Message to the NCAA: Don't Pay Players...Just Let Them Get Paid

It has been said that the National Collegiate Athletics Association is the United States’ most powerful, and longest running monopoly. This governing body that oversees college sports has designed a system that operates under the guise of a non-profit organization, yet generates billions of dollars around the country.

The methodology is simple.

The NCAA has turned amateur sports into a lucrative business, but has left the driving force of their enterprise out of the financial equation.

College coaches pull in salaries that can range from five to eight figures when including supplemental income such as contract incentives, athletic camps, appearance fees, and endorsement deals. Athletic directors at many schools also sit comfortably in a six figure annual earnings bracket.

College athletes, even those whose talents will eventually garner hundreds of millions of dollars in future professional earnings, are left with only a renewable athletic scholarship as their compensation.

As a recent college graduate who currently owes his first born child to a woman by the name of Sallie Mae, it would be foolish to discredit the impact that an athletic scholarship can have on a young person. However, it would be similarly imprudent to allow the NCAA to masquerade these scholarships as fair compensation for this special group of students that generate an inordinate amount of money with their talents.

While college athletes receive scholarships that are rife with stipends, perks, and accommodations, the reality of the situation is that many college athletes still live below the poverty line. Scholarships fail to cover basic necessities, and the time that is required to be a division one college athlete eliminates the opportunity to work even a part-time job during the school year. On average, student-athletes are logging over 40 hours per week, fulfilling various parts of their athletic commitments. Combined with an average homework-load, there are simply not enough hours in a day for many athletes to achieve financial stability.

The National College Players Association, an advocacy group that works on behalf of collegiate athletes came to these conclusions last month after an extensive study that revealed several startling statistics. Most notably, the study pointed out that under a standard revenue sharing system, the average college athlete is worth an impressive six figure salary. In its most extreme case, the study concluded that basketball players at Duke University would net a revenue share close to one million dollars.

I am fully aware that it is ludicrous to suggest that we should be throwing seven figures at Duke’s backup point guard and telling him thanks for his hard work, but I do believe that there is a point to be made in the profitability of these athletes.

Amateurism as we know it no longer exists.

Austin Rivers will star at Duke this season

Duke’s incoming freshman guard, and national high school player of the year, Austin Rivers is not an amateur. He is essentially a developmental talent, making a brief stop on his way to millions. It would be more accurate to compare him to baseball’s Bryce Harper. The teenage phenomenon was taken first overall by the Washington National’s baseball organization, but he currently toils in the minor leagues, further nurturing his prodigious talent. Kids like Rivers are what make college sports special. There is undoubtedly an intrinsic beauty that is associated with seeing greatness in a raw and unpolished form. This is the appeal of college sports. Still, one must remember that players like Rivers make up a tiny fragment of the NCAA’s pool of athletes. The overwhelming majority of those who participate in college athletics are indeed amateurs in the purest since of the word.

With this being stated, I find it neither feasible nor necessary to pay athletes in a traditional fashion. However, it is hypocrisy in its highest order for the NCAA to pocket millions of dollars by exploiting the brand-names that some college athletes have become. To the majority of athletes, a college scholarship is accurate compensation for their contribution to the university, and a tribute to their skill in their respective sport. In the case of players like Rivers and many of his compatriots at schools like North Carolina, Kansas, UCLA, and Kentucky, the amount of money rendered in an athletic scholarship is a slap to the face of these athletes when taking into account their earning potential.

In this new age of amateurism, college athletes should be able to waive their traditional amateur status while playing in college, in favor of having the freedom to pay their own tuition by any means that they choose.

A few years ago, North Carolina’s backup point guard and sixth man Bobby Frasor forfeited his athletic scholarship. The scholarship was given to a talented member of the Tar Heel’s incoming freshman class. Frasor came from a wealthy family that could easily afford to put Frasor through a year of college at Chapel Hill, and they did just that. I am proposing something similar as a solution to the NCAA’s currently problematic system.

Austin Rivers, like Kentucky’s John Wall and Memphis’ Derrick Rose before him, is a walking and breathing financial asset. If Rivers were to “waive his amateur status” at Duke, a host of shoe companies and other businesses would contact him immediately. A star of his stature and notoriety could then sign an endorsement/compensation deal for his actual worth. Under this scenario, Rivers would no longer be a scholarship athlete; he would be a professional athlete that happens to be a college student. This isn’t as odd as it sounds. Professional athletes are allowed to play NCAA sports as long as the college sport and the pro sport differ. Wisconsin Badger quarterback and Heisman Trophy frontrunner, Russell Wilson, is also a professional baseball player.

The point could be made that some of these highly-touted future pros would actually stay in school for three or four years if they had the financial stability to enjoy the experience. Under the current system, the NCAA essentially drives away its most talented athletes by operating on a median that flirts with the idea of exploitation.

For the majority of NCAA athletes, the ones that the organization cleverly points out “will go pro in something besides sports” in their commercials, the dirty word that is “paycheck” can be avoided.

However, parameters must be met to ensure the quality of life among college athletes during their time on campus.

First, college scholarships should include basic needs stipends. A monetary supplement from $250-$500 a week in addition to a college scholarship would quell any complaints of students living in poverty. The small miracle of balancing the stresses of class and athletics at this level of competition can surely be rewarded with what equates to a weeks’ pay from a decent part time job.

Second, but probably most importantly, the travesty that is the renewable athletic scholarship should be done away with immediately. Athletic scholarships in their current form are effectively one-year contracts that can be denied renewal for various shady and underhanded reasons. This is why the term “force out” has become so prevalent in college basketball. This is the practice of forcing players to leave the program by informing them that their scholarship will not be renewed. If the NCAA is serious about their athletes being “student athletes”, there is no way that they can stand behind a practice that allows coaches to uproot students from their education due to a lack of production on a sports team. Athletic scholarships should be six year contracts that can only be terminated with a just cause. This type of security will go a long way in stabilizing the climate of college sports.

In closing, the NCAA doesn’t necessarily need to pay their athletes, but they must protect them. Any system that leaves athletes unable to live comfortably off the field is broken, and in need of a replacement. The tides of change have rocked college sports already in the past few months. A change towards acknowledging and supporting student athletes through additional finances should not be a taboo subject – it should be a priority.

(This post is also featured on the College Love Entertainment Magazine website at www.CLEmagazine.com)

AmStat College Football Top 25: Week Five

Conference play finally opened up in earnest this weekend, and the occasion was marked by some marquee matchups in the Big Ten, SEC, and ACC. The results yielded a new set of national contenders (Wisconsin and Clemson), and revealed to us an unusual list of pretenders (Ohio State, Florida, and Virginia Tech). With week five fully in the books, this is the second edition of the AmStat Top 25.

Tajh Boyd has made Clemson a legit contender

1. LSU Tigers (4-0)
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0)
3. Oklahoma Sooners (4-0)
4. Boise State Broncos (4-0)
5. Wisconsin Badgers (5-0)
6. Clemson Tigers (5-0)
7. Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0)
8. Stanford Cardinal (5-0)
9. Texas Longhorns (5-0)
10. Illinois Fighting Illini (5-0)
11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-0)
12. Michigan Wolverines (5-0)
13. Arkansas Razorbacks (4-1)
14. Oregon Ducks (4-1)
15. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-1)
16. Florida Gators (4-1)
17. Baylor Bears (3-1)
18. South Carolina Gamecocks (4-1)
19. Kansas State Wildcats (5-0)
20. Michigan State Spartans (4-1)
21. West Virginia Mountaineers (4-1)
22. Arizona State Sun Devils (4-1)
23. Houston Cougars (5-0)
24. Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-0)
25. Penn State Nittany Lions (4-1)

Also Considered...
USC Trojans (4-1)
Auburn Tigers (4-1)
SMU Mustangs (4-1)
Virginia Tech Hokies (4-1)
North Carolina Tar Heels (4-1)
Washington Huskies (4-1)

Dropped Out...
12. USF Bulls (4-1)
13. Virginia Tech (4-1)
20. Texas A&M Aggies (2-2)
22. TCU Horned Frogs (3-2)
25. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-2)

Out of the Blocks Fast: The 2011 Heisman Race

Heisman trophies are won in the months of November and December, but the candidates are established in the early games of August and September. A select group has stepped forward in the opening weeks, staking claim to the title of Heisman contender. These are the names to watch out for in the upcoming weeks. Some of these young men will likely fade into the background, succumbing to the rigors of the conference season's grind. An elite few will carry their candidacy into the crucial months of November and December, where their every movement will be judge as being worthy or unworthy of college sport's most prestigious trophy. This is the AmStat Heisman watch list (names listed in no particular order).

