Wednesday, July 27, 2011

YouTube Time: Geno Has Arrived

There's no doubt Geno Smith is a very good collegiate quarterback. He may even become a great pro quarterback. But, before the start of the 2010 season there was much speculation surrounding his play. All that speculation went out there door on September 10th.

Marshall was just eight minutes from their first ever win over WVU. Leading 21-6, the Herd were just about to ice it, when they fumbled in the red zone. That fumble led to one hell of a comeback. Geno Smith put together two of the finest fourth quarter drives in recent memory...one from 96-yards, the other from 98. Two touchdowns, an extra point, and a 2-point conversion later, we were headed to OT. WVU would eventually win in the extra frame, and a star was born.



This video shows how solid Smith is at the position. He has very good vision, a solid arm, and moves in the pocket well. Geno was getting absolutely blasted in that game, but kept making the throws. It will be scary to see him in the new Dana Holgorsen offense.

Quick note: Watch Noel Devine's vision on his touchdown run. It's quite a move to get in from where he was, and who was in front of him.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Jock Sanders to Join the Bucs

Word from Geoff Coyle is that Jock Sanders is off to Tampa to join the Buccaneers. The former Mountaineer superback will most likely be battling for the return specialist job.

Sanders could be more limited in the NFL due to his size, especially at the position he plays. At just 5'6", Sanders isn't the prototypical receiver size, but the dude has talent. He could be a dynamic return man, and may find himself in the backfield. If given the chance in Tampa, Sanders could prove his value.

Tampa could use some help on kickoff returns, and A LOT of help on punt returns. The Bucs were 30th in punt return average (6.4 yards) in the league. It's also a team that will be looking for receivers. It will be interesting to see if Sanders gets that chance to prove he can play the slot in this league.

Anthony Leonard to the Patriots

It looks like Anthony Leonard will be taking his talents to the greatest team on the face of the Earth, the New England Patriots (no bias here). The former Mountaineer linebacker will be thrown into the fire of a very crowded unit in Foxboro.

Leonard had a solid final year in Morgantown, finishing with 70 total tackles, eight for loss. He has good size for the inside, but quickness eludes him. Leonard's best chance to shine is on kick coverage, with an outside shot of being a primary backup. However, this is the New England Patriots. This is the team that takes the "Never Will Be's" and turns them into respectable players. So, anything is possible.

Best of luck to Leonard, and being a Mountaineer Alum and and Pat's fan, I sincerely hope he makes this squad.

Buffalo Bills to Sign Sidney Glover

According to buffalosbillsdraft.com, Sidney Glover is heading to Buffalo. This is a good spot for the former Mountaineer safety. The Bills have some free agency issues at the safety position, and could always use help on special teams.

Glover was a productive safety during his time in Morgantown. He has good size and hands. He's not the fastest guy on the field, so he will have to make up for it with improved acceleration. Glover showed he could help against the run, and ended up with four sacks and eight tackles for loss in 2010. His technique needs work, but could easily step right in on kick coverage.

Don't expect Glover to be starting in 2011 for Buffalo, but he does have a very good chance to make this roster. Plus, the Bills have had some good success with former Mountaineers in the past.

Noel Devine to Sign with Atlanta, errrr Philly

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Noel Devine will sign with the Atlanta Falcons at 10AM today. The former Mountaineer rusher joins a busy backfield, including Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers. However, it may look different in a few days with both Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling listed as free agents.

Devine was extremely productive during his time in Morgantown, and was a no doubt draft pick before injuries slowed him down. He tested well heading up to the draft, including a low of 4.36 in the 40. Ultimately, his questionable durability and small stature (5'8", 179lb) outweighed his ability, and wasn't drafted.

This is the ultimate "just give him a chance" situation. Devine will make it in this league, he just needs the chance...I'm just not so sure this is his best opportunity. It would be hard to believe that Atlanta is looking to keep Devine along with Rodgers. The players are similar in stature and style. And, you'd have to believe Rodgers already has a leg up in the competition considering he was a 5th round pick. It should be a fun battle, whatever the case may be.

Even if Devine's future isn't in the Dirty Dirty, it's a step in the door...a chance for him to prove he belongs. Expect the speedster to take full advantage of it.

UPDATE: According to HailWV.com and others, Devine has not signed with the Falcons just yet, and is listening to other offers. We will try to keep you posted.

UPDATE, UPDATE: Devine has inked a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Not sure it's much better of a situation than the one in Atlanta. That is a jumbled backfield, so Devine will have to work to make this team.


Monday, July 25, 2011

Undrafted Free Agents Getting Ready for the Call

With the NFL season just days away from finally beginning, one group of former Mountaineers are collectivly breathing a sigh of relief. Typically undrafted free agents would be deep into OTA's, and spending or saving their signing bonuses. Sure, the bonuses are much smaller than those of first rounders, but at least its financial security. While drafted players have essentially been supported by their respective agents and waiting for camps to open, the undrafted players have been out in the real world, trying to make a buck or two, waiting for football to start. And now the NFL is back, and a whole bunch of movin' and shakin' is about to go down.

There's reports that have undrafted free agent signings beginning as early as today. This means Noel Devine, Sidney Glover, Scooter Berry, and Jock Sanders will be waiting intently by the phone.

Devine is an outstanding talent. He was a lock to be drafted, but injuries hampered his production in his Senior season. Devine will find it tough to be an every-down back in the NFL, but his quickness and pure speed can make him valuable in the right system. He has good hands too, and could be used as a return man. Durability will be his biggest issue in the NFL.
Possible Locations: Cleveland, St Louis, Carolina

Sanders will be more limited in the NFL due to his size, and the position he plays. At just 5'6", Sanders isn't the prototypical receiver size, but the dude has talent. He could be a dynamic return man, and may find himself in the backfield. If given the chance Sanders could prove his value.
Possible Locations: New York Giants, Pittsburgh, San Fransisco

Glover was a productive safety during his time in Morgantown. He has good size, fair speed, and good hands. Glover showed he could help against the run, and also had eight tackles for loss. His technique probably needs work, but could find a job in special teams, while maturing.
Possible Locations: Buffalo, Indianapolis, Denver

Berry converted from fullback to the defensive line, and prospered under Jeff Casteel. He's very good against the run, and has the athleticism to get after the quarterback. Could use a few more pounds to truly be a solid DT.
Possible Locations: Buffalo, Oakland, Washington

Best of luck to all of these players, and the former Mountaineers that were already drafted. Yes, it looks like the NFL is just about back.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Let's Realign the Conferences, Part Two: Alphabetical Order

People love complaining about the conference structure in college football. Sure, there are some strange combinations, and long roadtrips, but it could be worse. And I'm here to show you how worse(or awesome) it could be.

