Bleacher Report - Articles by Doug Flutie

NFL Mock Draft: 'Skins Trade for Sanchez+ Curry, Cushing, Matthews Fall

Doug Flutie — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:21:50 -0400

1. Lions Matthew Stafford QB Georgia

Stafford and agent Tom Condon both eager to sign because of the potential slip.

2. Rams Jason Smith LT Baylor

Need a replacement for Pace and Alex Barron is clearly not the answer at left tackle. Do not need to draft a QB and trading down is not feasible

3. Redskins (from Chiefs) Mark Sanchez QB USC

Dan Snyder made it clear with his Cassell pursuits that Cambell is not the future and will not get outbid. Pioli wisely trades down to get similar talent at half price.

4. Seahawks Eugene Monroe LT Virginia

Walter Jones is winding down and Monroe can contribute immediately.

5. Browns Brian Orakpo OLB Texas

Desperately need sacks and showed great interest at Pro Day.

6. Bengals Andre Smith OT Alabama

Finishing 31st in offense requires a change in personnel. A menacing run blocker and proficient pass blocker will provide some stability for Carson Palmer.

7. Raiders Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri

Jamarcus needs a downfield threat to compliment tight end Zack Miller. Crabtree has too many question marks to make a gamble.

8. Jaguars Aaron Curry ILB Wake Forest

A gift from the gods drops Curry to eight eliminating their plans to trade down. Will fill dire need at the mike position with the loss of Peterson.

9. Packers Tyson Jackson DE LSU

An ideal 5 technique player that should make the packers transition to the 3-4 much easier.

10. 49'ers Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech

Ten years from now could easily be the steal of the draft. Expect a lot of catches given Shaun Hill can not throw the ball more then 25 yards.

11. Bills Robert Ayers DE Tennessee

After a season of no pass rush, Dick Jauron needs his defensive line to come through to save his job.

12. Broncos B.J. Raji NT Boston College

Ideal 3-4 nose that will command the double team and will also create great pressure on the quarterback as well as allowing the d ends to collapse the pocket.

13. Chiefs (From Redskins) Michael Oher LT/RT Ole Miss

Pioli gets an SEC battle tested tackle cheap and moves Albert to guard.

14. Saints Vontae Davis CB Illinois

Saints have a great need for defensive backs and Vontae is the most talented defensive back in the draft.

15. Houston Texans Malcom Jenkins CB Ohio State

Next best corner for the emerging Texans defense after addressing the trenches the past three drafts in the first rounds.

16. Chargers Knowshon Moreno RB Georgia

LT is on his way out and Sproles is nothing more then a special teamer/third down back.

17. Jets Darius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland

The Jets surprise radio city music hall addressing the replacement of Laverneus Coles and giving Clemens more weapons to make him look like an adequate NFL Quarterback.

18. Broncos Aaron Maybin OLB Penn State

Has the potential to develop into a sack artist extraordinaire in the mold of a Jason Taylor.

19. Buccaneers Michael Johnson DE Georgia Tech

Do not need a developmental, inaccurate, quarterback to add to the Buccaneer Quarterback collection.

20. Lions Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma State

Stafford gets the best tight end in the draft and the offense gets a great help in the running game.

21. Eagles Beanie Wells RB Ohio State

Eagles making super bowl push and trying to add a new dimension to the offense.

22. Vikings Eben Britton OT Arizona

Fill a gaping whole at right tackle and continue to pave the way for AD.

23. Patriots Ray Maualuga USC

Ray fills a need at the Ted linebacker position replacing Bruschi by reaking havoc allowing Mayo to roam and make plays

24. Falcons Peria Jerry DT Ole Miss

This quick penetrating defensive tackle is a huge upgrade that will help Abraham and the former 8th pick Jamaal Anderson get more then 2 sacks a season

25. Dolphins Everette Brown OLB Florida State

Brown's reputation as a leader, hard worker impresses Parcells who gets a top 10 talent very late to replace current starter Matt Roth.

26. Ravens Kenny Britt WR Rutgers

Joe Flacco and the Ravens get the big target that this offense has been missing for many years.

27. Indianapolis Ziggy Hood DT Missouri

A huge upgrade over current 260 lb d tackles with superior athleticism, speed, and power to fit the scheme to perfection

28. Bills Brian Cushing SLB USC

Good thing they did not get him at 11 because this strong side backer will still be on the board and be a 10 year starter. Don't expect many sacks because of scheme and lack of pass rush abilities but expect great play verse the run.

29. Giants Clay Mathews SLB USC

Shows tremendous ability and athleticism in coverage allowing him to get on the field right away in the nickel package. With a little help on reads, and experience Mathews will develop into a fine Sam linebacker.

30. Titans Jarron Gilbert DT San Jose State

Freak athlete who jumps out of pools lands in Tennessee where he will try to replace superstar Albert Haynseworth.

31 Cardinals Donald Brown RB Connecticut

Hightower averages a whopping 2.8 y/c and Edge is done.

32. Steelers Eric Wood C/G Louisville

Steelers desperately need a center and Wood is more of a mauler than Unger or Mack.

Duke Football Is on the Rise in the ACC

Doug Flutie — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:05:56 -0400

Interview with P.J. Lowman on Duke's upcoming season

Q: Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis made great strides in 2007, throwing 21 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions. Can we expect this signal caller to build on last season and possibly improve that 55 percent completion percentage?

A: Thad Lewis will have success throwing the ball in 2008, but ultimately his success depends upon how quickly he is able to grasp Coach David Cutcliffe’s passing attack. It appears that the offensive line, a weakness of the 2007 team, has been working extremely hard with the new coaching staff to give Lewis increased protection and hopefully open up some holes for what was a non-existent rushing attack last season.

With an emphasis on completing shorter passes, I would fully expect Thad’s completion percentage to make a jump.

Q: The Blue Devil running game was one of the worst in the country, rushing for only 64 yards per game last season. Can fans expect an improvement in the running game, and what measures have been taken in spring practice to improve the attack?

A: The emergence of Requan Boyette this spring was a huge shot in the arm to the rushing attack, as was Tielor Robinson receiving another year of eligibility from the NCAA after losing last season to injury. Clifford Harris is also very capable.

Again, the offensive line will dictate whatever level of success the Blue Devils will have on the ground. Duke will use the pass to set up the run, which will hopefully open up lots of running lanes.

Duke fans are very encouraged with the emphasis the coaching staff has on getting all of the players in shape, faster, and stronger. This should go a long way towards improving the offensive line and the running game.

Q: Wide receiver Eron Riley has been outstanding the last two years, with 643 yards in 2006 and 830 yards in 2007. Will Riley be a legitimate draft prospect come next April, and will another year with Thaddeus Lewis result in improvements in the overall passing game?

A: Eron Riley will be one of the storylines to follow this coming season. He is a legit talent and should thrive under the new offensive system. Because he will be the focus of opposing defensive coordinators, it will be difficult to put up monster numbers.

If he has improved his strength and speed during the offseason, there is no reason to think that he won’t be in an NFL training camp after his time at Duke. If Thad gets decent protection, Riley could very easily contend for first team All-ACC honors.

Q: Mike Tauiliili and Vincent Ray return at linebacker after both making 100-plus tackles in 2007. They lead an experienced unit that is arguably the team's most talented position group. How big are expectations for this group, and is the success of the defense put on their backs?

A: Duke’s LBs should be very good against the run as both Tauliili and Rey are sound tacklers. However, both need to improve in pass defense. Under the new coaching staff’s direction, both players have decreased their weights and gotten faster. This will go a long way towards improving their ability to cover WRs and TEs.

Marcus Jones is a great athlete and could occupy the other LB slot, while Adam Banks is a workhorse that will see time at the position as well.

Q: Last year's Blue Devil defense was ranked at the bottom in the ACC in most every statistical category. It all starts up front, and the defensive line was far from spectacular. Will former five-star recruit defensive tackle Vince Oghobaase live up to his hype, and how was the overall performance in spring ball from this defensive line?

A: In my opinion, the DL is the most promising group on the team. Duke has some very talented guys here, along with some depth. However, a pass-rushing DE must emerge from this group.

The biggest problem plaguing the Duke defense last season was the total number of snaps and lack of conditioning. This unit was on the field way too long in 2007, and improved offense will go a long way towards making the DL successful.

