Should the Rams draft Jimmy Clausen or Ndamukong Suh?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

The Rams have a hard decision to make coming up in April, but some people are making it much harder than it should be. The question is whether they should take stud defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is considered the best player in the draft, or should they take a franchise quarterback in Jimmy Clausen? Hard? Maybe for some people, but if I'm running a franchise and I lack a franchise quarterback - I'm acquiring one any way possible. Yes, I understand there is bust potential on quarterbacks. I understand that there are chances Suh becomes the next Reggie White. But ask yourself, is Suh, who would get #1 pick money really going to help the Rams franchise make the playoffs in the near future? I'm thinking not. I'm thinking one defensive linemen is going to help a franchise win 2-4 more games, not 9-10. It's no coincidence that a high percentage of winning teams have a franchise quarterback (Manning and Brees in the Super Bowl are good evidence). Clausen is a higher prospect than last year's picks Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez were at this point, and even more than Matt Ryan was the year before that. If the Rams truly want to start being successful, they have to start at square one - having that franchise quarterback. Clausen has to be the pick for the Rams.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

I’ve got to note that I personally think the Rams have to address the QB spot. But, for the sake of the debate, I’ll argue for Suh. You’ve got a coach in place who is an admitted defensive-lineman addict with a chance to draft the most heralded defensive tackle prospect in years. It’s almost too perfect. Plus, it’s not like the Rams don’t need just as much help on the defensive side of the ball. Chris Long and Adam Carriker haven’t done much of anything up front to warrant their high selections not long enough ago. And no one else seemed interested in participating as St. Louis finished 29th in total defense and 27th against the run. Then there’s the thought that the Rams might not have the protection or receiving corps to make use of a top passer. And while we’re speaking of passers, although I like both, Jimmy Clausen hasn’t been a big winner and has an attitude that turns some people off, while Sam Bradford just missed an entire season after injuring his shoulder… twice. No prospect is a sure thing, but sue me if I’m wrong; Ndamukong seems close.

Who is the top wide receiver in the 2010 class?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

When evaluating the wide receivers in this draft class, I noticed a couple of things. First, this is a pretty weak receiving class for a team looking for a number one go to guy (only 2 have potential in my opinion). Second, in my analysis of the receivers, I think Damian Williams is the best receiver of this class and has the most potential to be a "go to receiver." Damian Williams has everything I look for in a receiver: great route running (can contribute immediately), a great work ethic, and has great hands. Also being a pro system helps his case and I really think whoever gets him in the draft is getting great value.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

I’m going with a slight underdog here and taking Golden Tate out of Notre Dame. Michael Crabtree might have sparked some hope for spread receivers, but there’s still a premium on getting a guy who’s at least tried to run pro routes. Tate’s coming out of Charlie Weis’s offense with loads of experience in a similar system to what he’ll likely play in next season. He doesn’t have great height, and there are better pure speed guys, but if you’re looking for a playmaker, Tate fits the bill. He’s got good enough speed to stretch a defense, is a dangerous athlete especially after the catch, and has nice instincts. His route running needs work, but he’s got that special something that you see in a Percy Harvin type. Plus, he’s got great leadership abilities, and is a pretty heady player.

What team is the best fit for Tim Tebow?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

The Tim Tebow question is the biggest question of this draft. Can Tim Tebow play at a elite level? Can he be successful? Will he play quarterback? And most importantly, where and who will draft him? I honestly believe he will be a first round pick, not based on just his character and talent, but on his appeal to a franchise. I really think he will get drafted by Jacksonville, but I'm not sure that is his best fit. I really think he could do well in any offense as long as he has to sit behind for a couple years and work on his mechanics. Guys with poor mechanics have sat (Tony Romo, Steve Young) and became very successful quarterbacks in the NFL. I don't see Tim Tebow as any different.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

I’m higher on Tebow than most, but I still think that any rookie can benefit from some transition time on the bench. Sure, there are some, like a Matt Ryan, that can come in and have an immediate positive impact, and maybe Tebow can do that, but I’d rather see him drafted into a position where he is allowed maximum time to use his greatest strength – his desire to work harder and become a better player. Give him a season behind Matt Leinart in Arizona and see what happens. Leinart hasn’t shown much yet, other than an innate ability to complete passes to corners, but the team has hope for him, and he did get to learn enough to pass on to Tebow from one of the all-time greats in Kurt Warner. The offense has plenty of skill position talent to insulate a young starter once Tebow takes over, and I believe that Ken Whisenhunt is creative enough to fully utilize a guy with this skill set. What I don’t want to see is Tebow ending up somewhere like Miami where he’ll be wasted as a Wildcat project.

Who is your favorite sleeper?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

One of the guys I'm ecstatic to see in the combine is running back Toby Gerhart from Stanford. This guy reminds me so much of one of the more exciting running backs to watch in the NFL, Marion Barber. He is physical, a downhill runner, and he loves contact. Gerhart is projected anywhere from the 3rd round all the way to possibly the 5th round. If he has a good combine, he could slip into the 2nd. He has questionable hands and elusiveness, but he works hard and I can see him being a very underrated running back in the NFL.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

Hard to call him underrated after an incredible week at the Senior Bowl has his name bouncing around draft conversations everywhere, but a guy I’ve been high on for a while is Kyle Wilson out of Boise. He’s an intelligent player with the kind of confidence successful corners need and a versatility that should be coveted by all 32 teams. Whether he’s blitzing, covering, or returning, he’s a dynamic guy that can change a game in an instant. Also, have to mention Ryan Matthews out of Fresno State. He’s got good enough size, underrated vision, and was extremely productive last season. He seemed to play better against tougher opponents too, going off for 230 yards against Boise, 160 against Wisconsin, and 150 against Cincinnati.

Who will make the easiest transition to 3-4 OLB from college DE?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

We all know the NFL is a copycat league and a lot of teams are now running a 3-4 defense. With this, scouts have an even harder job evaluating prospects because they have to figure out if a guy fits in a 4-3 as a defensive end, or if he is a 3-4 Rush Linebacker. In my evaluation, I believe that Sergio Kindle could be the best 3-4 rush linebacker and certainly has the measurables and athleticism to succeed. He is 6'4" 255 pounds and has some very nice speed. If he can get the right coaching and learn to be a little more physical, he could end up being a good pass rusher in the NFL.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

I’m going with the “safe” pick I guess, but it’s hard to bet against Jerry Hughes if you’re looking for a speed rusher in the 3-4. He’s got top-line speed for the position and was highly productive in college when it came to getting to the quarterback. He just seems to have a knack for it. And it’s not just that he gets there, its how he does it. He plays well in space and really explodes into his tackles, but not at the expense of wrapping up. It’s tough to see him not getting sacks at the next level when you look at his unique combination of quickness, instincts, and an array of dangerous pass rushing moves

More 2010 Senior Bowl Observations

WR Andre Roberts

Many of the nation’s top senior football players got together last Saturday to play a game. Unlike the NFL’s Pro Bowl, this game meant something to the players besides clowning around and a quick paycheck. Here’s some notes from the game:

Brandon Graham, the DE from Michigan, won MVP honors. The young Wolverine had a great game and from most reports, was close to unblockable in the practices leading up to the event. He cemented his first round status, and probably climbed most NFL teams draft boards. If he didn’t, the scouts didn’t watch the same game I did.

WR Mardy Gilyard from Cincinnati also stood out. He had the best game of any WR. While this doesn’t mean he was the best receiver at the game, he made the most of his national TV time. Gilyard got open easily and seemed to feel at ease among the college all stars.

Another receiver, Andre Roberts from the Citadel, also made some nice catches.

Many people were interested in seeing what Florida QB Tim Tebow could do at the game, and I’ll give him credit for showing up at a competition he didn’t have to, but wow, did he look bad. From what I saw, he was the worst of the QB bunch at the Senior Bowl. He didn’t even scramble that well. He is a huge project if he insists on playing QB.

Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia looked to have the nicest release and the best looking ball thrown out there. Good size too.

LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon ran hard and has good size. He is definitely pro material physically, but seems very excitable on the field. With his history, that’s not a good thing. The coaches seemed to turn to him when they needed the tough yards, and that’s a good sign that the coaches liked him.

Taylor Mays, the safety from USC grabbed one interception, but otherwise didn’t do much to stand out.

Auburn RB, Ben Tate showed good burst on a couple plays. With his listed size of 5’10, 220 lbs, he could be a mid round steal. Reports from practice also said good things.

I was looking for DE George Selvie from South Florida to do some exciting things, but he did not.