Here is part two of many to come. Part one can be found here.

This is a pretty simple strategy; just line them up by name. No thought put into it at all...well, other than trying to decide what name to use (ie Mississippi vs Ole Miss). Let's just say the travel cost could get a little out of control.

1. This is an interesting collection. A few SEC and PAC-12 schools highlight the group, but watch-out for Air Force. The Academy could be the wildcard in this conference. Travel could be worse, though West Point to Arizona possibly twice-a-year would be fun.

Air Force
Akron
Alabama
Arizona
Arizona State
Arkansas
Arkansas State
Army
Auburn
Ball State
Baylor


2. It's a battle of East vs West in this conference. Nothng like a trip for California to Boston in December to spice things up. The closest trip for Clemson? Cincinnati. Ouch.

Boise State
Boston College
Bowling Green
BYU
Buffalo
California
Central Michigan
Cincinnati
Clemson
Colorado
Colorado State
Connecticut


3. Well, someone was going to be stuck with Hawaii. I'm not sure the Warriors would be able to afford this conference. Numerous trips to the East Coast could prove quite costly. Florida, FSU, Georgia, and Tech actually make this conference quite competitive.

Duke
East Carolina
Eastern Michigan
Florida
Florida Atlantic
Florida International
Florida State
Fresno State
Georgia
Georgia Tech
Hawaii
Houston


4. What a boring conference. It's like taking the most lame teams from their respective conferences and throwing them together. This is a basketball conference.

Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Kent State
Kentucky
Louisiana-Lafayette
Louisiana-Monroe
Louisiana Tech


5. Now, this is a conference. Traditional programs, mixed with emerging schools. Many of these colleges have BCS experience, and lots of promise for the future. Obviously I'm talking about Memphis and Miami (OH).

Louisville
LSU
Marshall
Maryland
Memphis
Miami
MIami (OH)
MIchigan
MIchigan State
Middle Tennessee
Minnesota
Mississippi State


6. This actually looks like a traditional Notre Dame schedule. Lots of "who cares" teams, a few solid programs, and Navy. Now, only if Purdue had snuck in.

Missouri
Navy
NC State
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
New Mexico State
North Carolina
North Texas
Northern Illinois
Northwestern
Notre Dame


7. Another pretty tough group. Could be one of the deepest with 10 out of the 12 from BCS conferences. Good luck to Rice and Ohio...they will need it.

Ohio
Ohio State
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Ole Miss
Oregon
Oregon State
Penn State
Pittsburgh
Purdue
Rice
Rutgers


8. Talk about some travel. California to Florida to New York to everywhere in between. Actually, it's quite a nice group of traditional programs. Nice to see Texas and Stanford in together, considering the two schools are top-5 in overall NCAA championships in all sports.

San Diego State
San Jose State
SMU
South Carolina
South Florida
Southern Miss
Stanford
Syracuse
TCU
Temple
Tennessee
Texas


9. Let the bragging rights begin between California and Texas. This is a also a very dirty conference, with the likes of USC, UCF, Toledo, and Texas TEch in the mix. Who am I kidding? They all cheat.

Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Toledo
Troy
Tulane
Tulsa
UAB
UCF
UCLA
USC
Utah
Utah State


10. Well, WVU and Virginia Tech would be rivals again. Other than that, not much to talk about. Lots of travel, and lots of subpar programs.

UTEP
Vanderbilt
Virginia
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest
Washington
Washington State
West Virginia
Western Kentucky
Western Michigan
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Big East Fantasy PK Rankings

Who doesn't love a good kicker? Nobody! We here at the Flying Dub love kickers so much, we will give them their own column. We won't throw them in with the defense or just completely ignore them. No! The kickers deserve their day. And, Friday is for kickers.


Late Rounders (Never pick a kicker early)

Dave Teggart (UConn): Can hit from anywhere, and is automatic on PATs. However, a new QB and starting tailback could hurt his draft stock.

Ross Krautman (Syracuse): Missed just one field goal in 2010, and is poised to continue his excellence. Certainly a possibility to start, especially with the early-season schedule

Chris Philpott (Louisville): The duel-threat kicker should be one of the best in the Big East again this season. Philpott is worth a look in bigger leagues.

Maikon Bonani (USF): If the Bulls' offense can be more consistent, Bonani could have a solid year. The USF kicker drained 17 field goals last season. However, the Bulls need to score more TDs to give Bonani more value.


Projects:

Tyler Bitancurt (West Virginia): He regressed in year two, missing seven field goals. Bitancurt should put up some big PAT numbers, but has to get more consistant to be worth playing.

San San Te (Rutgers): Automatic from close, Te needs to find some accuracy from distance. He could be worth picking up a few weeks in, if Rutgers is scoring.


Beyond Projects:

Kevin Harper (Pittsburgh): The first-year kicker will have to prove something before being worth drafting.

Tony Miliano and Danny Milligan (Cincinnati): Neither have any value at this point, considering neither has won the job yet.

















Other Neutral Fields for WVU?

The announcement yesterday of WVU playing James Madison in Washington DC in 2012 got me thinking...which can be dangerous. I started to wonder where else could be a good neutral field game for the Mountaineers? The recruiting region, facilities, and level of alumni would have to be taken into consideration. For instance, FedEx Field is solid, the alumni base is very good, and the Mountaineers are always recruiting the DC area. Plus, Jame Madison is far enough away that it wouldn't be mistaken for the home team.

So, here is my list of other possible destinations that fit the criteria.


