After a massively disappointing 3-9 season in 2011, the hopes were not high for the Oregon State Beavers football team coming into this year. The defense couldn't stop much of anyone, especially on the ground, and the team suffered an embarrassing season-opening home loss to Football Championship Subdivision Sacramento State which set the tone for their entire season. The Beavers were picked to finish last in the Pac-12 North, and many (including myself) would have been pleased enough to see the team become bowl eligible.
Fast forward to the end of October, and the 7th-ranked Beavers are 6-0, and the much-maligned defense has turned into one of the nation's best, allowing just 16.5 points (17th in nation), 80.8 yards per game rushing (5th) and 2.9 yards per carry (t-9th). Senior cornerback Jordan Poyer is second in the nation with five of Oregon State's 12 interceptions (t-3rd), while sophomore defensive end Scott Crichton has eight sacks (t-5th nationally).
The offense is also much improved, as the return of redshirt junior tackle Michael Phillip has improved the pass protection. Sophomore quarterback Sean Mannion has been the main beneficiary, as he's averaged 339.5 yards per game through the air, with seven touchdown passes against four interceptions in four games. The receiving duo of senior Markus Wheaton (48 receptions, 654 yards, 6 touchdowns) and sophomore Brandin Cooks (35-667-2) are one of two receiving tandems in all of the FBS to average 100+ receiving yards per game, and would become the first Beavers duo to crack 1,000 yards in the same season since James Newson and Mike Hass accomplished that in 2003.
It's not as though the Beavers have played a particularly soft schedule, as they have a over then #13 Wisconsin (currently 6-2 and ranked 25th), as well as three road wins against UCLA (5-2), Arizona (4-3) and Brigham Young (4-4). Perhaps the most impressive win out of those three is BYU, as the 18-point win was a bigger margin than their other three losses combined (3 points at Utah, 1 point at Boise State and 3 points at #5 Notre Dame).
The team doesn't have an easy schedule leading up to their Pac-12 regular season finale against the Ducks, as they play a scrappy Washington team today, and have a tough road contest against #17 Stanford sandwiched by home games against Arizona State and California. The good news for Beaver fans is that the team is mentally tough, which is likely due to the number of true freshmen and first-time starters who played during their trying 2011 campaign. Mike Riley has also done a great job of keeping his players focused, as the Beavers have done a great job of dealing with adversity, including winning two games with backup quarterback Cody Vaz after Mannion had to recover from a knee procedure (including their road win over BYU).
While the Beavers could potentially still drop a game or two on their way to the Civil War, the one season turnaround has been a welcome sight for supporters of this football team, and proves to those who doubted Mike Riley (including me) that he's still the right man for this program. Despite the almost constant rain here in the Pacific Northwest, the present and future for the Oregon State football team is once again bright.
Showing posts with label College Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label College Football. Show all posts
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
2012 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
With 30 of the 32 teams draft positions now determined and the early entrant deadline has passed, now is a good time to unveil the second edition of my 2012 Mock Draft.
1. Indianapolis Colts - QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
With longtime franchise cornerstone Peyton Manning's health still in question after missing the entire 2011 season, the odds that owner Jim Irsay will pay Manning his $28 million roster bonus seems more unlikely by the day. After a front office purging that included Bill and Chris Polian, as well as head coach Jim Caldwell, it appears as though the Colts may enter full-fledged rebuilding mode. Luck is as low-risk a quarterback prospect you can possibly hope for, and should be able to start immediately should Manning not return to Indy.
2. St. Louis Rams - OT Matt Kalil, Southern California
The Rams pass protection was simply awful this year, as St. Louis quarterbacks were sacked a league-worst 55 times. 2009 first round pick Jason Smith has not been able to stay healthy, has struggled in pass protection when healthy, and the staff could look at moving him inside to play guard. The team also could use another pass-catching weapon, especially if Brandon Lloyd departs via free agency.
