SB Nation - Paul Kruger

Oregon report card

JazzyUte — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:32:10 -0000

More photos » by Greg Wahl-Stephens - AP

Kyle Whittingham knows his team has much work to do if they're going to contend for the MWC crown.

Ugh. I really didn't want to write this. I haven't written a report card for a loss since the BYU game in '07. It might not seem like a long time, but think back to where you were nearly two years ago. Then the realization sets in that this was an extremely long and memorable winning streak.

But we knew this was going to happen, right? It's not a shock Utah lost. Teams just don't produce back-to-back undefeated seasons anymore. I can accept that. What I can't accept is their play. I thought the Utes were a better team than they showed Saturday and I hope they ultimately will prove me right.

Yet until they do, it's hard to expect too much from this team. I'm not saying I don't think they'll contend for the conference championship (I do), but I'm not sure they'll win it. Much of that will depend on how they improve from week three to week four.

Offense: D - It was bad. The Utes couldn't move the ball. Didn't have a sustained drive and if it weren't for the Ducks giving Utah the ball a few times, this game isn't even close. Terrance Cain struggled with the long pass. Matt Asiata, who was injured, couldn't build any type of running game and pretty much everything that could go wrong on the offensive end did go wrong - including two crucial interceptions for Cain.

Defense: C-minus - I don't know what to make of this defense. We all knew what Oregon was going to do throughout the game and yet, the defense couldn't stop it. The Ducks were not going to pass, not with how badly Jeremiah Masoli looked throwing the ball. But every time Oregon rushed, they moved the chains. Sure, the Utes had turnovers and some big stops, but in the end, nearly every important down, the Ducks got the yardage needed to sustain drives and nearly all of it came on the ground. Which was a surprise, because I thought the run defense would be the Utes' strong point. It wasn't Saturday and because of that, coupled with the offensive woes, they lost.

The secondary also had some poor moments. The worst happened early in the game when they allowed a 58-yard pass to set up a Ducks touchdown. That not only gave Oregon the 14-7 lead, it also gave them momentum. Prior to that play, the Utes' defense was actually doing a good job. After that? It got sketchy.

Special Teams: D-minus - Horrible. Maybe the worst special teams I've seen out of a Utah squad since the Ron McBride days. The only thing keeping this from an F were the extra points and punt block that got Utah back into the game in the first quarter. Outside of that, the Utes allowed Oregon to return a punt for a touchdown and constantly gave them great field position. The latter is more troublesome because you can always chalk up a punt return for a score to anything, but when you're letting the opposing team start every drive from the 30 to 45-yard line, there is a huge problem. It felt like nearly every Ducks possession started right at or about midfield. That has to change if the Utes are going to do anything this season.

Coaches:

Dave Schramm: D - Not a good called game at all. I don't understand why he felt the need to throw down field on so many drives. Not when Cain struggled. I also don't get doing it on 3rd and whatever, which resulted in nothing but easy stops for the Ducks. The last call of the first half, a fade, was also head scratching. I understand Schramm is new at this and he'll make mistakes, so I'm not going to get too upset. Let's just hope this is an anomaly instead of a trend.
Kalani Sitake: C - I don't think the defensive play calling was horrible. The Utes struggled defending, but we all knew the Ducks had a talented offense. I still am disappointed with how poorly they defended against the run and hope changes are made to fix those issues. I will be honest, though, the defense is nowhere near as good as I thought it would be. I'm not sure if that's the losses from last season (namely Paul Kruger or Sean Smith) or Sitake's coaching and inexperience or all of the above. But something needs to be fixed.
Kyle Whittingham: C+ - I think Whittingham deserves credit by not allowing Utah to fold. When they fell behind 28-10, I thought it was pretty much over. It didn't look like they'd come back, not after the Ducks scored to take an 18-point lead (fun fact, Whittingham's biggest deficit-turned-victory is 10 in the Poinsettia Bowl), but they did. That shows this team has resolve and that's something they lacked a few years ago. Think back to the UCLA game in '06, which started out similar to this. The Utes lost control of the game then and could not recover at any point. They were humiliated by what turned out to be a rather average Bruins squad. This game could have gone down that path. The Utes could have melted down and allowed the Ducks to run them off the field. They didn't. This tells me we might not be in for the same growing pains we saw in 2005 and 2006.

This was a winnable game and it sucks the Utes lost the way they did. But it can't define the season. They need to regroup, focus on Louisville and get things back in order. A win over the Cardinals might not be huge, but it'll show progress and I think it'll put them in good position to rattle off a decent win streak heading into TCU.

Week One Preview: Utah State (0-0) @ #18 Utah (0-0)

Jeremy Mauss — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:00:35 -0000

Next Game

Utah State Aggies
@ Utah Utes

Thursday, Sep 3, 2009, 7:00 PM MDT

Rice-Eccles Stadium
TV: The Mtn
Radio: KALL 700 Sports

Complete Coverage >

The longest offseason in Utah football history is finally coming to a close. Fans have anxiously waited for this day to come since Utah's unbelievable 31-17 victory of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2009 Sugar Bowl. The #18 Utah Utes will open the 2009 football season against in-state rival the Utah State Aggies.

Utah State finished last season with a 3-9 record and caused a total reformation of the coaching staff. This game offers so many intriguing story lines the first with Utah State head coach Gary Anderson -- former Utah defensive coordinator-- is coaching his first game for the Aggies against his mentor Kyle Whittingham. Anderson was hired by the Aggies following Utah's undefeated regular season and has made many changes both offensively and defensively. Most obvious is the birth of the spread offense at Utah State. The odds however are against the Aggies however; Utah State is coming into Salt Lake City as a 21 point dog.

The biggest story line for the Utes would have to be who will be their starting quarterback? It will be between true freshman Jordan Wynn and junior college transfer Terrence Cain are both looking to fill the massive shoes that former quarterback Brian Johnson left. After the teams first scrimmage head coach Kyle Whittingham set the depth chart with Wynn as the starter closely followed by Cain.

Reports coming out of practice indicate that Terrence Cain may be the team's starter, because he has been taking more snaps then the freshman Wynn. Whittingham knows who the starter is as does the player, but is keeping it under wraps and making everyone wait until the offense takes the field Thursday. Not sure if this is any indicator but the Ute depth chart on Rivals has Terrance Cain as the number one quarterback.

The receivng corp for Utah is a concern as well with the top three graduated off the team. The receivers should be nearly as talented and deep as last years team. The starting four in the Utah spread will be Aiona Key, Jereme Brookes, David Reed, and John Peel. Then the next few are right on the cusp with convereted quarterback to wide receiver DeVonte Christopher and Shaky Smithson.

The strengths of the Utah offense will be their no-huddle offense which was used to perfection in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama. The receiver depth will come in handy with quick subs to keep those players fresh. However, the best friend of the new quarterback is the stacked offensive line lead by captain Zane Beadles and bowling ball Matt Asiata. Look for the Utes to run the ball early and often to wear down the undersized Aggie defense.

The first quarter of this game may be boring and slow with the running game being featured, but coach Whittingham is a great coach and has his reason, so fans just relax and enjoy the setup for the big second half of this game.

Their strength this year should once again be the Utah defense which returns seven starters. Led by All American candidate linebacker Stevenson Sylvester the defense is expected to be as good if not better than last season, even with the loses of NFL draft picks Sean Smith and Paul Kruger. The defense will be missing all-conferece defensive end Koa Misi do to a back injury he suffered in camp, not a huge deal in this game.

The concern for Utah is the cornerbacks, because Utah runs a tight man coverage on the edges and Whitt expects them to be able to cover one on one. The new corners are speedster R.J. Stanford and Brandon Burton, and their is a concern with the two mainly because of who they are replacing. They are replacing two NFL players in Sean Smith and Brice McCain, both who were the perfect fit for the type of corner defense Utah ran. Stanford and Burton will not be alone because safety Robert Johnson is one of the best in the league and will come up with big plays if something comes across the middle on a post pattern. The speed is there at the corner spot which can help make if they get beat, but the main thing for the two is to bump at the line and stick their man.

Utah State is led by a very athletic quarterback in Diondre Borel who is expected to play very well in Anderson's spread offense. Never a good sign is when your teams quarterback leads the team in rushing as well as passing, which was the case with Aggie Dionder Borel. Howver some good news is that the leading rusher from the running backs is back for 2009 in Robert Turbin and he will be asked to carry more of a load in the running game. Last year he averaged a solid 4.7 yards per carry, but with Utah State down in most games they need to take to the air attack which took away from using the ground attack.

Utah State will also be featuring a new defense scheme which is very similar to Utah's which focuses on speed. Anderson switched many players' positions from offense to defense in the offseason to gain more defensive speed, again something similar to what he did at Utah. This could be interesting because Anderson was behind the schemes at Utah which were highly successful in his years there. Look for Andersen to use multiple looks to confuse the Utah quarterback who has never taken a snap at the FBS level.

In this rivalry nicknamed "The Battle of the Brothers" Utah leads 76-28-4 having won the last eleven meetings, and this should be number twelve. Utah is a 21 point favorite in this game and has insisted that they are taking the Aggies seriously.

The pressure is on for both the Aggies and the Utes to start the season out right. Can Gary Anderson pull off the upset? Have the Utes moved on from their #2 AP ranking and undefeated season?

Predicted Score: Utah 28 Utah State 13

Poll

Who wins?