Location: Baltimore, MD
Stadium: M&T Stadium (Capacity: 71,008)
Opponent: Delaware
Distance for Opponent: 59 miles
Alumni Level: Outstanding
Recruiting Region: Solid

Baltimore is not only close to Morgantwon, but is a hotbed for WVU alums. It's also close enough to Morgantown for a capacity crowd. The recruiting region has treated the Mountaineers well, with players like Tavon Austin and Ryan Clarke, who are currently on the team. With a game every other year in College Park, having a game in Baltimore would envelope the region. Meanwhile, Delaware is usually a very competitive team in the CAA.


Location: Orlando, FL
Stadium: Florida Citrus Bowl (Capacity: 70,000)
Opponent: Bethune-Cookman
Distance for Opponent: 56 miles
Alumni Level: Solid
Recruiting Region: Outstanding

Who wouldn't want to have a few more games in Florida? The recruiting climate is top-notch, and the alumni number is higher than one might think. Plus, Orlando is a vacation destination. Have the game in November, and watch hoards of Mounty fans roll down for the game and a few days at the Magic Kingdom. Bethune-Cookman did share the MEAC title last season.


Location: Cleveland, OH
Stadium: Cleveland Browns Stadium (Capacity: 73,200)
Opponent: Youngstown State
Distance for Opponent: 73 miles
Alumni Level: Solid
Recruiting Region: Solid

Ah yes, have to make a trip to the "Mistake by the Lake". Cleveland offers a pipeline to Ohio recruiting, which has been one of the more underrated regions in the country. It would also be a good location for the midwestern alums from not only Cleveland, but the surrounding areas. Youngstown used to be a premier school in the FCS. Though, they are now known mostly for Jim Tressel dirtying up the program.


Location: New York, NY
Stadium: Yankee Stadium (54,251)
Opponent: Stony Brook
Distance for Opponent: 56 miles
Alumni Level: Solid
Recruiting Level: Solid (for basketball)

Why not? Its the number one market in America, has a boatload of basketball recruits, and is loaded with former Mountaineers. Maybe Amos Zereoue can even cater the event? Football games are great for recruits for any sports, so a game at Yankee Stadium would be ideal. Plus, it opens up the door for alums from New England and parts of Canada as well. Stony Brook is not known for football, but is within striking distance of the Bronx.


Location: Philadelphia, PA
Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field (69,144)
Opponent: Temple Delaware State
Distance for Opponent: 76 miles
Alumni Level: Outstanding
Recruiting Level: Solid (for basketball)

It's another basketball hotbed, and also a city loaded with Mounties. It's close enough to Morgantown to get the fan train rolling. There is some football talent in and around Philly, but Western PA has always been more flashy. Villanova could be the opponent, but that would be way too much of a home game for them. So, give me some Delaware State!


Location: Charlotte
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium (Capacity: 73,778)
Opponent: Wofford
Distance for Opponent: 76 miles
Alumni Level: Very Solid
Recruiting Level: Solid

Who wouldn't love to travel down to Charlotte for a game? Great city, solid alumni base, and an ever improving recruiting region. This would be a very nice fit for the Mountaineers, who haven't played at the Bank since 2008. Wofford is usually a competitive squad that has played at Mountaineer Field before.


Location: Portland, ME
Stadium: Fitzpatrick Stadium (6,300)
Opponent: Maine
Distance for Opponent: 137 miles
Alumni Level: Like four People
Recruiting Level: Ummm

Yeah, I just put this on here, because I want to be able to walk to WVU games again. A man can dream, can't he?

Big East Fantasy TE Rankings

Our College Fantasy Football rankings will focus on the Tight ends today. It's not a very deep group, and West Virginia won't even employ one in the Holgorsen Offense. However, there are a few valuable picks, and maybe a steal or two.

Early Round Value:

Josh Chichester (Louisville): The former wideout has tremendous size and ability, and continues to improve at the position. Chichester should be one of the top pass-catchers for Louisville this season, so the touchdown numbers will most likely improve as well. Could end up being a Top-10 fantasy TE.
Pros: Size, Ability, Hands
Cons: WR by Trade, Route-Running
2010 Stats: 22 Rec, 317 Yards, 5 TDs


Middle Round Value:

Nick Provo (Syracuse): 2010 proved to be a breakthrough year for Provo, who finished with 33 receptions. However, he will need to find the endzone much more to be a top fantasy TE. Provo has the ideal size and strength to dominate, and should have solid numbers in 2011.
Pros: Size, Strength, Route-Running
Cons: Injury-Prone, Explosiveness
2010 Stats: 33 Rec, 365 Yards, 1 TD


Possible Late Round Steal:

D.C. Jefferson (Rutgers): He has the ideal size to be a beast, but hasn't lived up to the potential. Having a more mature QB could help him find some of that potential. Jefferson could be one of the best steals this season if he performs.

Ryan Griffin (UConn): He's a very solid pass-catcher, and will be one of the most important targets for the Huskies. However, the QB situation in Storrs will hurt his draft stock. Griffin could be a wait-and-see guy.


Projects:

Andreas Shields (USF): He will take over the starting roll in Tampa, and will look to be one of B.J. Daniels' top targets. Not a lot of value at this point.

Blake Annen, Adrien Robinson, Travis Kelce (Cincinnati): They are all fighting for the starting job. Follow this closely, because Zach Collaros will use the position.

Hubie Graham (Pittsburgh): The Illinois transfer will be the Panthers' primary TE target. Hard to tell how much Todd Graham will use the position in his offense.


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Las Vegas Classic Teams Announced

The 2011 Las Vegas Classic lineup has finally been announced, and WVU should have an excellent opportunity to make some noise. The Mountaineers will be joined by Missouri State, Baylor, and Saint Mary's as the top programs for the tournament. Each team will be play two games against lesser opponents before heading to Sin City for the Semi's. WVU is yet to hear who their first two opponents will be from a group that includes Kennesaw State, Tennessee State, Bethune-Cookman, and Texas A+M Corpus Christi.

The young Mountaineer team will be facing some more veteran-laden teams when the tournament shifts to Vegas. Baylor returns most of their key players, and is expected to be ranked fairly high to start the season. Missouri State is always tough in the MVC, and return most of their key players as well. And Saint Mary's lost only one starter from a team that was very competitive in the WCC.

