Guys who have impressed me the most in bowl games

[Cbus cardsfan]

I didn't see all of the games but i did catch most of them and so far the players that have stood out the most to me are
1-AJ Hawk-all over the place
2-Buster Davis,Ernie Sims-imagine what their LB's would have done with Nicholson in there.
3-Mario Williams-NCST
4-Kiawanuka-BC
5-DeAngelo Williams-we all love the guy
6-Tamba Halli-this will be a good year for DE's
7-Michael Bush
8-Brian Calhoun-Wisocnsin keeps producing backs
9-Addai-LSU,I'll have to admit i was at a bar but every time i looked up the guy was running downfield.
10-Hodge and Greenway
11-Marshawn Lynch
12-Daryl Tapp-Vtech, another DE
13-The fast RB from WVA-can't remember his name
14-The OSU connection of Troy Smith and Ted Ginn-even though i have been disappointed by them all year,i have to admit they have come on strong.

Guy who i was disappointed in included a bunch of QB's
1-Marcus Vick-over-hyped because of his over-hyped brother
2-Chad Henne-he has had a down year
3-Ngata-saw nothing about him i liked
4-Brody Croyle-constantly missed wide open receivers
5-Jordan Palmer-he's no Carson
6-The entire front 7 of Miami-what a lame ass performance

 

[football karma]

Joseph Addai RB from LSU

Very nice size, speed and acceleration. He looked awesome against ASU (but ASU's defense has a way of doing that to backs)

He has been my sleeper RB pick all season

 

[CaptTurbo]

#9 FS on Notre Dame. Is he in the draft? This is the guy we need.

4.45 speed the announcers said and he makes every tackle thats within his reach. A great compliment to Wilson.

 

[JeffGollin]

DeB Ferguson (especially if Leonard is moved to guard or RT)

Esslinger C Minnesota

Magold C Ohio St

#31 - the LB from Penn State is an assassin.

#33 from Penn State runs tough between the tackles.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

I didn't see all of the games but i did catch most of them and so far the players that have stood out the most to me are

13-The fast RB from WVA-can't remember his name

Steve Slaton. He is a true freshman but man is he gonna be special. 205 yards 3 tds in Sugar Bowl against a good Georgia defense.

 

[clif]

Demeco Ryans LB Alabama. He makes as many if not more plays than Hawk or Pozludsky and has speed to track people down.

 

[NEZCardsfan]

#9 FS on Notre Dame. Is he in the draft? This is the guy we need.

4.45 speed the announcers said and he makes every tackle thats within his reach. A great compliment to Wilson.

Zbikowski is a Sophomore.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

5-Jordan Palmer-he's no Carson

Please don't forget that he's only a Sophomore, I think...and Carson wasn't Carson until his Senior year...He was a big dissappointment until then. I think JP will end up being a good QB before it's all said and done.

 

[Russ Smith]

I didn't see all of the games but i did catch most of them and so far the players that have stood out the most to me are
1
7-Michael Bush

9-Addai-LSU,I'll have to admit i was at a bar but every time i looked up the guy was running downfield.

11-Marshawn Lynch

I was actually disappointed with Bush, who I've been hyping since his freshman year. Twice in that game he broke clear and got caught from behind by a LB. I think he's gotten too big, they list him at 250, he really showed no 2nd gear and he was quite a bit faster than that earlier in his career. Still it would be nice to have a back who's that strong and can break free but I couldn't help but think LenDale White would have scored on both of those runs.

Addai really opened my eyes, runs a bit upright but runs very hard and seems plenty fast enough. They said he's had injury problems.

Lynch had a hell of a bowl game, I'd be stunned if he doesn't come out after next year but they're claiming he's already told Tedford he's going to play 4 years because he promised his mom he'd get a degree, and he has cousins on the Cal team (at least 3 of them I think) and he wants to stick around with them. I'll believe it when I see it but I read an article the other day where Lynch said he's elated at the breakout year Justin Forsett had because it means he knows he can stay at Cal for 4 years and not get abused by too many carries.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I have mixed feelings about Bush (the player, not the activity).

I lived in Louisville when he was a Qb at Male HS. He was an absolute Freak of Nature.. He and Brian Brohm of Trinity HS put on one of the best shows I have ever seen in the championship game that year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2137624&type=story <--If you haven't read this you should. CRAZY DUDE!!!

When Petrino recruited him it was so Bush would be his QB. Then when Brohm also committed to Louisville, Bush was sold (by Petrino) that changing positions was the right move. I still think it was a bad (and selfish) move that in the end will hurt him. Bush started lifting and became more of a FB than a RB.

IMHO his skills do not project as well to the NFL as they did his freshman year.

 

[clif]

Addai looks like he would get killed at the next level. He takes too many shots. He shows very little elusiveness. Nice runner but not anyone I would consider taking with the intention of being the guy.

