Five Questions to Start the Season -

1. Is this the most wide-open year in college football in recent memory?  Yes.  Every team in a very fluid top ten list can win it all.  We could talk about parity, scholarship limitations, etc. all day long, but there isn’t one team that I look at and can say with any certainty will contend for the National Championship.  Alabama would probably be the closest to fit that description.
2. How will conference realignment affect scheduling in future years?  We’re already seeing the effects of conference realignment in scheduling across the country.  No team has been more aggressive than Texas, though.  With a ten-team conference, a nine game conference schedule and the loss of a conference championship game, Texas had to ensure that their strength of schedule was extremely high.  Texas recently announce home-and-home series with Notre Dame (2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020), USC (2017, 2018) and a one-and-done with BYU in 2011.  Conversely, teams in the Pac-10(12?) and the Big Ten(12?) will be less tempted to schedule meaningful games outside of a few “legacy” games such as USC-Notre Dame, Michigan-Notre Dame, etc. 
3. Can Mark Ingram win a second Heisman Trophy?  Ahhhh……the coveted “second Heisman”.  I believe Ron Powlus was supposed to win the trophy three times (Right, Beano?).  The truth is, if Tebow couldn’t do it, it will be awfully hard for Ingram to win it twice.  Why?  A couple of reasons……a.) Ingram will be sharing the load this year more with the very talented sophomore Trent Richardson, thus reducing his chances to be a 30-40 touches/game guy, and b.) Alabama tends to run a very conservative offense.  Not to say it is not effective, but Heisman voters look for flash and a “signature” moment.  Ingram can take it to the house but he’s more of a workman back than flashy runner.
4. Which coaches have the hottest seat in America?  According to http://www.coacheshotseat.com/, the #1 hottest seat in the country is Dan Hawkins, followed by Ralph Friedgen #2, Mike Sherman #3, Rich Rodriguez #4 and Lane Kiffin #5.  I have great respect for the guys at that website, but I have to disagree with the Dan Hawkins selection.  His seat was glowing orange before last season and following yet another disastrous year, the CU regents wanted to fire him.  However, they simply didn’t have the money to buy him out and pay another coach.  Therefore I’d say that his seat is cold.  As in, he’s a dead man walking in Boulder.  Furthermore, I’d more Rich Rodriguez to #1 for the simple fact that he is running a storied program into the ground at the speed of sound.
5. What college football coach has the greatest dislike for the media.  It is hard to quantify disdain but Nick Saban, Urban Myer and Bo Pelini seem to be neck-and-neck down the stretch.  For a little quality viewing, and to see if his jaw falls off from constant gum-chomping, I give you the ever-annoyed-by-media Bo Pelini here.

 Game I’d Sell My Average to Below Average Kidney to See This Weekend – Predictably there are no huge marquee matchups this weekend so I can’t say I’d part with an appendage or organ to see this weekend.  However, I will say that I am intrigued by a couple of games this weekend.  Oregon State at TCU (really at Cowboys Stadium) will be a good game and a great way to see what TCU has to offer this year.  LSU at North Carolina could be a good game but I just keep getting disappointed by UNC.  They are kind of like the Oklahoma State of that conference – every year pundits predict this year is their “breakout season” and they lose some dumb games and end up 7-5 in a weak bowl.

Game I’d Sell Your Average to Below Average Kidney to See This Weekend – USC at Hawaii.  Enjoy the trip USC.  It’ll be the closest you get to a bowl for a while.  Wow…..it’s almost like they kinda knew. 

Power Rankings – I’ll have the initial Lock n’ Load Power Rankings up next week.  Like Top 25 lists, I feel that they are all pretty much useless until the actual bullets start flying.

That. Just. Happened. (of the week) –

 My guess?  This era of realignment is far from over.  I think the Big Ten is set – they are happy and got what they wanted.  Notre Dame will continue to believe that they are the Notre Dame of the 1950’s and are still relevant in today’s college football landscape.  The SEC is set.  Why mess with a good thing.  Where I see the greatest potential for unrest is the ACC, Big East and the Big 12.  

I’d like to focus on the Big 12 for a second.  You’ve read about how Dan Beebe came in the eleventh hour and “saved” the conference.  Oh really?  My take is that you have three teams (Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M) that are content.  Texas and Oklahoma ended up with a more clear path to the National Championship game.  A&M got a financial bailout that wasn’t deserved.  Why would A&M get more money from the “supposed” penalty money paid by Colorado and Nebraska?  What exactly have they done to deserve that?   A very mediocre football team at best.  Anyone can see that when you have a large financial disparity amongst teams, you create an environment of have and have nots.  Unrest is inevitable.  However, the Big 12 could get back to the Big 12 by adding Houston (provided that UH continues to be successful) and possibly add a team like Arkansas.  

