Nothing we didn't already know.
Alabama's defense was as dominant as it has been all season, shutting out LSU en route to a 21-0 victory in the BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Crimson Tide suffocated Tigers QB Jordan Jefferson and the rest of their attack, allowing 92 - 92! - yards of total offense in the game. The Tigers recorded just five first downs and didn't cross midfield until the fourth quarter.
As the game progressed, the nation got an opportunity to watch a team that could produce four or five first-round draft picks, most of which were on defense. The entire front seven could be a day one roll call (meaning the old day one, rounds one through three).
Leading the way was LB Courtney Upshaw, who recorded six tackles and one sack and earned defensive MVP honors. Defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick showed his versatility, flying all over the field to make plays.
One Alabama player who has gone a bit under the radar, but had a strong game last night, was defensive back De'Quan Menzie. He hasn't showcased the same playmaking ability as Kirkpatrick, but to the naked eye - watching on television without the benefit of coaches' tape - he seemed to turn in a strong game.
Then, of course, there's surefire top-10 pick Trent Richardson. The running back finished with 20 carries for 96 yards and the put-away touchdown, a 34-yard run in the fourth quarter to make it 21-0 Crimson Tide. It wasn't Richardson's best game - prior to the long scoring run, he had just 62 yards on 19 carries, one of which was a 20-yard rush. But he was effective in helping establish a ground game that accounted for 150 yards.
Upshaw, Kirkpatrick and Richardson are certain first round picks. Safety Mark Barron also should be selected in the first round. Linebacker Dont'a Hightower hasn't received a lot of recognition as a potential first-rounder, but a strong Combine could allow him to sneak into the end of the round.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Playoff Teams, but Help Needed
Four teams saw their post-season ended in the first round of the NFL playoffs. Each team had a critical flaw exposed, one that could be addressed in the April draft. Here's a look at each team, and an area of need.
Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals' storybook season came to an end on Saturday in a 31-10 loss to the Houston Texans. They won nine games, led by strong performances from rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. But Cincinnati allowed over 150 yards rushing and an untimely breakdown in the secondary to put the game away in Houston. The Bengals could look to use their lower-half pick in the first round on a defensive player, perhaps someone who can make an impact on a rotational basis while learning the ropes as a future starter. Cornerbacks Adam "Pacman" Jones and Nate Clements could benefit from an influx of youth in the secondary.
Detroit Lions: Detroit is another team that could use some help in the secondary. The Lions ranked 22nd in the league in passing yards allowed in the regular season and watched Saints QB Drew Brees throw the ball all over the field on Saturday night. They also could consider upgrading the running game, which ranked 29th in the league in total rushing yards during the regular season.
Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons do not have a first round pick in 2012 after trading it to the Cleveland Browns during last year's draft. Atlanta traded up to the sixth overall pick to select wide receiver Julio Jones. The trade sent last year's first-, second- and fourth-round picks as well as this year's first- and fourth-rounders to Cleveland. Atlanta might want to consider using its first pick of the draft - a second-rounder - on a defensive lineman with pass-rushing abilities. The Falcons tied for 19th in the league in sacks during the regular season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers allowed the fewest passing yards in the league during the regular season, but they allowed over 300 to Broncos QB Tim Tebow in their 29-23 overtime loss on Sunday. Cornerback Ike Taylor had a less-than-stellar game, and the Steelers aren't getting any younger in the secondary. They could add a defensive back in the first round of the draft.
Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals' storybook season came to an end on Saturday in a 31-10 loss to the Houston Texans. They won nine games, led by strong performances from rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. But Cincinnati allowed over 150 yards rushing and an untimely breakdown in the secondary to put the game away in Houston. The Bengals could look to use their lower-half pick in the first round on a defensive player, perhaps someone who can make an impact on a rotational basis while learning the ropes as a future starter. Cornerbacks Adam "Pacman" Jones and Nate Clements could benefit from an influx of youth in the secondary.
Detroit Lions: Detroit is another team that could use some help in the secondary. The Lions ranked 22nd in the league in passing yards allowed in the regular season and watched Saints QB Drew Brees throw the ball all over the field on Saturday night. They also could consider upgrading the running game, which ranked 29th in the league in total rushing yards during the regular season.
Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons do not have a first round pick in 2012 after trading it to the Cleveland Browns during last year's draft. Atlanta traded up to the sixth overall pick to select wide receiver Julio Jones. The trade sent last year's first-, second- and fourth-round picks as well as this year's first- and fourth-rounders to Cleveland. Atlanta might want to consider using its first pick of the draft - a second-rounder - on a defensive lineman with pass-rushing abilities. The Falcons tied for 19th in the league in sacks during the regular season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers allowed the fewest passing yards in the league during the regular season, but they allowed over 300 to Broncos QB Tim Tebow in their 29-23 overtime loss on Sunday. Cornerback Ike Taylor had a less-than-stellar game, and the Steelers aren't getting any younger in the secondary. They could add a defensive back in the first round of the draft.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Jones Heading Back to School
Oklahoma announced earlier today that quarterback Landry Jones is returning to school for his senior season.