Utah by 7 or more

15 votes

Utah by 7 or less

0 votes

Utah State by 7 or more

0 votes

Utah State by 7 or less

0 votes

15 votes | Poll has closed

Five questions entering the USU game

JazzyUte — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:53:07 -0000

Certainly we have our doubts about whether these Utes are built for another great season. Unfortunately, we probably won't have an idea whether that's the case until week three (though we could know if it isn't the case). Which means these questions surrounding Utah will be mostly left unanswered for a bit.

With that said, it's possible to get an idea of the answers sooner rather than later and as we enter the 2009 season, I'm hoping this is the case. Because I definitely don't want enter the Oregon game essentially wondering where the season is going. Though I guess it's possible Utah sits at 0-2 prior to their game with the Ducks and then we'd most assuredly know in that case. But that's unlikey. Or so I hope.

So what are the biggest questions for these Utes and can we expect at least a half-answer by Thursday night?

Quarterback play. The Utes won't have a starter named until the game, which means right now, a lot is unknown. Of course, that isn't a bad thing. From all reports, Terrance Cain has performed fairly well and though Jordan Wynn went from hyped starter to probable backup, he's still steady enough in practice to keep Cain grounded a bit.

Offensive changes. A new quarterback is only half the issues the Utes will be dealing with on offense. They also have an inexperienced play caller in Dave Schramm - which could create more kinks. If Schramm does take a bit to adjust to his new role, expect the play calling to be rather average in the first couple of games. Hopefully, they hit their stride by week three.

Defensive changes. This transition should be easier, though Utah still has to replace Sean Smith and Paul Kruger. Both losses will hurt, but the biggest concern might be with replacing Gary Andersen. Like Schramm, Kalani Sitake has never been a coordinator and there might be a learning curve. Though Whittingham's defensive background should ease potential issues.

Hype. How does Utah handle their newly found celebrity? Yeah, they're not the it team right now (BSU seems to be), but all eyes will still be on them as they try to follow up the 13-0 campaign. As 2005 showed, the fall can be hard when everyone - especially in conference play - is gunning for you. The bottom line - Utah will be the biggest game on each team's schedule outside Oregon and maybe Louisville. Can they handle that?

Consistency. One thing that can hurt an inexperienced team is their lack of consistency. I don't think this will be much of a problem Thursday, but it could be an issue next Saturday. How does this tie into the USU game? Well if the Utes can come out and slam the door on the Aggies early, it might show they're capable of not playing down to their opponent. If that's the case, I think we'll all feel a bit more confident heading into week two. If they struggle - even through a win - there could be some doubts.

There are more questions, but I think these get to the core of the season and most likely will impact whether the Utes are average, good or very good in 2009.

The 2009 SB Nation Mountain West Preview

Jeremy Mauss — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:57:25 -0000

The 2009 SB Nation Mountain West Conference college football preview is coming from the Mountain West Connection, Utah blog BlockU, BYU blog Vanquish The Foe, and Mid Major Madness. The Mountain West is trying to put on an encore presentation from the unparalleled success from 2008 which featured Utah winning its second BCS bowl in four years by defeating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and finishing with a number two ranking in the AP poll.

Then there was TCU who also finished the season in the top 10 with an impressive 11-2 record, and then BYU who completed its third straight 10 wins season and finished the 2009 season in the top 25.

This year the preseason polls are still in love with the Mountain West with the three usual suspects --BYU, Utah, and TCU-- being represented in both top 25 polls. The obvious big question for the league is what team, if any, will make it to a BCS bowl game.

The Mountain West over the summer desperately tried to force the hand by waiting until the elevnth hour to sign the BCS agreement and presenting a playoff proposal to possibly bring on change. None of those seemed to work, so all the Mountain West can do is keep winning games and hope it is enough to garner BCS inclusion when the four year evaluation cycle ends after the 2011 season.

The league also has new coaches with Mike Locksley taking over at New Mexico after serving as offensive coordinator at Illionois, Dave Christensen coming from the offensive coordinator post from Missouri to take over for 'Cowboy' Joe Glenn at Wyoming, and finally Brady Hoke left Ball State after a great season to become the head man at San Diego State.

The league has scheduled big again by facing 14 teams from four of the six BCS leagues with only the SEC and Big 10 off the schedule this year.

So go ahead and enjoy the 2009 SB Nation Mountain West Conference college football preview again being provided by Mountain West Connection,Mid Major Madness, BlockU, and Vanquish The Foe.

The projected order of finish is voted using 9 points for first place through 1 point for ninth place.

2009 Projections

1.TCU 34 (2 first place votes)

2.BYU 33 (2 first place votes)

3.Utah 29

4.Air Force 22

5.UNLV 20

6.Colorado State 14

7.New Mexico 13

7.San Diego State 13

9.Wyoming 4

1. What team will be the biggest surprise in 2009?

BlockU:
The most likely option would have to be San Diego State or New Mexico, since they bring in new coaches. While I have both finishing with a losing conference record, I don't think it's impossible one of them climbs high enough to break even and receive a bowl bid.

Adam from Vanquish The Foe:

UNLV. Mike Sanford’s club returns 8 starters on defense – including Preseason All-Conference selection Jason Beauchamp at OLB. The Rebels won 5 games in 2008, including the upset of then 15^th ranked Arizona State in Tempe. The offense also returns 6 starters – including WR Ryan Wolfe, an All-Conference 1^st Team selection last season. With Brian Johnson (Utah) graduated, junior Omar Clayton could be the most versatile quarterback in the conference. UNLV has a real chance of a win at Texas A&M and could very well improve upon last season and become bowl eligible in 2009.

Layton From Vanquish The Foe:

San Diego State is my surprise team.

Mountain West Connection:

Has to be UNLV and it is not even close. If not for a monumental letdown against San Diego State 41-21 which would have made the Rebels bowl eligible. The Rebels are my super-extreme darkhorse to win the Mountain West, but do not have the guts to put in the preseason rankings. There is rationale behind that and it comes is in their schedule because they get two of the big three at home in Utah and BYU.

Plus remember when UNLV shutout Utah in 2007 at Sam Boyd Stadium, and in 2008 the BYU game at LaVell Edwards stadium came down to the wire with backup quarterback Mark Clausen getting significant snaps while starter Omar Clayton was out with an injury.

Their tough road conference games are at Air Force and TCU. It all starts with QB Omar Clayton who is finally a fit for Mike Sanford's spread attack and toss in potential All-American WR Ryan Wolfe and the Rebels should be much improved, all they need is to find a serviceable running back to replace Frank Summers who went to the NFL.

2. What player if lost will impact their team the most?

BlockU:
I think you have to go with quarterback Max Hall at BYU. If he's taken out for even a few games, it could cost them any hope of a decent season. I just don't see their defense carrying the team without Hall and I'm not sold on backup Riley Nelson.

Adam from Vanquish The Foe:

The conventional answer would appear to be Max Hall, BYU’s QB. But I’m going to actually go with a pair of DE’s: BYU’s Jan Jorgensen and TCU’s Jerry Hughes. Without Jorgensen the Cougar’s pass-rush is dramatically reduced, and with an inexperienced secondary and no standout linebacker like Bryan Kehl and David Nixon of previous years, Bronco Mendenhall will be relying heavily on last year’s all-conference first team selection. In fact, without Jorgensen I think BYU finishes behind both TCU and Utah, again.

Jerry Hughes is quite simply the best defensive player in the conference and an excellent NFL prospect. He anchors TCU’s defensive line, but at least Hughes has Daryl Washington behind him at linebacker to create plays. Still, if Gary Patterson’s team wants to reach the BCS they’ll need Hughes healthy – especially for games at Clemson and BYU.

Layton From Vanquish The Foe:

Quarterback Max Hall at BYU if he goes down, then BYU is looking at 6-6.

Mountain West Connection:

Hard to argue anyone but BYU quarterback Max Hall, the only othe player that might cause his team failuer is Utah running back Matt Asiata just because of the inexperience at quarterback. Back to Hall, who is a senior quarterback and if you back into BYU history they typically win conference titles with senior quarterbacks.

Rile Nelson has not played in two years since he was on a Mormon mission,and prior to that he was the starting quarterback at Utah State, so Nelson just does not have the reps or real experience in the offense to lead the team if Hall goes down for a significant amount of time. Max Hall has been in this system for years and knows the offense so well, and with the Cougars breaking in a new line he an experienced quarterback is necessary for their success.

3. Does a team from the MWC make a BCS game?

BlockU:

No, I see a real logjam at the top of the conference this season. TCU has a very tough test on the road against Clemson and BYU (both losses in my book), while I think the Cougars drop games to Oklahoma and Utah, with Florida State acting as another potential loss.

With the Utes, they'll lose to Oregon and TCU, though I think they have a higher chance of dropping another conference game than either the Frogs or Cougars, especially with the final season showdown coming at LaVell Edwards Stadium. If that scenario happens, I don't see any MWC team busting the BCS this year.

Adam from Vanquish The Foe:

No. I think TCU and BYU have about an even shot at reaching the BCS but I think they’ll each stumble somewhere, and the conference doesn’t appear as deep as 2008. BYU’s non-conference schedule against Oklahoma and Florida State will not allow them to lose a MWC game if they want to reach the BCS.

I’m not saying Max Hall and Co. have no chance against the Sooners, but with that banged up offensive line it is extremely unlikely. Injuries (Matt Reynolds, Jason Speredon, and Houston Reynolds) could also potentially be a big factor and prevent the Cougars from getting what would be a major win against the Seminoles in Provo. TCU’s non-conference opponents aren’t as tough - but they could have a tough time with Clemson in South Carolina.