Two DT’s from Georgia looked good. Jeff Owens and Geno Atkins looked like solid 2^nd or 3^rd rounders.

QB Tony Pike from Cincinnati performed adequately, but the ball took awhile to get out of his hand. He’s also too slender right now. If he gains some weight and strength, he could be a capable NFL backup someday.

The Senior Bowl was a chance for these players to play against the best. Some stood out, some did not. The game will be only one factor in where they get drafted, but for my money, how a kid plays and practices against top competition is more important than how he performs at the upcoming NFL Combine. Some NFL teams still have not figured that out.

By Mark Stein

2010 Senior Bowl Post Game Report

I am sure I am not alone in saying I grew tired of hearing about how Tim Tebow was going to perform this week, how much Terrence Cody weighs, and looking at Mel Kiper’s hair, so I assure you not much else will be said about those issues. The story of the 2010 Senior Bowl for me came in the trenches, which is where football games are still won. A dominant performance by the defensive front of the North squad, along with solid play from the front seven of the South team as well were what made this game for me.

Led by defensive end Brandon Graham, the defense of the North was in the South’s backfield all day long. Graham, a 6’1 263 pounder from Michigan, routinely harassed the quarterback, had 2 sacks and a forced fumble, and also showed he has the ability to stop the run as well. He may be a bit undersized, but I can see him having a Dwight Freeney-like impact at the next level. Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri also had a good day. The 6’0 241 pound middle linebacker was all over the field for Coach Jim Schwartz, and also seemed to be the vocal and emotional leader of the team. That is something every team needs and will not go unnoticed by scouts and GM’s. A few other players from the North that impressed me defensively were defensive end Tyson Alualu of Cal, and linebackers Daryl Washington of TCU and Koa Misi of Utah.

Offensively, the North looked somewhat stagnant early on, but benefitted from good field position after the defense forced a couple turnovers. Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount had a good day averaging about 5 yards per carry to go along with a TD run of 14 yards. Obviously character issues are a huge concern with this guy, but at 6 feet and 245 pounds with good lateral quickness and the ability to get downfield in a hurry, he could end up having some good value since he will most likely fall to the late 2nd or 3rd round in the draft. Cincinnati wide receiver Mardy Gilyard had a huge day hauling in 5 catches for 103 yards and a TD, while also performing kick and punt return duties, showing scouts he is as dynamic as anyone in the nation. Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan had the best day among all the quarterbacks. The NCAA’s all-time leader in TD’s showed he has the poise, athleticism, and arm strength to be considered an NFL quarterback.

Defensive tackle Dan Williams of Tennessee and cornerback Patrick Robinson of Florida State led the South team defensively. Williams, a 6’ 2" 329 pounder, battled all day long with Idaho guard Mike Iupati who is widely considered to be the best offensive lineman in this draft. Williams got the best of Iupati on several occasions, constantly collapsed the pocket, plugged the gaps making it nearly impossible for the North to get a run game going while he was on the field, and even deflected a pass. Robinson, a 5’ 11" 190 pound speedster, showed he is the best senior corner in this year’s draft. The rules of the Senior Bowl only allow the defense to play Cover 1 or Cover 3, so there was a lot of man to man coverage played on the outside which allowed us a good look at the corners, and Robinson impressed by consistently staying with his man and not giving up big plays. Question marks still remain about his desire and play-making ability. Others that had good days for the South defense were DT Terrence Cody of Alabama, DE’s Brandon Lang and Cameron Sheffield of Troy, and LB Dekoda Watson of Florida State. USC safety Taylor Mays answered questions about his ability to make plays on the ball with a big interception at the goal line of a Tony Pike pass to halt a drive from the North. Scouts are still waiting for answers about the speed of Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas, especially after he was beaten deep by Gilyard on a 32 yard score from LeFevour. There are no questions, however about his ability in the return game after he showed he can to break tackles and get loose in the open field with a big return that was negated by a penalty.

There is not too much to tell about the South’s offense. They were limited to two field goals of 43 and 33 yards by Alabama’s Leigh Tiffin, along with a 19-yard TD pass from Zac Robinson of Oklahoma State to tight end Colin Peek of Alabama. Robinson came in on the final possession of the 1st half and executed a 2 minute drill to perfection, making excellent throws and showing some serious moxy, and then spontaneously combusted in the 2nd half. Tim Tebow looked about how everyone thought he would, but I still would not count this kid out. He is obviously open to constructive criticism and his drive and determination is unmatched. I think he will do everything he can to become successful at the next level, with that said he has a lot to work on but this game was a good starting point for him.

We saw a lot of guys lose and make money for themselves today, some speedsters make big plays, guys like LeGarrette Blount and USC tailback Stafon Johnson get some redemption, but the story came from the big guys in the middle who don’t get the glory. The North squad dominated the trenches, where football games have always and will always be won.

By Aaron Taylor

Super Bowl Preview Part I: The Quarterbacks

This year’s Super Bowl features two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in 2009. The Indianapolis Colt’s Peyton Manning is arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks in league history while his opponent in this game, the New Orleans Saints Drew Brees has been one of the most consistent for the past few seasons. It was the solid play of both of these quarterbacks that helped them get to the Super Bowl this season and it will be their play that determines who wins this game.

Here is a side by side look at both of the quarterbacks that will be playing in the Super Bowl on the 7^th of February. Who has the edge? Read on to find out.

Peyton Manning-Indianapolis Colts-After a rocky start to his career Manning finally settled down and thanks to an offense that has suited him well has become one of the most consistent quarterbacks in NFL history. Manning is a leader on the field and off and just his on the field presence makes the offense that much better. Manning is well known for making calls at the line, funny movements and changes that help to confuse the defense and make plays. Some people say that there is no meaning behind some of the antics he uses while he lines up under center but even if there is no meaning they still cause defenses headaches.

Manning has been blessed with an offense that suits his abilities as well as superior wide receivers and tight ends that help make him the quarterback that he is. His current crop of receivers are some of the better players at their positions in the league and this gives them a clear edge in any game including the Super Bowl. Manning has a way of stepping up in big games and he will certainly be ready for this one.

Drew Brees-New Orleans Saints-Brees had the best statistical season of any quarterback in the NFL and was one of the most consistent players this season. Brees, like Manning, is a true leader but he doesn’t it much quieter than Manning does however he is still pretty vocal. Brees takes charge of the offense and doesn’t’ t make a lot of mistakes like other quarterbacks in the NFL but what is most important is that he is very productive. He threw a lot of touchdown passes this season and was clearly the most productive quarterback in the NFL.

Brees also has an outstanding supporting cast around him much like Manning does and this helps Brees guide the Saints to wins game in and game out. He also has a running game that helps keep the pressure off and allows him to throw the ball down the field much easier. Brees, like any other quarterback, doesn’t work well under pressure and if you can get pressure on him he makes mistakes. And the Colts could get to Brees and they will have to in order to win this game.

So Who Wins: Manning has been to the Super Bowl once already and knows what it takes to win this game. He has the tools to manage games well and is well protected by his offensive line (so that he doesn’t get put under a lot of pass pressure). The thing that he doesn’t have is the strong running game but they manage well with what they have. Brees is the consummate statistical passer but he may not have enough to keep his team ahead of the Colts and win this game. Depending on how their two defenses play, this could end up being a pretty even matchup with Manning having the slight edge. It all depends on what the opposing defenses give them.

Edge: Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts

By Bryan Dietzler

2010 East West Shrine Game

The East vs. West Shrine Bowl was held this past Saturday and it showcased some of the lesser known talent coming out of college football this season. Several players made a big name for themselves after this game while others may have hurt themselves a little bit in this game. Here is a look at a few players that both helped and hurt themselves in the East vs. West Shrine Bowl.

The game was pretty low scoring and most of the action took place in the second half.

The West team got the first score of the game, in the second quarter, when kicker Hunter Lawrence kicked a 47 yard field goal to put them up by three. The East team would tie it up when kicker Joshua Shene booted a 44 yard field goal still in the second quarter. Eventually they would go ahead by three when Shene kicked a 40 yard field goal. It was 6-3 at the half with the East team in the lead.

There was no scoring in the third quarter but things got hot in the fourth quarter as West quarterback Max Hall hit Ryan Moya on an eight yard touchdown pass to make it 10-6 in favor of the West. But the East offense, led by quarterback Mike Kafka, marched down the field and took the lead and grabbed the win when Kafka hit wide receiver Andrew Quarless on a two yard touchdown pass. The East went ahead 13-10 and that is how the game would end.

