Here are a few articles about NFL news...
Washington Post reporter Jason La Canfora writes about the impact of rookie safety LaRon Landry..... “Landry's appearance with the starting defense is notable, since Gregg Williams, Washington's assistant head coach-defense, is known for burying younger players on the bench.” .... Jason La CanforaChicago Sun-Times sports columnist Mike Mulligan writes how Bears quarterback Rex Grossman has the full support of head coach Lovie Smith.... “Coach Lovie Smith didn't hesitate when asked the one, simple question that has perplexed Bears fans for a couple of seasons regarding the lack of competition for the starting quarterback job: Why is the team so committed to Grossman?” ..... Mike MulliganDallas Morning News reporter Todd Archer writes how Dallas linebacker Bobby Carpenter has been bounced around among the various linebacking positions.... “From outside linebacker to inside linebacker to outside, Bobby Carpenter's first two seasons have been a yo-yo.” .... Todd ArcherKansas City Star sports columnist Jason Whitlock writes how he is even more impressed with Larry Johnson and his love of football.... “I would’ve waited. Not Larry. His football jones took precedent over his bank account and his ego.” .... Jason WhitlockDenver Post reporter Neil H. Devlin writes what former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway has been up to of late.... “Since the beginning of drills last week, John Elway has been tutoring his son as well as all other Bruins quarterbacks, much to the delight of Cherry Creek head coach Greg Critchett.” .... Neil H. Devlin
It’s SEC time as Stiles Points puts the spotlight on the best football conference in the country.....
East1. South C
arolina (10-2)- I’m going out on the limb and take a risk here....Steve Spurrier (photo) gets the Gamecocks into the SEC title game....he returns 7 starters on offense and 10 on a defense that gave up only 18.7 PPG.....LB Jasper Brinkley is a stud who anchors the defense....the running game should be just fine with Cory Boyd and Mike Davis returning....the key to this team is at QB.....Blake Mitchell needs to mature and become more consistent....at one point last season he lost his starting spot to Syvelle Newton, only to regain it later in the year....USC has two good young QB’s in Chris Smelley and freshman Stephen Garcia....remember, USC lost many close games last year - by 7 to Auburn; by 7 to Tennessee; by 6 to Arkansas; by 1 at Florida....this year The Ole Ball Coach will win those games...2. Georgia (9-3) - I make this pick with a lot of hesitation because the Bulldogs return only 4 starters on defense....if the defense does not mature as the season goes along, they could end up at 8-4....Matthew Stafford begins his second year as the quarterback and he needs to elevate his game....last season he threw seven TD’s and 13 INTs.....the Dogs do have the conference’s best kicker in Brandon Coutu....one thing for certain - Georgia will beat Florida this year....3. Tennessee (9-3) - last season was looking so promising for the Vols until QB Erik Ainge got hurt....Jonathan Hefney will lead the seconardy and is a demon on punt returns....remember the name of freshman CB Eric Berry - he is supposed to be the real deal....the Vols will be alright as long as Ainge stays healthy and David Cutcliffe is calling the plays....
4. Florida (9-3) - many preview magazines have the Gators ranked as high as number 3....I just do not see that happening, especially when a team returns 6 starters on offense and only 2 on defense....that’s right - only 2 starters return from the defense that laid out almighty Ohio State....Derek Harvey is the leader on defense....the offense is led by QB Tim Tebow, WR, Percy Harvin, and OT Phil Trautwein....the Gators hit the motherload during recruiting season last year....but the fact is that these kids will take at least a year to get game ready....watch out next season though!!!!....
5. Kentucky (5-7) - the Cats have the best quarterback in the SEC - Andre Woodson (photo)....the 6'5" senior is projected to be an NFL first round draft pick...he threw 31 TD's last season and only 7 interceptions....his favorite target is Keenan Burton....the defense returns 8 starters....Kentucky finished with an 8-5 mark and a bowl win over Clemson last season....but, that defense gave up 28.4 PPG last season....if they don’t improve on that mark, I could see the Wildcats dropping out of the bowl picture again this season even with Woodson as the QB....