Vince Oghobaase is as good as advertised and could very easily be a first team All-ACC selection at season’s end.

Q: Is this Blue Devil squad ready to compete in the ACC in 2008? What are the expectations from the players and the staff?

A: Coach Cutcliffe did not come here to wait around. He and the staff fully expect to be in consideration for a bowl game, and that attitude has trickled down to the players. Duke is absolutely ready to compete in the ACC in 2008.

Looking back at last season’s results, the kicking game cost Duke a chance to win a few more games. That part of the team must be sound for Duke to win four to five games and even compete for bowl eligibility.

Arizona Football: Q & A with Director of Football Operations Erick Harper

Doug Flutie — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:28:29 -0400

Q & A with Arizona Director of Football Operations Erick Harper

Q: Arizona football will open the 2008 season playing five of six games against teams with losing records in 2007, and then proceed to play five of six versus teams who made bowl appearances.

Do you think the schedule will benefit the Wildcats by giving them a lot of early success and confidence, or might it make the second half of the season difficult due to such a drastic increase in competition?

A: There are no guarantees in sports, other than Tiger Woods' chances of winning each tournament he enters. As for five of six teams with '07 losing records to start the season, it doesn't matter because we will have to play our best each week to have a chance to win.

The second half of our schedule is heavy. However, we have four of those six games at home, and it's never easy playing on the road in the Pac-10. The road games are @ WSU (new staff) and @ UO (always a very good team at home).

Q: The Arizona Wildcat red zone offense struggled last year, only scoring 18 touchdowns on 42 attempts. A common critique of the spread offense is the inability to score touchdowns with a shortened field. Can Arizona fans expect any changes in regards to formations or philosophies when the offense gets inside the twenty?

A: The fans can expect our players to be more comfortable with the offensive system in its second year. With any offense, whether it's pro-style or spread, it boils down to "Execution."

Q: With a very talented receiving corps returning in Mike Thomas, Terrell Turner, Delashaun Dean, and tight end Rob Gronkowski, is this passing game only going to get better with another year in the system? How can Sonny Dykes utilize all of their talents and get everyone touches?

A: Yes, we have a talented crew coming back this year, and Coach Dykes will utilize each player to his fullest potential. The ball will be spread around; however, the open guy gets the ball. Of course, you game plan for certain things to take advantage of a player's ability, and Coach Dykes will make it happen.

Q: Quarterback Willie Tuitama threw 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions in the five Arizona wins. In the seven losses, he only threw eight touchdowns with nine interceptions. Is there a recommitment to the run game with Nicolas Grigsby, and if so, is that going to help take some of the pressure off Tuitama?

A: The better the run game, the better the passing game. They go hand in hand, and Willie welcomes a strong rushing attack. Grigsby should be better now with a season under his belt competing, and a spring and summer in the weight room will make him a stronger back.

Q: Can you give us some information on the 2008 secondary? Being a former standout defensive back at Kansas State, I am sure it must be a position of interest to you. With experience at safety in Cam Nelson and Nate Ness, and first-year starters with Devin Ross and Marquis Hundley, what kind of unit will this be in 2008?

A: The secondary will be inexperienced at the corner position due to the loss of Antoine Cason and Wilrey Fontenot. The ability and experience of the safeties will help with the inexperience of the corners.

Both Ross and Hundley have played on special teams during the season, so they understand the speed of the game, and they've competed against our talented receiving corps throughout the spring.

Q: What does linebacker Ronnie Palmer mean to this defense? Can you tell us anything about his leadership?

A: Palmer means everything to the defense because he is the most experienced player and the leader for our defense. He knows the defense better than any other player on the field.

Q: Lastly, what is your overall outlook for this football team? Is this the year the Wildcats go bowling?

A: Like every team in America going into the 2008 season, a bowl game is the ultimate goal, and it all starts on August 30 with Idaho.

UCLA Football: Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow Look to Rebuild

Doug Flutie — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:01:23 -0400

Q and A with Don Kramer

What are going to be some of the bigger changes with Rich Neuheisel as coach in terms of recruiting and schemes, compared to Karl Dorrell? Can you also talk about the addition of Norm Chow?

The biggest differences will be on the recruiting front and the offensive side of the ball. The defense under DeWayne Walker won't change, and neither will the special teams. Where Dorrell typically went after "low-hanging fruit" on the recruiting front, Neuheisel has the guts to go after the nation's best recruits.

The offensive attack will change significantly under Neuheisel and Chow. No more West Coast Offense, which was FAR too complex to be used at the college level. Chow will have control over the offense, but Neuheisel will coach the QBs on mechanics and will call some critical plays once in a while.

With no real dominant running backs returning in the Pac-10, can Kahlil Bell finish the year as the Pac-10's leading rusher? He rushed for 795 yards on 142 carries in 2007 with a staggering 5.6 yards per carry.

No. The offensive line in front of him doesn't have the horses to allow him to produce that much. UCLA will need to throw the ball through the air, probably in the horizontal passing game this year, and probably about 60 percent of the plays. This is what happens without an experienced and deep OL.

We won't know how well he's recovered from the knee surgery until the year starts. Bell is a "tweener," not a HUGE back and not a burner.

Can this be the year quarterback Ben Olson breaks through and proves that he is worthy of the hype he got coming out of high school and when transferring to UCLA? He has only thrown 12 touchdown passes as a UCLA Bruin.

Great question—wish I knew the answer to that. Olson has yet to prove he's capable of adjusting to the speed of the college game...which has always been his major weakness. Is it realistic to believe he can stay healthy throughout an entire season? Yes, it's realistic. But it'll be a challenge with a somewhat suspect OL in front of him.

Can you talk about the front seven? Reggie Carter, Korey Bosworth, and Kyle Bosworth appear to be the core of this unit. What other players played well in spring ball and are expected to make an impact?

I don't agree that the LBers will be the core of the unit. The DTs, in the form of Brian Price and Brigham Harwell, are EASILY the strongest unit on either side of the line of scrimmage for UCLA. Add Carter to that as the MLBer...and the defensive front "Up-the-Middle" is the strength of the defensive unit. It's the defensive unit "On-the-Edges" that will get attacked by opposing offensive coordinators, at least on the ground.

The defensive backfield has an entirely new look. Can you talk about the replacements and the expectations for this inexperienced unit?

Alteraun Verner is easily the strength of the DBs and has the potential be an All Pac-10 performer. FS is a wild card with Aaron Ware there. Who knows if he'll live up to the lofty standards his brother set? Bret Lockett is a tiny bit more of a known commodity, but this will still be his first year as a starter.

Michael Norris is EASILY the weakest link in the chain on defense, and he's the most likely to lose his starting position out of any kid on the team, IMO. I'm thinking he gets replaced VERY early on by one of the freshmen or Courtney Viney, possibly as early as the second game.

Whoever plays there...you can COUNT on the fact that opposing offensive coordinators will make that CB position the main point of attack against the UCLA defense. Walker will be challenged on the best way to help out the guy(s) playing that position.

Where does this squad finish in Pac-10 play?

The schedule, as always, is critical. At first glance it looks like a tough schedule. However...due to the young nature of the team...it's a good thing that three out of the first four games, and six out of the first nine, are at home or the Rose Bowl. But sandwiched in the middle are two very difficult road games @ Oregon and @ CAL. Those last two games @ ASU and home vs. USC should be just brutal as well.

How much will they have improved, and how well will they have avoided injuries prior to those games? I'm not that optimistic. This is a rebuilding year by any yardstick...and they'd better be no worse than 6-4 after the first ten games if they're going to make a bowl game of ANY kind.

I'm guessing they finish tied for sixth in the Pac-10 this year and finish 6-6 overall. We'll see what happens.

Stanford Football: The Year of the Linebacker

Doug Flutie — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:14:30 -0400

A conversation with Jim Rutter from thebootleg.com, Stanford's scout.com page.

Tavita Pritchard is in a QB battle with Michigan transfer Jason Forcier. It seems like it is Pritchard's job to lose. Does Pritchard benefit from this competition, or does it take away from his reps and hurt his progression from a raw QB to a strong Pac-10 signal caller?