Dennis Pitta-TE-BYU-Pitta ended up being quarterback Max Hall’s favorite target on the day and showed us that he has great size and speed for the tight end position. He could be a good second tight end in the NFL.

Max Hall-QB-BYU-Hall looked pretty shaky to start the game and it was said that he had a bad week of practice. He did play better in the second half and could be on the radar of some NFL teams heading towards the draft.

O’Brien Schofield-OLB/DE-Wisconsin-It was said that the coaching staff asked Schofield to make the switch from outside linebacker to defensive end and he did well in making the switch. This could help him out a lot in the draft.

Mike Kafka-QB-Northwestern-Kafka was named the most valuable player in this game and looked good all the way around. Early in the game he showed poise and accuracy on his passes and ended the game with a game winning drive. He looked good both passing and running the ball and made some smart decisions. He was a good leader on the field and showed a lot of poise. He should have easily raised his stock in the eyes of many NFL scouts.

Andre Anderson-RB-Tulane-Anderson showed some great skill returning the ball on special teams and should get a look or two leading up to the draft.

Hunter Lawrence-K-Texas-Lawrence had a steady career at Texas and made a long field goal in this game. He should get a look by any team that is need of a kicker during this offseason.

Todd Reesing-QB-Kansas-Reesing exhibited some good running skills for a quarterback and has a good head on his shoulders but his mechanics are off a little bit. He threw the ball sidearm a few times and made a poor decision on an interception close to the end of the first half. He may have hurt himself a little in this game.

Daryl Clark-QB-Penn State-Clark had a pretty good game and exhibited some good decision making and a strong arm. He also showed patience in allowing receivers to get open and then throw the ball to them. He should get a few strong looks before the draft in April.

Blair White-WR-Michigan State-White ended up being a Mr. Everything in this game and showed that he is a reliable wide receiver. He is a good route runner and catches the ball very well. He improved his draft stock a lot in this game.

Overall, the East defense played pretty well early in this game.

By Bryan Dietzler

A Second Opinion:

Overall, it struck me how the defensive players looked better than the offense. Maybe this draft more about the defense? But it's too early to tell. I know it's hard to get an offense together in less than a week. But, I did not see anyone on offense that could just snap off a 60 yard run. No game breakers out there. (In the part of the game I saw.)

Of the Shrine game I saw, I liked that Northwestern QB, Michael Kafka. He was accurate, and I love that in a QB. For me, that rates over arm strength most of the time. He could be a good backup in the NFL. Maybe 4th or 5th round?

That tall TE from Army, Villanueva, looked out of place. He needs to concentrate on the Army. Too tall and slow to play in NFL for sure.

The linebacker/DE, O'brien Schofield from Wisconsin impressed me. He seems to be naturally smart. I think he could play linebacker in the NFL.

The TE, Dennis Pitta, from BYU looked good. He was as good as any of the receivers. Good size if he's really 6'5".

The QB's Todd Reesing and Daryl Clark did not look NFL caliber at all. Clark is not accurate and seemed out of position, but he can run, he might have to make it as a running back, and Reesing didn't do anything well.

At WR, I'd say Blair White from Michigan State looked the best. he got open more than the others. He has nice height too. This game should help him get drafted.

Devin Ross, CB, Arizona covered well from what I saw. If he got burned, I did not see it.

By Mark Stein

Rahim Alem DE Louisiana State 3rd round

Alem showed the pass rush ability that will propel him to the 3rd round of the draft. He twice hurried the QB into bad passes and caused an interception by hitting the qb just as he was delivering the ball. He has good but not great moves. He struggles to get low around the corner of the O line but will get better as a pro. He needs to anchor better against the run.

O'Brien Schofield OB Wisconsin (Torn ACL 5-6 round)

Schofield had been a DE at Wisconsin. This was his first game at LB. He did an excellent job dropping into coverage and showed ball skills in picking off a pass. He also showed his pass rush ability. He was 2nd in Division 1 last year in sacks. He did well pursuing the rush outside but needs work on anchoring the run on the edge. He also was good on special teams. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL and will probably miss his rookie year in the NFL.

Blair White WR Michigan State 4th

White could be a steal in the 4th round. He could go higher if he betters the 4.54 40 that he has been projected to run. He is a Welker type receiver that just gets open in small spaces. Even when doubled, he got open and showed good awareness at the sideline. He also has above average hands. The other value he brings is the ability to catch bad balls. He catches high or low without letting the ball getting to his body.

Lindsey Witten DE Connecticut 4th

Whitten was active against the pass. He was able to consistently push the O line back into the QB. He also was effective against the outside run but does not show up as often as you would like on a run up the gut.

Freddie Barnes WR Bowling Green State 5th

Freddie is considered a FA by some but I like him despite the fact he is not fast or big. He is a slot receiver that runs crisp patterns and can get open vs. man or zone. He also is able to fend off very close coverage to catch the ball as he is getting hit. He has very soft hands and is aware of the out of bounds or line to gain.

James Ruffin DE Northern Iowa 5th

Ruffin is one of the lesser known linemen. He got a sack and a hurry and was active against the pass. He is not as effective against the run. At 264 he will have to beef up to play end at the next level. Otherwise he is a prospect as a pass rush specialist.

By Bill Smith

Ranking the Under-Classmen for the 2010 NFL Draft

The Deadline for underclassmen came and went and we now have about a 99 percent idea on who will be available for the 2010 NFL Draft. Be advised however that if these prospects haven't had any contact with an agent, they could change their mind. Here is NFL Draft Dog's early rankings. Obviously, these guys greatly strengthen the 2010 NFL Draft: Approximately 20 will get drafted in the first round!

QB Jimmy Clausen, 6-3, 222, Notre Dame

QB Sam Bradford, 6-4, 212, Oklahoma

S Eric Berry, 5-11, 205, Tennessee

DT Gerald McCoy, 6-3, 302, Oklahoma

CB Joe Haden, 5-10, 185, Florida

ILB Rolando McClain, 6-3, 253, Alabama

OLB Pierre-Paul, 6-5, 260, South Florida

S Earl Thomas, 5-10, 200, Texas (Soph)

WR Dez Bryant, 6-1, 218, Oklahoma State

DT Brian Price, 6-2. 300, UCLA

TE Aaron Hernandez, 6-2, 255, Florida

OT Brian Bulaga, 6-5, 309 Iowa

DE Everson Griffin, 6-3, 280, USC

OT Anthony Davis, 6-5, 320, Rutgers

RB Toby Gerhart, 6-0, 240, Stanford

WR Golden Tate, 5-10, 190, Notre Dame

OLB Navorro Bowman, 6-1, 232, Penn State

DE Derrick Morgan, 6-3, 272, Georgia Tech

DE Carlos Dunlap, 6-5, 290, Florida

RB Jahvid Best, 5-10, 195, California

OT Bruce Campbell, 6-6, 310, Maryland

WR Arrelious Benn, 6-2, 220, Illinois

RB Ryan Mathews, 5-10, 210, Fresno State

S Chad Jones, 6-2, 221, LSU

CB Donovan Warren, 5-11, 195, Michigan

S Morgan Burnett, 6-0, 210, Georgia Tech

TE Dan Gronokowsi, 6-5, 265, Arizona

CB Kareem Jackson, 5-10, 195, Alabama

WR Damian Williams, 6-0, 198, USC

S Chad Jones, 6-2, 221, LSU

WR Dezmon Briscoe, 6-2, 200 Kansas

CB Amari Spievey, 6’ 0”, 190, Iowa

RB Joe McKnight, 5-11, 200, USC

C Maurkice Pouncey, 6-4, 325, Florida

WR Jevan Snead, 6-3, 215, Mississippi

SS Reshad Jones, 6-2, 212, Georgia

WR Demaryius Thomas, 6-3, 230, Georgia Tech

OLB Jason Worilds, 6-2, 240, Virginia Tech

RB Jonathan Dwyer, 5-11, 235, Georgia Tech

CB Domnique Franks, 6-0, 190, Oklahoma

WR Antonio Brown, 5-9, 180, Central Michigan

LB Rennie Curran, 5-10, 225, Georgia

DE Kevin Basped 6-5, 240, Nevada

DE Clifton Geathers, 6-7, 280, South Carolina

WR Carlton Mitchell, 6-4, 215, South Florida

SS Major Wright, 6-0, 203, Florida

RB Darius Marshall, 5-9, 195, Marshall

DE Thaddeus Gibson, 6-2, 240, Ohio State

WR Mike Williams, 6-1, 205, Syracuse

DT Abe Koroma, 6' 3" 312, Western Illinois

The 2010 NFL Draft Underdogs

When you look at an NFL roster take note of what schools are represented there. Sure you will see a lot of Ohio States, Floridas, and USC’s, but you may also see a few Marshalls, South Dakotas, or Winston-Salem States as well. These small, non-Bowl Championship Series schools do get an influx of quality high school talent and often turn them into professional athletes. It is just the matter of getting the attention of NFL scouts enough to get the player an invite to the NFL Scouting Combing where he can put his skills on display.