This should be a good test for Bobby Huggins, who will have a handful of games with the youngsters before this tournament kicks off. The Mountaineers will certainly be relying on Kevin Jones and Truck Bryant, especially early on. Kevin Noreen missed most of last season with an injury, and Deniz Kilicli battled inconsistency. That's it for returners. Jabarie Hinds, Keaten Miles, and the rest of the 654 new Mountaineers will be asked to step up early and often.

This will be a very fun team to watch. Huggins continues to build towards his ideal team, full of superior athletes, and straight-up hustlers. However, a lot rides on this giant recruiting class to work out, considering there isn't much to show from the last two recruiting seasons.

Big East WR Fantasy Rankings

As we get closer to the fantasy season, it's time to take a look at the wideouts in the conference. This is always the toughest to rate, considering there's probably four or five guys that nobody has ever heard of that will have good years. Here's a look at the guys we have at least heard of.


Zeus Level:

Tavon Austin (West Virginia): The 2010 break-out start should put up monster numbers. Austin is the top returning WR for Geno Smith, in a new pass-happy system. Look for huge numbers and double-digit touchdowns in 2011.
Pros: Speed, Hands, QB
Cons: Size, Route Running
2010 Stats: 58 Rec, 946 Total Yards, 9 Total TDs

D.J.Woods (Cincinnati): A very productive WR for the Bearcats, and can also boost a special teams' unit. Look for double-digit TDs this season, especially with his QB improving in the Cincy System. Woods' biggest downfall? Fumbles. He could be a top-10 fantasy receiver if he holds onto the damn ball.
Pros: Speed, Versatility, QB
Cons: Hands, Fumble-Prone
2010 Stats: 57 Rec, 985 Total Yards, 10 Total TDs


Early Round Value:

Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers): His receiving numbers were pretty good last year, but Sanu capitalized in other ways. He ended up throwing for three scores, and had four more on the ground, as the Wildcat QB for the Knights. 2011 should bring more success for him on the outside, with being healthy and Chas Dodd getting more used to college football.
Pros: Versatility, Hands, Size
Cons: Durability, QB
2010 Stats: 44 Rec, 887 Total Yards, 9 Total TDs

Mark Harrison (Rutgers): Benefited from Sanu's injuries last season. Harrison ended up being a scoring machine for Rutgers in 2010, and will undoubtedly be right there again. Don't be surprised if you hear "Sanu to Harrison" a few times. There will be a lot of pressure on Dodd with all this receiving talent.
Pros: Size, Hands
Cons: QB, Route Running
2010 Stats: 44 Rec, 829 Total Yards, 9 TDs

Mike Shanahan (Pittsburgh): He will benefit from Jon Baldwin being gone. Shanahan has great size, great ability, and now just has to find the endzone. He put up great PPR numbers last season, but has to be more of a TD machine to improve his fantasy value. Of course, a lot of that falls on his QB.
Pros: Size, Hands, Ability
Cons: Explosiveness, QB
2010 Stats: 43 Rec, 589 Total Yards, 1 TD

Middle Round Value:

Van Chew (Syracuse): Who doesn't want a dude named Chew on his team? He ended up with pretty solid numbers in 2010. As Ryan Nassib gains more confidence, look for Chew to be the primary beneficiary.

Stedman Bailey (West Virginia): It's hard to gauge who will be the secondary target for Geno Smith this season. But, certainly Bailey will be in the mix. Geno's high school teammate proved he can be a big time playmaker with four TD's in his Freshman year.

Josh Bellamy (Louisville): There's a question about the Cardinals' QB right now(sharing the job is never good), but when it is figured out Bellamy will be there to clean up. Look for the speedy wideout's TD numbers to improve in 2011.

Evan Landi (USF): He'll probably slide in the draft due to his 2010 numbers, which were just okay. But, those numbers should be much better with BJ Daniels being more comfortable in Todd Fitch's offense.

Marcus Sales (Syracuse): Two consistent seasons has many believing Sales will truly break through in 2011. Could be good value later in the draft.


Possible Late Round Steal:

Brad Starks (West Virginia): He only had 19 receptions last season, but four went for TDs. He is one to watch in the Holgorsen offense.

Kashif Moore (UConn): With Michael Smith being out for 2011, The Huskies will primarily rely on Moore. He did lead the UConn WRs in TDs last year. Could be a late steal if UConn finds a suitable QB.

Andrell Smith (Louisville): Missed the whole Spring due to injury. If healthy, Smith could be a nice late pick, considering he has proved he can score.

Devin Street (Pittsburgh): He had a very respectable Freshman season, and looks to truly explode in 2011.

Anthony McClung (Cincinnati): Will benefit with so many leaving the program. McClung showed solid promise in 2010.

Alec Lemon (Syracuse): He may be behind a few receivers, but watch for his numbers to steadily improve. A great offseason has a lot of people buzzing about this kid.


Projects:

A.J. Love and Sterling Griffin (USF): Both missed 2010 with injuries, and could be nice late round steals, especially if Daniels is going to bounce back in 2011.

Isiah Moore (UConn): Moore will be one of the go-to guys in Storrs this season. However, everything will rely on the new QB.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

YouTube Time: The Fake Punt

Oh, Phil Brady. You were the King for a Day.

Late in the fourth quarter in 2005, the mediocre punter found himself in a position to seal up the Sugar Bowl win for the Mountaineers. On a 4th and 6, on the Georgia 48, and with just 1:45 to play, Rich Rodriguez correctly went for broke. The "Rugby-Style" punt opened up the defense, and Brady rushed to victory. An epic finish, to a truly fantastic game. I'm glad I was there to witness Mountaineer history. On a side note: The Georgia fans' reactions are priceless.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Big East Fantasy RB Rankings

We continue our look at the most valuable fantasy players in the Big East. This time we check out the tailbacks that could be the difference between fantasy domination and being dominated in a not-so fantastic way.