Heisman frontrunner RG3 has Baylor rolling

• Robert Griffin III (Quarterback), Baylor - Griffin is an Olympic-level track star that is masquerading as a college football quarterback. Griffin is one of the country's most exciting players, and Baylor has shaped up to be a decent football team. Griffin declared his candidacy by playing lights out on national TV against TCU on opening weekend, but he will have to perform well in the Big 12 to stay in the national consciousness. If Baylor can enter the bowl season with nine wins, and Griffin continues his stellar play, RG3 will be a serious Heisman contender.
• Denard Robinson (Quarterback), Michigan - The man known simply as "Shoelace" is undoubtedly the most exciting player in college football. He has blazing speed, underrated arm strength, and a decent group of weapons (Junior Hemingway, Jeremy Gallon, Vince Smith). Robinson was the Heisman favorite at this time last year, but he faded fast as the Wolverines struggled in Big Ten play. This year, Robinson doesn't possess the otherworldly stats that he boasted in 2010, but his team is ranked once again, and are more talented bunch than last year. If Shoelace can lead the Wolves to a surprise appearance in the Big Ten title game, he will be a strong contender for the Heisman.
• Brandon Weeden (Quarterback), Oklahoma State - The 27 year-old former minor league baseball player has the Cowboys in rare air at this point in the season. The Pokes are ranked in the top 10 and have a road win over a top 10 team in pocket (Texas A&M) just to prove they're for real. Weeden puts up huge numbers and has the best receiver in the country (Justin Blackmon) to throw to. Most importantly, Weeden has an excellent shot at netting double-digit wins and being in the national championship conversation when he meets Oklahoma at season's end in the Bedlam game. Big games against Texas and OU could have Heisman voters thinking about Florida State's Chris Weinke when they cast their ballots. Weinke was the most recent college football senior citizen to take home the trophy. He was 28 when he won the trophy.  
• Russell Wilson (Quarterback), Wisconsin - These may be strong words, but Russell Wilson may be the best quarterback the Badgers have ever had. Camp Randall is accustomed to seeing smart game managers man the controls of the Badger offense, handing off to NFL-caliber running backs and dumping the ball down to massive tight ends. Now Wisconsin has Wilson, a dynamic play-maker who can run and pass with anyone in the country. With a man of his talent under center, and the usual stable of stud running backs (James White and Montee Ball), Wisconsin is now the Big Ten favorite and a darkhorse candidate for the national title. The longer Wisky stays unbeaten, the longer we will have to take Wilson seriously as a Heisman contender. 
• Marcus Lattimore (Running Back), South Carolina - The best running back in college football isn't even eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft. Lattimore is a true sophomore who runs like a seasoned NFL veteran. He is simply unstoppable at this level, as he blends a combination of size, speed, and agility that is reminiscent of Herschel Walker. His Heisman campaign will be judged on both his individual performances and South Carolina's team success in the SEC. However, with the Gamecocks shuffling quarterbacks frequently under the direction of the Ol' Ball Coach, Lattimore's play will likely be the primary indicator of his team's success this season.  
• Trent Richardson (Running Back), Alabama - The best player on the nation's number two team has been flying under the radar thus far. The Tide's week four tussle with Arkansas failed to be a showcase game for Richardson, as Bama rolled the Hogs off the field rather easily. Week five will bring a meeting with Florida and hopefully better competition. Richardson has ran through everybody Alabama has played and it has overshadowed Richardson's accomplishments. The aforementioned date with Florida and the blockbuster matchup with LSU's ridiculously stacked defense will be crucial games for Richardson's candidacy. The Tide will likely play in a BCS bowl game, but Richardson needs plenty of wow moments during the course of conference play since his team will be expected to win every time they take the field.

The Debut of the Amateur Status College Football Top 25

This is my third season doing top 25 polls here on AmStat. However, for the first time, I decided against a huge series of prognostications and preseason rankings. My reasoning was simple...they're never right, so why embarrass myself? Why waste time making predictions when the results of actual football games will give us all the indication we need to tell who has the look of a champion, and who just looks good in their uniforms. Four weeks are in the books for this 2011 college football season, and with the last remaining conference opening their league schedule next week (of course, it would be the nauseatingly old-fashioned Big Ten that has yet to start playing conference games), there is no better time to start from square one than week four. At this point, contenders have emerged and pretenders have been exposed. This will probably be the most accurate top 25 AmStat has ever did for the simple fact that I've never been able to build a ranking from scratch with up to four games to use as a reference. I may eventually go back to more expansive preseason coverage in the future, but I will always regard my week four poll as the first one that really matters. Without further ado, the first AmStat Top 25 of the 2011 season.

"The Hat" has three road wins over ranked teams this year

1. LSU Tigers (4-0)
2. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0)
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0)
4. Boise State Broncos (3-0)
5. Stanford Cardinal (4-0)
6. Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-0)
7. Wisconsin Badgers (4-0)
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-0)
9. Clemson Tigers (4-0)
10. Florida Gators (4-0)
11. South Carolina Gamecocks (4-0)
12. South Florida Bulls (4-0)
13. Virginia Tech Hokies  (4-0)
14. Baylor Bears (3-0)
15. Texas Longhorns (4-0)
16. Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0)
17. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-0)
18. Michigan Wolverines (4-0)
19. Oregon Ducks (3-1)
20. Texas A&M Aggies (2-1)
21. Arkansas Razorbacks (3-1)
22. TCU Horned Frogs (3-1)
23. Arizona State Sun Devils (3-1)
24. West Virginia Mountaineers (3-1)
25. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1)

Also Considered...
Kansas State (3-0)
Houston (4-0)
Michigan State (3-1)
Penn State (3-1)
Texas Tech (4-0)

AmStat's College Football Apocalypse

Aggie Land's 12th Man will soon be located in the SEC

Take a journey with me...to the not so distant future of college football. We have awaken from a three-year slumber to find ourselves awaiting the kickoff of the 2015 college football season.

While I was sleeping, it seems as if Texas A&M managed to escape from the Big 12 despite being held hostage by the Baylor athletic program during the 2012 season. According to the conveniently placed copy of Phil Steele's 2015 College Football Preview on my nightstand, Oklahoma bolted the Big 12 soon after A&M, and then the falling dominoes began to to pick up steam. Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State followed the Sooners west, joining what Phil Steele is calling the Pacific 16 Conference.

I flipped to the Big Ten section of Phil's preview, relieved to find that the Big Ten was still called the Big Ten...but I couldn't help but notice that the Big Ten was bigger than ever before. I wasn't even potty-trained the last time the Big Ten was limited to ten teams, but it was still shocking to see the likes of Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, and Iowa State listed as members of the conference.

After analyzing these two "new" conferences, two questions came to mind. Where is the Big 12...and wait...does Baylor still play football? OK, three questions. Does Baylor still exist?

Well let's look at the SEC. Surely a tradition rich institutional conglomerate of the south wouldn't stand for such radical changes...right? OK, wrong once again. Add Louisville along with the Aggies? I guess that's not too bad. Georgia Tech? That actually makes perfect sense given the history of their rivalry with Georgia. Florida State? That makes a ton of sense too! The FSU-Miami rivalry isn't really all that good anymore. Besides, can Miami really be anyone's rival since everyone hates them (except for Uncle Luke and the rest of the 2 Live Crew of course). Miami has a rivalry with the rest of the world.

For a second, I thought the SEC had an odd number of teams, but then I noticed that South Carolina is nowhere to be found in the conference preview, giving them an even 14 programs. I'm pretty sure I know exactly where to find the "Ass Kickin' Chickens" though...

Just as I suspected...the ACC. I've never understood what is keeping the Gamecocks and Yellow Jackets from switching places. Both teams are sleeping giants in college football, and hopeless underachievers on the hardwood. Why not let South Carolina play Clemson in the ACC, and let Georgia Tech and Georgia display their clean old fashioned hate in a conference game as well. I'm sure the Jackets would rather play someone like UAB in week four, rather than getting scraped by the Bulldogs to end the regular season nearly every year. The ACC has some new editions as well. UCF, ECU, and former Big East member USF join the party to give the ACC 14 teams as well.

