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Things have shaken up since the end of the College Bowl Season for the NFL Draft. Andrew Luck is going back to Stanford for another season, Cam Newton showed that he is human, Jake Locker can take a big hit and still play in the same game, Mark Ingram shows he is a solid back, and Patrick Peterson has showed that he is a safe, high reward pick for anyone looking for a new shut down corner.

Here are some of my favourite players to look for in the NFL Draft (pre-combine)

• AJ Green WR Georgia
• Patrick Peterson CB LSU
• Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame
• Mark Ingram RB Oklahoma
• Cameron Heyward DE/DT Ohio State
• Andy Dalton QB TCU
• Dion Lewis RB Pittsburgh
• John Moffit OG Wisconsin
• Greg Jones OLB Michigan State
• Nick Fairley DT Auburn
• Justin Houston LB Georgia

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After Sunday's impressive performance in a losing effort, it is easy to say that Darren McFadden "Run-DMC" is emerging as one of the top tailbacks in the NFL. Prior to this season McFadden accumulated a total of 856 yards rushing 5 touchdowns, and 530 receiving yards with no touchdowns. This season (only 13 games in, which he played 11) he has rushed for 993 yards with 7 touchdowns and added 437 yards receiving with 3 touchdowns. This is a huge transformation for a tailback that he not had the best team to work with.

Aside from the improvement of the Oakland Raiders offensive line, you can see a lot of confidence in McFadden's running during the game. Shades of his days in Arkansas, when he would make people miss with his speed, as well as use he power to run over defenders in the secondary. This season he has been the best player on the Oakland Raiders offense, as he gets the majority of the carries and is utilized out in the flats more often then he has in all his pro career.

It has been great to watch such a talented tailback finally find his stride, since he was drafted 4th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft after a very impressive college career that saw him win the Doak Walker Trophy (top running back) in two consecutive seasons (only Ricky Williams has done that as well), come as runner-up for the Heisman Trophy two years in a row, and sit third all time in rushing yards in the SEC (4590, behind Herschel Walker, and Kevin Faulk).

Overall this season has been great for Run-DMC, and we can only hope to see him continue this running style, or get better as his career progresses.

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Now that we have had a few years to look back and say what has happened in the NFL. Before you go and Wikipedia or Google the Draft, this was the year that the debate over where would Brady Quinn end up (apparently 3rd string in Denver after being tossed out of Cleveland)? Who will go first to the Oakland Raiders Jamarcus Russell or Calvin Johnson? One way to remember this draft is that it produced the biggest draft bust since Ryan Leaf (or the new Ryan Leaf still up for debate).

Some fun facts about this draft:

• 9 Florida Gators were taken, second most 8 from Ohio State Buckeyes
• The first round lasted a record 6 hours, and eight minutes (longest in NFL History)
• 29 of 40 underclassmen were taken and 4 of those were in the top 10
• Of the 11 Quarterbacks taken in this draft only one is starting (Troy Smith, at the moment) and one is on the team he was drafted by (Kevin Kolb)
• Some notable 4th round + players who start in the NFL, Michael Bush RB Oak, Steve Breaston WR Ari, Clint Session LB Ind, Le'Ron McClain FB Bal
• Notable undrafted players Pierre Thomas RB NO, Matt Moore QB Car, Selvin Young RB FA

Now looking at the Top 10 picks we will say what they did and where they are now.

