FAT, ARROGANT, AND RUDE IS NO WAY TO GO THROUGH COACHING SIR

John Kelly
Football Reporters Online
Senior Writer
Midwest/Northeast Correspondent

Charlie Weis, John Tenuta, and Corwin Brown have you seen your midterm grades? In 2009 I’ve seen them.
Mr. Brown, great cornerback recruits, making every Quarterback look like a Heisman winner, and tight ends, torching an experienced secondary. Including one that plays intramurals at Annapolis? One C, two D’s, and an F congratulations you’re at the top of the pledge class.
Mr. Tenuta, 115 yard versus Nevada, game saving interceptions, 600 yards versus USC, and 348 yards on the ground against Navy. One C and three F’s what a great example you’ve set amongst outstanding credentials.
Mr. Weis a 34-31 loss to Michigan, a 34-27 loss to USC, and being defeated by service academies two of the last three years. Your grade point average is 0.2.
Fat, Arrogant, and Rude is no way to handle your self amongst the best fans in the country.
As a coaching unit combined, the last three years your GPA is 0.0. I want to repeat this to all your other assistants what I am about to tell you right now.

You’re expelled!!! ‘
Dismissed!!!
I want you to vacate the campus at the end of December.
I have also informed other desperate teams that you’re all now eligible for alternate employment.
After clearing the stadium last Saturday Notre Dame Nation resembled Dean Wormer. No doubt if these men could be tied up in a room surely fans would recite the classic movie line over and over.

Notre Dame’s fan base has become Dean Wormer and Director Jack Swarbrick has become Robert Hoover. ND Nation wants their charter revoked while Jack Swarbrick can grant them one more semester.

These next 3 games are the final stand of the Weis’s tenure. The firing parade can be crashed with a convincing win over Pittsburgh. Weis’s staff is more than capable of pulling off a Delta Tal Ki and winning out with two ranked teams remaining.
Like the spirit of Delta, Weis knows he is capable of pulling this off. With Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, Michael Floyd, and excellent offensive play calling there is a fighting chance.
How could you count them out?

Will Golden Tate or Brian Smith deliver the famous John Blutoski speech? Or are Weis’s days finally numbered along with his sick coaching buddies?
We will know Saturday night.
It wasn’t over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor. It will be over if the Panthers bomb the Irish.

WEEK 4 ACC Wrap Up
By Rafael Garcia
Sr. contributing writer Football Reporters Online
Southeast Region
Assisted by William Queen-contributing writer-Football Reporters Online

VIRGINIA TECH - 31 MIAMI – 7
The only ranked game of the weekend, Virginia Tech and Miami looked like a promising match-up if there ever was one. However, Virginia Tech wouldn’t let the Hurricanes take advantage of the rain, squandering every aspect of their offensive attack. Tech’s offense pounded the ball for an impressive 272 yards rushing, keeping Jacory Harris and company off the field. And when the Canes did get the ball, Harris never really got a chance to throw. He was under heavy pressure from Tech’s defense, leading to poor throws and only one 3rd down conversion. What else can possibly go wrong? Well, a blocked punt returned for a Hokies touchdown practically sums it up. Miami may have beaten ACC powers Florida State and Georgia Tech, but the Hokies were defiantly a setback for this Hurricanes team.
 
GEORGIA TECH - 24 UNC – 7
Offense has been the story for the Yellow Jackets this season; however, their defense is what really impressed. Allowing only one 3rd down conversion, forcing three turnovers, and ultimately holding UNC to a mere 7 points, Georgia Tech simply manhandled the Tar Heels. The Yellow Jackets got off easy on defense, as their offense may have helped out more than they could have thought. Though they only scored 24 points, Georgia Tech held possession of the ball for a full 42 minutes and 6 seconds! That left UNC just under 18 minutes to work their offense, which was obviously not enough, as quarterback TJ Yates could never find a rhythm. I am very impressed with how Georgia Tech was able to bounce back from a heart-breaking loss to Miami, with a pure sense of dominance against UNC. Now, UNC is ranked last in the ACC. Yes, I know that Virginia and Duke have yet to play an in-conference game. But no matter, this is not a good week for the Tar Heels.
 
TCU – 14 CLEMSON – 10
An intriguing non-conference match up between the Tigers and the Horn Frogs took place this weekend and surprisingly wasn’t very intriguing at all. TCU had a solid advantage in total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, and time of possession, giving them the logical benefit. Many are saying that the story of the game was CJ Spiller’s impressive milestone. Quite frankly, I don’t think that really matters in terms of the game, as my eyes were focused on the fact that neither team had a single turnover. With neither teams not forcing, nor giving up a turnover, I am very impressed. But on the other hand, maybe they played it a little too conservative on offense. Poor 3rd down conversion percentages and a very low scoring match-up basically proves that by itself. ON a totally different note, I think that Clemson fans are too obsessed with their running back CJ Spiller than the Tigers themselves. If he were so good, he would have helped his team to win an important game.
 
BOSTON COLLEGE - 27 WAKE FOREST – 24 OT
Tied at 24, this one went into overtime and was ultimately decided by two plays. One was a 23-yard field goal, giving the Eagles the lead in overtime. As the other was a Wake Forest fumble, forced and recovered by Boston College, giving them the win in overtime.
 
FLORIDA STATE – 7 SOUTH FLORIDA – 17
South Florida proved that it could play with the big dogs Saturday, forcing 4 turnovers and ultimately winning by a 10-point margin over their in-state rivals. A plethora of big plays also helped the Bulls in perhaps the biggest win in South Florida history.
 
MARYLAND – 13 RUTGERS – 34       
A very winnable game for Maryland turned into a disaster, all because of turnovers. The Terps turned the ball over 5 times on Saturday and Rutgers didn’t hesitate to take full advantage.
 
NC STATE – 38 PITTSBURGH – 31
The Wolfpack ran away with this one in the 4th quarter, scoring two touchdowns and holding the Pittsburgh offense to nothing. They simply outmatched Pitt on offense; 550 total yards, decent 3rd down efficiency, and 27 first downs.
 
DUKE – 49 NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL – 14
The Blue Devils scored on their first three drives, practically setting the tone for the whole game. This was an easy win for Duke, setting their record at an adequate 2-2.

The 2009 Liberty Cup-a Recap-By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Football Reporters Online

When the schedule came out last winter, I quickly circled the date on the calendar: Saturday the 19th of September, 2009. It would be the day the 8th annual Liberty cup would be played. The benefit game between Fordham and Columbia is a fast growing rivalry between the only 2 division 1-AA (or FCS) teams in close proximity to each other in New York City. Columbia ‘s Morningside campus is close to midtown Manhattan, While Fordham’s main campus is in the heart of the Bronx, surrounded by the Botanical gardens and the Metro North Harlem Line and the Fordham Road shopping district.

This would be my 4th year attending the game, and it’s always a pitched battle between the teams. Each year the game is highly anticipated and there are always several “back stories” about the players and coaches. This year was no different. The Rams return the Skelton brothers to the roster. John is the QB, and a senior, while Stephen is a junior who plays the “Y” position, more or less the tight end spot. Both are 6’5” tall. John has been mentioned in several circles as a pro prospect, and is well deserving of the attention, no matter who is proclaiming what ranking he is or should be. He gained 30 pounds two off seasons ago, and reminds some of a Joe Flacco type of QB, big and strong, yet still mobile. He moves well in the pocket, but is also a threat as a ball carrier as well. He does have an issue with his left knee. While it was never severely injured, he has had some soreness since increasing his size. Skelton was 25-47 for 383 yards, but was sacked twice and threw 3 interceptions to offset his 4 TD performance. Fordham Punter Patrick Murray was named the Patriot League special teams player of the week for his 6 punt, 274 yard performance (45.7yd per kick average). On the defense for the Rams. Isiejah Allen let the unit with 11 Tackles (8 solo), and the unit overall amassed 96 total tackles!

All that said, we expected a quality game from both sides. Columbia has some special players of their own, including at least one player who has gained some recognition as well. WR Austin Knowlin, a 5”11” Senior, has been a first team all Ivy selection in his sophomore season, and a second team as a junior as both a Kick/Punt returner and a Receiver. He has a natural ability to find the “gaps” in a defense when running his routes as a receiver, and has proven time and time again that he can find the end zone as a receiver and return man. Two other players earned player of the week honors for their play Saturday night. Sr. QB M.A. Olawale for his 13-23-167-2TD performance (plus 50 yards net rushing), and Freshman Punter Mike Willamson. Also deserving mention were RB Ray Rangel for his 25 carry 118 yards net rushing performance (1TD), and TE Andrew Kennedy who had 4 receptions for 83 yards and 2 TD’s. The Lions Defense was led by Adam Merher at Free Saftey, with 16 Tackles (7 Solo)!

