Seven College Football Questions Heading into 2009

By Alfred Fernandez

1. Who is Greg Paulus?
Oh, you mean ’05 Gatorade high school basketball player of the year? The ’06 ACC All-Freshman? The guy who started for 4 years as the Duke point guard? Yes, that’s Greg Paulus. What I didn’t mention is that he was also the ’05 Gatorade football player of the year… and current Syracuse Orange quarterback. New Syracuse coach, Doug Marrone, is giving a scholarship to a QB who hasn’t thrown a meaningful pass in 4 years. Unless you count his game winning flea-flicker during the Paulus Family Thanksgiving Backyard Extravagaanza. I mean, this is insane! Did you know the Duke head coach even said Paulus wouldn’t be able to compete for the job? At Duke. So he headed to Syracuse, the Big East doormat, a team which has gone 9-27 the past three years. And that’s perhaps the only BCS conference weaker than the Big Ten. So what? This story may never make it past Orange message boards. Paulus hasn’t even won the starting job, and he may never even play. But what if he does start? What if they win 6 games? What if they make a bowl? That would be the craziest thing since the forward pass.

2. Will Lane Kiffin have to install a reverse peephole?
For the 7 people who don’t watch Seinfeld reruns on daily basis, Kramer and Newman once installed reverse peepholes so they could see if anyone was inside their apartment waiting to ambush them. It may behoove the new Tennessee coach to do the same. Before he has even sniffed the grass of Neyland stadium, he had managed to piss off just about everyone in the SEC and even one Florida high school. From falsely calling Urban Meyer a cheater to implying that Nick Saban can’t recruit to questioning whether Pahokee High School, star recruit Nu’Keese Richardson’s alma mater, could even fax the letter of intent to Knoxville. The hit list is already long for Kiffin and also includes: SEC legend Steve Spurrier, UF Athletics Director Jeremy Foley, SEC commissioner Mike Slive, and Georgia recruit Marlon Brown. Whew… and its not even Fall yet. Regardless of the Volunteers’ record this year, I think his first season will be a success if Kiffin doesn’t find someone waiting for him around the corner with a sock full of pennies.

3. How long will we have to endure “we’re coming to your city” as the Gameday theme song?
Its been what, 5 years of having this awful wannabe country-rap-rock oil spill as the anthem of the greatest Saturday show of all time? My apologies to Transformers and GI Joe, but College Football Gameday has always been the only thing that can get me out of bed before 11 on a Saturday morning. But this song has got to go. At the very least pick ONE genre and stick to it! And since when was country the official football music? I guess Hank Williams Jr started it with his Monday Night ditty. But at least that was good, “Are you ready for some football” became iconic. But will anyone be reciting Cowboy Troy 10 years from now? No. Because its ridiculous and gimmicky. To make matters worse, I kinda liked it last year… which in turn made me resent it all the more. If I have to hear it one more time… well Ill probably just complain again and still watch the show.

4. Who will make the BCS look completely idiotic this year?
Ok, the BCS did have about 4 good years. Then we realized how much of a joke it was. Since 2003, just about every championship has had as much controversy as NBA refereeing. First, it was the split title in 2003 (USC in the AP and LSU in the Coaches). Then undefeated Auburn got left out in 2004. Finally, smaller schools have been the thorn in the BCS side the past two years. Utah proved they deserved a shot in 2005 by defeating Pittsburgh and going undefeated. Then Boise St beat Oklahoma in perhaps the best college football game ever played, demanding that small schools deserve to be noticed. Last year, Utah obliterated previously unstoppable Alabama en route to a 13-0 season. Not to mention the unsolvable problem created by the Texas Tech / Texas / Oklahoma triangle. The ‘08 season really opened the floodgates, even leading some to question the legality of the BCS. A recent hearing in Washington DC addressed the system and a potential playoff. Things got so nasty that Rep. Joe Barton (a Big 12 fan who just so happens to be from Texas) said it should be called the “BS system” then later compared it to communism during the meeting. And its not only football people that are taking jabs at the BCS. Just yesterday when asked about his Orlando Magic being overlooked in their playoff series, coach Stan van Gundy said: ''The bottom line is this is not the BCS, where people get to vote for who the best teams are. We actually get to play on the court to decide that.” Yikes.

