SB Nation - Stanley Arnoux

Deacon Dump 9/10: Wake working out the kinks

MRickman84 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:09:16 -0000

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are obviously upset about the loss. That much was clear when Jim Grobe abandoned his normally genial attitude for one in which he flat out said the team blew it. In comes Stanford, coming off a big win and looking to turn things around from last year with Jim Harbaugh in his second year as head coach. This will be a big game to determine where each team is really going. The links represent this today, and here goes... And if you haven't checked out the new SB Nation homepage, please do--they brought on Eamonn Brennan from the Dagger, Spencer Hall from Every Day Should Be Saturday, Andrew Sharp and Chris Mottram from Mr. Irrelevant to be editors and completely redesigned their homepage.

ACC notes: Groh not in favor of strict celebration rules - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com
"I don't think it was over the top for my personal sensitivities," Groh said of both gestures. "Obviously that's not the sensitivities of the rule-makers, so you have to know what the rules are, and the rules say, virtually, there is no room for celebration."

Two ACC teams crack the 'Bottom 10' - ACC - ESPN
Rob Daniels, a longtime ACC reporter based in the Greensboro area, dug up a great note on that this week. It's the first time since at least 1995 that any BCS conference has lost twice to the FCS in a season.

FayObserver.com - Several coaches courting Harris
Harris' rapid rise is nothing short of striking. A year ago at this time, he was barely on anyone's radar as an elite recruit. Now he's ranked 40th among seniors by Scout and 56th by Rivals. His emergence at Trinity Christian has been thanks in part to his standout performances against other elite big men - guys like Flora MacDonald's Luke Cothron and Word of God's C.J. Leslie and Ryan Kelly, the former Ravenscroft star now at Duke. Harris' summer, most notably a trip to the NBAPA Top 100 camp in June, also gave him a confidence boost. "He understands now how good he can be," Vandevender said. "You put that together with his work ethic and his passion for the game, all that has come together now."

Summer Ball: Former Deac Achilles Added to Wake Forest Baseball Staff
Former Wake Forest baseball player Grant Achilles has been added to the Demon Deacon coaching staff as a volunteer assistant, as announced by head coach Tom Walter on Wednesday.

Observations from the 50-yard Line: Skinner, receivers working out kinks
Grobe said he has confidence that Wake Forest's veteran offensive line will protect Skinner better. But the Deacons' inexperienced receivers include redshirt freshman Chris Givens at wideout and sophomore Andrew Parker at tight end. It might take more experience for them to eliminate their mistakes and give their decorated quarterback better targets. "They can be corrected, there's no question about that," Grobe said. "But a couple of these kids are really young receivers."

Pack QB Glennon could see action - CharlotteObserver.com
"I don't know whether he felt too much pressure, thought he had to kind of be the guy Saturday," Grobe said Wednesday during the ACC coaches' teleconference. "But he didn't play his best football, and in several instances. . .we had receivers not run the right routes. Or in some cases, they're all young. So in some cases they weren't quite sure where they needed to be so they weren't getting there as fast as he needed to."

New Orleans Hornets trade Antonio Daniels to T-Wolves for Darius Songaila and Bobby Brown - NOLA.com
Antonio Daniels was traded by the New Orleans Hornets to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The New Orleans Hornets Wednesday traded backup point guard Antonio Daniels and a 2014 second-round draft choice to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Darius Songaila and Bobby Brown. Songaila, a 6 foot 9 forward, and Brown, a 6-2 guard who played with the Hornets' summer league team in 2008, provide more depth for the Hornets.

Wilner: Bigger weekend than it might appear for Bay Area teams - San Jose Mercury News
No local team has more on the line this week than Stanford. A victory at Wake Forest would put the Cardinal in superb position for its first postseason appearance in eight years. At 2-0, Stanford would need to win five of its final 10 games to secure a bowl bid. But the huge supply (68 slots for 120 teams) means that four more victories probably would be enough. The Cardinal figures to be favored in at least that many, including the next two: at home against San Jose State and Washington. So with a win Saturday, Stanford could — and probably should — be 4-0 when UCLA visits Oct. 3.

Pac-10 picks I Vince Grippi | Spokesman.com | Sep 10, 2009
Stanford at Wake Forest (Wake by 2.5): Let’s see, the Cardinal won by 26 on the road. Wake Forest lost by three at home. Right, Stanford was in Pullman; Wake played Baylor. Now we understand the line. Still, Stanford 24-22.

Scout.com: Stanley Arnoux Profile
The New Orleans Saints have placed fourth-round pick LB Stanley Arnoux on injured reserve, Scout.com has confirmed through a league source. The former Wake Forest University defender signed a four-year deal worth roughly $2.13 million that includes a signing bonus worth just under $472,000. Arnoux suffered a torn Achilles tendon during an OTA workout in May

One Entertainment: 2010 Highlight Player Rankings (Updated 8/11/09)
3. JT Terrell - 6’3"/170 | Burlington Cummings (Burlington, NC) Last year it seemed JT was strictly an outside shooter but this summer he proved us wrong. He started attacking the rim with authority and continued hitting shots. With a shooter as strong as JT defenders have no choice but to play up, which allows a dribble move and drive for dunk... after dunk... after dunk. This video is a highlighthoops exclusive. It can't be found anywhere else but this site and will be appearing in our Vol 1 DVD coming this fall. Enjoy.