 Top 25 – Why Not?  It’s All Blind Conjecture Anyway…..

 Alabama – You win the National Championship, you’re the champ until you lose.

1. Ohio State – Feel this year is the year Pryor has his Vince Young-esque breakout.
2. Oklahoma – Snakebit team last year and Bob Stoops has something to prove.
3. Boise State – Yeah, they’re for real.  No more excuses.
4. Texas – Big test at Texas Tech for the third game of the season.
5. TCU – Disappointed in their Fiesta Bowl showing but think they are a dangerous team.
6. Florida – How do you replace Tebow?  Honestly, I don’t think he was a great quarterback but a phenomenal competitor that elevated his team.
7. Oregon – Love watching this team play.  No drop off from Masoli whatsoever.
8. Iowa – Is Ferentz still the coach everyone wanted to hire?  
9. Virginia Tech – An almost permanent fixture in this area of the polls.
10. Arkansas – Call it a hunch.
11. Wisconsin – It’s boring, but they get it done.
12. Miami, FL – Randy Shannon gets it done or they will hire someone who will.
13. Florida St. – Pretty high on the Christian Ponder kid.  Sometimes change is good.
14. Nebraska – Until I see some signs of offense, they remain overrated.
15. Penn State – I say this is JoePa’s last year.  Send him out a winner, boys.
16. North Carolina – I though Butch Davis would win a National Title or two?  He should.
17. LSU – Am I the only one who feels that Les Miles is overrated as a coach?  Tons of talent.
18. Georgia – It’s been nice knowing you Mark Richt.  The good people of Georgia won’t stand for 19th in the country.
19. Pittsburgh – This team has the talent but can they put it all together?
20. Auburn – Watch out for this team over the next couple of years.  Chizik is putting together some great recruiting classes.
21. Oregon State – Always love watching them knock off a big-boy or two.
22. USC – Was it the talent or the coaching?  We’ll find out soon enough.
23. Washington – Jake Locker can quarterback my team anytime.
24. Texas Tech – Still a team that nobody wants to play – especially at home.

Question to Ponder – Greatest cheerleaders in the country?  Let me know your thoughts.  And yes, pictures are encouraged……

Right now, the NFL is trying to control their product (the draft) and in doing so has rolled out former players, coaches and GM’s to provide the expert evaluations of the draft in prime time.  In doing so, they now have control over what is being said and the information that is distributed about the players teams are about to draft.  The reason for this is two-fold.  First, the money (of course), and second, the NFL does not want their coaches criticized and/or embarrassed on the air.  This year after the draft in prime time was over, the former players, coaches and GM’s were sent out to intimidate those of us who had the nerve to suggest that a team did, or did not, do well in the draft. 

Tim Tebow was no longer a mistake.  Jimmy Clausen is in a lucky situation and should become the starter in Carolina even though teams needing QB’s ahead of Carolina passed on him – some more than once.  Dez Bryant is no longer the immature player who has not played for a year and listens to the wrong people and advice.  In fact, he is now the steal of the draft and is being considered the best WR ever to play the game of football before he steps on to an NFL field.  Jason Pierre Paul is no longer a boom or bust player like he was being considered before the draft.  The Bills did not leave player after player on the boards to draft small college players and division two players.  Now the story reads that the Bills picks are all steals and the QB in the 7^th round is a franchise QB for the future.  Then, after all that, we get article after article suggesting that Todd McShay, Mel Kiper and others (I’m considered as one of the others) do not know what we are talking about because we never coached, played, or managed the draft for a team in the NFL.  In my opinion, thinking that only people who have played at the NFL level, coached at the NFL level or been a GM at the NFL level are the only people who are qualified to be experts about the draft may indicate that those in charge of the teams in the NFL do not realize that the talent to evaluate a players ability to be successful at the next level is a talent all on its own.

So, I’m throwing a challenge out to all those experts but the truth is I believe only one has the guts to pick up the challenge.  I think Jon Gruden and I should go head-to-head on a reality show evaluating talent for the draft.  I’ll do it off film and gathering information and he can do it from up close and personal.  Here’s the catch.  We both evaluate the same ten players.  We don’t use names to evaluate the players because I’m going to speak my mind and the truth.  I’m not going to sugar-coat it.  I’ll do it from film just like I do right now and Jon can spend the big bucks and travel and do whatever he wants to do.  The playing field will be the same for me and him just like he was still coaching.   The fun part will be when we meet up in a room and go at each other over one of those players.  I would have loved to break down Tim Tebow film with him.  There would have been some big time fireworks for sure.   My goal will be to show Jon and all the former players that analyze the draft for the networks that just because they may have been great players and coaches doesn’t mean they automatically have the ability to accurately evaluate a college player for the next level.  Being able to evaluate talent has nothing to do with how well you played the game or coached the game. 