There are also players who played for a prestigious college program but get lost in the shuffle on a very talented roster. There just aren’t enough balls to go around when you have very highly touted recruits running three deep at every position. Remember, Kansas City Chief’s quarterback Matt Cassel didn’t even start at USC.

I have put together a list of guys here that may or may not get invited to workout at the scouting combine but should get a chance to display their skills in one capacity or another within the next few months. If given a chance, they may just make enough of an impression to get selected or picked up as a free agent and taken to an NFL training camp next summer.

Some of these guys you may have already heard about as they may have already been on the radar, putting up big numbers in a non-BCS conference or playing for your favorite school. All they need now is a good off-season showing to raise their stock and entice just one NFL team to take a chance on them.

Running Back:

• Reggie Arnold 5’9” 219 lbs. Arkansas State – Arnold is no secret by any means, being one of the most prolific runners in Sun Belt Conference history. He is not a fast guy but he is extremely strong (450 Bench) and tough, often playing through injuries. Over the course of his career he has averaged 5.3 yards per carry while rushing for over 4,000 yards and 32 TD’s.
• Brandon West 5’10” 188 lbs. Western Michigan – Rushed for 3671 yards as Bronco and accounted for 33 all-purpose touchdowns (25 rushing, six receiving, one passing, and one returning). He has averaged 5.2 yards per carry and leaves as the NCAA Division I FBS career kick return yards (3,118) and all-purpose yards (7,764) record holder.

Wide Receiver:

• Freddie Barnes 6’0” 212 lbs. Bowling Green – Barnes did not put up very impressive numbers his first three seasons but had a healthy, productive senior campaign, catching a whopping 155 balls for 1770 yards and 19 touchdowns. Needless to say, he led the nation in receiving. As a result, he may have jumped up from being a potentially undrafted free agent all the way to looking like a possible day one selection.
• Jeremy Williams 6’1” 201 lbs. Tulane – Has been in the coach’s doghouse in the past and has battled injuries. Averaged over 14 yards per catch and over 24 yards per kick return in four seasons with the Green Wave.
• Andre’ Roberts 5’10” 190 lbs. Citadel – Small but tough and productive player who has caught 286 passes for 3743 yards and 36 TD’s in his career.
• Ricardo Lockette 6’2” 205 lbs. Fort Valley State – Every year some team falls in love with a guy because of his speed. Rumor has it that Lockette can run a 4.36. If that is true the Raiders’ Al Davis might already have him on speed dial.

Tight End:

• Jake Ballard 6’6” 256 lbs. Ohio State – Did not get the ball thrown to him very much over the course of his career. He split a lot of time with Rory Nicol his first couple years and then spent most of his time run-blocking. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor has struggled somewhat at getting the ball to his receivers so all their numbers have been down. Ballard has played in 45 games for the Buckeyes, catching 34 passes for 337 yards and three TD’s. He came up with a big third down reception late in the Rose Bowl win over Oregon. An NFL club will give him a chance to prove he can play.
• Clay Harbor 6’3” 240 lbs. Missouri State – Had 59 catches for 729 yards in 2009. He is a good athlete who could soar up draft boards with a great workout.
• Scott Sicko 6’3” 230 lbs. New Hampshire – Caught 160 passes in four seasons as a Wildcat, accounting for 2023 receiving yards and 22 TD’s. He is not an elite prospect but could fill in as a fullback, H-back, or tight end.

Quarterback:

• Sean Canfield 6’4” 220 lbs. Oregon State – Could not grab any national attention playing for the Beavers, getting injured in ’07 and splitting time with Lyle Moevao in ‘08. Put up some good numbers overall, including completing 60% of his passes his first three years and then completed 68% of his passes for 3271 yards, 21 TD’s, and only seven INT’s in 2009 for the Beavers. Do not be surprised if he comes off the board on the first day of the draft.
• Rusty Smith 6’5” 212 lbs. Florida Atlantic – With a lot of work Smith could eventually become a capable starter in the NFL. In four years playing for the Owls he completed 56% of his passes for 10,112 yards, 76 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions.
• Tim Hiller 6’5” 228 lbs. Western Michigan – No stranger to national attention, Tiller has been considered amongst the NCAA’s top quarterbacks the last two years. He finished his career in Kalamazoo with 11329 yards and 99 TD’s, with a 63% completion rate. He also made the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American Team.

Offensive Line:

• Zane Beadles 6’4” 305 lbs. Utah – A four year starter on a good offensive line and credited with lots of pancake blocks and knockdowns. He has played both guard and tackle for the Utes and was a 2009 First Team All-American selection by the Football Writer’s Association of America as a left tackle. Utah has been undefeated in bowl games during his career, playing Tulsa, Navy, Alabama, and California.
• Tony Washington 6’6” 305 lbs. Abilene Christian – A solid pass protector with good footwork, Washington will have to answer some questions about his strength. He may turn out to be a solid left tackle.
• Vladimir Ducasse 6’5” 328 lbs. Massachusetts – Could Ducasse be the second coming of Larry Allen? Allen was a little known prospect out of Sonoma State and went on to be one of the best offensive lineman ever! Ducasse possesses similar size and mauling ability. The big question is whether or not he will be a guard or tackle in the pros.
• Derek Hardman 6’5” 294 lbs. Eastern Kentucky – Another small college product looking to take advantage of a weak crop of offensive tackles this year, Hardman may have just enough skill to play left tackle in the NFL.
• Jim Cordle 6’4” 297 lbs. Ohio State – Although he is not built like a starting tackle or guard and does not appear to be an elite prospect, Cordle has extensive experience playing all three line positions for the Buckeyes. With a weak crop of centers in this year’s draft he could do a lot to improve his stock by working out at that position. At the very least, his versatility could prove to be very valuable and he could find himself a home on an NFL roster for the next decade.

Defensive End:

• Alex Carrington 6’5” 284 lbs. Arkansas State – He was the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year in ’08, racking up 53 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and 8.5 tackles for a loss. In 2009 he had 28 solo tackles, 13 assists, and 9 sacks. NFL scouts are well aware of his size and abilities so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get a phone call very early in the 2010 draft.
• Austen Lane 6’6” 259 lbs. Murray State – A fast athlete who will be a project as he may still be growing into his body. Does he have the strength and leverage to compete against NFL offensive linemen?

Defensive Tackle:

• Mike Neal 6’4” 305 lbs. Purdue – Neal has the strength (450+ Bench), size, and experience, playing in 46 games for the Boilermakers, that many scouts look for in defensive tackle prospects. He doesn’t necessarily wreak havoc in backfields or tear apart double teams but with a lot of work on technique he will have the ability to plug up running lanes and apply pressure to the quarterback every now and then in the NFL. As a senior in 2009 he chipped in 35 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
• Alex Daniels 6’4” 259 lbs. Cincinnati – In 2009 Daniels virtually came out of nowhere to make 56 stops and get 8.5 sacks. He was a big reason the defense played well enough to help them get to the Sugar Bowl. He made a few nice plays against the Gators in the Sugar Bowl but the Bearcats were too outmatched. Daniels will try to make the transition from tackle to end in order to better utilize his size and quickness. Unless he is a real workout warrior, however, he may not get any attention until after the draft is over.

Linebacker:

• Blake Boyd 6’3” 250 lbs. Western Kentucky – Originally played for Louisville and transferred over in 2006. He was a big contributor on the Hilltoppers defense for three years. In ’08 Boyd had 67 tackles with 9.5 going for a loss. He seems right at home as a 3-4 outside linebacker. It may be too late for him though, as he missed his senior season due to academic issues. His intelligence and work ethic will continue to be a question mark until he can prove otherwise. At this point it will be hard for him to get a real shot.
• Aaron Morgan 6’4” 220 lbs. Louisiana Monroe – A two-time First Team Sun Belt Conference selection, Morgan played defensive end for the Warhawks but looks like he could get a shot as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the pros. He has racked up 138 tackles and 21.5 sacks while facing most of the opposition’s double team blocking schemes. He needs to look smooth in drills and run a good forty.
• JT Gilmore 6’4” 260 lbs. Western Oregon – This guy may not get invited to the combine and probably will not get drafted but he could get a shot somewhere. He possesses rare size for a guy of his abilities. Had 253 tackles in his career, with 98 in ’08 and 89 in ’09.