The chain reaction continues, because if USF is in the ACC...who's in the Big East?


Well, for starters, the Villanova Wildcats are playing football with the big boys now. The Wildcats were a perennial power in the FCS, so who needs USF (sarcasm)!? Plus, the Temple Owls have apparently made a return to Big East football. I'm not sure why they ever left in the first place. For the record, I'm definitely making a trip to Philly for the first Temple-Nova Big East football game, apparently they're playing for something called the Liberty Bell Trophy (I made that up, but you can't deny the brilliance of that idea). Buffalo and UMass also moved to the Big East from the fledgling MAC conference. Never thought I would see the day when the MAC was raided by the Big East, but welcome to the 2015 college football season. West Virginia can no longer duck yearly meetings with their athletic program step-brothers from Marshall, the Thundering Herd has joined the 'Neers in the Big East. Maybe The Herd can even rekindle their old Conference USA rivalry with Cincinnati while they're getting acclimated. At the bottom of the page, a special note reminds us that Georgetown will begin playing football in 2016. This opens the door for the inaugural Big East football championship game to be held at Yankees Stadium in 2016 (I made this up too, but how epic would Syracuse-Pitt for the Big East Title be if they played at Yankees Stadium?) The 2015 Big East isn't all that intimidating, but it has teams, and that's more than what can be said about the Big 12. The search party is still out for Baylor by the way. Maybe those live black bears that they keep on campus got out of their cages. Can a few black bears take out an entire campus?

Baylor found a home in the Mountain West

Wait a second...I think I see something...it looks green...with maybe even a bit of gold trim...By golly we found them! It's Baylor! In the Mountain West no less. TCU, Boise State, Hawaii, BYU, Colorado State, San Diego State, Nevada, Fresno State, New Mexico, and UNLV fill out the ten team league. Through all the hubbub over college football realignment, Baylor managed to land on its feet in a conference that is worthy of an automatic BCS bid in football, and a four-NCAA bid league in college basketball.


Honestly, after the initial shock of it all, the college football apocalypse didn't produce the level of Armageddon that I really expected. Only one conference folded, and a replacement power conference emerged in its place. All that lies ahead in college football does in fact look scary, but when the final domino falls in the year 2015...it will be time to simply play the game of football. It's kickoff Saturday three years into the future, and I can't wait until November to see Michigan-Ohio State live on ESPN Virtual Reality.

Texas A&M Attempting to Ditch the Big 12

Reveille may be heading east to the SEC in 2013

Texas A&M has been the Big 12 Conference's most disgruntled member ever since Nebraska and Colorado's departures to the Big Ten and the newly named Pac-12. The Aggies weren't happy with the fact that the fate of their conference affiliation rested in the hands of their hated rivals, the Texas Longhorns. Last season, the Longhorns "saved" the Big 12 from dissolving by deciding to stay in the conference. The decision to stay was a lucrative one for the Longhorns. Texas landed a deal that has netted them the lion's share of the profits from the Big 12. They also received the green light to launch the Longhorn Network, the cable channel that has begun airing Texas athletic programming 24/7. Now Texas A&M has found a home where they can escape the shadow of the University of Texas conglomerate. The Aggies plan to move to the SEC as the conference's 13th team as early as next fall. The move would leave the Big 12 with only nine teams, and Oklahoma is already publicly exploring their departure options. The loss of Oklahoma would be the fatal blow to the conference, and it looks as though the Sooners have no interest in remaining in a nine team Big 12.

Oddly enough, Baylor, perhaps the conference's weakest member, could actually play the role of Big 12 savior this time around. The SEC has accepted Texas A&M on the condition that the Aggies can exit the Big 12 without legal action. Well here's a shocker! The Baylor Bears object to this idea. It makes sense that Baylor would want to block this move. The athletic program at Baylor is much closer to SMU, than it is to Texas Tech. If Texas A&M sets off a domino effect that leads to the formation of 16 team super conferences, Baylor looks to be one of the teams left out in the cold. If Baylor allows the Aggies to head east, the Bears could find themselves playing in some weird variation of the Mountain West or Conference USA in 2014. That means no more BCS checks for Baylor, and that means Baylor will not let Texas A&M go without a fight. This is a developing story, but it looks as if college football as we know it may be staring at it's dying day. The era of the super conference will soon be upon us. Fortunately for them, the attention starved folks at Texas A&M can at least claim to be trendsetters for a change.

The First Impression: Thoughts on the Opening Week of College Football

First impressions are important in every aspect of life, but they hold a different level of importance in college football. Championship dreams can be dashed over a bad first impression, and starting jobs can be lost if a player doesn't show he has what it takes in week one. Certain players made good first impressions this past weekend, others can't wait for week two to role around for their chance at redemption. 

Russell Wilson is a Heisman contender in Madison

Robert Griffin III is college football's newest household name

• Russell Wilson made quite the first impression on Wisconsin fans on Thursday night, and he scared the hell out of the rest of the Big Ten in the process. Everyone knew the Badgers were returning one of the nation's best running attacks, but how Wilson would mesh with his new team was an unknown variable. From what we saw on Thursday night, the Badgers are a national contender. Wilson, and the rest of the Badger backfield, was unstoppable against an overwhelmed UNLV team. The Badgers have always been able to run the ball, but they have never had a quarterback who is dynamic as Wilson. Wisconsin will be more dangerous every week as Wilson becomes more acclimated to his new team. Wilson's first impression has made the Badgers the unquestioned team to beat in the Big Ten.
• The night after Russell Wilson became a player of the year candidate at Camp Randall, TCU and Baylor gave us our first game of the year candidate. Their were positive first impressions all-around, but Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III joined Wilson in the early season Heisman conversation by shredding a vaunted TCU defense on the way to a 50-48 victory. TCU debuted Casey Pachall as their new quarterback that same night. Despite the loss, Pachall proved that the Frogs are in safe hands, and that a double-digit win total is still a reasonable expectation for the upcoming season. If you didn't catch TCU and Baylor on Friday night, you will see it on ESPN Classic likely sooner than later. It was that good.
• Dayne Crist made a good enough impression on Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly to open the season as the team's starting quarterback. His first impression for the 2011 season was so underwhelming that he kept that job for a full 30 minutes of football. Tommy Rees relieved Crist at halftime and will be the starter this Saturday against Michigan. Who did make a good first impression for the Irish? Michael Floyd's 12 receptions and 154 yards receiving were more than enough to endear himself to fans in South Bend. Unfortunately, instead of Notre Dame being good, it seems as if only Michael Floyd is good. Who will the Irish turn to when teams decide to make someone besides Floyd win the game for the Irish? Things could get really interesting in South Bend this year.
• Oregon's first impression for the 2011 season looked very similar to its final impression from the 2010 season. Once again, the Ducks looked physically outmatched by a team from the mighty SEC. This time it was LSU that outclassed the Ducks. Oregon may be unstoppable in the Pac-12, but their forays against major programs outside of the conference have not went well. Oregon lost the Rose Bowl to Ohio State, the BCS Championship to Auburn, and now their regular season showdown with the Tigers. Oregon will probably be in the hunt to return to the BCS once again in November, but what will they do when they get there? It seems likely that they will lose.
• Boise State has made a sparkling first impression for the second year in a row. The Broncos were clearly the better team in their marquee matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs. If Boise State is just a harmless mid-major, why is it that their neutral site games are always so far away from Boise? Virginia Tech in Arlington? Georgia at the GEORGIA Dome? Let's be serious. Boise State is one of the top 10 programs playing football right now. Is there anyone brave enough to at least go to Denver for a neutral tilt with the boys in blue? I won't even ask for a team to actually play on Boise's campus. That's unfathomable for any of the prestigious schools from the Pac-12 or the Big East (extreme sarcasm). It will be fun to watch the creative way that the BCS keeps Boise State out of the national championship this year. With Nevada rebuilding and TCU reloading, Boise will likely cruise to an undefeated season. They are currently ranked fourth and fifth in the two major polls, but it will only be a matter of time before chirping about their strength of schedule will foreshadow their inexplicable fall from title contention.