Competition is critical. Tavita is a great guy, and yes, he helped us knock off USC in crunch time, but has yet to show he can play a complete game and get us wins. Alex Loukas is definitely in the mix as well, largely because Forcier showed very little in the spring game. The fall will be interesting. Freshman Andrew Luck looks like the real deal. Stranger things have happened…

Starting RB Anthony Kimble played solid when healthy last year, rushing for 509 yards on 115 carries, highlighted by over 100 yards against TCU and Oregon. Who do you see relieving Kimble of carries and emerging as the change of pace back?

Toby Gerhart, if he's healthy and keeps playing football, would be my starter over AK, but they would both see time. A healthy Gerhart is a 1,000-yard rusher waiting to happen. Jeremy Stewart is a good "change of pace," but I am pretty excited about incoming freshman Delano Howell, who plays all-out.

We will see in the fall. You never know about new kids until they strap it on against college players. Former team member Tyrone McGraw would have helped add some variety, but we can only play with guys on the squad.

The Wide Receiver situation appears to be a bright spot on the offense with Richard Sherman, Doug Baldwin, and Ryan Whalen all returning. Sherman looks to be the number one receiver after 581 yards as a freshmen and 651 yards as a sophomore. Can you talk about the development of the young receivers?

Richard Sherman just needs to mature emotionally and become a leader. Baldwin shows flashes, but has to take the job. There is a lot of buzz surrounding the arrival of freshmen Chris Owusu. Also, watch out for redshirt freshman tight end Coby Fleener.

The offensive line for Stanford was the weak link of the team, allowing 48 sacks, which was fourth worst in Division I-A football.

In fairness, we were hit pretty hard with injury in ‘07. We lost starting OT Allen Smith for the season, who will also miss the 2008 season. We also lost TE Jim Dray for the season, and his availability in 2008 remains in question.

Honors candidate fifth-year senior Alex Fletcher moves to center. Gustav Rystedt and Andrew Phillips should be solid at the guards (with OK transfer Chase Beeler working his way into the rotation). Chris Marinelli is becoming an outstanding right tackle.

The big question mark: Can Ben Muth handle the left tackle position? Big if, but we are hopeful. Part of the susceptibility to sacks was having a strong-armed but less than mobile QB in T.C. Ostrander.

It also didn’t help that we ran out of running backs when Gerhart was lost for the season, Kimble was banged up, Stewart got hurt, and we were left with fourth-string Jason Evans, who played awfully well before being lost for the season with a knee injury. When no one is running the ball, it is easy for teams to attack the QBs, especially ones whose WRs aren’t getting open.

With multiple tight end sets, the interior of the line was protected but still struggled. Given the talent will not significantly change, what can Harbaugh do to succeed offensively despite a group that lacks ability to compete in one on one matchups?

Who says the group lacks one-on-one skill? I like the guys we will have out there this year better in that respect. Evan Moore and Mark Bradford are wonderful guys but struggled to get open.

The starting WRs this year will be quicker. The talent is changing—Sherman, Baldwin, Fleener, maybe newcomer Owusu. We will know in the fall whether either of the Reulands is ready to be a factor.

What can Harbaugh & Co. do? Take more risks, open things up on offense. We were about as predictable on offense last year as we were under Walt Harris, which was scary. I don’t think the staff felt that they had the talent to take chances—a mistake if you ask me.

We scored all of 14.5 points per game in the second half of the season, never scoring more than 21 points…and we were fortunate to win a couple of those games.

Pannel Egboh and Ekom Udofia combined for 21 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. They lead a D-line that does a solid job penetrating into the backfield. Historically, limited depth has caused inconsistency on the defensive line over the course of games. What is the depth situation this year, and might it be a less of a drop-off then last year?

Depth is currently the best it has been. Udofia staying healthy for a season would be nice. A front four of Lorig, Bulcke, Fua/Udofia, and Egboh with rotation in of guys like Masifilo, Udofia/Fua, and McGillicuddy is all we need if they can stay healthy. Derek Hall, Levirt Griffin, and Matt Bentler could all help. It will be intriguing to see if highly-touted Chase Thomas can help at rush DE.

Linebacker seems to be the team's most experienced and talented unit. Clinton Snyder led the way last year with 98 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks, and was named to the Bronco Nagurski watch list.

Although undersized, Pat Maynor does a great job reading offensive linemen, allowing him to play on the other end of the line of scrimmage. He racked up 16.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.

Rounding out the group on the weak side this year will be Chike Amajoyi. Another great blitzer, Chike totaled four sacks and 47 tackles last year in a limited role. Will these talented linebackers be able to solidify Stanford's defense in the same way Penn State's LBs have?

The starting LB corp is a definite strength. Snyder will be used in a lot of different ways. Will Powers will be used as well. Watch for Max Bergen to make some plays in a reserve role. Amajoyi was a nice surprise as a true freshman.

The defensive backs really struggled in 2007, giving up big plays not only in the passing game, but in the running game as the last line of defense. Stanford was 77th in rush defense and 84th in pass defense.

Wopamo Osaisai returns at corner, possessing great speed. Bo McNally returns at safety with Austin Yancy. McNally is on the watch list for the Ronnie Lott Trophy this year with 114 tackles and two picks in 2007.

What can we expect out of this unit considering three starters are returning? Can this pass defense eliminate the big plays that haunted them in 2007?

TBD—I sure hope so. It will be a big key to the season. We will certainly miss Nick Sanchez’s nose for the ball, but he was banged up a lot. Osaisai should be much improved. McNally is a playmaker. Yancy is no lock to start. Taylor Skaufel gets some of his reps.

CB Kris Evans came on strong at the end of the year. Corey Gatewood is very fast and is going to be very good. Mark Mueller is showing improvement and could provide some breathers.

Lastly, where will they finish in the Pac-10? Can Cardinal fans expect a .500 season?

If you promised me a healthy Gerhart, I would say yes. As it is, I would say we will have to remain relatively injury-free to have a shot at a .500 record. We have less depth than many schools for a variety of reasons. We also have to replace all of our specialists from the special teams unit, which isn’t always smooth.

Tough schedule! The opener vs. OSU is pretty critical. Our defense will be very good, but the offense is totally unproven when it comes to consistently scoring enough points to win games.

5-7 or even 4-8 wouldn’t be an embarrassment, depending on how close the games are. 6-6 would get us a minor bowl and really help show progress to recruits. 7-5 or better, and we are back in business and will have a monster recruiting class for ’09, which we may have regardless!

I go into every game thinking we can win, but without Cardinal-tinted sunglasses, this team will have to work VERY hard to get six or seven wins, playing only five home games and playing in a tough conference.

The good news is that some of the Pac-10 schools won’t be as good—UCLA, Oregon, OSU, and others may not be quite as good.

Georgia Tech Football: Bowl Bound?

Doug Flutie — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:45:36 -0400

Q and A with Jonathan Leifheit from GoJackets.com about the upcoming season.

Can you give us some information on starting quarterback Josh Nesbitt? Given he did not play much last year, only attempting 13 passes, the scouting report on him is pretty thin. Were the coaches impressed with him during spring ball?

Actually, Josh did play a good bit last year—enough that he was the third-leading rusher on the team. He racked up 355 yards on 53 carries. He didn't pass a lot—five for 13 for 93 yards—but he was on the field nearly every game. Largely, Josh was used in spot duty and generally was put in for one (maybe two) series in every game.

Josh is an excellent runner and proved to be very hard to bring down. What is unknown is how good a passer he will become. He is known, however, to have a very strong arm and played in an offense in high school that featured his arm frequently.

Josh emerged from spring practice as the clear No. 1, and thus far he has grasped the offense better than any of the other QBs. However, he did have some injury problems and didn't get in as many reps as the coaches would have liked.

Many people perceive Paul Johnson’s option attack as a ball-control offense that methodically moves down the field. Can this offense be effective when trailing in a game, and can fans expect this system to produce big plays?

Last year, Navy's offense was third in the country with regard to scoring drives of under a minute and eighth in the country in plays of 25 yards or more. That sounds to me like an offense that CAN and DOES pick up big hunks of yardage in a hurry.

Navy was the second-least penalized team in the nation last season, allowing the offense to become the nation's finest rushing attack. Georgia Tech was heavily penalized last year in terms of yardage. Do you think offensive discipline is something Paul Johnson can change, and how important is this statistic for the Georgia Tech offense this year?

I think you can expect that Coach Johnson will get the number of penalties down in the long term. However, I'm not sure how well that will be demonstrated in year one.