Zeus Level:

Ray Graham (Pitt): He burst onto the scene last year, and never looked back. Graham will now be the primary back, so his numbers should get much better. He can catch out of the backfield, and also found the endzone fairly consistently. If Graham can hold onto the football, look for him to be a great producer.
Pros: Speed, Maneuverability, Offensive Line
Cons: Size, Fumble-Prone
2010 Stats: 1135 Total Yards, 24 Rec, 10 Total TDs

Solid Early Round Value:

Isaiah Pead (Cincinnati): He is in a perfect offense for putting up super numbers. Pead ended up with 1,000 yards, and also caught 29 passes...excellent for PPR leagues. His numbers should go up even more, as Cincy gets more used to Butch Jones' offense.
Pros: Speed, Moves, Pass Catching
Cons: Durability, Low TD Numbers
2010 Stats: 1219 Total Yards, 29 Rec, 7 Total TDs

Middle Round Value:

Antwon Bailey (Syracuse): The Mighty Mite is ready to take the reins in the dome. He had a productive season as a backup, and should improve in 2011. Bailey is a true duel-threat, putting up some of the best reception numbers as a RB in the Big East. Can he carry the load as the number one? We'll find out soon enough.
Pros: Speed, Big Play Ability, Pass Catching
Cons: Size, Power, Untested as a starter
2010 Stats: 860 Total Yards, 35 Rec, 5 Total TDs

Possible Late Round Steal:

Ryan Clarke (West Virginia): The bruiser is a TD machine in the redzone. Unfortunately, he is also a fumble machine. There will also be a big question about how he is used in Dana Holgorsen's new system.

Victor Anderson (Louisville): Here is the wildcard from the conference. Anderson rushed for 1,000 yards in 2008. Since then, injuries and ineffectiveness has sidelined his career. However, Anderson will be the leading man, and will need to find that Freshman form to prove he is worth starting in fantasy.

Projects:

Demetris Murray (USF): He is the leading returning rusher for USF, posting over 500 yards in 2010. He will be in a battle though, with a pair of talented transfers. Many say its his job to lose.

Darrell Scott (USF): Once upon a time, Darrell Scott was a five star recruit for Colorado. Now, he is in his first year at USF. This is one to watch though. If Scott has an opportunity to show what made him a top recruit, he may never leave the field.

D.J. Shoemate (UConn): UConn's top returning rusher had just 115 yards last year. It may be better to stay away from Husky RBs this year.

Savon Huggins (Rutgers): Some are calling this true freshman the next best thing. A late round pick in a keeper league is where he will land.

Jeremy Wright (Louisville): Should put up nice numbers even as a backup. But, could really take off if Anderson goes down again.

Big East QB Fantasy Rankings

Okay, the birthday week is over, back to the grind folks. It's time to take a look at the upcoming season from a fantasy perspective. Yes, I play college fantasy football, and you should too. Here is a look at the Big East's Quarterbacks.

Zeus Level:

Zach Collaros (Cincinnati): Dude should put up monster numbers. And, having a duel-threat quarterback in fantasy football is very key. Collaros had an off year, and still totaled 30 touchdowns. Look for these numbers to improve this season as Collaros gets more acquainted to Butch Jones' system.
Pros: Duel-Threat, Big Play Ability, QB-Friendly System
Cons: Interception-Prone, Low Completion Percentage, Durability
2010 Stats: 3104 Total yards, 30 Total TD's, 14 INT

Geno Smith (West Virginia): Coming off a breakout year, Smith is expected to shine in his new system. It could be a remarkable year if he quickly adjusts to Dana Holgorsen's offense. He finished 2010 with 24 TD's with an inept offensive coordinator. He also has a good crop of receivers, which make things even easier for the big man.
Pros: Accuracy, Awareness, QB Friendly-System
Cons: Durability, Offensive Line
2010 Stats: 2970 Total Yards, 24 TDs, 7 INT


Middle Round Value:

B.J. Daniels (South Florida): He had a very inconsistent 2010, but finished strongly. Many believe Daniels is poised to get back to his solid form in year two of the Skip Holtz' Era in Tampa. Even with his struggles and injury issues, Daniels managed to total 16 touchdowns in 11 games. However, his turnover numbers will have to fall to become an elite fantasy player.
Pros: Duel-Threat, Good Arm, Fits System
Cons: Interception-prone, Durability, Receivers
2010 Stats: 1928 Total Yards, 16 Total TDs, 13 INT

Tino Sunseri (Pitt): Here is your typical middle round pick. Sunseri won't wow anyone, but should put up pretty good numbers. He will have a nice running game to open things up, with solid receivers to throw at. He's not the biggest guy, doesn't have the best arm. He quietly goes through the motions.
Pros: Accuracy, Durability, Receivers
Cons: Big-Play Ability, Poise
2010 Stats: 2680 Total Yards, 18 Total TDs, 9 INT

Ryan Nassib (Syracuse): It was a breakthrough season for Nassib, as Syracuse reached a bowl for the first time in a long time. Nassib totaled 20 touchdowns in his first year starting. His accuracy will need to improve to take the next step, but having a solid crop of receivers should help. Nassib could be a solid late round steal if still on the board.
Pros: System, Receivers, Fearless
Cons: Accuracy, Big-Play Ability
2010 Stats: 2334 Total Yards, 20 Total TDs, 8 INT


Projects:


Chas Dodd (Rutgers): Should be the starter, and did show some promise last season. Needs to improve his decision-making and accuracy. He will have a great group of receivers around him.

Will Stein (Louisville): Didn't get a lot of time in 2010, and will probably split time with Teddy Bridgewater. You may want to consider Bridgewater in a big keeper league.

UConn: I wouldn't suggest any of these beauties.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Let's Realign the Conferences, Part One: The Geographical Strategy

People love complaining about the conference structure in college football. Sure, there are some strange combinations, and long roadtrips, but it could be worse. And I'm here to show you how worse(or awesome) it could be. Here is part one of many to come.

Northeast Conference:
This was an easy one to put together. Some nice rivalries would be renewed, and it would be loaded with tradition.

Army
Boston College
Buffalo
Connecticut
Maryland
Massachusetts (2012)
Navy
Penn State
Pittsburgh
Syracuse
Temple
West Virginia

ACC Conference: Might as well keep the name. The majority of these teams are already in the same conference now, so it would be a pretty smooth transition.

