SB Nation - Chris Vaughn

Completely Random Post-Draft Thoughts

Saintsational — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:00:14 -0000

7 months ago: New Orleans Saints football coach Sean Payton answers questions about the Saints selecting Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins 14th overall in the first round of the NFL Draft at the team's training facility in Metairie, La., Saturday, April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Browse more photos »

Againts All Odds

Have you stopped yet and thought about how many players the Saints have actually added to their secondary and even the linebacking corp this off-season. I mean, they're not screwin' around this year and I am lovin' it. Compare that with the last two off-seasons of attempted improvement and 2009 blows them both out of the water. The Saints might actually have some legitimate depth on defense for the first time in quite a while. With so many new faces and a new defensive coordinator the odds have to be in the Saints favor that this defense is finally improved. The Saints are giving my cautious optimism a run for the money.

Undrafted Free Agents

It's now time for NFL teams to start signing players whose phones never rang on draft day and hope to find a hidden gem at a discounted rate. The Times-Pic claims that Payton is going to sign ten players during this period. The Saints currently have nine of those players, as reported by the Times-Pic. Here is the list so far:

Player Position College

CB Danny Gorrer Texas A&M

G Cedric Dockery Texas

WR Chris Vaughn Louisville

LB Jonathan Casillas Wisconsin

CB Reggie Jones Portland State

G/T Augustus Parrish Kent State

C Alex Fletcher Stanford

QB Patrick Cowan UCLA

RB Herb Donaldson Western Illinois

Also, last I checked safety Derek Pegues from Mississippi St. has still not signed with anyone. Pegues was a moderately ranked safety that many mock drafts had going in the middle rounds but was never selected in the draft. I know we've got a crapload of players now in the secondary but it might not hurt to give him a look. Or perhaps the fact that every other team passed him up speaks for itself.

Yo Mickey!

Mickey Loomis just loves him some trading. For a guy who said...

"One thing we wanted to do as best we could was to maintain as many of our picks next year as we could."

...Loomis sure didn't do a great job sticking to that plan. The Saints gave up their 2010 fifth round pick in their trade up to acquire punter Thomas Morstead. We also know they were very interested in moving back into the first round to grab "Beanie" Wells which I would have to imagine would have required giving up a 2010 pick or two. None of this shows me any sincere interest in actually holding onto future draft picks.

And by the way, I never weighed in on the whole possible trade for "Beanie" Wells situation so here is my official stance: ridiculous.

More-stead

The more I hear about punter Thomas Morstead the more I think I'm beginning to like this pick. CSC reader YESSaints (hat tip) claims he's got some insider information and speaks very highly of Morstead. That seems to be right in line with other talk I've been reading around the internet. I think we all need to wait it out before cursing this move. It might turn out to be genius.

ESPN Grades the Saints

Just watched ESPN's NFL Live as they graded every teams draft by division. The Saints received a C as did Carolina. The Falcons and Bucs were both awarded with a B. No doubt the lack of picks this year plus the drafting of Morstead were major factors in the Saints getting just an average grade. After a current total of 645 votes 61% of Canal Street Chronicles readers would give the Saints a B. I'm with the readers on this one. I don't even know why I watch that show every day.

The Hits Just Keep on Coming

Sunday set a new Canal Street Chronicles record for most hits in a single day. Yesterday we broke that record. We will also set a new record for most hits in a month. Thanks to everyone out there reading.

Cincinnati 28, Louisville 20

Mike Rutherford — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:39:14 -0000

It's gross outside and I don't have a sporting event to look forward to today, so I'm going to shelve the initial positivity.

With all due respect to Cincinnati - a team that will almost certainly prove itself fully capable of handling Syracuse in two weeks - that was an awful football game. In fact, this has been a season loaded with almost nothing but awful football games. Even in the tight tilts where I've been near completely focused on willing the Cards to victory, there's always been a moment where, "wow, this is pretty bad" has crept into the back of my mind.

Sometimes you need the take of complete outsiders to gain proper perspective, and I found some of that when I read the U of L/UC game thread over at Burnt Orange Nation where a hoard of Texas fans were pulling for the Cards because a Bearcat loss would hurt Oklahoma and help the 'Horns in the computer rankings. I imagine it'd be sort of like us having to pull for UTEP to beat Rice in order to gain a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Have I shared my feelings on college football's postseason before?