Largely, offensive penalties happen because a player isn't in position to carry out his assignment and has to do something outside of the rules to do his job. Typically, that results in a holding call on offense.

I expect that as this team learns their roles, those penalties will still occur. I do think we should see fewer of the five-yard penalties (delay of game, illegal procedure, and illegal motion).

Penalties and turnovers are an important statistic in any offense, and how well they keep them down will still play an important role in how well the offense performs.

Paul Johnson led the Navy program to five straight bowl appearances and did an amazing job since his first year in 2002, when he only achieved two wins. The Navy football program seemed to hit the ceiling in terms of its program potential.

Given Georgia Tech's ability to recruit and its status in the ACC, what is the ceiling for Paul Johnson and this Georgia Tech football program over the next five years? Can they be a consistent ACC contender and maybe even a perennial top 10 team?

Georgia Tech has proven that it's an institution where ACC championships and national championships can be won. I think that Coach Johnson's ceiling is no less than that.

I would expect growing pains in year one, and maybe in years two and three as well, while Coach Johnson gets more players in that fit his system. Still, given the numbers he will be able to recruit, he should be able to make the transition more rapidly than some may expect.

The Georgia Tech defense also seems to be undergoing an overhaul, with the loss of defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta, as well as leading tacklers Phillip Wheeler and Gary Guyton. How is the defensive scheme going to differ from last year? Will the scheme maintain its aggressive nature that has made this defense successful in the past?

Coach Dave Wommack has indicated that the defense will not lose its aggressive nature, so you can still expect a lot of what has been seen in the past. The difference will be more of an attempt to confuse the offense in what coverages to expect versus confusing them by disguising where the blitz is coming from.

Coach Wommack will expect more from his secondary in terms of differing coverages—particularly with regard to man coverage (something rarely seen under Coach Tenuta), and he will blitz less often than Coach Tenuta.

Defensive end Michael Johnson seems to be getting a lot of preseason publicity, and his name is constantly surfacing on draft websites. With limited production and starts over the past two years, why are scouts so enamored by this player?

Michael Johnson has made a lot of very crucial plays at critical times. He also has been unstoppable in one on one blocking in passing situations and has drawn a lot of double teams in those same situations.

His production is a lot higher than the numbers suggest simply because of the attention he draws from the offense—basically freeing up his teammates to make more plays.

He's a very unselfish player and a very coachable player. Additionally, he has all the athleticism and tools that the pro scouts look for (and then some).

The only knock against him thus far has been how well he works against the run. If he improves that aspect, then he will certainly warrant the attention given to him thus far in the preseason.

The defensive line certainly looks like the team's strongest area. Defensive tackle Vance Walker returns after a monster year with 45 tackles and 8.5 sacks, along with Darryl Richard, who had 4.5 sacks and 30 tackles respectively. With Johnson and Morgan coming off the edge, ACC offensive lines should be concerned.

How big of a role will this unit play in the defensive success, and how do they rank against the other defensive lines in the country?

Considering the inexperience at linebacker, the defense is going to depend a LOT on how well the line performs. Fortunately, they are a unit that I would place among the best in the conference and the country. The success of this defense will live and die with how well the line performs.

The linebacking corps and secondary are highlighted with underclassmen. Who are some of the talented players the coaching staff is counting on, and where is the leadership going to come from?

Among the linebackers and secondary, there are three names that are going to stand out. First is safety Morgan Burnett. Morgan was starting by the end of last year as a freshmen—something very rare under Coach Tenuta due to the complexity of the defense he ran. That speaks well to his talent and how well he grasps the game.

Second, I think Brad Jefferson and A.T. Barnes are players in the linebacking corps that will prove to be another in a long line of great GT linebackers. Jefferson has been used a lot in special teams, so he has been on the field, while A.T. Barnes has started a few games as a result of injuries. Barnes was also in the game in passing situations and proved to be an incredible blitzer.

Both have all the athleticism that Wheeler and Guyton displayed but need experience. Certainly, though, the leadership will largely come from the senior linemen—Walker, Richard, and Johnson.

Lastly, what is your season prediction? Will new head coach Paul Johnson bypass the rebuilding process and get this team to a quality bowl game?

I think this first season will be a success if Georgia Tech gets to ANY bowl game. In 2009, I think GT fans can look forward to more success. But the drastic shift in philosophy on offense is going to take some time to work out, and the early season road trips to Boston College and Virginia Tech are going to be difficult.

Additionally, with 2 I-AA schools on the schedule, the team MUST win seven to even be considered at all for a bowl.

It's really tough to predict how good this team will be until we get to see how much progress the offense has made over the summer and in early fall practice in grasping the concept that Coach Johnson wants to implement.

Oregon Football: 2008 Recruiting Recap

Doug Flutie — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:57:08 -0400

Q & A with Braden Gall, who is a content producer and recruiting editor for Athlon Sports. The website is athlonsports.com

Junior College transfer running back LaGarrette Blount looked outstanding in the spring game, rushing for 68 yards on five carries. He reminds me a lot of former UW star Corey Dillon. Both were junior college products that entered the Pac-10 as big, physical runners. What is your evaluation on him as a player, and is that a fair comparison?

First—and this is more of a personal statement—spring games mean very little to me. So what he did in the spring game is not that important to me. The biggest thing to take from that performance was that he was even there to begin with. That extra time working with teammates, coaches and just getting to know the campus early allows for him to focus on football come the fall.

I think the future is very bright for LaGarrette Blount. The Corey Dillon comparison is very fair—bigger, more physical styles of play but both have deceptive speed. Blount will open defensive coordinators' eyes with his speed.

Will he set single-season school records for rushing yards and touchdowns like Dillon did in '96? Probably not. Will he set an NCAA single -quarter record for rushing yards and all-purpose yards like Dillon did against San Jose State? Probably not, but he will be a major factor in the offense.

What I love about him is how he fits with the rest of the team. Jeremiah Johnson, someone I expect a lot from this fall, is so versatile and explosive. He should be a huge factor in the passing game and on the edge.

That leaves the short yardage and inside yards to Blount. They will compliment each other perfectly. 125-175 carries, 600-800 yards and 8-10 touchdowns are a legit possibility for Blount.

I want to talk about another junior college player entering Oregon, and that is five-star defensive tackle Justin Thompson out of El Camino Junior College. El Camino has numerous players who signed letters of intent to play Division I college football, especially in the trenches.

How much will this help the transition, having played against great players, and what are realistic expectations for him in his first year in the Pac-10?

El Camino is one of the most dominant junior college programs in the nation, much less the West Coast. Of course, there are a few schools in Kansas and Mississippi that would have something to say about that. But I digress.

Thompson has all the tools to be very successful on the next level. Oklahoma, LSU, Nebraska, and Tennessee don't just offer any old defensive tackle.

The key, for me, is the situation he is walking into Eugene. With Nick Reed and Will Tukuafu returning on the outside of the line and a very underrated secondary returning a lot of talent, he will not be asked to be a playmaker.

Reed will be the leader and will be double-teamed on a regular basis. That should open up the middle of the line for Thompson to make plays. At 6'5" and nearly 280 pounds, he should take up a lot of space in the middle and allow those LBs to flow through and make plays.

He is a great addition for the Ducks. The numbers won't be there, but if he starts eight or nine games this season, his impact will be massive.

Incoming freshman Quarterback Darron Thomas appears to be the best fit in the Chip Kelly offense with his speed and athleticsm. Is he physically and mentally ready to play, or would he be better served redshirting and developing his strength and knowledge of the playbook?

I may have to backtrack here. I have been a HUGE Darron Thomas fan for quite some time now. His feet are lightning quick and can accelerate to full speed as fast as anyone I have seen in years. He also has really nice touch on the ball.

The major issue for me is his arm strength and size. Dennis Dixon was rail thin, and it cost the Ducks a shot at a title and maybe a Heisman Trophy. He will need to add weight. Again, the early enrolling is clutch, especially for a player competing in essentially a wide open position battle.

Here comes the backtracking. I had a chance to meet John Neal in Houston when I was on a recruiting trip and got to talking with him about the QB situation (we were actually in Aldine, Texas). He said he was blown away by Chris Harper. The Kansas native is much bigger and stronger than Thomas. Both were on campus early, both are great athletes, and both fit the Chip Kelly system perfectly.