**Kiffin Update: I** Literally as I was finishing up this article, I find out that Tennessee will self-report a minor recruiting violation after Lane Kiffin posted on Twitter: “I was so excited to hear that JC Copeland committed to play for the Vols today!” Good Lord. He might just have to watch his back even in Knoxville. I actually feel bad for the Tennessee faithful as they have to put up with this childishness.

5. Can the state of Washington learn to play football?
In one of the most embarrassing storylines of 2008, Washington St and the University of Washington sank to the depths of college football, a place reserved for Prairie View and whoever invented the BCS (see #4). The schools had one Division I-A win between them, and that was when Wash St beat… wait for it… Washington. At least Wazzu’s season was partially understandable as their QB situation got so decimated by injuries they were literally holding on-campus tryouts for a backup. The winless Huskies scrapped everything and got themselves a fancy new coach from USC, Steve Sarkisian. I’m about as jealous of Sarkisian as I am of my friend who contracted “a touch of malaria” (true story). Hopefully in the dreary pacific northwest some light will shine on these teams in 2009. But no matter how bad it gets, at least they know someone has to win when they meet on November 28th.

6. Will Verne Lundquist finally man-up and ask Tim Tebow for his phone number?
All last year on CBS sports good ole’ Verne beat-around-the-bush about his man-crush on Tebow. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Lundquist and I think he is one of the better color guys still announcing. But he is madly in love with Tebow. It became really obvious when I noticed he never mispronounced Timmy’s name! Typically, if player names were early 80s B-movie actresses, Lundquist would be Leatherface. But in this case, Verne is obviously going the extra mile to make Tim notice his affection. Go for it Verne, ask him… we’re all rooting for you.

**Kiffin Update II: Just when I think I can finish an article, there is a new update from Knoxville. Looks like little Lane can’t even get along with his own staff! The new Vol has reportedly fired his strength and conditioning coach, Mark Smith. Kiffin might be taking the old adage “any publicity is good publicity” too seriously.

7. What does time travel have in common with going undefeated in the Big 12 South?
Both are mathematically feasible but practically impossible. Stephen Hawking wrote a book about it. Well, I don’t think he mentioned the Big 12 at all. I digress… anyway, Texas and Oklahoma would make anyone’s top 5 list. Oklahoma State should make most top 10s. Baylor, don’t laugh, will be very tough. Texas Tech can put up 72 points on any given day, even without Crabtree. Texas A&M isn’t what it used to be but they bring in blue-chip prospects and are really good for the worst team in a division. Much is written about UT, OK, and OKST, but let’s touch on Baylor a second. Before you spit milk through your nose, mark my words: the Bears will have a win against one of those 3 teams this year. They return Freshman All-American QB, Robert Griffin, who by the way won the 400 meter sprint at the NCAA championships in his spare time. Ten bucks says Baylor will be the #1 non-top-25 used team in online NCAA Football 2010 games. I know I would run the option like nobody’s business with Griffin, and any play with a QB rollout would just be unfair. Not to mention that Baylor returns RB Jay Finley, and top 2 WRs Kendall Wright and David Gettis. Add in their best recruiting class in years and you’ve got yourself a monster. That Big 12 South division is probably more dense than a black hole, and I don’t think anyone can come out alive.

Top Five fantasy Football Rookies

Some exciting rookies were taken in the 209 NFL Draft and it seems every year a few of these rookies make an immediate splash in Fantasy Football. When you are putting together your fantasy Football Draft board in a few months, don't sleep on these rookies.

1. RB Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts

This kid has it all and will likely be remembered as one of the steals of the 2009 NFL Draft. He led the nation in rushing in 2008 with 2,083 yards. He has it all, speed (4.46), size (5' 11" 210 lbs), power, elusiveness and toughness. He will likely beat out Joseph Adai by mid season and just might end up as the offensive rookie of the year. Mel Kiper called him an "athletically gifted workhorse".

2. WR Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings

If he stays out of trouble, stays healthy and dedicates himself to football the skies the limit for Harvin. He brings a lot to the table in fantasy football because he can get you points in so many different ways: rushing, catching the football and also in the return game. With the ball in is hands he was the most explosive, dangerous offensive player in the 2009 NFL Draft. Harvin and RB Adrian Peterson should make a devastating one-two punch for the Vikings.

