Some CFB thoughts

[Pachyderm_Wave]

Slimm, have you seen many drafts that have this much WR talent (again, assuming the underclassmen leave) toward the top? There are recent drafts where I can easily see Landry as a 1st RD pick; I think he compares favorably to K. Wright. Not that they're the same player, but both can play slot or on the perimeter. This year, I think he'll have a hard time going that early - though I can see a team like New England coveting him because of his football IQ combined with his versatility.

I think you're spot on in saying that Evans projects between Johnson and VJax. As a talent, I think he's pretty much VJax, but, probably because of his time playing basketball, he plays with better balance and change of direction. How's your WR board looking these days? I've heard more than one announcer (Andre Ware immediately comes to mind) say that Evans has made Manziel this season, and I can't jive with that. Obviously, a talented WR will help a QB, but on many of Evans spectacular catches, there aren't any other QB's in the nation who could have given him the opportunity - whether it be due to ball placement, Manziel buying time with his feet, or some combination of the two. To me, it's clearly a mutually beneficial partnership.

This is certainly one of the better WR classes in terms of talent and depth if the underclassman declare. The thing about Landry is that Mettenberger will throw to him even when he's covered. He knows Landry is going to come down with it one way or another. I get the Kendall Wright comparison, except Landry is bigger. I don't think people realize that Landry was one of the most feared special teams players in the country as a freshman for LSU. He hit like a safety. Go back and watch the SEC Championship Game between LSU and Georgia that year... Georgia was literally afraid to return kickoffs out of the endzone because of Jarvis Landry. He's a special player. Bama wanted him bad coming out of highschool.... he was a 5-Star for a reason.

I think both Evans and Manziel benefit from one another. Andre Ware has always had a particular distaste for Manziel. I remember in the spring before Manziel won the job over Jamiell Showers, Ware was comparing Showers to Warren Moon. I like Andre Ware and think he's one of the better commentators out there, although I think he's embellishing his point of view here a little.

Also, L'Damian Washington is probably one of the most underrated Senior WR's in the country in my estimation. LSU wanted him really bad coming out of high school, but just didn't have room (schollies).

 

[j-off-her-doll]

Given it's so loaded, I wonder if some of the underclassmen WRs will wait till next year to come out...

I would say that'd make sense, but then I'd wonder which ones?

Marquis Lee isn't coming back to USC; Sammy Watkins isn't coming back to Clemson; I can't imagine Evans returning without Manziel; Moncrief might, but it'd be dependent on a couple factors (is he more optimistic about the QB situation next year? Does he feel NFL teams will knock him for not having the same level of production as some of the other top guys?); can't imagine either of the LSU guys returning to a new QB. Does Allen Robinson come back?

 

[j-off-her-doll]

This is certainly one of the better WR classes in terms of talent and depth if the underclassman declare. The thing about Landry is that Mettenberger will throw to him even when he's covered. He knows Landry is going to come down with it one way or another. I get the Kendall Wright comparison, except Landry is bigger. I don't think people realize that Landry was one of the most feared special teams players in the country as a freshman for LSU. He hit like a safety. Go back and watch the SEC Championship Game between LSU and Georgia that year... Georgia was literally afraid to return kickoffs out of the endzone because of Jarvis Landry. He's a special player. Bama wanted him bad coming out of highschool.... he was a 5-Star for a reason.

I think both Evans and Manziel benefit from one another. Andre Ware has always had a particular distaste for Manziel. I remember in the spring before Manziel won the job over Jamiell Showers, Ware was comparing Showers to Warren Moon. I like Andre Ware and think he's one of the better commentators out there, although I think he's embellishing his point of view here a little.

Also, L'Damian Washington is probably one of the most underrated Senior WR's in the country in my estimation. LSU wanted him really bad coming out of high school, but just didn't have room (schollies).

Washington gets good separation for a guy his size, and he uses his size well with the ball in the air. It'll be interesting to see where he comes off the board. I like him better than I did Jon Baldwin, who went in the late 1st.

