I found the file. I thought I had made more progress on the running backs, but I didn't. Good thing I have until Monday to bang that out.
Reader "Cort" reminded me that one guy I left off yesterday was Marcus Monk from Arkansas. Huge oversight on my part. I'd argue that he's better than Greg Carr, who I gushed over...whoever is throwing the ball in Fayetteville has an amazing talent for a target.
On to the field generals. As we saw in the draft, it was JaMarcus Russell and a bunch of projects. Brady Quinn had a lot of hype, but the people who matter most (coaches and GMs weren't buying what he was selling). I say the same goes for this year. Briam Brohm and a lot of decent hurlers.
Here we go:
Brian Brohm, Louisville - It was pretty big news that he was coming back for this season. He put on a freakin' clinic in the Orange Bowl against Wake Forest. He has 21 career starts and just 12 interceptions (41 touchdowns). Brohm is throwing to two great targets in Mario Urrutia and Harry Douglass. He's not a cone on the field either, if he's gotta take off, he can pick up yards with the legs. If you have the chance to watch UL this year, do it. While they might be not as explosive without Petrino calling the shots, they still have a ton of offensive talent. He has NFL starter written all over him. How funny would it be if Cleveland wins two games this year, gets the No. 1 pick and the Cowboys take him because of that trade during the draft this year? I'd love it.
Colt Brennan, Hawaii - I am surprised his arm hasn't fallen off yet. Competition is weak, but he's doing it like any other quarterback: taking the snap, dropping back, going through his reads and delivering a strike. He had a 186.0 rating last year. Second was John Beck (169.1).
Erik Ainge, Tennessee - Against some tough defenses in some tough environments, he's been pretty steady for the Vols. With a deep receiving corps, a solid defense and stud tailback LaMarcus Coker leading a stable of runners taking the ball from him, there's a lot of pressure on Ainge to perform.
Chad Henne, Michigan - When I see Henne step on the field next year, it'll seem like an eternity since John Navarre was the signal caller in Ann Arbor. I've long-said he's tough as nails. He doesn't put up numbers that'll blow your mind, but he's a winner. Two Rose Bowls in three years.
Kyle Wright/Kirby Freeman, Miami - I really thought Wright was a preseason Heisman hopeful last year. Miami has three stables worth of tailbacks, but they will only go as far as the Wright/Freeman arm goes. Coker wasn't afraid to turn to Freeman last year, and if I had to make an educated guess, I'd think Randy Shannon will do the same. But who knows? Hard to tell with a new coach.
Young bucks on the radar: Colt McCoy, Texas; Chase Holbrook, New Mexico State; Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan; Chase Daniel, Missouri; Bobby Reid, Oklahoma State; Pat White, West Virginia.
I'll come back strong on Monday with the running backs. Call your mom on Sunday.
Comments (1)
Andre Woodson - Kentucky. In 2007, he had 25 more TDs than in 2006, but only 1 more INT. I'm no expert, but a lot of guys who claim to be are pretty high on this guy.