Eighty Five’s Future

Jr writes: What is your take on Mr. Ocho Cinco?? His high-profiled agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has said his client will indeed be playing football in the upcoming year. The question I have for you is where!?

Jr, my take on Mr. Ocho Cinco [Chad Johnson] is that he is a snotty, pompous, typical high-profile athlete. Johnson has a cynical attitude towards Cincinnati and now because he isn’t the solo individual around the skin he deems it necessary to create controversy.

I feel that there is a reason T.J. Houshmanzadeh was elected to the Pro Bowl before him and the truth lies much deeper than what happens on the field.

A follow up to your second question is although I can see Johnson suiting up in several different uniforms next year, it’s unfortunate to say he will remain in Cincinnati.

The beloved fans of the Bengals will have to put up with another childish year of Johnson until he has time to throw another tantrum. Unless, of course, Jerry of Dallas comes-a-knockin’.

Fab Five

Spencer writes: Who is your top five prospects this yr? Where do you see Colt Brennan of Hawaii going after his dismal performance in the senior bowl?

There is a lot of talent in this years draft, but there are some players that can jump right in to the NFL and make an immediate impact.

It may not turn out that these names will be announced 1-5 come draft day. I just feel that these players stand out from the bunch. Names that come straight to my head. Darren McFadden, Jake Long, Chris Long, Vernon Gholston, Glenn Dorsey.

All sexy pics but for what these players have left on the field over their college tenure they are all well deserving.

McFadden: Lightning in a bottle. McFadden encompasses the ability to touch the end zone on every play. An upright runner who has the vision, speed, and physical tenacity to make any defensive coordinator cringe. He also has a rare talent of receiving the ball out of the back field. McFadden has slashed nearly every prominent SEC record as a junior and has the ability of being NFL’s next impact back.

J Long: An experience left tackle at the University of Michigan, Long has the fierceness of any competitor. At 6′7” and 309 pounds Long has the size and strength to fit into any NFL mold. He also has the versatility to work in the power run scheme as well as the zone blocking scheme.

C Long: Explosive. With his initial step Long has a hunger to be around the ball. Possesses a “never say die” attitude and is relentless on finishing a play. Son of Raider great Howie Long, he has ties to the NFL and knows what it takes to be successful in this ‘next man up’ league.

Gholston: This rock solid D-end uses his swift strength to get behind any OL. Has a bag of tricks when initiating O-lineman and is persistent for his pursuit of the ball. He can beat you with his speed, power, or mere toughness.

Dorsey: Will create havoc in the backfield. Dorsey will win most one on one battles and has a nose for the football. Winner of the Bronco Nagurski award, he reminds me of a former winner recently retiree Warren Sapp.

By the way Hawaii’s Colt Brennan, probably a third to fourth round pick. I truly believe that Brennan has every chance of starting on opening day for maybe the Los Angeles Avengers[AFL]. Harsh yet precise. I feel Brennan won’t ever be able to grow out of the ’system quarterback’ label. Prove me wrong Colt, prove me wrong.

Combine is Coming

As the NFL season concludes, the scouting combine is near. These last few weeks of preparation are vital to turning heads in Indianapolis come Saturday.

The combine is much more than timing forties and measuring verticals. The convention also includes interviews with NFL franchises as well as several other tests.

Coming from a mid major school such as UNLV, athletes face challenges other than performing well in these tests.

Because these schools aren’t as well publicized as schools from BCS conferences, athletes have to prove their worthiness in this meeting. Beau Bell the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and Jeremy Geathers are the two representatives from UNLV.

When they received notice that they were being invited to the annual combine it cemented their aspirations of becoming a legitimate draft pick.

“Beau Bell could go as soon as the second round and as late as the early third round,” said Las Vegas Review Journal’s UNLV football reporter Mark Anderson in an exclusive interview with Senior Editor Ross Jones. Bell is bringing much more than his physical talent and size to the combine.

He possesses a laundry list of credentials. Although he has several accolades, Bell wasn’t as fine tuned as he had liked in the Senior Bowl.