So, the glove has been thrown down for Jon or anyone else to pick it up.  Draftniks against Experts, of course I’ll play the part of the draftnik but who will be the expert?  I don’t think for one minute that this challenge will be picked up and accepted and I think I know the reason why… I’m sure the reason is the “experts” are afraid I might embarrass myself!  Yeah right!  It’s time guys … it’s put up or shut up time!

I went to the doctor the other day to talk about this new disorder and I was surprised that the doctors in this country do not have much information on my condition.  I even started wearing a white ribbon in support of all the draftniks that are going through this syndrome right now.   I also went looking for federal funding under the new Health Care Reform Bill but alas, not one politician would take a position and stand up to be counted in the fight for a cure for this terrible disorder.  I am surprised because this terrible disorder is running rapid through the 40 million people who watched and were interested in the draft and now have nowhere to turn to overcome this syndrome.  I would think that a disorder that affects over 40 million people in this great country would be a part of the new health care reform bill!  I’m just saying…

It seems to me that the only cure for this disorder is an agonizing long process.  It requires slowly looking at next year’s draft eligible players.  As of right now I am looking at last year’s 2009/2010 draft film of the juniors who will become seniors for this year’s 2011 draft.  The truth is looking at that film is like having your wife or girlfriend tell you there is a recall on her birth control pills!  Who knows what will happen next?!  Will the player be injured and out for the year? Will a player be better or worse than he was last year to this year?  Will the player I’m watching transfer to another college, get suspended, get arrested or change his number so I can’t find him his senior year on the field?  I suspect like those recalled birth control pills, worrying about what may happen is not going to change a thing and looking at this film now is not going to give me a profile.  But like the information about the birth control pills it helps knowing ahead of time that bit of information so you can prepare for what may or may not come later.   

The worst part of having ATDS is the Tim Tebow problem.  Since I am the only one in the entire universe who said that Tim Tebow was the best player in this draft and would be drafted in the first round (from November of 2009) of the 2010 draft… ATDS makes me react to any information on his progress like a bull elephant looking for a she elephant in mating season.  The information that Tim’s Jersey is the biggest selling jersey in the NFL proves my point that I stated in his profile.  Tim Tebow is a marketing dream come true and if the starting QB for the Broncos gets hurt and cannot play this year Tim will take his place and never come off the field.

April 13, 2010, 7:35AM

But from the looks of it, there aren’t any cornerbacks worthy of the team’s No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft.

NFL draft analyst Drew Boylhart, of The Huddle Report, thinks Wake Forest’s Brandon Ghee is flying under the radar, yet could give the Lions with a strong cover corner. The 6-foot, 192-pounder ran a 4.45 40 at the NFL combine, but NFL scouts question his ability to provide run support. (Clemson running back C.J. Spiller might disagree with that theory.)

Not a problem, according to Boylhart, whose methods frequently find him going against the grain when it comes to player evaluations.

“Brandon Ghee runs into this ‘a-little-too-skinny’ type physique that scouts and GMs get caught up on,” he says. “These guys are wiry. And they don’t have the injury problems that most other people have.

“And when you get to corners, I don’t mind corners being what I call a ‘drag-down tackler,’ which is fine with me as long as they’re a sure tackler. And Brandon’s a drag-down tackler.

“And that’s another knock against him that scouts and GMs and coaches seem to have a problem with. They want that macho, knock’em-in-the-chin type of guy, and that’s fine, but when you come to a good cover corner, I want him to be able to tackle, and make sure the tackle is good, and cover, and intercept the ball.

“I’ll worry about somebody else knockin the snot out of somebody later on.”

1)   Tim Tebow – QB – Florida – First of all, before you start suggesting to yourself and friends what kind of idiot you think I might be, remember this…. I do not fall for hype. I do all my profiles and evaluations from film and my opinions on a player’s success are based on more than just athletic abilities. There are two potential franchise QB’s in this draft and Tim is #1.  He is a pure spread offense system QB with excellent accuracy, arm strength and leadership skills who could become the first pistol offense QB in the NFL.  Tim is a franchise QB because he understands his responsibilities to both sides of the ball and knows how to motivate the offense and protect the defense with his play on the field.  All QB’s entering the draft need some re-work of their mechanics, except for the great ones.  After all of this nonsense is over, Tim will throw the way he throws and win the way he wins.  For the team that drafts him, he is a once in a lifetime player and a marketing dream come true.  I call him Tim (Spartacus) Tebow because he will lead your favorite team and its fans from their despair.