1. Jamarcus Russell - We could make a whole post about this guy and his short term career. Deemed the new Ryan Leaf, he showed up to camp overweight, was known for not attending meeting for the clubs, and to top things off he had a passer rating of 65.2. This was very disappointing after it was said he would be the QB for the Raiders and that he could throw 80 yards on his knees. He was finally released by the Raider this past off-season and and recently got a chance to practice with the Redskins.
2. Calvin Johnson - Still a Detroit Lion and until this season was the lone bright spot and featured receiver on the team with the trade of Roy Williams. Has proven that he was a great pick (1300 yards receiving and 12 TDs in 08) for the Lions in their rebuilding phase and is becoming one of the premier wide receivers in the National Football League.
3. Joe Thomas - Another bright spot in this draft. Thomas has been selected for the Pro Bowl from 2007-2009. He has been one of the few consistent players on the Cleveland Browns roster over their rebuilding phase. Thomas remains on the Browns team and looks poised for another Pro Bowl appearance in Miami.
4. Gaines Adams - A torublesome player out of college, Adams was known for his marijuana use at the combine but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a chance on him. The member of the 2007 NFL rookie team had a good second year with the Bucs but was traded to the Chicago Bears midway through his third year. Shortly after his third year Gaines Adams died from cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart, neither drugs nor alcohol played a factor.
5. Levi Brown - This was a good year for lineman. Levi Brown has stayed with his draft team as well, the Arizona Cardinals. He has had a consistent career with his highlight coming on October 10th, 2010 when he jumped on a fumble in the end zone to score his first ever touchdown.
6. LaRon Landry - One of the better players in the top ten, Landry was the first Washington Redskins rookie to start all 16 games since Champ Bailey in 1999. He has been a solid starter at safety and is part of the core in the Redskins defense. A pro bowl alternate in 2007, Landry looks sharp this season and ready to make his first Pro Bowl start.
7. Adrian Peterson - Another guy we could talk all day about. He is undoubtedly the best pick of the draft. Although before the draft he was a risk, coming off shoulder surgery the season before, the Minnesota Vikings took a chance and it paid off. The 2007 Rookie of the Year has rushed for a total of 4484 yards and 40 TDs, and this is with early fumble trouble. AD is one of the best, if not the best, running back in Pro Football today, so the high risk high reward paid off for the Vikings.
8. Jamaal Anderson - Not a bust, but not a standout either. Anderson has had his own troubles after being named the starting end for the Atlanta Falcons. Anderson has had a good career although he was moved from his home at end to tackle due to underperformance and injuries at the tackle position. He remains with the Falcons and starts but hasn't proven to be a top ten player.
9. Ted Ginn Jr. - A standout at the Ohio State because of his breakout speed and ability to return punts and kicks, Ginn was expected to make an immediate impact on the Miami Dolphins. Although some may blame it on poor quarterbacks in Miami (aside from playing one season with current starter Chad Henne), Ginn had 3 mediocre seasons with a few bright spots. After this Ginn was traded before the 2010 draft to San Francisco and has assumed the role as returner.
10. Amobi Okoye - The tenth pick of the draft was also the youngest player in the draft (age 19). Aside from his milestones as youngest to play a snap in the NFL since 1967 and highest draft pick out of Louisville, Okoye hasn't been as productive as he was expected to be for the Houston Texans. 

Some other notable standouts in the first two rounds include Darrelle Revis, Marshawn Lynch, Patrick Willis, Leon Hall, Lawrence Timmons, Michael Griffin, Greg Olsen, Robert Meachem, Larmar Woodley, paul Posluszny, Zach Miller, and Steve Smith.

Aside from all the QBs except Kevin Kolb and Troy Smith (temporarily) being busts, some other players have fallen from their college grace. Players like Anthony Gonzalez, Kenny Irons, and Samson Satele.

As we can see sometimes even the highest ratest players aren't the best and risks do prove worthy. One thing is true though, these wont be evident immediately and will take time to decide the fate of each pick.

Nuff Said! 

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What will become of the famous Terrell Owens? The Six-Time Pro Bowler, is currently a free agent after a less than mediocre season with the lowly Buffalo Bills.

Rumours have surfaced about his future such as signing with Ocho Cinco in Cincinnati, or going to the Oakland Raiders since they will give anyone who was good a big contract (proof in Jamarcus Russell, Javon Walker, Jerry Porter, and much more). But from these rumours nothing has surfaced and the NFL's journeyman is still looking for a place to play some football.  

Although TO has had a lot of controversy over his career, most notably with calling out his quarterbacks for not throwing to him enough, or getting tired in the superbowl, he has the records and stats to show that he has been a dominant wide out in the NFL over his career.