Cornerback:

• Akwasi Owusu-Ansah 6’0” 197 lbs. Indiana PA – With a weak crop of corners this is a good year to be great small college defensive back. Owusu-Ansah has real nice size and supposedly runs a 4.47 forty. If he works out well this off-season he’ll find himself high up on some NFL draft boards.
• Jorrick Calvin 5’11” 184 lbs. Troy – The Trojans have pumped some good talent into the NFL. Calvin was a junior college transfer that was a Second Team Sun Belt Conference selection his first year in Troy. Like Boyd, he was declared academically ineligible for his senior season. He could still get a chance impress some scouts enough to be given a shot at making a roster.

Safety:

• Da’mon Cromartie-Smith 6’2” 210 lbs. UTEP – A good athlete who played a hybrid safety/linebacker position and was an Honorable Mention Conference USA in ’07 and ’08. In ’09 he was a Football Coaches All-Conference First Team selection. He ended his career with 296 tackles to his credit, with 12 passes defended, four INT’s, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
• Van Eskridge 6’0” 200 lbs. East Carolina – Played in 54 games for the Pirates, making 363 tackles with 11 INT’s (1 TD), 18 passes defended, and five forced fumbles.

By Scot Acocks

Updated 2010 NFL Mock Draft

The #NFL regular season is over, the draft order is set, so NFL Draft Dog has completed a massive update of it's 2010 NFL Mock Draft.

All the underclassmen haven't yet declared and we haven't had the Senior Bowl or the NFL Scouting Combine, so there will be some changes before the draft on Thursday 22 April at 7:00 PM (Eastern). However, with the regular NFL season over and many underclassmen already declaring we have a pretty good glimpse of what's to come.

Please comment on our mock and give us your suggestions, but please remember that while team needs are important, it's always the best policy to take the best available player. Reaching for a player to fill a team need is one of the biggest mistakes NFL teams make.

Here are a few players that just missed the first round. They have first round talent, I just couldn't fit them in. Many will eventually be first round selections, but many will likely be second round steals in the 2010 NFL Draft.

1. OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma

2. TE Aaron Hernandez, Florida (JR)

3. LB Navorro Bowman, Penn State (JR)

4. LB Ricky Sapp, Clemson

5. WR Damian Williams, USC (JR)

6. DT Arthur Jones, Syracuse

7. CB/S Donovan Warren, Michigan (JR)

8. OG Jon Asamoah, Illinois

9. CB Trevard Lindley, Kentucky

10. ILB Daryl Washington, TCU

11. QB Tony Pike, Cincinnati

12. RB/WR Dexter MCluster, Ole Miss

13. WR Brandon LaFell, LSU

14. RB Toby Gerhart, Stanford

15. TE Ed Dickson, Oregon

2009 College Football All American Team

I always enjoy these All American Teams and I like to do one in the pre-season, mid-season and then a final post-season All American Team. It's interesting to compare the three teams to see which players either improved or tailed off as the season went along. They will also give you a glimpse of some of the fine young talent that will be playing college football in the future.

Let me explain a few of my picks. The quarterbacks seem to always be the most difficult choice. Unlike the Heisman Trophy, which is just a popularity contest, I tried to look at not only statistics, but how well they played and what they meant to their team. At quarterback I gave the nod to Boise State's Kellen Moore. Not only was he undefeated this year at 13-0, but he led the nation in pass efficiency with a rating of 167.35 and threw for 39 touchdowns. The other quarterback selection that might surprise you is Notre Dames's Jimmy Clausen. Yes Notre Dame had an abysmal season, but Clausen did not. He finished as the #2 rated passer in the nation with a QB rating of 161.42 with 28 touchdowns (TDs) and only 4 interceptions.

At running back, Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram got a complete snub, he is a very good player, but there were more accomplished running backs this year. Stanford's Toby Gerhard rushed for an NCAA leading 26 TDs and Fresno State's Ryan Mathews led the NCAA in rushing with 1,808 yards.

On the defensive line, unless you have been living in a cave you have already heard of Nebraska's DT Ndamukong Suh, but did you know that UCLA's Brian Price finished the season with an amazing 22.5 tackles for loss (TFL). Price's 22.5 TFLs rank him #2 in the nation in that statistic and the only other player weighing over 300 pounds within the top 14 is? You guessed it, Ndamukong Suh. I am not going to tell you that the 6' 2" 300 pound Price is in the same league as Suh, but then again, no one is. Suh is the highest rated player that I have ever seen enter the NFL Draft.

Maryland Junior linebacker Alex Wujciak made a surprise entry to our Post-Season All American Team. At 6' 3" 255 pounds he is a large, powerful, tackling machine recording 131 total tackles this year.

Small, but speedy offensive weapon Dexter McCluster from Mississippi made the team. He is just too good to ignore. I have him listed as a receiver, but he has developed more into a running back this season. In his last three games combined, he accumulated 524 yards and for the season he finished with 1,016 rushing yards and 6 TDs and another 475 receiving yards and another 3 TDs.

There was a serious youth movement on this post season All American Team. There were some freshmen and sophomores that were fantastic this year and I wanted to give them some credit.

North Carolina Sophomore defensive end Robert Quinn evolved into one of the most feared pass rushers in the nation finishing with 19 tackles for loss (TFL) and 11 sacks.

Sticking to the sophomore theme, there were a few defensive backs that were fantastic this year. UCLA cornerback Rahim Moore led the NCAA with 9 interceptions and Texas Safety Earl Thomas wasn't far behind with 8. Another young player that you will be hearing more about in the future is Alabama Safety Mark Barron. At 6' 2" 214 pounds he (Barron) can come up and lay the lumber and his 7 interceptions prove is also pretty solid in pass coverage.

Three freshmen managed to end up as NFL Draft Dog All Americans. Pittsburgh RB Dion Lewis, Oregon RB LaMichael James and Rutgers do everything playmaker Mohamed Sanu. Lewis was one of the best looking running backs in the entire nation, great balance, speed and power. RB Dion Lewis finished as the Big East Player of the Year and ranked #3 in the entire NCAA with a 136.67 yards per game average and 16 TDs.

Freshman RB LaMichael James saved Oregon's season when LaGarrette Blount got suspended. James finished the season ranked #8 in the NCAA with 123 yards per game average and 14 touchdowns.

Rutgers' true freshman Mohamed Sanu is half receiver and half running back and once you get a look at him you will quickly realize he is special. A rock solid 6' 2" 195 pounds he already has an NFL type body. For the season, Sanu accumulated 639 receiving and 361 rushing yards with 8 combined TDs. Rutgers already played their bowl game (St Petersberg Bowl) and Sanu was the star. Rutgers beat Central Florida 45-24 and Sanu finished with 3 total touchdowns, 2 rushing and 1 receiving.

Daryl's 2010 Mock Draft

1. St. Louis Rams: *Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame- Looks like the Rams will finally be the bride instead of the perpetual bridesmaid at the draft table. After drafting for singles the last couple years, spending picks on both lines, the Rams need to finally try and hit a home run. There’s no better way to breathe life back into a stale franchise than drafting a QB. Bradford could be the choice, but Clausen is the hotter prospect at the moment.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska- Despite finally getting their first win, things should still work out pretty good for the Bucs. They are in the perfect position to reap a substantial windfall from this pick, either by picking the best player in football (just ask the AP who that is) or trading the pick to a team that wants Bradford.

3. Detroit Lions: *Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma- Detroit needs impact players nearly across the board and selecting this standout DT is a great way to continuing stocking the cupboard. An OT like Okung or Bulaga is a possibility as well, but this team finally realizes that it needs to invest in its’ front lines.

4. Kansas City Chiefs: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State- I’ve been saying for 2 years now that Brandon Albert is no NFL LT and it seems people are finally beginning to agree with me after Albert has pretty much struggled through an awful 2009 season. Drafting Okung allows the Chiefs to slide Albert over to RT or back inside where he belongs. I had them taking Terrance Cody and that’s still a possibility. They need a NT to do what they want to do and they don’t have that on their roster right now.

5. Cleveland Browns: *Eric Berry, SS, Tennessee- I still don’t fully believe the Browns will draft a QB. They need talent almost all over the board and may choose address QB in round 2 with a guy like Tony Pike or the rising Sean Canfield. Berry would be too good to pass up here.