2)  Ndamukong Suh – DT – Nebraska – He can play in a 1-gap or 2-gap defense and any one of the line positions in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense.   I call him Ndamu (The Great Kong) Suh.  He has Reggie White like talent!  To think that anybody would suggest that Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma (who is a one trick pony) has the talent and will impact as much or more than Suh shows you why there are so many players who are a bust as 1^st round draft picks.  Don’t get me wrong — Gerald has excellent talent, but he does everything based on his quickness and his quickness will be matched at the NFL level until he learns better techniques.

 3)  Russell Okung – LT – Oklahoma St – Russell is a pure Left Tackle who can play in any style offensive blocking system.  He has played a lot of snaps along the offensive line at a very high level, but his impact position for the next level is definitely at left tackle because of his quickness.  Russell has Tony Boselli “quick out of his stance” like talent.  He is a franchise left tackle and franchise left tackles improve three positions.  They make your left tackle position better, your left guard position play better and your quarterback position plays better also.  That’s what a franchise left tackle can mean to your offense.   

 4)  Sam Bradford – QB – Oklahoma – Sam is a franchise QB.  There are only two of these in this draft this year and Sam is the second.  He has the accuracy and leadership skills that a franchise QB needs to be successful and although he, too, has to rework his mechanics because under pressure he has a tendency to throw sidearm, Sam also has the athleticism to move in the pocket and roll out and throw on the run with accuracy.  Sam has played under center and in multiple styles of offensive sets.  I call him Sam (The Rubber Band Man) Bradford. 

 5)  Trent Williams – OL – Alabama – There are only two pure left tackles in this draft and Trent is definitely one of them.  Unlike other offensive lineman in this draft, Trent has the talent and the experience of being able to play multiple positions along the offensive line at a Pro Bowl level.  That is the hidden value when you draft Trent.   This year was Trent’s first year playing Left Tackle and he did an outstanding job.  Give him time and I’m sure he will be a Chris Samuels (LT Redskins) style of left tackle for years to come.   

 6)  Joe Haden – CB – Florida – There is a reason Joe was rated this high on everyone’s board before he worked out at the combine.  He is good.  That’s all that matters.  Joe is a pure shut down corner that can play in any style defense and impact on special teams and he can tackle.  I can’t believe that everyone wants to rate a safety who is faster, but is not as good a tackler, ahead of this kid.  A safety who doesn’t tackle!  This is not a track meet we are drafting for…this is football!  You go ahead and rate Eric as a top ten draft pick and hope he improves his tackling techniques.  I’ll draft Joe and have him shut down your best receiver.   

 7)  Sean Lee – LB – Penn St – Sean is technically the best linebacker in this draft.  He could use a little more size, but his talent, football intelligence and instincts are without question.  Injuries have kept him from being rated high in this draft.  To his credit, Sean has come back from those injuries, which says volumes about his character and work ethic.  Sean, throughout his college career, played multiple positions as an ILB and OLB and impacted at both positions.  He is an every down linebacker and shows excellent leadership skills through his play on the field.  This is one talented football player.  I did consider Rolando McClain (LB Alabama) as a top 10 pick at one time, but his medical situation is a lot more serious than everyone is suggesting and, for me personally, impacts his draft status and re-positions him for a later round.  The truth is, I would have rated Sean ahead of Rolando in my final top ten anyway. 

 8)  Toby Gerhart – RB – Stanford – Toby plays in a pro style offense with spread offense tendencies.  He is excellent at picking up blitzing LB’s; he’s smart and quick enough to follow and set up his blocks to make the most out of his running back skills.  He can catch the ball out of the backfield and is a good enough blocker to be used as an H–back, fullback or as a tail back in a one back set or two back set.  Toby is a franchise back.   I call him Toby (Gear Head) Gerhart because every offense needs to get into gear before it can get going and Toby is just that gear to get your offense going.   CJ Spiller (RB Clemson) is a nice back with excellent speed, but he is not a “carry the load back” like Toby is. 