I think Utah has a remote possibility, coming off of last season’s success – but don’t expect them to beat Oregon, TCU and BYU all on the road without some of those key players who’ve since graduated.

Layton From Vanquish The Foe:

With BYU's schedule they can make the BCS. Even if they lose a close game to Oklahoma the first week of September, they can then win out and still go to the BCS. Any other loss, and the MWC has no team in the BCS. Utah won't because they plat at TCU and BYU. And TCU plays at BYU which hasn't lost in 18 games in Provo. That leaves BYU as the lone dog at the top.

Mountain West Connection:

TCU will be making their first ever BCS bowl game. It could be that I am high on the MWC but their schedule sets up the best for a BCS run (sorry BYU fans when a loss is nearly certain the schedule is not set up for you this year) with their toughest game at BYU in late October.

Clemson is tricky but they always seem to underachive each year, Virigina is nothing special, and the rest of the non-conference is Texas State and SMU. The toughest conference game is at BYU who have won 18 straight entering the season, but last year the biggest problem for BYU was their offensive line stopping TCU's defensive line. TCU does only return four starters on defense, but Gary Patterson always has players in the wings to step up, plus this is the year the offense finally steps it up to the same level as the defense.

Team Capsules

Air Force by BlockU:

The poor Falcons seem destined to be overshadowed by Utah, TCU and BYU every single year. Even though Troy Calhoun has put together two solid seasons in Colorado Springs, they are again not getting much mention for a spot at the top of the league. Is this the year Air Force positions itself for a title run? I don't see it. That isn't to say the Falcons are bad, but the top-three of the Mountain West is just that good. There really isn't enough room at the table and I think Air Force needs to get comfortable being the 4th-best team in the conference, because it's likely they are going to be there for a while.

With that said, they are going to be a scary team because there is the potential to beat the top-three at any point this season. Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year Tim Jefferson returns at quarterback after a solid freshman campaign and it appears he's distanced himself in fall camp to reclaim the starting role. The fact there is some stability there is enough to create a threat - especially since Jefferson put up decent numbers last year.

Pushing Jefferson for the starting role was sophomore Asher Clark, who Calhoun expects to get some snaps. However, when he's not at the quarterback spot, it's almost certain he'll line up in the backfield with Jefferson - creating another offensive weapon.

The Falcons also bring back a decent and experienced defense, which helped the offense through its growing pains last year. But, as it generally is with Air Force, they do lack size, especially up front. That could prove to be a weakness if they have trouble stopping the run (last year, they gave up 139 rushing yards per game).

Ultimately, the Falcons' biggest problem might be their schedule They face Minnesota, New Mexico, Navy, Utah, Colorado State and BYU on the road - which all could be losses. Their home slate is easier, but that TCU game could be the difference between a bowl berth and staying home for the holidays.

BYU by BlockU

Asking a Ute fan to preview BYU is a lot like asking Rush Limbaugh to critique President Obama. But I'll try to be as non-partisan as possible, though there are no promises!

Without a doubt, the Cougars return the most potent offense in the conference this season. I don't think I can emphasize enough how big it is to return a senior quarterback, especially one who hasn't lost many games for BYU. Of course, there are some questions that will have to be answered if the Cougars are going to put together that dream season everyone in Provo thought was going to be delivered last season.

For starters, how well is that offensive line going to adjust to not only their inexperience, but the injuries brought on by fall camp? The Cougars' offense is going to live or die based on that line and if they struggle, especially against Oklahoma, it could set the course for a difficult season. I say this because if they can't protect Hall from the probable swarming Sooner defense, he not only faces the prospects of injury, but potential issues with his game.

Hall has not performed at a high-level against very good defenses, as was on full display against TCU, Utah and Arizona last season (all losses) and a blowout loss to start the season could leave him mentally and worse - physically - scarred. If that happens, it could snowball from there and cost BYU crucial games and derail their season.

Of course, that seems overtly critical and it is, but if I were a Cougar fan, this would be my number one concern. However, nothing is set in stone and as John Beck proved, a quarterback can make a gigantic leap mentally and emotionally from his junior season to his senior one.

I mention Beck because in his 2005 season, BYU was fairly average. They had some decent wins and a nice offense, but there were issues against better teams and the lingering doubt Beck just could not get it done. I think we all remember the overtime loss to Utah to end the season and how Beck really crumbled when the Utes' defense pressured him.

Well a year later, in a near-similar situation, he stepped up and found a wide open Jonny Harline for the win. There was so much growth between '05 and '06 and it marked arguably the best season in a decade for the Cougars. Will Hall make that same step and deliver a memorable season? We'll see...

Colorado State by Vanquish the Foe

Last year's Rams finished a satisfactory 7-6 overall. They went to a bowl game for the first time since 2003 (the New Mexico Bowl), beating Fresno State 40-35 in what was also their first bowl win since 2001. However, CSU was still average within the MWC at 4-4. Steve Fairchild's (former Buffalo Bills and St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator) team was able to give both TCU (13-7) and BYU (45-42) very close contests, but came up short each time. 2008 was Fairchild's first season, after taking over from long-time head coach Sonny Lubick.

At the forefront of CSU's success in 2008 was RB Gartrell Johnson who ran for 1,476 yards (including 285 on the ground against Fresno State) and a 1^st Team All-MWC selection. Johnson is gone now, but the CSU offense still returns 7 players including WR Rashaun Greer a 2^nd Team All-MWC pick in 2008. Last year's QB, Billy Farris has graduated with Johnson, leaving Fairchild to find his starting man under center from the likes of senior Grant Stucker and JC transfer Jon Eastman. Sophomore Klay Kubiak is also in the mix but is coming off shoulder surgery.

TE Kory Sperry also finished his career at CSU with over 1,700 yards receiving. Despite these losses (Johnson, Farris and Sperry) the offense's strengths in 2009 should be in its receivers and lineman. Greer and the other wide-outs should make up for some of the lack of experience at QB while Preseason All-MWC 1^st Team selection OG Shelley Smith should provide the QB with some time to throw.

Across the LOS, the Ram's best player is without question sophomore LB Mychal Sisson. Sisson may be undersized (at 5'11", 203 lbs. he was recruited as a safety) but he was second among NCAA freshman last year in tackles with 105. Sisson was a 2008 All-MWC honorable mention and a Sporting News 1^st Team All-American. However, CSU's defense lost multiple key contributors to graduation - including three starters on the D-line, and LB Jeff Horinek who started 48 games as a Ram. The new core of LB's consists of junior Alex Williams, former safety Davis Burl, and redshirt freshmen James Skelton and Chris Gipson - and of course Sisson. They were supposed to have last season's second leading tackler Ricky Brewer as well, but he was suspended for all of 2009. The secondary should be in better shape, with returning starters at both field and boundary corner.

Overall, Fairchild's Rams have their work cut out for them in order to have as much success as they did in 2008. The losses of Johnson and Farris will be big. But their non-conference schedule is extremely weak and includes Weber State and Nevada coming to Fort Collins and the Rams traveling to Idaho. With as many players returning as they have - including leaders in Sisson, Greer and Shelly - CSU should win those games, but expect the Wolfpack to be trouble. San Diego State, Air Force and Wyoming are all coming to Fort Collins and should be winnable contests as well. The Rams goal this year should be to win seven games again, but realistically they'll probably only win five or six and be stuck in the middle of the MWC yet again.

New Mexico by Mountain West Connection

The Lobos bring in new coach Mike Locklsley from Illinois where he served as their offensive coordinator, and help create what Juice Williams has become. The hope in Albuquerque is that Donovan Porterie --who is coming off of a knee injury-- can become a similar player to Juice Williams.

The Lobos are looking to run a no-huddle offense to increase the tempo and catch defense in an unfavorable set with their lineup. Porterie is a talent and in his last full season in 2007 he passed for over 3,000 yards and is back in the starting role after missing the last eight games in 2008.

New Mexico traditionally has had one of the best running attacks in the nation and have had seven straight years of having a 1,000 yard rusher --which is the longest streak in the nation-- and who knows if the new offense will allow that. Nonetheless, the Lobos are going to have a new starter and there will be some competition between James Wright, A.J. Butler and Desmond Dennis.

There is talent but the 1,000 yard rusher may not happen, because of the offense they run. To cross reference the Illinois offense under Locksley the only year he had a 1,000 yard rusher was when Rashard Mendenhall roamed the backfield in 2007. The other years in 2005-2008 Locksley produced solid run offenses that ranked 47th, 10th, 5th, and 38th respectively in the nation.

With the spread attack that will be implemented many a players will get to touch the ball and the eighth straight season of a 1,000 rusher may not happen, but the rushing attach as a whole should be pretty good. Porterie is a much better passer then Locksley had at Illinois, and this could be the thing that makes the Lobo no-huddle attack that much more dangerous.

The receiving corp is very important to the offense and even though the top three receivers are back they are either undersized or not that fast. Those wide outs will be getting a lot of balls thrown their way and will need to make plays to make this offense work.

The main problem for New Mexico last year was their defense --which is changing from a 3-3-5 to a 4-3 -- the teams that beat the Lobos all had a decent to really good offense and averaged at least 25 points per game. The hope is that the move to the traditional 4-3 will put less strain on having to find five defenisve backs that are good enough to defend the pass and the rush.

Surprisingly New Mexico ranked in the top third in scoring and total defense, even though they suffered eight losses on the year, so there is some talent on the defensive side of the ball. They did lose their top two corners to the NFL last year and experienced corners are hard to replace. New defensive coordinator Doug Mallory who was previously the LSU co-defensive coordinator is taking over the defense and should get them to adjust nicely to the new defense.