Notre Dame Makes a Switch: Rees to Lead the Irish Against Michigan

Two weeks ago, Notre Dame football was supposedly back. Sports media pundits around the country called for double-digit wins from the Irish. Even head coach Brian Kelly declared that the team's goal was BCS or bust. Today, the Fighting Irish are 0-1 and have recently benched their senior quarterback.

Saturday afternoon, the Irish took the field ranked as the #16 team in the nation. Starting quarterback, and NFL prospect, Dayne Crist promptly led his team down inside the five-yard line against a South Florida team that most people had dismissed as a threat to the mighty Irish - and then it all fell apart. Jonas Gray fumbled on the goal line and the Bulls returned the miscue 96 yards for a touchdown. Instead of jumping out to a quick lead at home, the Irish were knocked off balance for the rest of the half, going into the break trailing 16-0.

Good luck Tommy, you might need it.

When Notre Dame reemerged for the second half (after a more than two hour delay due to inclement weather), they were led out by Tommy Rees, a redshirt sophomore who saw action last year while Crist recovered from injury. Rees faired better than Crist, throwing for 296 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions, but his production could not be denied. Notre Dame outscored USF 20-7 with Rees in the game, and it led fans to wonder if the Irish would have fared better than their eventual 23-20 loss if Rees had played the whole game.

Notre Dame won't get a mulligan to play USF again. They kissed their national ranking goodbye when Tuesday's rankings were released, and their BCS bandwagon looks to have tons of space on it as of this moment. However, Tommy Rees will indeed get a chance to impact a game from start to finish this week. Rees has been named the starting quarterback for Notre Dame's clash with Michigan.

Don't expect Rees to be overwhelmed. Rees led the Irish to victory at the Coliseum against USC, and Notre Dame routed Miami in the Sun Bowl with Rees under center. Still, it is worth noting that the expected atmosphere at the Big House should be unlike anything Rees has ever seen. Well, actually the scene at the Big House will be unlike anything anyone has ever seen. Rees will take the field as the opposing quarterback in Michigan Stadium's first ever night game. The crowd is expected to be one of the Wolverine's biggest ever (remember that Michigan has the biggest stadium in the country), and the game will be on primetime national television.

With all those factors being considered, it is obviously not an ideal time to break in a new quarterback. As mentioned before, Rees isn't completely new to being a starter. He performed more than admirably as a replacement last year, but this will be his first time starting with a healthy Dayne Crist waiting on the sideline.

Despite the change, the quarterback situation in South Bend is still very much in a state of flux. If Rees lays an egg against Michigan. Dayne Crist will likely start in week three against nationally ranked Michigan State. Crist has his fair share of sympathizers. He played badly against USF, but he did not show complete ineptitude. It should also be noted that his bad day came in the midst of a lightning storm that turned the playing field into a marsh. But now what if the high scoring Spartans run the Irish off of the field in week three? What if the likes of MSU's Jerel Worthy, Max Bullough, and Chris Norman dominate the Irish offensive line and render Crist useless? Will Brian Kelly go back to Tommy Rees? That would give Rees his second start on the road against Pittsburgh, a team that always plays Notre Dame tough.(Pitt beat the Irish in 2009 and lost by six last year). Would the Irish even be favored against Pitt at 0-3?

It's no coincidence that the last paragraph included so many question marks. If the Fighting Irish don't find some solid answers for their quarterback questions, they could be 0-4 before they see a favorable matchup (their fifth game is on the road against Purdue, it's pretty generous to call them a "favorable" opponent). A week ago, Notre Dame was talking BCS. The conversation has shifted to "Crist or Rees?" in a matter of days.

It's hard to agree with Brian Kelly's decision to change quarterbacks after one game. It seems very early to deem a quarterback ineffective after a single unflattering appearance that was highly influenced by bad weather. Kelly allowed the two young men to battle throughout the spring and summer, and settled on Crist as his starter less two weeks before opening day. Kelly has now reneged on that decision less than three weeks later.

One could argue that this isn't an ideal way to build a rapport with a team that was recruited mostly by former coach Charlie Weiss, but this isn't Kelly's first go around with using multiple quarterbacks. While coaching at Cincinnati in 2009, Kelly juggled quarterbacks Tony Pike and Zach Collaros with much success after Collaros emerged following an injury to Pike. That team won the Big East and played in the Sugar Bowl. Unfortunately, neither of Kelly's current options seem to possess the talent of Pike (currently in the NFL) or Collaros (2010 1st Team All Big East). Over time, the nation realized that Kelly had two very talented quarterbacks at Cincinnati. This year, Kelly may just simply have two quarterbacks.

Only time will tell if a star will emerge from this murky situation in South Bend, but if the Irish still plan to make a run at the BCS this year, the answer to all of Notre Dame's quarterback questions must be Tommy Rees.

Help Wanted: These Five Schools Are Still Looking For Head Coaches

The coaching carousel in college basketball is just starting to slow its rotation over a month after the season's end. Most of the nation's coaching vacancies have been filled, but a few schools around the country are still looking for someone to lead their program. Here's a quick rundown of what's available on the college basketball job market nowadays.


Alabama A&M - The Aggies have been to the NCAA Tournament as recently as 2005, when they were the regular season and tournament champion in the SWAC. Now the small historically black university located in Normal, Alabama is looking for a coach that can make them a conference contender again. Former Northern Illinois coach Ricardo Patton [pictured] would be an ideal hire for the Aggies.

Murray State - This is the best available job in the country right now. The Racers are a perennially successful team in the OVC, and are a threat to make the tournament every year. Former coach Billy Kennedy left this job for a high profile position at Texas A&M. He leaves behind a program that could serve as an ideal stepping stone for another young head coach.

The United States Naval Academy - This is one of the most difficult head coaching jobs in the country. For starters, the Naval Academy does not recruit student-athletes taller than 6'7 (I wonder how David Robinson got in), making the hoops program permanently undersized. There is no tougher task in college basketball than convincing potential recruits to sign up for life at Annapolis and the two year commitment that comes after graduation. Navy's former coach Billy Lange [pictured] was so desperate to find greener pastures that he decided to take a demotion of sorts. He has moved on to Villanova where he will serve as an assistant coach. Whoever replaces Lange at Navy must be prepared to take on a vast rebuilding project. The Middies need a coach that can recruit difference-making guards and post players that rely on strength and positioning rather than height.

Radford - Two years ago, Radford was playing in the NCAA Tournament. Now they are looking for a head coach. Former coach Brad Greenberg, brother of Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg, was fired after a disappointing season that saw Radford go winless on the road and finish 5-24 overall. Somehow, the bottom fell out of a program that had won 40 games over the previous two years including that tournament appearance. Whoever replaces Greenberg will be expected to win soon.

Vermont - This job is on par with Murray State as a potential stepping stone for coaches. They don't do much at Vermont besides win basketball games, and the program gets excellent support. Former coach Mike Lonergan took the Catamounts to the postseason four out of his six seasons with the team, including a trip to the Big Dance in 2010. The new coach at Vermont will inherit a squad that won 23 games last year and were a last second bucket away from being in the NCAAs for a second straught year. This program is set up to succeed, and a good coach could run this program on auto-pilot for at least four years. Mike Jarvis II, assistant coach and son of current Florida Atlantic coach Mike Jarvis, is mentioned as a possible candidate for this job as well as at Navy.

Maya Moore is the "First Lady" of the Jordan Brand

Former Connecticut forward Maya Moore has made history throughout her college career. She has won national championships, set countless records, and has garnered an unprecedented amount of awards and accolades. Months after becoming the top selection at the WNBA Draft, Moore may have just solidified her most impressive accomplishment yet. Moore, now a member of the Minnesota Lynx, has signed a deal to become the second female athlete to be sponsored by Nike's prestigious Jordan Brand (Moore is being lauded as the first female to sign with Jordan, but paralympian sprinter April Holmes is recognized by Jordan Brand as their first female athlete). The deal with Moore was announced yesterday in a press release from Jordan Brand, and included a quote from the Jumpman himself.


“I am thrilled to welcome Maya Moore into the Jordan Brand,” said Michael Jordan. “Not only has Maya proven to be a prolific winner on the court, but her hunger and determination to make an impact off the court makes her a valuable addition to the Jordan family. We look forward to working with Maya as she carries her success to the next level.”