College Football Predictions Week 2 | Sports Odds
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons host the Stanford Cardinals Saturday at 12 Noon EST. Wake, coming off a tough loss to Baylor 24-21 against the 1-0 Cardinals who easily beat Washington State 39-13, looks for a rebound win. Great coaching matchup as previous NCAA coach of the year and my linebacker coach Jim Grobe take on NFL star Jim Harbaugh’s Cardinals. The Week 2 College Football Predictions experts at Sportsbook.com have the Wake Forest Demon Deacons -2.5 points against the Stanford Cardinals .

Short stature doesn't deter Deacons' Woodlief
Woodlief made his first start Saturday against Baylor. He played well enough to contribute six tackles -- including a sack -- and force a fumble. But both Woodlief and Lambert said he will play better. "He played pretty well from a mental and schematic standpoint," Lambert said. "He didn't tackle as well as he would like or I would like. "That's the one thing that disappointed us."

For Entertainment Purposes Only- Week 2 Letdowns, Lookaheads, & Overreactions - Tomahawk Nation
Speaking of ACC disappointments, Wake Forest qualifies here as the Deacons lost at home to Baylor. Still, I like playing teams hosting cross-country flyers, so I am going with Stanford @ Wake Forest -3 and Stanford/ Wake Forest Over 43.5. Riley Skinner must play better if Wake is going to be any good, and I expect a 30-24 type game.

Stanford will get up early at Wake Forest - Pac-10 - ESPN
Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh didn't seem terribly excited with his game's noon kickoff, which translates to 9 a.m. PDT. "Seems like that's the new trend in college football: If you're playing a team from the opposite coast, let's see if we can screw them on the time of kickoff," he said. "If it's a West Coast team playing on the East Coast, you play as early as possible and if it's an East Coast team playing on the West Coast, you play as late as possible."

Wake Forest Moves into Top 10 in National Polls
On the strength of six straight wins to start the season, the Wake Forest women's soccer team has jumped into the top 10 in all of the major national women's soccer polls. The Demon Deacons moved up nine spots to eighth in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll. Wake Forest is ranked 10th by Soccer America, while Top Drawer Soccer places the Deacs at No. 6.

Fitzgerald Named to College Soccer News National Team of the Week
Senior goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week after his performance in the first week of the regular season

PGATOUR.COM - The King turns 80: Images and impact of Arnold Palmer
Sep 09, 2009: Arnold Palmer has spent over 50 years in the public eye, posed for thousands of pictures and authored some of the most memorable moments in golf history. On Sept. 10, 2009, the King turns 80 and, in honor of his big celebration, we've picked 18 of our favorite Palmer pictures and put together a photo timeline of his career. Definitely check this out.

Will Barton and Reggie Bullock lead ESPNU 100 shooting guards - ESPN
Sleeper J.T. Terrell, 6-3, 165 Charlotte, N.C./ West Charlotte College: Wake Forest Terrell is a scoring machine. He can create his shot at will and can score in bunches from behind the arc with NBA range. He has all the tools to be a special scorer and take over games. He must continue to add to his game, but he'll be a great fit for the open-court, spread offensive attack of the Demon Deacons.

Preseason All-Americans for 2009-10 - CBK News - FOX Sports on MSN
Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest: SF, 6-8, 218, Soph. 2008-09 stats: 12.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg Jeff Teague and James Johnson left early for the NBA, so now Aminu becomes the go-to guy. He's versatile and athletic but still needs to become a more consistent perimeter shooter.

Al-Farouq Aminu Named Preseason All-American
Wake Forest sophomore forward Al-Farouq Aminu was selected as a preseason second team All-American by FoxSports.com on Wednesday.

Wake's young LBs prepare for next test: Stanford - San Jose Mercury News
"You could tell there were three new linebackers out there," one of them, Matt Woodlief, said Tuesday. "It wasn't Stanley, it wasn't Aaron Curry, it wasn't Chantz McClintic. ... We did good, but we had a lot of mistakes. We made some bad reads as a unit, and we weren't lined up right a few times."

National Hoops Report: Answering your NHR Mailbag questions
Wake Forest has Damontre Harris and Carson Desrosiers on campus next weekend (Sept 12th). While the Deacs have made the final cut for both players, do you think they can wrap one of them up? Which one do you feel is a better fit for Wake? I think Wake Forest has a legitimate shot to land both players. Both were big-time summer risers and Wake Forest was involved with the two of them prior to the July evaluation period. Harris might make the most sense to commit to the Deacons first. Wake is relatively close to his home (two and a half hours away) and he fits the bill for the type of player that Wake has landed and successfully developed in the past. That being said, Wake has landed and developed guys like Desrosiers quite well in the past, too. Call it a push for which one is the better fit. Both would be well served in Winston-Salem.

Deacon Dump 9/8

WakeJake — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:43:43 -0000

The game last night between FSU and Miami was an instant classic. Both offenses looked very impressive while the defenses obviously struggled quite a bit. Hopefully Wake's corners develop quickly before these two teams come to BB&T field. Not too many stories of interest today, but it is important to note that Chas McFarland of the Deacon basketball team broke his right hand in a pickup game and will be on the shelf for a few weeks. Nothing too serious though.

ACC Power Rankings: Week 1 - ACC - ESPN
8. Wake Forest (0-1) -- The Deacs hurt themselves with four turnovers in their loss to Baylor, but it’s important to realize that Baylor is a much improved team from a year ago. Still, more was expected from quarterback Riley Skinner, who threw three interceptions, and the defense still has some questions to answer.

