DYNASTY: Top 2013 College Prospects (1 Viewer)

[cstu]

yikes this was a bad draft class already. Do any RBs even go in round1 in the NFL this coming year? Im betting no

I thought 2011's RB talent was the weakest in a long time but 2013 should be worse.

 

[IHEARTFF]

As someone with 2 top 5 picks, that's an unfortunate injury. Have to feel terrible for a kid seeing Lattimore's leg do that. He was in shock.

 

[werdnoynek]

As someone with 2 top 5 picks, that's an unfortunate injury. Have to feel terrible for a kid seeing Lattimore's leg do that. He was in shock.

it's unfortunate regardless of your fantasy football picks bro... stay classy.

 

[MAC_32]

I was hoping to just take geno with my one, but it's looking more and more like unless a wr slips i will be trading back to 2014

 

[IHEARTFF]

As someone with 2 top 5 picks, that's an unfortunate injury. Have to feel terrible for a kid seeing Lattimore's leg do that. He was in shock.

it's unfortunate regardless of your fantasy football picks bro... stay classy.

Thanks for the insult. Did you even read the 2nd sentence?

 

[werdnoynek]

As someone with 2 top 5 picks, that's an unfortunate injury. Have to feel terrible for a kid seeing Lattimore's leg do that. He was in shock.

it's unfortunate regardless of your fantasy football picks bro... stay classy.

Thanks for the insult. Did you even read the 2nd sentence?

yes, you could have done without the first part is all i'm saying. carry on.

 

[Xue]

Dennis Johnson starting to emerge as lead back for Arkansas. Surprised he wasn't in your rankings EBF, as he has a great BMI.

 

[Shawnky]

As someone with 2 top 5 picks, that's an unfortunate injury. Have to feel terrible for a kid seeing Lattimore's leg do that. He was in shock.

it's unfortunate regardless of your fantasy football picks bro... stay classy.

What are you ..........his mother? Sheesh!

 

[ConnSKINS26]

As someone with 2 top 5 picks, that's an unfortunate injury. Have to feel terrible for a kid seeing Lattimore's leg do that. He was in shock.

it's unfortunate regardless of your fantasy football picks bro... stay classy.

Thanks for the insult. Did you even read the 2nd sentence?

yes, you could have done without the first part is all i'm saying. carry on.

Yeah, talking about the fantasy implications of an injury to a possible future NFL player is unacceptable on a fantasy football message board.

 

[werdnoynek]

As someone with 2 top 5 picks, that's an unfortunate injury. Have to feel terrible for a kid seeing Lattimore's leg do that. He was in shock.

it's unfortunate regardless of your fantasy football picks bro... stay classy.

What are you ..........his mother? Sheesh!

great question. no i'm not his mother. i'm also not some heartless punk who cares more about his fantasy football team than a young kids future. again, i'm just saying how about we show some class and respect when discussing a potentially career ending injury to a college football player.

 

[werdnoynek]

As someone with 2 top 5 picks, that's an unfortunate injury. Have to feel terrible for a kid seeing Lattimore's leg do that. He was in shock.

it's unfortunate regardless of your fantasy football picks bro... stay classy.

Thanks for the insult. Did you even read the 2nd sentence?

yes, you could have done without the first part is all i'm saying. carry on.

Yeah, talking about the fantasy implications of an injury to a possible future NFL player is unacceptable on a fantasy football message board.

i'm not saying we can't discuss the fantasy implications, but we should show some tact while doing so.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

As someone with 2 top 5 picks, that's an unfortunate injury. Have to feel terrible for a kid seeing Lattimore's leg do that. He was in shock.

it's unfortunate regardless of your fantasy football picks bro... stay classy.

Thanks for the insult. Did you even read the 2nd sentence?

yes, you could have done without the first part is all i'm saying. carry on.

Yeah, talking about the fantasy implications of an injury to a possible future NFL player is unacceptable on a fantasy football message board.

i'm not saying we can't discuss the fantasy implications, but we should show some tact while doing so.

He showed plenty of concern for him as a person. You're being ridiculous.He's not posting on his Facebook wall, or retweeting news of the injury with comments about his top picks, where anyone could see it and misinterpret it. He posted about it on a fantasy football message board, and believe it or not, tons of guys on here are thinking about this in terms of his real life health AND future fantasy repercussions. And there's nothing wrong with that.

If you wanted to make a point, you could have waited until there was actually a callous post to criticize.

 

[werdnoynek]

As someone with 2 top 5 picks, that's an unfortunate injury. Have to feel terrible for a kid seeing Lattimore's leg do that. He was in shock.

it's unfortunate regardless of your fantasy football picks bro... stay classy.

Thanks for the insult. Did you even read the 2nd sentence?

yes, you could have done without the first part is all i'm saying. carry on.

Yeah, talking about the fantasy implications of an injury to a possible future NFL player is unacceptable on a fantasy football message board.

i'm not saying we can't discuss the fantasy implications, but we should show some tact while doing so.

He showed plenty of concern for him as a person. You're being ridiculous.He's not posting on his Facebook wall, or retweeting news of the injury with comments about his top picks, where anyone could see it and misinterpret it. He posted about it on a fantasy football message board, and believe it or not, tons of guys on here are thinking about this in terms of his real life health AND future fantasy repercussions. And there's nothing wrong with that.

If you wanted to make a point, you could have waited until there was actually a callous post to criticize.

you're right. morals aside, i'm ####ed in a couple devy leagues and it's very unfortunate... for me.

 

[doowain]

Damn. That was a brutal injury. Really hope he recovers. He was so close to NFL money. Feel horrible for him.

Having said that, Gio Bernard with another huge game. Over 200 yard rushing and receiving. And another two TDs. I gotta think he's leading the charge for top RB in 2013 right now, right?

 

[loose circuits]

hope for Lattimore is that he broke that bone right below the knee instead of every ligament, tendon, and cartiledge damage in knee. We'll see. Reminded me of the RB from the Raiders a few years back http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT4kAKB2CT8 but the impact was sharper rather than a twist and bend so I'm not sure if they are similar

Here's to hoping for the best...

 

[EBF]

I would think Bernard would have the inside track to the RB1 spot, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him go as late as the 30-40 range. He can make himself a lot of money at the combine, but mediocre numbers will push him down because he's not the biggest guy and he already has an ACL and a concussion in his past.

Bottom line for me is that this is a pitiful class at the top. I was never super high on Lattimore, but he was probably the only RB in the group who was likely to be a 1st rounder. And after watching Justin Hunter look pretty invisible today, I'm just not seeing anything to get excited about at the top of this draft. These guys are so average.

The best thing to do is trade back to 2014 or shift your 1st rounder for a 2nd rounder and change. This is a year where the difference between say the 1.08 and the 2.05 should be pretty negligible.

 

[Statorama]

As someone with 2 top 5 picks, that's an unfortunate injury. Have to feel terrible for a kid seeing Lattimore's leg do that. He was in shock.

it's unfortunate regardless of your fantasy football picks bro... stay classy.

What are you ..........his mother? Sheesh!

 

[EBF]

By the way, Marqise Lee has 12 catches for 257 yards today...

In the first half.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Damn. That was a brutal injury. Really hope he recovers. He was so close to NFL money. Feel horrible for him.

Having said that, Gio Bernard with another huge game. Over 200 yard rushing and receiving. And another two TDs. I gotta think he's leading the charge for top RB in 2013 right now, right?

That's what I've been thinking as well. He also had a game winning 70 yard punt return with under 30 seconds left in the game; he's just been phenomenally productive this season in all facets. EBF's probably right in that the combine will be pretty important for him, as he's pretty small and doesn't look incredibly fast. I really like his production in the passing game, it's not very common for college RB's to have 30+ receptions in their season, and he's well on pace for 45+ in his 2nd straight season; he also appears to be a pretty capable pass blocker despite his size.