 9) Eric Decker – WR – Minnesota –   Eric is the top wide receiver in this draft.  He is not the fastest, but he is the best.  Before he broke his foot, he was his team’s whole offense.  He was their leader and the teams coach on the field.  In most situations, wide receivers need a very good QB to be effective.  Eric is one of the few wide receivers who will turn that theory around.  He will make your average QB a star.  He runs excellent routes and is one of the toughest wide receivers I have seen come out in the draft in a long time.  He will move the chains and has the speed, hands and savvy to be a deep threat.  Eric is a #1 wide receiver and a player you can make the focal point of your passing game.  I originally had Arrelious Benn (WR Illinois) in this spot, but I like Eric’s consistency better and his leadership skills are more mature at this point so Eric squeezes past Arrelious.  Both should be excellent players.  Eric, because of his injury, has not been able to work out, which has affected his draft status, but remember I do all my profiles from the football season, not from workouts and pro days. I told you that I don’t profile based on hype!   

10) Linval Joseph – DT – Eastern Carolina – Linval is as big, strong and powerful as The Great Kong Suh from Nebraska.  The difference is that he has not played against the competition that Suh has played against and will be downgraded for that reason.  He is also in the infancy stage with his techniques and confidence in his overall play.  However, make no mistake about it, this kid has the talent to dominate at the next level.  Linval (like Suh) can play in any style of defense and multiple positions along the line.  If you don’t double team him in the passing game or running game, he will make you pay.  I’m not sure if Linval will get a sniff of the first round because he is more of a developmental player than Suh is at this point, but that does not deter me from listing him in my top ten.  I call him Baby Suh.   

11) Jerry Hughes- OLB – TCU – Jerry is a top ten talent but will have to move to a new position at the next level.  This will take a little time (but not very long) before he starts to dominate and become one of the best draft choices from this class. 

12) Arrelious Benn – WR – Illinois – Arrelious is an impact wide receiver waiting to happen, but he does need to become more consistent in all phases of his game.  He will do it and the team that drafts him is going to be very happy they did. 

13) Dan Williams – DT – Tennessee – is a pure Defensive Tackle that can play in any style defense (1-gap or 2-gap) or play nose guard in a 3-4 defensive system.  He is not a great pass rusher, but will push the pocket with the best of them.  I call him Dan (Real Time) Williams.

14) Gerald McCoy – DL – Oklahoma – Gerald is one of the quickest defensive linemen in this draft, but my feeling is his impact position is as a DE in a 3-4, 1-gap attack defense because of his lack of strength and immature pure Defensive Tackle 4-3 techniques.  This makes him a systems defensive lineman who will have to be drafted by the right team to impact.  (That team could very well be one of the top five teams in this draft.)  When Glen Dorsey (DL Chiefs) came out in the draft I did not consider him to be a top ten pick either.  I got hung in effigy that year!  I suspect I will be hung once again for not listing Gerald in this top ten.  Don’t worry, I will survive.   I may be thin-skinned, but I’m wiry. 

15 Earl Thomas- CB/S   – Texas – Earl is a talented, smart defensive back.  The truth is, I think Earl would be better suited at the next level as a cornerback than as a safety.  He does not possess the quick-twitch reaction time that you like to see in a CB who can play and defend against any size receiver.  However, he does have similar talent to Charles Woodson (CB – Packers).  I think if you are looking for a big corner that can shut down those big possession wide receivers and has the speed to go deep with just about any other kind of receiver, then Earl just might be your man.  Eric Berry (S Tennessee) is a very good safety, but his lack of wrapping up when he tackles is a big issue for me.  Eric has the speed to cover, but the truth is he likes the play in front of him to impact.  I just think because of his pure speed that Eric is being thought of as another Troy Polamalu (S Steelers).  To put it into perspective, Troy was the 16^th pick of the 2003 draft.  Maybe I’m being too picky, but I need my safeties and corners to be technically sound and wrap up when they tackle if I’m going to list them as a Top 10 pick.  You can’t have your safeties missing tackles at the next level.  Eric misses tackles at the college level and that will be magnified at the next level.  Troy Polamalu is a great safety because he knows how to wrap up and tackle.  By the way, Ed Reed was the 24^th pick of the 2002 draft.  There are other very good safeties in this draft that will impact as much as Eric is projected to impact. (I think it’s a good thing I’m wiry!)