After hearing what he had to say about Harper, I am leaning now towards the Wichita product. That is, if Roper and Costa lose the job to a true freshman.

If you had to give the Oregon 2008 class a letter grade on offensive talent and defensive talent, what would it be, and do you think they got good personnel to match their schemes?

Offense: A-

I love this class. The skill positions are loaded. Thomas and Harper could end up anywhere on the field on offense. They are pure playmakers. Then add Blount and a perfect compliment to the big back in LaMichael James and the backfield is set for years.

I didn't even mention the speedy and versatile Kenjon Barner (although he could end up at corner). Dion Jordan is a big, athletic target for whomever is throwing the ball.

The kid I love on offense is Nick Cody. I had a chance to interview him when he committed live on RivalsRadio, and I was blown away. His story is well-documented, but his maturity and drive are startling for a 16-17 year-old kid. He plays to the whistle every time and will be a great one for the Ducks. Hamani Stevens could end up the top OC in the class on 2008.

Defense: B-

Just not a lot of bodies, with possibly only seven recruits on defense. Harper could end up on defense, of course, but he was the only game breaker in the group. Thompson should be the top impact contributor. I am a fan of DeWitt Stuckey as well.

How much of an impact do you think the facilities, stadium, and uniforms have on recruiting? Is Oregon one of the easiest places to recruit from in the Pac-10?

I have covered recruiting for about five years now, and I have learned one thing about recruiting: everything impacts a 17-year-old athlete. Studies have shown that proximity and official visits are the two most important issues when dealing with recruiting.

That said, facilities, atmosphere, stadium, and fan support play a major role as well. Oregon is arguably the best (most rabid) fan base in the Pac-10. It is the closest thing to an SEC gameday that there is on the West Coast. So clearly the Ducks have an advantage in that department over almost every school in the Pac-10.

The uniforms are flashy and catch the eye but don't impact recruiting (certainly doesn't hurt). The sellouts, fancy locker rooms, player lounges, and trophy rooms do.

Most importantly, though, is winning football games. And Mike Bellotti has done that.

Virginia Football: Students Low on Optimism

Doug Flutie — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:42:22 -0400

Michael Reed Garcia from thefanaticmagazine.com talks about the upcoming Virginia football season.

With 2007 starting quarterback Jameel Sewell out of the picture due to grades, reports are that Peter Lalich will likely be the starter. The former coveted recruit in the 2007 class certainly looks the part at 6'5" and 225 pounds. How did he play in spring ball, and is this young quarterback developing the respect of his teammates?

From what I understand, Lalich’s performance in spring ball left a lot to be desired. Although he did not perform as well as senior Scott Deke, I still expect him to enter the season atop the depth chart.

Last year in summer camp, Coach Groh hinted at concerns about Lalich’s ability to grasp the playbook and command the offense. Given rumors that he is a not-so-stellar student, I expect that issue to continue to surface.

You could see it in the Gator Bowl. He looked confused in the pocket and was thinking too much; he seemed extremely uncomfortable. Whether or not he has learned from that experience and improves as a result is the real issue.

With that said, as long as Lalich maintains his confidence, I expect him to command a reasonable amount of respect from his teammates. He certainly says all the right things to the media, and I feel like his offensive teammates will be patient with a young quarterback, given how Sewell developed over last year. If he is the starter, the team will support him.

The Virginia Cavalier offense really struggled both rushing and throwing the football in 2007. They ranked 101st in the country in total offense out of 119 teams. Injuries appeared to have an effect with starting receivers Kevin Ogletree and Maurice Covington missing significant time, as well as running back Cedric Peerman, who rushed for close to 600 yards in five games before a season-ending injury.

Is Al Groh relying on the return of these players to fix the offense, or are there other adjustments he might make philosophically?

The returns of Ogletree and Peerman especially will help the offense, but let’s face it: Virginia is not a dynamic offensive force, even when fully healthy. The offense is not built around yardage, but rather on ball control and maximizing possessions.

I think the running game will be fine. With Peerman, a bruiser, returning and Mikell Simpson as an explosive second option, the Cavs have sizeable creative license with regard to running the ball.

The real concern is the passing game. With Sewell’s return improbable (but not impossible), there will have to be adjustments. This means no more option runs, fewer shotgun QB reads, and almost no sprint-out type plays. Instead, UVA will have to be more traditional in the passing game, relying on three- and five-step drops (Lalich’s specialty).

So yes, the Grohs will have to adjust how they approach the passing offense, although Ogletree’s explosiveness will help stretch the defense and make Lalich’s job (presumably) a little easier.

The offensive line appears to be strong on the edges with the return of tackles Eugene Monroe, Will Barker, and tight end John Phillips who saw snaps last year. How much of a concern is the interior of the offensive line, and will it affect a lot of the play calling?

The offensive line is at the bottom of the list of concerns right now. UVA has a history of really solid O-Lines, and with Monroe and Barker returning, that should continue to be the case. The interior line, though inexperienced, will be OK. They learned from a strong group of guys last year and should not be a weakness.

Even if they do struggle early, I don’t expect it to be much of a problem. UVA does not run Woody Hayes’ offense. The tackles and tight ends are much more crucial to the run-blocking schemes because of all the sweeps and off-tackle plays Groh calls. The only real issue here is whether or not they will be able to pass protect—and I think they will. The line is maybe the team’s strongest unit.

The Cavaliers return three starting linebackers, all of whom will be seniors. They are led by OLB Clint Sintim, who is on the watch list for the Bronco Nagurski award and led the nation in sacks by a linebacker last year with nine.

How is the defensive line looking, having to replace all three starters, and can they be effective enough to allow one of the finest groups of linebackers in the country to run free?

The defensive line is a major concern. Nate Collins is a formidable nose tackle, and he will definitely be up to the task of stopping inside runs. But I really doubt there is going to be much of a pass-rushing presence from this group.

The loss of Long hurts for obvious reasons, but unexpectedly losing Fitzgerald might be as devastating, because now there is no experienced pass rusher out of the front three.

At best, the defensive line will be able to “free up” the linebacking corps and consume blockers—but it will not make many plays by itself, and sacks are going to be the linebackers’ responsibility.

If there was a weakness in the defense last year, it was probably a lack of turnovers. Will cornerbacks Vic Hall, Ras-I Dowling, and safety Byron Glaspy's experience last year together bring out more interceptions? Is there a comfort level growing?

The defensive backfield totaled six interceptions last year. That is simply not going to cut it with the roster that returns. There is a lot of young talent at the corner position, but the guys there—namely, Dowling, Hall, and Chase Minnifield—are going to have to mature their games quickly.

There is something resembling a comfort level with those players, especially Dowling, considering that he played fantastically at some points last year (he tied for the team lead with two picks and nine pass breakups). Glaspy and Hall are solid, too.

With their collective size and speed, the defensive backs will be able to make more plays. I see more interceptions for this group, but also a lot more yards allowed through the air, because the chemistry might not be there at first, and inexperience at corner could be an issue.

USC will come to town on August 30 as one of the top-ranked teams in the country. What will the Wahoos need to do to start the season with a huge win?

It will take nothing short of a miracle for the ‘Hoos to win.

Where will the Cavaliers fit in the 2008 ACC standings, and will they be a top 25 team?

This could be a bowl team without the dismissals of six players in the offseason, most notably Sewell and Jeffrey Fitzgerald. However, those losses leave huge question marks at QB and defensive line. This, then, is a rebuilding year; the team will not break .500 in ACC play.

I hate to be so negative, but with all the personnel losses (coaches too—let’s not forget the impact Mike London had), it’s hard to see this team being as good as last year’s squad. And had it not been so seemingly charmed, last year’s team could have been 3-9—remember, it only won three games by more than a score.

I see this team going 4-8 (3-5), unless Lalich plays up to his physical capacity or the ‘Hoos are able to fill other positional voids.

I was informed over email this morning that last year's quarterback Jameel Sewell still has a chance to return. He is taking summer classes and is going to appeal to the academic administration for reinstatement. If he gets in, he will be the starter.

ACC Football: Patrick Hite Breaks Down Front-Runners and Sleepers

Doug Flutie — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:37:17 -0400

Patrick Hite from accnation.com was kind enough to answer some questions for Bleacher Report ACC liaison, Doug Adams.