Moore's addition to the brand is a monumental breakthrough for women's sports. Moore's inclusion on the Jordan Brand is another testimony that brings attention to the marketability of top-tier female athletes. Many questions will be answered in the near future about Moore's inclusion on the brand. It seems to be a long shot that Moore would have a signature shoe like other "Team  Jordan" members such as Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwayne Wade. However, her contract with the brand is expected to be in an area between three and four million dollars, and the company looks to have big plans for her. Going forward, Moore will undoubtedly soon challenge the likes of Candace Parker and Serena Williams as one of the most recognizable female athletes in the world.

Thumbs UP & Thumbs DOWN: NFL Draft Edition

The NFL Draft came and went this year without a lot of the usual post draft fanfare. The reason for this is obviously because the NFL lockout has prevented rookies from signing contracts or participating in team activities.With no rookies on the field, and the end of the lockout becoming a hazy destination to locate, little attention has been paid to the draft hauls from each individual team. One day these rookies will suit up and see the field. Some teams should be anxiously awaiting the opportunity to debut their prized prospects, other clubs should be hoping that the lockout ends just in time for the 2012 NFL Draft so they can atone for this year's mistakes without anyone noticing. We don't do letter grades at AmStat, it's only "Thumbs UP or Thumbs DOWN" with a list of the players I believe to be good picks from that particular teams draft. If your team's list of impact players is long, you will probably get a THUMBS UP, but if your team's best pick was a fullback in the seventh round, expect criticism.

Carolina Panthers...THUMBS UP!
Cameron Newton (QB) - Auburn
Brandon Hogan (CB) - West Virginia
Terrell McClain (DT) - South Florida
Sione Fua (DT) - Stanford
Kealoha Pilares (WR) - Hawaii
Lawrence Wilson (LB) - Connecticut
The Panther's get a thumbs up for drafting a franchise quarterback, a sure handed receiver, and making major upgrades to their defense with four rookies that should make an instant impact. The Cats leave this draft as a much better football team, but are still far away from being competitive.

Denver Broncos...TWO THUMBS UP!
Von Miller (DE) - Texas A&M
Rahim Moore (FS) - UCLA
Orlando Franklin (OT) - Miami FL
Nate Irving (LB) - North Carolina State
Quinton Carter (SS) - Oklahoma
Julius Thomas (TE) - Portland State
Mike Mohamed (LB) - California
Virgil Green (TE) - Nevada
Jeremy Beal (DE) - Oklahoma
So if I end up listing every one of your selections as an impact player it means two things. First, your team was really bad last year. Second, your team is now much better. The Broncos may not have hit home runs with every pick but they put a man on base with every at bat in this year's draft. Expect four, maybe even five of these rookies to start for the Ponies in week one.

Buffalo Bills...THUMBS UP!
Marcell Dareus (DT) - Alabama
Aaron Williams (CB) - Texas
Kelvin Sheppard (LB) - LSU
Da'Norris Searcy (SS) - North Carolina
Johnny White (RB) - North Carolina
The Bills get a very unenthusiastic thumbs up for not screwing anything up, but not really making a drastic improvement to the team. Dareus and Williams were home run picks, but there isn't much star potential outside of those two. The Tar Heel duo of White and Searcy could prove me wrong by becoming difference makers in the running game (White) and the return game (Searcy).

Cincinnati Bengals...THUMBS UP!
AJ Green (WR) - Georgia
Andy Dalton (QB) - TCU
Dontay Moch (LB) - Nevada
Clint Boling (OT) - Georgia
Robert Sands (FS) - West Virginia
The Bengals hit home runs with their first five picks, and that's more than enough to get a thumbs up from me. I even like their sixth (Stanford WR Ryan Whalen) and seventh (Baylor RB Jay Finley) round picks. Green and Dalton are big name prospects, but players like Boling and Moch could be week one starters as well. Robert Sands is also much more talented than the average fifth round pick.

Arizona Cardinals...THUMBS DOWN!
Patrick Peterson (CB) - LSU
Robert Housler (TE) - Florida Atlantic
Sam Acho (LB) - Texas
Quan Sturdivant (LB) - North Carolina
It seems like it would be hard to get a thumbs down from me if you drafted the player that I thought was the best prospect in the draft with the fifth pick, but the Cardinals pulled it off. Despite having Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower, the Cards spent a second round pick on Ryan Williams, which makes their backfield way too crowded. Williams will likely struggle to see the field. The Cards also took Anthony Sherman, a backup running back from UConn. Where does he fit in? Robert Housler could be a stud tight end, but the Cards may have had more pressing issues to address in the third round. Acho and Sturdivant are good choices to rebuild the linebacker corps, but they can't offset a series of questionable picks.

Atlanta Falcons...THUMBS DOWN!
Julio Jones (WR) - Alabama
Akeem Dent (LB) - Georgia
Jacquizz Rogers (RB) - Oregon State
The Falcons get a thumbs down for essentially trading away their draft. They are a team with very few weaknesses, so they decided to give up the farm for the one player they wanted. Dent will be an impact player and Rogers is an dynamic playmaker, but the draft lacks overall substance. The Dirty Birds are banking on the fact that they probably didn't need a big draft as much as they needed a big play wide receiver. This draft will always be judged based on the career of Julio Jones.

San Francisco 49ers...THUMBS UP!
Aldon Smith (DE) - Missouri
Colin Kaepernick (QB) - Nevada
Chris Culliver (FS) - South Carolina
Kendall Hunter (RB) - Oklahoma State
Ronald Johnson (WR) - USC
Bruce Miller (DE) - UCF
The Niners had a great haul but actually missed a few opportunities during this draft. Aldon Smith was a reach pick, but is still a solid prospect. Kaepernick will have an opportunity to start by mid-season and Hunter will be a great addition to the backfield with Frank Gore. Chris Culliver has the potential to be a starter in time at either safety or cornerback. Ron Johnson will help stretch the field on offense, and is a potential difference-maker as a return man. Bruce Miller won't start for the Niners but he will be a valuable asset on the defensive line rotation. It's amazing that a draft this good had the chance to be so much better.

Tennessee Titans...THUMBS UP!
Jake Locker (QB) - Washington
Akeem Ayers (LB) - UCLA
Jurrell Casey (DT) - USC
Colin McCarthy (LB) - Miami FL
Jamie Harper (RB) - Clemson
Karl Klug (DT) - Iowa
The Titans drafted their quarterback of the future in the first round and then focused on upgrading their defense with a quartet of quality defensive selections. Jamie Harper adds another speed back to the Titans stable that already includes Chris Johnson and Javon Ringer. Harper gives the Titans the opportunity to have a home run threat on the field even when Johnson is on the sidelines.

Dallas Cowboys...THUMBS DOWN!
Tyron Smith (OT) - USC
Bruce Carter (DT) - North Carolina
DeMarco Murray (RB) - Oklahoma
The Cowboys started the draft on fire with their first three picks. Smith and Carter will be week one starters, and Murray is much better than his third round selection indicates. He very well could be the number one back in Big D before the season ends. After that, America's Team started choking away picks left and right. East Carolina WR Dwayne Harris (sixth round pick) is the only player drafted after the third round who even has a chance of helping this team. 

Jacksonville Jaguars...THUMBS DOWN!
Blaine Gabbert (QB) - Missouri
I commend the Jags for getting their man in the first round, but the rest of their draft class leaves plenty to be desired. I was temped to pencil in Mount Union WR Cecil Shorts as an impact player, but remember that receivers tend to breakout during their sophomore NFL seasons.

Houston Texans...THUMBS UP!
JJ Watt (DE) - Wisconsin
Brooks Reed (DE) - Arizona
Brandon Harris (CB) - Miami FL
Rashad Carmichael (CB) - Virginia Tech
Shiloh Keo (SS) - Idaho
Taylor Yates (QB) - North Carolina
The Texans had the worst pass defense in football last season and it was the sole reason for them missing the playoffs. The Texans responded by drafting three highly regarded defensive backs and two pass rushing demons to put more pressure on opposing QBs. Keo is a personal favorite of mine because he loves to hit and could be a future pro bowler on special teams. Yates has all the intangibles necessary to be a successful backup quarterback. He became the Tar Heels unquestioned leader last year during an especially trying season. His maturity from that experience will help him stick in the league.