ACC's top recruiting closers - ESPN
TIE: 5. Jim Grobe, Wake Forest/Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech: The Deacs have started a pipeline into the talent-rich state of Florida, and hit the heart of it in Pahokee. Recruiting coordinator Ray McCartney and the staff have done a great job of finding smart players with good character who can still win. Beamer and his staff evaluate the same way Tommy Tuberville did at Auburn. Some are great players, but most are good players whom they develop into great players.

ACC Football Leads the Nation in Irrelevance - washingtonpost.com

Metro - Saints sign rookie linebacker Arnoux, place him on injured reserve
METAIRIE, La. - The New Orleans Saints have signed rookie linebacker Stanley Arnoux to a four-year contract and placed him on injured reserve. He will miss the 2009 season.

100% Cotten - Liking the Deacs

Wake Forest Men's Soccer Notebook: September 7
Austin da Luz Named to Top Drawer Soccer's Team of the Week: Senior midfielder Austin da Luz was named to Top Drawer Soccer's Team of the Week after his performance during the first week of the regular season.

September 5, 2009: Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Baylor Bears Football Preview

MRickman84 — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:00:39 -0000

The time has finally come. Jake and I finished up our first preview of the year, and it couldn't come at a better time. Finally, all of the preseason articles and predictions do not mean squat anymore--now the play on the field will dictate what means what. We're trying a format different from our basketball previews, so let us know if you like the layout. We are always looking for ways to evolve and change. So, without further ado, here is the preview for the Wake Forest-Baylor game this Saturday.

Breaking Down The Bears

Baylor is a funny team to analyze. They won just four games last year and had defensive troubles in the always dangerous Big 12. However, underneath the record are a number of extremely dangerous weapons. LB Joe Pawelek is a stud. FS Jordan Lake is extremely consistent. Robert Griffin has all of the tools to be one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and can only build off of his freshman campaign. Plus, he has a running back who had 865 yards and 5.8 YPC in Jay Finley and a star receiver in sophomore Kendall Wright (50 rec, 649 yards; 168 yards rushing).

This Baylor team has a lot of pieces in place but the question remains whether or not Art Briles can put together the puzzle and bring the Bears to a bowl game. Standing in their way will be the Demon Deacons, who won 41-13 last year and are playing this game in front of an extremely football-hungry home crowd. Will Baylor be able to start their season off right and use a win for momentum? Will a loss hurt the team’s morale and push them into a funk? Or, will that loss provide motivation to come back the next week and move forward? A lot of questions might be answered for both teams on Saturday.

Stopping RG3

That’s right. Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin has come so far since the last time we saw the Bears that he went from backup QB to starter to earning himself a nickname. And as well he deserved it. All the praise for a freshman phenom quarterback went to Terrelle Pryor last year, but Griffin had an eye-popping season too. Just for comparison:

Pryor: 1311 yards, 60.6 completion percentage, 12 TDs, 4 INTs, 631 yds rushing, 4.5 yds per carry.

Griffin: 2091 yards, 59.9 completion percentage, 15 TDs, 3 INTs, 846 yds rushing, 4.9 yds per carry.

It’s close, but the edge goes to Griffin in my opinion. What does that mean for the Deacs? Simple, the young defense will be tested early. The linebacker corps, without stars Stanley Arnoux and a guy by the name of Aaron Curry, will be asked to step up and fly to Griffin when he gets past the defensive line. The DEs will need to contain and stay disciplined. And the offense needs to sustain long drives to keep RG3 off the field. If those things happen, Wake Forest will be able to hold Griffin in check.

Ghee Leads Young Corners

Replacing a player like Alphonso Smith is never easy, but having an All-ACC caliber player such as senior Brandon Ghee certainly softens the blow. While most Wake fans are confident in his abilities, the other cornerbacks are unproven. Sophomore Michael Williams had a great spring and summer and was promoted to the other starting cornerback spot. At 6’1", he certainly has great size for the position as well as good hands, which he exhibited at the spring game by making a spectacular one-handed interception. Josh Bush, the only other returning defensive back with significant game experience, will likely see time at both safety and cornerback. Finally, make sure to look out for redshirt freshman Kenny Okoro on Saturday. Coach Grobe had great things to say about him during his redshirt season, so it will be interesting to see what kind of impact he makes in his debut. While it would likely be beneficial to give the corners a game or two to become comfortable on the field, this inexperienced unit will be tested instantly by the playmaking ability of Robert Griffin.

Weapons At Wideout

Before each Demon Deacon season it is tough to tell who will be the go-to guy at wide receiver. Last season Demir Boldin stepped up tremendously from his previous years and led the ACC in total receptions. This season is no different, as four guys look to step up and fill the void. The most experienced is Marshall Williams, who had a couple memorable touchdown receptions last season against Ole Miss and N.C. State.

Jordan Williams struggled to get playing time last season after earning snaps as a true freshman, but has improved his work ethic in an effort to make a big impact this season. Devon (Y’lou) Brown and freshman Chris Givens are both small, speedy receivers that will likely get some looks in the orbit as well. It will be intriguing to see if one guy stands out and becomes the primary receiver or if Wake has more of a receiver by committee approach.

Double-duty For Popham?

After being thrown into the fire last season after Sam Swank’s lingering injury, Shane Popham will look to prove that he belongs. After winning a tough battle against ex-soccer player Cline Beam and freshman Jimmy Newman, he should receive ample opportunity to demonstrate that he is a capable ACC-level kicker. The depth chart also reveals that he won the punting job over freshman Alex Wulfeck. It is also important to note that Popham will likely get a break from doing kickoffs, as Beam will likely serve this role after showing off his strong leg in practice thus far.

