Today's draft watch games include Matt Ryan...

[Coogs]

December 28, 2007:

Boston College vs Michigan State; Champs Sports Bowl; 5 PM et; ESPN… A pretty good case can be made that this afternoon’s Champs Sports Bowl match-up between Boston College and Michigan State has as much talent for the 2008 draft as any contest on the early bowl schedule. BC QB Matt Ryan (#12, 6-5, 235), for example, has been one of the major rising stars of the upcoming draft class; indeed, there are teams around the league that would make the Ryan the first player off the board at the position ahead of the likes o Louisville’s Brian Brohm and Andre’ Woodson of Kentucky. And Ryan could very well be joined in this Year’s opening round by rugged OT Gosder Cherilus (#77, 6-6, 320) and CB DeJuan Tribble (#27, 5-9, 190), although the latter won’t play because of an injury. Meanwhile, the Eagles’ senior class also has plenty of depth including the RB duo of Andre Callender (#32, 5-10, 205) and L.V. Whitworth (#30, 5-11, 222), All-America FS Jamie Silva (#44, 5-11, 205), DE Nick Larkin (#57, 6-3, 255), MLB Jolonn Dunbar (#40, 6-0, 225) and WR Kevin Challenger (#84, 5-9, 185).

Michigan State could also have an impact on the early going at the 2008 draft if junior WR Devin Thomas (#5, 6-1, 215) who doesn’t get that much in the way of national pub, but has been as productive as any receiver in the country this fall. Indeed, Thomas, who runs in the 4.50 range for the 40, caught 76 passes for 1,200 yards this fall and averaged a healthy 28.1 yards per KO returns. The Spartans also have one o college football’s most versatile players in TE Kellen Davis (#80, 6-5, 255) who also plays along the defensive line. MSU also features a big offensive line including OT Pete Clifford (#75, 6-6, 320), OG Mike Gyetvai (#66, 6-6, 310) and C John Masters (#54, 6-3, 285) who combine to clear the road for RBs Javon Ringer (#23, 5-9, 205), an explosive junior pile driving Jehuu Caulcrick (#30, 5-11, 255). Meanwhile, the Spartans defense isn’t as strong as the offense and won’t be helped by the act that star DE Jonal St. Dic won’t play because of academics, although steady MLB Kaleb Thornhill (#41, 6-0, 240), DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo (#99, 6-3, 290), DE Ervin Baldwin (#51, 6-2, 270), and safeties Nehemiah Warrick (#3, 6-1, 210), Travis Key (#13, 5-10, 185) and junior Otis Wiley (#21, 6-1, 210) are solid second-tier types.

Houston vs Texas Christian; Texas Bowl, 8 PM ET; NFL Network… If speed is the name of the game, then pro scouts will be tuned when Houston plays TCU in the Texas Bowl as the Cougars feature two of the fastest players in the country as both WR Donnie Avery (#2, 5-10, 190) and RB Anthony Aldridge (#22, 5-9, 175) run close to 4.3 for the 40. And both have translated that speed into terrific productivity on the field. Avery, who doubles as an outstanding KO return man who averaged over 28 yards a return this fall, for example, had 81 catches this season for over 1,300 yards. For his part, Aldridge, who is smallish by current NFL standards, had over 2,000 yards in total offense this season including 1,600 yards on the ground and another 400 plus on 41 receptions; Aldridge also scored 19 times this season. Meawnhile, Avery combines with rangy WR Jeron Harvey (#9, 6-5, 215) to give the Cougars one of the better 1-2 punches at the position in college football. Other Cougars to watch include OG Jeff Akeroyd (#77, 6-3, 295), junior DE Phillip Hunt (#53, 6-2, 250), LBs Brendan Pahula (#3, 6-2, 240) and Trent Allen (#41, 6-1, 245) and safety Rocky Schwartz (#20, 5-10, 200).

The player under the microscope in the Texas Bowl though, will be TCU DE Tommy Blake (#97, 6-2, 255). Blake came into the season rated as one of the top pass-rushers in the country, but ended up sitting out much of the year dealing with some personal issues. If on his game, though, Blake combines with fellow DE Chase Ortiz (#93, 6-2, 255) to give the Horned Frogs a dangerous outside pass rush. TCU also has a pretty good KR in SS Brian Bonner (#6, 5-10, 200), while FS David Roach (#27, 6-1, 215) and OLB David Hawthorne (#46, 5-11, 225) are solid. And if the offense stalls, the horned Frogs have one o the country’s most accurate PKs in Chris Manfredini (#44, 5-9, 165).

Maryland vs Oregon State; Emerald Bowl; 8:30 PM ET; ESPN… Which team wins this year’s Emerald Bowl may come down to who wins the head-to-head battle between star Oregon State RB Yvenson Bernard (#26, 5-9, 205), a slasher with over 3,700 career rushing yards, and Maryland junior MLB Erin Henderson (#1, 6-2, 236), the more athletic younger brother of Vikings’ LB E.J. Henderson. Bernard runs behind a huge offensive line anchored by OGs Roy Schuening (#67, 6-3, 320) and junior Jeremy Perry (#62, 6-3, 315) who was considered the top player at the position prior to the season but played little because of a leg injury. The Beavers also have a very experienced defensive front sevens which starts al seniors including DEs Dorian Smith (#93, 6-3, 260) and Jeff Van Ostrow (49, 6-3, 265) and LBs Derrick Doggett (#45, 6-3, 210), Alan Darlin (#46, 6-0, 255) and Joey Larocque (#44, 6-1, 220). For good measure, Oregon State also has one of the better kickers in the nation in PK Alex Serna (#13, 5-8, 170).