3. Minnesota Vikings - CB Morris Claiborne, LSU
Vikings defenders intercepted just eight passes all season despite having a very good pass rush. Claiborne has very good measureables, as well as fluid hips and solid ball skills that should make him a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback in a couple of years. My gut tells me that the Vikings trade down from here, but if they do stay, Claiborne should be the pick.
4. Cleveland Browns - RB Trent Richardson, Alabama
Despite more teams employing two-back systems, Richardson is the best running back prospect of the past couple of years. Fast enough to break long runs, Richardson also has solid hands as a receiver, and is very good in pass protection as well. With Peyton Hillis likely done in Cleveland, this pick should be a no-brainer for Mike Holmgren.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - S Mark Barron, Alabama
The Bucs defense was atrocious this past season, and allowed a league-worst 156.1 yards/game on the ground. While Barron may only have average ball skills, he's a physically gifted, well-coached safety that is very strong in run support.
6. Washington Redskins - QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor
Mike Shanahan loves physically gifted quarterbacks, and everyone knows neither Rex Grossman or John Beck are not starting-caliber quarterbacks. The Heisman winner has shown improved mechanics, as well as a strong arm that is capable of throwing with touch when necessary. I'd expect him to start under center in week one.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
Jacksonville averaged a league-worst 136.2 yards per game passing this past season with rookie Blaine Gabbert under center. While Gabbert struggled to make reads and often had to check down due to pressure, he didn't really have a true #1 receiving option. Blackmon likely won't have the eye-popping Combine numbers that Calvin Johnson did, he's a solid route-runner that's physical enough to beat press coverage and is fast enough to be a yards-after-catch monster.
8. Carolina Panthers - OT Riley Reiff, Iowa
The Panthers offense was very good this past season, but undrafted rookie Byron Bell was forced into 12 starts this season at right tackle. While Bell wasn't terrible, Reiff is a safe pick that does a good job of anchoring against the bull rush, and has good footwork in pass protection, as all of Kirk Ferentz's offensive lineman seem to be.
9. Miami Dolphins - OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford
New head coach Joe Philbin comes over from the Packers, and will likely bring both his spread offense and QB Matt Flynn from Green Bay. In order to have success in that offense, they'll need to improve their pass blocking, which yielded 52 sacks this past season. While Martin isn't the most physical blocker in the class, he has good athleticism and footwork, and should make be a solid compliment to Jake Long as bookends on the offensive line.
10. Buffalo Bills - DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina
While there are questions about his motor, nobody doubts his physical skill set. Comparisons to fellow Tar Heel alum Julius Peppers are a bit of a reach, but Coples has prototypical size for a 4-3 defensive end. The Bills totaled just 29 sacks this season, and with new defensive coordinator likely switching to a 4-3 front, Coples (if still on the board) would make sense for Buffalo.
1. Indianapolis Colts - QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
With longtime franchise cornerstone Peyton Manning's health still in question after missing the entire 2011 season, the odds that owner Jim Irsay will pay Manning his $28 million roster bonus seems more unlikely by the day. After a front office purging that included Bill and Chris Polian, as well as head coach Jim Caldwell, it appears as though the Colts may enter full-fledged rebuilding mode. Luck is as low-risk a quarterback prospect you can possibly hope for, and should be able to start immediately should Manning not return to Indy.
2. St. Louis Rams - OT Matt Kalil, Southern California
The Rams pass protection was simply awful this year, as St. Louis quarterbacks were sacked a league-worst 55 times. 2009 first round pick Jason Smith has not been able to stay healthy, has struggled in pass protection when healthy, and the staff could look at moving him inside to play guard. The team also could use another pass-catching weapon, especially if Brandon Lloyd departs via free agency.
3. Minnesota Vikings - CB Morris Claiborne, LSU
Vikings defenders intercepted just eight passes all season despite having a very good pass rush. Claiborne has very good measureables, as well as fluid hips and solid ball skills that should make him a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback in a couple of years. My gut tells me that the Vikings trade down from here, but if they do stay, Claiborne should be the pick.