6. Washington Redskins: *Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma- The Redskins would crap themselves if it worked out this way. Things just haven’t worked out for Jason Campbell in DC and it’s in the best interest of both to part ways.

7. Oakland Raiders: Terrance Cody, NT, Alabama- Cody will never, ever, ever be mistaken for a workout warrior but he will put up strength numbers that will make people drool. That could be enough to get him a ticket to Oakland. Putting someone like Jason-Pierre Paul, Carlos Dunlap, Bruce Campbell or whatever other workout warrior specimen you can think of is a cop out.

8. Seattle Seahawks: *Jonathon Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech- Seattle will likely be looking to put future pieces in place in their backfield come draft time. With Hasselbeck on his last legs and the RB chart looking rather uninspiring, the Hawks would get an instant boost from this tough runner.

9. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers): Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU- The Niners need more than the 10 sacks top rushers Parys Haralson and Manny Lawson have provided this year. I see pass rushing OLB being a top priority for this Mike Singletary-led team.

10. Buffalo Bills: *Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa- The Bills need a new QB, again, but if there isn’t one available the Bills could do a lot worse than taking a top o-lineman. This team has 18 players on IR this year and it sure seems like 17 of them are lineman. Bulaga is no lock to enter the draft.

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears): Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson- This is a gift pick for the Broncos, who through trades managed to swap their 1st round pick, in essence, for the Bears 1st round pick. With the Broncos inching to the play-offs and the Bears floundering, it seems to have worked out very well. Sapp is dangerous, a guy who will make hay in the pros and end up being a better pro than college player.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee- The Steelers have done a good job of preparing for the future at LB and with 2009 1st round pick Ziggy Hood in the mix at DE, taking Casey Hampton’s replacement and depth at CB are next on the list.

13. San Francisco 49ers: *Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers- On the other side of the ball, the Niners need to plug some holes on the o-line. Davis is a Boston College product with great size, very good athleticism and through the roof potential.

14. Tennessee Titans: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan- Tennessee’s d-line just hasn’t been the same this year and could use some more oomph. Graham’s breakout season has come during on the darkest periods in Wolverine history but he could be another LaMarr Woodley. He’s thought to have potential at LB as well.

15. Houston Texans: *Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech- Houston hasn’t gotten the return expected from their defensive line despite the presence of Mario Williams, whose chugging along with 8 sacks. Morgan will be very appealing as a do-it-all type of end with the potential to be great.

16. Atlanta Falcons: *Greg Romeus, DE, Pitt- It’s been a generally disappointing season for the Falcons. DE John Abraham is wearing down, 2009 1st round pick DT Peria Jerry has been hurt all year and 2007 1st round pick DE Jamaal Anderson has been a colossal disappointment. Enter the steady Greg Romeus. He has the size, speed and athleticism to make people drool and has very quietly been just as good Morgan and Griffin and better than Dunlap.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest- CB Rashean Mathis has played well when healthy but the Jags secondary is not exactly to be feared, especially at CB. Ghee is another prospect that has quietly been very good this year. Expect him to make noise come draft time.

18. NY Giants: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida- The Giants season has nearly collapsed with the team looking anything but on the same page at all times, save for the thrashing of the Redskins on MNF. They don’t have any major needs except better health and focus. Spikes is one of the best players available at this point and would give the G-Men a future replacement for Antonio Pierce.

19. Baltimore Ravens: Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati- Joe Flacco needs targets to throw too and Demetrius Williams’ performance against the Bears in Week 14 aside, their current collection of receivers is lacking. Gilyard is a special player. He may not measure quite as well as Dez Bryant and he’s a little thin but he has that “it” factor about him. That pulse, that feel that he could be a special player. Either way his abilities as a receiver and return man will have him in high demand come April.

20. NY Jets: Corey Wootton, DE, Northwestern- Give the Jets their due already. They’re starting a rookie QB (a guy who had only 16 starts in college), they have the league’s #1 defense in yards and points allowed and they’re at an even .500. This is a team on the right path for next year. If they keep the defence stocked and add a piece or two along the o-line. Wootton is a perfect fit in a Rex Ryan defence as he can line up inside or out, rush the passer and stop the run.

21. Miami Dolphins: *Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State- The Dolphins need a gamebreaking receiver for Chad Henne and Bryant has all the skills he needs to become just that. Could go anywhere from top 5 to 2nd round.

22. Dallas Cowboys: Charles Brown, OT, USC- Lots of OT talent will be available and the Boys will certainly be targeting some of that talent in the draft. If they go for it in round 1 Brown could be a target as the best of the second tier of OTs’.

23. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos): *Joe Haden, CB, Arizona- Despite some big names and high picks at CB, the Seahawks aren’t that great at the position. Their secondary in general needs an infusion of talented youngsters and getting Haden at this point would be a boon.

24. Green Bay Packers: Jason Fox, OT, Miami- Pass protection has been a liability and Aaron Rogers has proven dangerous with a little time to throw the ball. Adding more pieces to the defence will be in order but the o-line should be the priority. Fox is a veteran of 35 games for the Hurricanes and could even go higher than this.

25. Arizona Cardinals: *Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland- The Cards depth will be tested with Mike Gandy out. Their key to success is keeping Kurt Warner upright and flinging the ball around and that means investing in lineman. Campbell has the makings of a franchise LT but is considered a workout warrior with raw skills. He might be the best of the bunch left, unless Nate Solder from Colorado declares.

26. New England Patriots: CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson- Getting Spiller at this point for a team whose leading rusher, Laurence Maroney, has all of 735 yards and a 3.9 avg is a complete steal. Concerns that Spiller may not be big enough to handle the lion’s share of carries will keep from being a top 10 pick.

27. Philadelphia Eagles: Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn State- Some of the Eagles young talent at LB has either struggled to stay healthy, hasn’t performed to expectations or both. Picking up Will Witherspoon was shrewd and getting Stewart Bradley back healthy next year will help, but just in case the Eagles may look to add another LB as insurance.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State- Despite their surprise season, the Bengals have needs before reaching elite status and making multiple play-off runs. Finding a Pro Bowl-calibre DT is high on the list. Odrick finally started to put things together this year and could sneak into the first round. He has the athletic ability to wow in workouts.

29. Minnesota Vikings: *Earl Thomas, S, Texas-The Vikings have gotten exactly 1 INT out of safeties Madieu Williams and Tyrell Johnson. Getting this playmaker would make a staunch defence even better.

30. San Diego Chargers: Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho- One of the Chargers biggest needs is RT. Iupati is nimble enough to kick out to the right or stay inside and develop into one of the league’s best interior lineman.

31. New Orleans Saints: Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU- Pitta’s production, while inflated, is tough to ignore. He stepped up as BYU’s top pass catcher after losing WR Austin Collie to the draft to lead the team across the board in all receiving categories. He has never missed a game and is a very mature, intelligent person. He’s too good to ignore for the Saints.

32. Indianapolis Colts: Syd’Quan Thompson, CB, Cal- While Cal’s disappointing season has put a damper on his draft prospects, Thompson turned in a fine season as one of Cal’s best players. The Colts could look at the o-line talent but Thompson is a Colt type of player.

Daryl's 2010 Mock Draft

1. Cleveland Browns: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska- By far the best player in college football right now. Would they spend another high draft pick on a QB? It’s a possibility but not a certainty.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: *Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame-The Bucs don’t need a QB but probably won’t be making this pick, flipping it to someone interested in taking Clausen, Locker or Bradford.

3. St. Louis Rams: *Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma- For the Rams to continue starting over they need a QB. 2009 1st round pick Jason Smith will have a year of experience under his belt and hopefully will be able to hold down Bradford’s blind side next year. Bradford is a risky pick but the Rams have played it safe with little return from their top picks.

4. Oakland Raiders: *Eric Berry, S, Tennessee- Arguably the top junior defensive prospect, Berry finished #2 in tackling on the Vols D, and led the team in PBU and tied for lead in INT. Maybe one year the Raiders will surprise people and go away from their workout warrior routine.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Terrance Cody, DT, Alabama- Could the Chiefs take another lineman? They need a NT and that’s not Glenn Dorsey. The lines will be a priority so don’t be surprised.

6. Detroit Lions: *Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma- Like Kansas City, the Lions should be focusing up front since they have other pieces in place at important positions. McCoy helped spearhead the Big 12 top pass defence along with DE Jeremy Beal, a potential 1st round pick in 2011.

7. Buffalo Bills: Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State- The Bills continue spinning their wheels, handing the team to QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and giving up on Trent Edwards. It’s not going to matter who is behind center unless they fix things up front.