Minnesota Vikings...THUMBS UP!
Christian Ponder (QB) - Florida State
Kyle Rudolph (TE) - Notre Dame
Christian Ballard (DT) - Iowa
Brandon Burton (CB) - Utah
DeMarcus Love (G) - Arkansas
Mistral Raymond (CB) - USF
The Vikes definitely reached for Christian Ponder but I really like him as a prospect. They got him a quality safety net in TE Rudolph soon after and got too quality corner prospects later in the draft (Burton will be a STEAL). Love will enter the rotation right away on the line, as will Ballard on the defensive side.

Detroit Lions...THUMBS UP!
Nick Fairley (DT) - Auburn
Titus Young (WR) - Boise State
Mike Leshoure (RB) - Illinois
I'm not as in love with the Lions' draft as other people. Cornerback and linebacker were much larger needs than wide receiver and running back. Personally, I'm just not that enamored with Titus Young as an NFL wide receiver. Leshoure has the potential to be a monster  though, and he is the perfect compliment to Jahvid Best. Still, this draft is being carried by the fact that drafting Nick Fairley gives the Lions the best defensive line in the league.

St. Louis Rams...THUMBS UP!
Robert Quinn (DE) - North Carolina
Lance Kendricks (TE) - Nebraska
Austin Pettis (WR) - Boise State
Greg Salas (WR) - Hawaii
Jermale Hines (SS) - Ohio State 
After looking at the Rams draft results, you would think that Sam Bradford was the only person in the St. Louis war room. The truth is, the Rams know they have their franchise quarterback, and this draft was dedicated to giving Bradford all the weapons he needs. The Rams are starting to take the shape of a dynamic offensive team. In other news, the Rams took a defensive end in the first round which is essentially cheating since all of them were studs. Hines has a lot of potential as a safety and I think the Rams can get it out of him.

Miami Dolphins...THUMBS DOWN
Mike Pouncey (G) - Florida
Daniel Thomas (RB) - Kansas State
Charles Clay (FB) - Tulsa
The Dolphins needed to do a better job on the third day of the draft to get a thumbs up from me. Daniel Thomas is a great pickup for the sea mammals and so is Pouncey, but Edmond Gates is not an immediate answer at wide receiver as he will go through major growing pains after coming from Abilene Christian. The biggest impact player for the 'Phins could be big Charles Clay. Clay can catch it and run it with the best of them and he is huge. Clay is the most versatile big man in this draft and the Dolphins are the perfect team to use him at his best.

Washington Redskins...TWO THUMBS UP!
Ryan Kerrigan (DE) - Purdue
Jarvis Jenkins (DT) - Clemson
Leonard Hankerson (WR) - Miami FL
Roy Helu Jr. (RB) - Nebraska
Dejon Gomes (CB) - Nebraska
Niles Paul (WR) - Nebraska
Evan Royster (RB) - Penn State
The Skins had a lot of picks and they put every single one of them to good use. These seven prospects are expected to be impact players next year, but I believe that ALL 12 of the Redskins drafted rookies will suit up at one point next year. This was a difference making draft class that could really help turn this franchise around if they find consistent quarterback play from someone. Hankerson and Paul will have an opportunity to develop into a dynamite receiving tandem if they are handled properly.

New England Patriots...THUMBS UP!
Nate Solder (OT) - Colorado
Ras-I Dowling (CB) - Virginia
Shane Vereen (RB) - California
Stevan Ridley (RB) - LSU
Ryan Mallett (QB) - Arkansas
Marcus Cannon (OT) - TCU
The Pats have never been closer to receiving a negative response from me concerning their draft exploits. Belicheck comes away with two very solid immediate starters in Solder and Dowling, even though Solder is regarded as a raw talent (albeit a mesmerizing one). After those selections, the Pats made three straight surprising selections. Vereen and Ridley were surprising choices for two reasons. Running back wasn't considered a pressing need, and most people thought that there were better backs on the board. Still the Pats have now established a formidable stable of backs that ensures that Tom Brady will always get something from the running game. Vereen is also one of the best pass catching backs in the draft (the next Kevin Faulk maybe?). The Patriots also drafted Tom Brady's apparent heir by selecting Mallett. This move shocked everybody, but it makes all the sense in the world to select a first round talent (I believe he is the best quarterback in the draft) in the third round to eventually replace your aging stud QB. Drafting Cannon is just another example of what makes this organization so great. Cannon was diagnosed with cancer right before the draft but he is expected to recover, and when he does, the once first-round prospect will be an anchor for the Pats' offensive line. Decisions like drafting Cannon are what make Patriots such a solid organization.

San Diego Chargers...THUMBS DOWN!
Corey Liuget (DT) - Illinois
Marcus Gilchrist (CB) - Clemson
Jonas Mouton (LB) - Michigan
Shareece Wright (CB) - USC
Jordan Todman (RB) - Connecticut
Steve Schilling (G) - Michigan
This thumbs down isn't a slight towards the players. It refers to the positions where they were drafted. The Bolts spent the first two days of the three day draft reaching for prospects. Granted, they got some pretty good ones (especially Shareece Wright in the third round), but the Chargers could have been more creative and came away with a better draft. Todman and Schilling could also be sixth round steals but the selections of Liuget, Gilchrist, and Mouton (He had to be shocked that he was a second round pick, I doubt he was even watching the draft that early) lacked the shrewdness that I expect from an NFL team on draft day.

New York Giants...THUMBS UP!
Prince Amukamara (CB) - Nebraska
Marvin Austin (DT) - North Carolina
Jernel Jernigan (WR) - Troy
Greg Jones (LB) - Michigan State
Tyler Sash (SS) - Iowa
Da'Rel Scott (RB) - Maryland
I really like what the G-men did on draft day. They add three week one starters to their defense (Prince, Austin, and Jones) while adding a dynamic returner and slot receiver (Jernigan) who will be everything Sinorice Moss wasn't able to be during his time in New York. Sash hits like an anvil and will be a fan favorite on special teams. Scott is simply the fastest running back in the draft. Surely, Tom Coughlin will find a way to get him the ball in space.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers...THUMBS UP!
Adrian Clayborn (DE) - Iowa
Da'Quan Bowers (DE) - Clemson
Mason Foster (LB) - Washington
Luke Stocker (TE) - Tennessee
Ahmad Black (SS) - Florida
Allen Bradford (RB) - USC
The Bucs leave this draft with two defensive lineman that were at one time considered as top five picks. Clayborn and Bowers have the potential to be the outside equivalent to what everyone expects Suh and Fairley to be on the inside for the Detroit Lions. Foster and Black are also quality additions to the defense as they are highly productive players that aren't being drafted based off of measurables. Luke Stocker is considered to be one of this year's impact tight ends, and Allen Bradford could be a menacing goal line back now that LeGarrette Blount is the featured guy in the Tampa backfield.

Cleveland Browns...THUMBS UP!
Phil Taylor (NT) - Baylor
Jabaal Sheard (DE) - Pittsburgh
Greg Little (WR) - North Carolina
Jordan Cameron (TE) - USC
Owen Marecic (FB) - Stanford
Buster Skrine (CB) - Chattanooga
The Browns didn't look like they would be extremely busy on draft day until they decided to pass on Julio Jones and trade down into slot #21. Instead of Jones, the Browns walked away with a replacement for Shaun Rogers (Taylor, the unquestioned best nose tackle in the draft), a talented receiver who doesn't compare to Julio but is still an upgrade (Greg Little), and a football playing bulldog that could feasibly be an impact player on offense, defense, and special teams (Marecic). Cleveland also came away with a superbly athletic pass-catching TE and the cornerback Skrine who can absolutely FLY when the ball is in the air. Sheard was a sackmaster at Pitt and should perform well along side the space-eating Taylor. The Browns didn't have much to work with going into the draft but they left with a more than adequate haul of prospects.