While the final was 40-28 Columbia, this game was closer then the score would indicate. An early missed XP conversion, as well as a late two point try after RCB Jared Morine’s Interception return for a TD kept the final score under a two Touchdown difference. The performance of both teams was a fitting tribute to the Charities supporting 9/11 victims from the NYC Police and Fire departments and the Port Authority Police attending the games, as well as settingan example for the Youth football programs and H.S. teams’ Players enjoying a Saturday evening Honoring the game of Football as well.

The 38th Annual NY Urban League Classic-A recap

By The Gambler [J.Gamble] Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online
 
East Rutherford, N.J. -- The first half of Morgan State’s 16-10 OT win over Winston-Salem State in the 38th annual NY Urban League Classic should have been renamed The Exuse Caboose Classic.
 
Each team had credible and understandable exuses as to why despite the huge stage – 25,000 Giant Stadium fans, an epic battle of the bands and the Deputy Mayor of New York sitting front endzone – they played sloppy and uninspired football.
 
“We have to get back and work on our timing on offense, said MSU coach Donald Hill-Eley, “and we have to create an identity for our offense.”
 
The Bears were without the services of their offensive identity, junior sensation Devan James. James, out with an abdominal strain, is an All- MEAC First Team tailback. He rushed for a whopping 1,337 yards last season as a sophomore. And 219 of those were in one big game against Howard !
 
Quarterback Carlton Jackson seemed to be battling two fronts. The lingering effects of an injury that caused him to miss some key games at the end of the 08’ season, and the 41-0 beating MSU suffered in a season-opening loss to Akron. The negative effects of James absence was obvious, as MSU’s offense sputtered. The ground game was non-existent. The passing attack was limited.
 
WSSU entered the game in the midst of turmoil and disheartening circumstances.  The Rams, in their fourth year of a five-year transition into Div 1 football, found out on Thursday that the school’s chancellor has abandoned the ambitious plan, and will return the school to Div II status next season.
 
“Its been tough for the whole team not only football team but whole athletic program,” said Rams sophomore defensive end Stephen Young, whose college will suffer a loss in scholarships from 53 to 38 as well as exclusion from high-profile Div I games, like the Urban League Classic.
 
“We feel the freshman and sophomores deserve better than that. We came here with the intention of playing DIV I football. The whole team was sad and upset. A whole lot of emotions were going through our minds.”
 
There were even rumors around the WSSU campus of an organized boycott of games. But Young says the team had a meeting and never considered quitting on the season.
 
With the halftime score an offensively stifled 7-3, Hill-Ely looked at the scoreboard and realized there was a game up for grabs that neither team seemed to want. He needed a few good men to stop feeling sorry, and will his team to victory.
 
Senior quarterback Carlton Jackson and widereciever Ed Baptiste seized the moment.
 
Down 10-7 late in the fourth quarter, Jackson found a groove with Baptiste and they connected on pass plays of 36 and nine yards to fuel a 5-play, 39-yard drive, capped with a  42-yard field goal that tied the game and sent it into an overtime shootout.
 
On MSU’s first OT possession Jackson -- who at this point had transformed into Doug Williams -- withstood a vicious hit in the pocket and connected with Baptiste, who outhustled a leaping defender in the end-zone, sealing victory for the Bears. MSU evened its record at 1-1, and can look forward to trying to play up to the team’s high preseason MEAC Conference and FCS [Football championship Subdivision] expectations.
 
“Me and Baptiste we work everyday for moments like this,” said Jackson, who completed an efficient 16 of 21 passes for 146 yards and two TD's. “I been playing with Devan James since five years old and he is a vital part of our offense and he is missed, but that doesn’t stop the show. We got to keep trucking.”
 
WSSU, on the other hand, is just stunned. Stunned by the news of going back to Div II. Stunned by the likelihood of falling to 0-4 with a meeting against FCS No. 1 South Carolina State a week away.  Stunned by the way they relinquished a 10-7 lead. Stunned by the fact that they had 188 rushing yards to MSU’s 43. And 79 more total yards. And still lost.
 
The future of the Rams athletic program is in limbo. Coach Kermit Blount has re-written the record books at WSSU in his 17 years there. He is confident the university and its football team will end up on its feet.
 
 “We just didn’t make the plays” said Blount. “We’ll make the proper adjustments. I won’t blame it on the transition back to Div II. The kids were hurt and the coaches were hurt [by the news], but the things we control are in between the lines. We have to move on.”
 
 
 

Close Win For SBU Over The Brown Bears

By Douglas Speigel-Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online

Sure it was only a one point victory, but if you want an early prediction, here it is, Chuck Priore: FCS coach of the year. After quipping “We needed it” during his entrance to the post game conference he went on to explain, what could be clearly seen, as the mental and philosophic fever that is spreading throughout this team’s players.
Tonight at LaValle Stadium, Brown was in town to play their first game of the season vs.-The Seawolves. Ticklish excitement from home-based fans could be felt the moment you entered the parking lot, and moved beautifully into the first plays of the game.
The Browns stability and togetherness, throughout the first half, could be clearly seen as they marched down the field, between a series of flags drawn by the very patient Stony Brook.
These periods, of well played football, lead to a beautiful roll-out pass from Caballero, to the man in the end zone, Matthew Sudfeld. A successful kick and it is 7-0.
Stony Brook immediately answered back with a 51-yard kick-off return by WR #80 Matthew Brevi, a well-choreographed five yard pass to Porter, and hand off to Edwin Gowins, who hesitated not at all, and broke to the outside for an explosive 27 yard touch down run.
The game tied 7-7, it was Browns turn to score again, and Kyle Caballero, did just that. Locating #46 Buddy Famham for the touch down.
#80, does it again, with a 36-yard kick off return, giving the Seawolves great field position. With SBU looking for the end zone, they go to the air a lot for what had to be seen as a bunch of nearly gotten beautiful plays.
SB Freshman Justin Blake intercepts a pass in the end zone. Tides still not being sturdy the Seawolves #46 Schwicke intercepts a deflected pass and takes it for a nice run leaving SBU at the 44.
This series of action culminated with a gorgeous Coulter pass, on a gorgeously orchestrated play, and a gorgeous reception by Number 25 Jordan Gush, putting Stony Brook on the board again. Skiffington makes the second of his first two extra point attempts and leaves the game tied 14-14 at the half.

The marching band graces the crowd with the classic White Rabbit and an early 70’s Don’t Fear the Reaper.. and it is on to the second half.

Who else to start it off, but the sophomore Matt Brevi. #80. Gaining yet another 53 yards, moving like a barracuda’s chewing at his heels and leaving his daily kick off return total at 140 yards.
Kyle, with a nothing less then relentless performance, showed his ability to run, picking up 22 important yards on foot, and earning 267 yards passing for the game. However, getting to Alex Prestly for The Bears third touch down, proves to be the turning point as the third of Plitcha’s field goal attempts flies right and leaves the score, Bears 20 SBU-14.
With 47 seconds left on the clock, The Seawolves come up strong again as Coulter connects with WR Donald Porter(#6) in the end zone, setting up Skiffington for the potential game winning extra point. The kick is good and after enough 47 seconds of play to keep us all interested, including a failed 43 yard kick by Brown, Stony Brook walks away with their first victory of the season.

I felt a quite sense of strength in the Browns locker room after the game, a sense of brightness on the rise, and heard a lot of silence. While I am a reporter, I also respect privacy. I know it is not best to put a word in a person’s mouth, but I do believe If I had gotten up the momentary rational to ask the The Bears coach Phil Estes for comment, he undoubtedly would have spoken of hope for their next game on September the 25th.

Next week, look to see the Bears come out strong and for Stony Brook to try many new things in Massachusetts, and as Chuck put it “be what they need to be to win that game.”

Week 4 NCAA FBS Predictions
By Max Baez Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online


The marquee story of the third week of the college football season were clearly the events in Seattle, where an uberconservative approach by USC caused them to lose to Washington. Aaron Corp showed why Matt Barkley was named their initial starter, and many are still wondering what in the world happened to Mitch Mustain. Lots of teams are starting up their conference schedules this week, which makes for a solid weekend of football. Now, for the five games to watch this weekend, at least in my mind:

Ole Miss @ South Carolina

I don’t know what’s up with South Carolina and playing on Thursday night, but this is already their second appearance there this year. Ole Miss is already ranked number four in the nation, and this is their first true test. South Carolina looks like they can be solid on both sides of the ball. Against North Carolina State, they were great defensively, while the offense looked great against Georgia. They haven’t put it together on both sides of the ball in a big game yet this year (they’ve only had two), but if they can, they can definitely pull the upset at home. Stephen Garcia looks like he will be a great QB for the future, but while part of me wants to take South Carolina and the upset, my gut is just telling me that the talented Rebels will pull out a close win.