 

[MAC_32]

I would think Bernard would have the inside track to the RB1 spot, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him go as late as the 30-40 range. He can make himself a lot of money at the combine, but mediocre numbers will push him down because he's not the biggest guy and he already has an ACL and a concussion in his past. Bottom line for me is that this is a pitiful class at the top. I was never super high on Lattimore, but he was probably the only RB in the group who was likely to be a 1st rounder. And after watching Justin Hunter look pretty invisible today, I'm just not seeing anything to get excited about at the top of this draft. These guys are so average. The best thing to do is trade back to 2014 or shift your 1st rounder for a 2nd rounder and change. This is a year where the difference between say the 1.08 and the 2.05 should be pretty negligible.

Glad I play idp, may get te'o slipping if i can't trade out

 

[lbouchard]

Marquise Lee 300 yards receiving so far.

 

[Xue]

Austin Hill at 199 yards receiving. Why is no one talking about this guy. He's a redshirt Sophomore = draft-eligible.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Wrong thread (on phone)

 

[Faust]

NFL draft risers, sliders: Week 9

Tony Pauline

A number of razor-close conference games came down to the wire in Week 9 of the college football season. There was also a devastating injury which will impact the first round of next April's draft (* -- denotes underclassmen).

Risers

Ezekiel Ansah/OLB-DE/BYU: Ansah, the former track athlete from Ghana we spoke of in Week 4, is quickly transferring his athleticism onto the football field and is flying up draft boards. He's shown improvement on a weekly basis and stood out during the Cougars' victory over Georgia Tech, leading the team with eight tackles and helping to hold the lethal Yellow Jacket offense to 17 points and 12 first downs. For the season, he's registered 44 tackles -- including 11 tackles for loss -- as well as five pass defenses. Ansah needed assistance on how to properly put on his football equipment when he joined the BYU football team in 2010. There's now talk in the scouting community he could be the surprise pick of Round 1 in April.

Dallas Thomas/OL/Tennessee: The Volunteers moved the ball up and down the field against a talented South Carolina defense and totaled 478 yards in a game they lost by three points. Thomas lead the way for Tennessee on the offensive line. He's a versatile blocker who played left tackle as a junior before moving into guard this season. Thomas has NFL talent and combines fundamentals with power to control opponents. His leadership skills and football instinct are evident in games and the ability to line-up at several blocking positions will serve him well at the next level.

Tanner Hawkinson/T/Kansas: Hawkinson is another offensive lineman who displays versatility. He made a seamless transition to the all-important left tackle spot this season after manning the right side as a junior. The Jayhawks posted 273 rushing yards, much of it behind Hawkinson, during their four-point loss to Texas. He's been compared to New England Patriots three-time Pro Bowler Matt Light by Kansas head coach Charlie Weis and Hawkinson offers starting potential for the next level. The senior should end up in the middle rounds next April.

Brian Winters/OL/Kent State: Winters makes it a trio of offensive line prospects rising up draft boards. The senior received high marks during the upset victory over Rutgers. Kent State totaled 355 yards against the talented Rutgers defense, 224 yards which came on the ground. Winters kept the running lanes open all game and handled opponents throughout. He's a college left tackle who will end up moving to right tackle or guard at the next level. Scouts are impressed with Winters, who could sneak into the third round.

Shawn Williams/S/Georgia: Scouts gave Williams an early-round grade entering the season and the senior has done nothing to disappoint. His totals during the victory over Florida included six tackles, which will be added to his team-leading 51 for the season. Williams does not get the notoriety many of his defensive teammates receive on a weekly basis, yet scouts love how he does the little things well and rarely makes mental mistakes. He should be off the board somewhere in Round 2 next April.

Gavin Escobar*/TE/San Diego State: Scouts considered Escobar a terrific athlete who needed to develop as a football player entering the 2011 season. He's answered many of those concerns eight games into his junior campaign and is soaring up draft boards. Escobar leads the Aztecs in all receiving categories this year with 26 receptions, 317 yards and four touchdowns. He's shown better consistency catching the ball and is a legitimate downfield threat who creates mismatches in the secondary. Escobar also flashes skill as a blocker. He grades out as a potential second-round choice and word is Escobar will enter the draft at season's end.

Greg Blair/LB/Cincinnati: Blair played in just a single contest last season after transferring from Lackawanna Community College, but has since taken his game to another level. Seven games into the 2012 campaign, he leads the Cincinnati defense with 73 tackles, including a 19-tackle effort during an overtime loss to Louisville on Friday. His five pass defenses also leads the defense. He's displaying himself as a tough, run defender with the ability to handle the inside/middle linebacker spot in a variety of defensive schemes. Blair wasn't considered free agent material entering the season, but has since moved into the late rounds of April's draft.

Sliders

Tim McDonald/S/USC: McDonald entered the year with first-round grades after opting to return for his senior season, yet has played uninspired in 2012. His instincts have been marginal and he always seems a half step late arriving to the play. At the top of his game, McDonald enforces the action in centerfield, yet he's not met expectations this season.

James Vandenberg/QB/Iowa: Vandenberg was graded as a fringe late-round choice entering the season, yet his struggles in 2012 will leave him unselected next April. His most recent effort included just 214 yards passing against Northwestern, whose pass defense ranks last in the Big Ten. For the season, Vandenberg is completing under 56 percentof his passes and has tossed five interceptions, compared to three touchdowns.

Notes

• The big news coming from the college football world Saturday centers around the gruesome injury suffered by South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore. The junior was carted off the field then taken to the hospital after significant contact to his right knee during the closing moments of the second quarter. Lattimore tore ligaments and cartilage in his left knee a year ago, which prematurely ended his season. While there are hopes Lattimore recovers, there's no escaping his injury will shake up the running back position and first round of next April's draft. North Carolina junior Giovanni Bernard, a week eight riser, is now the top draft eligible ball carrier on scouting sheets. Bernard turned in another tremendous performance today in the victory over North Carolina State. His totals included 135 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 23 carries and 95 receiving yards on eight receptions. Bernard also returned a punt 74 yards for the game-winning score with :13 left.

• BYU has been the surprise of the scouting community thus far in 2012. Entering the season with a pair of seniors graded as late-round picks, the Cougars now have three players who are considered top-90 selections. Besides Ezekiel Ansah, the senior defender previously mentioned as a potential first-round pick, junior linebacker Kyle Van Noy presently grades as a second rounder and offensive lineman Braden Brown is receiving third-round consideration.

• Illinois is on the other side of the spectrum, with three defensive prospects tumbling down draft boards. Defensive tackle Akeem Spence may have played himself out of the first round, while cornerback Terry Hawthorne is struggling to keep a spot in Round 2. Defensive end Michael Buchanan has watched his stock take a significant tumble and may fall out of the draft's top 75 choices.

• Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M continues to impress NFL scouts. The junior left tackle followed up his tremendous performance against LSU by shutting down Corey Lemonier of Auburn. Lemonier entered the game with five sacks and eight bquarterback hurries, yet was held to just two tackles by Joeckel, who now grades as a mid first-round pick.

 

[Faust]

Week 9 Rewind: Top-rated RB Lattimore carted off field with right leg injury

By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

South Carolina junior running back Marcus Lattimore, the only runner given a first-round grade thus far by NFLDraftScout.com, was carted off the field in the second quarter of the Gamecocks' matchup against Tennessee with a right leg injury.

The injury appeared to come from a low (but legal) hit from Volunteers' defensive back Eric Gordon, whose helmet hit Lattimore directly on his right knee. The star running back's knee appeared to go limp on contact. South Carolina coaches and medical personnel rushed to the field. They were soon followed by Lattimore's teammates and even Tennessee players in giving the star back well wishes as he was carted off the field with his head covered by a towel and his right leg appearing to be enclosed in an air cast.

The injury occurred in the second quarter with the Gamecocks leading the Volunteers 21-14. South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier, stopped by ESPN sideline reporter Jenn Brown, on his way to the locker room at halftime admitted that Lattimore's injury "looked severe on the field." Moments after his teammates returned to the field following halftime, Lattimore was driven to a local hospital for further testing.

As he had virtually all season long, Lattimore (pictured above) was playing well in this game prior to the injury. He'd rushed for a game-high 70 yards on 11 carries, including South Carolina's third touchdown, a 28-yard scamper off the left side with 9:54 remaining in the half.