Jones, who at the start of the season was considered by some to be the No. 2 QB prospect behind Stanford's Andrew Luck, did not have the stellar season many expected. He threw for fewer yards and touchdowns and recorded a lower completion percentage than his sophomore campaign.
His 28-14 touchdown-to-interception ratio was off of his 38-12 total from a year ago.
Jones will likely challenge USC quarterback Matt Barkley for the top quarterback spot - and possibly the No. 1 overall pick - in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Jones, who at the start of the season was considered by some to be the No. 2 QB prospect behind Stanford's Andrew Luck, did not have the stellar season many expected. He threw for fewer yards and touchdowns and recorded a lower completion percentage than his sophomore campaign.
His 28-14 touchdown-to-interception ratio was off of his 38-12 total from a year ago.
Jones will likely challenge USC quarterback Matt Barkley for the top quarterback spot - and possibly the No. 1 overall pick - in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Suitors for Jeffery: Cardinals, Eagles, Jets?
South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery will garner a lot of attention from teams picking in the middle of the first round. Which of those teams could use a wide receiver, and might be inclined to select Jeffery?
Arizona Cardinals (No. 13): Regardless of who becomes the Cardinals' starting quarterback next season (Kevin Kolb, John Skelton or perhaps a late entrant), Arizona is going to need another wide receiver across from the all-world Larry Fitzgerald. After Fitzgerald's 80 catches for 1411 yards and eight touchdowns, no receiver had more than 54 catches and 689 yards. Jeffery would provide a big red zone upgrade for Arizona.
Philadelphia Eagles (No. 15): The Eagles finished the 2011 season at a disappointing 8-8 for a number of reasons. One of those was the inconsistent play of WR DeSean Jackson, who could test the free agent waters this offseason. Jackson finished with 58 catches for 961 yards and four touchdowns after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Jackson also caught just four touchdowns, his lowest total since his rookie season, when he scored twice. Jeffery would provide Michael Vick with a big-time target and would fit in nicely alongside Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek.
New York Jets (No. 16): There are a lot of questions surrounding the Jets' receiving corps in 2012. Will Plaxico Burress return? Will Santonio Holmes still be on the roster? Who will Mark Sanchez throw to? The answer might be Jeffery, who could make one of the league's best red zone teams even better in that department. He can stretch the field and provide the Jets with a big-play outlet.
Arizona Cardinals (No. 13): Regardless of who becomes the Cardinals' starting quarterback next season (Kevin Kolb, John Skelton or perhaps a late entrant), Arizona is going to need another wide receiver across from the all-world Larry Fitzgerald. After Fitzgerald's 80 catches for 1411 yards and eight touchdowns, no receiver had more than 54 catches and 689 yards. Jeffery would provide a big red zone upgrade for Arizona.
Philadelphia Eagles (No. 15): The Eagles finished the 2011 season at a disappointing 8-8 for a number of reasons. One of those was the inconsistent play of WR DeSean Jackson, who could test the free agent waters this offseason. Jackson finished with 58 catches for 961 yards and four touchdowns after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Jackson also caught just four touchdowns, his lowest total since his rookie season, when he scored twice. Jeffery would provide Michael Vick with a big-time target and would fit in nicely alongside Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek.
New York Jets (No. 16): There are a lot of questions surrounding the Jets' receiving corps in 2012. Will Plaxico Burress return? Will Santonio Holmes still be on the roster? Who will Mark Sanchez throw to? The answer might be Jeffery, who could make one of the league's best red zone teams even better in that department. He can stretch the field and provide the Jets with a big-play outlet.
Alshon Jeffery to Enter NFL Draft
ESPN's Joe Schad just tweeted a few moments ago that South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery will enter the NFL Draft.
Jeffery has the physical tools to be a top-notch wide receiver at the next level - he stands at 6-4, 229, and has made some highlight-reel catches during his tenure at South Carolina.
From a numbers standpoint, his junior season pales in comparison to his outstanding sophomore season (49 catches, 762 yards, eight touchdowns versus 88 catches, 1517 yards, nine touchdowns). But Jeffery saved his best game for last, catching four balls for 148 yards and a touchdown in the Gamecocks' 30-13 Capital One Bowl win over Nebraska.
Jeffery is without question, at the moment, a top-20 pick in the first round of the draft. He can make an immediate impact as a red zone target and over time, develop into a receiver with the complete skill set.
Jeffery has the physical tools to be a top-notch wide receiver at the next level - he stands at 6-4, 229, and has made some highlight-reel catches during his tenure at South Carolina.
From a numbers standpoint, his junior season pales in comparison to his outstanding sophomore season (49 catches, 762 yards, eight touchdowns versus 88 catches, 1517 yards, nine touchdowns). But Jeffery saved his best game for last, catching four balls for 148 yards and a touchdown in the Gamecocks' 30-13 Capital One Bowl win over Nebraska.