Ole Miss 24, South Carolina 20


North Carolina @ Georgia Tech

These are definitely two rising programs, and you can say Georgia Tech has already risen after their performance last year. Georgia Tech was embarrassed last week at Miami, and took a major hit by the pollsters, falling out of both polls. While North Carolina is ranked, I don’t think they are the better team. They looked pretty flat in their one semi-difficult game this year, a road game at UConn, while Georgia Tech still has a strong run game and defense, outside of last week’s mishap. Georgia Tech gained a reputation as a tough team last season, and I think they are going to be real hungry this week, so expect them to run all over the Tar Heels.

Georgia Tech 28, North Carolina 10


Cal @ Oregon

Many have given up on Oregon after the bad start to the season against Boise State (and then losing LeGarrette Blount for the season), but Oregon has recovered nicely, with wins against Purdue and Utah. Cal is a solid all around team, but this game is going to be a test. Autzen Stadium is a very tough place to play, and you can guarantee that the Ducks don’t want to start the season 2-2. However, Cal matches up well against Oregon. The Oregon offense won’t be able to pass at all on Cal’s stellar secondary, and Cal will be able to stack the box and make themselves more effective against the run. My guess is that we will see Cal pull out the solid road win and put itself in a great position to start the Pac-10 season.

Cal 24, Oregon 13


Miami @ Virginia Tech

And here goes my upset of the week. Virginia Tech is good all around, just like they tend to be. Very well coached, good defense, solid offense – they are a very good team. They’ve also been tested, already playing Alabama and Nebraska. However, Miami looks electric this year. Jacory Harris is the real deal at QB (and looks better than his adversary in this game, Tyrod Taylor), and while the defense didn’t look good against Florida State, they really showed up strong against the vaunted Georgia Tech run offense. Miami has already won two big games, and they are filled with confidence. They’ve had two extra days than Virginia Tech to prepare for this one, and I think it will pay off, with Miami winning a close one. Jacory Harris could become a darkhorse Heisman candidate with a win here, if he hasn’t already.

Miami 23, Virginia Tech 20


Iowa @ Penn State

With a schedule featuring the likes of Akron, Syracuse, and Temple, Penn State better have the record it currently has: 3-0. Now, their first conference game of the year has Iowa coming to town, and the stars are well aligned for a Penn State win. Iowa has gotten off to a 3-0 start, but nearly lost to FCS team Northern Iowa, and simply doesn’t have the talent that Penn State has on either side of the ball. Also, Penn State will surely be out for revenge against the Hawkeyes. Penn State lost one game last year, which was at Iowa, and if they had won out, Penn State would have played for a national title. The circumstances simply favor a Nittany Lions victory.

Penn State 24, Iowa 7


Five more to watch: TCU @ Clemson, Arkansas @ Alabama, Arizona State @ Georgia, Texas Tech @ Houston, South Florida @ Florida State

Last week’s record: 5-0

Max Hall-BYU QB-Early Scouting Report-By Will Osgood-Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online

When the BYU Cougars took the field last Saturday night, against Florida State, they were the number seven team in the country. They had a legitimate chance to play in a BCS Game. They also possessed perhaps the best chance of any non-BCS Conference team ever to play in the National Championship Game. As a result of all this, their quarterback Max Hall also looked like a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender.

But by the end of Saturday night, it all looked like a distant pipe dream, as the Cougars were trounced by the Seminoles. Gone are the BCS or National Championship aspirations, and likely the Heisman Trophy consideration for Max Hall as well. So that leaves me with this question alone: Is Max Hall a legitimate NFL quarterback prospect?

To make a determination I got a look at four games of his—last year versus Washington, and the three from this year—Oklahoma, Tulane, and of course Florida State. I charted out every throw he made in those games, 142 in all. But I didn’t only chart the throws, because there’s more to being a quarterback in the NFL than being accurate and strong when throwing the football. I looked at his throwing motion, his decision-making, his athleticism, his perceived leadership skills (which are tough to see on t.v., but you can at least make some generalizations). Of course, the height and weight issue is going to be a knock on him, as he stands just 6”1’ and 200 pounds (my guess is that’s a generous listing).

But it isn’t fair for scouts to write him off simply because he lacks the necessary height or weight. If they did that, they would’ve written off Drew Brees, Jeff Garcia, Doug Flutie, even Michael Vick. There’s a whole lot more that makes a good QB than his height. And those examples prove it’s possible to overcome a lack of height to have success as a professional football player.

The scout must look objectively at game film, chart out his throws, look at his athleticism, decision-making, and leadership skills and from that determine whether he can be a successful quarterback. I’ll admit right now, I’m glad I don’t have to make a decision today, because if I did, it would be very difficult. So I’ll give you some information that I gathered and allow you the reader to make a decision if you want to.

Accuracy

Out of 142 total throws (four games), I graded him as being accurate on 103 of those throws. Percentage-wise that is 72.5 percent. If you grade him on throws of five yards or less, he was 49 of 60, which is about 81.5 percent. Throws between six and ten yards: only 30 of 45, for 67 percent. Eleven to fifteen yards: 12 of 15 for 80 percent. And all throws deeper than fifteen yards he was 12 for 20, which is 60 percent.

What do those numbers tell us? First off, 72.5 percent is good, but does not compare very favorably to QBs of the past such as Mark Sanchez, Kevin Kolb, or even his predecessor John Beck. That being said, it is better than such players as Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan, and Joe Flacco. So maybe it doesn’t really mean anything.

For any QB prospect, he must be accurate short, and he is. That is a good thing. His six-to-ten yard percentage though is something to be a little concerned about. A lot of NFL throws take place in that range of the field, and that happens to be his weakest accuracy range.

Although it’s a small sample size, his accuracy from 11 to 15 yards, and the way he throws those balls most of the time, with some zip, is very encouraging.

But the true test for a future NFL QB is how he handles pressure, since he’ll be getting hit almost every time he drops back to throw. Unfortunately for Hall, he struggles greatly under pressure, as he was accurate on only 11 of the 26 passes he made. This is just 42 percent. At least he hits his throws when on the run at more than 60 percent.

It is encouraging to see Hall throw accurately to all three sections of the field—right, middle, and left. This proves he is able to make fairly quick decisions and set his feet. It also shows he has an ability to go through his route progressions and not just lock onto one receiver.

Decision-Making

Hall is the leader of his offense, as he should be. He is allowed to check out of bad play calls, and when he does, generally makes good decisions. This I think is a very underrated aspect of being a quarterback in the NFL.

Because of the look offense in college, many QBs are not being trained how to read defenses pre-snap and figure out how to get their offense into a better play. But at the NFL level, there is no look offense. It is the quarterback’s job to get his team into a better play. For me Hall has an advantage in that he has already done this for a couple years.

Another aspect of decision-making of course is the quarterback’s decision of who and where, and when for that matter, to throw the football. Hall makes those decisions very quickly and almost never gets sacked. You could say there are times he could hold on just a little longer to allow his receivers more time to get open, but of course I’d rather him be a quick decision-maker than a slow decision-maker.

Throwing Technique

At 6 feet—we’ll give him that much credit—Hall must make up for his lack of height with a flawless release in order to avoid potential trouble, such as tipped balls and bad ball trajectory.

With shorter quarterbacks, like Hall, it is a double-edged sword, as you want them to be able to get that ball over taller linemen, but knee bend remains important so that they can get everything behind their throw. For a shorter QB, Drew Brees does this so well. Hall is still a work in progress. I wouldn’t call his release a three-quarters, but I also wouldn’t say it’s fully over-the-top. It’s maybe 7/8.
He needs to get more bend in the knees which allow him to really drive into his throws. The thing is there are times he does, and he generally gets a lot of zip on the ball. His arm is definitely not the issue. But he needs to stride into all his throws, which he generally does not do when facing pressure.

And although he is accurate on the run, he fades away from the throw. That is going to cause some inaccurate throws down the line, especially when the speed of the game is faster.

Pocket Presence

One area I did not mention earlier, but may actually be the most important area, or one of them, is pocket presence. I did touch on this above, saying that Hall does not step into his throws when facing pressure. But it is more than that. It’s moving within the pocket, being able avoid a sack, sometimes even leaving the pocket, but keeping his eyes downfield.

Hall does not excel in this area of the game. He is a good athlete, but when he scrambles, he generally decides he is going to simply run and make as many yards as possible. At the NFL level, a QB will not be able to gain very many yards so they must keep their eyes downfield looking for a receiver to come open.

Within the pocket, he does not step up into the pocket and make throws, but instead tries to throw everything off his back foot. That is a big part of why he is so inaccurate against pressure. If he has any chance to become a good NFL QB, he must improve in this area over the course of this season and in the NFL.