Who do you see as the front-runners in the ACC conference? What teams appear primed for a run at the ACC title?

The easy pick in the Atlantic is Clemson. The Tigers have the best skill players in the conference. Cullen Harper was every bit as good as Matt Ryan last year and is my preseason first-team all-ACC quarterback for 2008. James Davis and C.J. Spiller form the best running-back tandem in the country and Aaron Kelly is a first-team receiver.

That being said, my pick to win the Atlantic is Wake Forest. Clemson’s offensive line worries me, and other than their secondary, the Tigers defense is full of holes. And don’t forget, Clemson has a way of underachieving. A loss at BC or UVa wouldn’t shock anyone.

Meanwhile, Wake has a quarterback in Riley Skinner that, if healthy for the entire season, may put up numbers similar to Harper. Also, Josh Adams will give both Davis and Spiller a run for first-team all-ACC. But it’s the Wake defense that could be the difference. Two years ago, during Wake's surprise run to the conference title, the Demon Deacons won in part with a strong defense. Expect the same this season.

Wake's schedule also helps. The Deacons don't have to play Virginia Tech or North Carolina, the teams many experts think will battle it out for the Coastal Division title, and Clemson has to play in Winston-Salem on a Thursday night. Wake does have to go to Florida State, but it's the third game of the season and the Seminoles will still be hurting because of early-season suspensions.

The Coastal appears to be the weaker of the two divisions for the upcoming season. Virginia Tech has questions at running back, receiver, and linebacker, just to name a few positions, but the Hokies still appear to be the best team in this division.

Tech needs to find a way to use Tyrod Taylor effectively. He's as talented as anyone on the Tech roster, but Sean Glennon is probably the better quarterback. Will the Hokies use both like they did at the end of last season? The quarterback situation and how Tech uses both players may be a key to this team.

North Carolina is young and it will be interesting to see how the players deal with preseason hype. Georgia Tech and Duke have new coaches. Virginia is dealing with personnel losses, both expected and unexpected. Miami needs someone to step up at quarterback, receiver and most spots on defense. The Hurricanes could be really good or really bad. That goes for a lot of teams in the Coastal.

Who do you see as the dark horse or sleeper teams?

In the Atlantic, I like Maryland as a surprise team. They need to settle on a quarterback. Chris Turner finished strong last year after replacing Jordan Steffy. Those two will be in the mix again, as will Josh Portis, who may be the most talented. Whichever player nails down the job, they'll have great receivers, starting with Darrius Heyward-Bey, as targets.

There's talent, if not experience, at running back, but the backs will benefit from what could be a great offensive line. The offense will have to carry the defense early, but if some of the younger players come around on defense, the unit could be good enough to keep the Terps in games. I don't think Maryland will sneak past Wake and Clemson, but an eight-win season is not out of the question.

This year's Coastal surprise could be last year's Coastal surprise. It seems for every Chris Long that was expected to be gone this season, a Jeffrey Fitzgerald unexpectedly left the program. The defense has some issues, but if the offensive line can come together quickly I really like the UVa skill players.

Peter Lalich will be the quarterback after Jameel Sewell found himself in academic trouble. Lalich isn't as mobile as Sewell, but he is a more traditional pocket quarterback and he'll have some weapons, including Kevin Ogletree. Running back should also be a strength for the Cavaliers. A weak division opens the door for Virginia, as well as every other team in the Coastal.

The ACC seems to be filled with competition at the Quarterback position. What can you tell us about the position battles that are surfacing in this conference?

Florida State: Drew Weatherford will most likely start at quarterback, but it's anyone's guess how long he remains in that position. The rising senior missed spring practice, giving Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson a chance to play. Both may push for starting time if Weatherford struggles. I like Ponder to get the job by the time FSU is at Miami Oct. 4, but this will probably be a season-long saga in Tallahassee.

Maryland: Chris Turner got his chance last year when Jordan Steffy was injured. Turner led Maryland to a couple of big wins, including one over Boston College, and is the likely starter come Aug. 30. But look for Turner to have a short leash. Steffy will likely get a chance if Turner falters. I really like Florida transfer Josh Portis, who missed last season at Maryland after some academic issues, but I don't believe he'll get a chance unless things go south in a hurry for the Terps.

N.C. State: Close your eyes and pick a name out of a hat—that may be the way N.C. State decides on a starting quarterback this year. Daniel Evans was the starter last year, but his competitors at the position are more athletic, plus Evans had an injury in the spring which may have hurt his chances at earning the starting job this season.

Justin Burke had a good spring game but was buried on the depth chart last year. Harrison Beck isn't the best decision maker but does have a strong arm. Mike Glennon is the hope for the future, but it's doubtful a true freshman can win the job unless the coaching staff decides at some point this year that the season is lost and starts playing for 2009.

Those are the three teams with actual battles heading into the season. As we've seen in the past, any of the other schools could end up with battles once the season gets under way. For instance, North Carolina will go with T.J. Yates to begin the season, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Mike Paulus if the Heels don't start out strong.

Robert Marve is my pick to start at Miami, but keeping the job all season isn't a given. I don't consider Virginia Tech's situation a quarterback battle because I think Frank Beamer fully expects to play both guys throughout the season.

Last year's top teams, Virginia Tech and Boston College, are graduating a lot of seniors and seem to be inexperienced at a lot of positions. Is there concern in the conference that this could be a down year?

This has been a hot topic on our podcast for the last few years. Recently, every year seems like a down one for the ACC. When the ACC expanded, conference officials dreamed about the day they landed two teams in the BCS. Not only is the ACC not close to realizing that dream, but the nightmare is that the one team that does get in every year can't win. The last time the ACC won a BCS game was in 1999.

It hasn't helped that the two teams with a history of being national powers—Florida State and Miami—have been down for the past few years. Virginia Tech has been on the verge of being a national power, but the Hokies can't seem to beat top-10 teams or win BCS games.

This year there is hope that Clemson can make some noise on a national level. The Tigers open with Alabama, and a Clemson win would be a huge step toward respect for the ACC. Other key non-conference games that the ACC could win include Maryland hosting California, UNC at Rutgers, and Virginia Tech at Nebraska.

If the ACC can win those games and finally get another BCS victory, it may go from being a down year to the year that things start heading in the right direction for the conference.

Who are some of the conference elite players that you believe will end the season with very high draft grades?

If you're looking at the NFL Draft, most 2009 mock drafts I see have Georgia Tech's Michael Johnson in the top 10, some in the top five. He could use some work on stopping the run, but Tech has used him almost exclusively in passing situations. His ability to get to the quarterback has caused NFL scouts to fall in love with Johnson. He will have a different defensive coordinator this season at Tech, so we'll see if that helps or hurts his production.

James Davis could be a solid NFL prospect, but I like C.J. Spiller better. He is more explosive than Davis and more of a threat in the passing game. Spiller is only a junior, so he may want to stick around one more year at Clemson to get the job all to himself after Davis is gone. Then again, if the NFL thinks he's a first-round pick in 2009, the Tigers may be without Thunder and Lightning next season.

Clemson receiver Aaron Kelly almost jumped into the draft last year, but decided to return. He could be a first-round pick in 2009, but Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey could be the better pro prospect. He is fast and has great hands. It's shocking to me Maryland hasn't made him more of a central figure in its offense.

I also like Virginia left tackle Eugene Moore, who didn't give up a sack last season. With a great year in 2008, Moore could become a top-10 pick in the 2009 NFL draft.

Finally, Victor "Macho" Harris could be a top-20 pick in the draft. He pulled his name out of the 2008 draft at the last minute to see if an extra year at Virginia Tech improves his draft stock. I could see him at either corner or safety in the NFL.

Can you rank all the teams in the ACC according to how you think they will finish from first to last?

Coastal

1. Virginia Tech

2. Virginia

3. North Carolina

4. Georgia Tech

5. Duke

6. Miami

Atlantic

1. Wake Forest

2. Clemson

3. Maryland

4. Florida State

5. North Carolina State

6. Boston College

Oregon State Football: Are Beavers Quietly Poised for Pac-10 Title?

Doug Flutie — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:29:23 -0400

Beaverfootball.com executive editor Barry Bolton answers our questions.