Clemson
Duke
East Carolina
Georgia
Georgia Tech
North Carolina
North Carolina State
South Carolina
Virginia
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest

Floribama Conference: This would be one hell of an exciting conference. Athletes Galore! The recruiting would be cut-throat, and I mean that literally. There could be coaches shanking other coaches.

Alabama
Alabama-Birmingham
Auburn
Central Florida
Florida
Florida Atlantic
Florida International
Florida State
Miami
South Alabama (2012)
South Florida
Troy

Delta Conference: Another fun recruiting battle would come from this southern conference. Not sure if there would be better action on the field or in the parking lot.

Louisiana-Lafayette
Louisiana-Monroe
LSU
Louisiana Tech
Memphis
Middle Tennessee State
Miss State
Ole Miss
Southern Miss
Tennessee
Vanderbilt

Texarkanas Conference: This might actually be my favorite. Who doesn't want to see all of the Texas teams together? And, starting in 2012 you could fill out an entire Texas conference with the addition of UTSA and Texas State.

Arkansas
Arkansas State
Baylor
Houston
North Texas
SMU
Rice
TCU
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
UTEP

SouthWestish Conference: A purely geographic find here. This might be the lamest conference. Not much to digest. So...let's just move on.

Air Force
Arizona
Arizona State
BYU
Colorado
Colorado State
New Mexico
New Mexico State
Nevada
UNLV
Utah
Utah State


Left Coast Conference: This one is straight-up Liberal. We take every school on the coast, and mash them together. Should be fun recruiting grounds, with much less hate than the southeast.

California
Fresno
Hawaii
Oregon
Oregon State
San Diego State
San Jose State
Stanford
UCLA
USC
Washington
Washington State

Tornado Ally Conference: I actually think this is a very competitive conference. Lots of chalk, and of course, Boise State could finally prove themselves.

Boise State
Idaho
Iowa
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Wyoming
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Tulsa

Lake Michigan Conference: Well, these schools will save some coin on travel, but not too strong at all. Michigan, Michigan State or Notre Dame will win every year until the end of time.

Ball State
Central Michigan
Eastern Kentucky
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Michigan State
Northern Illinois
Northwestern
Notre Dame
Purdue
Western Michigan
Wisconsin

YougotstuckwithMarshall Conference: Well someone had to be stuck with the armpit of college athletics. Cheating would be out of control in this conference.

Akron
Bowling Green
Cincinnati
Kent State
Kentucky
Louisville
Marshall
Miami (OH)
Ohio
Ohio State
Toledo
Western Kentucky

The Hell with Four!

So, a question I get quite often is "Chris, what would be your playoff format in college football?" "Is it a plus-one?" "How about eight teams?" "Should it be 16?" Actually, I disagree with all of these. My ideal format would send 20 teams to the postseason, with every conference being represented.

20 teams? Am I nuts? Not really...at least not on this topic. It's not overkill to have that many teams make the playoffs...actually it represents about 17-percent of the entire division (the 68-team basketball tournament represents about 19-percent, with no true complaints other than a handful of teams complaining they didn't get in), and would have at least one representative from every conference(like in college basketball as well).

Here's how it would work...example being the 2010 season's standings/rankings

11 Automatic Bids-Conference Champs

ACC: Virginia Tech
Big East: Connecticut
Big 10: Wisconsin
Big Twelve: Oklahoma
Pac-10: Oregon
SEC: Auburn
Conference USA: Central Florida
MAC: Miami (OH)
Sun Belt: FIU (They beat Troy)
Mountain West: TCU
WAC: Nevada

9 At-Large Bids: Stanford, Ohio State, Arkansas, Michigan State, Boise State, LSU, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Alabama

There would be four brackets with three teams ranked 1, 2, and 3. There would also be one play-in game in each bracket, with the winner taking on the 1-seed. For example, the play-in game would be FIU v Missouri for a chance to play Oregon.

The play-in games would give us 16 teams, leaving four weeks of exciting entertainment. So, you are looking at a total of five weeks of playoff action. If it were this season Dec. 11th would have been the opening weekend, with Jan 11th being the championship. The NCAA could also cut the season down to eleven games, and even eliminate one of the bye weeks to make the schedule even shorter. The bottom line is that kids will be done before the spring semester begins. Though time shouldn't matter. Hell, college hockey players roll from October to April.

Like in college basketball, the games would be played on neutral fields, and could have names like the Rose or Fiesta. Plus, the teams that don't make the playoffs can still play in the Mickey Mouse Bowls.

Simple in theory, but would college presidents ever get on board? Doubtful. The money continues to roll in from the BCS structure, with no end in sight...especially with ESPN's connection.

The BCS does give college football an extremely competive regular season, but a playoff system wouldn't change that...in fact, it would only heighten it. And, who the hell doesn't want to fill out more brackets?

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Big East Biletnikoff Watch List

ESPN's Big East Blog released the names of the conference's candidates for the Biletnikoff Award. The award is given annually to the nations best receiver. Let's take a look at the candidates.

Tavon Austin (West Virginia):
The converted RB has taken quite a liking to his new position. Austin blew up in 2010 with 58 receptions and eight touchdowns. He is Geno Smith's favorite returning target, mostly lining up in the slot, but also shows plenty of poise from the outside. Look for Austin's numbers to even get better this season with Dana Holgorsen's passer-friendly system. It could be an epic year for Tavon.
2010 Stats: 58 Rec, 787 Yards, 8 TDs
Chance of Winning on a Scale of 1-10: 7.2

Van Chew (Syracuse): Obviously has the best name of anyone on the watch list. He "chewed" up yardage last year(see what I did there?), going for over 600 yards on 41 receptions. He also found the endzone five times, in what turned out to be a prolific 2010 year. Chew's numbers should improve with QB, Ryan Nassib steadily maturing. He doesn't get enough credit for his range, but stats don't lie. He averaged over 16 yards per catch.
2010 Stats: 41 Rec, 611 Yards, 5 Tds
Chance of Winning on a Scale of 1-10: 5.8