Summary

Despite his size, Hall has a lot of positive attributes that lead me to believe he could be a good NFL QB. Among them are his decision-making and experience in audibling and calling some of his own plays. I didn’t talk a lot about his footwork, but it is better than many spread QBs, and that is what allows him to be accurate to all three sections of the football field. Also his ability to make quick decisions and go through his progressions help in his overall accuracy as well.

Things that hurt his cause are his size, his difficulty to be accurate against pressure, and lacking a big-time arm like a Matthew Stafford or Jay Cutler. I’m still not sure where I stand on him, but I do believe he’s at least worth a late-round pick. You never know what he could turn into with some good coaching and the right system.

 
                                         The SEC Wrap Up Week 2

By Rafael Garcia Sr. Contributing Writer-Southeast Region-Football Reporters Online
 
So it’s the second week of the season and some teams had some easy ones to start the year. A week later there were expected wins and of course unexpected losses. So sit back and let’s talk about how this weekend unfolded.
 
UCLA 19 Tennessee 15
 
After a laugher against Western Kentucky the Vols found themselves at reality check’s door week 2. The Bruins were a different monster on this day even though they were supposed to lose this game. Remember all the noise that Lane Kiffin made before the season began? Well he is a bit quiet after the debacle on Saturday. He is beginning to realize that it is going to take some time for this rebuilding process. The Vols offense was nothing short of anemic turning the ball over four times. They managed just 208 total yards and one touchdown. Kiffin left quarterback Jonathan Crompton in too long and he admitted it cost his team big. Crompton finished 13-26 for 93 yards and three picks. The problem for Tennessee is that he is all they have. He beat out Nick Stephens for the job so what does that say about their depth at that position? There was some infighting between players after the game, prompting Kiffin to rally his troops, but it will be on the field where they will have to make a difference. Either way the problems that hurt them last year seem to be creeping up again and that won’t fly in Knoxville. Kiffin will have to make decisions to change the team. Will he go with Stephens or stick with Crompton? What changes will he make to generate more offense? Next is Florida and a performance like this one is going to get them blown right out of the swamp. One way or another there will have to be change or this season will be a long one.
 
Georgia 41 South Carolina 37
 
Wow was this a crazy game or what? This one had special teams play, defense and a lot of penalties too. With all that happened it all came down to one last play before this one would be decided. There was 22 seconds left and the Gamecocks had the ball at the 7-yard line. South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia tried to win it but was turned back when his pass was swatted away by Rennie Curran. It helped the Dawgs avoid a 0-2 start for the first time since 1996. Garcia had a big day as he went 31-53 for 313 yards two scores and one pick. His counterpart Joe Cox was 17-24 for 201 yards and two touchdowns. He also had one interception returned 35 yards for a score too. South Carolina kicker Spencer Lanning tied a team record with five field goals. It was a much-improved offense after scoring just seven points last week. As for Georgia, well they could ill afford to be winless and were able to eek out the win on that big play at the end. Brandon Boynkin had a huge game with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and set up another score with an interception. DeAngelo Tyson had the huge play of the game when he blocked an extra point try. That block did not allow South Carolina to tie the game with a field goal. Instead they had to go for the win and missed out. The defenses obviously had a hard time of it giving up so many points in the first half that ended with Georgia up 31-23 at the half. So there is next week now and much more work to do.
 
LSU 23 Vanderbilt 9
 
On a rain soaked afternoon the Tigers found out they still have much work to do although they got the win. Head coach Les Miles said after the game that he was happy to get a win, but acknowledged that his team must play better in the weeks to come. The Dores were trying to win at LSU for the first time in nearly 50 years. They were still in the game until Keiland Williams caught a late touchdown pass. The Vandy defense played well in a loss holding LSU to three filed goals after allowing them inside their 20.  Tiger quarterback Jordan Jefferson was 20-29 but had only 138 yards passing to show for it. He had problems finding deep receivers all day and had to check down to the short routes in order to move the ball. Freshman Russell Shepard got in some playing time in the wildcat rushing three times for 27 yards and catching a six-yard pass that he fumbled away. Their defense turned it up in the second half as they shut Vanderbilt down in the second half. The Commodores really hurt themselves bad when penalties allowed the Tigers to keep drives going. Quarterback Larry Smith had the only touchdown for Vandy and went 11-24 for only 88 yards with one interception. All in all head coach Bobby Johnson has reason to be pleased. He saw his team stay almost toe-to-toe with a national power. That will only help his team’s confidence going forward. They will need all they can get a hold of as they try to get to consecutive bowls.
 
Elsewhere, the Gators turned it up as AT&Tebow racked up four touchdown passes plus another rushing score. It put him third in the SEC for rushing touchdowns and within five of the lead for overall touchdowns. The Gators won the game 56-6 in preparation for Tennessee. Down in Tuscaloosa Alabama had no problem with Florida International as they whipped up on them in a 40-14 rout. Highly regarded freshman Trent Richardson showed out as he rushed for 118 yards on 15 carries with two scores in his first full action. The Auburn Tigers went wild with their new offense and racked up 589 yards with Ben Tate ran for 159 yards and freshman Onterio McCalebb had 1220. It was the first time a freshman has had over 100 yards rushing ever for Auburn Yes folks that would include the likes of Bo Jackson.

THE BLACK ATHLETE SPORTS NETWORK'S ALL – HBC – UNIVERSE TEAM
By Michael – Louis Ingram
Black Athlete Sports Network/ Football Reporters Online
 
As we head into bowl season in college football and the NFL playoffs loom over the horizon, it's time to take a step back and recognize former and current players in a unique tribute.
For the past six months, I have been working on this compilation of talent for two specific reasons. One, when you refer to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) on the gridiron, the first thought most lay people conjure up is that of Grambling State University.
The contributions by its great Hall of Fame coach and teacher, Eddie Robinson, are second to none; which brings us to the second reason: so that, respectfully, the world can know the HBCU universe does not rotate around the Black and Gold sun of Grambling State.
Every HBCU has long radiated its own special light, and their input into professional football's "Good Book of Bad" has so many "John Henrys" singing their names, it puts the Declaration of Independence to shame.
Now we know All – Star teams are always lightning rods for conversation; who was badder than whom and "How could you leave off this guy?" are about as expected as eight in the box on third and short.
But (with a lot of help from some friends and colleagues) we came up with not just a first, second and third team.
Because the dearth of talent coming from Black schools is so firmly etched in the fabric of pro football, we are unveiling the creation of 11 full All – Star teams; offense, defense and special teams complete with an all – Universe bench (taxi squad) which will ultimately bring you to those who we feel are the best of the very best – for an even dozen full squads in all.
My BASN colleagues, Editor – in – Chief, Tony McClean, my fellow Sports MCs Chris "Professor K" Murray and Wendell "MC Good Foot" Simpson and Finley "Doc" Pinkard, Big Play Football's main man Lloyd Vance, Staff Writer and host of Blog Talk Radio's hit talk show, "The Batchelor Pad" L.A. Batchelor, Dr. Bill Chachkes of footballreportersonline.com and some very special guests will chime in as they will also throw their two cents into the pot!
We will also roundtable on some of these picks and their worthiness in terms of consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame – in America and as well as our neighbor to the north and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, located in Hamilton, Ontario.
 