6. Vanderbilt (4-8) - this may be the best 4-8 team in the country....WR Earl Bennett is a legit star receiver and elusive QB Chris Nickson can run and throw....the offense returns 10 starters while the defense brings back 8....the Commodores may be at the bottom of the SEC, but they would beat many mid-level teams in other conferences.....I like this team, but they are stuck in the SEC.... West
1. Alabama (9-3) - the Tide will win the West even though LSU will have a better overall record....I could see Bama starting off 5-2 with losses to Florida State and Arkansas....but in their last five games, they could easily close 4-1....I look for LSU to come into Tuscaloosa with a perfect mark and Alabama to beat them....also, the Tide is due to beat Auburn....Alabama returns 9 players on offense and have a favorable schedule as Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU are all at home....
2. LSU (10-2
) - the Tigers are loaded - on defense that is.....defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (photo) is one of the best college players in the country and he will be the catalyst for a lockdown defense that returns 8 starters....joining Dorsey on defense are DL Tyson Jackson and LB Ali Highsmith....the only reason I have a difficult time in picking LSU to win the conference is that they lost their starting QB and two stud wide receivers from an 11-2 team....the Tigers may have the best offensive line in the SEC with Herman Johnson and Will Arnold, but I am hesitant to go with them because of the loss at the skill positions even though Early Doucet returns at wide receiver....the September 8th home game against Va. Tech may be one of the best match-ups all year....
3. Arkansas (9-3) - the preview magazines predict that head coach Houston Nutt may be gone after this season.....one thing for certain, Heisman frontrunner Darren McFadden will be gone after his junior year - according to his mama.....I love this team because of not only McFadden, but also because of running mate Felix Jones....these two are the best tandem backs in the country and they will single handily win at least two games for the Hogs....
4. Auburn (7-5) - the Plainsmen (aka Tigers) return only 5 players on offense....that is why I think this will be a bit of a down year for Tommy Tuberville....Auburn will still have a stellar defense from a team that held opponents to 13.9 PPG last year.....the last time Auburn’s opponents averaged over 20 PPG was back in 2001....Quentin Groves is a stud at DE....look out for fresman OT Lee Ziemba who was highly touted as a high school player....don’t feel bad for the Tigers though, this is only going to be a 1 year drought....they will be back with the elite next season....
5. Mississippi State (4-8) - the Bulldogs return 9 players on offense – an offense that averaged only 18.4 PPG last year....the best player on the team is FS Derek Pegues.....Sylvester Croom is 9-25 in his three years in Starkville....another horrible season will probably mean a change at the helm.....
6. Ole Miss (4-8) - like their cross-state rival, Ole Miss returns 9 starters on offense – from an offense that averaged only 15.7 PPG last year.....the Rebels do have a solid running back in Benjarvus Green-Ellis....OT Michael Oher is another all-conference stud....four years ago, the Rebels were averaging 34 PPG....that number dropped with the graduation of Eli Manning and the firing of David Cutcliffe to a feeble 15.7 last season....
Upset AlertSeptember 8 - S. Florida @ Auburn - the Bulls are one of the best sleeper teams in the country....when this game was scheduled, no one thought S. Florida would be this good...October 13 - LSU @ Kentucky - the Wildcats are sandwiched in between Florida and Auburn.....watch this game!!...October 13 - Georgia @ Vanderbilt - the Commodores beat Georgia last season 24-22...November 24 - Tennessee @ Kentucky - the last home game for Andre Woodson....