“Bell didn’t perform as well as he’d liked to due to some nagging injuries, which could potentially hurt him come draft day,” said Anderson.

Jeremy Geathers reported that he would forgo his senior year at UNLV and enter the NFL draft.

“His decision came as a big shock to the people following UNLV football and a lot of it had to do with his family ties to the NFL,” said Anderson. Geathers’ cousin Robert Geathers is a premier defensive end who plays for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Robert Geathers also skipped his senior season at the University of Georgia and was drafted in the 4th round.

“I honestly see [Jeremy] Geathers as a free agent who will have to sign with an organization, said Anderson.”

The combine begins this Wednesday and both UNLV amateurs hope to improve their draft stock by posting a great forty time, showing their strength in the bench press, and impressing franchises with their one on one interviews.

Both athletes face an uphill battle due to the lack of football prominence at UNLV. Bell and Geathers will perform their physical activity tests on Saturday the 23rd of February.

NFL Draft FAQ’s

Q: What is the NFL Draft?

The NFL Draft is an annual event that is held in New York City. It is the place where college amateurs become professional athletes.The process is a two day long event which holds seven rounds of heart pumping action. Each of the 32 professional teams select a collegiate athlete to best suit their needs.

Q: How is the order in which the teams select in the NFL Draft decided?

Typically the teams with the worst record in the prior season are chosen first to pick. The draft is much more complicated because of trades and contract situations. A team is able to trade a future draft pick for a current NFL player and this is common especially on draft day.

Q: What does it take to be eligible for the NFL draft?

The draft is the first opportunity for franchises to select players out of college. To be eligible for the NFL draft the athlete must be at least a junior willing to forgo their senior season in school.

Q: What are the events that lead up to the draft?

After a players’ final season in college is completed they will either be invited to the NFL Scouting Combine or they must attend their Pro Day(day where scouts travel to athletes university to watch them work out). The Scouting Combine is held in Indianapolis inside the RCA Dome home of the Colts. The athletes are tested from character flaws, to 40 times, to their score on a Wonderlic test. All of these variables are the evaluated by all franchises and is critical to the teams decision making come draft day. If not invited to the combine, players are given an opportunity to showcase their skills in their Pro Day. Scouts and General Manager’s for franchises come to the university and evaluate talent.

Q: How often do juniors declare for the NFL Draft?

Collegiate athletes are deciding to declare for the draft early more than ever before. If a player believes hewill be one of the first to be taken, he usually elects to forgo their senior season. It is not common to see underclassmen enter the draft and go without being selected.

There’s good, there’s great, and there’s never

As fans filed out of the University of Phoenix Stadium (site of Super Bowl XLII) they were in utter shock of what just occurred. New England lost.

The Patriots perfect season lost its luster as quick as Eli Manning’s name was etched into a piece of NFL historic stone.

The New York football Giants persevered and ignored 19weeks of scrutiny from their passionate fans, withstood the prior two weeks leading into the Super Bowl as the overlooked team, and finished when it counted most after three hours of belittling from the near perfect Pats.

When the confetti fell, the Lombardi trophy received smudges of finger prints as it shined in the hands of the world champion Giants.

The trophy was then booked a first class ticket back to East Rutherford, New Jersey; yet only one member’s season of the championship team will extend into Pro Bowl weekend.

Defensive End, former Troy Trojan, Osi Umenyiora will play in the annual game held in Honolulu.

The Pro Bowl rewards premier players in the NFL to cap the season with a light-hearted game and a positive note.

The week is filled with talent challenges such as fastest man, most bench press reps, and best ball skills. Bragging rights are up for grabs and you can bet these players will utilize their skill for this prestigious award.

The Pro Bowl also symbolizes the starting point of the off-season. The NFL off-season is one of the most comprehensive parts of building a franchise.

This is the part of the season where it is crucial to apply the right personnel in the front office, coaching staff, and most importantly build the future in the NFL draft.

All decisions are vital to the organization if it wants its time in history. Perfection is yet to be attained for only the 1972 Dolphins have accomplished this complex feat.