THE BENCH:
The HBC – Universe bench is a 66 man – squad that was compiled of players who have played in every known professional sports league: NFL, CFL, the old American Football League, the Arena Football League, the United States Football League (USFL), the All – American Football Conference (AAFC), and NFL Europe (nee the World League of American Football).
A six – man "taxi squad" for each of the 11 teams with two significant selections, a bench coach and Honorary HBC – Universe member was chosen.
QBS: JOE "747" ADAMS, FLORIDA A&M; MATTHEW REED, GRAMBLING STATE; BRUCE EUGENE, GRAMBLING STATE; JOHNNIE WALTON, ELIZABETH CITY STATE; PARNELL DICKINSON, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE; DAVE WEBSTER, PRAIRIE VIEW A&M;
(Super Scout's notes: Webster led Prairie View to the Black College Championship in 1958; Walton was a solid starter during his career in the USFL; Eugene's strong arm was matched and surpassed by his stronger intellect, as his 41 out of 42 on the ballyhooed Wunderlich test should have had him under center playing in the NFL if they were as consistent about what is required to play the position as their bullshit about who can't play the position)
RBS: PERRY HARRINGTON, JACKSON STATE; MIKE COLLIER, MORGAN STATE; HENRY DYER, GRAMBLING STATE; CLEO MILLER, ARKANSAS – PINE BLUFF; DERRICK NED; GRAMBLING STATE
(Super Scout's notes: Although Harrington never made significant waves in the NFL, he will always be remembered as the man who broke the great Walter Payton's rushing record at Jackson State)  
TE: CHAD FANN, FLORIDA A&M; THORTON CHANDLER, FLORIDA A&M; GREG LATTA, MORGAN STATE; MORRIS STROUD, CLARK ATLANTA; ALVIN REED, PRAIRIE VIEW A&M; CHARLEY FERGUSON, TENNESSEE STATE
(Super Scout's notes: Until the selection of seven foot lineman Richard Sligh by the Oakland Raiders, Stroud, at 6'10" was the tallest position player in the old AFL)
WRS: CHARLIE BROWN, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE; COREY BRADFORD, JACKSON STATE.;  DWIGHT SCALES, GRAMBLING STATE; SCOTTY ANDERSON, GRAMBLING STATE; NATE SINGLETON, GRAMBLING STATE
(Brown was a two – time Pro bowl receiver with Washington; Bradford was part of the expansion roster of the Houston Texans)
LINEMEN: QASIM MITCHELL, NORTH CAROLINA A&T; MIKE ST.CLAIR, GRAMBLING STATE; LAWRENCE TERO "MR.T", PRAIRIE VIEW A&M; BOOKER REESE, BETHUNE – COOKMAN; BENNIE ANDERSON, TENNESSEE STATE; KWAME KILPATRICK, FLORIDA A&M; DEXTER NOTTAGE, FLORIDA A&M; ELVIS FRANKS, MORGAN STATE; CHARTRIC DARBY, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE; FRANK MOLDEN, JACKSON STATE; BOB BROWN, ARKANSAS PINE – BLUFF; ELEX PRICE, ALCORN STATE; ROBERT "BIG BIRD" SMITH, GRAMBLING STATE; MARQUES DOUGLAS, HOWARD; CLETIDUS HUNT, KENTUCKY STATE; ROBERT MATHIS, ALABAMA A&M; ANTHONY COOK, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE; CLEVELAND ELAM, TENNESSEE STATE; CHARLES PHILYAW, TEXAS SOUTHERN; RUBEN STUDDARD, ARKANSAS PINE – BLUFF; MANNY SISTRUNK, ARKANSAS PINE - BLUFF
(A little mix of fame and infamy with the additions of Tero, Studdard and Kilpatrick; you decide what belongs to whom)
 
LBS: LOUIS GREEN, ALCORN STATE; SIMON SHANKS, TENNESSEE STATE; MARCUS WINN, ALABAMA STATE,; LES BARLEY, WINSTON – SALEM STATE; ROBERT TAYLOR, GRAMBLING STATE
DBS: FAKHIR BROWN, GRAMBLING STATE; GENE ATKINS, FLORIDA A&M; TONY STARGELL, TENNESSEE STATE; OLIVER CELESTIN, TEXAS SOUTHERN; RUFUS BESS, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE; GREG WESLEY, ARKANSAS PINE – BLUFF; DWAINE CARPENTER, NORTH CAROLINA A&T;ANTOINE BETHEA, HOWARD; MEDGAR EVERS, ALCORN STATE; TIM WATSON, HOWARD UNIVERSITY; TONY STARGELL, TENNESSEE STATE
(In addition to everything else in his brief but distinguished life, Evers excelled on the gridiron and ran track as a Brave)
STS: MIKE COLLIER, MORGAN STATE; CALVIN MUHAMMAD, TEXAS SOUTHERN; DARIAN BARNES, HAMPTON; ALPHONSE DOTSON, GRAMBLING STATE
BENCH COACHES: ERNEST JONES, ALCORN STATE; GEORGE RAGSDALE, NORTH CAROLINA A&T
HONORARY HBC – UNIVERSE CONTRIBUTOR: P/PK GENE MINGO*
*(I specifically wanted to honor Mingo because he was the first Black specialist to excel in football. In 1960, Mingo led the AFL in scoring his rookie season for the Denver Broncos, and as a placekicker/halfback and punt returner was a one – man scoring machine, leading the league in points scored in 1962.
Born in Ohio, Mingo's opting for military service may have taken college out of the equation, but not his desire to excel.)   
The Countdown      
 
For the teams, I went with a 26 – man roster, for offense, defense, specials and the head coach, applying the same variables as the bench, with extra consideration for league awards and longevity.
 
ELEVENTH TEAM
HEAD COACH – JAMES CARSON, JACKSON STATE
OFFENSE
QB - CONNELL MAYNOR, NORTH CAROLINA A&T
OL – DAMION COOK, BETHUNE – COOKMAN;
OL - COURTNEY VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS PINE – BLUFF;
OL – DWAYNE WHITE, ALCORN STATE;
OL - LAWRENCE SMITH, TENNESSEE STATE;
OL - JOHN BROWN, N. CAROLINA COLLEGE
TE – ALVIN REED, PRAIRIE VIEW A&M
WR – ALFRED JENKINS, MORRIS BROWN
WR – AL DENSON, FLORIDA A&M
RB – RONNIE COLEMAN, ALABAMA A&M
RB – LEWIS TILLMAN, JACKSON STATE
 
DEFENSE
DL – EZZRET ANDERSON, KENTUCKY STATE
DL – PEPPI ZELLNER, FORT VALLEY STATE
DL – JIM OSBORNE, SOUTHERN
DL – LAWRENCE PILLERS, ALCORN STATE
LB – MARLO PERRY, JACKSON STATE
LB – ISSAC KEYS, MOREHOUSE
LB – GUY PRATHER, GRAMBLING STATE
DB – FRANK WALKER, TUSKEGEE
DB – JAMES HUNTER, GRAMBLING STATE
DB – ISSAIC HOLT, ALCORN STATE
DB – NICK FERGUSON, MORRIS BROWN
 
SPECIALS
PK/P – CARLOS LEECH, SOUTHERN
KR – CARLOS PENNYWELL, GRAMBLING STATE
PR – WALLACE FRANCIS, ARKANSAS – PINE BLUFF
ST- CHRIS BURKETT, JACKSON STATE
 
Next Time: We roll with Teams #10 and #9; and if you think there's some great talent out here already, wait until we continue up the ladder to Number One!
 
michaelingram@blackathlete.com
mike@footballreportersonline.com

Failed expectations and a lack of team energy lead Bowden to resign at Clemson
By John Kelly-Senior Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online

If all of America were to read Tommy Bowden’s eulogy following his resignation it probably would say “Bowden a man who could recruit the athletic studs to exceed expectations but could never seem to fire them up to fulfill them”. In the middle of his tenth season after being routed by Alabama and back-to-back conference losses to Maryland and Wake Forest Bowden decided to step down.
In an earlier Clemson article I wrote in July I stated that if the tigers failed to win the ACC Title then Tommy Bowden’s seat could combust into flames.
Clemson went from ACC favorite and National title dark horse to a team in turmoil within 6 games. Receivers coach Dabo Swinney will be taking the headset for the remaining games.
I was a possible believer along with the great Brent Musberger on the first Saturday that Clemson could be a dark horse National title candidate. The question all people are asking how did it get so ugly so quickly for the Clemson Tigers after most people penciled them in as the ACC favorite?
Well the definite calling card had to be the Alabama game in which the Tigers were thumped 34-10 and lacked any cohesiveness on the sideline. I know that Alabama team is now current ranked 2nd in the nation and no one expected them to rise so quickly but, it was that game alone that told the nation that Tommy Bowden and the Tigers were on separate wavelengths.
The most disappointing part of their opening game was not on the scoreboard but the mood of the players throughout all four quarters. They seemed in shock and had their heads down the whole game like an emotionally broken mutt. Coaches were yelling at them and they were jabbering back.
Even when C.J. Spiller took the opening kickoff of the second half 98-yards to pay dirt it seemed like the Clemson sideline was energized but never fully enthused.
Bowden departs Clemson with a 72-45 record including 43-32 ACC. He also made 8 bowl appearances and received ACC Coaching of the Year honors in 1999 and 2003.
To make matters worse after Wake Forest Bowden benched Cullen Harper and named high touted Quarterback Willy Korn starter, this was the last straw for Tiger fans.
C.J. Spiller claimed he liked Bowden but never felt that he truly motivated his teammates game in and game out. In the end Spiller pointed out that the players in the end they were not buying into his system. Spiller was also displeased that Bowden refused to utilize his talented backfield every other play and got away from running the football with the success that both Davis and Spiller had on the field in previous seasons.
"He was yelling at us to be leaders and it wasn't working. He did all he could to motivate us but guys weren't buying into what he was saying. And he said a lot of the same things over and over again” said Running Back C.J. Spiller. "He let the offensive coordinator [Rob Spence run the show and we got away from me and James Davis. I think part of the problem was when he benched Cullen” Spiller said.
It seemed like his team was the class of the ACC at certain points while looking like underachievers at other points.
His exit marks 10 years of a Jekyll and Hyde team that seemed to be on the cusp of being an elite team but never seemed to take the next step. With recruits decommitting and James Davis, and C.J. Spiller playing on Sunday’s next year it is going to be a tall order for the new Clemson head man to get the team rolling in the right direction again.