Mike Shanahan (Pitt): Ladies and Gentlemen, meet your new Pitt star receiver. Shanahan put up very respectable numbers in 2010. He benefited from Jon Baldwin being double-teamed, and now is the big man in Oakland. Look for Shanahan to be targeted much more in 2011, especially in the redzone, a place he only reached once last season. The stars are aligned for this kid to take over, but will his QB let him down?
2010 Stats: 43 Rec, 589 Yards, 1 TD
Chance of Winning on a Scale of 1-10: 6.5

D.J. Woods (Cincinnati): Woods benefited from key injuries in 2010 and ended up having a superb season. He went over 100 yards receiving three times, and finished with 10 total touchdowns. He did put the ball on the ground numerous times, but the talent is certainly there. Look for a 1,000-plus yard season for the speedy wideout in 2011, especially with his QB improving in Butch Jones' system.
2010 Stats: 57 Rec, 898 Yards, 10 Total TDs
Chance of Winning on a Scale of 1-10: 6.8

Michael Smith (UConn): Academically Ineligible for the 2011 season. Not sure why he is on the list.
2010 Stats: 46 Rec, 615 Yards, 2 TDs
Chance of Winning on a Scale of 1-10: 0.0

Mark Harrison (Rutgers): The dude was a scoring machine last year, with nine touchdowns, including four in one game. Harrison has essentially become the number one threat over Mohamed Sanu, but it is truly a solid one-two combination. Though that combination could harm his chances at winning this award if Sanu stays healthy, and becomes number one again. Either way, it should be another solid season for Harrison.
2010 Stats: 43 Rec, 829 Yards, 9 TDs
Chance of Winning on a Scale of 1-10: 6.5

Big East Mackey Award Watch List

The award watch lists continue to roll out. Today, The Mackey Award names were released. Here is a look at the four Big East candidates.

Ryan Griffin (UConn):
He was third on the team in receiving last year with 31 receptions. Griffin could have an even bigger year this season with more consistency from the QB position. He's known for having very solid technique, which should help him get to the next level. If he wants to win this award, he will have to find the endzone a lot more.
2010 Stats: 31 Rec, 245 Yards, 1 TD

Josh Chichester (Louisville): He ended up having a fairly consistent season for the Cards. Chichester only totaled 22 receptions, but five went for touchdowns. The converted WR has shown lots of promise at the position, and could really break out in 2011.
2010 Stats: 22 Rec, 317 Yards, 5 TDs

D.C. Jefferson (Rutgers): A little surprising Jefferson made the list, though just about every team has a representative. Rutgers fans are still waiting to see the 6'6", 258lb manchild take over. He had only 10 receptions last season, and none past November 3rd. It will take a Herculean effort to pull down this award.
2010 Stats: 10 Rec, 166 Yards, 1 TD

Nick Provo (Syracuse): Just like everyone else on the Orange, Provo busted through in 2010. He ended the season with 33 receptions, with an average of 11 yards-per-catch. He's expected to have an even bigger role in 2011, especially with his QB quickly maturing. Just like Griffin, he will have to light up the endzone a bit more to be considered for the Mackey.
2010 Stats: 33 Rec, 365 Yards, 1 TD

Big East Bednarik Watch List

It's now time to take a look at the Big East players on the Bednarik Watch List. The award is for the best defensive player in the nation.

Bruce Irvin (DE, WVU): The sack specialist blew onto the scene last year. Irvin totaled just 21 tackles, but 14 of them were sacks. He also forced two fumbles in his limited play. His biggest question will be can he play on every down, at a high level. If he can then watch out, it could be an epic season.
2010 Stats: 21 Tackles, 14 Sacks, 2 FF
Made-Up Odds: 50-1

Brandon Lindsey (DE/LB, Pitt): Lindsey was the model of efficiency on the d-line last season. He tallied 51 tackles, 16 for loss, and 10 of them being sacks. The big man moves so well on his feet that many mistake him for a linebacker, which he is actually turning into. If his transition to the more athletic, outside position goes smoothly then watch out for a big season.
2010 Stats: 51 Tackles, 10 Sacks, 16 TFL
Made-Up Odds: 75-1

Kendall Reyes (DT, UConn): The meat in the middle will look to have another influential season in Storrs. The big man finished with 39 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and anchored a solid rush defense. Look for Reyes to continue to improve his stats as he eyes the NFL.
2010 Stats: 39 Tackles, 2.5 Sacks, 2 INT
Made-Up Odds: 95-1

Keith Tandy (CB, WVU): He has improved remarkably over the past few seasons. Tandy has the ability to shut down a side, but still tends to give up a long ball now and again. He finished a stellar 2010 campaign with six picks, truly showing his ball-hawking ways. Expect Tandy to continue to gain in confidence, and also be a leader for the WVU secondary.
2010 Stats: 54 Tackles, 6 INTS, 1 FF
Made-Up Odds: 90-1

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Big East Maxwell Watch List

ESPN's Big East Blog has released the names on the Maxwell and Bednarik Watch Lists from the conference. Let's take a look at the Maxwell.

Zach Collaros (QB, Cincinnati): He has the talent to be one of the more versatile QB's in the conference, if not the country. Took a bit of a step back in 2010 due to losing a ton of talent around him, including his three best receivers (two to injury, one to NFL). He also struggled to pin down the new offense that Butch Jones installed at Cincinnati. Look for a bounce-back year for the big signal-caller.
2010 Stats: 2,902 Yards, 26 TD, 14 INT
Made-up Odds: 100-1

Isaiah Pead (RB, Cincinnati): Coming off a solid year for the Bearcats. Pead rushed for over a 1,000 yards, while averaging a whopping 6.6 yards-per-carry. Touchdown numbers were a little low, so that number will have to improve. Expect Pead to put up even better total yards this season, and maybe a bigger role in the passing game.
2010 Stats: 1,219 Total Yards, 7 TD's, 6.6 YPC
Made-Up Odds: 200-1

Ray Graham (RB, Pitt): Took full advantage of his opportunity last season, rushing for over 900 yards in split duty. Graham averaged over six yards a touch, while totaling 10 touchdowns. He will now be the feature back, and could once again put up huge yards if he has the space. Expect teams to load the box, considering Pitt doesn't have a strong passing game.
2010 Stats: 1,135 Total Yards, 10 TD, 6.2 YPC
Made-Up Odds: 125-1

Geno Smith (QB, WVU): Many are calling for him to have a superior year, especially if he's able to pick up Dana Holrogsen's passer-friendly system. He had a breakout year in 2010, showing solid accuracy and great poise under pressure. There are durability questions, but so far has managed to be on the field when it matters. Geno will also have handle a lot of high expectations for the Mountaineers this year.
2010 Stats: 2,763 Yards, 24 TD, 7 INT
Made-up Odds: 75-1

Here is the full list courtesy of the National Football Post. We will take a look at the Bednarik Watch List tomorrow.