8. Seattle Seahawks: *Jake Locker, QB, Washington– This is a great landing spot for Locker. Not only would he be staying in Washington where he’s beloved, he could sit behind Matt Hasselbeck until he was truly ready to take over. As Stafford and Sanchez are proving this year, it’s not all roses starting rookie throwers.

9. Washington Redskins: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan- The bright spot of a dismal season for Michigan is Graham’s 25 TFL and 9.5 sacks. Who the heck knows what will happen with the Redskins. They probably won’t even keep the pick. If they do keep it, they could do a lot worse than adding Graham. They gave up a perfectly good DE in Brian Orakpo to turn him into a perfectly good SLB. Which means they still need an end.

10. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers): Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU- The back-to-back MWC Def. Player of the Year finished with 11.5 sacks in his final collage season. 49ers are still looking for a dominant pass rusher as Manny Lawson leads the team with 4.5 sacks.

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears): Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson- A hybrid player with tremendous athletic ability, Sapp racked up 12 TFL and 5 sacks this year. His ultimate position will likely be LB and he could turn out to be a better pro than college player.

12. New York Jets: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida- Numbers have fallen off year to year but the Gators D has gotten better. Interesting coincidence but the Gator D is very talented. Still made big plays at the right moments and the eye gouging incident likely won’t hurt too much.

13. Tennessee Titans: Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest- Not a pick-off artist but gets his hands on balls, is very solid all around and is battle tested. Teams are going away from him this year.

14. Houston Texans: *Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech- Morgan has really emerged this year with 17 TFL and 12.5 sacks. Houston has struggled rushing the passer despite investing money and picks on the unit.

15. New York Giants: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee- Really liked him before the season started and even had him on my very, very early mock. Has been overshadowed by a multitude of guys at the position but is still a fantastic, consistent player.

16. Atlanta Falcons: *Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh- This three year starter has racked up 37.5 career TFL with 19 sacks. Plays the run and the pass equally well but does little flashy. Just a playmaker with excellent potential and a large frame that will only get bigger.

17. Miami Dolphins: Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati- Gilyard really missed Tony Pike when the senior QB was hurt. Things re-clicked when Pike returned and Gilyard put up back to back 100-yard games to give him his 2nd career 1,000-yard season. Could eventually be the top receiver for the Dolphins.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State- His play tailed off at the end but he had a great year none the less. Odrick is very athletic and would look great playing next to the very large John Henderson.

19. San Francisco 49ers: Corey Wootton, DE, Northwestern- Was in the same mock draft as Williams was and got dropped for others but has proven he’s healthy with 4 sacks and 6 TFL in Northwestern’s last 5 games. Big frame with room to grow into a dangerous pass rusher and run stopper.

20. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos): *Jonathon Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech- Hard to argue with Tech’s winning ways but you give Dwyer 150 of Josh Nesbitt’s carries and he might just lead the nation in rushing. A spectacular player who gives the Hawks a one-two punch for the future with Locker.

21. Baltimore Ravens: *Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State- Ravens get a steal in Bryant, a receiver who was just coming into his own with 17 catches and 4 TD in only 3 games this year before his suspension.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: *Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa- Bulaga may very well stay at Iowa as the Hawkeyes will return quite a bit of their team next year, including QB Ricky Stanzi, their leading receiver and both leading rushers. The season turned sour with 2 late losses so the core might return for one more try.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Charles Brown, OT, USC- Another fantastic blocker with loads of potential, Brown could quickly become a centerpiece of the Steelers line.

24. Green Bay Packers: Jason Fox, OT, Miami- An o-line in shambles needs an infusion of good prospects. Fox has really come on this year and looks simply fantastic in pass protection. A sleeper but should be well known come draft day. For the record, I turned Rob onto this guy.

25. Dallas Cowboys: Darrell Stuckey, S, Kansas- A solid senior leader that is the backbone of the Jayhawk defense. Not racking up the stats this year but plays hard, attacks the run and doesn't give up many big plays. Leads the Jayhawks in tackles with 93.

26. Cincinnati Bengals: CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson- Spiller has set all sorts of records this year and would make a great compliment to Cedric Benson. A threat running, catching and returning kicks and has star potential.

27. Arizona Cardinals: *Joe Haden, CB, Florida- Played fantastic football this year, climbing draft boards and proving that he warrants first round consideration. Picked off 4 INT and 7 PBU this year.

28. San Diego Chargers: Micah Johnson, LB, Kentucky- Cracked 100 tackles for first time in his career and posted 6 games with 10+ tackles. Way better than many are giving credit and will fit in perfectly on a 3-4 team.

29. New England Patriots: Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU- Produces at a high level game in and game out and has been very durable throughout his career with only 1 missed game. Leads Cougars in receiving despite being the focal point for opponents.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Colt McCoy, QB, Texas- McCoy may lack the arm of an elite prospect but he has a knack for winning football games and making the right decisions. The Longhorns career passing leader in almost everything. Getting a year under Brett Favre would be great for his career.

31. New Orleans Saints: *Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn State- Flies around the field making plays. Bowman has great speed and athleticism and will fit best in an attacking defence like the one the Saints are employing.

32. Indianapolis Colts: *Earl Thomas, S, Texas- The future of Bob Sanders has become very murky as the safety struggles to stay healthy after receiving big money. Thomas is tied for second in the nation with 8 INT.

NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat

White hot

Dallas/Phillips Last week owner Jerry Jones told his coach in public what people had been saying for a year—Win in the playoffs or you're gone. There are just 3 problems with Phillips' chances for being back next year. First, the team has under the control of Phillips done very badly in December. An example of that was their 31-24 loss to the stumbling Giants last week. Second, the team has not won a playoff game since Moses was a small child, or at least to the fans it seems that long.

But the most significant reason is there are several “brand” name coaches that have won Super Bowls available. Names like Gruden, Cowher, and Shanahan make Jones drool. Jones wants to make a splash similar to the Jones Palace stadium. OC Jason Garrett is supposedly the coach in waiting. He will be waiting a long time because when the change is made Jer will go for the name not CIW. The Boys is a very attractive job because the team has under achieved for the entire tenure of Phillips.

Washington/Zorn Under Zorn the team's record has gotten worse each year. 2007- 9-7 2008 8-8 2009 3-9 to this point. Owner Daniel Snyder said he hurt for the fans at 2-5. He will not hurt for Zorn. The Z man is gone and Snyder will try to outbid the Boys for a name coach. The problem that he can not overcome is that he has much less talent on this team than Dallas has. The coaches with credentials will prefer the Boys to the Skins.

Oakland/Cable If Cable could only get the team to fight like the coaches do—oh well. Cable is on the hot seat because he benched QB disaster Russell and because his owner is Al Davis. Enough said.

Cleveland/Mangini Mangini thinks that the fan cry for his firing is just noise. Owner Lerner has talked about bringing in a football Czar with great cred to change the direction of the team. The problem is that reportedly he has invited several such potential Czars to interview. They have seen that job and wouldn't touch it with a 40 foot pole with a 30 foot extension. The only thing that might save Mangenous' job is that he has screwed the team and roster up so badly that no one with half a brain would want to even try to fix it.

Extremely warm seat

Tampa Bay/Morris and GM Dominik. Both are first time holders of their current jobs and are clearly in over their heads as head coach and GM respectively. In January 09 Morris was named Defensive Coordinator then went to get a haircut. When he came back, Gruden had been fired and he had been named Head Coach. When long time DC Monte Kiffin the new administration named Jim Bates to replace him and Jeff Jagodzinski to be Offensive coordinator. Ten days before the season started Jag was history because of a less than stunning preseason by the O. After the team dropped to 1-10 with a 38-7 loss to the Saints, Morris assumed DC responsibilities from Bates. The two took over a roster that started out 9-3 in 08 before injuries resulted in a 4 game losing streak and a 9-7 record.

The Owner Malcolm Glazer has to realize that both these bozos are way too inexperienced to handle their current jobs. He may choose to bring in an experienced people to help both try to learn on the job or fire them and try again depending on who is available.

Houston/Kubiac Kubiac took over the team in 06 and can't get this team over the .500 mark. In 07 and 08 the team was 8-8. The biggest problem they have is they can't seem to win division games against Indy and Tennessee. There was some hope as the Titans struggled earlier in the season but now they have climbed over the Texans due to tie breakers. That got the seat warming started. The seat has gotten hotter because Jacksonville is now a competitor for the wild card seat. The team is average and won't get above 500 without a super coach.