4. Cleveland Browns - RB Trent Richardson, Alabama
Despite more teams employing two-back systems, Richardson is the best running back prospect of the past couple of years. Fast enough to break long runs, Richardson also has solid hands as a receiver, and is very good in pass protection as well. With Peyton Hillis likely done in Cleveland, this pick should be a no-brainer for Mike Holmgren.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - S Mark Barron, Alabama
The Bucs defense was atrocious this past season, and allowed a league-worst 156.1 yards/game on the ground. While Barron may only have average ball skills, he's a physically gifted, well-coached safety that is very strong in run support.
6. Washington Redskins - QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor
Mike Shanahan loves physically gifted quarterbacks, and everyone knows neither Rex Grossman or John Beck are not starting-caliber quarterbacks. The Heisman winner has shown improved mechanics, as well as a strong arm that is capable of throwing with touch when necessary. I'd expect him to start under center in week one.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
Jacksonville averaged a league-worst 136.2 yards per game passing this past season with rookie Blaine Gabbert under center. While Gabbert struggled to make reads and often had to check down due to pressure, he didn't really have a true #1 receiving option. Blackmon likely won't have the eye-popping Combine numbers that Calvin Johnson did, he's a solid route-runner that's physical enough to beat press coverage and is fast enough to be a yards-after-catch monster.
8. Carolina Panthers - OT Riley Reiff, Iowa
The Panthers offense was very good this past season, but undrafted rookie Byron Bell was forced into 12 starts this season at right tackle. While Bell wasn't terrible, Reiff is a safe pick that does a good job of anchoring against the bull rush, and has good footwork in pass protection, as all of Kirk Ferentz's offensive lineman seem to be.
9. Miami Dolphins - OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford
New head coach Joe Philbin comes over from the Packers, and will likely bring both his spread offense and QB Matt Flynn from Green Bay. In order to have success in that offense, they'll need to improve their pass blocking, which yielded 52 sacks this past season. While Martin isn't the most physical blocker in the class, he has good athleticism and footwork, and should make be a solid compliment to Jake Long as bookends on the offensive line.
10. Buffalo Bills - DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina
While there are questions about his motor, nobody doubts his physical skill set. Comparisons to fellow Tar Heel alum Julius Peppers are a bit of a reach, but Coples has prototypical size for a 4-3 defensive end. The Bills totaled just 29 sacks this season, and with new defensive coordinator likely switching to a 4-3 front, Coples (if still on the board) would make sense for Buffalo.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
My (Unofficial) Heisman Ballot
Although I don't have an actual vote for the Heisman (though it would be pretty cool), I'm giving ya'all my top five Heisman candidates.
5. QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
Statistics:
Passing - 261-373 (70.0% completions), 3,170 yards, 35 TD, 9 INT
Rushing - 43 rushes, 153 yards, 2 TD
Resume: Luck entered this season with all the hype, and deservedly so. Despite having a target on his back as "The Golden Boy", he performed exceedingly well. His hiccup of a game against Oregon (their only loss) is the main reason he's not number one on my list. Stanford finished the season 11-1, and will likely be playing in the Fiesta Bowl as an at-large BCS participant. The Heisman doesn't necessarily go to the player that will be the best pro.
5. QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
Statistics:
Passing - 261-373 (70.0% completions), 3,170 yards, 35 TD, 9 INT
Rushing - 43 rushes, 153 yards, 2 TD
Resume: Luck entered this season with all the hype, and deservedly so. Despite having a target on his back as "The Golden Boy", he performed exceedingly well. His hiccup of a game against Oregon (their only loss) is the main reason he's not number one on my list. Stanford finished the season 11-1, and will likely be playing in the Fiesta Bowl as an at-large BCS participant. The Heisman doesn't necessarily go to the player that will be the best pro.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
2012 NFL Mock Draft: Thanksgiving Edition
With this and all my future mock drafts, it will go according to the current standings. I'm going to be posting a new mock draft each month leading up to April's draft.