On the other side, Baylor does not appear to be any better off in this area. Bears sophomore kicker Ben Parks missed five extra point attempts last season and was only six of nine on field goals, with a long of 42.

The Battle In The Trenches

When Wake Forest is on the defensive side of the ball, one battle they must win is the one upfront. On paper, this is likely the Deacs’ biggest advantage in the game as emotional team leaders Boo Robinson and John Russell command attention against a Baylor offensive line with big holes to fill.

The Bears lost second overall NFL draft pick Jason Smith at left tackle as well as three year starter Dan Gay at right tackle. Looking to replace these losses are JuCo transfer Danny Watkins, who did not start playing football until junior college, and freshman Cameron Kaufhold. Baylor does, however, have experience at the interior positions, with three year starter James Barnard and talented center J.D. Walton leading the way, Mohawks and all.

For Wake, it will be important for the guys upfront to get pressure and try to minimize big play opportunities for Robert Griffin, especially young defensive ends Kyle Wilber and Tristan Dorty. As is the case in most games, the battle in the trenches will ultimately determine the outcome of Saturday’s showdown.

Not Just A Kid From Jacksonville

Riley Skinner has a mission this season: to bring another ACC Championship to Winston-Salem. That claim might seem outlandish, but not for a quarterback who in his freshman season took home the title and has led the team to two straight bowl wins since. Last season, despite the offensive line hiccups, Skinner still threw for 2,347 yards with a 65.8 completion percentage. His leadership will be the key to this season’s success.

With the team going back to the I-Formation this year, it is critical for Skinner to manage games the same way he has in the past by limiting mistakes and taking shots when he has the opportunity. As a quarterback goes, a team goes, and with Riley at the helm, the Demon Deacons should feel pretty good about getting to a fourth straight bowl game. All that stands in the way to a good start is the Baylor Bears, and don’t think for a second that Skinner isn’t ready for the challenge.

A Return To Smashmouth

The offensive line’s troubles last season have been well-documented. I’m not going to go into it. If you want proof, just look into the endless number of articles that have been written this summer about how the offensive line needs to step up after last season. That’s true. It is absolutely imperative that the Deacs go back to their strong point from seasons prior. With three completely capable running backs—Brandon Pendergrass, Josh Adams and White Lightning Kevin Harris—as well as two stud FBs in Rinfrette and freshman Tommy Bohanon, this team seems poised to break out in the running game in a big way.

They go up against a Baylor team that was 91st in the nation on the defensive line and lost three starters. But they do gain Phil Taylor, a player who has been maligned with all kinds of trouble, including being kicked off the Penn State team. Regardless, the kid is enormous at 6’4", 355 lbs. And that’s not a typo. Fortunately, the Deacs return their entire offensive line and all of the injuries and guys playing out of position last season should definitely help the depth and confidence of the unit. Having potential pro Chris DeGeare back from suspension certainly will not hurt either. I fully expect the Deacs to have a lot of success running the football this season.

Deacon Dump 9/2: Bevy of football links

MRickman84 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:07:38 -0000

Today is another big day for links, so if you're stuck at the office on a slow Wednesday or just have a lot of time, put on your reading glasses and get to work. Keep an eye on McKenzie's decision --he'll announce at 2 p.m. today whether he'll be a Demon Deacon or not. That said, I'll keep the 'graph short today so you can get on your way...linktime!

ACC Preview: Top players, games to watch - Sports - The News Herald
Riley Skinner, Wake Forest quarterback The ACC returns a bevy of starting quarterbacks this season and none may be better than Skinner. The 6-1, 210-pound senior is the school’s career leader in completion percentage (.673), passing efficiency (132.33) and wins (26). He also is the ACC career leader in completion percentage and should collect loads more school records this season.

BC Interruption: Food Chain: Ranking The 2009 Schedule
September 26: Boston College vs. Wake Forest Brian: The Deacons have to take a step back this season, right? I know that Wake Forest will be sound offensively led by senior "it feels like he’s been there for 8 years" quarterback Riley Skinner. But the Deacons seem to have lost just too much talent on the defensive side of the ball to rank this game too high up in pecking order. It is true that you should never count out a Jim Grobe-led team, and Wake Forest has given the Eagles fits at Alumni Stadium over the years, but this game seems to be one of the more winnable ACC games this season. I guess that is saying something.

The Zook Awards: Best and Worst Coaches 2009
5. Jim Grobe, Wake Forest - No coach does more with less than Jim Grobe. Did you ever think you'd see Wake Forest in a BCS Bowl? In 3 straight bowl games, winning 2 of them? Well neither did anyone else until Jim Grobe showed up. Wake Forest hasn't had a coach since 1950 win even 30 games in his career (Grobe's predecessor was 26-63). Grobe is 54-44.

Wake Forest scouting report : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

How do the Deacons replace seven defensive starters? Wake Forest lost some serious star power, with LB Aaron Curry, CB Alphonso Smith, S Chip Vaughn and LB Stanley Arnoux all taken in the NFL draft. This year's defense is short on experience but long on talent, and it's built around a front four anchored by returnees John Russell and Boo Robinson. "Even when we've had great players in the past, I've always felt that it all starts up front with the D-line," Russell said. This year, they'll have to prove it.

Tribe Men's Soccer Falls in Season Opener at #3 Wake Forest, 1-0
The William and Mary men's soccer team once again played the #3 Wake Forest Demon Deacons to the wire on Tuesday night. But for the second straight match, the Deacs were able to edge the Tribe, 1-0. Last season, Wake defeated the Tribe, 1-0, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. With the loss, the College falls to 0-1,while WF moves to 1-0.

