December 2010 – Page 8 – Priced Out of the Citi

2011 NFL Draft Stock Watch: 12/14/10

It’s almost time for the college bowl games to begin and the countdown clock to the NFL Draft is always ticking here. Each and every week we see prospects that elevate their draft stock, but we also see players that slide down draft boards for a number of different reasons. With that in mind, it’s time for another edition of “Draft Stock Report,” a list of six players that are on their way up draft boards and six other players that are heading in the opposite direction as of this writing.

STOCK UP

CAM NEWTON QB AUBURN: There couldn’t be a more polarizing figure in all of college football and even though this year has been filled with controversy, Newton is still going to be a very high

Podcast: Jeremy LaFrance, Akron Zips

The Akron Zips of the MAC finished 1-11 in 2010, but even with the disappointing results there were some bright spots on the team and none of them were greater than the play of Jeremy LaFrance. Nothing shows a true competitor better than when things go for the worst and for LaFrance and his Zips teammates finishing 1-11 certainly provided some character checks. With college behind him the young man from Belle Chasse, Louisiana has aspirations to advance his talents to the next level, the NFL. Join host Bo Marchionte on the Player Spotlight Show with today’s guest Akron Zips Jeremy LaFrance.

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Around the NFL: The Week 14 Ramble

A dome collapsing, a broken streak, a bad snap on an extra point, an injury to a star quarterback…just another week in the NFL. The playoff chase is on; only one team—the Patriots—has clinched a spot with three games remaining. Everyone is researching the tiebreak scenarios and trying to figure out what exactly “strength of victory is.” The AFC’s playoff teams are likely decided; even if the Jets and Ravens fail to win their respective divisions, it would take a major collapse for them not to qualify for a wild card with a two-game lead and three games remaining. In the NFC, it’s a little more muddled.

The swagger is gone. After being dismantled by the New England Patriots a week ago it’s fairly clear—Rex “Humpty Dumpty” Ryan didn’t

Q&A: Chip Kelly, Oregon

NEW YORK, NY–Before heading off to Glendale, Arizona to take on the Auburn Tigers, Oregon head coach Chip Kelly stopped in New York City to be honored by the Football Writers Association of America with the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.

Kelly, who was also a finalist for the award last year, led the Ducks to an unblemished 12-0 regular season record, a Pac-10 title and a berth in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game.

Kelly became the second Ducks head coach to win the trophy named after the legendary Grambling head coach Eddie Robinson, joining Rich Brooks (1994). Kelly is the first Pac-10 recipient of the award since Mike Price won while coaching Washington State in 1997.

The other

Q&A: Chip Kelly, Oregon

Kelly, who was also a finalist for the award last year, led the Ducks to an unblemished 12-0 regular season record, a Pac-10 title and a berth in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game.

The other

Sam Acho Stars on Field & in Classroom

NEW YORK, NY–Earlier this week at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, Texas senior defensive end Sam Acho won the William V. Campbell Trophy.

The award is presented to the top senior scholar-athlete in combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. It is considered by many to be the Heisman Trophy of academic awards.

Acho has started for the Longhorns for the past two seasons and is a two-time member of the Big 12 Conference’s all-academic team. This season he led Texas in sacks with nine and tackles for loss with 17 in his senior campaign.

When asked about being one of the 16 finalists Acho answered, “I’m just honored to be a part of this. Looking back, we had a winner of

Sam Acho Stars on Field & in Classroom

NEW YORK, NY–Earlier this week at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, Texas senior defensive end Sam Acho won the William V. Campbell Trophy.

When asked about being one of the 16 finalists Acho answered, “I’m just honored to be a part of this. Looking back, we had a winner of

Kellen Moore Taking Care of Business

NEW YORK, NY–It’s not easy being Kellen Moore when all you do is answer the same ol questions about the legitimacy of your Boise State team and then constantly have to deal with the hypotheticals of playing in tougher conferences against more formidable opponents.

The 1^st Team All-Western Atlantic Conference (WAC) quarterback, made no apologies to media members at an interview session held just hours prior to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in midtown Manhattan.

“I think we have so many guys on our team that could play anywhere in the country. We’ve got the best duo of wide receivers (Austin Pettis and Titus Young), I think, in the country. They’re the best in the business. They make big play after big play—you can’t ask for anything more,” said

Kellen Moore Taking Care of Business

The 1^st Team All-Western Atlantic Conference (WAC) quarterback, made no apologies to media members at an interview session held just hours prior to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in midtown Manhattan.

Scout’s Notebook: Nebraska @ Oklahoma

NEBRASKA-OKLAHOMA: SCOUT’S NOTEBOOK

In a farewell to a classic rivalry, Oklahoma fought back from an early deficit to gain the 23-20 edge over Nebraska, which departs for the Big Ten in 2011. The fact that standout freshman Taylor Martinez was hobbled by multiple injuries deprived the Cornhuskers of their big-play dimension needed to keep pace with a loaded and more balanced Sooner attack.

Landry finishes strong

Sophomore Landry Jones didn’t pitch a perfect game, but he progressively improved as the game wore on and made a number of on-the-money throws in traffic.

Early on, however, Jones was a bit off on his passes, particularly on a couple of short screens that had too much arc of them in the first quarter. One of those hangers slowed down wide receiver Ryan Broyles and limited him to a 4-yard play.

The 6’5” triggerman began showing more poise toward the end of the