Best Players
South Carolina - Jasper Brinkley, lb; Ryan Succop, p/k; Cory Boyd, rb; Eric Norwood, de
Georgia - Paul Oliver, cb; Brandon Coutu, k; Mohamed Massaquoi, wr
Tennessee - Jonathan Hefney, s; Britton Colquitt, p; Eric Young, ot; Erik Ainge, qb
Florida - Percy Harvin, wr; Tim Tebow, qb; Derrick Harvey, dl; Phil Trautwein, ot
Kentucky - Andre Woodson, qb; Keenan Burton, wr; Wesley Woodyard, lb
Vanderbilt - Earl Bennett, wr; Jonathan Goff, lb
Alabama - Andre Smith, ot; Antoine Caldwell, c; D.J. Hall, wr
LSU - Glenn Dorsey, dt; Early Doucet, wr; Tyson Jackson, dl; Ali Highsmith, lb; Will Arnold, og
Arkansas - Darren McFadden, rb; Felix Jones, rb; Marcus Monk, wr; Jonathan Luigs, c; Robert Felton, og
Auburn - Quentin Groves, dl; King Dunlap, ot; Brandon Cox, qb
Mississippi State - Derek Pegues, s; Titus Brown, dl
Ole Miss - BenJarvus Green-Ellis, rb; Michael Oher, ot
Best coach - Tommy Tuberville, Auburn (photo) - Urban Meyer is the hot name in the conference, but T2 is the most consistent....Best quarterback - Andre Woodson, Kentucky - it is hard to ignore a 6'5" quarterback who threw 31 touchdown passes and only 7 interceptions....Best offensive player - Darren McFadden, Arkansas - this guy may bring the first Heisman to the Razorback state...Best defensive player - Glenn Dorsey, LSU - this is a man playing with young men....he will be a top 10, if not higher, draft pick.....
Overview - there will be some changes in the SEC this year.....the Gators lost too many star players from the BCS title team.....but they replaced all those players with a great freshman crop....Florida may run the table next season.....LSU has the best defense and offensive line in the SEC, but they lost too many skill players.....these issues with Florida and LSU will allow teams like South Carolina, Alabama, and Arkansas to pounce on the opportunity.....Spurrier has his best team at South Carolina -- they are set on offense and defense - if only QB Blake Mitchell can "manage the game" and not make stupid mistakes....some may laugh at my pick of Alabama to win the West, but Nick Saban has a favorable schedule and a track record of making average college teams better....in the end, look for South Carolina to beat Alabama in the title game...
Today's college football thoughts move west to the PAC-10......
1. Southern Cal (12-0) - as usual, everything begins and ends with the Trojans......whether you love them or hate them, you have to admit they are having a dynasty similar to that of Miami (Fla) in the 1980s and early 90s....USC has a tough road schedule: Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Cal....as they learned last year, they cannot overlook any opponent as both Oregon State and UCLA beat them....offensive tackle Sam Baker may be the best player on the team....the defense is loaded with 10 returning starters led by linebackers Keith Rivers & Brian Cushing...
2. UCLA (10-2) - was the monumental win over USC last year the victory that the UCLA football program needed to get back into the elite?.....well, Westwood returns 10 starters on both offense and defense from last year's 7-6 squad....offensive lineman Shannon Tevaga anchors the line who protect QB Ben Olson and block for 1,000 yard rusher Chris Markey....don't be surprised if the Bruins start of 8-0....
3. Oregon (8-4) - the Ducks always have a good team, but 4 of the last 5 years they have hit stretches in their season where they would lose 2 or 3 games in a row and end up underachieving....Oregon has the best running back in the conference in Jonathan Stewart....the defense returns seven players, but none are highly ranked in the conference...their defense will keep them from having a great season.....
4. Oregon State (8-4) - the Beavers caught the nation's attention by dumping USC last season....offensive lineman Jeremy Perry and defensive lineman Roy Schuening are pre-season All-Americans....both sides of the ball return 8 starters each from a 10-4 team....Sean Canfield will take over at QB, but he has running back Yvenson Bernard back who rushed for 1,364 yards...Sammie Stroughter (photo) was the top receiver in the PAC-10 - not Dwayne Jarret, Steve Smith, or DeSean Jackson last season...in 2005, the Beavers defense gave up 33 PPG, but improved to 22 PPG last season....this is a sleeper team...
5. Cal (7-5) - gone is Marshawn Lynch, but Justin Forsett steps into the running back spot....the Bears return Nate Longshore at QB and Alex Mack on the line.....but the playmaker on offense is DeSean Jackson - a stud with Ginn-like speed who can change the game....what hurts Cal though is that only 5 starters return on a defense that allowed 19.3 PPG.....it will be an up-and-down year for the kids at Berkely....