SoccerAmerica.com: Articles - 2009 Men's College Soccer Preview - 09/01/2009
The 10 starters from Wake Forest's 2007 championship team who are no longer with the team are all playing pro ball in MLS, the USL or Europe. That includes rising senior Cody Arnoux, who signed with English club Everton a month before the start of the 2009 season. Despite Arnoux's departure, the Demon Deacons should also be in the running for the national title. About the time Everton inked Arnoux, Wake announced the signing of midfielder Andy Lubahn, who had spent time at Belgian club Cercle Brugge.

Baylor QB to challenge all facets of Wake's D - ACC - ESPN
"This is definitely, definitely an early test," said [Jonathan] Jones. "In one sense it’s a blessing we get to play them in the first game so we’ve had a little longer to prepare for them. They do a lot of things, throw a lot of things at you, and with Robert Griffin being the dual threat that he is, you have to have everybody have all eyes on him. Everybody has to be focused and in tune. This is not a game that’s going to be won by the front, or won by the defensive backs. We need a collective team effort on defense to try to contain this offense."

The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX - Wake Forest’s Skinner wants to go out a winner
"I’ve still got so much to learn, and I still want to learn something new every day," Skinner said. "And I think that’s one thing that can only make you better as a quarterback — knowing that you don’t have all the answers. They’re coaches for a reason."

Freshman to play for Deacs
"We'll kind of see how that plays out," Grobe said. "I think with Souza, it could be good either way. If he redshirts, it will certainly be good for him. But he's a pretty good player and he's real competitive to play right now. "I think we'll probably see how those first four guys (John Russell, Robinson, Lockett and Booi) do. I think Tripp Russell's gotten better. Certainly we've already redshirted Tripp, and we would like for him to take snaps if we need it. "It's really going to be up to (assistant coach) Ray McCartney. I think we've told Frank there's a good chance he'll play this year. But we'll start out at 3:30 Saturday with those top four guys and see how it goes from there."

WFU wins soccer opener over William & Mary
"I'm impressed that we put a lot of pressure on a team like William & Mary, and we did control the game," Vidovich said. "At this time of the year, that's good. And for the freshmen like Andy Lubahn and Anthony Arena to come in and do so well is nice to see." Courtney said it was frustrating that the Deacons had so many chances to score but managed just one goal. But he also knows that staying patient while continuing to attack is a critical. "There's some pressure," Courtney said of the season, "but it's a new year, and we know we are going to be good."

College football: Knights share vision of upcoming season | Varsity845U.com
Army senior cornerback Mario Hill on Wake Forest linebacker Dominique Midgett: "He's my brother's cousin. We played at the same high school our first year and he transferred to a rival high school. He is a redshirt senior. He's a real big fella, very athletic. I remember growing up he was pretty good at basketball so he had the footwork for football. He has the will. He's a hard-working dude."

Aaron Curry's First Big Play - Field Gulls

Griffin ready to open season as Baylor’s starting QB | College Sports | Star-Telegram
"That’s the thing that really makes us have a chance to be as comfortable as you can be at this time of the year, because we’ve got nine (defensive starters) back over there," Briles said. "We’ve got some guys back there that played a bunch against a lot of good offenses. "So that type of ball they’re not going to be shocked or surprised by anything that’s thrown at them, because there’s some good offenses in this league. So that’s a confident factor for us."

My Take on Wake - On Second Thought: Grobe Not Infallible | JournalNow.com
"That was another thing of me not being the smartest guy in the world,‘’ Grobe said. "Last year we tried to be too much spread, and too much dinking and dunking. And we had a couple of pretty good fullbacks that we probably didn’t take advantage of doing that.‘’

Cincinnati.Com | Cincinnati Enquirer | High School Sports Blog " McKenzie to decide Wednesday afternoon
Moeller senior forward Griffin McKenzie is scheduled to announce his college choice at a news conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the school. McKenzie, one of the state’s top basketball players in the 2010 class, has narrowed his choices to Northwestern, Xavier, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.

Stanley Arnoux: A Post-Draft Analysis

MtnExile — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:00:12 -0000

Apparently, while the Saints were scouting Aaron Curry, they discovered both Chip Vaughn and Stanley Arnoux. Vaughn seems to be exactly what Gregg Williams wanted at safety; but at first, Arnoux is a bit more of an enigma.

Unlike in the case of Vaughn, the problem evaluating Arnoux isn't that there's no immediately perceivable consensus; it's that there is. And the consensus is this: Stanley Arnoux is a high-motor overachiever who rated at best as a 7th round prospect, and more likely a free agent. Could the Saints have reached?

Positives: Short, squat frame to handle taking on and discarding blocks. … Plays with good overall physicality. … Reliable tackler between the hashes. … Flashes some pop as a hitter and can close in close quarters. … Better in coverage than his measureables indicate. … Gets surprising depth on his drops and reads the quarterback's eyes. … Team leader who made the Dean's list.

Negatives: Shorter than scouts would like and a bit round in the middle. … Lacks the instincts and quick first step preferred at the "Mike" 'backer position. … Takes a moment to recognize the action and is slow to flow toward the ball. … Lacks the straight-line speed to beat backs to the flanks and is a liability in coverage. … Lacks the lateral agility to consistently get around blockers in tight quarters, thus relying on his pop to disengage. … Needs an open lane to close when rushing the quarterback.