Slaton was a blur. Absolute lightening. Will need to get thicker in the legs IMO though. West Virginia has a real bright future with him and White at QB.

 

[Russ Smith]

I have mixed feelings about Bush (the player, not the activity).

I lived in Louisville when he was a Qb at Male HS. He was an absolute Freak of Nature.. He and Brian Brohm of Trinity HS put on one of the best shows I have ever seen in the championship game that year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2137624&type=story <--If you haven't read this you should. CRAZY DUDE!!!

When Petrino recruited him it was so Bush would be his QB. Then when Brohm also committed to Louisville, Bush was sold (by Petrino) that changing positions was the right move. I still think it was a bad (and selfish) move that in the end will hurt him. Bush started lifting and became more of a FB than a RB.

IMHO his skills do not project as well to the NFL as they did his freshman year.

You think Bush was a legit QB prospect? I saw him play there briefly as a freshman and I have to admit I agreed with Petrino right away his future appeared to be at RB. He runs a bit too upright for my tastes, takes a lot of big hits as a result, but he's so strong it's scary.

I just think he's gotten a bit too big and has lost his speed. I had heard that story on that HS game before but thanks for the link, good read.

 

[Dr. Jones]

You think Bush was a legit QB prospect? I saw him play there briefly as a freshman and I have to admit I agreed with Petrino right away his future appeared to be at RB. He runs a bit too upright for my tastes, takes a lot of big hits as a result, but he's so strong it's scary.

I just think he's gotten a bit too big and has lost his speed. I had heard that story on that HS game before but thanks for the link, good read.

Definately agree with the size and speed issue.

But as for his QB prospects...

He completed 33 of 47 passes for 468 yards and six touchdowns, rushed 24 times for 116 yards and a score and caught two passes for 24 yards in Male's 59-56 loss in the state finals . He won the Mr. KY football title over Brohm that year.

The guy could be just as good as McNabb, Culpepper, and others. In the big running QB mold.

But Brohm's skills are unquestioned also... They were both Amazing.

 

[dogpoo32]

Will Blackmon, WR/KR - Boston College.

I think it was Mitch who suggested Blackmon as a 3rd round pick. Would be well worth it. This kid could be a great kick returner in the NFL. Pretty darn good receiver too. Basically he is just a playmaker.

 

[CaptTurbo]

Zbikowski is a Sophomore.

Damn! This guy might be a top 5 pick when he comes out.

 

[BACH]

Will Blackmon, WR/KR - Boston College.

I think it was Mitch who suggested Blackmon as a 3rd round pick. Would be well worth it. This kid could be a great kick returner in the NFL. Pretty darn good receiver too. Basically he is just a playmaker.

Superior return man and quality depth af CB. Worth a 3rd rounder.

Will Blackmon
CB, Boston College
War Room analysis
Strengths: Has good size and speed. Is an excellent athlete whose versatility will be a valuable asset on defense and special teams. Is fluid in his turns, and competes well against big receivers. Possesses good vision, quickness and burst. Shows excellent playmaking ability, good hands and above-average ball skills. Is aggressive and strong in run support. Is a good tackler who breaks down and wraps up ball carriers. Also is a standout kick returner.

Weaknesses: Must improve route-recognition and coverage skills. Does not get a quick jump on the ball.

Bottom line: Although Blackmon played wide receiver as a Boston College senior, his NFL future is at cornerback. He could be the best athlete in the draft and should be an immediate factor. He could be a prime return man as a rookie while he works his way onto the field on defense. Blackmon figures to be drafted late in the second round to early in the third.

 

[CardinalLaw]

#9 FS on Notre Dame. Is he in the draft? This is the guy we need.

4.45 speed the announcers said and he makes every tackle thats within his reach. A great compliment to Wilson.

I have been thinking the same thing since I saw him. He was fast.

 

[conraddobler]

Brad Smith impressed me.

He's not going to be an NFL QB, I think the CFL wants him pretty bad but I have to think he's the nearest thing to Marcus Allen in his running style I've seen in a long time.

I think as he continues to fill out he'd make a very good RB, or possibly a WR.

We don't need him but someone should draft him.

 

[Russ Smith]

I have been thinking the same thing since I saw him. He was fast.

He's the guy that caught Santonio Holmes and nearly poked the ball out when Holmes was pointing his finger?

If so that really impressed me, Holmes can fly and that guy made up a lot of ground on him quickly.

 

[Rivercard]

1-Marcus Vick-over-hyped because of his over-hyped brother

Vick should change his name to Dick. I don't understand why he wasn't ejected from the game when he maliciously stomped on Dumerville's leg after the play was over. Not even a flag was thrown. Disgusting. I think the only 8 guys who didn't see that play were the officials.