Anyway, here are a few of the thoughts of the UT turned U of L fans during the action last night.

This game is dead...

… no excitement.

by Horn Brain on Nov 14, 2008 11:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Louisville finding every possible way to lose a game

This team has no heart

by burnt in ny on Nov 14, 2008 11:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We are so spoiled... .nt whills

by Horn Brain on Nov 14, 2008 11:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That was horrid

Contract the Big East

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Nov 15, 2008 12:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It feels like Miami was about 15 years ago.

U of L was given every opportunity to seize complete control of the game early in the second half, but the Cards again refused to do so. Cincy kicks the ball out-of-bounds to start the half, U of L gets one first down and punts. Cincy fumbles on its own nine, U of L gains nothing and kicks a field goal. Cincy misses a field goal after a long drive, U of L goes three and out and gives it right back.

The Cards could never find a big offensive play when they needed it. Take two: The Cards could never find a big offensive play that wasn't negated by a holding penalty when they needed it.

There was a lot to be upset about after the game, but what precipitated the 45-yard field goal attempt made the largest negative stamp on me.

Apparently we have so little faith in our kicker with nothing on the line early in the first quarter that we opt to go for it on 4th and 6 instead of attempting a 25-yard field goal. But then, miraculously, we have so much faith in our kicker down one midway through the 4th quarter that we can run a draw play on 3rd and 16 from just outside the 30. You don't need to try and pick up the first down in that situation, but you do need to put the ball in the air and try to pick up nine or ten yards in order to give the kid a chance.

Ryan Payne was thrown to the wolves, and I found that really upsetting.

So apparently Brian Kelly's blowing off Kragthorpe after the game was the product of Krag making a fuss over the Bearcat players praying around midifeld before the game.

That's awesome. You get the feeling sometimes that the guy goes out of his way to invent stuff to get worked up about with the hope that he can minimize the lack of intensity criticism.

Sometimes the impact Ron English has had on this team becomes undeniably apparent.

Cincinnati tried to run the same middle screen it used to score its first touchdown on two more occasions later in the game. The first time the receiver made the catch and was hit immediately after a gain of two yards. The second time the linebackers were all over both receivers and the Bearcats ended up being penalized for having an ineligible receiver downfield.

This defense might not be as good as it could possibly be, but I think it's pretty damn close.

It's ridiculous how much this team needs Scott Long. There's simply no other legitimate deep threat among the corps.

I keep wanting Brohm to give Chris Vaughn a chance to step up and make some plays downfield - and to his credit, Vaughn played more inspired wearing No. 84 than he ever has while wearing No. 9 over the past three seasons - but when you keep your eye on him for an extended period of time, it becomes apparent why he hasn't been utilized any more in Long's absence: the guy doesn't know any of the plays. There were at least four times when the team broke the huddle and Vaughn had to go over to Cantwell and ask a question, and on two of those occasions he promptly went and lined up on the wrong side of the field.

Even on Doug Beaumont's big catch down the middle of the field, Josh Chichester was five yards directly in front of him, meaning one of them (I'm going to go ahead and guess No. 11) ran the wrong route.

Without Long and Guy for so much of the season, guys who weren't anywhere near ready for the spotlight were thrust into it kicking and screaming, and it's been really noticeable from the opening series against Kentucky up until now.

I feel like Troy Pascley goes deep on every play. It seems like every time a play ends you see Pascley jogging back to the huddle from about 30 yards downfield. He's like the super fast soccer-playing kid who had no hands at recess.

Trying to implement the Wildcat offense for the third-to-last game of the season doesn't make much sense to me. Then again, neither does 3rd grade math.

Cincinnati's offense stalled every time they tried to run no huddle. They'd run a draw for seven yards, then sprint to the line of scrimmage and get stuffed or throw an incompletion. I wish we'd seen more of it in the second half.

I think the highlight of the game was definitely the playing of "Shout" after the announcement of the VMI/Kentucky score. It was the most excited and unified the crowd has been since the '07 Murray State game.