The 6-0, 220 pound Lattimore took the SEC by storm as a true freshman in 2010. He rushed for 1,197 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. He appeared well on his way towards duplicating that success a season ago (818 yards, 10 TDs in seven games) before suffering a torn ACL in his left knee against Mississippi State October 15, 2011.

Scouts love Lattimore's power, lateral agility and burst. Lattimore has also proven to be a reliable receiver out of the backfield, as well as a savvy and physical pass protector. These traits, along with his immediate and sustained success against elite competition, led to Dane Brugler and I consistently listing him among our 2013 mock drafts. Lattimore is the only running back I've listed on my Big Board, a ranking of the top 40 NFL prospects in college football.

Obviously, the hope is that Lattimore's injury will prove to be less serious than it appeared. Should it be a significant injury, however, Lattimore could have a tough decision ahead of him. He's already demonstrated the physical talent and work ethic to come back from one serious injury. NFL teams have shown a willingness to gamble in the first round on running backs coming off of major injuries. Willis McGahee was selected by the Buffalo Bills 23rd overall in the 2003 draft just four months after suffering severe ligament damage against Ohio State in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl. McGahee, of course, has gone on to enjoy a standout NFL career with the Bills, Baltimore Ravens and most recently with the Denver Broncos. The Detroit Lions' roll of the dice on oft-injured runner Jahvid Best with pick No. 30 in the 2010 draft is a more recent and sobering reminder that some athletes aren't quickly able to recapture their previous form.

A highly regarded prospect and young man (Lattimore was the only South Carolina underclassman to be voted a team captain this year), scouts will want to give Lattimore the benefit of the doubt. Should this injury be of the season-ending variety, however, the real decision-makers in NFL front offices will have to consider the fact that Lattimore has watched his carries (249 in 2010, 163 in 2011, 143 in 2012) and yardage (1197-818-667) drop each of his three seasons of college football.

Should Lattimore elect to leave school early, teams may have a hard time giving him the first round grade his talents clearly warrant. Unless NFL doctors found reason to believe that he would be prone to recurring injuries, it is hard to imagine the hard-running Lattimore could slip further than the second round.

If Lattimore elected to return to South Carolina for a fourth season, obviously he could recover whatever stock may have been lost with this injury. Returning would certainly be a gamble, however. A third serious injury could force some NFL teams to take the supremely talented back off their draft boards entirely.



Big Ten Backs Vying to Fill Vacuum Left by Lattimore's Injury

With Lattimore universally regarded as the top talent among the running backs potentially available in the 2013 NFL draft, his injury could make the position race one of the more intriguing story lines leading up to April.

Scouts looking for running back talent certainly had to be paying attention to the Wisconsin-Michigan State battle, featuring highly regarded senior Montee Ball for the Badgers and Le'Veon Bell, a junior, for the Spartans.

Though they play the same position, the 5-11, 215 pound Ball and 6-2, 244-pound Bell are every bit as different as their size would indicate.

Neither back was helped much in this contest as the defenses were keying in on them and the passing attacks weren't able to force safeties deep. Each, however, demonstrated unique traits that will lead to success at the next level.

While Ball struggled to start the 2012 season, he'd be running well lately, putting together a string of three consecutive 100-yard efforts, including a dominating 247-yard, three-touchdown performance October 13 against Purdue.

Today couldn't have been any different for Ball, as the 2011 Heisman finalist was held to a season-low 2.1-yard average in this contest. He often had to make defenders miss before he even got to the line of scrimmage and was occasionally very impressive in doing so. Ball has some naturally elusiveness to him that can't be taught. He has very good lateral agility, including a nice jump-cut and enough acceleration to gain yardage quickly when the holes are there.

As one might expect given his size, Bell is a much more physical runner than his conference counterpart and often forced multiple defenders to bring him to the ground. Bell isn't just a brute, however. He has better manueverability (including a natural spin move), patience and burst than he's often given credit for and, like his Wisconsin opponent, is also a true three-down back, showing good awareness and physicality in pass protection, as well as soft hands and natural route-running savvy as a receiver.

Other than the game-winning reception by Bennie Fowler in overtime, in fact, Bell caught Andrew Maxwell's most important throw of the game -- a five-yard touchdown that tied things up with 1:01 left in regulation. This particular catch was a simple one but Bell has demonstrated excellent hands in past games and scouts are intrigued by the tough matchups in the passing game he'll force if moved around by a creative NFL offensive coordinator.

Bell currently ranks as NFLDraftScout.com's No. 3 running back, behind only Lattimore and Alabama's Eddie Lacy. Ball is our No. 3-rated senior at the position, behind Clemson's Andre Ellington and Stanford's Stepfan Taylor. The Big Ten duo make up one quarter of the eight running backs NFLDraftScout.com currently has within our top 100 prospects for the 2013 draft.

Defenses Leave QBs Drunk in Outdoor Cocktail Party

As he often does, CBS color commentator Gary Danielson perfectly summarized the reason Georgia was able to stop No. 2 Florida in the latest rendition of this terrific SEC rivalry: the Bulldogs' defense controlled the edge.

Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones certainly contributed to this. Coming off groin and ankle injuries that have each caused him to miss a game this season, Jones was everywhere in this contest, constantly harrassing Gators' quarterback Jeff Driskel and forcing two fumbles.

Jones' flashy game could result in SEC Defensive Player of the Week accolades. He earned precisely this distinction, along with several others, a year ago against Florida by posting four sacks, one of the reasons why I pointed to Jones as one of the five NFL prospects I was most looking forward to scouting this weekend.

While Jones certainly deserves a great deal of credit for his game-changing plays, scouts paying attention to the battles going on in the trenches had to be impressed with the physical play from Georgia defensive linemen John Jenkins (No. 6), Garrison Smith (No. 56) and Kwame Geathers (No. 99).

Jenkins, the only senior of the trio, was as dominant as I've ever seen him. Considering his massive frame (6-3, 358), scouts know Jenkins is going to be tough to move versus the run. Rather than simply rely on his mass as a barrier to rushing lanes, however, Jenkins showed excellent use of hands, consistently ripping through his opponents' attempts to latch onto his chest plate. He showed good balance and surprisingly light feet, sliding left and right as needed to help keep contain and force Driskel and the Gators' legitimate NFL-caliber back Mike Gillislee from turning the corner cleanly. He even occasionally broke through to supply some pass rush, showing a higher-revving motor than most players of his size.

Utah's Star Lotulelei and Ohio State's Johnathan Hankins currently rank as my top two prospects in the country, regardless of position. Neither, however, has been any better on a bigger stage than Jenkins was today. Scouts have known for a while now that a unique defensive tackle class will wind up being one of the most compelling storylines of the 2013 draft -- what is becoming increasingly clear is that in Lotulelei, Hankins and Jenkins we could have three DTs wind up as top 10 picks.

Surprising Lack of Recognition from Barkley Contributes to USC Loss

When Southern Cal's Matt Barkley made the controversial decision to bypass a likely top 10 pick in the 2012 NFL draft to return for his senior season some predicted he'd live to regret it.

It wasn't difficult to understand why. While Barkley was blessed to have one of the elite pass-catching duos in the country in junior Robert Woods and sophomore Marqise Lee, Barkley would be operating without left tackle Matt Kalil protecting his back. Furthermore, scouts would get another full season to make mountains out of whatever warts the top-rated quarterback possessed.

The problem is, with Barkley, there legitimately are questions of concern. Scouts have long worried that at 6-2, 225 pounds Barkley doesn't have the size to warrant a high grade. Everything else about Barkley -- from the size of his hands to his arm strength to his lack of elite athleticism to the struggles of several high profile Trojans quarterbacks preceeding him have all been used as reasons why he might slip.

One of the few areas in which even Barkley's detractors generally acknowedge the USC product is special has been his poise. Barkley was terrific in high profile contests a year ago against Notre Dame, Stanford and Oregon (10 TDs vs two INTs combined) and had only one game (Arizona State) in which he threw multiple interceptions.