Some of these records include:

• Currently, the only player in NFL history to score a TD against all 32 NFL teams
• Currently, the only player in NFL history to score 2 TDs against 31 NFL teams (all except Buffalo Bills)
• Oldest player to have a TD reception of 98+ yards (35 years, 350 days); (also oldest to have a TD reception of 76 yards or more)
• Consecutive seasons with at least 4 touchdown receptions (14)
• Consecutive seasons with at least 4 touchdowns (14)
• One of five players to have at least 2 receptions of 90+ yards (John Taylor, Mike Quick, Gaynell Tinsley, Willard Dewveall)

Some feel that after his totals last season, TO made his final stop in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills. But teams that are looking for a go-to wide receiver, TO would not be a bad idea to lead some rookies and show them the ropes of the NFL.

In honour of this post here are some top 10 moments of TO.

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The Class of 2010 is:WR Jerry Rice
WR Jerry Rice

RB Emmitt Smith
DL John Randle
LB Rickey Jackson
OL Russ Grimm
RB Floyd Little*
DB Dick LeBeau*
*Senior candidate

Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith were first time entries for the Pro Football Hall of fame. Both of these players were outstanding during the 1990's, each winning three Super Bowl Trophies and one Super Bowl MVP Honours with their respective teams (49ers for Rice, Cowboys for Smith). In 1993, Smith was also the League MVP.

The ceremony will take place on August 7th in Canton, Ohio. 

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Another year, another playoff disappointment for the San Diego Chargers courtesy of Nate Kaeding. Drafted 65th overall in the 2004 NFL Entry Draft by the San Diego Chargers, Kaeding was a Iowa Hawkeye who won the Lou Groza Award as the all-time leading scorer. Nicknamed "Mr. Automatic" for his consistency in college, Kaeding has slipped far from perfect in his NFL playoff career. His regular season career totals are respectable, completing 87.2% of his kicks, and his longest coming in at 57 yards.

In 2005 he missed a game winning field goal in against New York. Again he struggled in the 2006 Playoffs by missing his first home field goal attempt all season. 2007 fared no better as he missed his first four attempts in two games before finally passing one through the uprights.
This season Kaeding had a career best by hitting 91.2% of his kicks and a season long of 55 yards. The only thing he had to do was get rid of the playoff curse. In San Diego's first game they were ahead in most of the game until Kaeding was called in and missed three field goal attempts. The game changing moment came right before half time when he had a chance to put the Chargers up 10-3, but he missed the mark entirely.

Kaeding has become a player that is well known in the regular season but cannot prove himself in the playoffs. Unless he shows that he is ready for the big games we may see Kaeding looking for a new home.

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Courtesy of Dan Boone and T.O. Sports

1. The Quarterback Can Be Tackled, Sacked, Rushed, Touched, and Brushed.

He is a player. He is one of 11 guys who plays football just like all the other players.

The NFL has protected its perfumed princes of the pocket to such a degree that it has taken away from the quality of the game.

2. College Players Seem To Enjoy the Game More.

The NFL has become the look-at-me league.

Players, making millions, dance after every simple tackle or catch.

Some players call press conferences to air individual complaints after each loss.

Some very well-paid players do not try on every play. They say it’s a business, just a business.

Some players seem like they could care less.

In college football, the players at least try on every play.

3. College Coaches Have Personalities.

Steve Spurrier says some stupid, albeit often funny, things.

Lane Kiffin came out verbally swinging in Tennessee.

Joe Paterno can be a grumpy old man.

Some college coaches appear mad or sad, angry or happy, sarcastic or mean, but at least, most coaches show a bit of emotion, unlike the coaching drones on the NFL sidelines.

The NFL coachbots are afraid to say anything the least bit interesting or controversial. They just drop the same staid sound bites week after week after week. Maybe the heavy hand of Goodell fills them with fear.

Or perhaps, like in Invasion of the Body Snatchers, they have all just been transformed into drones.