Projected round: 7-FA [Source: NFLDraftScout.com]

Strengths: Does a good job of reading and reacting quickly to the run; flashes a willingness to come up quickly to take on blockers aggressively at the line of scrimmage. When quick and aggressive with his hands, can keep the blocker from getting a hold of him. Does a good job of chasing down running plays between the tackles. In zone coverage, does a good job of reading the QB and can close quickly on passes in front of him to make tackles right after the catch.

Weaknesses: Is a one-speed runner who lacks athleticism...Does not show any quickness or burst chasing after the ballcarrier and makes almost all of his tackles down the field...Lacks the playing speed to stay with the tight end consistently in man coverage and lacks the awareness to anticipate routes, so he loses his man out of his cut too often.

Bottom line: ...We would not draft him, but we would sign him as a free agent because he has a chance to make it as a backup, though he will struggle to carve out a long NFL career. [Source: Sporting News]

Strengths: Excellent timed speed...Physical...Active with a great motor...Very tough...Can take on blockers...Intense and competitive...Nice special teams potential...Durable...Experienced...Hard worker...Team leader.

Weaknesses: Average athleticism...Does not have the ideal size or bulk that you look for...Isn't very instinctive...Hips aren't fluid and struggles in coverage...Has trouble in space...Isn't real stout...Misses some tackles.

Notes: ...Won't be a good fit for every team...Could compete for a roster spot as a backup and special teamer. [Source: DraftCountdown.com]

Strengths: Arnoux is a physical inside linebacker that thrives between the tackles. He is not afraid to mix it up near the line of scrimmage and shows the ability to disengage from blockers to make the tackle. He plays bigger than his size would indicate and shows the speed to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage. Arnoux shows some ability in coverage as well. He has no problems dropping back and does a good job of keeping his man in front of him and preventing him from making the play. Arnoux has some experience at both inside and outside linebacker, and could be a solid special teamer.

Weaknesses: Arnoux is short and a bit light in the pants for a linebacker, especially a true inside backer. He has some experience outside but may lack the overall athleticism and agility to project there. Arnoux is a bit hesitant in diagnosing the action and needs to be more decisive and aggressive.

Future Arnoux has the ability to be a backup in different linebacker roles along with providing a boost to the special teams. That versatility should allow him to till out the bottom of a roster, giving him the chance to prove himself as a starter down the line. He really made a name for himself with a 4.61 40 at the combine, but he does not show that type of speed on the field. That performance should make him a draftable player, but his upside in the NFL may be limited. [Source: Football's Future]

You have to wonder if the Saints didn't commit a serious reach with this pick. It's doubtful that Arnoux would have been taken before their original last pick, in the seventh round. But apparently they saw something in Arnoux that they liked enough that they didn't want to take the chance that anyone else had seen the same thing.

What was it?

As with Vaughn earlier, let's look at who Gregg Williams had playing for him in earlier days. The first thing to note is that, while Arnoux played middle linebacker in college, he's slated to be moved to weakside linebacker on the Saints. When Williams was defensive coordinator at Tennessee, two of the linebackers he had in that position were Joe Bowden and Eddie Robinson. In Washington, Williams used four different linebackers in that position, including Lemar Marshall (2004), LaVar Arrington (2005), Warrick Holdman (2005 & 2006), and Rocky McIntosh (2007). None of these players is significantly different in physical terms from either Arnoux or incumbent starter Scott Shanle—with the exception of Arrington, who at 6-3 and 256 was by far the biggest of the bunch. He was also the player who most incurred Williams' ire (though not, admittedly, because of his size).

The difference may be speed. Scott Shanle ran a 4.72 40 at his Combine in 2003; by contrast, Arnoux is significantly faster. He had the third-fastest time among inside linebackers at 4.56, a time that would have put him in 6th place among the outside linebackers—better than Clay Matthews, Brian Cushing, or Clint Sintim, and nearly as fast as his teammate Aaron Curry.

Rocky McIntosh (4.6), LaVar Arrington (4.54), and Lemar Marshall (4.48) were all faster than Shanle, and in Arnoux's range. (I haven't been able to find Combine results for the Tennessee players.) Since Williams' defense employs an attacking system, we know that speed is essential, and Arnoux does have that. But is it enough to make a difference?

Now, consider what both the Saints and Arnoux's college coach have said about him. In an interview with the Times-Picayune

[Wake Forest head coach Jim] Grobe raved about new Saints linebacker Stanley Arnoux, who played inside in college but projects as a weakside linebacker with the Saints. He said in several games last year, Arnoux was "every bit as good, if not better than Aaron Curry."

He said Curry's a little smaller and faster, and Arnoux is a little more physical. He said Arnoux trimmed down to run fast in predraft workouts, but he played at around 240-245 pounds in college.

"He plays very physical and he's the most dependable guy in the world," Grobe said of Arnoux, saying he always played through any bumps and bruises.

Sean Payton, in his typically laconic way, backed up Grobe:

"When you watch Curry or you watch film of Wake, you see Stanley Arnoux. He's the kind of guy you see make a lot of plays. He's around the ball often. Those are good traits to have certainly as a linebacker."

Finally, consider what Arnoux has to say about himself:

"I was a Dean's List student at Wake Forest, and I bring that into the football game."

Tough, fast, smart, and a coach's player. Those are the kind of qualities Williams reportedly prizes in his players. So it looks as though Stanley Arnoux was very much a Gregg Williams-type of pick, and another step in the resurgence of the Saints' defense. Could the Saints have reached? If no other team recognized those qualities in Arnoux, then certainly: we may have been able to get him with our 7th round pick. But if the Saints are correct in what they think they see in him, the risk was too great; and besides, Payton and Loomis were simply following their board. Time will tell who was right; but until they're proven wrong, I'm going to assume that PayLoo made another great mid-round pick.