Rookie Training Camp Forecast

With more good news coming from the NFL/NFLPA talks, it seems like the right time to start thinking about WVU's newest pro class. Here's a closer look at some of the men trying to make the NFL in 2011.

Brandon Hogan (CB, 4th Round, Carolina):
He wasn't just drafted for depth, Carolina believes this kid can make it. Hogan has very good instincts, but size may keep him from ever being outstanding. Chris Gamble and Captain Munnerlyn will probably be the starting tandem, with Richard Marshall on the way out. Expect Hogan to be on Nickle and Dime coverage in year one, with the possibility of becoming an everyday starter in the future.

Robert Sands (FS, 5th Round, Cincinnati): He could be a steal, he could be a bust, or he could be worth a fifth round pick. Sure, you could say that about any draft pick, but many believed Sands had first or second round potential. Others believed his size(6'5", 221) isn't ideal for the Free Safety position in the NFL. He is going to have to prove it isn't an issue. His tackling, and blitzing is solid, but will need to improve his coverage. Expect Sands to be in the mix for a backup roll at FS, and could be on Special Teams Patrol as well.

J.T. Thomas (OLB, 6th Round, Chicago): Well, he's already won the Chicago fans with his awesome gesture earlier this year. However, it will take a lot more to win over the coaches. He's not the biggest or fastest, but shows good leadership and field sense. He will be asked to roll on special teams right away, and will challenge for a backup spot on the outside. Though Nick Roach and Brian Iwuh are both free agents, so anything is possible.

Chris Neild (DT, 7th Round, Washington): One of the most respected Mountaineers to come out, Neild is simply solid. He won't wow anyone with stats. He won't make highlight reels. He is just going to take up a ton of space, and allow the outside to open up. It will be an uphill battle to make Washington. The position is loaded, but who knows with Albert Haynesworth trolling around. Expect Neild to get picked up quickly if let go by Washington.

Undrafted:

Noel Devine (RB): Injuries slowed Devine down in his senior year, but don't expect him to disappear. He will need to find the best situation, and show he can get it done in special teams, as well as the offense. If Devine can stay healthy he will get an opportunity to show how explosive he can be.

Jock Sanders (WR): He has return specialist written all over him. But, can he also play the slot in the NFL? At 5'7" it may be tough, but Sanders will try to prove size doesn't mater. He has the talent to play the position, but will he be durable enough? That will be Jock's biggest question mark.

Scooter Berry (DT): Five years ago he was a college fullback. He will most likely head to an NFL camp as a Nose Tackle. He has a lot riding against him, but has shown the ability to continue to adapt. Don't count this kid out yet.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Taking a Look at The Heisman Odds

A few weeks back bodog released its list of Heisman candidates and their odds. Let's take a closer look at some of the contenders.

Sure Bet: Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford, 9-2): He has the best odds to win, because he is the surefire favorite. Expect him to comfortably win if he continues to progress as a quarterback, or equals last year's performance.
2010 Stats: 3,338 Yards, 32 TD, 8 INT

Second Sure Bet: Trent Richardson (RB, Alabama, 10-1): He finally gets the opportunity to show everyone why he was the number one RB recruit a few years back. He has been very solid in a secondary roll, and has shown what he can do as the man when Mark Ingram was injured. Expect him to get a lot of carries with a new QB in town.
2010 Stats: 700 Yards, 6.3 YPC, 10 Total TD

Bad Bet: Ryan Broyles (WR,Oklahoma, 15-1): You're throwing money away if you bet on Broyles. If he has a Hesiman-like year then his QB, Landry Jones is going to win. The only way for a wideout to win is if their QB is completely incompetent (Rod Rutherford? Reggie Ball?) which Jones is not.
2010 Stats: 131 REC, 1,622 Yards, 14 TD

Longshot Bet: Geno Smith (QB, WVU, 50-1): These are some good betting odds for someone coming off a solid year. The big question is, will he learn Dana Holgorsen's offense quickly? If he does, watch out...could put up monster numbers. He will also face many substandard defenses.
2010 Stats: 2,763 Yards, 24 TD, 7 INT

Long Shot Because of Where He Plays Bet: Kellen Moore (QB, BSU, 18-1): He has the numbers to win. He just doesn't have the attractiveness. The school and television schedule (only two games on ESPN) will hinder his chances.
2010 Stats: 3,845 Yards, 35 TD, 6 INT

Might Win Because His QB is a Drunk Bet: Marcus Lattimore (RB, SC, 7-1): The dude is an absolute tank. He ended up scoring 19 total touchdowns in his Freshman campaign. He also has a disaster of a QB in Stephen Garcia, so Marcus will be relied upon heavily. Durability may be an issue though.
2010 Stats: 1,197 Yards, 19 Total TD, 4.8 YPC

Here are a Few Others to Quickly Rule Out:

Michael Floyd (WR, ND, 40-1): QB issues...alcohol issues
Dayne Crist (QB, ND, 75-1): See above...minus the alcohol
EJ Manuel (QB, FSU, 50-1): First-Year starter...won't have two-in-a-row win
Darron Thomas (Oregon, 35-1): Overshadowed by his RB
Case Keenum (QB, Houston, 35-1): Coming off a severe injury
Matt Barkley (QB, USC, 45-1): Will lose votes due to his team's violations
Nick Foles (QB, Arizona, 45-1): Dude can barely throw.
Dan Persa (QB, Northwestern, 95-1): Come one, its Northwestern.
Russell Shepard (WR, LSU, 50-1): Matt Flynn isn't walking through that door.