I refuse to pay for any news content online-- whatsoever. Especially when a site stuffs so much garbage flash, annoying popups, ads of all types & what have you-- not only do they want to make money both ways, but the browsing there becomes intolerable: blinking, flashing neon everywhere, pages loading glacially...
Probably this -- Kiper, Nov 30
Moving onto the Big Board for the first time this season are a pair of SEC standouts, Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler and LSU defensive tackle Kyle Williams.
Cutler, who will be playing in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., finished the 2005 season with a bang. For the second straight year, his performance in the Commodores' regular-season finale against Tennessee was exceptional. He also had great efforts against Florida and Kentucky, throwing for a combined 756 yards and nine touchdowns in those two games.
The 6-3¼, 227-pounder has all the physical skills the NFL looks for: excellent arm strength, good pocket awareness and decent mobility. For the season, Cutler completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,073 yards, with 21 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
With an impressive week at the Senior Bowl practices, Cutler could be this year's version of Philip Rivers, Patrick Ramsey and Jason Campbell -- quarterbacks who elevated their stock to the point where they moved into the first round of the NFL draft.
On the defensive side of the ball, LSU's Williams has been a consistent, productive warrior for the Bayou Bengals. At 6-1½ and 294 pounds, he presents leverage problems for the interior offensive lineman he goes up against. Strong, quick and intense, Williams never disappears from the action or gives less than maximum effort every time the ball is snapped. Heading into the SEC championship game Saturday against Georgia, Williams is fifth on the LSU defense with 55 tackles, with 7½ stops behind the line of scrimmage, 4½ sacks and 21 quarterback hurries.
My entire Big Board:
<offer> </offer>
1. Matt Leinart, QB, USC (6-4, 225 pounds) | previous rank: same
His arm strength has improved since last season, and he is throwing the ball better. Leinart might not repeat as the Heisman Trophy winner, but he makes plays when he has to. He should remain at the top of the draft board.
2. A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State (6-1½, 242) | previous rank: same
The top defensive player in the senior class. An instinctive player and a sure tackler, he knows which angles to take to the ball and finds his way through traffic very well.
3. DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama (6-1½, 235) | previous rank: same
Leader of the Crimson Tide defense. Has impressed in the Tide's biggest games this season. Tide defense did all it could to keep undefeated season alive.
4. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis (5-9, 215) | previous rank: same
Second in the nation in rushing yards per game despite not playing behind one of the best offensive lines. Could very well be a top-10 pick.
5. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia (6-5½, 295) | previous rank: same
Came back from a knee injury and still remains the top offensive lineman on the board.
6. Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State (6-3, 267) | previous rank: same
Has been at the top of his game all year. Hali is the best player on one of the best defenses in the country. A natural pass-rusher who has been fun to watch all season.
7. Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech (6-2½, 207) | previous rank: same
Gives the Hokies a shutdown cornerback who can lock up the opposing team's top receiver. He eliminates one side of the field. A former safety who moved to corner before the 2004 season.
8. Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa (6-2½, 244) | previous rank: same
Has become one of the nation's top-flight linebackers the past two years. A smart player with great physical skills, Greenway knows how to find the ball and can go all over the field to get to it.
9. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College (6-5½, 260) | previous rank: same
Came back from an injury against Virginia earlier this season. A tremendous talent who needs to polish his pass-rushing skills.
10. Michael Huff, DB, Texas (6-1, 205) | previous rank: same
Athletic and instinctive, he has shown the versatility to play cornerback or safety at the next level.
11. Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona State (6-1½, 203) | previous rank: same
A precise route-runner who will come into the NFL in 2006 with a great understanding of what is expected to be an immediate contributor.
12. Thomas Howard, LB, UTEP (6-2½, 233) | previous rank: same
Has come a long way since his days as a walk-on defensive back. UTEP's best defensive player, Howard is a gifted athlete with 4.4 speed who covers the field from sideline to sideline.
13. Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami (5-8½ 183) | previous rank: 14
Can turn a short completion into a coast-to-coast TD. Not great size, but Moss has great speed and should excel at the next level.