Indianapolis Colts...THUMBS UP!
Anthony Castonzo (OT) - Boston College
Drake Nevis (DT) - LSU
Delone Carter (RB) - Syracuse
Chris Rucker (CB) - Michigan State
The Colts didn't have a lot of selections in this year's draft, but they picked their spots wisely. Castonzo can start for Indy today, and the rest of the selections are all high potential players. Second round pick OT Ben Ijalana from Nova may not be an immediate impact guy, but he will eventually be a starter. The Colts are one of only a few teams that could have a draft like this and still get a thumbs up.

Philadelphia Eagles...THUMBS DOWN!
Danny Watkins (G) - Baylor
Curtis Marsh (CB) - Utah St.
Casey Mathews (LB) - Oregon
Dion Lewis (RB) - Pittsburgh
The Eagles may have had the most disappointing draft. The team arrived in New York loaded with picks and left without making much of an impact. The Eagles drafted the best guard in the draft, but probably have more pressing issues. The Iggles spent a second round pick on a safety (Temple's Jaiquawn Jarrett) who is currently a liability in coverage. Curtis Marsh will likely pan out better but he is still just learning to not rely soley on his athletic ability. He won't be able to claim a starting spot by year's end. Andy Reid and friends also blew a fourth round pick on a kicker (Florida's Alex Henery) that probably won't make the team. I'd be shocked if a rookie where able to come into training camp and beat out a former Pro Bowler such as David Akers. Casey Mathews, younger brother of Clay, seems to be the Eagles best most talented selection. That's more of an indictment of how the team handled the first three rounds. Dion Lewis is a talented back who would have went higher in next year's draft had he have stayed in school, but he will contribute as a rotation back next year. The Eagles rounded out the draft by selecting four more players that seemingly have no shot of actually making the team.  

New Orleans Saints...THUMBS UP!
Cameron Jordan (DE) - California
Mark Ingram (RB) - Alabama
Martez Wilson (LB) - Illinois
Greg Romeus (DE) - Pittsburgh
The Saints don't have too many holes to fill, but they made three quality upgrades to their defense and selected Ingram. Ingram gives the Saints the type of back that they've been missing since Deuce McAllister left the team. It does not signify the end of the Reggie Bush era though. With Ingram, Chris Ivory, and Pierre Thomas all in the fold Bush will likely be used more in the slot where he has always thrived during his NFL career.

Seattle Seahawks...THUMBS DOWN!
John Moffitt (G) - Wisconsin
I stand corrected...my deepest apologies to the Eagles, because the Seahawks clearly went home with the worst draft class. The Eagles reached on their first round pick (Bama G James Carpenter), and were a round (or maybe even two) ahead of time with their selections of Georgia WR Kris Dunham and Miss State LB KJ Wright. The rest of the draft is a cluster of players that I don't expect to make the team.

Kansas City Chiefs...THUMBS UP!
Jonathan Baldwin (WR) - Pittsburgh
Rodney Hudson (G) - Florida State
Justin Houston (LB) - Houston
Allen Bailey (DE) - Miami FL
Jalil Brown (CB) - Colorado
Ricky Stanzi (QB) - Iowa
Jerrell Powe (DT) - Ole Miss
The Chiefs continue to model their organization after the Patriots by stockpiling draft picks and bringing in a large, talented class of rookies. The Chiefs made big improvements to their defense, and added a game breaking receiver to play opposite of Dwayne Bowe. Ricky Stanzi is an ideal selection as a backup quarterback, since he will feel no pressure to play and will be able to develop behind the scenes while Matt Cassell continues to lead the team.

Baltimore Ravens...THUMBS UP!
Jimmy Smith (CB) - Colorado
Torrey Smith (WR) - Maryland
Tandon Doss (WR) - Indiana
Chykie Brown (CB) - Texas
Pernell McPhee (DE) - Mississippi State
Tyrod Taylor (QB) - Virginia Tech
Anthony Allen (RB) - Georgia Tech
The Ravens made some interesting selections, but I think they all work for the franchise. Jimmy Smith was saddled by character issues, but that won't be a problem on the watch of Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. The team also paired Joe Flacco's rocket arm with the draft's fastest receiver (Torrey Smith), tack on Doss and the Ravens have completely revamped their receiving corps. The addition of Chykie Brown along with Jimmy Smith gives the secondary a similar makeover. Pernell McPhee is a pass rushing specialist that the Ravens could utilize better than most teams. Taylor is more than a runner at QB, despite his size he has great arm strength and is a valuable weapon. Allen was a product of the option at Georgia Tech, but his size and strength could land him a role similar to Le'Ron McClain's.

Chicago Bears...THUMBS UP!
Gabe Carimi (OT) - Wisconsin
Stephen Paea (DT) - Oregon State
Da' Bears didn't have much work to do during the draft. They grabbed two sure-fire starters in the first two rounds, and then made three smart, yet underwhelming choices to round out the draft. Personally, I'm a big fan of Idaho QB Nathan Enderle as a big strong-armed backup to Jay Cutler.

New York Jets...THUMBS DOWN!
Muhammad Wilkerson (DT) - Temple
The Jets left a lot on the table with this draft class. To pick the massive Hampton DT Kenrick Ellis one round after taking Wilkerson was redundant. Bilal Powell was a questionable selection with so many other quality backs on the board at that time. Jeremy Kerley is a return specialist that will take a long time before he can help as a receiver, and Greg McElroy is generally regarded as one of the most overrated players in college football. I don't see his value as a pro.

Pittsburgh Steelers...THUMBS UP!
Cameron Heyward (DE) - Ohio State
Marcus Gilbert (OT) - Florida
Curtis Brown (CB) - Texas
The Steelers don't have bad drafts, plain and simple. They grabbed three top flight players that can play immediately. The draft was put over the top by the selections of high potential projects like CB Cortez Allen from The Citadel, Fresno State LB Chris Carter, and O-lineman Keith Williams out of Nebraska.  

Green Bay Packers...THUMBS UP!
Derek Sherrod (OT) - Mississippi State
Randall Cobb (WR) - Kentucky
Alex Green (RB) - Hawaii
DJ Williams (HB) - Arkansas
Caleb Schlauderhaff (OG) - Utah
Ricky Elmore (DE) - Arizona
It isn't often that the Super Bowl champ makes a major improvement in the draft, but the Pack really improved through the draft. Sherrod and Schlauderhaff provide invaluable depth to the offensive line. Green and Williams are two unique backs that provide size and exceptional pass catching ability. Randall Cobb is a big play receiver that will be a more than adequate replacement for James Jones who is expected to leave during free agency. Ricky Elmore is a sackmaster who will have a chance to thrive on third down.

USA Basketball Under-19 Team

USA Basketball has announced a preliminary 17-man roster that will go to training camp next month in Colorado Springs with hopes of representing the United States at the Under-19 World Championships this summer in Latvia. The team will be cut down from 17 to 12 before the tournament, which starts on June 30th. Involvement in USA Basketball has generally coincided with major improvement for young college players, making this an important accomplishment for the players listed below.

USA BASKETBALL U-19 ROSTER
Keith Appling, G - Michigan State
Melsahn Basabe, F - Iowa
Brad Beal, G - Chaminade College Prep HS (Committed to Florida)
James Bell, G - Villanova
Anthony Brown, G - Stanford
Trevor Cooney, G - Sanford School HS (Committed to Syracuse)
Allen Crabbe, G - California
Tim Hardaway Jr., G - Michigan
Joe Jackson, G - Memphis
Jeremy Lamb, G - Connecticut
Meyers Leonard, C - Illinois
Doug McDermott, F - Creighton
Travis McKie, F - Wake Forest
Tony Mitchell, F - North Texas
Richard Solomon, C - California
Josiah Turner, G - Quality Education Academy HS (Committed to Arizona)
Patric Young, F - Florida
Head Coach: Paul Hewitt - George Mason
Asst. Coach: Randy Bennett - St. Mary's
Asst. Coach: Cliff Warren - Jacksonville 

It's His Turn Now: Sterling Gibbs Looks to Leave His Mark

Sterling Gibbs isn't your average little brother. Though his older brother Ashton Gibbs has been a star at Pittsburgh for the past three seasons and recently announced that he will return for another, Sterling Gibbs has done a great job of crafting his own niche as a college prospect. The lightning quick point guard looks like a totally different player from his brother on tape. He scores with lightning quick dashes to the rim and distributes the ball effectively on the run. His brother Ashton is very talented as a lead guard, but the majority of his scoring comes from his deadly range on the perimeter. Sterling's versatility leads many to believe that Gibbs 2.0 may eventually be the better model of the two brothers. The Maryland Terrapins got a commitment from Sterling during his junior season, while Gibbs was still under the radar of most scouting services. Now after completing his final year of high school, Gibbs has emerged as an impact point guard in the class of 2011. That's why when Maryland head coach Gary Williams decided to retire after this season, the younger Gibbs brother decided to re-open his recruitment. Gibbs seemed interested in staying with Maryland if they hired Arizona coach Sean Miller, but the hiring of former Texas A&M boss Mark Turgeon didn't impress Sterling enough to keep him committed. Now Gibbs is back on the recruiting trail once again, now receiving interest from the likes of Texas, Louisville, Florida, and Seton Hall. There is also a chance he could join Ashton for one year at Pitt or even recommit to Maryland. It's always interesting when a legitimate prospect becomes available so late in the signing period. Sterling Gibbs will have plenty of people watching his next move.

