Is Bigger Better In The NFL 2010 Draft?

“Son, you say you want to play in the NFL?”
“Sure do. I got the stats, so I talked with a coach and he said if I applied myself I could be playing first string.”
“NFL? Well, you know you gotta go to a big school. Notre Dame, USC, Florida. Places like that. Oklahoma, Alabama. You want TV coverage, so scouts'll know who you are.
“Well...”
“ You need big time competition, learn from the big boys. That'll get you high be in the draft, where the big bucks are.”
“Yeah, but...”
“You don't want no piddly ass college nobody's never heard of. So, son...where you going?”
“Central!”
“What? Central? Central Florida? Son, son, son. You're kidding me right?”
“Coach says if I play hard...”
“Hate to tell you this, son, but you got no chance in hell playing in the NFL. I'm sorry. But...”
Anybody want to tell that to Dante Culpepper. Drafted in the first round 1999 draft. From Central Florida University.” Playing hard paid off.

General Managers are looking to beef up this team, plug the holes, replace the deadwood. This translates into finding the best talent, and, of course, that means scouting the big schools. “We only want the best in the draft.”

But if big is better, then how did the NFL get the likes of Jeremiah Trotter, (Stephen A. Austin,) Marshal Faulk, (San Diego State,) or Brett Favre, (Southern Miss.)?

Maybe, just maybe, big is not always better. Let's take a look at what the small schools have to offer the 2010 NFL draft. This is part one, teams that need help on offense.

REDSKINS. They should think-protect QB Jason Campbell. Even though Ndamukong Suh, from Nebraska, and Gerald McCoy form Oklahoma are defensive tackles, they could be moved to the offense. Big school linemen. But why not take a look at these small school Offensive Tackles: Tony Washington, 6' 6" 305 lbs. from Abilene Christian or tackle Casey Knips, 6' 7" 305 lbs. South Dakota State. They will be less expensive, more money left for all the other players the Skins sorely need.

SEAHAWKS. Somebody build a fire under their offense. How about wide receivers. Andre Roberts, 5' 10" 185 lbs. from The Citadel. Armanti Edwards, 5' 11" 180 lbs. From Appalachian State. Or running back LaMarcus Coker, 5' 11" 198 lbs., a Pirate from Hampton University, a real small private university in Hampton, Va. He rushed for 204 in the East Coast Bowl game, Mid Atlantic Region all-stars.

BROWNS. Receivers! Again, if not taken already, Andre Roberts, or Armanti Edwards. Another pick might be Pat Simonds, 6' 5" 220 lbs. Colgate. Upstate NY, Div. 1, 2,800 undergrads. Not a lot of students to chose from. The Patriot League plays the likes of Lehigh, Holy Cross, Georgetown. Like I say, small school. But he's six foot five.

RAIDERS Better than I thought they'd play this year. Still, they need a back up QB. All bets off if Al Davis fires coach Tom Cable. There's no telling what Al Davis will do. Big school QB's Sam Bradford from Oklahoma, Jimmy Clausen from Notre Dame, and Tim Tebow form Florida, will not be cheap for Al. So how about Pat Grace, 6' 2" 239 lbs. Quarterback for Northern Iowa. Located on the west side of the Cedar Falls/Waterloo, in northeastern Iowa. Some big names have come out of N. Iowa.

Still think Big is better? How about:
Kurt Warner (Northern Iowa,) Michael Strahan (Texas Southern), Ledanian Tomlinson (TCU), sorta small school.

49ers. Again QB protection for Alex Smith. More time, the better he'll be. The big school offensive lineman will be spoken for, so why not go for tackle Tony Washington, 6' 6" 305 lbs. Abilene Christian. Might have to get his weight up some, but not much. Also Vladimir Ducasse, 6' 5" 325 lbs. Tackle from Massachusetts. You want big, there's Jared Veldheer, 6' 7" 321 lbs. Hillsdale College in Michigan. Div II. 1,300 students. Worth a look. It's foggier in San Fran. But it beats the snow in Michigan.

