “he has been flying under the radar lately” when they jumped off the bandwagon long ago. 9. DE Chris Long, Virginia Making his debut in the top 10, Long has finally started to grow on me. With yet another sack against Wake Forest, he has 12 on the season. With his size and speed, he could climb even higher if he keeps it up this week against Miami. Granted, Miami doesn’t throw the ball a whole lot so it would probably be more in the form of stopping the run. None the less, production is production. 10. RB Felix Jones, Arkansas The thing we all need to remember here is that Felix is the reason McFadden had such a big night. Who was it in the first half that made the big runs to get Arkansas that big lead? It was Felix who broke TD runs of 40 and 72 yards in the first quarter. Why is that important, you may be wondering? If Arkansas didn’t have that big lead, they wouldn’t have been able to go the entire second half without Casey Dick attempting a pass. If it had been a close game, McFadden might not get all those carries and break the records he did. 11. DE Calais Campbell, Miami A rough game for Campbell, which is why he dropped down to here. He needs a big week against Virginia to keep on this list. Stay tuned. 12. LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State Still the second best linebacker in the country, not much could change that. However, he hasn’t been dominating as of late. I’d like to see another big game from him, which should happen this week against run-heavy Illinois. 13. Johnathon Stewart, Oregon Not his best performance, but still racked 125 yards of total offense and 2 TDs. He is another guy that can skyrocket up the charts and maybe be the second running back taken in the draft. 14. FS Kenny Phillips, Miami The best safety in the nation, without question. He hasn’t had the numbers to back it up at times, but we all know what he is capable of. Virginia doesn’t throw the ball a lot so don’t expect a big week from him, except maybe in run support. 15. DE Derrick Harvey, Florida Not a good week from him against Vandy, but he also didn’t play a full game since it was a blowout. With the pass-happy Gamecocks coming to town, he has a great chance to make up for it this week. Watchlist: -WR Adarious Bowman, Oklahoma State -CB Antoine Cason, Arizona -RB Steve Slaton, West Virginia -RB Louis Rankin, Washington -RB Marlon Lucky, Nebraska -WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt -WR Mario Urrutia, Louisville -RB Kalvin McRae, Ohio -TE Shawn Nelson, Southern Miss -FS Derek Pegues, Mississippi State -CB Brandon Sumral, Southern Miss -LB Robert James, Arizona State -WR Jabari Arthur, Akron -RB Yvenson Bernard, Oregon State -LB Tavares Gooden, Miami -RB Calvin Dawson, ULM -CB Dwight Lowery, San Jose State -WR Early Doucet, LSU -WR James Hardy, Indiana -CB Tracy Porter, Indiana -DE Jonal Saint-Dic, Michigan State -LB Shawn Crable, Michigan November 8, 2007 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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