While he threw for a stagging 493 yards Saturday against the Wildcats, Barkley didn't play with the poise and recognition late in this contest that I expect of a senior quarterback and potential high round pick. He was picked off twice Saturday by the Wildcats, the third game this season he's thrown multiple interceptions (Stanford, Cal) and he still has Oregon, ASU, rival UCLA and Notre Dame left in the regular season.

It wasn't just the interceptions that will trouble scouts, however. Barkley also made a mystifying decision in the game's final seconds that all but sealed Arizona's wild comeback victory.

Down 36-39 with just :55 seconds left, Barkley appeared to be his classically calm self, hitting running back Silas Redd and Lee on quick receptions that resulted in three first downs with time left and on the Arizona 48-yard line.

Rather than make one more intermediate pass to put the Trojans in position to attempt the game-tying field goal, Barkley got greedy, pump-faking and attempting to hit Lee deep down the left sideline for the game-winner. The aggression was commendable but the pass was significantly overthrown. Worse, it left just four seconds left on the clock, forcing Barkley's final attempt to be a Hail Mary that was batted away.

Physical UW Secondary Stuns No. 7 Oregon State

The Oregon State Beavers traveled north to Seattle to take on Washington ranked the No. 7 team in the nation, largely due to their own aggressive, physical and ball-hawking defense.

The Washington defense had been anything but productive in recent weeks, getting torched for an average of 43 points a game as the Huskies dropped three in a row since upsetting then No. 8 Stanford September 27.

Using a similar game plan as the one that helped the Huskies beat the Cardinal a month ago, Washington loaded up the box against Oregon State, forcing their defensive backs into a lot of risky man coverage.

Senior cornerback Desmond Trufant has responded well to this challenge all season long, emerging as one of the top cornerbacks in the country. He's always demonstrated the same caliber of athleticism owned by his two older brothers -- Marcus and Isaiah Trufant -- each of whom currently play in the NFL (Seahawks, Jets respectively). With 29 career passes defended up (including five interceptions) heading into the season, scouts knew he had the ball skills to play in the NFL, as well.

One area in which scouts wanted to see improvement from Trufant during his senior season was in terms of his overall physicality. He certainly showed that Saturday night, recording a game-high 10 tackles (nine solos) including a three-yard tackle for loss that set the tone for Washington's second big upset at CenturyLink Field this season.

While Trufant is certainly the Huskies' top senior prospect, the physical play from junior strong safety Sean Parker may have actually played a larger role in the upset. Parker was only credited with three tackles in the game but he supplied some devastating hits, including the clean, aggressive shot that knocked out Beavers' star wideout Markus Wheaton in the second quarter and led to an interception by the Huskies' Justin Glenn.

Trufant has likely played himself into the second round with his improved consistency this season and could see a bump as the draft approaches if he works out and interviews as well as expected.

Parker's stock has also risen this season. His lack of ideal size makes it unlikely he'll want to risk leaving for the NFL early, but he certainly demonstrated the toughness and closing speed NFL scouts are looking for.

 

[Faust]

Te'o, Jones key strong LB class

Posted Oct. 28, 2012 @ 7:28 p.m. ET

By Nolan Nawrocki

Forget the scene and setting. Regardless of how big the stage, there has been one consistent theme this season for Notre Dame — the playmaking presence of standout senior LB Manti Te’o.

When the game has been on the line and the defense has needed a big stand, Te’o has found a way to spark the nation’s best defense outside of Tuscaloosa, as he did once again in a 30-13 win on the road against Oklahoma with a clutch fourth-quarter interception.

Georgia LB Jarvis Jones, who fell one sack shy of matching his career-best four-sack performance against Florida last year, was equally ubiquitous in a 17-9 win over the previously unbeaten Gators, punching the ball out of the hands of Florida junior TE Jordan Reed from behind as Reed was approaching the goal line with barely two minutes to play to preserve the win.

In an era when defenders are not considered flashy enough to garner much attention as the nation’s most outstanding player, Te’o and Jones are stating a claim to be recognized.

From an NFL talent perspective, both have immediate impact qualities, with top-10-type physical traits.

“(Jarvis) Jones is a monster,” one NFL evaluator said. “I don’t know how you account for him. I love what he can do. Te’o is a more complete player — when you talk about creating interceptions, sacks, forcing fumbles, making tackles — he does it all.”

Te’o has been very comfortable captaining the middle of the Irish “D” since he arrived but is capable of playing any position in a 4-3 front or stacking the middle of a “30” front, transcending any scheme.

With rare ability to bend the edge, Jones is a rarer commodity as a pass-rushing force. He can wreak havoc on stunts as he did against Florida looping to the inside or bursting low to the ground and leveraging the corner the way only a select few in the NFL can do.

What few will contest — they are both difference makers who have elevated the play of their defenses and carried their teams this season, rising to the occasion when it has been needed most. Kansas State’s Collin Klein and Ohio State’s Braxton Miller have quarterbacked their teams to unblemished records, but when it comes creating clutch plays, Te’o and Jones have been as good as they come.

• In easily the most gruesome injury of the season, South Carolina junior RB Marcus Lattimore suffered what appeared to be a compound fracture in his right leg when Tennessee junior CB Eric Gordon very aggressively filled low in run support from the outside to cut his legs while Vols senior LB Herman Lathers was draped on Lattimore’s back after lassoing from the inside. Lattimore was forced out of the season in the seventh game last year, when he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and surprisingly returned early this season. One of the most respected leaders on the team since he arrived as a true freshman and made an immediate impact, Lattimore is the type of player you root for. Hopefully, he will be able to return to the field in the future, with the severity of the injury appearing to be potentially career-altering.

• In a 39-36 loss to unranked Arizona, USC sophomore WR Marqise Lee racked up a Pac-12-record 345 receiving yards and scored two TDs on 16 catches, easily beating bracket coverage with sharp post patterns and twice outracing a scorched secondary across the field. Fellow teammate Robert Woods might receive more publicity, but Lee is the Trojans’ best receiver. He also piled up 123 yards on three kickoff returns.

• Had Clemson not let up on Wake Forest in a 42-13 victory, Clemson sophomore Sammy Watkins might have broken Troy Edwards’ NCAA record of 405 receiving yards in a game. Watkins (8-202-1) saw little action after racking up nearly 200 yards in the first half alone against a defense that did not have any combination of cover men capable of stopping him.

• Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert stands out most for his ability as a receiver. Against Oklahoma, he showed he was no slouch as a blocker, capably facing up Sooners S Tony Jefferson and springing junior RB Cierre Wood for a 62-yard TD. For a converted receiver labeled as being too finesse, Eifert made his presence felt as a blocker and is the nation’s top all-around TE talent.

• North Carolina redshirt sophomore RB Giovani Bernard produced the game-winning, 74-yard punt-return touchdown in the final seconds of a 43-35 win over arch-rival North Carolina State. Much credit goes to the excellent execution of the punt-return team, which for the second time this year, created a wall that allowed Bernard to return the ball up the sideline untouched. The true unsung hero in the contest was special-teams coordinator and OLB coach David Duggan, who has done an outstanding job coordinating the blocking. The biggest question facing Bernard, who has been dogged by injuries in his short career and is expected to depart early, is whether he’s tough enough to withstand an NFL pounding.

 

[cstu]

When Southern Cal's Matt Barkley made the controversial decision to bypass a likely top 10 pick in the 2012 NFL draft to return for his senior season some predicted he'd live to regret it.

 

[MAC_32]

When Southern Cal's Matt Barkley made the controversial decision to bypass a likely top 10 pick in the 2012 NFL draft to return for his senior season some predicted he'd live to regret it.

He'd have been the 3rd pick in 2012, he'll be top 2 in 2013. Don't fault him for the choice.

 

[EBF]

Barkley is completing 65.3% of his throws for 8.6 YPA with 25 TDs against 8 INTs.

In a shallow draft class, he is likely to be a top 10 pick.

I think when all is said and done he'll go in about the same spot he would've last year. Somewhere between 5-10. Maybe higher if a second team in the top 2-3 really needs a QB and Smith is gone. Remember that teams will always take a chance on a QB.