There were a couple of Kentucky fans in the bathroom at halftime - apparently showing your team pride at a game featuring your arch-rival and a school you have no connection with is more important than actually watching your team play - both of whom were promptly greeted with VMI chants and then one guy in the area saying, "don't worry about it man, I'm sure VMI would give Gardner-Webb a hell of a game."

Oh, bathroom shenanigans.

The night was summed up by a message from a friend in the third quarter who said, "We're beating a ranked team on national television and I've gotten four text messages and a voice mail about UK losing to VMI."

Get well, Vic. Please, god, get well.

I expected a half-empty stadium once the rain started, but I was really disappointed in the lack of poncho unification. I'm sure they sell red ponchos somewhere, people. Don't settle for green, yellow or blue and think that's OK.

I don't think we've had a holding penalty on a play that's gone for less than 15 yards all season. Even when Josh Chichester tried, the ball went right to Brock Bolen and he rumbled for 30 yards.

It's not cool, but it's kind of amazing.

The Cincinnati fans were very loud and impressive. I suppose playing for a conference championship tends to have that effect.

It would have been nice if the hooligan who played the Tumbleweed game at halftime had had the decency to put his hat on straight.

The lead official must have told some girl he's trying to impress to watch the game, because he was sure jumping on every possible opportunity to get himself on television.

I made the remark when they went to review the Bolen play that I've never seen a spot challenge overturned in college or the NFL. Spotting the ball is about as much of an inexact science as there is, so finding conclusive evidence to overturn a call should be nearly impossible.

I still haven't seen the broadcast, but a number of people have confirmed that we got hosed, which I guess figures since there's only three weeks left in the season and getting inexplicably reemed by an officiating crew at least once a year was part of the agreement when the Big East offered U of L a spot in the conference.

I love Mike Mickens. I said it.

Cory Goettsche has really improved as the season has gone on, and deserves at least a little love. One of you send him a card.

Jon Dempsey made two straight hellacious plays. The first when he stripped Jacob Ramsey and then made the recovery, and the second when he came from the outside and caught John Goebel from behind right around the line of scrimmage. If he can bring that fire consistently next season then he could have a hell of a senior year.

I really don't understand why we had Travis Norton on an island against Dominick Goodman on 3rd and 4 on UC's last scoring drive. I realize that Goodman had gotten the best of Woodny Turenne for most of the game, but No. 9 is still your best option in that situation.

There was a stretch of about six or seven straight series' where we ran the ball for a short gain on first down and then threw it on second and third down. When we finally mixed it up and ran a reverse and a play-action pass on first down, both plays worked. The offense has to become as unpredictable as it was under Petrino if the coaching staff wants it to be anywhere near as effective as it was under Petrino.

How the play action, roll to the right, 11-yard comeback play continues to work after we've run it at least 750 times is anyone's guess.

I miss the keg.

Governor's Cup Jeopardy: Ten answers for Kentucky vs. Louisville

Truzenzuzex — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:14:05 -0000

Mike at Card Chronicle has produced this outstanding post analyzing the Governor's Cup game this Sunday. I cannot hope to match his much more in-depth knowledge of the pigskin game, and it also hurts that I only got to listen to about the last 30 minutes of the Governor's Cup game last year (but that turned out to be the most important part). But even given those handicaps, I can hopefully come up with some answers a la Jeopardy to the questions many Wildcat fans should be asking.

So with no further ado, let's play Governor's Cup Jeopardy!

Category: Kentucky -- Answer: Randall Cobb

Question: Who is the Kentucky freshman most likely to make an instant impact on the offense?

Cobb is a multi-dimensional talent who can play football. He can throw, he can catch and he can run. He will see the field somewhere, and he will make an impact on Kentucky's offense.

Category: Louisville -- Answer: Bilal Powell

Question: Who is the Louisville player the Kentucky defense will have the most trouble containing?

Powell is a converted defensive back who came into his own last year against Rutgers, with 13 carries for 91 yards. Powell is an extraordinary athlete that can be devastating once he gets past the line of scrimmage. He is inexperienced, but his raw ability is frightening.

Category: Kentucky/Spelling -- Answer: T-R-E-V-A-R-D

Question: How do you spell the first name of the Wildcat most likely to pick off Hunter Cantwell?

We all know that Trevard Lindley has truly developed into one of the best cover corners in the SEC, and against Louisville's relatively green receiving corps, he should be a wolf among sheep. No disrespect to Louisville, but balls thrown in Lindley's direction are not going to result in good things.