This week we will bring you the first of our NFL Draft Prep Shows at Football Reporters Online. This one will be on Small School Prospects. We will also have Fordham University Rams Head Football Coach Tom Masella Joining us to talk with us about some of his young prospects, Most notably Kicker Adam Danko, who hit the winning Field Goal This past Saturday in the contest against Yale (a 12-10 slugfest), Defensive End Ryan Mehra, OT Justin Sarabaez, and WR Richard Rayborn, as well as an opposing Coach's view of Yale's RB Mike McLeod. The show can be heard live at 9pm eastern at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters
The Show is Hosted By FRO's managing Partner Dr. Bill Chachkes and this week's Co-Hosts are FRO's college football reporter John Kelly, and FRO's Scouting Director and Host of the Popular "Sports MC's" Broadcast on The Black Athlete Sports Network, Mike Ingram.

Photo: a Visibly Dejected Yale RB Mike McLeod during the final moments of Yale's Loss to Fordham

Win or Lose Notre Dame’s Tradition and Energy every Saturday give any fan the
true feeling of College Football
By John Kelly for Football Reporters Online

Attending a Notre Dame football game is more than just seeing two teams
square off; it carries the feelings of a religious pilgrimage. While it sounds crazy
let me explain and with Touchdown Jesus as my alibi, why you will be moved
enough to take a trip there.

The pregame festivities build up your energy before Kickoff. After you get off
that small prop plane at South Bend Airport or off the Indiana Tolls you see the
Golden Dome. The shine given off the dome right there is silently yelling, “brace
yourself”. Check into the hotel pick up an Irish Sports Report and a jersey from
the memorabilia store and get to campus. Your pilgrimage is about to begin.

Friday is where the all the pregame festivities begin. The pep rally in the Joyce
Center is almost always sold out so make sure you have a ticket. Then sit back
as you hear the band rock all the great Notre Dame songs Rakes of Mallow,
Victory Clog, and of course the best fight song in the land the Notre Dame
Victory march. The band is not the only one bringing the house down; the
students are wild and rock the Joyce Center.

The pep rally is just an appetizer to game like atmosphere you will feel on Saturday. Hopefully you have picked up the chants and songs and hopefully your Irish Jig is upkeep when Rakes of Mallow plays.

Each pep rally is filled with special guests that pump you and the team up for
Saturday. Famous distinguished guests have been Tom Lasorda, Lou Holtz,
Digger Phelps, and yes the great one Wayne Gretsky.

You better grab some coffee from Perkins down the road because your Friday is
not over yet. At midnight the drumline rocks out the Notre Dame tunes late into
the night and the entire town can hear the crowd around them as the Notre
Dame Fight Song is played and the chant of this year’s 2008 squad, “Crank me
up”.

Now go back to your room because I know it is late for you Mr. Casual sports
fan. You’ll need to be up bright and early before Kirk, Chris, and Lee even start
Gameday because the campus is a site to see. You arrive on campus and in the
middle is the house Rockne built with 80,000 seats.

Then there take your picture behind Touchdown Jesus and if you’re with your family a group picture will be memorable forever and cut costs on this year’s Christmas picture.

Now it is close to noon right next to the Golden Dome is the Basilica, which is a
gorgeous on a crisp fall day. Go in there and say a prayer hoping for an Irish
victory. If you’re not an Irish fan, check out the whole basilica and be sure to
take some photos.

Now get up quickly because the players are doing their traditional walk to the
stadium after their mass. You can literally stand inches away from them and
chant their names. I gave Armando Allen a high five and he gave me a nod back.

Then the last thing to do before you inhale those three delicious bratwursts
provided by the student barbeques is see the band play at Bond Hall. They belt
out again the Notre Dame Victory March, Rakes of Mallow, and Victory Clog. The
sound can be heard throughout campus. Also you better get a decent spot
because there are 5,000 people on the grass around Bond Hall watching,
clapping, and singing the melody to each and Notre Dame song the band plays.
Oh yeah they also give you a hint of what they are playing at halftime.

Ok you have done the pregame experiences, had some bratwursts, a couple of
beers, and now it is 15 minutes before game time and it is time to enter Notre
Dame Stadium (Or what I like to call Mecca). Now the PA announcer comes on
and the crowd goes bonkers and then the Golden Shine off the sun catches your
eye and you see the Irish run out of the tunnel to a Roman Coliseum type roar.
Do not forget to boo the opposing team and make them feel uncomfortable.

Now sit on these tight benches and in the words of Charlie Weis “Shut up when
the Irish are on Offense and when they are on defense make a lot of noise.”

Win or Lose the end of the game is one of the prettiest and tight nit moments
most college football fans throughout the nation miss after the final whistle
blows. Grab a shoulder and be prepared to sway back and forth to Notre Dame’s
Alma Mater and see a crowd of 80,000 follow you in unison.

Well, as you leave the stadium get a couple more pictures of the stadium and
field the ushers are great and will take the photo for you. That is my only advice as I hope you have experienced a great weekend. If you’re an NFL fan well then football continues into Sunday. If your just a casual sports fan hopefully this great the will definitely be embedded in your mind when your plugging away on Monday.

On a side note the Purdue game I went to this year made my cousin’s brother-
in-law’s day and he normally is not into college football. If he can have a smile
then any person who goes there can be moved just as much.

If you know A Notre Dame alum I suggest you ask for the tickets and come on a
Pilgrimage to the Mecca of College football.

Freshman Phenoms Julio Jones, A.J. Green, and Michael Floyd boast the best freshman receiver class since 2002

By John Kelly for Football Reporters Online

It has been six years since we truly saw freshman receivers steal the scene in
College Football. Pittsburgh Freshman Larry Fitzgerald, an unknown player from Minnesota, dazzled us with a spectacular diving catches including one in the Insight bowl versus Oregon State. Reggie Williams hauled catches in double coverage while, taking several short slants to the house versus Oregon. USC’s Mike Williams made an effortless one-handed catch that was on numerous College Gameday highlight reels. In 2004 Deshawn Jackson breathed life into Berkley for the first time since the SDS was doing sit ins in the 60’s. He became an instant weapon for the Golden Bears as a punt return specialist and a consistent home run threat. Last year Michael Crabtree reeled in over one hundred catches and the Blinkoff Award to boot.

Some freshmen receivers seem to make impacts before others and while others gain national attention. The last six years has only seen one really steal the show and the others make an important impact. Freshman receiving studs tend to crash the college football party every year now, none compare to the class of 2008. This class is set to make an instant offensive impact quicker than any other freshman receiving class.

We look at the 5 star rival’s receivers and hope to see them make an immediate impact every college football season. Since 2003 most top Rivals receivers have been busts, kicked off teams, or just disappeared. For every playmaker like a Deshawn Jackson there is a Patrick Turner who is a bust in my estimation after being ranked the #1 receiver by rivals in 2004. Fred Rouse was the #2 rated receiver in 2004 according to rivals and was thought to carry a game emulating Randy Moss. He ended up being kicked off Florida State’s football team and transferred to UTEP.

So why are the three top wideouts from the 2008 recruiting class so special
opposed to the other past successful and disappointing blue chip receivers?
Well 5 weeks into the season all three have scored a touchdown and they all
look like the future go-to playmakers in their respective offenses.

While Julio Jones and Michael Floyd scored during the first week of the season , A.J. Green finally put himself on the map in Tempe versus Arizona State catching 8 balls for 157 yards and a touchdown. His impact is huge for Matthew Stafford and Knowshawn Moreno and the Bulldog offense.

Michael Floyd had 7 catches for 87 yards and a TD versus Michigan State in the loss and his impact along with Golden Tate makes Jimmy Clausen’s job a lot easier in South Bend. Floyd is only a freshman and I knew after
watching him in the high school All-America game he would be turning heads already. He is shaping up to be the next great Notre Dame receiver since the days of Derek Mayes. He will only get better which is an issue for opposing secondaries who already are being smoked by him thus far. Plus this week versus Stanford he had another 100 yard game compounded by burning a Pac-10 track star champion for a 48-yard touchdown bomb.

Julio Jones clips in Alabama’s fall practices had multiple you tube hits and he finally got into the end zone in his first game against Clemson. He is definitely the real deal in Tuscaloosa. He also was big in their upset win over Georgia a week ago as he hauled in two touchdown catches. Alabama’s strong ground attack will lead to more one on one opportunities for him. His combined size and speed are the best out of the three and do not be surprised if he is a Blinkoff Award nominee this year.