3. RB LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles got lucky to get McCoy (5' 11" 205 lbs) where they got him in the 2009 NFL Draft. Not only was he a great value, but he fills a huge need and should get a bunch of carries from day one as long as he stays healthy though training camp. The Eagles, unlike the Cowboys, have not neglected their offensive line and I expect them to run the ball a little more in the future. The Eagles might be the most improved team in the NFC East, offensively at least.

4. WR Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

Hicks (6' 1" 217 lbs) is another talented player that got lucky to be drafted by a very good football team. With Plaxico Burris off the team, the door is wide open for the young Nicks to emerge as the go to receiver. Fast, strong and hands of glue, Nicks can be that possession receiver that Eli Manning has never really had. Not a game breaker or a deep threat, but he has Michael irvin explosiveness, strength and competitiveness.

5. WR Patrick Turner, Miami Dolphins

It looks like the Miami Dolphins and NFL Draft Dog were the only organizations that had Turner rated as a third round talent. I had him rated that high in my 2009 NFL Draft value Board. Time will tell if he ends up as a good player, but I think he will. I fell in love with Turner at the 2009 Senior Bowl, he looked like the best receiver on the field. He ends up in an ideal spot, the Dolphins need a receiver and Turner has the size and ability to see the field as a rookie. Not blazing fast, but he runs great routes and has great hands. At 6' 5" 221 pounds, Turner can be Bill Parcells' next Keshawn Johnson.

Honorable mention:

TE Travis Beckum, Wisconsin

A boom or bust prospect and not much of a blocker, but if he can regain the form that he displayed as a junior, he could be a dangerous H-Back type target for the Giants. He broke his leg early in his senior year, so his stock dropped in the 2009 NFL Draft, but before he broke his leg he was the best pass catching tight end in college football. As a junior he led the nations' tight ends with 982 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. The Giants kind of have an opening there and Beckum could find a place in the NFL simialr to how the Cowboys used TE Jay Novacek in their 1980's Super Bowl years.

The 2009 NFL Draft Review: The NFC West

This was a division with one great team and three poor ones in 2008 but each team has done some work in the offseason through both free agency and the draft and now it looks like this division will be much better than it was last season. The Cardinals will still be the team to beat and thanks to a pretty decent draft, they may be even better than they were last year. The San Francisco 49ers made some big advances in the draft and the Seattle Seahawks look like they are on their way back up after a dismal 2008 season. The St. Louis Rams have a long way to go but are definitely on their way up.

The following is a team by team look at the drafts of all of the teams in the NFC West with draft grades for each team.

Arizona Cardinals-The Cardinals needed to do get some help with their running game (since everyone knew that they were going to release Edgerrin James) and they got it with Chris Wells. Defensive end Cody Brown will help them rush the passer better and Rashad Johnson, who saw his stock rise in the draft, could be a starter in a year or two. This was a solid draft for the Cardinals and one that they should be able to use to help improve their team greatly. Grade A-

San Francisco 49ers-The 49ers watched as Texas Tech superstar wide receiver fell to them in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft and they just couldn’t resist the temptation. The problem is, they don’t really have a quarterback to throw the ball to him. Running back Glen Coffee was a wise pickup as was Scott McKillop. They also added quarterback Nate Davis to help push some of the other players at the position and LSU defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois a player that head coach Mike Singletary just might fall in love with. Grade B+

Seattle Seahawks-Seattle could have done several things with their first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft but the wisest thing for them to do was take linebacker Aaron Curry with their first pick. Max Unger is another decent pick for the Seahawks but they needed more help at the wide receiver position, a position that was wrought with injuries. They selected Deon Butler as their only wide receiver and didn’t do much to fill a position of great need. Grade C+


St. Louis Rams-The Rams are clearly a team in a state of rebuilding and with a new head coach and what should be a new team philosophy, this team went into the 2009 NFL Draft with a lot of needs. They came out with one of best offensive tackles in the draft in Jason Smith. They also got a guy who should be a steady force at the inside linebacker position in James Laurinaitis. Bradley Fletcher could be big for them at some point as well. Grade: B

By Bryan Dietzler

The 2009 NFL Draft Review: The NFC North

Being known for having the worst team in football helps to put a big spotlight on the NFC North, a division that seems to have a lot of needs and not enough draft picks to fill them. The Detroit Lions did get their quarterback of the future with Matthew Stafford while the Packers started their conversion to a 3-4 defense by nabbing Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji and USC linebacker Clay Matthews. The Minnesota Vikings helped improve their offense by taking Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin and the Bears, with no first day picks, bolstered their offense and defense and are looking pretty good after the draft.