14. Jason Spitz, G/C, Louisville (6-3½ 307) | previous rank: 15
Versatile player who will have a long career at the next level. Strongest player on Louisville's roster.
Steven Murphy/WireImage.com
Miami defensive tackle Orien Harris has 3½ sacks and 10 tackles for loss this season.
15. Orien Harris, DT, Miami (6-3, 307) | previous rank: 16
Blessed with a ton of talent, Harris has bounced back from a subpar junior campaign. He has maximized his ability on a consistent basis in 2005.
16. Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA (6-6, 258) | previous rank: 20
Has legit 4.5 speed and a perfect frame for the position. Leads the Bruins in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
17. Claude Wroten, DT, LSU (6-2, 293) | previous rank: 13
Solid, reliable and gives LSU consistent play every week.
18. Elvis Dumervil, DE, Louisville (6-0, 256) | previous rank: 17
Feared and disruptive sack artist. Has at least two sacks in five games this season and leads the nation with 20 sacks. Reminds me of Colts DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
19. Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State (6-2½ 305) | previous rank: 18
Combines strength with quickness and a relentless approach. A very effective pass-rusher for an interior lineman.
20. Anthony Smith, DB, Syracuse (6-1, 194) | previous rank: 19
Real playmaker on a team that has struggled in 2005. Combines excellent cover skills with a rugged, hard-nosed approach. Smith is not only a quality free safety but also has made a dramatic impact on special teams throughout his impressive stay in the Big East.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler has the potential to be a first-round pick in the 2006 NFL draft.
21. Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt (6-3¼, 227) | previous rank: unranked
Second-best senior QB on the board behind Matt Leinart. Has the potential to be a first-round pick depending on how he performs in the Senior Bowl and individual workouts.
22. Kyle Williams, DT, LSU (6-1½, 294) | previous rank: unranked
Consistent and productive, he gets overshadowed at times by teammate Claude Wroten, who lines up next to him on the defensive line. Williams never disappears from the action.
23. A.J. Nicholson, OLB, Florida State (6-2, 235) | previous rank: same
Florida State's best defensive player; Nicholson leads the Seminoles with 92 tackles (48 solo).
24. Ryan O'Callaghan, OT, California (6-6½, 340) | previous rank: 23
Depending on who comes out early, O'Callaghan could end up being the highest-rated right tackle prospect in the draft. Prototype right tackle at the next level.
25. D'Qwell Jackson, ILB, Maryland (6-0½, 230) | previous rank: same
Leads the Terrapins in tackles; he reminds me a lot of former Miami linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
DROPPED
Manny Lawson, DE, NC State (6-6, 245) | previous rank: 21
His speed and versatility are intriguing. Lawson can fly off the edge, showcasing athleticism and excellent closing speed. He could be a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme or operate as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He also has been a tremendous special-teams performer.
Joe Klopfenstein, TE, Colorado (6-5½, 247) | previous rank: 24
Provides Colorado's offense an ideal target in the hook zones and has the speed necessary to stretch the deep middle.