All three players are first round draft picks to me in the 2012 draft and can aid certain NFL teams with an impact receiver (Are you listening New York Jets or Baltimore Ravens). All three have the ability to take a short pass the distance, catch the fade route, and burn you deep on a fly pattern.

Floyd reminds me of Larry Fitzgerald and it is not because he hails from
Minnesota. If you watched the Michigan State game he can go up and get the ball from anywhere. He has the speed to burn you deep but his ball skills and receiving instincts are what separate him from Green and Jones.

Outside of AJ Green’s circus catch last week I have yet to see Julio Jones make a catch like that but I am confident he can. Speaking of A.J. Green he is mix between Randy Moss and a Chad Johnson with the speed to burn you deep, the ability to make a catch from anywhere on the field, and the athleticism to make major mismatches with even the best corners in the league.

Floyd is getting comparisons in the South Bend Tribute to Terrell Owens but it is Julio Jones to me that best mirrors the mold of a T.O. At 19 he has enormous strength and speed to be a mismatch against any corner in the land. Like Floyd he also likes to go out and rip the ball down from opposing corners. By playing in the SEC he will face top defensive competition like A.J. Green week in and week out which will help him develop a lot more. He is the biggest physically of the three and his strength now and in the future will allow him to muscle smaller and athletic cornerbacks that cover him. By the end of his Crimson Tide career he will be the next freak of on the outside.

The next three seasons are only going to get better if you’re a Bulldog, Irish, or Tide fan and these three look to provide many memorable moments.

SEC Roundup
By Ralph Garcia SEC Insider-10-8-08

Vanderbilt 14 Auburn 13

As Vanderbilt took the field Saturday they looked around to find a packed house. Black and gold were everywhere the naked eye could see. The noise level was at pitch not heard here in decades. ESPN's College Gameday was here to hang out for the game. It was an official welcome to the big stage for the “Dores”. Only thing left was to go out on the field and get it done. Within a 60 second span it was 13-0 Tigers. Then at the end of the half Vandy scored to turn the momentum. In the second half Auburn would score no more. Their ever faltering spread offense could muster nothing. QB McKenzi Adams came off the bench to spark the comeback that put Vandy at 5-0 for the first time since 1943. They beat Auburn for the first time since 1955. Auburn was held to a little more than 200 yards of offense. Their QB's were sacked five times by five different players. Holding on to a one point lead with 2:16 to play Vandy had to punt. In came Brett Upson and his kick went 55 yards to the Tiger 3. One play later Myron Lewis picked off a Chris Todd pass and the celebration was on. A school known for its brain would now be recognized for its brawn. No longer are they be the doormat or joke of the SEC. Now they are wearing targets and other teams better take aim. This was for the long suffering fans, the boosters who never gave up, the fans that have been faithful for so long. Ah, but this is the SEC folks. The question of which conference is the best keeps being asked. If you watched Vandy's win then you should ask that question no more.

Elsewhere:
Tennessee 13 Northern Illinois 9
Nick Stephens goes 10-17 for 153 yards and a touchdown. The running game fell short with 75 yards on the ground. What was supposed to be a blowout almost ended in an upset. UT's offense could not move the ball and they better get it right soon.

Alabama 17 Kentucky 14

Glen Coffee ran for 218 yards but Alabama needs the late 24 yard field goal to get past Wildcats. Tide improves to 6-0.

S.C. 31 Ole Miss 24
QB Chris Smelley throws for a career high 327 yards go with three touchdowns. Rebels are held to a second half field goal. Crucial mistakes keep S.C. in East race.

Florida 38 Arakansas 7
AT&Tebow finishes 17-26 for 217 yards and two touchdowns to go along with an interception. Jeffrey Demps runs for 103 yards in the romp. Chris Rainey had a spectacular 75 yard run for a score. Win helps Gators stay half game behind East leader Vanderbilt.

Above: Stonybrook's Lynell Suggs Hauls in a TD in the endzone ...

The Small School Report: Scout’s notebook #1
Elon Vs. Stonybrook- 9/6/08-Final-Elon 30-Stonybrook-20

By Dr. Bill Chachkes

I knew it would be a weird day simply because of the impending approach of tropical storm Hanna. Elon dominated a bit early due to field position before the weather factored in. They are known as a mostly passing team and proved so again this time out. QB Scott Riddle was sacked 4 times (including 2 by #94 James Harris in the first half), but was 26-42-241 with only 1 interception and 3 touchdowns.

Notes: Elon
Terrell Hudgins (11-138-1TD) continues to show his full range of skills. DB Karlos Sullivan was named SoCon special teams player of the week based on his 106 Punt return and 24 K.O return yardage. He also had 1 Interception and one of the punt returns was and 81 yd. score. FB Tim Applegate had a “career” day with a 9yd. TD catch.

Stonybrook

Lynell Suggs (3-62-1TD) is something special to watch. Coming out of the powerhouse high school program that is Bronx, NY’s Lehman, he makes people sit up and notice his moves and route running ability, even on a wet field. Defenders Tyler Santucci and James Harris combined for 17 total tackles. Harris is the right size for an end (6’5”-270) and sheds blockers well, but seems to allow shorter OL’s to get under his pads at times, throwing off his motion towards the QB. Santucci controls his turf like any inside linebacker, but brings exceptional tackling skills. RB’s Gowins and Cuttino combined for 174 Yds. Rushing, with Gowins Scoring a Touchdown on a 72-yard run.

The Last Word: "Games are won and lost on fundamental things," said Stony Brook head coach Chuck Priore. "We did not execute on the offensive side of the ball in the first half. We had some blown assignments, some miscues and a couple of penalties that led to our defense playing a little bit too long. I am proud of the way we played in the second half. We have to learn how to be better against these types of teams. We will move forward and I am sure that we will be successful." Coach Priore has a storied career as a “Small College” football Coach, including a 30 game win streak at Trinity college in Hartford Conn. Coming off the huge win over Colgate in the last game, this one shouldn’t be too hard to get past.

Offseason changes, Improved O-Line, a formidable schedule, and Impact
Freshmen hope to erase the Horrific Images of 2007 for the Irish

By John Kelly, Football Reporters Online 9-1-08

Head Coach: Charlie Weis
Record: 22-15 4 Years
Offensive Lettermen: 20 Defensive Lettermen: 17

Charlie Weis kept repeating the same phrase “Were looking past 2007” to
the South Bend press like he was pledging to a fraternity this offseason. You can
repeat that phrase till the cows come home but the Irish’s issues on the offense,
the defensive line, and the lack of big playmakers at the skill positions still
leaves Irish fans nervous for 2008. Weis’s ability to develop young talent to the
level of 20 wins he accumulated in the first two seasons in South Bend will tell
his tale the next two years.
2007 saw bigger lows in Notre Dame history then when Ty Willingham was there and like Obama’s major talking point of change, the Notre Dame version has played out this offseason with physical hitting practices, Weis handing over his play calling duties, and the hiring of linebackers coach Jon Tenuta.

Why were physical practices implemented?

Weis last year limited contact in practice barring his players from the real game experience especially the O-line. I am not saying physical practices could have helped that team anyway starting with Georgia Tech, Penn State, and Michigan.
By giving the freshmen, O-line, and defense a chance to hit people it will help
them in real game situations instead of touch football NFL practices. The Irish
O-line looks better on rivals’ videos thanks to these physical practices and it
seems to be benefiting all players. Holtz always allowed hitting in his practices
and implementing this style will help all Irish players develop.

Haygood now Calling the Shots:

Andy Reid and Mark Richt are great offensive minds known throughout the football world. What you don’t know is that they had the sad task of handing
over their play calling duties to some else. Andy Reid and Mark Richt had
success letting other people take the reins of the offense. The Eagles won the
NFC East in 2006 and the Georgia Bulldogs were the hottest team at the end of
the season. Charlie Weis recently handed over his play calling duties to
Offensive Coordinator Mike Haygood who now has another job besides being
the running backs coach. It was tough for Weis to do this stating to the media
that he will miss devising game plans in the fall. By doing this Weis is letting a
coach with no experience calling a game to take the reins of an offense that was
just better than Temple last year. The good news is he is letting his coaches
coach instead of controlling everything as well as opening up to his players, a
side of him he never showed the first two years imitating the Tuna. With
Haygood the offense will not be as predictable and will emphasize running the
football. Weis though is making a tough choice but the right one now can help
develop the younger talent to the level their rivals ratings put them don’t forget
his 2005 offseason at Notre Dame saw him molding Brady Quinn into a First
Round Pick so the fat man can coach.