Starting to heat up

Chicago/Smith Smith has suffered as many critical injuries as any coach in the league. Those plus the resurgence of the Vikes have driven the Bears to a 5-7 record. He was under a lot of pressure after a 7-9 season in 07 but recovered a little last year with a reversal of that mark. Now even though he has coached the team to a Super Bowl, the heat is back. The Bears have gotten old. The trades and draft choices that GM Angelo has made have not worked out. Smith is going to have to win at least 3 of his final 4 games to survive. Angelo may go as well.

NY Giants/Coughlin Not many people are talking about Coughlin being on the hot seat but I think he is. After getting an extension with the Super Bowl win against the Pats in the 07 season, his team had a disappointing 08 and is stuck in 3rd place in the division in 09 with a 7-5 record. If the Giants don't make the playoffs and get to the NFC Championship game, Coughlin will be in trouble. He may survive one more year or may be gone in January.

Carolina/Fox This is another little talked about situation. This team was 12-4 last year but then folded in the playoffs due to interceptions thrown by QB Delhomme. This year Fox started him again only to be forced to replace him mid season. The team is 5-7 and will probably lose all 4 of their remaining games against NE, MIN, NYGiants and NO. If he goes 5-11 he is gone.

Cooling a bit

Jacksonville/Del Rio Last year Del Rio barely survived but he has the team playing much better this season and right now is line for a playoff spot. He has a tough schedule the rest of the way with games against NE and Indy. To make the playoffs he needs to win one of those games plus the two against the Browns and the Dolphins. If he makes the playoffs he is safe for a couple of more years. If not, he may not survive this off season.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for http://NFLDraftDog.com and edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on http://www.eBooks-Library/Contemporary/Author.cfm?AuthorID=1003 and edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com.

QB Jimmy Clausen enters the 2010 NFL Draft

With the departure of Coach Charlie Weis last week, it was all but inevitable that Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen would enter the 2010 NFL Draft. I can't blame him, Clausen is widely considered an early 1st round draft pick and should be the first quarterback taken.

Even though he is only a junior, Clausen is well suited for the NFL. He has been a starter since he was a freshman and has started 35 games in which he has thrown 60 touchdowns. He is a big kid with not only NFL size (6' 3" 223 lbs), but a powerful NFL caliber arm.

Unlike a lot of college quarterbacks, Clausen has played in a pro style offense his entire career and is used to taking snaps from center. He was well coached by offensive guru Charlie Weis, who was the architect of the New England Patriots high powered offense. He (Clausen) processes informations and goes through his reads very quickly. Clausen has a cannon for an arm and can easily make all the throws in the NFL.

His favorite receiver Golden Tate has also declared for the 2010 NFL Draft. I am sure they made their decision together as it was announced on the same day (7 December 2009).

Clausen really came into his own this year and even though Notre Dame had a bad year, it wasn't at the fault of Clausen, he almost single handily kept them in the game during many of their close losses. Clausen finished the season ranked #2 in the NCAA in pass efficiency with a 161.42 quarterback rating. He also threw for 3,722 yards and 28 touchdowns with only four interceptions.

NFL Draft Dog currently has Clausen being drafted #2 overall to the Rams in our most recent 2010 NFL Mock Draft, but he could easily go 1st overall to the Browns or slide down a little to the Raiders, Redskins or Seahawks.

Decision Day for the Heisman Voters

This is a big day in college football, we all pretty much know that the winner of Alabama and Florida will most likely play Texas for the College Football National Championship. But another prize will be won or lost today, the Heisman Trophy.

Most voters will be casting their ballots based off what they see today (Saturday December 5th 2009), because at this point there isn't any clear front runner. My personal favorite is Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. He (Suh) is hands down the best player in college football and his stats, for a defensive lineman are impressive. He has recorded one interception, 10 passes defended, 6.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 12 quarterback hurries and 3 blocked kicks. Nebraska plays Texas for the Big 12 Championship on December 5th (7 PM) on national TV and if Nebraska wins and Suh dominates, he could emerge as the Heisman winner.

The deck is stacked against Suh however, no defensive lineman has ever won the award, although defensive end Hugh Green of the University of Pittsburgh finished second in 1980.

The front runner has to be Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, Texas will be heavily favored, but Nebraska has a tough defense and even though Texas should win, it might not be the flamboyant win that the Heisman voters are looking for.

The other big game is Alabama against Florida in the SEC Championship. Alabama RB Mark Ingram will be playing and if he has a huge game he could emerge as the Heisman front runner. Ingram is averaging 119 yards a game and Florida will be without one of their top defensive players in Carlose Dunlap who was recently suspended for DUI. Florida QB Tim Tebow will have his hands full with a tough Alabama defense, but if he has a huge game he could win the Heisman again. Ingram is coming off of a hip pointer though, so his performance will be in question.

We can't forget about Stanford RB Toby Gerhart, even though Stanford doesn't play today, Gerhart is ranked #2 in the nation with 1,736 yards an an amazing 26 touchdowns. If the above mentioned players stumble, Gerhart could sneak right in there and win the coveted Heisman. Stanford has a 8-4 record and I don't think anyone wants to try and tackle Gerhart at this point in the season.

With all the talk about Texas, Alabama and Florida, we forget there is another undefeated team out there with a Heisman caliber quarterback. Boise State's Kellen Moore has had a fantastic season throwing for 38 touchdowns. Boise State plays New Mexico today and that has been their achilles heal, they just don't play a tough schedule.

The ACC Championship game between Clemson and Georgia Tech also has a legitimate Heisman contender, Clemson RB C.J. Spiller is the most explosive offensive player in college football and with his blazing speed can take it to the house every time he touches the ball and he will touch the ball, besides running, he catches passes and returns punts and kicks. Spiller is a touchdown machine, he is the only player in college football that has scored a touchdown in every single game this year and he has nine scores of 50 yards or more.

Can an offensive guard (OG) win the Heisman? No, not going to happen, but if I was going to vote for one it would be Idaho Vandal Mike Iupati, this 6' 5" 333 pound powerhouse is an incredible talent. The Vandals ranked 12 in the nation averaging 451 yards per game. Iupati was recently selected as a first team American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All American.

NCAA Football All Freshman Team

(thru 11/13/09)

By: Mike Dixon

Seahawk Columnist

Quarterback:

Andrew Luck 6' 4" 225 lbs- Stanford

2076 yds 11 TDs, 3INT

Running Back:

Dion Lewis 5' 8" 190 lbs- Pitt

1139 yds 12 TDs

Bernard Pierce 6' 212 lbs- Temple

1211 yds 14 TDs

Wide Receiver:

Mohamed Sanu 6' 3" 210 lbs- Rutgers

Receiving: 41 receptions 437 yds 1TD

Rushing 36-263 yds 3 TDs

Eric Page 5' 10" 165 lbs- Toledo

65 receptions 909 yds 7 TDs

Alshon Jeffery 6' 3" 217 lbs- South Carolina

33 receptions 613 yds 6TDs

Uzoma Nwachukwu 6' 186- Texas A&M

29 receptions 597 yds 6 TDs

Tight End:

Orson Charles 6 '3" 230 lbs- Georgia

15 receptions 250 yds 2 TDs

Defensive Line:

Aldon Smith 6' 5" 245 lbs- Missouri

59 tackles 18 Tackle for loss (TFL) 11 sacks

Nick Perry 6' 3" 240 lbs- USC

21 tackles 9 TFL 8 sacks

Jerel Worthy 6' 3" 297- Michigan State

26 tackles 8.5 TFL 4.5 sacks

Steven Means 6' 3" 220 lbs- Buffalo

18 tackles 6 TFL 5 sacks

Linebackers:

Brian Wagner 6' 2" 220 lbs- Akron

97 tackles 6.5 TFL 1 sack 2 Interceptions (INT)

Luke Kuechly 6' 3" 220 lbs- Boston College

94 tackles 7 TFL 1 INT

Steve Greer 6' 2" 218 lbs- Virginia

69 tackles 4 TFL

Cornerbacks:

Josh Robinson 5' 10" 181 lbs- UCF

51 tackles 4 INT (1TD) 6 passes defended

Jonathan Banks 6' 2" 170 lbs- Mississippi State

21 tackles 4 INT (2TD) 2 passes defended

Safeties:

Rashard Hall 6' 1" 190 lbs- Clemson

39 tackles 5 INTs

Gerald Moore 6' 1" 191 lbs- Ohio

35 tackles 4 INT

Kicker:

Ryan Lichtenstein 5' 10" 150 lbs- Syracuse

10/12 FG, 19/20 PAT

Punter:

Jeff Locke 6' 1" 198 lbs- UCLA

44 punts 44.57 avg.