 

[Max Power]

When Southern Cal's Matt Barkley made the controversial decision to bypass a likely top 10 pick in the 2012 NFL draft to return for his senior season some predicted he'd live to regret it.

He'd have been the 3rd pick in 2012, he'll be top 2 in 2013. Don't fault him for the choice.

Basically whenever Kansas City picks

 

[Faust]

N.C. State quarterback Mike Glennon set to climb draft boards

By Bucky Brooks

Analyst, NFL.com and NFL Network

Mike Glennon might be the best quarterback available in the 2013 NFL Draft.

I know that statement will certainly take some by surprise, considering the endless hype and speculation surrounding West Virginia's Geno Smith and USC's Matt Barkley, but there is a growing sentiment in the NFL scouting community that the N.C. State star could be the crown jewel of this year's quarterback class.

I had heard about Glennon's ascension up draft boards across the league over the past few weeks, but it wasn't until I made a trip to North Carolina to study him in person on Saturday that I could see what all the commotion was about. Glennon's masterful performance in a 43-35 loss to North Carolina made the visit well worth the trouble.

Glennon completed 29 of 52 passes for 467 yards, throwing five touchdowns and two interceptions. Those numbers might not be impressive at first glance, but when one considers the 10 passes dropped by Wolfpack receivers, it becomes clear that the stat sheet wasn't indicative of Glennon's efficient play from the pocket. Glennon connected on 20 of his first 29 passes and finished the night with five completions of 30-plus yards. Most impressively, he hit 10 different receivers and showed his capacity to make every throw in the book from the pocket.

Charting Glennon's throws, I noticed that while he worked every area of the field, he was particularly effective in the 10-to 15-yard void between the hashes, repeatedly hitting receivers on the move on an assortment of crossing routes and square-ins over the middle. Although the over/under read is a fairly simple one, the fact that Glennon wasn't afraid to throw between linebackers speaks volumes about his anticipation and awareness.

I noticed three additional aspects of Glennon's game that will stand out when NFL scouts pop in the tape:

1. Arm talent. Glennon is one of the most impressive throwers in college football. He has rare arm strength, and his ability to make all of the throws to every area of the field with zip and velocity makes him an ideal fit for most traditional pro-style systems. While watching him work against the Tar Heels, I was blown away by the pace of his balls. Glennon unleashes laser-like tosses on out-breaking routes; he will not have any issues throwing the deep comeback to the far side of the field from the pocket. When given the opportunity to attack down the field on vertical routes, Glennon displayed excellent accuracy and touch. He routinely dropped the ball in over the receiver's proper shoulder, and he rarely forced his receivers to alter their stride. This will certainly catch the attention of scouts and coaches who favor offensive systems built on the vertical passing game; it could be what separates Glennon from the other prospects leading up the draft.

2. Pocket presence. Glennon is not an athletic playmaker, and he can't defeat defenses with his feet. He can, however, punish opponents with his precise passing skills. When given ample time to throw from a clean pocket, Glennon looked like a potential Pro Bowl-caliber player, delivering pinpoint throws to his intended targets and displaying the kind of consistent placement one would expect from an elite signal-caller. His accuracy and ball placement, in fact, ranked as definite bright spots in his overall performance. Though he showed outstanding poise against pressure, he simply lacked the elusiveness to avoid multiple rushers in the pocket, taking five sacks that a better athlete might have avoided. To succeed against blitz-heavy tactics as a pro, he'll need to develop a top-notch feel for deciphering coverage, particularly blitz pressure, and utilize hot reads/sight adjustments to exploit the defense's vulnerabilities. Glennon certainly appears to have the football IQ necessary for grasping and executing that concept after spending four years playing within a pro-style system at N.C. State, but he'll need additional coaching and repetitions to master the nuances of the tactic.

3. Leadership. One of the traits most coveted by scouts and coaches searching for a franchise quarterback is leadership ability. Elite quarterbacks must be able to inspire confidence in their teammates with their poise and performance under pressure. They must also outwork everyone in the building, putting in the time to master the nuances of the offense. Glennon exhibited all of those qualities with his strong performance against the Tar Heels. He rallied the Wolfpack back from an 18-point deficit, making a host of big plays to energize his sideline. Most importantly, he didn't give up on his teammates despite the countless miscues and blunders they made in the passing game. He kept his body language positive and his interactions in the huddle encouraging. Though N.C. State lost, Glennon showed all of the intangible qualities one looks for in a quarterback, likely boosting his value in the minds of evaluators.

Glennon is currently a borderline first-round pick on draft boards across the NFL, but the buzz circulating in the scouting community leads me to believe he'll make a dramatic jump up the charts as the evaluation process continues. At this stage of his development, Glennon reminds me of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco; I can see a team falling in love with his talent when he works out in front of scouts at all-star games and other pre-draft workouts. With at least four more games to showcase his immense talent and potential, Glennon is definitely a prospect to watch over the next few months.

WORD ON THE STREET

Fans of the Pacific-12 will take umbrage with this assessment, but some NFL evaluators believe Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins are the best one-two receiving punch in college football. One high-ranking AFC East scout raved about the duo's "explosiveness," talking about how their games complement each other. He was impressed with Hopkins' combination of size, speed and hands, and lauded Watkins' home-run ability. When asked to rank the two, the scout favored Watkins for his big-play ability, but also said he believes Hopkins has all of the tools to be an effective playmaker at the next level. It must be noted that this conversation did occur hours before USC's Marqise Lee posted 345 receiving yards and two scores against Arizona. But I think it still speaks volumes about how some NFL scouts view the Clemson duo when compared to other dynamic tandems around the country.

STOCK UP

Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

Jones is regarded as the top pass rusher in college football by many evaluators, and he certainly cemented that sentiment with his dominant performance against Florida. Jones finished Saturday with 13 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles, displaying a relentless motor that overwhelms blockers on the edge. For the second straight year, Jones single-handedly dominated the Gators as a disruptive pass rusher (he recorded four sacks against them in 2011) and provided NFL evaluators with a glimpse of his potential as a future pro. After spending another season refining his skills against SEC competition, Jones figures to be the undisputed top defender in the 2014 class.

Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina

Bernard has blossomed into one of college football's most explosive multi-purpose threats this season. He has amassed 1,249 total yards from scrimmage with 13 combined scores, adding 249 yards on 12 punt returns and two touchdowns in seven games. While those numbers are certainly impressive, it was his sensational showing against N.C. State that will have NFL evaluators salivating over his potential as a dynamic weapon at the next level. Bernard rushed for 135 yards on 23 attempts with two touchdowns and added 95 receiving yards on eight catches. Most impressively, he returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown with just 13 seconds remaining while nursing a bum ankle. Given the changing job description of the NFL running back, Bernard's ability to contribute as a versatile playmaker will make him one of the top prospects in the 2014 class.

Marqise Lee, WR, USC

It's time to recognize Lee as the best receiver in the Pac 12. The sensational sophomore has been a dominant playmaker for the Trojans since his arrival last year, and few defenders can match his unique combination of speed, athleticism and burst. This was apparent during Lee's 16-catch, 345-yard performance against Arizona on Saturday. He repeatedly ran past Wildcat defenders on vertical routes and also displayed the ability to turn short passes into big gains. Lee converted a simple square-in route into a 49-yard catch-and-run touchdown, then repeated the feat later in the game, grabbing a slant and avoiding multiple defenders on the way to a 44-yard score. Most importantly, both plays occurred on third down, showcasing Lee's ability to deliver key plays in pivotal moments.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

Celebrated as college football's most explosive playmaker prior to the season, Watkins had been relatively quiet for the Tigers through the first half of 2012. After missing three games due to a suspension and illness, he entered Saturday's matchup with just 24 receptions for 202 yards in four games, having looked nothing like the dynamic pass catcher who torched the ACC for 1,219 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns last season. However, that all changed with his eight-catch, 202-yard performance against Wake Forest. Watkins blew past the Demon Deacons on an assortment of vertical routes that showcased his remarkable speed and burst. Watkins also flashed his exceptional running skills on a 61-yard catch-and-run touchdown, eluding three defenders in a tight area down the sideline. It's only right that Watkins should finally make an appearance on this list after topping the 100-yard mark for the first time this season.