Russell Wilson is a College Football Free Agent

Russell Wilson is an exceptional athlete. As a quarterback for North Carolina State, he was the ACC Freshman of the Year in 2008. Last season, he was the ACC's offensive player of the year as a junior. In addition to his success on the gridiron, Wilson is similarly impressive on the baseball diamond. Wilson doubles as a minor league baseball player in the summer, playing for the Class A Asheville (NC) Tourists in the Colorado Rockies farm system. His commitment to football is limited until the minor league baseball season ends in September. This year, with a veteran team returning to NC State and a talented veteran backup quarterback, Wolfpack head coach Tom O'Brien decided that it would be best for Wilson and the program to go their separate ways. He apparantly did not want to risk tampering with the chemistry that the team was developing without Wilson. O'Brien will turn to highly touted junior quarterback Mike Glennon (brother of former Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon) to lead his team. The story gets intriguing here. Wilson will focus on baseball for now, but he still intends to play college football this season. Now with one year of eligibility remaining, one the best quarterbacks in college football is effectively a free agent. Wilson has not made a decision on where he will play his final year of college football, but when he does, a team in need of a quarterback will become exponentially better. Wilson is not allowed to join an ACC team, and cannot join a team that plays NC State during their non-conference schedule (this rules out Liberty, South Alabama, Central Michigan, and Cincinnati). That means big time schools with quarterback concerns such as UCLA, Auburn, South Carolina, and California will all be willing to take Russell whenever he's ready to suit up. Getting an All-American quarterback a week into the season is better than not having one at all. It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out.



This type of situation is not totally unfamiliar to Wolfpack fans. Before the 2006 season, the NC State basketball team lost talented center Andrew Brackman to the New York Yankees. Brackman, a pitcher, is still trying to break out of the minors. However, he is still generally regarded as an eventual major leaguer.

UFL Draft Gives Undrafted Free Agents Opportunity to Play Ball

The UFL recently held what will likely be its most important draft ever. With the NFL lockout restricting teams from signing undrafted rookies, the UFL may very well have selected from the deepest talent pool that will ever come their way. Many players who would have been on their way to NFL training camp as "RFAs" during any other off-season will be suiting up in the UFL this year. The fledgling league, now entering it's third year will have an impressive influx of talent for this season at least, and will likely be very entertaining to watch. The UFL stands to be a big winner if the lockout continues, but if the NFL does resume operations soon, the league has announced that it will allow rookies to "transfer" leagues without penalty (the league charges a $25,000 fee to those who void their UFL contracts to play in the NFL). This consideration is a positive step in the direction of the UFL possibly becoming a developmental league for the NFL in the future. Here is a list of notable college football players that will be calling the UFL home for atleast one season as of now. 


The Best of the UFL 2011 Drafted Rookie Class
#1 Jerrod Johnson, QB - Texas A&M
#3 Ryan Colburn, QB - Fresno State
#8 Ugo Chinasa, DE - Oklahoma State
#21 Clint Ingram, LB - Oklahoma
#24 Spencer Paysinger - Oregon
#38 Jeremiah Masoli - Ole Miss
#43 Derrick Locke - Kentucky [pictured]
#45 Derek Divine, QB - Marshall
#46 Mario Fanin, RB - Auburn
#49 Keanemana Silva, S - Hawaii
#51 Mark Herzlich, LB - Boston College
#52 Jeff Maehl, WR - Oregon

The Latavious Williams Story

Latavious Williams was once a top prospect coming out of Starkville Mississippi, but after he realized that he would likely be declared academically ineligible to play during his freshman year of college, he took an untraveled path to the NBA - Williams went to the NBA Developmental League. ESPN's Outside the Lines tells Williams' story and poses the question of whether or not this is a viable option for players that wish to avoid the NBA's "year removed from high school" rule in regards to the NBA Draft.

God's Gift Achiuwa (Yup, That's His Real Name)

God's Gift Achiuwa was one of the more intriguing prospects coming out of junior college this year. A large part of the intrigue was based on his unusual name, but the 22 points and 12 rebounds he averaged at Erie Community College (Buffalo, NY) didnt hurt either. Now the 6'9 post player will take his game to New York City after committing to play for the St. John's Red Storm. "Gift", as he is referred to by his teammates, sat down for an interview with ESPN's First Take earlier this week.

The Undrafted

After three days of NFL Draft coverage, 254 college football players realized their dream of becoming professional football players. However, the NFL rookie class of 2011 is not set in stone as of yet. Normally, the upcoming days after the draft's conclusion see teams sign anywhere from 10 to 20 undrafted rookie free agents. Many of these "URFAs" were stars at the college level but didn't have the measurements to catch the attention of NFL scouts, others may have been coveted by a particular team that simply didn't have the chance to draft them due to a variety of circumstances. This year, the NFL lockout has prevented teams from signing undrafted rookies during the aftermath of the draft. Many of the rookies that we will see suit up next season are not yet the property of an NFL team. Here is a list of some notable players that will surely find themselves in an NFL training camp once the lockout has ended. If you don't think it's worth your time to take a look, just remember that 23 players in this year's Pro Bowl were once undrafted rookie free agents.

Notable Rookie Free Agents (no particular order)
Brandon Bair, DT - Oregon
Deunta Williams, S - North Carolina
Terrence Toliver, WR - LSU [pictured]
Darvin Adams, WR - Auburn
Kendric Burney, CB - North Carolina
Jeron Johnson, S - Boise State
Joe Lefeged, S - Rutgers
Ian Williams, DT - Notre Dame
Deandre McDaniel, S - Clemson
Derrick Locke, RB - Kentucky
Mario Harvey, OLB - Marshall
Armon Binns, WR - Cincinnati
Mark Herzlich, MLB -Boston College
Jake Kirkpatrick, C - TCU
Pat Devlin, QB - Delaware
Kris O'Dowd, C - USC
Darren Evans, RB - Virginia Tech
Scott Lustrus, MLB - UConn
Josh Portis, QB - California PA [pictured]
Brian Lainhart, S - Kent State
DeAndre Brown, WR - Southern Miss
Graig Cooper, RB - Miami FL
Devon Torrence, CB - Ohio State
Orie Lemon, OLB - Oklahoma State
Mike Hartline, QB - Kentucky
Jeff Maehl, WR - Oregon
Jerrard Terrant, S - Georgia Tech
Ben Chappell, QB - Indiana
Charlie Gantt, TE - Michigan State [pictured]
Eric Gordon, OLB - Michigan State
Brian Duncan, MLB - Texas Tech
Will Hill, S - Florida
Bryant Browning, G - Ohio State
Mike Morgan OLB - USC
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR - Ohio State
Damien Berry, RB - Miami FL
Justin Boren, G - Ohio State
Ryan Winterswyk, DE - Boise State
Scott Tolzein, QB - Wisconsin
Mark Dell, WR - Michigan State
Adrien Moten, OLB - Maryland
Jay Valai, S - Wisconsin
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, WR - Iowa
Tori Gurley, WR - South Carolina [pictured]
Jerrod Johnson, QB - Texas A&M
Noel Divine, RB - West Virginia
Zac Etheridge, S - Auburn
Weslye Saunders, TE - West Virginia
Jai Eugene, CB/S - LSU
Taylor Potts, QB - Texas Tech
Matt Asiata, RB - Utah