Former coach Rock Long did not leave the cupboard bear and the main reason the Lobos suffered such a drop off in production from their bowl season in 2007 was because of injuries, so Locksley will have talent to work with and the Lobos will be competitive in 2009 and jumping point for the future. Their first five of seven games are against teams that went bowling last year so do not look for them to get off to a fast start.

San Diego State by Mid Major Madness

The Aztecs are coming off an extremely disappointing season in ’08 with a 2-10 record, with a lack luster defense who is not returning there star linebacker and safety for the ’09 season. Newly acquired coach Brady Hoke will be looked upon this season to turn around the last place Aztecs. Hoke is coming off a 12-2 season at Ball State and has his work cut out for him with a team who just suffered their first 10 loss season and has not had a winning season since 1998.

Although inexperienced, the Aztecs did have talent on the offensive side of the ball and with the addition of an offensive minded coach in Hoke, this could lead to great success through the air and on the ground. The offense is returning leading rusher, Atiy Henderson, reception leader Vincent Brown and Ryan Lindley at quarterback. Last year as freshman Lindley completed over 50% of his passes and threw for 16 TD’s.

If he can grow and learn under Hoke’s system, Lindley can be dangerous this year especially with the talent that surrounds him. Henderson rushed for over 500 yards last season and if linemen Ikaika Moleta, Trask Iosefa, and Peter Nelson can improve on opening up holes from last season, Henderson will hope to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark this season.

Again, if the linemen can supply time and protection to Lindley he has a couple of solid targets to throw to. Brown led the team with over 60 receptions and accumulated over 600 yards receiving. With Darren Mougey 2ot returning, veteran Robert Wallace will have to step up to be a constant number two receiver.

The defense was definitely the low point of the Aztecs team last season. They finished last in a majority of the conference defensive statistical categories, giving up on average 450 yards a game. Although the defense lost two of its stars, they are returning seven starters so the experience is in place. The question is if the defense can learn from their mistakes last season and improve upon what was an embarrassing display.

Although I do not see the Aztecs being bowl eligible this year I do believe they will improve. They have some tough road games at UCLA, Utah and Air Force, which will tell coach Hoke where this team stands in its maturing process.

TCU by Mountain West Connection

The Horned Frogs finally looked poised to get to a BCS game for the first time in school history. The schedule plays out nice with their non-conference not terribly difficult with the two big games on the road against Virginia and Clemson, and then the conference slate only has two tough games at BYU and at Air Force beyond that the games are manageable. The touted defense only returns four starters, but that defense is lead by All-American defensive end Jerry Hughes and Gary Patterson always has a good defense on his hands.

The biggest concern on defense is that the front line needs to replace three starters, with only Jerry Hughes the returning along that line. TCU also lost to all-league safeties but they do bring in junior college transfer Malcolm Williams fill one of those positions. Williams originally was an Oklahoma signee before heading to a junior college. The player to emerge as the next star for TCU is linebacker Daryl Washington who in his first start in the Poinsettia Bowl recorded six solo tackles, and is the best athlete on defense which is saying a lot since Gary Patterson puts athletes on defense.

The offense is finally in a position to potentially outshine the defense, or at least be on par with them. Andy Dalton returns for his third year as the starting quarterback. Dalton is a good quarterback but not a great quarterback, but improve his accuracy from year one to year two by decreasing his interceptions from 11 to 5. Dalton is not just a manager of the game but makes plays with his arm and his feet by having five games by passing over 200 yards in those games, and knows how to win games.

The running game for TCU does lose Aaron Brown, but they do return Joseph Turner and touted freshman Ed Wesley. Last season when Turner took the starting job while Brown was out on suspension he emerged just as good for Brown and even better in the touchdown department where Turner had 11 scores. Besides the running game being a plus for 2009 the receving corp is near the top of the Mountain West, and Jimmy Young is the star who had 988 yards last year, which was second most in school history.

Antoine Hicks originally signed with the Texas Longhorns and transferred before he ever played, and last year played in only the last two games and garnared only seven catches. 2009 should provide an increase in his production and help the team get closer to their BCS goal. Then there is do everything wide out Jeremy Kerley who takes snaps from shotgun and is an all around play maker who was able to cause havic on opposing defenses.

This TCU team is the most balananced in a long time and their offense looks to be in the upper tier of the Mountain West and with their defense as good as it usually is should be able to lead the Horned Frogs to a potential BCS bowl.

UNLV by Mountain West Connection

UNLV looks to improve of last years three win improvement and make the next step to a bowl game. It all starts with quarterback Omar Clayton who is not a Pac-10 or JUCO transfer but is rather a quarterback who came through the UNLV system. Clayton is the perfect quarterback to run Mike Sanford's spread option attack, and even though Clayton did not run too much last year he is capable of running at the correct times. Also, for a first year starter Clayton threw 18 touchdowns and only four picks.

To go along with Omary Clayton is all-world wide receiver Ryan Wolfe who last year caught 88 passes for over 1,000 yards, and six scores. 2009 will make Wolfe more of a target because the other star receiver from 2008 Casey Flair has graduated making Wolfe the man. It may be hard to improve too much off of Wolfe's number except that his touchdowns could increase.

The second receiver to take over for Casey Flair is most likely going to come from either Phillip Payne, Jerriman Robinson, and Rodelin Anthony all who played last year and it could be Payne who pulled in seven touchdowns last year. Payne could have had more production but missed the last three games because of a concussion he suffered, so if he is back and fully healthy then look for Payne to take full control over the second receiver spot.

The running back position is the biggest question mark on offense, because Frank Summers was drafted in the NFL and the early replacemnt looks to be CJ Cox who was the primary back to Summers last season. Cox only had 54 carries all year and rushed for under 191 yards, also Summer was a larger back and just ran through defenses while CJ Cox is only 5-11 and 195 pounds and is more of a speed back.

Defensively the Rebels were 104th nationally in total defense and 101st in scoring defense by allowing 32.6 points per game. So, if the defense even makes improvements to be in the top 50 defensively UNLV has the chance to continue their improvement. The secondary which was a problem last year and this year UNLV brought in four JUCO transfers and converted two quarterbacks to help shore up the safety position.

The front seven was not much better as they were 115th nationally in rush defense, and the only play maker is linebacker Jason Beauchamp and tackle Malo Taumua besides that there is nothing much on the front seven. The thinking is that the experience from last years team or the JUCO transfers will be enough to make the defense at least average.

Even with the defensive short falls the Rebels should make a bowl game and have a good chance at seven or eight wins.

Utah by Mid Major Madness

Unfortunately the Utes will have several major obstacles coming into the 2009-10 season. The first is they took a major blow during the offseason from players declaring for the NFL Draft as well as graduating seniors. The team lost Paul Kruger, Sean Smith, Brice McCain, and Freddie Brown to the pro’s meaning head coach Kyle Whittingham will have his hands full trying to find suitable replacements.

In addition to players going to the NFL Utah lost defensive coordinator Gary Andersen to become the head coach at Utah State, and then offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig who left to go to Kansas State and then ended up at Cal before the summer even ended to take the same offensive coordinator position.

The offense was hit the hardest with all of the departures. The loss of quarterback Brian Johnson and wide outs Freddie Brown and Bradon Godfrey will put a big dent in the electrifying passing game which was the key to their success just a season ago.

The group connected for a combined 1456 yards and 11 TDs. The loss of Johnson sets up a quarterback competition between Corbin Louks, Terrance Cain and Jordan Wynn, all of whom Whittingham has the out most confidence are capable of leading the team to its second perfect season in a row. Louks ended up transfering to Nevada-Reno and the current depth chart has true freshman Jordan Wynn as the number one and JUCO transfer Terrance Cain as the number two. However coach Whittingham

Another problem the offense will face is the loss of three of their linemen. This could pose as a major setback because without sufficient protection it will be extraordinarily difficult for the Utes to establish a run game or give ample time for their new quarterback to find his open target downfield.

The defensive side will undoubtedly be able to cope with the losses of key players such as Kruger, McCain, and Smith. Defense has be the staple point during Whittingham’s time in Salt Lake City. He has established one of the most respected defensive programs in the nation, which allows him to have the luxury of swapping in a new defender to take over instead of rebuilding the entire team.

The strength in the defense for the 2009-10 looks to be the linebacker core that showcases Stevenson Sylvester who led the team with 4 sacks and finished second with 73 total tackles.

Utah’s defense is a powerhouse and there is no argument about that. However the primary reason for the team’s great success last season was because the offensive production finally reached an equilibrium point with that of the defense.

This is going to be difficult to repeat in the upcoming season but it is very feasible. In order to do so they will have to beat some tough out-of-conference teams such as Oregon and Louisville as well as an even tougher in-conference schedule in which they play TCU and BYU, both of whom are ranked in the preseason top 25.

Whittingham’s standpoint on the upcoming season is to stay positive and use last year’s finish of No. 2 in the nation to help motivate his team. Although another undefeated season is unlikely, it would not surprise me at all if the team will be able to overcome the adversity and do so.

Wyoming by Vanquish the Foe

The 2008 Cowboys finished below .500 for the seventh time in the past nine years. They won only one conference game - and finished 4-8 overall. This led to the school dismissing head coach Joe Glenn after six years and hiring Dave Christensen as a replacement. Christensen was the offensive coordinator at Missouri and there oversaw the recent offensive success the Tigers had with QB Chase Daniel, WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Martin Rucker - playing in back-to-back Big 12 championships. Now, Christensen inherits a Wyoming offense that was among the worst in college football last season.