The following is a team by team look at the drafts of each team in the NFC North. Each team is graded as well.

Chicago Bears-The Bears failed to have a first day selection but made the most of it during the draft’s second day and picked up some good talent at the wide receiver position as well as some decent defensive talent. Jarron Gilbert could pay dividends for them in the future as may D.J. Moore. Joaquin Iglesias may be a starter at the wide receiver position at some point and if Johnny Knox can develop into a starter down the road, they could have some big time steals. Grade A-

Green Bay Packers-With the Packers converting to a 3-4 defense, they needed to go out and get some players that would help make the transition much easier. Raji will really help them out as will outside Matthews. They will also get some help from offensive tackle T.J. Lang and fullback Quinn Johnson. While the Packers may have been stagnant in free agency they did pretty well in the draft. Grade B+

Detroit Lions-The Lions made big headlines by signing quarterback Matthew Stafford making him the first pick in the draft as well as making him their future franchise quarterback. Things got a little confusing after that as with their second pick in the first round, they chose tight end Brandon Pettigrew when they could have used the pick for a defender. The later rounds were pretty productive however and this team has a good start for the future. Grade B+

Minnesota Vikings-The Vikings are a team known for taking risks and they rolled the dice, somewhat, by taking Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin, a player who is known to have some character issues. If Harvin can bury his past the wide receiving corps in Minnesota could turn out to be one of the best in the NFL. They didn’t do too bad with some of their other picks but they didn’t get enough help on the offensive line. Grade C+

By Bryan Dietzler

The 2009 NFL Draft Preview: The NFC South

The teams in the NFC South were part of one of the toughest divisions in football in 2008 and all of them needed some help at various positions throughout their team. The Saints got some much needed help on defense as did the Panthers. The Buccaneers got their quarterback of the future while the Falcons worked some magic before the draft (by getting tight end Tony Gonzalez) then went and shored up some problems on defense.

The following is a look how each team in the NFC South drafted in the 2009 NFL Draft with draft grades for each team.

Atlanta Falcons-The Falcons made a trade for Gonzalez right before the draft making sure that they took care of their tight end position without having to worry about it in the draft. Taking defensive tackle Peria Jerry was big as was the acquisition of safety William Moore. Lawrence Sidbury Jr. might end up being the steal of their draft if he develops into the kind of player that they hope that he will. Grade B+

Carolina Panthers-The Panthers needed some holes filled in this draft, particularly on defense, and they managed to fill a few even though they didn’t have a single first round pick. Their first pick in the draft. Florida State defensive end Everette Brown should help them out immediately. Duke Robinson was their steal of the draft while they should get some good production out of the defensive backs that they selected. Grade B

New Orleans Saints-The Saints ended up with just four picks but they got the most out of those picks helping their defense, in particular their secondary, out immensely. With their first pick in the draft they got Ohio State cornerback Michael Jenkins a player that they needed desperately. They also grabbed safety Chip Vaughn in the fourth round to help themselves out at the safety position. While they didn’t have a ton of picks, they did manage to take care of some pressing issues. Grade: C

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Tampa Bay managed to nab their quarterback of the future with Josh Freeman and this alone helped make their draft a decent one. Getting some youth on the defensive line is also a big plus so defensive tackle Roy Miller and defensive end Kyle Moore should help out a lot. Wide receiver Sammie Stroughter may be a real find for them as well. Grade: B

By Bryan Dietzler

The 2009 NFL Draft Review: The NFC East

The NFC East is one of the best divisions in the entire NFL sporting two playoff teams, one near miss and another up and coming team. There were some interesting storylines to the draft in the NFC East and all teams made themselves better during this year’s draft. The Giants shored up some holes, the Eagles had a monster draft that should help them get to the Super Bowl someday soon while the Redskins got some additional help on defense and could have one of the better defenses in the NFL for several years to come. The Cowboys ended up drafting for depth and not necessarily starting potential.

The following is a team by team look at the drafts of each team in the NFC East with grades on their drafts.

