2011 NFL Draft Watch #38: Stefen Wisniewski

The countdown continues and our number thirty-eight prospect in college football is…

Offensive Guard/Center Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State (Senior):

The Skinny: This senior is already one of the most pro-ready prospects in the 2011 draft class. Wisniewski is blessed with excellent physical skills for an interior lineman, possessing quick feet, good burst out of his stance, wide shoulders, great knee bend, and an excellent upper body strength. The Penn State product is extremely adept at pulling and reaching the second level due to his nimble feet and once he gets his hands on defensive linemen, he finishes his blocks with aplomb. Where Wisniewski really shines though is in the mental aspects of the game, which have allowed him to be a first team All-Big Ten performer as both a

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Dance Machine Dixon Off to Slow Start

San Francisco 49ers running backs coach Tom Rathman has told RB Anthony Dixon to run like the 235-pound back he is instead of dancing so much behind the line, reports CBSSports.com.

Mancini’s Take: This is clearly a wake-up call for the box-shaped bruiser, who is hopefully beginning to realize how much more difficult it is to dodge the first man and break to the outside in the NFL. Dixon doesn’t change directions well and won’t outrun many people. The Niners drafted him to slam it in between the tackles to convert short yardage and goal-line opportunities. One of the keys of being successful in those situations is to run low. Dixon must further prove that he’s willing to work a lot harder than he did at Mississippi State. The man he’s competing against for the backup running back position, Glen Coffee, knows what he’s capable of and keeps it simple

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Dance Machine Dixon Off to Slow Start

San Francisco 49ers running backs coach Tom Rathman has told RB Anthony Dixon to run like the 235-pound back he is instead of dancing so much behind the line, reports CBSSports.com.

Mancini’s Take: This is clearly a wake-up call for the box-shaped bruiser, who is hopefully beginning to realize how much more difficult it is to dodge the first man and break to the outside in the NFL. Dixon doesn’t change directions well and won’t outrun many people. The Niners drafted him to slam it in between the tackles to convert short yardage and goal-line opportunities. One of the keys of being successful in those situations is to run low. Dixon must further prove that he’s willing to work a lot harder than he did at Mississippi State. The man he’s competing against for the backup running back position, Glen Coffee, knows what he’s capable of and keeps it simple

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WAC Puts Expansion Talks on Hold

DENVER – WAC commissioner Karl Benson announced today that the WAC will delay any expansion of its membership until July 1, 2012 at the earliest.  This means that for the 2011-12 season, the WAC will operate as an eight-team league that consists of Fresno State, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, New Mexico State, San Jose State and Utah State.

“The WAC and its eight member schools remain well positioned for the future,” said Benson.  “Over the past few weeks, the WAC’s Board of Directors and athletics directors have explored several membership options.  We believe it is in the best interest of the WAC to operate as an eight-team league for the 2011-12 season.  We will now take several months to ‘drill down’ on the various membership options before making any decisions that would impact the 2012-13 season.”
<br “Throughout its history and since

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WAC Puts Expansion Talks on Hold

DENVER – WAC commissioner Karl Benson announced today that the WAC will delay any expansion of its membership until July 1, 2012 at the earliest.  This means that for the 2011-12 season, the WAC will operate as an eight-team league that consists of Fresno State, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, New Mexico State, San Jose State and Utah State.

“The WAC and its eight member schools remain well positioned for the future,” said Benson.  “Over the past few weeks, the WAC’s Board of Directors and athletics directors have explored several membership options.  We believe it is in the best interest of the WAC to operate as an eight-team league for the 2011-12 season.  We will now take several months to ‘drill down’ on the various membership options before making any decisions that would impact the 2012-13 season.”
<br “Throughout its history and since

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2011 NFL Draft Watch #37: Christian Ponder

The countdown continues and our number thirty-seven prospect in college football is…

Quarterback Christian Ponder, Florida State (Senior):

The Skinny: While Ponder may never be able to drop to one knee and throw the ball 60 yards down the field like some prospects have, the FSU signal caller has the type of game instincts and leadership skills that very few quarterbacks bring to the table. In every sense of the word he is a quarterback. His teammates follow his lead, he’s a player that makes those around him better with his words and by example, and he has an infectious love of the game that cannot be taught. Whether it’s in the huddle, along the sideline, in the weight room, or organizing team activities in the off-season, there

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Q&A: Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

The NFL Draft Bible catches up with running back Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens at Ray Rice Day in New York.

You had 332 touches last season. Are you still feeling the wear and tear? Is that something you relish?

That’s something that is down. I was used to getting over 400 touches at Rutgers. But the carriers are different. I’m not just running in between the tackles, I’m catching the ball and everything. But obviously my body feels great going into next year.

What was the biggest difference, not just in numbers, between the rookie Ray Rice and the more experienced version?

Confidence. During my first year in the league I was just grasping it and still

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ASU-NFF On-Campus Salute for Pat Tillman

DALLAS, June 28, 2010 – Arizona State University and The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today that they will jointly honor the late Pat Tillman with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute Nov. 13, 2010 as the Sun Devils host Stanford in Tempe.

“It will be an honor for Arizona State University to share this on-campus recognition of Pat Tillman with our community and his family and friends.” says Lisa Love, Vice President for University Athletics at ASU. “Pat, an American hero, is a significant part of our history and we are thrilled to recognize him and his family once again.”

On May 27, the NFF announced that Tillman, an All-American linebacker at ASU from 1994-97, will be inducted into the

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ASU-NFF On-Campus Salute for Pat Tillman

DALLAS, June 28, 2010 – Arizona State University and The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today that they will jointly honor the late Pat Tillman with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute Nov. 13, 2010 as the Sun Devils host Stanford in Tempe.

“It will be an honor for Arizona State University to share this on-campus recognition of Pat Tillman with our community and his family and friends.” says Lisa Love, Vice President for University Athletics at ASU. “Pat, an American hero, is a significant part of our history and we are thrilled to recognize him and his family once again.”

On May 27, the NFF announced that Tillman, an All-American linebacker at ASU from 1994-97, will be inducted into the

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2011 NFL Draft Watch #36: Mark Herzlich

The countdown continues and our number thirty-six prospect in college football is…

Outside Linebacker Mark Herzlich, Boston College (Senior):

The Skinny: Shortly after declaring that he would return for his senior season and pass up NFL riches—the linebacker was projected as potential first-round pick by many in the scouting community—he was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. While his road to recovery was the most inspiring story of the 2009 college football season and his return to the gridiron this year will be the feel-good story of the year, NFL decision makers are going to need to see Herzlich prove that he is back to being one of the highest-graded draft prospects. If anyone in college football looks like they were born to fight

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