1999 – Tim Couch (QB Browns),  2000 – (Courtney Brown) DT Browns,   2001 – Michael Vick (QB Falcons),   2002 – David Carr (QB Texans),   2003 – Carson Palmer (QB Bengals),   2004 – Eli Manning (QB Chargers),   2005 – Alex D Smith (QB 49ers),  2006 – Mario Williams (DE Texans),   2007 – JaMarcus Russell (QB Raiders),  2008 – Jake Long (LT Miami),  2009 – Matthew Stafford (QB Lions) 

As you can see, this list includes players who have failed along with some who have had marginal success and others who have done very well.  You can decide who falls into what category for yourself.  We are told that every one of these players took the Wonderlic Test, all went to the combine and were scouted for years.  They were interviewed by coaches, GM’s and owners; background checks were supposedly done on every one of them.  In the end, all of this information may have been thrown to the winds at the time each team drafted these players.  Let’s be honest:  if all of this information is gathered about the first pick in the draft, then I have to ask one question.  Why are there so many players chosen first in the draft that do not succeed at the next level?  Is it because they lack talent, arm strength, the right mechanics or is it because they only played in a spread offense?  Perhaps it’s because they don’t play with good leverage, can only play in one style or system, are too big or too small or do not run fast enough?  I think if you look at this list, nothing talent wise has anything to do with why most of these players have failed to be the face of the teams that drafted them.  Ask yourself the following:  Is Carson Palmer better than Michael Vick because the ball comes out of his hand in a perfect spiral?  Does Eli Manning have more success than Alex Smith because he throws the ball better?  Is JaMarcus Russell struggling because of his mechanics?   Is the real reason David Carr struggled because of his release point?  The first pick in a draft is supposed to be a franchise player.  How do so many players, after so much information is known about them, fail to produce at a high level in the NFL? 

It’s simple to me.  The typical draft evaluation process puts too much value on pure athletic talent and allows it to be the deciding factor in drafting one player over the other.  For the players chosen #1 in previous drafts who were not particularly successful, the only reason they were drafted over other players in the draft was because they threw the ball better, jumped higher and ran faster.  The difference between me and most everyone else who profiles players is this.  I believe that the talent in everyone I profile is the easiest part of a player to evaluate.  It’s a given.  You either have the talent to play at the next level or you don’t.  Players who have excellent athletic talent may start off with a higher grade by teams than a player who might have less; however, because everyone has the talent to play in the NFL that you are about to profile, that higher rate is marginal.  Therefore, just about everyone starts off with an equal talent grade.  After evaluating the talent, I then add and weight the following intangibles:  character, work ethic, and maturity as well as the ability of the player to learn and transfer what they learned onto the field.  You also have to evaluate in a player’s profile the need of the player to keep improving on their success along with the ability to handle adversity on the field.  You can teach mechanics and coach a player’s talent and help him to improve it.  You cannot teach the intangibles a player needs to be successful at the next level.  They must have those qualities already in place on draft day.  It’s just that simple.  Players themselves can improve their intangibles through the mistakes they make, but it is a mistake to think as a coach at the NFL level that you are going to “coach up” the intangibles this player will need to become a franchise player his talents suggest that he can become.  Other coaches at other levels may be able to do that, but not at the NFL level.  There are too many other demands on coaches at the NFL level and if you are a coach that is proud of building boys into men then do not jump to the NFL level.  Stay where you are because, in my opinion, that is not in the job description.  You are there to draft the best player with the best intangibles that have the talent to play in the NFL, not the other way around. So when evaluating a player to become the 1^st pick of the draft you had better put more weight on a player’s intangibles than his talent because history tells us if you do that, you have a better chance of that player being a success in the NFL.  History proves my point.  Intangibles must be given more weight over talent when evaluating a player to be the first pick in a draft. It’s just that simple.

I see the re-making of Tim (Spartacus) Tebow QB Florida has begun.  It is amazing to me the reaction this kid gets every time his name is mentioned.  It is also amusing to me how people who profess to be religious have such a negative reaction to what Tim stands for in his personal life and how that negativity clouds their opinion of Tim’s talents on the field.   I have said all along that Tim Tebow is a top ten franchise QB.  That opinion has nothing to do with his personal beliefs and everything to do with his play on the field.  You don’t need to change Tim’s throwing mechanics.  They are no different from Brett Favre’s long release when he winds up to throw the ball.  He needs to improve his footwork and take care of the ball better while he is in the pocket.  That is normal for just about every QB coming out in the draft.  There is nothing wrong with his arm strength or accuracy just turn the film on and watch him throw to Percy Harvin all over the field.  Using Tim’s mechanics as an excuse not to draft him is fine if that’s truly what you believe.  But using your dislike for Tim because he is professing his religious beliefs and hiding behind his mechanics as the excuse not to draft him is disingenuous to say the least.  If your opinion of Tim is that he is faking his beliefs because he professes them outwardly than you should be very happy the day you can tell us all… I told you so.   I’m sure that will make you feel better as a person who knows everything and is smarter than the rest of us.  I just don’t think that professing your personal religious beliefs should be a reason to down grade a player’s ability to impact at the next level.  We don’t seem to do it to the players who have drug problems and who get arrested so why do it to Tim.  Tim has found God and he didn’t have to go to prison first.   I guess some people think that this is unfair to the players who have gone to prison first and then found God.  For me personally you don’t have to remake Tim as a person or re make his mechanics.  I watch film for my opinions and profiles and what Tim does on the field speaks volumes to me.