Last season the Wyoming offense averaged only 117 yards a game and had terrible inconsistency at the QB position. Three QB's - Chris Stutzriem, Dax Crum, and Karsten Sween - combined to throw 17 interceptions and just eight touchdowns, a miserable 91.7 passer rating overall. Needless to say, the QB position in Laramie has been there for the taking in 2009. ESPN's Graham Watson reported this week that JC-transfer Robert Benjamin is the current QB getting reps with the first unit in camp. Benjamin was a NJCAA Region I Offensive Player of the Year at Phoenix College last season. Sween still has a shot apparently, but look for Benjamin to start the season as the Cowboy's starter at QB.

Wyoming returns seven starters on offense and eight on defense. However, the biggest loss to the offense will be RB's Devin Moore and Wynel Seldon - each among the best rushers ever at Wyoming. Moore finished with over 1,300 yards rushing in 2008 and leaves the biggest void. On the other side of the ball the biggest loss is certainly LB Ward Dobbs. Dobbs started 40 games as a Cowboy and was All-MWC in 2008.

Defense was the team's strong suit last year and should remain so in 2009. The D-Line returns three players that have started a combined 24 games together. Two of those lineman - John Fletcher and Mitch Unrein earned MWC honors last season and are a legit force against the run. LB Weston Johnson (78 tackles in 2008) and All-MWC honorable mention free safety Chris Prosinski return also.

Wyoming has a more difficult non-conference schedule than most in the conference: they host the Texas Lonhorns on September 12th, and travel to Colorado and Florida Atlantic (tougher than it sounds). In conference play the Cowboys also have to travel to UNLV, BYU and TCU. It could be a long first year for Dave Christensen and his staff. Expect Wyoming to lose all of the above mentioned matchups. However, they should beat Weber State, and play New Mexico at home. Overall this team could wind up winning just two contests. A solid goal would be to equal the four wins of 2008. Expect them to win 3 or 4 games but for the passing game under Christensen to improve dramatically as the season progresses.

Predicting The Season - Utah Utes

JConant — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:29:47 -0000

Utah Utes at Oregon Ducks
Sat., Sept. 19
Eugene, Ore. - Autzen Stadium
12:30 PM Pacific
TV: ESPN

It may be the biggest game we aren’t talking about this summer.

When we last saw the Utah Utes they were dismantling an Alabama team that was in a national title hunt right up to the SEC Championship game. Utah in 2008 was undefeated, with quality wins over Michigan, Oregon State, TCU, BYU and the aforementioned Crimson Tide. They finished the season ranked #2, and with a sizable chip on their shoulder over not getting an opportunity to prove themselves BCS Championship worthy.

That is what they were. Let’s look at what they are now.

Utah comes into 2009 filling a lot of holes. Gone are 11 starters, including seven players who earned All-Mountain West Conference honors following Utah’s 13-0 run (five were first-teamers). The departed included MWC offensive POY in QB Brian Johnson, special teams POY in PK/P Louie Sakoda and stand-out pass rusher Paul Kruger who left after his R-sophomore year and became a second round pick of the Baltimore Ravens. While there seems to be some consensus that Utah is mostly reloading with talent, MWC writers picked the Utes to finish third in their conference, behind TCU and BYU.

The cupboards are hardly bare in Salt Lake City, though we might not learn a lot about Utah from their first two games. The Utes open the season hosting typically soft Utah State, then go on the road at equally soft San Jose State. The bottom line: on the road at Oregon, in the Autzen Stadium environment is where Utah’s newest starters will be getting their first real taste of nationally ranked opposition.

Oregon’s offense vs. Utah’s Defense

This could be a colossal match-up. The strength of Utah’s defense is the play of the linebackers. Stevenson Sylvester (#10, 6-2, 230-lb., Sr.) is a first-team pre-season MWC selection, and he might be the best linebacker in the conference. He’ll team up with senior Mike Wright (#20, 6-2, 235-lb.) to form a formidable run-stopping duo. Oregon gets few breaks along Utah’s front line either. Yes, the Ducks caught a break with Kruger’s bolt to the NFL, but defensive ends Koa Misi (#41, 6-3, 263-lb., Sr.) and Derrick Shelby (#90, 6-3, 250-lb., So.) are expected to excel at their positions. Safeties Joe Dale (#12, 5-100, 200-lb., Sr.) and Robert Johnson (#17, 6-2, 200-lb., Sr.) are considered by some to be the best duo in the MWC.

Utah took apart Alabama last season with a disruptive scheme along the defensive front seven. It was an impressive barrage of stunts and blitzes that resulted in eight sacks. Utah clearly looked to take advantage of a Crimson Tide line that became a liability when missing all-world tackle Andre Smith due to suspension. With Oregon’s young O-line being the Duck's biggest question mark, it shouldn’t surprise us to see Utah trying to penetrate along the line and blitzing often. That may be effective, or disastrous. Chip Kelly will be prepared for Utah’s defensive pressure. Any gambles taken by Utah’s defenders will be countered with misdirection, and big plays could result. This is a game where Jeremiah Masoli’s versatility as a dangerous runner and passer should make the difference. If the Utes can manage to slow down LeGarrette Blount (that's a 6-2, 240-lb. IF), look for tight end Ed Dickson and receiver Jeff Maehl - two veterans who play big in big games - to make critical plays off Oregon's short to medium passing game.

Oregon’s defense versus Utah’s Offense

We’ll say it repeatedly this year. Inexperienced QBs don’t usually fare well at Autzen. Boise State’s Kellen Moore passed the test last season. Many before him have not. Oregon could face a duo of quarterbacks against Utah. The likely starter is junior Corbin Louks (#19, 6-0, 200-lb.). Louks played in nine games last season and finished third on the team with 223 rushing yards. The challenge for Louks is he has only attempted 15 passes in two seasons at Utah. Yes, he can run. It’s less certain that he can pass his way to a win. It’s a sure bet that Nick Allioti’s defense will look to make him do just that.

If Louks can’t get the job done, we may see Terrance Cain (#7, 5-11, 185-lb., Jr.). Cain is a highly regarded JC transfer who led, or came close to leading, most significant NJCAA passing categories in 2008. So one runs, the other throws, and from some Utah spring game notes, we learn that neither appeared to outshine the other.

Matt Asiata (#4, 5-11, 230-lb., Sr.) leads the Utes’ rushing attack. He had 146 carries for 707 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2008. He’s not Jahvid Best scary, but he’s a first-team All-MWC selection. Asiata is a load to bring down and can slug out some tough yards. Utah’s receiving corp took a big hit, losing the top three targets from 2008. David Reed (#16, 6-0, 190-lb., Sr.) may be looking for his time to shine. Senior Aiona Key (#9, 6-4, 195-lb., Sr.) will share receiving duties with Reed, though he caught just a single pass for 19 yards last year. Forget about weaknesses along the Utes offensive line. They return two all-MWC starters. Guards Caleb Schlauderaff (#72, 6-4, 300-lb., Jr.) and Zane Taylor (#77, 6-2, 300-lb., Jr.), and tackle Zane Beadles (#68, 6-4, 305-lb., Sr.) will be a huge test for Oregon’s relatively green defensive line.

Utah’s O-line versus Oregon’s front seven should be an all-out war. The Ducks may lack star-power along the D-line (at least after Will Tukuafu), but they have considerable depth. That could be a key against Utah’s quality offensive line in a game that might be in doubt well into the fourth quarter. Oregon will need to prepare for both a running and a passing QB, and be ready to adjust to different personnel on the fly. Utah seems to be caught lacking experience at the QB position, and with Oregon’s defense seemingly improving, it should be advantage Ducks in this match-up.

Odds and Ends

It’s hard to pin down many intangible advantages either way. Both teams will be breaking in new kickers and punters. Both have big-play athletes on special teams. Both teams are breaking in some new coaches on both sides of the ball…at the coordinator level in both cases for Utah. Field position and special teams execution will be critical. Neither team can afford to be missing 35-yard field goals.

Bottom Line

I think it is to Oregon’s benefit that they’re facing this Utah team 1) at home, and 2) early in the season. The tipping point, I think, comes down to continuity and leadership. Oregon has it, Utah might not only a couple games into the 2009 season. Jeremiah Masoli returns as Oregon’s clear leader. He’s the heart and soul of the Oregon team. He makes great things happen. That player last season for Utah was QB Brian Johnson. Now Johnson’s leadership has to be replaced, something that rarely happens overnight. For all the talent lost in 2009, Utah may miss Johnson’s leadership and play making more. Utah's defense will hold Oregon under their scoring average, but the Ducks will find ways to get the one-on-one match-ups, in space, that make Chip Kelly's spread click. Oregon's defense should continue their coming out party against a Utah offense which is inexperienced at quarterback and receiver.

Prediction

Oregon 31, Utah 20

Mountain West players selected in the NFL draft

JazzyUte — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:01:55 -0000

The Mountain West had by far the best draft of any of the non-BCS conferences, however, no players were selected in the first round. Utah's Paul Kruger was the highest player to go at 57 -- he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. Sean Smith, who was a possible, though unlikely, first rounder, was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 61st pick. Brice McCain went in the sixth round to Texas, while Freddie Brown was drafted by Cincinnati in the 7th.

Utah quarterback Brian Johnson was not drafted, which wasn't a big surprise, but Louie Sakoda being passed over was, at least to me. I thought he would go, though I expect him to quickly sign with a team in the coming days.

After the jump is a list of those drafted...