6. Arizona (7-5) - this is head coach Mike Stoops fourth year in Tuscon and he needs to produce - now!.....the offense will go as far as QB Willie Tuitama will lead them....he was a disappointment last season throwing only seven TD's.....the key to the Wildcats season is their defense which returns 9 starters and gave up 19 PPG last year....Antoine Cason may be the best corner in the conference....linebacker Spence Larsen is a stud....the Cats will pull off an upset on November 3rd when UCLA invades...if Tuitama improves, they may even go 8-4....the defense will carry this team though....
7. Arizona State (7-5) - Dennis Erickson lands in Tempe as he makes he way through all the west coast schools....one thing for certain, the Sun Devils will be a better football team fundamentally....they return nine players on offense including QB Rudy Carpenter and RB Ryan Torain....the porous defense returns five guys from a team that gave up 25 PPG....Arizona State always seems to underachieve....
8. Washington (6-6) - beginning his third season, Ty Willingham may be starting to rebuild the Huskies....last season they finished 5-7 and were driving to beat Southern Cal until the clock ran out....what hurts them is that they lost their top QB and WR from last year...QB Carl Bonnell played some last year, which will be helpful early in the year - especially when Ohio State comes marching into Seattle....they just may surprise a team or two during the year....there has been pre-season talk about pressure on Ty to start winning this year.....the university will make a big mistake if they don't give this guy some time....
9. Washington State (4-8) - the Cougars were 6-6 last season and only lost to USC by 6 points.....its just unfortunate they play in the tough PAC-10....yes Les Miles, the PAC-10 is a tough conference.....it also doesn't help that they open at Wisconsin....
10. Stanford (1-11) - young head coach Jim Harbaugh will learn that the jump from I-AA to I-A is not easy.....not everyone is a Jim Tressel....plus, Harbaugh has little to work with at Stanford....the Cardinal will play more spirited football this year - that is for sure....
Upset Alert
September 15 - USC @ Nebraska - the children of the corn will be loud and hungry....very hungry....
October 20 - Oregon @ Washington - the Ducks have pounded the Huskies 110-41 over the last three seasons.....this game is in Seattle....not so fast Oregon fans - this is not an easy W!!!....
October 20 - USC @ Notre Dame - Southern Cal should roll Notre Dame....but this game is in South Bend and the Irish are long overdue to beat USC....
November 3 - UCLA @ Arizona - it is quite possible that UCLA comes into this game with 0 or 1 loss....this will be a benchmark game for Mike Stoops....
Best Players
Southern Cal - Sam Baker, ot; John David Booty, qb; Fred Davis, te; Lawrence Jackson, de; Keith Rivers, lb; Brian Cushing, lb; Sedrick Ellis, dt; Terrell Thomas, cb
UCLA - Bruce Davis, de; Shannon Tevaga, og; Chris Markey, rb
Oregon - Jonathan Stewart, rb; Dennis Dixon, qb; Jaison Williams, wr; Max Unger, c
Oregon State - Roy Schuening, og; Sammie Stroughter, wr; Yvenson Bernard, rb; Derrick Doggett, lb; Sryan Payton, s; Alex Serna, k
Cal- DeSean Jackson, wr; Nate Longshore, qb; Justin Forsett, rb; Alex Mack, ol
Arizona - Antoine Cason, cb; Louis Holmes, de; Spencer Larsen, lb
Arizona State - Ryan Torain, rb; Brandon Rodd, ot
Washington - Greyson Gunheim, de
Washington State - Alex Brink, qb
Stanford - Alex Fletcher, og
Best coa
ch - Pete Carroll, Southern Cal - next question please....
Best quarterback - John David Booty, Southern Cal - Nate Longshore and Dennis Dixon are good quarterbacks, but Booty is the best in the conference....
Best offensive player - Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State - most people would say DeSean Jackson, but S2 had more receptions and yards receiving....my sleeper pick for this award was almost offensive lineman Sam Baker (photo) from USC....
Best defensive player - USC Defense - take your pick.....let me say this though, the best non-USC defensive player is Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason....
Overview - about 10 years ago the PAC-10 was an embarrassment....but right now, they are one of the elite....Southern Cal is a special program which makes it hard for other quality PAC-10 teams to win the conference....but if you look at last year's USC record, they had three close calls within the conference (along with the two losses): Washington State 28-22; Washington 26-20; Arizona State 28-21....Arizona has to make a move this season and take that next step, if not, Mike Stoops may be gone....Oregon State is a sleeper team who many on the east coast know nothing about...UCLA has a chance to regain some of its lost luster - and I think they will....also, I have to pay homage to the USC Song Girls too...they are incredible, even though the Oregon cheerleaders are highly under-rated....one thing though, you think the USC sports department would get the Song Girls underpants that fit properly.... Fight On!