 

[Pachyderm_Wave]

Washington gets good separation for a guy his size, and he uses his size well with the ball in the air. It'll be interesting to see where he comes off the board. I like him better than I did Jon Baldwin, who went in the late 1st.

I'd agree with that. To me it always seemed like Baldwin made most of his big plays at Pitt due to blown coverages. He had no run-after-the-catch ability. Washington has a little Sidney Rice in him.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

I'd agree with that. To me it always seemed like Baldwin made most of his big plays at Pitt due to blown coverages. He had no run-after-the-catch ability. Washington has a little Sidney Rice in him.

I like that comparison. Neither looks especially fast or explosive, but they glide and find space.

 

[Pachyderm_Wave]

I would say that'd make sense, but then I'd wonder which ones?

Marquis Lee isn't coming back to USC; Sammy Watkins isn't coming back to Clemson; I can't imagine Evans returning without Manziel; Moncrief might, but it'd be dependent on a couple factors (is he more optimistic about the QB situation next year? Does he feel NFL teams will knock him for not having the same level of production as some of the other top guys?); can't imagine either of the LSU guys returning to a new QB. Does Allen Robinson come back?

From what I understand Donte Moncrief, Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins, Jarvis Landry, and Odell Beckham are all headed to the NFL.

I don't know about Marqise Lee, but I would imagine he's gone too.

 

[LouPhinFan]

Slimm,

What are your thoughts on DeVante Parker? As of yet I haven't heard one way or the other if he is leaving U of L early for the draft but it seems to me he's a second round talent. Big red zone threat with some RAC ability.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

Slimm and hoops, you guys are right on Landry. I was underrating his athleticism. Plays with great balance. Hines Ward?

 

[finsfanjay13]

From what I understand Donte Moncrief, Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins, Jarvis Landry, and Odell Beckham are all headed to the NFL.

I don't know about Marqise Lee, but I would imagine he's gone too.

My guess would be the insurance policy that Marqise Lee took out this year is indicative of him coming out. Definitely a stacked WR class if they all declare. One of the best in a while.

 

[Awsi Dooger]

I would agree, but Stanford hasn't seen any drop off - even with a vastly inferior QB. It's not like a Barry Switzer in Dallas situation, where the team was in decline the second he stepped into the role of HC.

The only concern for Shaw - as I see it - would be whether or not he can build a program. With the right GM, I think Shaw would succeed.

Oh please. Don't fall for the simplistic knocks on Barry Switzer. That's the fool's route. In Las Vegas that was one of the most dependable litmus test questions we asked of sportsbook newcomers, their opinion of Barry Switzer. Anyone with a negative opinion flunked.

Do you really think Jimmy Johnson would have won Super Bowls every season running? Jerry Jones likely did Jimmy a big favor by letting him go. Now fans can carry on the nonsense that Jimmy would have held up that trophy every year, just like Canes fans hold onto the garbage that Schnellenberger would have won 7 or 10 titles if he had stayed. Don't worry about probability, just project to the moon.

Barry Switzer was a terrific coach. He was 5-0 combined against Joe Paterno, Tom Osborne and Bobby Bowden in bowl games. In the NFL, Switzer pulled off a remarkable feat by winning a championship one year after the team was dethroned as champ. Historically that is a terrible, terrible spot. Only three times in NFL history has that been done. It never happened in the AFL. The only two coaches besides Switzer to pull off the accomplishment are George Halas and Bill Belichick.

Otherwise, I do have some questions about Manziel's arm. It's good but not special. It's fine until his mechanics suffer. He can't generate enough power with his arm alone. Manziel, for example, couldn't make the falling down 55+ yard heave that Tannehill threw on the final play against the Bills. The reason I don't list it as a concern is that young quarterbacks invariably see an uptick in arm strength once they enter the league. That is already true of Andrew Luck. Matt Ryan had as close to borderline arm strength as anyone I've ever seen at Boston College. It's still hardly ideal and gets him in trouble all the time. Many of his interceptions are cross field throws in which the defensive back laughs while cutting in front. But Ryan's arm is superior now than it was in college. It's questionable how long it will remain that way. He can't afford even a 5% drop to remain viable in this league.