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Mel's Top 5 Juniors[/FONT]
Quarterback
1. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
2. Vince Young, Texas
3. Drew Stanton, Michigan State
4. Marcus Vick, Virginia Tech
5. Jordan Palmer, UTEP
5a. Colt Brennan, Hawaii
Running back
1. Reggie Bush, USC
2. Laurence Maroney, Minnesota
3. LenDale White, USC
4. Michael Bush, Louisville
5. Kenny Irons, Auburn
5a. Maurice Drew, UCLA
5b. Brian Calhoun, Wisconsin
5c. Kenneth Darby, Alabama
Wide receiver
1. Santonio Holmes, Ohio State
2. Jeff Samardzija, Notre Dame
3. Chad Jackson, Florida
4. Steve Smith, USC
5. Jason Hill, Washington State
5a. Courtney Taylor, Auburn
5b. Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech
Tight end
1. Vernon Davis, Maryland
2. Leonard Pope, Georgia
3. Anthony Fasano, Notre Dame
4. Clark Harris, Rutgers
5. Chris Hopkins, Toledo
Offensive line
1. Winston Justice (RT), USC
2. Joe Thomas (LT), Wisconsin
3. Levi Brown (LT), Penn State
4. Justin Blalock (RT), Texas
5. Doug Free (LT), Northern Illinois
Defensive line
1. Mario Williams (DE), NC State
2. Gaines Adams, (DE), Clemson
3. Haloti Ngata (DT), Oregon
4. Kareem Brown (DT), Miami
5. Quentin Moses (DE), Georgia
5a. Ray Edwards (DE), Purdue
Linebacker
1. Paul Posluszny, Penn State
2. Ernie Sims, Florida State
3. Ahmad Brooks, Virginia
4. Patrick Willis, Ole Miss
5. Oscar Lua, USC
5a. Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma
5b. H.B. Blades, Pittsburgh
Defensive backs
1. LaRon Landry, LSU
2. Darnell Bing, USC
3. Antonio Cromartie, Florida State (injured)
4. Ashton Youboty, Ohio St.
5. Brandon Meriweather, Miami
5a. Michael Griffin, Texas
5b. Johnathan Joseph, South Carolina
5c. Bernard Pollard, Purdue
5d. Richard Marshall, Fresno St.
5e. Donte Whitner, Ohio St.
5f. Devin Hester, Miami
Place-Kickers
1. Mason Crosby, Colorado
2. Justin Medlock, UCLA
3. Kyle Schlicher, Iowa
4. Andrew Wellock, Eastern Michigan
5. John Deraney, NC State
Punters
1. Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor
2. Adam Graessle, Pittsburgh
3. Brandon Fields, Michigan St.
4. Adam Podlesh, Maryland
5. Michael Gibson, Memphis
Moving onto the Big Board for the first time this season are a pair of SEC standouts, Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler and LSU defensive tackle Kyle Williams.
Cutler, who will be playing in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., finished the 2005 season with a bang. For the second straight year, his performance in the Commodores' regular-season finale against Tennessee was exceptional. He also had great efforts against Florida and Kentucky, throwing for a combined 756 yards and nine touchdowns in those two games.
The 6-3¼, 227-pounder has all the physical skills the NFL looks for: excellent arm strength, good pocket awareness and decent mobility. For the season, Cutler completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,073 yards, with 21 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
With an impressive week at the Senior Bowl practices, Cutler could be this year's version of Philip Rivers, Patrick Ramsey and Jason Campbell -- quarterbacks who elevated their stock to the point where they moved into the first round of the NFL draft.
On the defensive side of the ball, LSU's Williams has been a consistent, productive warrior for the Bayou Bengals. At 6-1½ and 294 pounds, he presents leverage problems for the interior offensive lineman he goes up against. Strong, quick and intense, Williams never disappears from the action or gives less than maximum effort every time the ball is snapped. Heading into the SEC championship game Saturday against Georgia, Williams is fifth on the LSU defense with 55 tackles, with 7½ stops behind the line of scrimmage, 4½ sacks and 21 quarterback hurries.
My entire Big Board:
<offer> </offer>
1. Matt Leinart, QB, USC (6-4, 225 pounds) | previous rank: same
His arm strength has improved since last season, and he is throwing the ball better. Leinart might not repeat as the Heisman Trophy winner, but he makes plays when he has to. He should remain at the top of the draft board.
2. A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State (6-1½, 242) | previous rank: same
The top defensive player in the senior class. An instinctive player and a sure tackler, he knows which angles to take to the ball and finds his way through traffic very well.
3. DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama (6-1½, 235) | previous rank: same
Leader of the Crimson Tide defense. Has impressed in the Tide's biggest games this season. Tide defense did all it could to keep undefeated season alive.
4. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis (5-9, 215) | previous rank: same
Second in the nation in rushing yards per game despite not playing behind one of the best offensive lines. Could very well be a top-10 pick.
5. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia (6-5½, 295) | previous rank: same
Came back from a knee injury and still remains the top offensive lineman on the board.
6. Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State (6-3, 267) | previous rank: same
Has been at the top of his game all year. Hali is the best player on one of the best defenses in the country. A natural pass-rusher who has been fun to watch all season.
7. Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech (6-2½, 207) | previous rank: same
Gives the Hokies a shutdown cornerback who can lock up the opposing team's top receiver. He eliminates one side of the field. A former safety who moved to corner before the 2004 season.
8. Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa (6-2½, 244) | previous rank: same
Has become one of the nation's top-flight linebackers the past two years. A smart player with great physical skills, Greenway knows how to find the ball and can go all over the field to get to it.
9. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College (6-5½, 260) | previous rank: same
Came back from an injury against Virginia earlier this season. A tremendous talent who needs to polish his pass-rushing skills.
10. Michael Huff, DB, Texas (6-1, 205) | previous rank: same
Athletic and instinctive, he has shown the versatility to play cornerback or safety at the next level.
11. Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona State (6-1½, 203) | previous rank: same
A precise route-runner who will come into the NFL in 2006 with a great understanding of what is expected to be an immediate contributor.
12. Thomas Howard, LB, UTEP (6-2½, 233) | previous rank: same
Has come a long way since his days as a walk-on defensive back. UTEP's best defensive player, Howard is a gifted athlete with 4.4 speed who covers the field from sideline to sideline.
13. Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami (5-8½ 183) | previous rank: 14
Can turn a short completion into a coast-to-coast TD. Not great size, but Moss has great speed and should excel at the next level.
14. Jason Spitz, G/C, Louisville (6-3½ 307) | previous rank: 15
Versatile player who will have a long career at the next level. Strongest player on Louisville's roster.
Steven Murphy/WireImage.com
Miami defensive tackle Orien Harris has 3½ sacks and 10 tackles for loss this season.
15. Orien Harris, DT, Miami (6-3, 307) | previous rank: 16
Blessed with a ton of talent, Harris has bounced back from a subpar junior campaign. He has maximized his ability on a consistent basis in 2005.
16. Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA (6-6, 258) | previous rank: 20
Has legit 4.5 speed and a perfect frame for the position. Leads the Bruins in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
17. Claude Wroten, DT, LSU (6-2, 293) | previous rank: 13
Solid, reliable and gives LSU consistent play every week.
18. Elvis Dumervil, DE, Louisville (6-0, 256) | previous rank: 17
Feared and disruptive sack artist. Has at least two sacks in five games this season and leads the nation with 20 sacks. Reminds me of Colts DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
19. Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State (6-2½ 305) | previous rank: 18
Combines strength with quickness and a relentless approach. A very effective pass-rusher for an interior lineman.
20. Anthony Smith, DB, Syracuse (6-1, 194) | previous rank: 19
Real playmaker on a team that has struggled in 2005. Combines excellent cover skills with a rugged, hard-nosed approach. Smith is not only a quality free safety but also has made a dramatic impact on special teams throughout his impressive stay in the Big East.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler has the potential to be a first-round pick in the 2006 NFL draft.
21. Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt (6-3¼, 227) | previous rank: unranked
Second-best senior QB on the board behind Matt Leinart. Has the potential to be a first-round pick depending on how he performs in the Senior Bowl and individual workouts.
22. Kyle Williams, DT, LSU (6-1½, 294) | previous rank: unranked
Consistent and productive, he gets overshadowed at times by teammate Claude Wroten, who lines up next to him on the defensive line. Williams never disappears from the action.
23. A.J. Nicholson, OLB, Florida State (6-2, 235) | previous rank: same
Florida State's best defensive player; Nicholson leads the Seminoles with 92 tackles (48 solo).
24. Ryan O'Callaghan, OT, California (6-6½, 340) | previous rank: 23
Depending on who comes out early, O'Callaghan could end up being the highest-rated right tackle prospect in the draft. Prototype right tackle at the next level.