• Best QB’s – Sam Bradford Oklahoma, Tim Tebow Florida, Colt McCoy Texas, Zack Robinson Oklahoma St, Sean Canfield Oregon St  

I’m surprised that C J Spiller RB Clemson and Jahvid Best RB California are the same size and speed and yet people think that C J is a better running back than Jahvid!   Jahvid is a much more technically sound running back and runs through the tackles with the vision and cutting ability that makes him a much better bet to impact right away.  C J still has to learn how to use his speed and is a cut and go running back who just out runs everybody and prefers to bounce everything to the outside.  You need more than that for the next level.  Don’t get me wrong C J is good but Jahvid has much more mature on the field skills.  I ‘m not sure what Toby Gerhart RB Stanford has to do to become the first running back in this class off the board.  Someone tell me …What else does he have to do?  I guess the film and working out is not enough anymore for a Division I running back if he is not from USC and plays in the Pac 10.

• Best RB’s – Toby Gerhart Stanford, Jahvid Best California, CJ Spiller Clemson

I was pretty sure that Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma St would not run the gauntlet at the combine.  Like I said in my profile … Until Dez can prove to me that he can catch the ball while running every route on the route tree and not just stop routes I’m not sure of how quickly he will impact.  He has 1^st round talent but it takes more than talent to play in the NFL.  There are too many excellent WR’s in this draft to make this kid the first one off the board.  There are a ton of WR’s in this draft with 1^st round talent but for me the first one’s off the board who will have the quickest LTI are the following;

•  Best WR’s – Arrelious Benn Illinois,  Eric Decker Minnesota, Golden Tate Notre Dame, Jordan Shipley Texas, Dexter McCluster WR/RB Mississippi, Demaryius Thomas Georgia Tech, Mardy Gilyard Cincinnati, Dez Bryant Oklahoma St

There are plenty of TE’s/ HB’s in this draft that will have excellent impact in the passing game for most teams who draft them but if you want a complete TE who can block and catch  These three are at the top.

• Best TE’s – Rob Gronkowski Arizona, Jim Dray Stanford, Jermaine Gresham Oklahoma
• TE’s/HB’s – Aaron Hernandez Florida, Tony Moeaki Iowa

Pure Left Tackles will always be listed higher on my board than most other offensive lineman who play left tackle at the college level but will not at the NFL level.  (IMO) the Left tackle position is equal in value to a QB.  The following is how I would set my board up on offensive lineman.   

• Best OT’s – Russell Okung (LT) Oklahoma St, Trent Williams (LT) Alabama, Charles Brown (LT) USC,  Bryan Bulaga Iowa, Mike Johnson Alabama, Kyle Calloway Iowa, Zane Beadles Utah, John Jerry Mississippi

Defensive lineman should be able to play in a 1gap or 2 gap system or multiple positions on the line to be considered as 1^st round draft choices.  So here is how I would set my board of for possible 1^st round selections.   There are some surprise but that’s how I see it on film.

• Ndamukong Suh Nebraska, Dan Williams Tennessee, Linval Joseph East Carolina, Gerald McCoy Oklahoma, Tyson Alualu California, Brian Price UCLA, Carlos Dunlap Florida, Jason Perrier Paul South Florida, Everson Griffen USC

The hybrid linebackers are the new rage in the NFL because of all the 3/4 defenses but linebackers who can play in any system and any one of the linebacker positions is how I set my board up.

• Best  LB’s  are Rolando McClain Alabama, Sean Lee Penn St,  Sean Weatherspoon Missouri, Kio Misi Utah, Pat Angerer Iowa, A J Edds Iowa
• Best DE/OLB’s – Jerry Hughes TCU,  Brandon Graham Michigan, Sergio Kindle Texas

Safeties are usually overrated if drafted in the first part of the first round but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve first round grades and should not be drafted later in the first round.  There are two this year for me but I rate safeties who are excellent tackles over safeties that are not.   

• Best Safeties – Nate Allan Florida, Eric Berry Tennessee

Cornerbacks are in the eye of the beholder.  Out of all the positions in a draft the most controversial as far as rating players for a position will be at cornerback.  The different style of defensive systems allows for different styles of cornerback to play and be successful but there are some skills that everyone looks for in a corner.  He must be able to tackle and come up and support the run.