STOCK DOWN

Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia

The Bulldogs are back on top of the SEC East, but Murray's suspect performance against Florida nearly cost them a shot at the crown. Murray connected on just 12 of 24 passes for 150 yards, tossing one touchdown and three interceptions. Although Murray put the game away with a 45-yard touchdown to Malcolm Mitchell in the fourth quarter, he'd been largely ineffective to that point, keeping the Bulldogs from seizing control in the early going.

Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon State

Mannion admirably returned to the Beavers' starting lineup after missing two games with a knee injury, but he failed to bring his 'A' game with him. The super sophomore tossed four interceptions in a 20-17 loss to Washington, and failed to make critical, drive-sustaining plays with the game on the line. Although Mannion completed 18 of 34 passes for 221 yards with one touchdown, he looked hesitant and uncertain in the pocket, and made errant throws to open receivers down the field. Mannion's inconsistent play kept the Beavers from generating an offensive rhythm against the Huskies; their first loss of the season should fall squarely on the quarterback's shoulders.

Conner Vernon, WR, Duke

Vernon had just 12 receiving yards on three receptions and was a non-factor in Duke's 48-7 loss to Florida State on Saturday. The limited production was a surprising development for a player who'd entered the game on the verge of eclipsing the ACC record for career receiving yards (Florida State's Peter Warrick amassed 3,517 yards between 1996 and 1999) while pacing the Blue Devils with 51 receptions for 749 yards this season. Against the Seminoles, however, Vernon was unable to shatter the conference record, failing to get open consistently or make a significant impact on the game despite being the focal point of the Blue Devils' passing attack.

 

[JAA]

Damn. That was a brutal injury. Really hope he recovers. He was so close to NFL money. Feel horrible for him.

Having said that, Gio Bernard with another huge game. Over 200 yard rushing and receiving. And another two TDs. I gotta think he's leading the charge for top RB in 2013 right now, right?

That's what I've been thinking as well. He also had a game winning 70 yard punt return with under 30 seconds left in the game; he's just been phenomenally productive this season in all facets. EBF's probably right in that the combine will be pretty important for him, as he's pretty small and doesn't look incredibly fast. I really like his production in the passing game, it's not very common for college RB's to have 30+ receptions in their season, and he's well on pace for 45+ in his 2nd straight season; he also appears to be a pretty capable pass blocker despite his size.

How does he compare to Tavon Austin?

 

[Time Kibitzer]

I'd be pretty shocked to see Mike Glennon go in the first, he has bust written all over him if that happens. Having a strong arm is great and all, but when you have a terrible CMP%, mediocre at best YPA, and take lots of sacks, it doesn't really matter.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Damn. That was a brutal injury. Really hope he recovers. He was so close to NFL money. Feel horrible for him.

Having said that, Gio Bernard with another huge game. Over 200 yard rushing and receiving. And another two TDs. I gotta think he's leading the charge for top RB in 2013 right now, right?

That's what I've been thinking as well. He also had a game winning 70 yard punt return with under 30 seconds left in the game; he's just been phenomenally productive this season in all facets. EBF's probably right in that the combine will be pretty important for him, as he's pretty small and doesn't look incredibly fast. I really like his production in the passing game, it's not very common for college RB's to have 30+ receptions in their season, and he's well on pace for 45+ in his 2nd straight season; he also appears to be a pretty capable pass blocker despite his size.

How does he compare to Tavon Austin?

In what way? One's a RB and the other a WR..

 

[Faust]

Risers and Fallers - Dane Brugler -- (Updated 10/29/2012)

 

[Faust]

Spurrier: Lattimore will be back

By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier delivered some positive news on Monday to an on-campus crowd that gathered to celebrate Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore, who suffered a devastating right knee injury on Saturday.

“The message he gave me was, ‘I'll be back,'” Spurrier said. “So he's coming back.”

A crowd consisting of 1,000-plus South Carolina fans gathered to show support for Lattimore's recovery and celebrate his 21st birthday, not expecting news about his future.

“This is not a memorial service,” Spurrier said. “This is a happy birthday to Marcus and an appreciation for everything he's done and is going to do for South Carolina.”

Several from around the SEC and the nation have reached out in support of Lattimore as he begins an uphill rehabilitation process. Added Spurrier: “I told somebody, he might be the most popular Gamecock player ever.”

The junior running back, who spent most of the last year rehabbing from a left knee injury, dislocated his right knee and sustained injuries to “several ligaments” against Tennessee, according to team physician Dr. Jeffrey Guy. Lattimore was ranked as NFLDraftScout's No. 1 ranked running back for the 2013 NFL Draft and projected first round pick if he decided to leave South Carolina after this season. But the injury has put his football future in jeopardy, making it impossible to accurately predict his current draft value.

Obviously nothing is set in stone and Lattimore still has until mid-January to make any final decisions on whether or not to go pro, but for now it appears he's staying in Columbia, S.C. Historically, the running back position at the next level has a shorter shelf-life and with two demoralizing knee injuries, few would blame Lattimore if he wanted to make the jump to the NFL now. But it sounds as if he still feels some unfinished business at the college level.

 

[MAC_32]

I'd be pretty shocked to see Mike Glennon go in the first, he has bust written all over him if that happens. Having a strong arm is great and all, but when you have a terrible CMP%, mediocre at best YPA, and take lots of sacks, it doesn't really matter.

I don't think he's very strong in the pocket either, which is especially important for a statue like him. Doesn't sense the rush well, doesn't push it forward, flat feet, doesn't seem to throw well when the pocket is squeezed. Not a fan.

 

[cstu]

Spurrier: Lattimore will be back

By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier delivered some positive news on Monday to an on-campus crowd that gathered to celebrate Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore, who suffered a devastating right knee injury on Saturday.

“The message he gave me was, ‘I'll be back,'” Spurrier said. “So he's coming back.”

A crowd consisting of 1,000-plus South Carolina fans gathered to show support for Lattimore's recovery and celebrate his 21st birthday, not expecting news about his future.

“This is not a memorial service,” Spurrier said. “This is a happy birthday to Marcus and an appreciation for everything he's done and is going to do for South Carolina.”

Several from around the SEC and the nation have reached out in support of Lattimore as he begins an uphill rehabilitation process. Added Spurrier: “I told somebody, he might be the most popular Gamecock player ever.”

The junior running back, who spent most of the last year rehabbing from a left knee injury, dislocated his right knee and sustained injuries to “several ligaments” against Tennessee, according to team physician Dr. Jeffrey Guy. Lattimore was ranked as NFLDraftScout's No. 1 ranked running back for the 2013 NFL Draft and projected first round pick if he decided to leave South Carolina after this season. But the injury has put his football future in jeopardy, making it impossible to accurately predict his current draft value.

Obviously nothing is set in stone and Lattimore still has until mid-January to make any final decisions on whether or not to go pro, but for now it appears he's staying in Columbia, S.C. Historically, the running back position at the next level has a shorter shelf-life and with two demoralizing knee injuries, few would blame Lattimore if he wanted to make the jump to the NFL now. But it sounds as if he still feels some unfinished business at the college level.

True, there's still some ligaments he hasn't torn yet. Go pro, Marcus.

 

[lsutigers]

True, there's still some ligaments he hasn't torn yet. Go pro, Marcus.

The McGahee deal was a once in a lifetime deal where a team was so RB hungry, they were willing to take a chance and it panned out. Remember how stupid everyone thought Buffalo was? And they had to redshirt him a year.What has Lattimore done against decent to good D's? Not much.2012 - LSU 13 for 352012 - Florida 3 for 132011 - Miss St. 17 for 392011 - Georgia 27 for 176 (good game)2010 - Georgia 37 for 182 (good game)2010 - Auburn 14 for 332010 - Alabama 23 for 932010 - Arkansas 11 for 302010 - Florida 40 for 212 (great game)2010 - Southern Miss 14 for 54It's not like he has McGahee's proven collegiate track record, now with seasons 2 and 3 ending in injury. He needs to come back and show he's capable of putting together a season full of games. Especially since the general consensus is he won't even be able to walk without a limp.