Grading the Saints 2009 Draft

Saintsational — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:14 -0000

I understand that it's way too early to be grading this years draft. Having never played a single down in the NFL there is absolutely nothing performance-wise to grade these players on. In fact, it probably takes about five years to adequately judge any draft class. But I do know what areas the Saints need to improve and I do have opinions on whether or not they've attempted to do so. Consider these grades more of a gauge on how well the Saints have done to address their greatest needs.

Malcolm Jenkins - Cornerback - Ohio State

A+

Most of us saw this coming. We've been talking about Jenkins for the last month and it should be no surprise that the Saints grabbed him up when it was their turn to select. I applaud the team for making the right move and the obvious choice. Jenkins has been highly touted and there is already talk about him being an instant upgrade for this defense. Whether he winds up playing corner or safety the Saints officially have some depth now in their secondary. Way to go Payton and company.

Chip Vaughn - Safety - Wake Forest

B+

I'll be honest with you, I had never even heard of this guy until yesterday. I think it's safe to say Vaughn wasn't on any of our pre-draft radars. But the pick certainly addresses the Saints needs in the secondary and adds even more depth where there once was none. Vaughn should also be able to contribute on special teams and we know how much Payton loves guys like that. Don't expect Chip to be an instant starter but with some mentoring from free agent acquisition and veteran safety Darren Sharper, he has the possibility of being a great pickup for the Saints.

Stanley Arnoux - Linebacker - Wake Forest

Arnoux is the second Wake Forest player taken by the Saints in this years draft and he's also the second player I had never really heard of. Though he's listed as an inside linebacker, the position currently held by Jonathan Vilma, the Saints will move him to the outside and have him compete there. Like Vaughn, his special teams contributions might be the difference maker. Regardless of how the selection of Arnoux actually plays out, I applaud the Saints for using this pick on a position of need.

Thomas Morstead - Punter - Southern Methodist University

C-

Initially this pick had me, and many other Saints fans, all hot and bothered. Up until selecting Morstead the Saints were doing a great job of choosing players that addressed their needs. But after taking a deep breath and drinking a couple of 190 Octanes I now have a better understanding of the reasoning behind this selection. Often an overlooked position, Punters play an important role in the field position game and the Saints haven't had anything too great in the punting department for quite a while. Still, drafting a specialist could blow up in the Saints face...again. The question from here on out will be, "Was he worth it?" They gave up their 2010 fifth round pick as well as this years seventh round pick just to land this guy. There were also players left on the draft board with higher grades than Morestead. The pressure is on. I'm not sure about this one but I am feeling generous so I went with a grade of C. Glenn Pakulak...your days may be numbered.

Poll

What grade would you give the Saints 2009 draft class?

A

103 votes

B

493 votes

C

173 votes

D

21 votes

F

12 votes

802 votes | Poll has closed

With the 118th Pick in the 2009 NFL Draft the New Orleans Saints Select ILB Stanley Arnoux

Saintsational — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:39:34 -0000

via cache.daylife.com

The New Orleans Saints stuck with their Wake Forest theme in Round 4 of the NFL Draft by selecting the Hatian Sensation, ILB Stanley Arnoux. What a perfect name to play for the Saints, huh?

Here is all the necessary linkage to get yourself acquainted with Mr. Arnoux:

Wake Forest Player Bio

New Orleans Saints official website Bio File

NFL Combine Video

NFL Combine Page

Positives: Short, squat frame to handle taking on and discarding blocks. ... Plays with good overall physicality. ... Reliable tackler between the hashes. ... Flashes some pop as a hitter and can close in close quarters. ... Better in coverage than his measureables indicate. ... Gets surprising depth on his drops and reads the quarterback's eyes. ... Team leader who made the Dean's list.

Negatives: Shorter than scouts would like and a bit round in the middle. ... Lacks the instincts and quick first step preferred at the "Mike" 'backer position. ... Takes a moment to recognize the action and is slow to flow toward the ball. ... Lacks the straight-line speed to beat backs to the flanks and is a liability in coverage. ... Lacks the lateral agility to consistently get around blockers in tight quarters, thus relying on his pop to disengage. ... Needs an open lane to close when rushing the quarterback.

Draft Countdown

Strengths:
Excellent timed speed...Physical...Active with a great motor...Very tough...Can take on blockers...Intense and competitive...Nice special teams potential...Durable...Experienced...Hard worker...Team leader.

Weaknesses:
Average athleticism...Does not have the ideal size or bulk that you look for...Isn't very instinctive...Hips aren't fluid and struggles in coverage...Has trouble in space...Isn't real stout...Misses some tackles.

Notes:
Last name is pronounced "are-NEW"...Was a four-year starter for the Demon Deacons...Played outside linebacker early on in his career then replaced Jon Abbate in the middle in 2007...Was overshadowed by Aaron Curry but really made a name for himself with an impressive performance at the Scouting Combine...Doesn't play up to his workout numbers but possesses top intangibles...Won't be a good fit for every team...Could compete for a roster spot as a backup and special teamer.

Career Statistics
Year	GP	TKL	TFL	SACK	PBU	INT
2004	RS	-	-	-	-	-
2005	11	27	1.5	0.0	1	0
2006	14	69	7.0	0.0	0	1
2007	13	66	7.5	3.5	1	2
2008	13	89	5.5	1.5	4	1
Totals	51	251	21.5	5.0	6	4

Poll

On a scale of 1-10, how do you feel about this pick?