Q: One of the biggest question marks on offense seems to swirl around wide receiver Sammie Stroughter. In 2006, Stroughter had 1,293 yards receiving, proving to be Oregon State's big play guy. A kidney bruise sidelined him for most of last season. How did Stroughter play in spring ball, and can we expect a similar season to that of 2006?

He looked this spring like a guy ready to match or possibly even exceed his '06 success. Stroughter had more than a few moments in April where he took what looked like a short gain and turned it into a highlight reel romp into the end zone. If the offensive line can give Lyle Moevao (or Sean Canfield) the time, Stroughter could be poised to have a very big year indeed.

Q: The Oregon State defense was number one in the country in defending the run last year. With graduation decimating last year's starting lineup, is this unit talented enough to be the Pac-10's premier run-stopping front seven? Can five-star juco transfer Simi Kuli make an immediate impact?

After losing the starting front seven, it might be asking a bit much for Oregon State to again lead the league against the run. Surprisingly though, Oregon State might just have the horses to once again field a stout unit and rank among the league leaders.

The spring saw the continued emergence of defensive end Victor Butler, who was virtually unblockable in the spring game. Newly arrived JC transfer and defensive tackle Stephen Paea had an outstanding spring—he could wind up one of the Beavers' most prescient signings this class.

Oregon State is known for their linebacker corps and this spring, Bryant Cornell solidified himself at the middle spot with a top notch showing. On the outside, Keaton Kristick is tall, fast, and aggressive while Keith Pankey has a nose for the ball and plays quick. Dwight Roberson could also make a push for playing time.

Simi Kuli can indeed make an immediate impact, and the Beavs' overall success could depend in large part on how quickly he adapts to Pac-10 play—the secondary was so solid last year in part because of the penetration up front by the D-tackles, and Kuli will be expected to help towards that end.

Q: James Rodgers had an amazing game in the Emerald Bowl running the fly sweep. His brother committed to OSU in the class of 2008. Can we expect to see both brothers on the field leading this rushing attack?

Expect to see the Rodgers boys on the field at the same time this year, but just how they're going to be used remains to be seen. James is becoming more of a complete wide receiver in the slot, and his blocking this spring was much improved. It won't be a surprise if Riley tweaks the fly sweep to keep defenses off balance and/or possibly introduces something different, but with James still running the ball.

Jacquizz, a prolific running back out of Texas, will get every chance to earn running back reps this fall. His style is different than the Beavs' top two running backs—Ryan McCants looked impressive this spring and is big, strong, and powerful between the tackles. Surprising JC transfer Jeremy Francis integrated quickly, displaying excellent hands and good speed.

If the younger Rodgers does what OSU fans are expecting this fall camp, the biggest question will be how Mike Riley finds enough carries to keep them all happy.

Q: Who do you expect to emerge as the number two receiver for the Oregon State offense? I think most OSU fans can remember the devastating tandem of Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh and know how important it would be to find a second receiver to take pressure off Stroughter.

Certainly the deepest position on the team, the wide receiver corps is led by Stroughter, but a few guys in black and orange could wind up making a lot of noise this year. Chief among them is Rodgers, who looked quicker, faster, and more involved in the offense this spring. Sophomore Darrell Catchings could be poised for a breakout season

Meanwhile, Chris Johnson is ultra-dependable and consistent, while senior Shane Morales opened eyes by catching everything thrown his way this spring. Casey Kjos also impressed with his ability to go up and fight for the ball.

Oregon State has a lot of weapons at receiver. Their success will of course be dependent on the offensive line, which was considerably banged up this spring, and the quarterback's ability to get them the ball in position to make plays...but the talent is there.

Q: Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao really struggled last year throwing the football. Who do you think will emerge as the starter, and will there be more consistency at the Quarterback position?

Lyle Moevao did show more consistency this spring and is the clear No. 1 headed into the fall. Sean Canfield will push him for the starting job, but reading between the lines in Mike Riley's post-spring comments, Canfield might need to have a huge fall camp to unseat Moevao.

Based on the spring, there will indeed be more production out of the quarterback spot this year, but just how much there will be is the million dollar question.

At the same time, with the talent the Beavers have at WR, RB, and TE, they might not need a prolific, playmaking quarterback to win, but rather a guy who can simply get his playmakers the ball in position to make game-winning plays.

Q: Everyone wants to know who will challenge USC for the Pac-10 title this year. Is this the year, or did the defense lose one too many starters to make a run at the Trojans?

It might be overly optimistic to think the Beavers can unseat the Trojans, especially given the team is replacing seven defensive starters. But Mike Riley made some interesting comments following the spring session. Riley, who is normally very soft-spoken regarding his team's chances, said the Beavs are very capable of making a run to win the conference championship this year.

Clearly, Riley was pleased with what he saw this spring, and despite the new faces in the starting lineup, thinks he has a group who can make a charge this year in the Pac-10.

Dr. Lynn Lashbrook Discussion on Bush, Mayo, NCAA, and the NFL

Doug Flutie — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:29:44 -0400

Dr. G. Lynn Lashbrook has been a certified agent with the NFL for 15 years and has represented over 25 NFL players. Dr. Lashbrook has also been working and teaching in Sports Management for over 30 years and has demonstrated a lifelong passion for helping students strategize and reach their career goals in the world of sports.

Dr. Lashbrook has served at the collegiate level as an athletic academic advisor and athletic director. Currently, Dr. Lashbrook is President of Sports Management Worldwide and serves as an adjunct professor at Oregon State University and Eastern Oregon University.

High profile athletes such as Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo have been accused of accepting money from agents. What do you think the NCAA and professional sports leagues can do to prevent these problems from reoccurring?

In my 35 years of involvement in athletics as a coach, professor, academic advisor, compliance officer, athletics director, and sports agent, I am convinced you can't necessarily legislate ethics, but you can bring passionate people with an ethical foundation into leadership positions and teach them the courage to illuminate the ethical compass with courage.

Specifically speaking about the Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo scandals, the one common denominator is USC. Where were the AD, compliance officer, and coaches? The NCAA must address these trends on a campus.

As for the allegations of the agents' involvement each year these scandals surface, agents are temporarily suspended, but in my opinion they should be given a much stronger penalty equivalent to the NCAA "death penalty" where they have to close down shop for several years.

Again, you can legislate rules and punishment, but the tolerance we have in the sports culture for deceit and denial is alarming.

From your experience in the industry, are these isolated issues, or is paying college athletes something that is not uncommon?

It is my observation that the stakes are much higher monetarily than ever before, and success in any business is about talent. In the recruiting wars for talent, both the coach and agent understand the importance of landing the elite.

Unfortunately, cheating to some in sports is not cheating if one does not get caught. Again, this culture of everybody is doing it continues to create a confidence that to win you must be a risk taker.

I personally do not feel it is necessarily worse than it was 50 years ago, but with the post-Watergate media and the Internet democratization of blogs, there are very few secrets in sports.

We do need some infusion of new leadership in the game at all levels. For centuries sports has been run by people who have been a product of the sports with very little involvement of outsiders. Simply put, I believe if we had more women in decision-making positions in sports, we would have a more illuminated ethical compass!

Why do you think the MLB has been under such a microscope regarding steroids compared to the NFL? Both are sports that require tremendous mass and strength. Does the NFL know something we don't, or do the majority of the players abide by the rules?

At least the NFL has attempted to address the drug problems with improved testing and policies and procedures, while the MLB owners, players, and agents have been in denial. It is embarrassing for me to watch baseball squirm all of these years. Where is the ethical leadership?

When people say that sports is a reflection of society, I remind them we can drug test in sports, but we can't on the streets of society. Again, when you are a product of a system, you won't see the seriousness of the problem clearly, as the culture of tolerance, of deceit and denial in sports continues to permeate.

What do you think the reason is the NFL has so many off the field problems compared to other professional sports? Is the aggressive nature of the game cause for the players' acts of violence?

First, football has the largest rosters, and as I said, with the new media no one is protected, nor should they be.

It is my personal opinion, having the opportunity as a college coach recruiter and sports agent to go in the homes of hundreds of football players, no matter the demographics, we take the football player from the mother and grandmother and put them in an all-male environment. To me guys will be guys, and before long they feed off each other in the framework of invincible.

Elite athletes are given the opportunity at a very young age to become special by the power of their athleticism in navigating daily challenges of life. Only before 18 years of age is the mother there to provide the ego check in a way that no coach can do.