Different coaching personalities make for a variety of offenses and defenses. The NFL is a copycat league where innovation is seldom seen anymore.

4. College Teams Do Not Switch Cities.

Sure, sometimes they switch conferences, but it’s highly unlikely that Penn State will suddenly relocate to Los Angeles, or the Alabama Crimson Tide will move to Cleveland or USC to St. Louis.

Although, Joe Paterno would be a hit in La La Land.

5. Natural Rivalries.

The NCAA has messed this up a bit.

Penn State doesn’t play Pittsburgh, and Nebraska doesn’t play Oklahoma every year, but generally, teams play their natural rivals annually.

Which begs the question, why doesn’t the NFL have the New York Jets and Giants play every year? Why not these matchups: the 49ers and Raiders, the Steelers and Eagles, the Cowboys and Texans, and the Chiefs and Rams?

Well, okay, an annual Rams and Chiefs game would actually be viewed as cruel and unusual punishment in Missouri.

6. College Football Has No Greed-Driven Personal Seat License Scams or a Preseason with Full-Priced Games.

The personal seat license is perhaps the most vile, greedy creature ever spawned in the history of sport.

And the NFL and its twisted accountants bore the beast.

Then they added the full-priced preseason tickets to twist the financial price even further.

Have they no shame?

Nope, guess not.

Washington Redskins owner Danny Snyder just laid off four more groundskeepers to prove he is suffering in this economy, too.

7. Giant Egos.

The NFL seems overwhelmed with monster me-me-me ego men.

Look at Terrell Owens.

Look at Brett Favre playing “Mississippi Hamlet.”

To quarterback or not to quarterback, that is the question?

Look at Ray Lewis doing the look-at-me pregame dance.

No, on second thought, don’t look.

8. Tradition and Atmosphere.

College football has the more exciting traditions and rivalry games.

Since free agency has made the NFL a mercenary league, what little tradition some teams had has disappeared.

It’s gone in a puff of smoke. It’s musical chairs year after year. Players are as interchangeable as cheap car parts.

College football has mostly outdoor stadiums with better tailgating, student sections, bands, and mad-eyed mascots.

9. Defense.

In college football, defense is still allowed.

In the NFL, the quarterback is untouchable. The receivers are “unbumpable” and protected. Due to liberal holding rules, it’s mostly wrestling on the line of scrimmage.

The NFL has become pass, pass, pass, and protect the glamor boy at quarterback at all costs.

Scoring, the NFL bigwigs believe, brings ratings which brings money, which makes them happy.

Soon, the offense will have 14 players, and the defense only 10. And the quarterback will have armed bodyguards.

10. Cheerleaders.

I’ve to go with the college cheerleaders. Some of the NFL ladies, while obviously striking, have had almost as much plastic surgery as Cowboy owner Jerry Jones.

Natural girls, like natural grass, are much better.

Some extremely cheap NFL teams, like the tightwad Chicago Bears banning the Honey Bears, have eliminated cheerleaders altogether.

Shame on them.

11. Rabid Refereeing.

Sometimes, in college football, some refereeing crews are extremely biased towards one particular team.

Sometimes, some crews, who work for conferences, seem determined to give one team a victory in order to better the conference’s overall postseason hopes.

Some college crews just like home cooking.

Still, college football officiating is generally better than the NFL, where the zebras sometimes seem to want to be the stars of the game.

How many NFL games are interrupted by a constant flow of penalties?

How many times do you see the zebra more than you see the team’s stars?

They want their faces on television, too. They want control of the game.

After all, the game is about the refs and the rules.

So what does the NFL do?

It adds more rules.

With more rules to protect the quarterback, the NFL gave the zebras a chance to make more game-making or game-breaking plays.

What fan wants the zebra to be the star of the show?

Final Perspective

If the NCAA could only bury the BCS, shed the greedy ties that bind conferences to bowls, and institute a playoff, then it would stand head and shoulders above the NFL.

So, come on boys, how about a playoff?

This playoff’s ratings would make the NFL blush?

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