Monthly Archives: January 2011

The tournament is set. All 12 teams have earned their way to the post season and 11 of those teams have a winning record! Look, Seattle played by the rules and qualified for the playoffs. However, it’s pretty clear that changes need to be made regarding who qualifies, or at least the seeding process. There is no reason—especially considering that the NFL re-seeds after round one—that the teams shouldn’t be “re-seeded” prior to the start of the playoffs. It’s bad enough that Seattle made it; why give them a home game against a team that finished with four more wins than they did? If you re-seed after round one, why not re-seed all the way through? I await an answer.

At the beginning of the season I predicted who would make the playoffs. Out of 12 teams I nailed eight of them, including all four (so far)

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The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the 2011 NFL Draft is January 15th. Be sure to check back frequently, as NFL Draft Bible Analyst Joe Everett will be keeping tabs on the latest players to declare. Updated January 11, 2011.

JAMIE HARPER – RB – CLEMSON: Harper is another in a long line of productive running backs from Clemson. Harper rushed for 726 yards on 177 carries this season, and added 31 receptions for 308 yards. Even though he scored ten combined touchdowns, he was sharing carries in 2010 and is likely declaring early because he likely won’t see more touches next season. Harper has very good hands out of the backfield and has a chance to factor into a team’s rotation as a third-down back, as well as a contributor on special teams. <span

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The following underclassmen have declared themselves eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft.

QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri (1st  Round)

RB Shane Vereen, California (2nd Round)

RB Jordan Todman (3rd Round)

WR Torrey Smith, Maryland (2nd Round)

WR Tandon Doss, Indiana (3rd Round)

WR DeAndre Brown, Southern Mississippi (Mid-Round)

WR Tori Gurley, South Carolina (Mid-Late Round)

WR Vidal Hazelton, Cincinnati (Late Round/PFA)

TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame (1st Round)

OT Tyron Smith, USC (1st/2nd Round)

DE Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson (1st Round)

DE Zane Farr, Virginia (PFA)

DT Jurell Casey, USC (2nd Round)

DT Jerrell Powe, Mississippi (2nd/3rd Round)

DT Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple (2nd Round)

LB Akeem Ayers, UCLA (1st Round)

CB Aaron Williams, Texas (1st/2nd Round)

CB Brandon Burton, Utah (1st/2nd Round)

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Connecticut Huskies running back Jordan Todman said after the team’s 48-20 Fiesta Bowl loss Saturday night that he will will apply for inclusion in the 2011 NFL Draft.

California running back Shane Vereen says he will apply for inclusion in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Glendale, Arizona- U of Phoenix Stadium (73,000)
01.01.11 8:30 pm EST

TV: ESPN PLAY-BY-PLAY: SEAN MCDONOUGH; ANALYST: MATT MILLEN
RADIO: ESPN PLAY-BY-PLAY: RON FRANKLIN; ANALYST: ED CUNNINGHAM

Most of the nation is dismissing Connecticut as a BCS bowl team and you won’t get any argument that their record and quality wins are lacking. But the Huskies, known as a basketball school,  are building a football foundation. The only All-American in the Big East conference resides in the UConn backfield; Jordan Todman is the third leading rusher among running backs in the nation. The senior is a consistent runner who uses his blockers well, plays within the scheme and understands he doesn’t have to take it to the house on every play although he can (he averages 5.2 yards-per carry). Oklahoma will make him the centerpiece of

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Glendale, Arizona- U of Phoenix Stadium (73,000)
01.01.11 8:30 pm EST

TV: ESPN PLAY-BY-PLAY: SEAN MCDONOUGH; ANALYST: MATT MILLEN
RADIO: ESPN PLAY-BY-PLAY: RON FRANKLIN; ANALYST: ED CUNNINGHAM

Most of the nation is dismissing Connecticut as a BCS bowl team and you won’t get any argument that their record and quality wins are lacking. But the Huskies, known as a basketball school,  are building a football foundation. The only All-American in the Big East conference resides in the UConn backfield; Jordan Todman is the third leading rusher among running backs in the nation. The senior is a consistent runner who uses his blockers well, plays within the scheme and understands he doesn’t have to take it to the house on every play although he can (he averages 5.2 yards-per carry). Oklahoma will make him the centerpiece of

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Undersized at just 6’1” and 226 pounds, the Connecticut middle linebacker makes up for what he lacks in bulk with top-notch straight-line speed. Whether he’s defending against the run or the short passing game of Oklahoma, expect Wilson to make plays from sideline-to-sideline; he always finds the ball. Wilson’s closing speed also means he is never out of play. There are two things you can count on from this Connecticut product in the 2011 Fiesta Bowl; he will put in an honest day’s work and he will finish the tackle when he gets his hands on his man. If the Huskies are to pull off the upset of Oklahoma and shock the world, Wilson will have to play a key role in slowing down the Sooners’ explosive attack.

Undersized at just 6’1” and 226 pounds, the Connecticut middle linebacker makes up for what he lacks in bulk with top-notch straight-line speed. Whether he’s defending against the run or the short passing game of Oklahoma, expect Wilson to make plays from sideline-to-sideline; he always finds the ball. Wilson’s closing speed also means he is never out of play. There are two things you can count on from this Connecticut product in the 2011 Fiesta Bowl; he will put in an honest day’s work and he will finish the tackle when he gets his hands on his man. If the Huskies are to pull off the upset of Oklahoma and shock the world, Wilson will have to play a key role in slowing down the Sooners’ explosive attack.

In passing situations the Connecticut offensive line better be aware of where Oklahoma’s top pass-rushing threat is coming from. Beal is one of the most athletic linemen in the nation with his elite speed. That top-end speed is why many predict a position change to outside linebacker is in store when he plays for pay. Whether standing up or with a hand on the ground, Beal will use his quick first step to get around the edge. Even if his first move doesn’t win the day, the Big 12 product keeps fighting until the whistle blows or he gets to the quarterback. Once he has the opposing signal caller in sight, not many collegians are blessed with Beal’s closing burst. His superb instincts ensure Beal will make an impact in Glendale.