 

[Faust]

Tide's McCarron takes 'game manager' role to new level

By Dennis Dodd | Senior College Football Columnist

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- For all the excellence that oozes from this place, there is no sign, plaque, trophy or museum labeling Alabama "Home of the Game Manager."

The term typically refers to a limited quarterback with limited skills in a limited offense. The Don't-Screw-It-Up Guy. You see them all over these days, but the argument can be made that the term and all it implies took root here under Nick Saban. The system quarterback perfected, if not invented.

John Parker Wilson. Greg McElroy. AJ McCarron. Two of them have national championship rings. Wilson owned the school's single-season record for touchdowns (18) until he was surpassed by McElroy (20) and tied this season by the current GM, McCarron.

Those accomplishments kind of rub against the label. If this were the corporate world, the label "game manager" would be the equivalent of getting that promotion without a raise. Translated to the club scene, the job title wouldn't impress the ladies -- ranking somewhere between mall security guard and executive assistant.

"To me, you can't be a good quarterback unless you are a good game manager," Saban said this week during the run-up for the LSU game. "I don't think it's fair to AJ because I've said he's a really good game manager for us. ... It's like, that means he doesn't do anything. He does everything. I don't think you can be a good quarterback unless you are a really good game manager. That's the ultimate compliment to me."

McCarron just happens to be the latest in the line of these mall cops, er, game managers. Time will tell if he is the best here in recent years, but his consistency has been mind-numbing. That, it should be noted, is a compliment. McCarron is one of only two quarterbacks in the country -- in the top 100 as rated by the NCAA -- who has yet to throw an interception. Just last week he ascended to No. 1 in pass efficiency, the mathematical formula that takes into account accuracy, production and turnovers.

McCarron hasn't committed one in his last 262 throws, the second-highest streak in SEC history. His name is starting to show up on Heisman lists. In a program that prides itself on being the People's Socialist Republic of Saban, there had to be some star power. Mark Ingram won the 2009 Heisman. Trent Richardson finished third in the voting last season.

"Even if he does throw a few picks, it's not the end of the world," center Barrett Jones said of his quarterback. "I just think he's more than a game manager. He's making so many plays right now."

We knew this was possible since at least Jan. 9. That night, the wraps were taken off McCarron to a degree. His downfield passing, particularly on first down, kept LSU off balance in the BCS title game. McCarron started eight drives with passes that night, completing six for 95 yards

"AJ kind of came in [to the program], he was a slinger now," said the man who ran the offense that night.

Jim McElwain was the Tide's offensive coordinator who may have hit the pinnacle of his career in the Superdome. Immediately after guiding McCarron to a 234-yard performance, he jumped on a private plane bound for Colorado State. McElwain is 2-6 in his first season as the Rams' head coach.

"AJ had a great arm but didn't quite understand the importance of taking care of the ball and studying the game plan," McElwain said. "[in that game] he knew it inside and out. I still haven't seen the game, [but] it looked like everything was in slow motion for him."

The process of changing a slinger into something more productive was the hardest task. McElroy's arm strength was shaped into the game plan. McElwain and new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier were able to use the whole field with McCarron's throws.

"There wasn't a deep ball he never liked," McElwain said. "It was like a shooter in basketball. He never met a shot he didn't like. I can't tell you how much he grew up."

That doesn't change what happened a year ago in Game of the Century I. In a stultifying offensive display, neither team could get in the end zone. LSU won 9-6 in overtime essentially because it was less bad on offense. McCarron led the Tide offense inside the LSU red zone once, Alabama kickers missed four field goals, and there's your ballgame.

Given a second chance in the rematch, McCarron's blossoming may have been the difference. He hit seven different receivers in that 21-0 win.

"Coach Mac always told me, 'Take what the defense gives you, they'll eventually give you the game,' " McCarron said.

In a league where quarterback play in general doesn't stand out -- to be polite -- McCarron does. Perhaps the SEC's best NFL quarterback prospect, Tyler Wilson, plays for disappointing Arkansas, his season rocked early by a concussion.

Florida's Jeff Driskel and Georgia's Aaron Murray combined for seven turnovers Saturday in the Cocktail Party. Take away McCarron's 18-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio and the rest of the league pales. The 13 other SEC teams have a combined 1.85-1 TD-to-interception ratio.

LSU's Zach Mettenberger, expected to be an upgrade this season for the Tigers, has been a disappointment. One guess as to who Alabama's D is going to single out and try to make a thrower on Saturday night. Sometimes it's a small victory in this league to stay upright. Bama Nation freaked when McCarron went down in the sixth game at Missouri. What turned out to be a bruised knee had the Tide's composed, rational fans back home (#sarcasm)ready to hurl themselves off the top deck of Bryant-Denny.

The quarterbacks behind McCarron -- Phillip Ely and Blake Sims -- have thrown a total of seven passes this season. This week McCarron is nursing a bruised back.

Jones is reluctant to go into detail, but it's the things we don't see that make the fourth-year junior from Mobile, Ala., so effective. McCarron has free reign to change plays at the line. Run-to-run, pass-to-run, run-to-pass.

"We do that [change plays] quite a bit,'' said Jones, who has to make all the line calls. "AJ and I are constantly talking."

The rebuttal might be that it's easy playing behind what might be the best offensive line in the country. The opposite would be a guy throwing it to the other team, at receivers' feet and fumbling handoffs.

Saban said, "We have an old saying that I'm sure our fans don't like this either: 'If every offensive series ends with a kick, whether it's a punt, a field goal or an extra point, that's pretty good -- could be worse."

Bland game managers usually don't have McCarron's interesting ink. There is a tat on each wrist that reads "Truly Blessed." A tattoo on his chest is splashed with the words "Bama Boy," an image of Jesus, a dove and the names of his stepbrothers.

McCarron is truly blessed. A wave runner accident when he was 4 led doctors to tell his mother that he might lose an eye and/or have brain damage. The kid came through it with even stronger love for wave runners.

"I own the fastest one Yamaha makes right now. It tops out at 89," McCarron said before January's national championship game. "My mom doesn't like me talking about it, period, but I'm crazy on them."

Alabama tradition seems to dictate this is the way it's going to be. The most passes Joe Namath threw in a season under Bear Bryant was 145. Ken Stabler threw 178 in 1967. Jay Barker won a national championship in 1992 throwing more interceptions than touchdowns.

Different times, different coaches, different schemes. All they care about here is the ring McElroy left with and a second one McCarron can win. It was about 13 months ago that AJ locked down the full-time job. It was after a Penn State game last year we learned that it's "AJ" without periods. Mother DeeDee Bonner just happened to prefer it that way for Raymond Anthony McCarron Jr.

It's hard to imagine DeeDee's boy -- 20-1 as a starter -- turning pro after this season, but it's not hard projecting McCarron as an NFL quarterback one day.

And if that happens it will be confirmed: Someone will be convinced an Alabama game manager is a pro difference maker.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

True, there's still some ligaments he hasn't torn yet. Go pro, Marcus.

The McGahee deal was a once in a lifetime deal where a team was so RB hungry, they were willing to take a chance and it panned out. Remember how stupid everyone thought Buffalo was? And they had to redshirt him a year.What has Lattimore done against decent to good D's? Not much.

2012 - LSU 13 for 35

2012 - Florida 3 for 13

2011 - Miss St. 17 for 39

2011 - Georgia 27 for 176 (good game)

2010 - Georgia 37 for 182 (good game)

2010 - Auburn 14 for 33

2010 - Alabama 23 for 93

2010 - Arkansas 11 for 30

2010 - Florida 40 for 212 (great game)

2010 - Southern Miss 14 for 54

It's not like he has McGahee's proven collegiate track record, now with seasons 2 and 3 ending in injury. He needs to come back and show he's capable of putting together a season full of games. Especially since the general consensus is he won't even be able to walk without a limp.

That's just because the Bills spent a 1st rounder on him which was incredibly risky; I don't think anyone would have batted an eye if the Bills drafted him in the middle or later rounds.