• Best CB’s – Joe Haden Florida, Earl Thomas Texas, Syd’Quan Thompson California, Kyle Wilson Boise St, Brandon Ghee Wake Forest, Patrick Robinson Florida St 

The Rams will stay with selection #1 and take QB Sam Bradford.  Why?  Because the price of the first pick is too rich for teams possibly wanting to trade up.  The first pick has become a punishment pick for having the worst record.  St. Louis will look at the Falcons, the Lions and the Jets; they will see young QBs, drafted very high, adding bottoms to stadium seats.  After all, the NFL is all about making money.

The Redskins, under Mike Shanahan, begin to renovate the team.  Yes, Jason Campbell will need to learn another scheme, but he has the talents that Shanahan covets in a QB;  his arm is sound, his scrambling ability is good, and his experience, however traumatic, gives him a step up on any QB draftee.  Besides, the O-line is the real problem.  Give Campbell some solid protection and he will show his mettle.  My tea leaves say the Redskins will select an OT with their first pick.

Additionally, Mike Shanahan is not a coach trying to make a name for himself.  He is in this for the long haul because, I believe, Washington is his last stop as a coach.  Dan Snyder has finally realized that just throwing money at aging players will not get the ‘Skins to the Super Bowl.  His impatience has worn away and the realization is dawning that a consistently winning team is built through smart drafting.

There are trade possibilities for the Oakland but teams looking to trade up will hold off believing that the Raiders will deep select with their first pick and the players coveted by the Raiders’ possible trading partners will be there when their turn to pick arrives.  The only way the Raiders can trade their first pick is to initiate the calls to potential trading partners and drop hints as to whom they would consider picking.  If the name of a highly ranked prospect by the other team comes up, it might stimulate a trade.  Therefore, I think the only feasible trade in the top ten picks includes the Raiders.

Because teams selecting seventh through tenth would be looking for an ILB, Rolando McClain will not be selected in the top ten.

Offensive and defensive tackles will dominate in the top ten selections.  Including DEs, eight of the top ten picks could be linemen.

Baltimore is in dire need of a WR.  However, their first pick position denies them a choice of WRs without dropping down seven or eight talent spots to get one.  Yes, a TE may be available at the pick-player value matching point, but it’s WR or bust for the Ravens with their first pick.

Dallas in position to trade out of the first round and still get a top-talent S.  At pick #27, the talented linemen will have been taken.  The Cowboys are not adverse to picking up an additional third round pick for trading down a few spots.  Calls will be made to Jerry inquiring about the cost of pick #27.

It is quite conceivable that 17 of the first 32 picks will be linemen!

All of the above is predicated on the current prospect rankings, drafting order and team needs.  As we near April 22^nd, the conditions will change and these forecasts will change.  But for now it looks like the big men shake it up in the first round.

• Defensive Tackles are all over the place but one that is not being talked about at all is Linval Joseph DT East Carolina.  I call him Baby Suh.   Two other players from that team that are not being noticed are Jay Ross DT and CJ Wilson DE/OLB.  You should start to hear a lot about all three of these players after the combine. 

• It will be very interesting how well Toby Gerhart RB Stanford does at the combine.  It seems no one likes him very much but me.  I wonder why? There are not very many running backs in this draft and Toby is truly the only one with the talent and size that makes him a feature back.  I feel the same way about his teammate Jim Dray TE.  Not many players in this draft that are more productive and have the talent these players have. 

• Gerald McCoy is a systems DT and with the amount of DT’s in this class it would not surprise me to see him drop just a little bit.  But I think his true impact position will be as a DE in a 3/4 and I think that Tampa Bay would love to draft Gerald and move him around their front four.  I would also think that Tampa Bay would be very interested in Rolando McClain LB Alabama and look for what he does at the combine.

• Eric Berry S Tennessee is everyone’s favorite safety but the kid that will surprise a lot of people will be Nate Allan South Florida.  

• The overall speed of the big wide receivers is going to surprise and confuse everyone on who might be the best of the group.  This should be interesting!  

• If you like Jimmy Clausen QB Notre Dame then whether he throws or not… is not going to make a difference.  If you think Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma is your man all you are looking for is if he is healthy because you don’t want to draft a QB that early who cannot play right away.  If you think Tim Tebow is a potential QB all you are looking for is what everyone else thinks so you can try and figure out what round to draft him in.  If Colt McCoy QB Texas is your sleeper pick then again you just want to know when to draft him.  For most teams the decisions on these QB’s has already been made.

• This combine will confirm that the only true franchise left tackle is Russell Okung.  There are some very good offensive linemen who can play left tackle but no true left tackles that have franchise lateral agility to dominate.