If LB Henderson decides to stay in school for the 2008 season, the Terps’ best prospect for the upcoming draft should be emerging DT Dre Moore (#92, 6-4, 315), a rugged run stuffer with enough quickness to post 6.5 sacks this season. The Terps will also feature one of college football’s better 1-2 senior punches at RB in Lance Ball (#44, 5-9, 225) and Keon Lattimore (#21, 5-10, 225), while TE Joey Haynos (#880, 6-7, 260) is a decent blocker and improving receiver. Meanwhile, veteran OG Andrew Crummey (#63, 6-4, 305) is a solid interior blocker. The most intriguing Maryland prospect, though, may ultimately be redshirt sophomore WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (#8, 6-1, 205) who is still learning the nuances of the position, but is a former track star who may very well be the fastest player in college football.

[ChiefsLV]

I think it'd be an absolute miracle if Herm took a QB with the fifth pick. Then you'd have to spend the whole year defending the rookie QB while he makes mistakes that YOU KNOW are going to be made because he is a developing QB. Only you'll give him the benefit of the doubt that you won't give Croyle because he is a first round pick and Croyle is a third and Croyle had a "knock" on him coming out of college. And that includes injuries.

Drew Brees had a knock on him coming out of college too. He was too short. Why did Brady last till the sixth round? I'm sure he had some knocks too.

[Coogs]

Did anybody happen to focus on Cherilus tonight? I sort of forgot to while concentrating on Ryan.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by ChiefsLV

Drew Brees had a knock on him coming out of college too. He was too short. Why did Brady last till the sixth round? I'm sure he had some knocks too.

I'm convinced some of you can't comprehend.

It's not a ****ing knock when the guy has had both knees replaced, and has been hurt in 2 of the 5 games he's played in in the NFL.

If you can't stay on the field, I don't care if you're Joe Montana, you can't be relied on.

Why is this concept so hard for people to understand?

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

If I'm picking in the top 5, I'm looking for John Elway caliber QBs that are studs in every possible category for playing the position and this year their aren't any.

If KC picks an "Elway caliber QB" does he have to have a big giant set of teeth and a pigeon foot? I sure hope not.

[TRR]

I'm not a huge Matt Ryan fan. If Jake Long is gone, and Ryan falls, then I wouldn't be upset about drafting him. However, I'm not sure KC fans can handle watching Ryan get knocked to crap behind this O Line. If KC is to draft Ryan, they better spend every dime on the O Line through FA to give him a chance.

[ChiefsLV]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I'm convinced some of you can't comprehend.

It's not a ****ing knock when the guy has had both knees replaced, and has been hurt in 2 of the 5 games he's played in in the NFL.

If you can't stay on the field, I don't care if you're Joe Montana, you can't be relied on.

Why is this concept so hard for people to understand?

The guy is a first-year starter and yes he has had two fluke injuries in five games. Huard has been hurt this year too. I guess I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt since our offensive line ****ing blows goats this year. The put downs are not necessary to make your point.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by ChiefsLV

The guy is a first-year starter and yes he has had two fluke injuries in five games. Huard has been hurt this year too. I guess I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt since our offensive line ****ing blows goats this year. The put downs are not necessary to make your point.

It's not a fluke injury when it happens to a guy all the time....

That still doesn't address his blown ACL's and torn up shoulder, the guy just gets hurt all the time, he's unreliable.

[TRR]

Originally Posted by Mecca

It's not a fluke injury when it happens to a guy all the time....

That still doesn't address his blown ACL's and torn up shoulder, the guy just gets hurt all the time, he's unreliable.

It is way too early for someone to label Croyle injury prone. He's been dinged up a bit, but they haven't been serious injuries. And as far as the knee injuries go....It's in the past. It's not like QB's haven't come back from ACL injuries before. Croyle needs more than 5 or 6 games to be labeled anything IMO.

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by Mecca

It's not a fluke injury when it happens to a guy all the time....

That still doesn't address his blown ACL's and torn up shoulder, the guy just gets hurt all the time, he's unreliable.

True, he's got to stay on the field.

[ChiefsLV]

Originally Posted by Mecca

It's not a fluke injury when it happens to a guy all the time....

That still doesn't address his blown ACL's and torn up shoulder, the guy just gets hurt all the time, he's unreliable.

Yeah too early to label him unreliable and QB is a position that can recover reasonably well from torn ACL's. Brees tore up his shoulder a couple seasons ago also. I'd like to see how Croyle fares with better pass blocking and a consistent running game. It's way more likely that we'll get to see if Croyle is the real deal than it is that Herm will take a QB with the top pick.

[Mecca]

Well it'll be fun trying to develop a guy who misses 5-7 games every year.

[the Talking Can]

we get it


please let april get here

[eazyb81]

Originally Posted by HolmeZz

He's got a mediocre arm that looks even worse when compared to Woodson and Ryan.

Are you drunk? Brohm has a great arm, but Ryan and Woodson also have nice arms.

The only downside to Brohm is his durability. If you feel his injuries were freak incidents, then he's a franchise caliber QB. If you feel his injuries show that he is fragile, then you probably aren't comfortable with taking him to replace our current fragile QB.

[eazyb81]

Originally Posted by TRR

It is way too early for someone to label Croyle injury prone. He's been dinged up a bit, but they haven't been serious injuries. And as far as the knee injuries go....It's in the past. It's not like QB's haven't come back from ACL injuries before. Croyle needs more than 5 or 6 games to be labeled anything IMO.

No it's not, he's been hurt his entire playing career. He was hurt all the time at Bama and has shown that he can't stay on the field in the NFL.

[HolmeZz]

"He smells sack, he gets sack."
- Chris Spielman