Jeffery is without question, at the moment, a top-20 pick in the first round of the draft. He can make an immediate impact as a red zone target and over time, develop into a receiver with the complete skill set.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Update on NFL Draft Entrants
I am going to give this another go. It has been a long time since I updated this blog (the last post was on January 5th, 2011, about Andrew Luck being the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick if he declares for the draft), but I'm back with news, notes, information and analysis. Enjoy.
Earlier today, ProFootballTalk.com (which, by the way, is a terrific source of football knowledge) posted about a number of players who have declared for the NFL Draft. Among the interesting names: Arizona State LB Vontaze Burfict and Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu.
Burfict has all the talent in the world to be a top-notch linebacker, but questions have arisen about his work ethic and his ability to remain calm on the field. He has drawn a number of personal foul penalties in his Arizona State career and could be a liability on the field.
Sanu starred for the Scarlet Knights, catching 115 balls for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns. He set the school and conference record for receptions. Sanu stands at 6-2, 215, according to the Rutgers website.
Earlier today, ProFootballTalk.com (which, by the way, is a terrific source of football knowledge) posted about a number of players who have declared for the NFL Draft. Among the interesting names: Arizona State LB Vontaze Burfict and Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu.
Burfict has all the talent in the world to be a top-notch linebacker, but questions have arisen about his work ethic and his ability to remain calm on the field. He has drawn a number of personal foul penalties in his Arizona State career and could be a liability on the field.
Sanu starred for the Scarlet Knights, catching 115 balls for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns. He set the school and conference record for receptions. Sanu stands at 6-2, 215, according to the Rutgers website.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Luck Should Be No. 1
Monday's Orange Bowl proved once again why Stanford QB Andrew Luck is the best draft-eligible quarterback in college football. The Cardinal signal-caller went 18-for-23 for 287 yards, four touchdowns and one interception on his way to MVP honors.
The game was just the latest in a string of phenomenal performances by the 6-4, 235-pound quarterback. He finished the season with 3,338 yards passing, 32 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. His QB rating was third among quarterbacks with qualifying statistics, trailing only Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and Heisman finalist Kellen Moore.
Luck finished with a 70.7 completion percentage, fifth in the nation. His 4:1 TD-to-INT ratio was among the best in the country as well.
Where does this put Luck if he decides to leave school and declare for the NFL Draft? At the very top.
If Luck enters the 2011 NFL Draft, he immediately becomes the top available prospect in the draft and the surefire, can't-miss No. 1 overall pick.
He has a strong arm and he's extremely accurate. Luck can make all the throws, and he makes good decisions with the football. He's an incredibly intelligent quarterback who is patient in the pocket and rarely forces throws. He doesn't let mistakes snowball, either. Luck was intercepted at least once in only six of the 13 games the Cardinal played this season, but only two of those games were multi-interception performances.
When the play breaks down, he can run with the football. Luck carried 55 times for 453 yards and three touchdowns this season after carrying 61 times for 354 yards and two touchdowns last season. He has not fumbled the ball in two years.
There should be no questions about his durability and strength. Luck has delivered his fair share of bruising hits, including one on USC defensive back Shareece Wright as he returned a fumble against Stanford.
There should be no questions about his ability to handle the spotlight, either. Luck has said all the right things leading up to his decision about the draft. One just has to look at his maturity during the post-Orange Bowl press conference, when he deflected questions about his future and chose to focus on the performance of his team.
Luck has proven he has the necessary skills to succeed at the next level, and if he does enter the draft, there's no doubt he should be the first overall pick.
The game was just the latest in a string of phenomenal performances by the 6-4, 235-pound quarterback. He finished the season with 3,338 yards passing, 32 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. His QB rating was third among quarterbacks with qualifying statistics, trailing only Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and Heisman finalist Kellen Moore.
Luck finished with a 70.7 completion percentage, fifth in the nation. His 4:1 TD-to-INT ratio was among the best in the country as well.
Where does this put Luck if he decides to leave school and declare for the NFL Draft? At the very top.
If Luck enters the 2011 NFL Draft, he immediately becomes the top available prospect in the draft and the surefire, can't-miss No. 1 overall pick.
He has a strong arm and he's extremely accurate. Luck can make all the throws, and he makes good decisions with the football. He's an incredibly intelligent quarterback who is patient in the pocket and rarely forces throws. He doesn't let mistakes snowball, either. Luck was intercepted at least once in only six of the 13 games the Cardinal played this season, but only two of those games were multi-interception performances.
When the play breaks down, he can run with the football. Luck carried 55 times for 453 yards and three touchdowns this season after carrying 61 times for 354 yards and two touchdowns last season. He has not fumbled the ball in two years.
There should be no questions about his durability and strength. Luck has delivered his fair share of bruising hits, including one on USC defensive back Shareece Wright as he returned a fumble against Stanford.
There should be no questions about his ability to handle the spotlight, either. Luck has said all the right things leading up to his decision about the draft. One just has to look at his maturity during the post-Orange Bowl press conference, when he deflected questions about his future and chose to focus on the performance of his team.
Luck has proven he has the necessary skills to succeed at the next level, and if he does enter the draft, there's no doubt he should be the first overall pick.
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