HOUSTON. Played well at the end of the season. But, too little too late. They need to increase yards-per-rush. Again take a good look at Washington, Ducasse and Veldheer. Another worth a mention: offensive guard Dorian Brooks, 6' 3" 292 lbs. James Madison. Get them in the weight room, they'll be ready. Much less expensive than Suh, McCoy, or Trent Williams from Oklahoma.

BENGALS. Beef up the offense. Here's the guys: Wide Receivers Armanti Edwards, 5'11"180lbs. Appalachian State, or Donald Jones, 6' 1" 210 lbs. Youngstown State. Both have the speed, Jones a little beefier.

PACKERS Aaron Rogers, how many times did he get sacked this year? Like any good QB, he's terrific in practice, no monster rush. If they are still available, try for one of the above offensive tackles, or how about Austin Howard, 6'6" 323 lbs., another prospect from Northern Iowa. Dorian Brooks, from James Madison. Or maybe J'Marcus Webb, 6' 7" 320 lbs. West Texas A&M.

JETS. Slow and steady Jets. Tireless defense, so let's give Sanchez some receivers. Small schools have good ones. Andre Roberts, 5' 10" 185 lbs., from The Citadel. Armanti Edwards, 5' 11" 180 lbs. Appalachian State. And under the radar A.J. Jackson, 6' 5" (Tall is good in a wide receiver), 235 lbs. From California University of Pennsylvania, Div II, 8,500 undergrads. Yes, it's in Pennsylvania. Somewhere.

Still think Big is Better? Tell that to:

Brian Urlacher (New Mexico), Rod Smith (Miss Southern St), Jason Taylor (Akron).

RAVENS. Flacco is young and will get better. He needs receivers that will mature with him. Wide receivers like Terrell Hudgins, 6' 2" 227 lbs. Elon. Where? It's in central North Carolina, about 5,500 students, Div I. The Ravens, like the Jets, should try for Edwards and Jackson if they are still around.

VIKINGS. Brett Favre won't live forever. (Or will he?). He needs an heir apparent. How about QB Pat Grace, 6' 2" 239 lbs. Northern Iowa. (Ala Kurt Warner). Depends on the off season, if Favre goes all the way this year. He might want to retire on top? Neither Sage Rosenfels or Tavaris Jackson has seen much action behind Brett. If one doesn't 'step up,' then Grace might be worth a shot?

CHARGERS. “LT has only has 3.3 yards a carry, since everyone keyed on him. So? Another RB behind Darren Spoals and LT, or try to strengthen the offensive line? Rivers is the guy, so lets draft for the offensive line. Tony Washington, 6' 6" 305 lbs. Abilene Christian. Vladimir Ducasse, 6' 5" 325 lbs. Massachusetts. Let them run interference for LT and Sproals, and give Rivers more time in the pocket.

COLTS. What do they need? Come on. It's all Peyton Manning. But a good running game can't hurt his passing game. It also keeps the pressure off Manning. Beef up the line? All the 'big guys' will have been taken. Check out these tackles: Austin Howard, 6' 6" 323 lbs. Northern Iowa, J' Marcus Webb, 6' 7" 320 lbs., from West Texas A&M, and Tony Washington, 6' 6" 305 lbs. Abilene Christian. Plus, Vladimir Ducasse, 6' 5" 325 lbs. Massachusetts.

In my next blog, ('Defense, Part 2'), we'll draft defensive players that have plenty to offer.

Oh yes, and remember these other small school guys?
Terrell Owens (Tenn Chattanooga),
Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley),
Ben Roethlisberger (Miami of Ohio.) Wait, is that in Ohio or Florida?

That's my take. Tell me I'm wrong.

Also, I had Indy and the Jets, over the weekend. So I'm 2-0. I'll give you the rest of my playoff picks in a few days.

CorneliusButterfield.com