New York Giants-The Giants were one good wide receiver short of getting to their second Super Bowl in a row and so they decided to roll the dice a bit with North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks. Providing he can keep his weight down, he could be the next big time receiver in New York. The Giants also addressed some needs at the linebacker position, the offensive line and the tight end position with some fine prospects to include linebacker Clint Sintim, William Betty and DeAndre Right. The Giants should not only get plenty of depth from this draft but some starters out of it as well. Grade: B+

Dallas Cowboys-The Cowboys ended up with no first day picks after they traded away their only selection on the first day and instead, seemingly drafted for depth in this draft. The best player out of their draft was Jason Williams and others will step in at some point and help out but they didn’t take care of a lot of their needs such as the need for a good wide receiver or a starting safety. They did add a lot of depth though and that does account for something. Grade: C-

Philadelphia Eagles-The Eagles drafted very smart in the 2009 NFL Draft and got some good players that will help them out immediately. Having Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin fall to them was huge and now they have the kind of player they have needed at the wide receiver position for several years. LeSean McCoy will help spell Brian Westbrook at the running back position and tight end Cornelius Ingram may help revive the tight end position. Their other picks should help out with depth at several positions. Overall this was one of the more solid drafts in the league. Grade: A-

Washington Redskins-Brian Orakpo alone helps to improve the Redskins defense and with the acquisition of Albert Haynesworth, the Redskins should have a pretty decent defense in 2009. The problem with their draft is that they didn’t have too many top picks leaving the remaining four players selected as not so sure bets in making the roster. Once again, the Redskins choose to not make their future through the draft. This will come back to haunt them at some point. Grade: C

By Bryan Dietzler

The 2009 NFL Draft Review: The AFC West

Some teams in the AFC West are going through a bit of a transition at this point. There are three new head coaches among the group and so we may see three of these teams take a step back in 2009. The Denver Broncos are also undergoing a change in their quarterback position as well as a change in defensive schemes so 2009 might be a down year for them. However, these teams could start their road to recovery by using the 2009 NFL Draft as a tool to get their teams on the right track. Let’s take a look at how each team did in the draft and how each team’s draft was graded.

Denver Broncos-The Broncos made some strange picks in some people’s eyes. Thanks to the fact that they are switching to a 3-4 defense the Broncos should have looked at some additional talent to help them get their new defense under control but they chose to take only one player who could have a direct affect on that (Robert Ayers). They did get some good depth at the cornerback position and taking Knowshon Moreno isn’t the worst thing in the world but they will be hurting on defense when the season starts and will regret not doing more to shore that unit up. Grade: D

Kansas City Chiefs-Some feel that the Chiefs might have reached in taking Tyson Jackson so early but putting him next to his old college teammate Glenn Dorsey could help their defense out immensely. Some of the other picks that will help them out on defense include defensive tackle Alex Magee and cornerback Donald Washington. They also build up some of their depth on offense and grabbed a kicker (who incidentally was the last pick in the draft) as well. This was a good draft for this rebuilding team. Grade A

Oakland Raiders-The Raiders made a strange choice in the first round by taking wide receiver Darius Heyward-Bey and then turned around and did it again when they took safety Michael Mitchell with their second pick. Both could either be big or be big busts. These were very risky picks. Shaughnessy was another interesting pick and could be a boom or bust player as well. Louis Murphy and perhaps Stryker Sulak could be the two real keepers out of this draft. The rest could be gone in short order. Grade: D-

San Diego Chargers-The Chargers needed to do a few specific things in this draft and they accomplished some of them. Getting a player to compliment Shawne Merriman on the opposite side of the defense was a must and they managed to get someone in the first round when they picked defensive end/outside linebacker Larry English. English might have been kind of a reach as a first round pick but could pay out big time in the future. What they also needed was a big time running back to come in and be the heir apparent to LaDanlian Tomlinson and they didn’t get that. The only running back that they got, Gartrell Johnson, isn’t going to cause opposing defenses any fits. They added some depth at a few key positions including offensive guard, cornerback and safety. If they can get good production out of English and get another one or two starters and some backups out of this draft, which they could, they may have had one of their better drafts in the last five years. Grade B-

Overall, the drafts in this division were meant to bring in some additional talent to help not only fit in with the new coaching staffs within the division but also help them make some changes (such as Denver going to a 3-4). Kansas City was the clear draft winner this year and between this year’s draft and last year’s, has really built up a team for the future.

By Bryan Dietzler