 

[paytonsdaman]

True, there's still some ligaments he hasn't torn yet. Go pro, Marcus.

The McGahee deal was a once in a lifetime deal where a team was so RB hungry, they were willing to take a chance and it panned out. Remember how stupid everyone thought Buffalo was? And they had to redshirt him a year.What has Lattimore done against decent to good D's? Not much.

2012 - LSU 13 for 35

2012 - Florida 3 for 13

2011 - Miss St. 17 for 39

2011 - Georgia 27 for 176 (good game)

2010 - Georgia 37 for 182 (good game)

2010 - Auburn 14 for 33

2010 - Alabama 23 for 93

2010 - Arkansas 11 for 30

2010 - Florida 40 for 212 (great game)

2010 - Southern Miss 14 for 54

It's not like he has McGahee's proven collegiate track record, now with seasons 2 and 3 ending in injury. He needs to come back and show he's capable of putting together a season full of games. Especially since the general consensus is he won't even be able to walk without a limp.

That's just because the Bills spent a 1st rounder on him which was incredibly risky; I don't think anyone would have batted an eye if the Bills drafted him in the middle or later rounds.

They chose him because that was one of the weakest draft classes at RB all time. RD SEL # PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL TEAM

1 23 Willis McGahee RB Miami (Fla.) Buffalo Bills

1 27 Larry Johnson RB Penn State Kansas City Chiefs

3 77 Musa Smith RB Georgia Baltimore Ravens

3 85 B.J. Askew FB Michigan New York Jets

3 93 Chris Brown RB Colorado Tennessee Titans

3 96 Justin Fargas RB USC Oakland Raiders

 

[Time Kibitzer]

True, there's still some ligaments he hasn't torn yet. Go pro, Marcus.

The McGahee deal was a once in a lifetime deal where a team was so RB hungry, they were willing to take a chance and it panned out. Remember how stupid everyone thought Buffalo was? And they had to redshirt him a year.What has Lattimore done against decent to good D's? Not much.

2012 - LSU 13 for 35

2012 - Florida 3 for 13

2011 - Miss St. 17 for 39

2011 - Georgia 27 for 176 (good game)

2010 - Georgia 37 for 182 (good game)

2010 - Auburn 14 for 33

2010 - Alabama 23 for 93

2010 - Arkansas 11 for 30

2010 - Florida 40 for 212 (great game)

2010 - Southern Miss 14 for 54

It's not like he has McGahee's proven collegiate track record, now with seasons 2 and 3 ending in injury. He needs to come back and show he's capable of putting together a season full of games. Especially since the general consensus is he won't even be able to walk without a limp.

That's just because the Bills spent a 1st rounder on him which was incredibly risky; I don't think anyone would have batted an eye if the Bills drafted him in the middle or later rounds.

They chose him because that was one of the weakest draft classes at RB all time. RD SEL # PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL TEAM

1 23 Willis McGahee RB Miami (Fla.) Buffalo Bills

1 27 Larry Johnson RB Penn State Kansas City Chiefs

3 77 Musa Smith RB Georgia Baltimore Ravens

3 85 B.J. Askew FB Michigan New York Jets

3 93 Chris Brown RB Colorado Tennessee Titans

3 96 Justin Fargas RB USC Oakland Raiders

I'm not postulating on why the Bills chose him, I'm just saying the fact that McGahee was drafted at all wouldn't have been surprising if he was taken in the 3rd round or later. Even if Lattimore declares at the end of this year, I still think he'd get drafted in the late rounds.

 

[paytonsdaman]

True, there's still some ligaments he hasn't torn yet. Go pro, Marcus.

The McGahee deal was a once in a lifetime deal where a team was so RB hungry, they were willing to take a chance and it panned out. Remember how stupid everyone thought Buffalo was? And they had to redshirt him a year.What has Lattimore done against decent to good D's? Not much.

2012 - LSU 13 for 35

2012 - Florida 3 for 13

2011 - Miss St. 17 for 39

2011 - Georgia 27 for 176 (good game)

2010 - Georgia 37 for 182 (good game)

2010 - Auburn 14 for 33

2010 - Alabama 23 for 93

2010 - Arkansas 11 for 30

2010 - Florida 40 for 212 (great game)

2010 - Southern Miss 14 for 54

It's not like he has McGahee's proven collegiate track record, now with seasons 2 and 3 ending in injury. He needs to come back and show he's capable of putting together a season full of games. Especially since the general consensus is he won't even be able to walk without a limp.

That's just because the Bills spent a 1st rounder on him which was incredibly risky; I don't think anyone would have batted an eye if the Bills drafted him in the middle or later rounds.

They chose him because that was one of the weakest draft classes at RB all time. RD SEL # PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL TEAM

1 23 Willis McGahee RB Miami (Fla.) Buffalo Bills

1 27 Larry Johnson RB Penn State Kansas City Chiefs

3 77 Musa Smith RB Georgia Baltimore Ravens

3 85 B.J. Askew FB Michigan New York Jets

3 93 Chris Brown RB Colorado Tennessee Titans

3 96 Justin Fargas RB USC Oakland Raiders

I'm not postulating on why the Bills chose him, I'm just saying the fact that McGahee was drafted at all wouldn't have been surprising if he was taken in the 3rd round or later. Even if Lattimore declares at the end of this year, I still think he'd get drafted in the late rounds.

He had a 2nd round rating even after the injury. He may have not been available for the Bills next pick. I don't believe you can compare the 2 injuries or players for that matter.http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/players.php?genpos=RB&draftyear=2003&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

 

[EBF]

Lattimore is no McGahee. He wouldn't have been in the running for best RB in a typical draft class. Just happened to be the de facto #1 this year because the group is so weak at the top. I feel bad for him because he might never get that NFL paycheck, but at least he has the option of staying in school, getting a degree, and maybe proving himself for a future draft.

 

[moderated]

There are no players worth a top 3 rookie pick. The depth looks ok, but no elite prospects.

The RB class might be the worst I've seen in a long time. It's possible none get drafted in the top 2 rounds.

As bad as the FF RB landscape looks now it won't be improving next year.

 

[EBF]

I still think Keenan Allen, Justin Hunter, Marcus Davis, and Robert Woods can be first round picks.

There's nothing in that bunch that I'd want to spend the 1.01 rookie pick on, but I guess it could be worse for PPR purposes.

 

[BigTex]

I still think Keenan Allen, Justin Hunter, Marcus Davis, and Robert Woods can be first round picks.

There's nothing in that bunch that I'd want to spend the 1.01 rookie pick on, but I guess it could be worse for PPR purposes.

Agreed, I've watched several dozen games at this point and the Jrs are going to decide on how this draft is going to shape up but that's no different from the past years.

 

[wiscstlatlmia]

"Keenan Allen hurt Badly"

http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/cfb/21876/nfl-draft-headlines?r=1

What in Sam hill is going on with this draft class

 

[Concept Coop]

True, there's still some ligaments he hasn't torn yet. Go pro, Marcus.

The McGahee deal was a once in a lifetime deal where a team was so RB hungry, they were willing to take a chance and it panned out. Remember how stupid everyone thought Buffalo was? And they had to redshirt him a year.What has Lattimore done against decent to good D's? Not much.2012 - LSU 13 for 352012 - Florida 3 for 132011 - Miss St. 17 for 392011 - Georgia 27 for 176 (good game)2010 - Georgia 37 for 182 (good game)2010 - Auburn 14 for 332010 - Alabama 23 for 932010 - Arkansas 11 for 302010 - Florida 40 for 212 (great game)2010 - Southern Miss 14 for 54It's not like he has McGahee's proven collegiate track record, now with seasons 2 and 3 ending in injury. He needs to come back and show he's capable of putting together a season full of games. Especially since the general consensus is he won't even be able to walk without a limp.

He does have a proven track record, and would have been a 1st round pick even after the first major injury. You can pick and chose numbers to make almost anyone in the SEC look bad. Especially when you include games in which he was much less than 100%. And 93 on 23 is a great game against that Bama D.