	Name	Pos	Ht	Wt	College	Pick	Team
[+]	Schlueter, Blake	C	6'2"	290	TCU	Pick 16, Round 7 (225)	Broncos
[+]	Smith, Sean	CB	6'4"	214	Utah	Pick 29, Round 2 (61)	Dolphins
[+]	Summers, Frank	RB	5'9"	241	UNLV	Pick 33, Round 5 (169)	Steelers
[+]	McCain, Brice	CB	5'9"	185	Utah	Pick 15, Round 6 (188)	Texans
[+]	Brown, Aaron	RB	6'1"	196	TCU	Pick 19, Round 6 (192)	Lions
[+]	Brown, Freddie	WR	6'4"	215	Utah	Pick 43, Round 7 (252)	Bengals
[+]	Wright, DeAndre	DB	5'11"	198	New Mexico	Pick 27, Round 6 (200)	Giants
[+]	Vakapuna, Fui	RB	5'11"	244	BYU	Pick 6, Round 7 (215)	Bengals
[+]	Kruger, Paul	DE	6'4"	263	Utah	Pick 25, Round 2 (57)	Ravens
[+]	Henson, Robert	OLB	6'0"	240	TCU	Pick 13, Round 6 (186)	Redskins
[+]	Collie, Austin	WR	6'1"	200	BYU	Pick 27, Round 4 (127)	Colts
[+]	Quin, Glover	CB	5'11"	204	New Mexico	Pick 12, Round 4 (112)	Texans
[+]	Phillips, Jason	ILB	6'1"	239	TCU	Pick 1, Round 5 (137)	Ravens
[+]	Johnson, Gartrell	RB	5'10"	219	Colorado State	Pick 34, Round 4 (134)	Chargers
[+]	Louis, Lance	OG	6'2"	303	San Diego State	Pick 37, Round 7 (246)	Bears
[+]	Hodge, Stephen	SS	6'0"	234	TCU	Pick 24, Round 6 (197)	Cowboys

Arizona Cardinals Potential Draft Picks: 3-4 Outside Linebackers

Hawkwind — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:42:29 -0000

It's no secret that the Arizona Cardinals will look to add some youth and athleticism at their outside linebacker position. The current group of Chike Okeafor, Clark Haggans, Bertrand Berry and Travis LaBoy are serviceable but age and injuries are getting the best of them. We've spent a great deal of time profiling some 'hybrid' outside backers in the past month or so, but what if none of the highly rated prospects are available when the Cardinals pick at 31 or 63?

The Cardinals are fortunate enough to have the current depth to allow a draft pick to ease into the transition from college DE to professional OLB and there are plenty of guys who should be avaliable in the middle to later rounds. Here's a look at some prospects who the Cardinals could be interested in during the second day....

Here are the guys that we've already profiled:

But as you might expect, that's just a small sampling of possible 'hybrid' guys that could entice the Cardinals this weekend.

Paul Kruger (6'4, 263): Believe it or not, Kruger is a polarizing figure in this year's draft. Some scouts compare him to LaMarr Woodley or Aaron Kampman (who's expected to move to OLB this year), while other scouts simply don't think he has the athleticism to handle an outside linebacker spot. It's clear that he'd be an awful big OLB and his workout numbers (4.8 forty) haven't helped his case among 3-4 teams. He'll be a 24 year old rookie, one red shirt season and two years on a church mission, but his ability to battle is unquestioned. Projected Round: late 2nd to middle 3rd

Compares to: Aaron Kampman (Green Bay)

Pros - He's got solid frame that still has room to grow, if need be, and he's a decent athlete. His non-stop motor is what sustains him and he's very tough with above average strength. He does well in pursuit and is a reliable tackler. He's comfortable in space and he's a smart player who won't often get fooled by play action or misdirection. He's got some experience playing with his hand off the ground and has looked capable in coverage.

Cons - Kruger's isn't a natural athlete and looks stiff at times. He lacks top end speed and doesn't always play as powerful as his frame would indicate, especially when he plays too tall. His pass rush repertoire is very limited and he too often relies on a bull rush that worked in the Mountain West but might not generate the same results against NFL tackles. A lack of experience is also a concern considering that he only played two years at Utah.

Jason Williams (6'1, 241): Williams is one of the fastest risers in the entire draft right now after blazing the forty at his pro day to the tune of 4.46. Some teams didn't trust the time after hearing that he ran on a basketball surface so Williams responded by running again. The second time he ran on field turf and blazed even more when he turned in a 4.42. Wiliams began his college career as a strong safety before moving to OLB in 2006. Just about every NFL team has kicked the tires on Williams, regardless of defense, but he's certainly showing the athletic ability to excel in a 3-4. In his three seasons as an OLB he averaged 89 tackles, 15 for loss and five sacks per season. Projected Round: middle 3rd to 4th

Compares to: James Harrison (Pittsburgh)

Pros - His athleticism and speed are unmatched as well as his burst off of the line. He's an explosive leaper who will knock down passes at the line and he has a knack for jarring the ball loose (14 career). His experience as a strong safety makes him very comfortable in coverage and he's got the range make plays sideline to sideline. He's got a good motor and will make plays in pursuit.

Cons - His level of competition has some tempering his potential and right now he still plays like a safety against the run. He'll have to get stronger and more physical at the point of attack to be an every down player. He can get out of position when he gets to aggressive as well.

Brandon Williams (6'5 252): Williams comes off a junior season that saw him lead the Big 12 in sacks and earn 1st Team All-Big 12 honors, but most scouts feel that he should have stayed for his senior season. While there is no argument about his ability to rush the passer, his detractors point out that he offers very little against the run (but in the Big 12 what do you expect?). His draft stock took a significant hit at the combine when he ran a 4.96 forty (a 306 pound OT ran faster), but he's since improved his time at his pro day with times as high as 4.69. There's no doubt that he's a raw player who will take some time to develop but the potential is evident. Projected Round: late 3rd to 4th

Compares to: Alex Brown (Chicago)

Pros - Williams' lanky, athletic frame is has the room to add another ten to fifteen pounds with sapping his burst or speed. He's got a tremendous burst off the snap and has a decent set of pass rush moves. He has shown the ability to bend around offensive tackles and close on the quarterback. He tracks down plays in pursuit and chases plays down the line.

Cons - For everything Williams does in getting to the quarterback, he lacks the size, strength and physicality to hold the point of attack against the run. He hasn't been asked to drop into coverage much and looks stiff in space. He's also not a powerful tackler and struggles to disengage from blockers.

Zack Follett (6'2 238): Follet should be an interesting prospect for just about every 3-4 defense in the league for a couple of reasons. He's played every linebacker position after coming to California as a middle linebacker before finally ending up on the outside. He also flourished in his senior season when Cal switched to a 3-4 defense which means he's got more experience than just about every other backer in the draft. He has a history of shoulder problems and won't wow scouts with his athletic feats but he's been solid locker room guy and he's been productive where ever he lined up. He totaled 87 tackles, 23 for loss and 10.5 sacks in 2008 after averaging 63 tackles, 12.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks his previous two seasons.

Compares to: Larry Izzo (Jets)

Pros - Follett has very good strength for his size and his frame has the room add another ten to fifteen pounds. He can hold the point of attack where he's a reliable, punishing tackler. He plays with a reckless abandon when the play is in front of him and his competitive spirit drives him to make plays. He's an intimidating player who is a plus pass rusher who is also capable in coverage.

Cons - His size isn't what you'd expect from an outside backer and he's not a great athlete. He has some durability issues and his aggressiveness can get him into trouble. His lateral quickness isn't great and he doesn't have the ability make up ground when fooled.

Matt Shaughnessy (6'5 263): The report on Shaughnessy is pretty similar to Paul Kruger, except that Shaughnessy isn't very stout at the point of attack. He's a bit faster than Kruger, but not by much, and scouts go both ways on his ability to stand up and play outside linebacker. He's added over 30 pounds since showing up to Wisconsin as a 230 pound freshman so his frame is nearly maxed out but he carries it pretty well. He hasn't been as productive, in terms of sacks, as most of the guys on this (15.5 in 50 career games) but he's tough player who's played through a ton of injuries. One thing that's rather remarkable is that he's missed very little time despite several major injuries including broken fibula in the spring of '08 and tearing his ACL at the end of the 2006 season. Projected Round: late 4th to 5th

Compares to: John Engelberger (Denver)

Pros - Shaughnessy has the size and bulk to play the position and uses his height well to knock passes down. He uses his hands well to disengage from blockers and stave off cut blocks. He uses the bull rush and rip technique well as pass rush moves but the rest of his repertoire is pretty limited. He has some experience playing from a stand-up position and looks comfortable in space. He's a smart player who uses a non-stop motor and good instincts to make plays.

Cons - Shaughnessy lacks the explosive burst off the snap that outside backers need to make a difference in pass rush situations. He also needs to get stronger to hold the point of attack and he'll have to develop more pass rush moves to be effective. Injuries might have robbed him of the explosiveness that he had earlier in his career as he takes a while to get up to speed.

Henry Melton (6'4, 269): Melton was first brought up here at ROTB when he appeared in a mock draft created by one of our very own and he's an interesting yet extremely developmental prospect. He began his college career as a running back and has only been on the defensive side of the ball two seasons. As you might expect being a former running back, Melton has tons of athletic ability but is far from a finished product. He wasn't even considered a 'draftable' prospect after one season as a starter that produced 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks but a forty in the 4.5 range changed all of that. Wherever Melton ends up, patience will be key as he'll take a year or two to learn the position but the athletic ability is unquestioned. Projected Round: late 5th to 6th

Pros - With loads of athletic ability, Melton's speed, quickness and burst make him unique. He's got good balance and agility and is a force in pursuit. He's got more strength that you'd expect from a former running back and he could be a solid special teamer early in his career.