Sunday Fact - Former NFL greats Jackie Slater and Darrell Green hold the NFL record for most seasons played with one club....both played 20 seasons.....Slater played for the Rams organization and Green played for the Redskins....
Detroit Free Press columnist Drew Sharp writes about the city of Detroit's two young studs: Calvin Johnson and Cameron Maybin..... "There's more excitement about Cameron Maybin's surprisingly early major league debut than there is about Calvin Johnson's NFL regular-season debut next month because the long-term expectations for the Tigers are far, far higher than those for the Lions." .... Drew SharpWashington Post sports columnist and Pardon the Interruption (PTI) co-host Michael Wilbon writes about the dirtiest word in sports.... "Every league has tragic losses of life, but nothing scares a sport's powers that be quite as much as the G-word." .... Michael WilbonSan Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Ray Ratto writes that Oakland Raider head coach Lane Kiffen should hand over the starting quarterback job to Daunte Culpepper..... "The Raiders, on the other hand, discovered that they might as well just hand over the offense to Daunte Culpepper right now, even though he made his magic against the 49ers' second unit." ....
Ray RattoSan Francisco Chronicle reporter Jessica Guynn writes how the the playground game Four Square is a big hit on the job in the Silicon Valley..... "That's right. The latest oddball pursuit in Silicon Valley - the land of perpetual adolescence - is the classic playground game in which four players occupy squares and hit a rubber ball back and forth with their hands, trying to get each other out and score points." .... Jessica GuynnBoston Globe sports reporter Christopher L. Gasper writes how New England Patriot Junior Seau is putting on the shoulder pads once more.... "Time heals all wounds, but at a certain point in a professional football player's career, time becomes a wound itself, the accumulation of bumps and bruises, broken bones, and pulled muscles adding up to a toll that the body can no longer pay." .... Christopher L. GasperNewark Star Ledger sports columnist Jerry Izenberg writes about the late Phil Rizzuto.... "Rizzuto went out to watch Yogi play. Berra recalls that when he met him that day and noted Rizzuto's size, he thought: "If this little guy can play in the major leagues, I guess I can, too." .... Jerry IzenbergNew York Times sports columnist Murray Chass writes about the correct age of Phil Rizzuto.... "Sorry, Scooter, but I have to do it. I have kept your secret to myself for nearly 30 years, but now that you have sadly left us, I don't think you would mind if I told the tale from the Yankees' spring training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in the late 1970s." .... Murray ChassThe New York Times' Howard Beck writes how the United States Basketball team will try again to regain world dominance..... "The Dream Team, in its various incarnations, has never lacked talent or star quality, only humility, cohesion and, occasionally, experience. So it seemed appropriate when Jason Kidd, in a July team meeting, referenced his 28-0 record in international play . . . " Howard BeckMiami (Fla) head coach Randy Shannon did a Q&A with Miami Herald reporter Susan Miller Degnan..... Susan Miller DegnanMiami Herald reporter David Neal writes how new Miami Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron is stressing the fundamentals during training camp..... "Wondering when you will see the multifaceted offense that got Cam Cameron the top job in Davie?" .... David NealJacksonville Times-Union sports columnist Sam Borden writes about the unique relationship between an offensive coordinator and the quarterback.... "The relationship between NFL quarterback and offensive coordinator is often the pro sports equivalent of an arranged marriage: Two people who didn't necessarily fall in love with each other being becoming wholly committed to each other, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, till a 6-10 season do they part." .... Sam BordenDallas Morning News sports columnist Tim Cowlishaw writes about the new Dallas defense under Wade Phillips.... "When you bring in Wade Phillips to coach your team, your No. 1 priority is to fix a defense. That's the only thing that makes sense." .... Tim CowlishawCincinnati Enquirer football writer Mark Curnutte gives a fast wrap of what is going on around the NFL..... Mark Curnutte