1. Indianapolis Colts: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford - Perhaps no one player has ever meant more to his team than Peyton Manning to the Colts. With essentially the same team as last season (which went 10-6), the Colts might be staring down an 0-16 season. Nobody really knows whether Peyton Manning will be able to return to his pre-injury form that made him a perennial Pro-Bowler, and even if he were to, Manning will turn 36 years old before the 2012 season. The window for this team is starting to close, and the pick of Andrew Luck would give them a potential quarterback for the next 10-15 years.
2. St. Louis Rams: OT Matt Kalil, USC - Jason Smith has struggled in pass protection, and could end up being slid to guard. Enter Kalil, who has been simply spectacular the past couple of years. He has great bloodlines (father played in USFL, brother Ryan is the Panthers starting center), and plays with great footwork and leverage.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Dre' Kirkpatrick, Alabama - Kirkpatrick would help a secondary that has surrendered 19 touchdowns (against only six interceptions) on the season.
4. Carolina Panthers: OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford - Martin has great physical tools (6'6", 305 pounds) and can run very well for an offensive lineman. He'll need to work on technique, and sometimes struggles with the bull rush, but projects to be a Pro Bowl caliber lineman along the lines of Joe Thomas.
5. Washington Redskins: QB Matt Barkley, USC - John Beck and Rex Grossman are not an answer at quarterback for the Redskins. Barkley is NFL ready, as USC's pro style system has Barkley adept at reading defenses and going through progressions.
1. Indianapolis Colts: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford - Perhaps no one player has ever meant more to his team than Peyton Manning to the Colts. With essentially the same team as last season (which went 10-6), the Colts might be staring down an 0-16 season. Nobody really knows whether Peyton Manning will be able to return to his pre-injury form that made him a perennial Pro-Bowler, and even if he were to, Manning will turn 36 years old before the 2012 season. The window for this team is starting to close, and the pick of Andrew Luck would give them a potential quarterback for the next 10-15 years.
2. St. Louis Rams: OT Matt Kalil, USC - Jason Smith has struggled in pass protection, and could end up being slid to guard. Enter Kalil, who has been simply spectacular the past couple of years. He has great bloodlines (father played in USFL, brother Ryan is the Panthers starting center), and plays with great footwork and leverage.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Dre' Kirkpatrick, Alabama - Kirkpatrick would help a secondary that has surrendered 19 touchdowns (against only six interceptions) on the season.
4. Carolina Panthers: OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford - Martin has great physical tools (6'6", 305 pounds) and can run very well for an offensive lineman. He'll need to work on technique, and sometimes struggles with the bull rush, but projects to be a Pro Bowl caliber lineman along the lines of Joe Thomas.
5. Washington Redskins: QB Matt Barkley, USC - John Beck and Rex Grossman are not an answer at quarterback for the Redskins. Barkley is NFL ready, as USC's pro style system has Barkley adept at reading defenses and going through progressions.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
QBs: Pac-10 vs SEC
After hearing San Francisco 49ers backup defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois saying Andrew Luck is overrated and that "...if he ever plays an SEC school, Alabama, LSU that draft stock is going to fall. That will be one game they just don't show the scouts", I thought it would be a good time to dissect his thoughts on the SEC's ability to produce better pro quarterbacks than the Pac-10 (now Pac-12).