25. D'Qwell Jackson, ILB, Maryland (6-0½, 230) | previous rank: same
Leads the Terrapins in tackles; he reminds me a lot of former Miami linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
DROPPED
Manny Lawson, DE, NC State (6-6, 245) | previous rank: 21
His speed and versatility are intriguing. Lawson can fly off the edge, showcasing athleticism and excellent closing speed. He could be a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme or operate as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He also has been a tremendous special-teams performer.
Joe Klopfenstein, TE, Colorado (6-5½, 247) | previous rank: 24
Provides Colorado's offense an ideal target in the hook zones and has the speed necessary to stretch the deep middle.
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Mel's Top 5 Juniors[/FONT]
Quarterback
1. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
2. Vince Young, Texas
3. Drew Stanton, Michigan State
4. Marcus Vick, Virginia Tech
5. Jordan Palmer, UTEP
5a. Colt Brennan, Hawaii
Running back
1. Reggie Bush, USC
2. Laurence Maroney, Minnesota
3. LenDale White, USC
4. Michael Bush, Louisville
5. Kenny Irons, Auburn
5a. Maurice Drew, UCLA
5b. Brian Calhoun, Wisconsin
5c. Kenneth Darby, Alabama
Wide receiver
1. Santonio Holmes, Ohio State
2. Jeff Samardzija, Notre Dame
3. Chad Jackson, Florida
4. Steve Smith, USC
5. Jason Hill, Washington State
5a. Courtney Taylor, Auburn
5b. Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech
Tight end
1. Vernon Davis, Maryland
2. Leonard Pope, Georgia
3. Anthony Fasano, Notre Dame
4. Clark Harris, Rutgers
5. Chris Hopkins, Toledo
Offensive line
1. Winston Justice (RT), USC
2. Joe Thomas (LT), Wisconsin
3. Levi Brown (LT), Penn State
4. Justin Blalock (RT), Texas
5. Doug Free (LT), Northern Illinois
Defensive line
1. Mario Williams (DE), NC State
2. Gaines Adams, (DE), Clemson
3. Haloti Ngata (DT), Oregon
4. Kareem Brown (DT), Miami
5. Quentin Moses (DE), Georgia
5a. Ray Edwards (DE), Purdue
Linebacker
1. Paul Posluszny, Penn State
2. Ernie Sims, Florida State
3. Ahmad Brooks, Virginia
4. Patrick Willis, Ole Miss
5. Oscar Lua, USC
5a. Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma
5b. H.B. Blades, Pittsburgh
Defensive backs
1. LaRon Landry, LSU
2. Darnell Bing, USC
3. Antonio Cromartie, Florida State (injured)
4. Ashton Youboty, Ohio St.
5. Brandon Meriweather, Miami
5a. Michael Griffin, Texas
5b. Johnathan Joseph, South Carolina
5c. Bernard Pollard, Purdue
5d. Richard Marshall, Fresno St.
5e. Donte Whitner, Ohio St.
5f. Devin Hester, Miami
Place-Kickers
1. Mason Crosby, Colorado
2. Justin Medlock, UCLA
3. Kyle Schlicher, Iowa
4. Andrew Wellock, Eastern Michigan
5. John Deraney, NC State
Punters
1. Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor
2. Adam Graessle, Pittsburgh
3. Brandon Fields, Michigan St.
4. Adam Podlesh, Maryland
5. Michael Gibson, Memphis
bullring said:
Granted I have a biased view here, but Cutler was the top QB in the SEC and SEC offensive player of the year. Granted, SEC offenses were particularly anemic this year but Cutler plays with 1 great receiver (Earl Bennett) and a crack squad of high-school standouts at receiver, line and back positions. He slinged the ball around on a shitty team against some pretty solid defenses in the SEC.
His performance in the senior bowl is pretty much moot, Cutler is a first rounder without a doubt and probably will go in the upper half. He's a big QB with a great arm and pinpoint accuracy and can move just as well as guys like Leinart.
While I would be surprised if Cutler goes before Leinart just because of the USC hype machine, I wouldn't be surprised if he has an equally, if not more productive NFL career. His raw skills are on par, if not better, than Leinart's, who is the most hyped QB since Ryan Leaf.
BTW, thanks for posting the article!