 

[CardinalLaw]

He's the guy that caught Santonio Holmes and nearly poked the ball out when Holmes was pointing his finger?

If so that really impressed me, Holmes can fly and that guy made up a lot of ground on him quickly.

Thats the one, both CB's just got in his way. He definetly looked like the fastest guy on the field. He ran down Ted Ginn once along the sidelines too if I remember.

 

[Mitch]

I really like several seniors coming out of Boston College...these kids accomplished new heights at BC during their 4-5 years...they tied for the Big East title last year (losing the tiebreaker)...tied for the ACC Division with Florida St. (lost the tiebreaker to them , having lost to them early in the year)...and won 6 straight bowl games...the last three years over Georgia, North Carolina and Boise St. (where they had to beat them on their home field where they had won 31 straight games).

Here are the draftable seniors at BC...in order of talent, IMO:

1. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE. All-American who led the Big East in sacks as a junior...who was cheap shotted by an undercut after the whistle versus Virginia and had to miss two weeks to rehab his knee...but came back to record a 3 1/2 sack dominating performance on ESPN versus NC St. This guy is tall, quick and relentless...and plays out of his mind hard to the whistle every play. In fact, he has chased ballcarriers down 30 yards up the opposite sideline. Projection: Top 15 Pick 1st Round.

2. Jeremy Trueblood, LT. Kiwanuka's high school teammate in Indiana...a 6'7" 325 lb. mini-mountain with good agility for a player his size. Very strong and highly competitive, even nasty at times. Will probably be a RT in the pros, and a real good one in time. Projection: Late 1st-Early 2nd.

3. Will Blackmon PR/WR/DB. Electric return man who excels at exploding into the open field via the cutback. Very good hands...has speed to separate on a regular basis. Played CB his first three years, WR as a senior, because BC needed a deep threat at WR, and Blackmon looked like he's played the position for three years. He also was used as a DB in the nickel, and played very well. Projection: Late 1st-Early 2nd.

4. Pat Ross, C. This guy is another in a long line of outstanding BC centers...a la Tom Nalen (Broncos), Damien Woody (Pats and Lions) and Dan Koppen (Pats). Ross is just as good as his predecessors coming out of college...and he is ready to start in the NFL...his predecessors all were and did start as rookies. Ross is most like the Giants' Chris Smee (2nd round pick from BC two years ago, and instant starter)...he's got an impressive combination of strength and technique. Projection: Early to Middle 2nd.

5. Ray Henderson, MLB. A former high school QB who was converted to MLB...and was exceptionally productive in thwarting both the running and passing games...He lacks top flight speed and plays a little high at times, but he's got excellent instincts and a penchant for making the big stop or snatching a huge interception (he retruned 3 ints for TDs at BC...pretty impressive for a MLB). A real good, tough athlete who plays the game the way it should be played. Projection: late 3rd-middle 4th.

6. Al Washington, DT. Lacks height (6-0, 314), but is a classic run stuffer...has a real good motor, keeps his feet churning and plays super tough at the point of attack. Gets good penetration on pass rush and wraps up well...good tackler. His lack of height will knock him back on draft day, but this kid could be a nice surprise.Projection: 6th-7th Rd.

7. Ricky Brown, OLB. Has decent size at 6-2, 236...and is just plain solid at all aspects of the position...reliable tackler and very good in pass coverage. Projection: 7th Rd-UCFA.

8. Jazzmen Williams, CB. He's a tad small at 5-9, 188...but he's a fundamental cover corner at RCB and one of the best gunners on punts in the nation...excellent open field tackler...he made three outstanding stops on Boise State's outstanding punt returner (I am forgetting his name) who was 2nd in the nation in PR average and is adept at making the first tackler miss...but Williams was the first tackler and stopped the kid in his tracks 3 out of 4 times. Projection: 7th Rd-UCFA.

Realistically...based on need and draft position...the Cardinals may be fortunate to find Trueblood or Blackmon available at #40...Ross could easily play guard...and he would be a steal if he's on the board in the 3rd round.

 

[Indiana Hoosier]

If Available!

A.J. Hawk, he will solve the "Middle" for years. The "HELL" of it is will he be there?

 

[Pariah]

A.J. Hawk, he will solve the "Middle" for years. The "HELL" of it is will he be there?

Isn't Hawk projected to play OLB in the NFL?

 

[D-Dogg]

Steve Slaton. He is a true freshman but man is he gonna be special. 205 yards 3 tds in Sugar Bowl against a good Georgia defense.

He and Teddy Ginn were the most impressive to me.

But Slaton man, that kid made my eyes pop wide open. I hope that guy doesn't get hurt; he's gonna be a great player. West Virgina is going to be strong next year...their awesome QB is a freshman too.