Sheldon is a very solid player.

Not only that, Culken was slated for playing time at TE prior to his hand injury. Throw in Hunt, Sasser, Clark, Copelin, Woodland, Leftwich, and even Stricker, and you have a full house.

Sheldon was the former #1 recruit in the nation and has become little more than a 'nice' DT.

Which is really what happens to a ton of 5* guys. They have enough talent to still be productive enough, but sometimes that star potential just fades away.

Being a 5* recruit means you're almost certainly going to be a decent college player - it does not mean you're going to be a stud. Lucas is pretty damn close to a stud, IMO.

You've got nothing to complain about. This guy could be at the helm of your football program:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YDVZNnOtGP4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Sheldon has been more than a "NICE" DT this year. He was "NICE" a season ago, but has really stepped up, IMO.

Considering the circumstances, it was amazing how well he played a season ago. He was injured, late, had practically no practice time... and played a ton behind two very good college DTs.

He played an exceptional game against Arizona State and has been getting some first- and second-round buzz entering this season. McShay tweeted about him at one point in the offseason and thinks he has first-round potential.

Richardson is an explosive one-tech who demands a double team on almost every play and consistently beats them. He's great against the run (Check out his tackle totals and his TFL totals) and closes extremely well for a guy his size. He's able to be disruptive without sacrificing gap control.

It's a shame he didn't qualify for Mizzou out of high school. His time at College of the Sequoias was lost time, from what I heard - they didn't develop him very well. That's one part of the reason Mizzou is likely done with CoS.

I'd wait and see on Richardson. He's likely an early pick in the NFL draft, which is more than a "nice" DT. As long as he stays healthy and motivated (his motor is a big positive for him), Sheldon will likely be making nice NFL money next year (which sucks, because Mizzou could use him back).

That's rough, man.

I was talking to a buddy about this today... I feel for Arkansas fans.

It's somewhat similar to Mizzou in 2008. Big preseason expectations, falling short, etc. With programs like ours, seasons like this are not an every-year occurrence.

Of course, I can't compare the two THAT much. Mizzou's fall was to a 10-win season. I think Arkansas is going to be fighting just to make a bowl game. Little bit different (and more embarrassing).

He played a good game against AZ State.

He also played a poor one against GA. I know he had a decent first half, but in the 2nd half when GA decided it was time to play, he completely disappeared.

If a guy can step up his game against average opposition but gets beat up by the high-end guys, he's not a true difference maker.

Do you think he's been as good as Hood? Dominique Hamilton? Those are guys that didn't have nearly the fanfare and ended up being excellent. Richardson looks like he may slot in between those guys when all is said and done, but I don't see anything to suggest he'll surpass Hood.

That's the line I'm trying to draw here - being a highly regarded recruit doesn't mean you're going to just outperform other guys that were coveted, but not quite as much. Lucas and Hood are pretty good comparables. Lucas isn't crap, much as Hood wasn't. And just because DGB comes in here with much the same hype that Richardson has, doesn't mean he's just going to blow past Lucas.

He certainly has the skills to do it, but I don't think it's wise to just assume he will and suggest that if he doesn't our staff has somehow failed him.

You referred to him as a "massive, lazy idiot". I disagree with that characterization. That doesn't mean I think he's Suh.

Well he's unquestionably massive and yeah, he's an idiot. Listen to the guy speak - he's dumb as a bag of hammers.

The only real word to take exception to there is lazy and frankly the only thing that keeps him from being Suh (or at least better than Hood) is his willingness to take plays off.

Would you feel better if I referred to him as a supremely talented, massive, idiot with a questionable work ethic?

So, do we even have a chance against South Carolina, or should I just brace myself for another Chiefs/Mizzou weekend of southern curbstomping pain?

There is a very good chance that every local football team, college and pro, gets crushed this weekend.

I don't see any way we get crushed. Should be a defensive game, stay smart on offense and don't make stupid turnovers inside our own 10 yard line and we'll be in the game in the 4th quarter.

Connor Shaw has a hairline fracture in his shoulder and is still getting the start, he will be timid and will be taken out of the game if we hit him good 1 time.

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/po...-get-any-worse

I'm not overly confident in our Offense's ability to score against their D, but I like our D's chances of keeping the score low. Probably going to be a boring game of old man football coming down to who makes fewer mistakes late.

Pinkel: Franklin will practice Wednesday, almost "symptom-free"

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/09/19...#storylink=cpy

Hmm. I don't know if that's good or bad. I'm really starting to lose faith in Franklin - just seems like a fragile Brad Smith at this point, and I don't think that will work in the SEC. I'm afraid he'll just keep getting hurt, but Pinkel will keep going back to him, and reerun the development of the kids behind him.

Kind of thinking the same thing..But maybe the way Berkstresser played last week (which I think he did pretty good considering it was his first start), he might get more playing time and considering what Pinkel said... "Pinkel also reiterated that the offense was more conservative last week with redshirt freshman Corbin Berkstresser making his first career start.