| NFL | |
|
NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
|
| NBA | |
|
Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
|
|
2008 Top Prospects: Week 12 By Ron Jumper It is that time again, time to explain what is going on in the world of college football and offer insight that is a little more opinionated than most mainstream sources will offer. So let me guess, there is an important game in the Big 12 this week? Been telling you that for weeks. McFadden could get back in the Heisman race with a big day against LSU? Been preaching that for over a month now. Colt Brennan and Hawaii are overrated? Oops, they hadn't actually lost yet but, don't worry, they will this week. Alright, let's get this bad boy started. I feel morally obligated to reiterate the importance of this weekend's Kansas-Missouri showdown, so here goes nothing. The Jayhawks are the surprise team in college football and, while most still don't truly respect what they've done, the numbers back up the fact that they have been dominant. Kansas scores 45.8 points per ballgame, behind only pass-happy Hawaii. They are even second in points allowed at only 14.2 points a game, which is behind only Ohio State. Those are the obivous stats, but how about the fact they have picked off 20 passes and only thrown 4 interceptions? They are first in the nation in turnover margin at +21. As for Missouri, they are just as explosive on offense. The Tigers pass for 334 yards per game and score 42.5 points. For this matchup, I think there are two important things to consider. First, Kansas isn't great at getting to the quarterback (only 1.73 sacks/game) so it could be dangerous if Chase Daniels has all day to throw. Secondly, the Tigers defense is underrated (only giving up 23 points/game) so asking them to slow down this Kansas offense isn't as hopeless as one would think. Expect a great game that goes down to the wire, but it might not be the shootout everyone thinks it is going to be. Everyone talks about the offense and the quarterbacks trying to make their statements for the Heisman race, but neither defense is going to make it easy. Speaking of the Heisman race, there couldn't be a more wide open race at this point. It is certainly the most wide open that I have ever followed. I wonder why that is? The most interesting factor is that the teams that have been in the top of the polls all season don't have a candidate, like say Ohio State or LSU. If Early Doucet had been healthy all season or anyone on the Ohio State squad garnered any real respect, it might be a simpler race. However, this is one of the few years where the award might actually go to the best player in college football. Who would have thought that? As I've said since October, McFadden has the chance to make a statement against LSU on Friday. It also would be good for Tebow to have a big game against rival Florida State on Saturday. Last week, I said it was Dixon's to lose so does being injured mean he lost it? Is that fair? Based on previous results, it would certainly lead you to believe he is done. None the less, I still feel he had a wonderful season and I can't wait to watch him on Sunday for the next decade. We've already talked about Missouri QB Chase Daniels above, as he is the third candidate after McFadden and Tebow. Daniels has a long road to go just simply because I see it being hard for him to get votes. He would have to play huge and lead his Tigers to big wins over both Kansas and Oklahoma. With the way this year has gone though, anything is possible. Stay tuned... If I had a vote, I would give it to Mcfadden. DMAC is the consumate team player and has played at a high level all season long. It would simply be a travesty to punish him for the poor coaching by none other than the entire Razorback coaching staff. Okay, namely Houston Nutt and David Lee. I know I'm supposed to be politically correct here, but what is the fun in that? Honestly, let's just get it out in the open. I think even Nutt himself knows it is time to move on and take his business elsewhere. Here is what Nutt is essentially, he is a stepping-stone coach. He needs to go somewhere that is awful and make them average (Baylor). At that point, if the school (Baylor) wants to go from average to good, Nutt needs to be fired and they hire someone else. How's that for politcally correct? See, I'm working on it. On to another important area of the college game, evaluating talent as to how it will translate to the next level. With the parity throughout college football, will the NFL Draft start to reflect that? I think so, and here are five guys who could be of great value in the upcoming draft: 1. SS Will Dunbar, UAB Hidden on a bad UAB team in a weak Conference USA, I believe there is a diamond in the rough. Dunbar leads all defensive backs in tackles per game and has done so despite not being active for all 11 games. He was suspended for the opener and missed one game due to injury, otherwise he would likely have kept his place as the leading tackler in the nation. He hits hard and excels in coverage, I hope he has a good enough combine to stay on NFL GMs radar. I have had him on my list most of the season, but I don't think he has gotten the same love from ay other scouting service. 2. RB Matt Forte, Tulane The difference between Forte and typical small school backs is his size, as he is 6'1" 225. Typically, the stud small school backs are more of the Garrett Wolfe mold (remember the litte 5'9" speedster from Northern Illinois?) and struggle to be an every down back at the pro level. Forte has accumulated over 2000 yards already and has been on fire, posting over 200 yards 5 times and over 300 yards twice. When people argue it was against C-USA teams, I argue it was with a C-USA o-line blocking for him. Making plays is making plays, despite what anyone says about him. He did perform well against LSU, averaging 4.6 ypc in route to 73 yards rushing. To put that in perspective, McFadden might not get that with an SEC o-line leading the way. Just a thought. 3. RB Kevin Smith, UCF He is very similar to Forte and has been tearing up anyone in his path the last 5 games, posting at least 170 yards in his last five games. Smith is only a junior, so he may not come out until next year. Either way, he should find a home with an NFL team. 4. QB Paul Smith, Tulsa The best quarterback that nobody knows about. I think very highly of Smith, who has had a great career at Tulsa. I would take him over Colt Brennan in a heartbeat, I promise you that. Smith has great poise in the pocket and possesses solid mechanics. I see him being anywhere from Kevin Kolb to Bruce Gradkowski in terms of where he falls in the draft. 5. WR Jabari Arthur, Akron This guy is productive and has great size (6'4" 225), making him a potential sleeper. Finding great receivers is unlike any other position, as they seem to come from small schools just as often as big ones. Look back to Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, and Marques Colston to just name a few. Arthur has already topped the 1000-yard mark this season and should be able to add to his totals before the season is over. The Top 15: 1. RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas 2. DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU 3. QB Andre Woodson, Kentucky 4. LB Dan Connor, Penn State 5. QB Matt Ryan, Boston College 6. QB Dennis Dixon, Oregon 7. DE Howie Long, Virginia 8. QB Brian Brohm, Louisville 9. WR Desean Jackson, Cal 10 RB Felix Jones, Arkansas 11. LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State 12. RB Johnathon Stewart, Oregon 13. DE Derrick Harvey, Florida 14. CB Antoine Cason, Arizona 15. FS Will Dunbar, UAB Watchlist: -DE Calais Campbell, Miami -FS Kenny Phillips, Miami -WR Adarious Bowman, Oklahoma State -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 22, 2007 |
| NCAA Football | |
|
Be Careful What You Wish For
|
| NCAA Basketball | |
|
Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
|