Cons - Raw, raw, raw. Melton got by on his athletic ability during his one season as a starter and his techniques and instincts have to come a long way before he can step on an NFL field. He also has an off the field incident when he was arrested for DWI in May of 2007.

Stryker Sulak (6'5, 251): Sulak's an accomplished player with four years of starting experience and he even thought about going pro after this junior. He's improved each year as at Missouri but most scouts still slap the overachiever label on him
and wonder if he'll have the ability to hold his own in space. He's dealt with some injuries during his four seasons but in 53 games he's still managed 38 tackles for loss and 22.5 sacks, including 15.5 & 10.5 respectively his senior year. Projected Round: 7th

Pros - Sulak's a decent athlete with slightly above average speed and quickness but he makes a difference with his non-stop motor and burst to close on the ball carrier. He's got good instincts and awareness and is a hard worker.

Cons - Sulak's not going to blow anyone away with his athletic ability and he'll have to get stronger to maintain the point of attack. He hasn't been asked to drop into coverage very often but he looks uncomfortable and stiff in space.

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The Arizona Cardinals enter this weekend's draft looking for at least one, if not multiple players to help energize their struggling pass rush. In a 3-4 defense, they'll need that pass rush to come from their outside linebackers. While most of these guys won't contribute much in 2009 outside of special teams, they're stacked with potential to be the future of the Arizona Cardinals. Which guy stands out to you guys? Are there any names that we missed?

Meet the Chiefs Draft Interests (Trade Down Edition)

Joel Thorman — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:30:10 -0000

More photos » by Rogelio V. Solis - AP

8 months ago: FILE - In this Nov. 28, 2008 file photo, Mississippi State defensive end Tim Bailey (39) is shoved back by Mississippi offensive lineman Michael Oher (74) during the first half of an NCAA college football game. Oher is a top prospect in the 2009 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Browse more photos »

Yesterday, we broke down by position all the draft prospects the Kansas City Chiefs have been reportedly interested in. No surprise that offensive line and linebacker led the way.

Then we looked at the players the Chiefs have worked out that could be the third overall pick.

Today, we're perusing our Chiefs Draft Interests page and highlighting all the players the scouting staff has looked at that are projected to go in the second or third round. If you're watching the Draft on Saturday, and at 3:20 PM you hear the Chiefs have traded down, there's a likelihood they'll know who to pick considering they've focused heavily on players in this draft range.

The list of players below is one of the biggest reasons so many folks across the league expect Scott Pioli and the Chiefs to move out of the third overall pick and collect more picks in the late first to early third round range.

OFFENSIVE LINE

OT Michael Oher (Ole Miss, Rd. 1) - Spoke with at Senior Bow/Attended Pro Day (March 31)/Scouted in person in 2008

*Oher settles in at the tail end of the top ten range to the high teens. If the Chiefs are looking at him as a tackle opposite of Albert (right or left), then they'll need to likely target the Buffalo Bills 11th overall pick.

OT Eben Britton (Arizona, Rd. 1-2) - Private workout (Reported March 25)

*Could be a right or left tackle (6'6", 310 pounds) and could be taken as high as the late teens in the first round.

DEFENSIVE LINE/LINEBACKER

OLB Brian Cushing (USC, Rd. 1) - Spoke with at Senior Bowl/Attended Pro Day (April 1)/Scouted in person in 2008

*Brian Cushing is projected to be a first round pick and would be of interest to the Chiefs if they were able to trade down. He, along with his USC counterparts, could be a tremendous help to the Chiefs and a great value if they were able to drop into to the bottom half of the first round.

DE Connor Barwin (Cincinnati, Rd. 1-2) - Visited with the Chiefs (April 2)

*The Patriots are reported to have a lot of interest in Barwin as well. He's had arguably the best post-season workout run as any player in this draft class. Capable of playing as an OLB (1 year at Cincinnati) or a TE (3 years at Cincinnati), Barwin has been drawn comparisons to Chiefs' Mike Vrabel. He won't make it past the Patriots or Browns, early in the second round.

LB James Laurinaitis (Ohio St., Rd. 1-2) - Visited with the Chiefs (April 2)

*Came in on the same day as Brian Orakpo and Connor Barwin. It's strange...if Lauriniaitis have come out last year, he was projected to be as high as a top ten pick. Now, he's fallen to the tail end of the first round, possibly as low as the second round. He seems to have the Pioli mentality when it comes to football.

LB Larry English (Northern Illinois, Rd. 1-2) - Private workout (Reported April 8)

*English has been shooting up draft boards, possibly into the first round. He's been reported to have drawn the interest of the Patriots in addition to the Chiefs. He's projected as an OLB in the Chiefs' 3-4 scheme.

LB Clint Sintim

*Another interesting prospect as he's projected to go as high as 25th to the Dolphins and as low as the middle of the second round.

DE Jarron Gilbert (San Jose St., Rd. 2-3) - Private workout (April)

*Another guy gaining a lot of steam, maybe even into the end of the first round. Click the link above to see a cool video of him jumping out of a pool (Okay, that sounds weird. Just watch it if you haven't already).

NT Sen'Derrick Marks (Auburn, Rd. 2-3) - Private workout (March 30)

*Nose tackles are hard to come by but one of Marks' biggest knocks is that he's not big enough to handle larger defensive linemen. Not a characteristic a defensive lineman wants. He's likely to be available when the Chiefs pick in the third round.

DT Fili Moala (USC, Rd. 2-3) - Spoke with at Combine

*The Chiefs could be looking for another defensive tackle - though I would imagine they would prefer it to be a more traditional nose tackle.

DE Paul Kruger (Utah, Rd. 3) - Private workout (1st week of April)

*From Utah and is projected as an OLB. He's quick and has the frame to get bigger. The Broncos and Chiefs both worked him out.

SECONDARY

CB Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio St. Rd. 1) - Scouted in person in 2008

*I wouldn't read much into this. The Chiefs scouted him way back when we weren't sure if rookie Brandon Carr could handle the corner job opposite of Flowers (he can).

CB Mike Mickens (Cincinnati, Rd. 2-3) - Scouted in person in 2008

*Director of college scouting says he has the "temperament" to be an NFL corner.

CB Keenan Lewis (Oregon St., Rd. 3) - Spoke with at the Senior Bowl

*From Oregon State and had an interview with the Chiefs at the Senior Bowl. Haven't heard any news on him since that.

QUARTERBACKS

QB Chase Patton (MU, Rd. 7) - Rumored interest

*We just learned tonight the Chiefs have requested a contact number for Patton on Draft day so that's a good sign that he's on the Chiefs radar.

QB Josh Freeman (K-State, Rd. 1-2) - Attended local Pro Day

*Didn't even work out at the Chiefs complex. Nothing to see here. Move along...

QB Pat White (WVU, Rd. 2-3) - Spoke with at Senior Bowl

*Since the Senior Bowl meeting, we haven't been able to get a confirmation of Pat White working out with the Chiefs. He's been linked to the Patriots and Vikings, among other teams.

RUNNING BACKS/WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

TE Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma St., Rd. 1) - Scouted in person in 2008

*The Chiefs could have been doing their due diligence last season when they scouted Pettigrew. Remember, last October, in the height of college football season, Gonzalez was publicly asking to be traded.

TE Chase Coffman (MU, Rd. 2-3) - Attended local Pro Day

*Coffman is an intriguing pick due in large part to the fact that he's local. Though Pioli has picked three tight ends in the first round while in New England, I expect him to hang onto Gonzalez in 2009 with Brad Cottam as his eventual heir.

WR Mike Thomas (Arizona, Rd. 2-3) - Private workout (March 24)

*Both the Chiefs (Pioli) and Broncos (McDaniels) set up a private workout with Thomas so maybe there's a bit of the 'Patriot Way' in him. His skill set is in a Wes Welker type mold, meaning he's a small and quick possession/slot receiver.

RB Andre Brown (NC State, Rd. 2-3) - Private workout (Reported April 16th)

*And here's my "Chiefs work out a RB...replacement for LJ?" post...

It can't be used as a legitimate clue into the Chiefs' front office because our Chiefs' draft interests page is ultimately incomplete, but only two offensive linemen that have been reportedly worked out by the Chiefs are expected to be in trade down territory.

Of these 20 prospects, nine of them were defensive linemen and linebackers. A sign that the Chiefs will be going defense in the even to of a trade down?

Taking the table from Chris' post yesterday where he broke down all the Chiefs draft interests by position, we can see the Chiefs are focusing their reported scouting efforts of defensive linemen and linebackers projected to be selected later in the first round to the third round.

Offense	Defense
OT (10)	LB (11)
WR (4)	DE (6)
QB (3)	DL (5)
OG (3)	CB (4)
RB (2)
PK (2)
FB (1)

Out of the sixteen reported DL/LBs on this list, nine of them would require the Chiefs trading down. That's quite the due diligence.

Bills unlikely to address DE early in NFL Draft

Brian Galliford — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:00:11 -0000

Will Schobel, others get help in draft? (Getty)

Up until recent weeks, most fans of the Buffalo Bills had penciled in the name of a speed-rushing defensive end as the Bills' No. 11 pick in mock drafts everywhere. Coming off of two straight seasons in which the team could not generate a consistent pass rush, the team's fan base was keenly aware of the team's need for new blood at the defensive end position. Now, with OT Jason Peters possibly being traded, the left side of the offensive line in shambles and holes at tight end and linebacker to consider, defensive end has fallen by the wayside a bit in daily conversations.