A Key defensive Acquisition:

The idea that no one wanted to hire Jon Tenuta for a defensive coordinator or coaching job makes me want to pull my hair out. At Georgia Tech Tenuta’s
defenses were an aggressive blitzing style that came play after play. This man’s
defense was the scariest I had ever seen Notre Dame face charging like a pack of
wolves coming after prey. Tenuta’s defenses at Georgia Tech led the nation in
sacks in 2007, ranked 20th in the county totally, and 20th against the run. This
is a good sign and should help because Notre Dame’s run defense was
atrocious last year yielding several one hundred yard games, including one from
each service academy. Weis hired Bill Lewis as Defensive Backs coach when he
could not solve his coverage’s and now he has done the same with Tenuta. This
is the guy that should provide that nasty attitude Irish fans have hoped to have
since Weis arrived in South Bend in 2005. With Defensive end Kerry Neal,
Linebacker Brian Smith, and a bevy of talented corners, expect ND to bring the
kitchen sink all year, and get to the quarterback and terrorize him every Saturday
including several new ones making their first starts.

What improvements to look for on offense? Can Clausen stay upright? Can he improve?

While most of the fans are excited for the new aggressive Notre Dame defense and we love the potential of offensive playmakers Duval Kamara, Golden Tate, and Robert Hughes the question still is will Quarterback Jimmy Clausen have the time to throw to them or will their be running lanes for Hughes? Lets not forget, outside of right tackle Sam Young most of the Notre Dame offensive line was making their first starts last year and coming into 2008 they are heavier and stronger. If that does not sell you that Notre Dame has a stronger right side of the line this year with a heavy 337 pound Chris Stewart and 330 bulked up right tackle Sam Young. Offensively, Notre Dame has the best stable of running backs it has had since Holtz was there. Speedster Armando Allen, bruiser Robert
Hughes, and James Aldridge definitely can get the job done and with a bigger
right side those stretch plays and dives right will go for 5 and 6 yards opposed
to negative yards. Expect Hughes to be the star this year out of the bunch and
rush for 900 yards and 12 TDS with Allen providing that speed threat and
Aldridge providing quality depth. All those sites that said Jimmy Clausen was
overrated last year must only pay attention to his high school statistics and
failures and forget the kid’s arm was not one hundred percent. Ten pounds of
more muscle and a better grasp of the play-book will easily help Clausen and
due to offensive line issues expect ND to roll him out more this year. Clausen
will improve in all facets this year and next year be a sleeper to win the Heisman.
Sorry to all of you Clausen haters, you will be hearing his name a lot.
The Irish wideouts have the most potential of any of the skill players with David
Grimes providing great leadership to the receiving corps. The real talent lies in
the underclassmen where Duval Kamara set a freshman record with 32
receptions and should be the go to guy this year with help from incoming
freshman Michael Floyd. Golden Tate is a lot more improved according to
receivers coach Rob Inaello and will be deployed all over the field, not just on go
routes. By the end of the year this offense like Georgia’s of last year will be
extremely hot and a threat in 2009. While there is a load of talent and many
questions still they should be answered by the end of the season when Notre
Dame should and will be playing their best football.

Wow a real winnable schedule (something the Buckeyes get every year):

Notre Dame sees a schedule in which 7 of the teams beat them last year the
good news most of those teams are in transition and that suits a team looking
to improve in 2008. Outside of USC this schedule is extremely light and could
see Notre Dame win as many as 10 games Yes!! I said it, Ten. The Cupcake games
like Stanford, Navy, Syracuse, and San Diego State right off the bat are 4
guaranteed wins where the Irish are clearly more talented. Four wins are better then 3 in 2007. Michigan, Purdue, Washington, Boston College are 4 swing games that Notre Dame needs to win and will judge if they go bowling. Michigan is going through a major makeover with Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense being
implemented and their visit to Notre Dame will be their first road test with an
inexperienced quarterback so the Irish have an advantage and if they stay
turnover free should win a close one. Purdue returns gunslinger Curtis Painter
but loses all their star receivers including first round pick Dustin Keller and their
defense has been atrocious and let an anemic Notre Dame team back in the
game last year. Washington has a dangerous dual-threat signal-caller in Jake
Locker who can do it all but has zero playmakers around him and also the
defense is terrible and looks like the unit Ty Willingham fielded at Notre Dame
before he was canned. This game will be emotional and for a young team this
should be a measuring stick. It is also a late night national televised game plus
Willingham is on the hot seat and losing to him will only make more controversy.
No Matt Ryan right off the bat will make it tough for the Eagles in 2008 plus
ND’s defense should be scary and harass who ever is playing quarterback for
BC. BC always plays their best versus the Irish and this game is another tough
road test and will be highly emotional since BC has won the last 5 meetings. If
Notre Dame comes prepared and plays their game they should get out of
Chestnut Hill with a victory. Fans wont hate Weis as much if his only win this
year was to a dubious Boston College team. USC, Pittsburgh, Michigan
State, and North Carolina prove to be steal games. USC will clobber Notre Dame
even though the Irish should make it interesting, Pittsburgh is unpredictable but
due to ND’s inability to stop the run this game is challenging, North Carolina
will be a tough road test facing a Tar-Heel team reminiscent of themselves plus
with Butch Davis coaching the game is not a walk in the park. Michigan State
returns Brian Hoyer their starting quarterback but there is no Devin Thomas or
Kellen Freeman-Davis because both are in the pros. Despite being the road team in
this series has won the last 6 games, which should be a good sign for the Irish,
State always gives Notre Dame trouble.

Impact Freshmen:
Michael Floyd-
Floyd might be the biggest impact Freshman out of all of them at 6’-3” & 215lbs and
with a physical body, and solid route running skills up to college speed. He has
the potential to be the first big Notre Dame playmaking wide receiver since
Derek Mayes. He can stretch the field taking a 5-yard gain and turning it into 30
yards something the Irish have lacked in recent seasons. He also has cracked
the depth chart as one of the top 4 receivers right out of fall camp, which should
tell you something. They are comparing him in South Bend to Randy Moss who
was denied acceptance to Notre Dame due to a criminal action back in 1995.
Floyd’s big plays in the All-America game definitely show his potential either as
Randy Moss or another great receiver of the past and his name will be heard
a lot this year by Notre Dame Fans.

Kyle Rudolph-
The 6-7 255 Tight End will probably be playing more than any other Notre
Dame Freshmen this year with the loss of starting Tight End Mike Ragone.
Rudolph like Floyd was a Rivals Five-Star recruit in 2008 and the top tight end
in the nation. While blocking is a definite challenge of his, coach Weis is very
high on him and said he can run faster down the seam than all of his tight ends.
Rudolph is a weapon at 6-7 and barring better pass protection, he could be a
major target of Jimmy Clausen. Here is the scary part he was 222 in high school,
gained 30 pounds of muscle before coming to school, and will be even bigger
and tougher to defend down the road.

Trevor Robinson-
His long curly brown hair reminds me of Kevin Steele of the Steelers and
Robinson definitely plays with that demeanor. At 6’-5” 301 pounds he is a
monster and can blow up a defensive linemen like no other. He already has
cracked the two deep roster in fall camp like fellow Freshman Michael Floyd and
could be a huge help to improving Notre Dame’s offensive line.

Ethan Johnson-
At 6’-4” 275lbs he has great pass rushing ability, which Notre Dame has not had
since Justin Tuck. Johnson will play probably situational this season but his rush
ability along with John Tenuta’s new scheme will allow him to harass the
Quarterback this year.

Record Prediction:
While the pundits believe this is a make or break year for
Weis and see 7 wins in 2008 from Notre Dame, they are sadly mistaken. This
analysis is not coming to you just because I have been following Notre Dame since I was 6. Like Lou Holtz (who by the way predicted 11 wins for the Irish in ’08) my father and i know Notre Dame football and their schedule. We also know that Notre Dame bounces back better than anyone in the country and this year will prove it. Notre Dame has a chance to be 4-1 or 3-2 going into back-to-back
road tests with North Carolina and Washington in October. Michigan is down
this year, San Diego State is a pushover, Purdue has to travel to Notre Dame
where they have only won twice since 1963, and Stanford is still rebuilding.
North Carolina is winnable but will be tough. Washington will also be a tough
emotional matchup but Notre Dame’s athletes should overpower them in the
end. November proves to be the toughest month with Pittsburgh, Boston
College, and USC. If Notre Dame can stop the run they have a chance to beat
Pittsburgh. BC will give ND a scare but they should pull that game out and USC
is a toss-up. Hopefully, Notre Dame can make it close with the Trojans by the
end of the year something they have not done since Weis’s first season. While 10
wins and 11 have been shouted around by Lou Holtz and some South Bend
Papers 9-3 and a gator bowl victory seems fitting with concentration hopefully
on a BCS game in 2009.

In this video I asked Mike Mayock for his view on why the New England Patriots passing game was not copied by more NFL teams and the idea that the college passing game is catching up in complexity to the NFL passing game.