1

11 votes

2

0 votes

3

10 votes

4

16 votes

5

31 votes

6

31 votes

7

40 votes

8

44 votes

9

11 votes

10

24 votes

218 votes | Poll has closed

Demon Deacons Discover NFL Destinations

WakeJake — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:29:17 -0000

Aaron Curry - 4th overall to the Seattle Seahawks

Alphonso Smith - 37th overall to the Denver Broncos

Chip Vaughn - 116th overall to the New Orleans Saints

Stanley Arnoux - 118th overall to the New Orleans Saints

** Update: Free agent signings:

Sam Swank - Philadelphia Eagles

Kevin Patterson - Jacksonville Jaguars

DJ Boldin - Detroit Lions

Congratulations guys!

NFL Draft Profile: Stanley Arnoux, LB - Wake Forest

MRickman84 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:03:51 -0000

Story by GriffinMc5

Like most Wake Forest football recruits, Stanley Arnoux was an underrated but highly valued member of his high school team.

Rated 117^th amongst the nation's best linebackers, Arnoux possessed just enough size, speed, and strength to receive a few D-1 offers from the likes of Wake Forest, Ole Miss, and Kansas State.

Coming into college with a chip on his shoulder, Arnoux had the pleasure of working out and practicing alongside a freak athlete in Aaron Curry and a hard-nosed tackler in Jon Abatte.

From a Wake fan's perspective it is quite obvious that Arnoux's style of play appears to be a blend of these two incredible individuals. What Arnoux lacks in natural ability and instincts he makes up for with determination and aggression.

Though not always the guy to make the big play, he will always be the guy to take on the lead blocker. Being an energetic and high-motor player, Arnoux has excellent leadership skills that should translate well into the NFL as a special teamer or an eventual starting linebacker.

These intangibles, along with his combine numbers, are why many draft boards have Arnoux currently ranked as the 14^th best ILB. Most say that Arnoux will never start in the NFL, but I have reason to believe those who say so are wrong.

Just look at former Wake player Jyles Tucker who was not even drafted yet managed to work his way into a starting spot last season with the San Diego Chargers. I envision the same happening for Stanley Arnoux.

My prediction: Arnoux will be drafted in rounds 5-7 to a team looking to add depth in a 3-4 scheme at the ILB position, which will most likely be the Patriots who have already invited him to work out

The 2009 NFL Draft: ILB Prospects

Dane Noble — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:25:30 -0000

One of the most exciting positions on the football field, this year's class of inside linebackers includes a few names that will be known for years to come. When you ask people to name the first thing they think of when you mention the Chicago Bears, more often than not they will start spouting off the long lineage of inside linebackers: Bill George, Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Brian Urlacher.

Who will be the successor to Urlacher when he hangs up the cleats? Is it someone that is already on our roster, or is it someone we will find in the college ranks? Let's take a look at the top ILB prospects in this year's draft:

Rey Maualuga, USC, 6'2", 255 lbs

Follow me inside for more...

Maualuga is head and shoulders above the other ILB prospects in this year's draft, and one of the best ILB prospects in many years. Constantly compared to Ray Lewis, Maualuga is incredibly intimidating, and an absolute monster on the football field. Definitely a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker.

Strengths: Big hitter, great blitzer, explosive, intelligent, instinctive

Weaknesses: Quiet, can be too emotional/aggressive

Draft Projection: Early 1st round

Video Highlights: Pops when you click it.

James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, 6'3", 240 lbs.

Laurinaitis is another immediate-impact ILB in this year's NFL draft class. He is incredibly tough, and is great in the box. Was the emotional leader for the Buckeyes, and like Maualuga, is incredibly intimidating.

Strengths: Big motor, great against the run, instinctive, fast, athletic

Weaknesses: Not explosive at times, can miss tackles due to pursuit angles

Draft Projection: Late 1st Round/ Early 2nd

Video Highlights: New window for this one too

Darry Beckwith, LSU, 6'0", 235 lbs.

Beckwith is an explosive ILB who saw his stock rise significantly at the Combine. With a 40 yard dash time of 4.55 seconds, one of his obvious strengths is his quickness. I have seen Beckwith play in person numerous times, and in person he reminded me a lot of Brian Urlacher, making plays from sideline to sideline.

Strengths: Speed, instincts, big hitter/tackler, versatile (played both Mike and Will at LSU), and speed (yes it is worth listing twice).

Weaknesses: Pass coverage, height

Draft Projection: Late 2nd/ Early 3rd

Video Interview: Guess what this does?

Jason Phillips, TCU, 6'1", 235 lbs

Jason Phillips is a hard-working LB from TCU. He has great speed, and has the mentality of a solid ILB. He will benefit from NFL coaching, as he has some things to work on before becoming an elite linebacker in the NFL.

Strengths: Speed, ability to diagnose plays, has a mean-streak, big heart, tough.

Weaknesses: Size, athleticism, strength.

Draft Projection: 3rd Round

Video Highlights: Here.

Other note-worthy names:

Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia

Gerald McRath, Southern Miss

Scott McKillop, Pitt

GeauxBears' Sleeper pick:

Stanley Arnoux, Wake Forest, 6'0", 232 lbs.

Arnoux is under-sized for an ILB, but saw his stock rise greatly during the combine. He is very quick, explosive, and a natural playmaker. Arnoux would be an excellent 5-6 round pick.