 

[Awsi Dooger]

I forgot to mention that David Shaw has recruited even better than Harbaugh so far, particularly with linemen. He's stolen many premier recruits from USC. But it's true that the bulk of his starters have been holdovers from Harbaugh's tenure.

If Oregon is ever going to overcome their frailties and play for the title it's next year, when they catch a young Stanford team at home, and Oregon's non conference schedule is incredibly favorable, with home games against South Dakota, Wyoming and Michigan State. Some analysts will try to liken the Spartans style to Stanford but Stanford is smarter and does everything better, not to mention familiarity with Oregon's personnel and tendencies.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

Oh please. Don't fall for the simplistic knocks on Barry Switzer. That's the fool's route. In Las Vegas that was one of the most dependable litmus test questions we asked of sportsbook newcomers, their opinion of Barry Switzer. Anyone with a negative opinion flunked.

Do you really think Jimmy Johnson would have won Super Bowls every season running? Jerry Jones likely did Jimmy a big favor by letting him go. Now fans can carry on the nonsense that Jimmy would have held up that trophy every year, just like Canes fans hold onto the garbage that Schnellenberger would have won 7 or 10 titles if he had stayed. Don't worry about probability, just project to the moon.

Barry Switzer was a terrific coach. He was 5-0 combined against Joe Paterno, Tom Osborne and Bobby Bowden in bowl games. In the NFL, Switzer pulled off a remarkable feat by winning a championship one year after the team was dethroned as champ. Historically that is a terrible, terrible spot. Only three times in NFL history has that been done. It never happened in the AFL. The only two coaches besides Switzer to pull off the accomplishment are George Halas and Bill Belichick.

Otherwise, I do have some questions about Manziel's arm. It's good but not special. It's fine until his mechanics suffer. He can't generate enough power with his arm alone. Manziel, for example, couldn't make the falling down 55+ yard heave that Tannehill threw on the final play against the Bills. The reason I don't list it as a concern is that young quarterbacks invariably see an uptick in arm strength once they enter the league. That is already true of Andrew Luck. Matt Ryan had as close to borderline arm strength as anyone I've ever seen at Boston College. It's still hardly ideal and gets him in trouble all the time. Many of his interceptions are cross field throws in which the defensive back laughs while cutting in front. But Ryan's arm is superior now than it was in college. It's questionable how long it will remain that way. He can't afford even a 5% drop to remain viable in this league.

Barry Switzer is a bad example. I was about 10 years old when he started in Dallas.

 

[ChambersWI]

I forgot to mention that David Shaw has recruited even better than Harbaugh so far, particularly with linemen. He's stolen many premier recruits from USC. But it's true that the bulk of his starters have been holdovers from Harbaugh's tenure.

If Oregon is ever going to overcome their frailties and play for the title it's next year, when they catch a young Stanford team at home, and Oregon's non conference schedule is incredibly favorable, with home games against South Dakota, Wyoming and Michigan State. Some analysts will try to liken the Spartans style to Stanford but Stanford is smarter and does everything better, not to mention familiarity with Oregon's personnel and tendencies.

Shaw has been an incredible recruiter for sure. Andrus Peat is a monter of a LT.

The more I think about it, the more I really want to take one of these WRs early because most of them have what we lack; big body WRs that can win balls in the air but can also get the tough YAC. Having seen most of him this year, I love the thought of Allen Robinson with our team (he's 50/50 but from a reliable source as of right now he's leaning towards declaring)

Also, Johnny Manziel reportedly only goes to College Station anymore for practice or games and hasn't been in class for weeks.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

I wouldn't complain at all about Miami going WR in RD 1 (depending on the WR obviously). There's a good chance a borderline 1st RD OT falls to RD 2 anyway - given the talent that will be there in the 1st RD.

 

[Pat-London]

I wouldn't complain at all about Miami going WR in RD 1 (depending on the WR obviously)..

Im with you on this one and if available I'd love to have Sammy Watkins in this offense.