Category: Louisville -- Answer: "L" no.

Question: Will the "Red Out" at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium make any difference at all?

No further comment necessary.

Category: Kentucky -- Answer: Micah Johnson

Question: Who will lead the Kentucky defense in tackles on Sunday?

Micah Johnson is one of the most highly-touted recruits to ever don the Blue and White on defense. Johnson was ranked #36 in the Rivals 100 as a recruit, and is a phenomenal athlete who loves to hit opposing players at high speed. Johnson has been brought along gradually at Kentucky, but now he is ready for his coming-out party, and Louisville (who also heavily recruited him) looks like where it will happen.

Category: Louisville -- Answer: One

Question: How many of the Louisville wide receivers likely to play on Sunday have ever caught a pass in a college game?

Forget proven -- Louisville has exactly one wide receiver likely to play on Sunday who has ever caught a pass in college, and that player is Chris Vaughn. Vaughn is a senior who saw his first action last year (a tribute to the depth and skill of Louisville's receiving corps over the past few years) and caught 2 passes for 11 yards last year. Not exactly Harry Douglas or Mario Urrutia.

As a side note, Trent Guy, who is a proven receiver recovering from a gunshot wound to the back this summer, is currently listed 3rd on the depth chart. He could show up in the game, although I think most followers of football from both schools think it best if he wait a game or two longer before getting back into the action.

Category: Kentucky -- Answer: Two

Question: How many of the Kentucky receivers likely to play on Sunday have ever caught a pass in a college game?

Unless DeMoreo Ford plays, only Dicky Lyons Jr. has ever caught a pass in college. But Dicky has caught roughly six times more (128) by himself than the entire Louisville receiving corps including Trent Guy.

Lyons will be the #1 target for Hartline on Sunday without any doubt, so Louisville will be all over him. That will give Kyrus Lanxter (who now looks ready to go), E.J. Adams (a converted DB) and the freshmen, Matt Roark, Eric Adeyemi and Gene McCaskill a chance to shine.

Category: Louisville/Spelling -- Answer: W-O-O-D-N-Y

Question: How do you spell the first name of the Cardinal player most likely to pick off a Kentucky pass?

Woodny Turenne was a Rivals 5*, #1 ranked player out of junior college. Like Micah Johnson, Turenne is a superb athlete with serious size and speed. He will be a tough match up for any of Kentucky's receivers. Turenne is quite possibly the most talented football player on either of the two squads.

Category: Governor's Cup -- Answer: 1997 and 1998

Question: What is the last time Kentucky beat Louisville back-to-back years?

Of course, those were the heyday of Hal Mumme and the "Air Raid" offense led by the mighty Tim Couch. Unfortunately, that turned out to be fool's gold for Kentucky and led to 7 Louisville victories in the last 9 years, with last year's game breaking a streak of 4 in a row by Louisville, the longest such streak enjoyed by either team since the renewal of the annual game.

Category: Governor's Cup -- Answer: Unknown

Question: Who will be the victor in this year's Governor's Cup game?

Who knows? On paper, it looks to me like Kentucky has an advantage on the defensive line, linebackers, wide receivers, running backs and the kicking game. Louisville has an advantage at quarterback and home field, which are two big ones.

The questions surrounding the young UK offense will be answered only in the game. Louisville's defense was much-maligned last year, but should be better at least when it comes to defending the vertical game. Underneath, Louisville has a whole new set of linebackers, but does Kentucky have the pass catchers to exploit that potential weakness?

Much has been made of the fact that the winner of the ground game usually wins the contest. That would seem to favor Kentucky with their 4-deep stable of backs, but as the first scrimmage proved, the offensive line must step up for the backs to be effective. In the final analysis, there are simply too many unknowns, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Player	Position	College
CB	Danny Gorrer	Texas A&M
G	Cedric Dockery	Texas
WR	Chris Vaughn	Louisville
LB	Jonathan Casillas	Wisconsin
CB	Reggie Jones	Portland State
G/T	Augustus Parrish	Kent State
C	Alex Fletcher	Stanford
QB	Patrick Cowan	UCLA
RB	Herb Donaldson	Western Illinois