There seems to be a cycle in college football where a coach's job is on the line needing to win, and he recruits players with maybe questionable character. I feel like the only way to solve this cycle would be to give coaches guaranteed long-term deals allowing them to build the programs the right way.

What prevents schools from adopting this philosophy? Is it the athletic director, fans, alumni, money, or a combination?

Over the past 35 years in college athletics, my philosophy has changed somewhat. I am critical of the inefficiencies of higher education and faculty who are tenured and guaranteed jobs whether deserving or not.

Personally, the intercollegiate model where sports teams are the front porch for a university and where fans (alums and boosters) demand excellence is not all bad. Competition is what makes the world go around. Coaches should always have a backup plan due to the high risk occupation.

Again, I believe the corruption we see too often in college athletics is sad. I am very encouraged with the NCAA's efforts to hold universities accountable for graduation rates (APR). With online education opportunities, you will see increased graduation rates with the accommodations it provides for those student athletes traveling.

From a global perspective on the funding crisis in higher education, I predict you will see an unprecedented adoption of the college athletic business model we see in America as universities all over the world are asked to seek more private funds from alumni. What better place to attract donors than on a Saturday afternoon on campus while watching an exciting contest?

With all the chaos in the world, I believe sports serves as a substitute for war. With TV and the Internet looking for live content that can't be Tivoed, sponsors are putting more and more money into sports sponsorship.

Here at Sports Management Worldwide, we respect what our neighbors at Nike have accomplished placing a sports footprint around the world. Our courage is to fill those shoes with leaders with the courage to illuminate an ethical compass, no matter what level of athlete they were or were not!

Senior Pac 10 QB Breakdown With Greg Cox

Doug Flutie — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:29:02 -0400

Willie Tuitama-University of Arizona QB 6'3 205

Strengths - Despite throwing 525 passes last year he had just 12 interceptions so even in a pass happy offense he protected the football. His sack total was also low (30) given his high number of attempts.

Weaknesses - It remains to be seen what he can do in a big game because the team has sputtered. Should the Wildcats ride their weak early schedule to a 3-0 record it will be interesting to see him perform at UCLA and in midseason home games against California and USC.

Bottom Line - He should put up great numbers this season, especially prior to Pac-10 play when they host Idaho and Toledo before visiting New Mexico. Last season he had 31+ pass attempts and 216+ yards in every game, eight times throwing for at least 266. In what is being called a poor season for prospects it is possible for him to sneak into the late rounds.

Rudy Carpenter- Arizona State QB 6'2 202

Strengths - He can command the respect of teammates as illustrated by winning the starting job over Sam Keller because the players wanted him.

Weaknesses - Mobility is a problem after suffering an FBS high 54 sacks, albeit behind a weak offensive line. He needs to make faster decisions about where to go with the football.

Bottom Line - The national stage is his to seize against national title favorite Georgia in their fourth straight home game to open the season. His success or failure against a defense that ruined Hawaii's Colt Brennan is key to his draft stock much more than Pac-10 play. He could be taken as high as the third and at worst should be a late round selection.

Nate Longshore- California QB 6'5 233

Strengths - He possesses ideal NFL size and although they haven't been successful pros (other than potentially Aaron Rodgers) his head coach Jeff Tedford has produced several NFL quarterbacks. It won't be a problem for him to grasp and run a pro style offense.

Weaknesses - Without question his play in the clutch, notably during the fourth quarter of big games, is his downfall. Leadership ability is also limited and he never takes over a football game. His career completion percentage (60.5%) is low given the weapons at his disposal and quality running backs like Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett commanding defensive attention.

Bottom Line - First he will have to beat out Kevin Riley for the starting job. If he does, it is going to be tougher this season without star receivers DeSean Jackson, LaVelle Hawkins and Robert Jordan plus tight end Craig Stevens since three of those guys were top 100 NFL picks. If he can win the job and improve his decision making there is a possibility he is taken late on day two, projecting as a backup.

Arizona State Football: Seven Points with Hod Rabino

Doug Flutie — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:39:49 -0400

Q: Wide receivers Chris McGaha and Michael Jones combined for close to 1,600 yards receiving last season, making them the top returning tandem in terms of yardage in the Pac-10. Is this the best receiving tandem in the country for 2008?

A: Best in the Pac-10 probably, nationwide definitely in the top 10. Jones, who also plays centerfield for the Arizona State baseball team, is a heady and physical receiver that more often than not outmuscles his defenders.

If you need a first down in a passing situation, McGaha is your receiver. He’s extremely sure-handed, deceptively fast, and has a knack for making acrobatic catches. He was front and center on the team’s 2007 highlight reel.

Q: Can quarterback Rudy Carpenter regain his freshman form, when he completed 68 percent of his passes, throwing for 17 TDs and only two interceptions?

A: This year the Sun Devil offense will feature more four-wide receiver and empty backfield sets. This should help Carpenter immensely, and his accuracy and overall numbers should improve as a result. Furthermore, as a senior quarterback who now has experience under the Dennis Erickson system, a great 2008 campaign is a reasonable expectation.

Q: Are Herring and Nance going to split carries at running back, or has one emerged coming out of spring practice as the clear cut starter?

A: Herring and Nance don’t fit the part of the proverbial workhorse that can carry the pigskin 25-30 times a game. Therefore, the coaching staff is comfortable having both of them split the lion's share of carries, and that was the case for half of last season after Ryan Torain went down.

Furthermore, there are other capable running backs such as Shaun DeWitty and Jarrell Woods waiting in the wings, as well as incoming freshman Ryan Bass, who can spread the load even more.

Q: Arizona State's offensive line was among the nation's worst protecting the passer. Can you provide us with any details to give Sun Devil fans hope that this won't be the case this year?

A: Erickson said at the end of spring practice that the offensive line is a work in progress. The blocking schemes have been simplified and are better suited for this year’s unproven, but more athletic front five.

The spread offense will naturally call for more three-step drops by Carpenter, which should cut down on the sack opportunities and blitzes from opposing defenses. The ASU running backs have improved their pass blocking which will aid in the sack prevention cause.

Q: What can we expect out of defensive ends Luis Vasquez and Dexter Davis? Anyone watching a Sun Devil game last year noticed these two physical defensive players.

A: Davis is undoubtedly one of the less talked about defensive ends in the conference. He’s an already proven pass rusher, and with Vasquez’s performance in the second half of the 2007 season, there’s legitimate reason for optimism concerning this tandem.

Vasquez could make the prospects of double-teaming Davis less appealing than they were last year. The depth behind these two is suspect right now and time will tell if this will affect their performance.

Q: Will safety Troy Nolan be able to continue his production without his running mate Josh Barrett, and is highly talented cornerback Omar Bolden ready to have a breakout season?

A: Barrett actually had a very average senior year which was also marred by injuries. Moreover, senior Rodney Cox was one of spring’s best performers and showed the ability to compliment the play of Nolan. A drop in production from Nolan, and from the safety group in general, is unlikely.

Bolden showed in spring that he’s poised to build on his freshman All-American season. Nonetheless, Justin Tryon left big shoes to fill, so the contribution from the opposite corner spot will obviously dictate some of Bolden’s fortunes in 2008.

Q: What do the Sun Devils have to do offensively and defensively to compete for a Pac-10 title, and more importantly, a BCS National Championship?

A: Offensively, the Sun Devils should have a very effective spread offense that can only increase its production from 2007 and mask any deficiencies that may exist on the offensive line. This side of the ball is seasoned at the skill positions and has the potential to be lethal and up to par with other BCS teams’ offenses.

ASU’s kicker Thomas Weber is the reigning Lou Groza Award winner which only enhances the capability to put points on the board. The success rate of ASU’s offense keeping defenses off-balance with its wide-open schemes will be a significant factor in the Sun Devils’ 2008 record.

In its three losses the lack of speed on ASU’s defense was noticeable. However, an upgrade in this area is starting to take shape. The Sun Devils’ defensive line is receiving a much-needed boost, and if its newcomers can make a significant early impact, especially in the pass rush area, it can compensate for the question marks that exist at cornerback.

The linebacker core is fairly rich in talent and is expected to engage in more blitzing than it had last year. Overall, a faster and more daring defense is expected to emerge in 2008 and is an essential ingredient in the recipe that could produce a potential Pac-10 champion.