The big questions: do the Bills perceive their DE situation the same way the fan base does? More importantly, with so many other needs to consider, how likely is it that the Bills draft a DE somewhere within the first three rounds? Judging by the team's preference in player attributes, talent acquisition and how each player is utilized, we may be looking at another April in which the defensive end position isn't addressed early.

"Complete" versus "In Progress"
Entering their fourth draft, the current regime at One Bills Drive over the years has steadfastly shown a preference for drafting well-rounded athletes as opposed to players that have "situational" written all over them, at least in terms of how they relate to the Bills' respective offensive and defensive schemes. The team wants its players to produce on an every-down basis when they get their chance to play. That's why the team values players like Derek Fine over Martin Rucker, as an example.

This isn't intended to be a question over whether that approach is "right" or "wrong" - I'm sure fans will fall down on both sides of that argument. (Side note: I happen to fall on the "wrong" side of that argument.) This is intended to lay a foundation for how the Bills view talent, and in particular soon-to-be rookies - they're looking for "complete package" more than raw talent that can help on a situational basis.

With that in mind, say goodbye to the Aaron Maybins and Shawn Nelsons of the world, and instead get ready to embrace the Robert Ayers and Brandon Pettigrews. Again, agree or disagree with it all you want, but the simple fact of the matter is that the Bills prefer those types of players. They're not drafting a guy to work him into a sub-package - how many times did we clamor for James Hardy near the goal line last year to no avail? They're either drafting a guy to start, or drafting a guy to start eventually. And that player's going to be on the field far more often than he isn't.

Looking at "complete" defensive ends
Buffalo views its top three veteran ends - Aaron Schobel, Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney - as every-down defenders. (Another side note: if you're anxiously awaiting Kelsay's release, prepare for disappointment.) They are also likely aware that as each player either is or soon will be 30 years old, youth is a problem at the position. Chris Ellis, last year's third-round pick, will be counted on to play a bigger role next season after seeing limited field time and spending a lot of hours in the weight room during 2008.

Let's kill two birds with one stone here - with four ends expected to contribute, the Bills aren't likely to draft more than one end this year; also, considering the depth at the position, the Bills may feel inclined to wait to draft an end, instead concentrating on other needs early in the draft. That philosophy actually makes a degree of sense considering the small number of defensive ends that the Bills would typically prefer.

Tennessee's Robert Ayers and Utah's Paul Kruger will very likely be the two ends that the Bills will have their eye on in this draft class. Georgia Tech's Michael Johnson might get a look as well if the team isn't put off by his uninspiring college production. Heck, LSU's Tyson Jackson might even get a look. The top of the draft class, however, is loaded with 'tweener speed guys - and the pre-draft position rankings only become littered with every-down ends from the third round on (with the exception of those mentioned above). That, coupled with the team's philosophies, screams "the team is passing on DE early," folks. Unless the Bills have a player like Ayers graded higher than an OT, a LB or Brandon Pettigrew, the Bills will pass on DE help in the first round of this year's draft.

Right or Wrong?
I'm not going to sit here and tell everyone that I completely agree with the hypothetical strategy posited above. Most of you that have been around for more than a few days realize that I'm a huge fan of Aaron Maybin and the rest of the speed rushers available this year. I believe firmly that the Bills need a speed-rushing end, or at a bare minimum, a different type of athlete at the position.

But I'm also not going to go off the deep end if, as is fully expected by me (and many of you have expressed similar beliefs, and more will join the bandwagon), the Bills pass on a defensive end early. There are other ways to improve the pass rush, and as long as the DE position isn't completely ignored, I'll probably be satisfied. The team has too many holes for me to complain about the team valuing players differently than I do. There are a lot of ways that the team can get better on the whole, and that includes the team making a trade here or there to get itself into a better position to add talent (hint, hint). In terms of the end position, however, expect the team to go with the status quo until at least a few hours into the second day of this year's draft. And that, folks, is not necessarily a bad thing.

Ranking the NFL Draft's defensive end prospects

Brian Galliford — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:15:07 -0000

UT's Ayers flying up draft boards (Scout.com)

As the 2009 NFL Draft approaches, we here at Buffalo Rumblings will continue interviewing bloggers and consulting outside sources in putting together detailed scouting reports on some of the Draft's most noteworthy prospects - concentrating, of course, on prospects that could pique the interest of the Buffalo Bills. This post continues a series in which I'll rank prospects at each position; ultimately, this project will roll itself into the "Buffalo Rumblings Big Board", which is exactly what it sounds like - the same type of big board NFL teams keep handy on draft day.

We've already ranked the tight ends, linebackers and interior offensive linemen. Full rankings of those positions, as well as all positions, will be made available prior to the draft, which is just under three short weeks away. What follows is a ranking of the draft's best defensive end prospects - an area that is still a huge concern for the Bills.

FIRST ROUND PROSPECTS
1. Aaron Maybin, Penn State: Lightning quick, very productive and highly controversial are the three best ways to describe Maybin. A polarizing figure because of his inexperience, his size and the amount of polish he'll need to become an every-down NFL starter, Maybin has by far the most potential of any pass rusher available this year. Whether that potential will be enough for the Bills to consider drafting him, however, remains to be seen.

2. Everette Brown, Florida State: Nearly as quick as Maybin and a bit more experienced and productive, Brown is equally polarizing as he's not yet considered an every-down 4-3 end prospect. He does, however, also have elite potential as a pass rusher. Like Maybin, 3-4 teams will be looking at Brown as a potential OLB prospect, which may not even make him available to the Bills at No. 11 overall.

3. Brian Orakpo, Texas: His name has cooled of late, but Orakpo still remains an athletic marvel with top pass-rushing skills. He's dealing with an "underachiever" label, however, as he was relatively run-of-the-mill through his first three years at Texas. This is another guy who many consider to be a better 3-4 prospect right now than a 4-3 end.

SECOND ROUND PROSPECTS
4. Larry English, Northern Illinois: Hey, look! Another productive speed rusher that 3-4 teams will covet! Unlike our first-round prospects, however, English has a lot more experience defending the run in a 4-3, but comes with less athleticism and a lower ceiling. English is going to be a very good pro, but again, is he ready to contribute on early downs if he goes to a 4-3 team?

5. Robert Ayers, Tennessee: Ayers is flying up draft boards for one reason: he's big, experienced, and the best every-down 4-3 end available this year. That fact alone has driven his stock up to the point where he very well might be Buffalo's - as well as many other 4-3 teams' - top consideration at the position this year. Don't label Ayers as lacking talent, though - he may not have the athleticism of the top speed rushers this year, but he's quick off the edge and can get after the passer. He's just not going to be a perennial league leading sack artist.

6. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati: The tight end-turned-defensive end has also climbed up draft boards to the point where he'll be a first-round consideration. He's another speed rusher that's not ready to contribute on every down in a 4-3, but he's a hard-working player with great intangibles - which will make him appealing to the majority of NFL franchises. He's an outstanding athlete that will also contribute immediately on special teams.

7. Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech: Of the many "boom or bust" prospects available at DE this year, Johnson has both the biggest boom potential as well as the biggest bust potential. Easily the most outstanding athlete of the group, Johnson had a rather mediocre college career. Questions remain about his love for the game and whether he can turn it on in the pros. It's going to take the right situation for Johnson to realize all of his vast potential. Buffalo may not be that situation.

Four more names to chew on after the jump.

THIRD ROUND PROSPECTS
8. Lawrence Sidbury Jr., Richmond: He's going to fall into the "speed rusher" category right out of the gate, but unlike some of his bigger-name peers, Sidbury has the size to eventually develop into a top-flight every down end for a 4-3 team. He's raw and is making a serious talent jump from tiny Richmond, and it might not be wise to expect much production-wise from Sidbury as a rookie. But again, there's a large amount of potential here.

FOURTH ROUND PROSPECTS
9. Cody Brown, Connecticut: He's small, fast and wonderfully athletic in his lower body - which means that a 3-4 team will roll the dice on him much earlier than the fourth round. At 244 pounds, Brown is another guy who would contribute only in specific situations as a rookie. (Getting a theme here, folks?) But his speed off the edge is outstanding, and he'd be fun to watch in a Tampa 2 scheme as a pass rush specialist.

10. Phillip Hunt, Houston: Speed rusher. Good off the edge, low center of gravity, has a good amount of potential. Just like 90% of the ends available this year - except he wouldn't cost an arm and a leg pick-wise.

11. Paul Kruger, Utah: Eleven names in, Kruger is the second end on this list that might resemble an every-down player right out of the gate. He'll likely go before the fourth round because of it. Kruger ranks low here because he's entering the NFL as a 24-year-old rookie; add in his marginal pass rushing skills and his uncanny resemblance to the current ends on Buffalo's roster, and he's not exactly an enticing prospect (to fans, anyway). Buffalo needs to complement, not duplicate.

***

This is just my opinion, folks. These are the top eleven defensive ends in the draft by my book, but an alarmingly small number of them can be considered something more than situational players as rookies. Whether we like it or not, the Bills aren't likely to look for a situational player in the first three rounds - and they're not likely to draft more than one end this year.

If you think I've made a grievous error in these rankings, let me know. If you think I've got some sort of hidden agenda, I'd love to hear about it. If you're itching to re-shuffle my rankings, let it rip. Consider this an open forum on 2009 NFL Draft defensive end prospects. Go.