Pac-10
2001: Marques Tuiasosopo (2nd), AJ Feeley (5th)
2002: Joey Harrington (1st), Randy Fasani (5th)
2003: Carson Palmer (1st), Kyle Boller (1st)
2004: Cody Pickett (7th)
2005: Aaron Rodgers (1st), Andrew Walter (3rd), Derek Anderson (6th), Matt Cassel (7th)
2006: Matt Leinart (1st), Kellen Clemens (2nd)
2007: Trent Edwards (3rd)
2008: John David Booty (5th), Dennis Dixon (5th), Alex Brink (7th)
2009: Mark Sanchez (1st)
2010: Sean Canfield (7th)
SEC
2001: Quincy Carter (2nd), Jesse Palmer (6th)
2002: Rohan Davey (4th)
2003: Rex Grossman (3rd)
2004: Eli Manning (1st), Matt Mauck (7th)
2005: Jason Campbell (1st), David Greene (3rd)
2006: Brodie Croyle (3rd), DJ Shockley (7th)
2007: JaMarcus Russell (1st)
2008: Erik Ainge (5th), Andre Woodson (6th), Matt Flynn (7th)
2009: Matthew Stafford (1st)
2010: Tim Tebow (1st), Jonathan Crompton (5th)
Breakdown:
Total Picks: Pac-10: 19, SEC: 17
1st Round Picks: Pac-10 6, SEC 5
Combined Pro-Bowls: Pac-10 5, SEC 1
Combined TD-INT: Pac-10: 631-538 (1.173) SEC: 394-323 (1.219)
Super Bowl Starts: Pac-10: 1, SEC: 2
Super Bowl Wins: Pac-10: 1, SEC 1
Analysis: Ultimately, the SEC may end up having the better quarterbacks, but to say that a quarterback is overrated or underrated depending on the conference he plays in is complete poppycock. By that analysis, JaMarcus Russell should have been a Pro-Bowler. In the end, its not the level of competition that is faced in college, but rather the coaching the player got, as well as his willingness (and ability) to learn an offense. Physical tools will get you drafted, but its whats in the helmet that makes the quarterback
Pac-10
2001: Marques Tuiasosopo (2nd), AJ Feeley (5th)
2002: Joey Harrington (1st), Randy Fasani (5th)
2003: Carson Palmer (1st), Kyle Boller (1st)
2004: Cody Pickett (7th)
2005: Aaron Rodgers (1st), Andrew Walter (3rd), Derek Anderson (6th), Matt Cassel (7th)
2006: Matt Leinart (1st), Kellen Clemens (2nd)
2007: Trent Edwards (3rd)
2008: John David Booty (5th), Dennis Dixon (5th), Alex Brink (7th)
2009: Mark Sanchez (1st)
2010: Sean Canfield (7th)
SEC
2001: Quincy Carter (2nd), Jesse Palmer (6th)
2002: Rohan Davey (4th)
2003: Rex Grossman (3rd)
2004: Eli Manning (1st), Matt Mauck (7th)
2005: Jason Campbell (1st), David Greene (3rd)
2006: Brodie Croyle (3rd), DJ Shockley (7th)
2007: JaMarcus Russell (1st)
2008: Erik Ainge (5th), Andre Woodson (6th), Matt Flynn (7th)
2009: Matthew Stafford (1st)
2010: Tim Tebow (1st), Jonathan Crompton (5th)
Breakdown:
Total Picks: Pac-10: 19, SEC: 17
1st Round Picks: Pac-10 6, SEC 5
Combined Pro-Bowls: Pac-10 5, SEC 1
Combined TD-INT: Pac-10: 631-538 (1.173) SEC: 394-323 (1.219)
Super Bowl Starts: Pac-10: 1, SEC: 2
Super Bowl Wins: Pac-10: 1, SEC 1
Analysis: Ultimately, the SEC may end up having the better quarterbacks, but to say that a quarterback is overrated or underrated depending on the conference he plays in is complete poppycock. By that analysis, JaMarcus Russell should have been a Pro-Bowler. In the end, its not the level of competition that is faced in college, but rather the coaching the player got, as well as his willingness (and ability) to learn an offense. Physical tools will get you drafted, but its whats in the helmet that makes the quarterback
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