SEC: Mississippi State Bulldogs
It may be a bit too late as far as LSU fans are concerned, but High Definition (HD) instant replay is coming to the SEC next season.
The folks on the Bayou are still lamenting Patrick Patterson's "interception" on the sideline last season against Alabama that wasn't ruled an interception on the field or the replay booth.
XOS Digital, Inc., the leading provider of digital technologies for sports teams nationwide, will implement the company’s next generation HD instant replay system for this upcoming football season.
According to XOS president Mark Hudgins, XOS conducted “extensive” market research to create an HD instant replay system that provides a superior video quality made possible by uncompressed video recording and playback. Uncompressed HD video provides officials with a clearer view of the play in question than what fans see at home.
The XOS HD Replay system will provide the SEC with a variety of distinct capabilities aimed at making the officiating workflow more efficient. For example, the conference can export video and game data to its media delivery platforms, including XOS Studio, for further analysis by conference officials.
“The highly critical nature of officiating warrants the priority we’ve given to our instant replay technology,” said Mike Slive, SEC commissioner. “Our football programs are worthy of the best resources available, and that is why we’ve chosen to incorporate HD instant replay technology for the 2010 season, and are pleased to be working with XOS in this endeavor.”
Now that HD will be a fixture in all the replay booths around the SEC, I'm sure we won't have any more controversies or cries of this team or that team getting all the calls.
Yeah, right.
The folks on the Bayou are still lamenting Patrick Patterson's "interception" on the sideline last season against Alabama that wasn't ruled an interception on the field or the replay booth.
XOS Digital, Inc., the leading provider of digital technologies for sports teams nationwide, will implement the company’s next generation HD instant replay system for this upcoming football season.
According to XOS president Mark Hudgins, XOS conducted “extensive” market research to create an HD instant replay system that provides a superior video quality made possible by uncompressed video recording and playback. Uncompressed HD video provides officials with a clearer view of the play in question than what fans see at home.
The XOS HD Replay system will provide the SEC with a variety of distinct capabilities aimed at making the officiating workflow more efficient. For example, the conference can export video and game data to its media delivery platforms, including XOS Studio, for further analysis by conference officials.
“The highly critical nature of officiating warrants the priority we’ve given to our instant replay technology,” said Mike Slive, SEC commissioner. “Our football programs are worthy of the best resources available, and that is why we’ve chosen to incorporate HD instant replay technology for the 2010 season, and are pleased to be working with XOS in this endeavor.”
Now that HD will be a fixture in all the replay booths around the SEC, I'm sure we won't have any more controversies or cries of this team or that team getting all the calls.
Yeah, right.
A look at the leaders in SEC games only
March, 15, 2010
Mar 15
11:57
AM ET
After I pointed out recently that South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia was the leader in total offense last season in conference games, several of you asked about the leaders in the other statistical categories in conference games only.
Here goes:
In rushing, Alabama’s Mark Ingram led the way with 128.8 yards per game, but Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon was right on his heels at 127 yards per game.
Interestingly enough, five of the top seven rushers from a year ago in SEC games are gone. The only two back are Ingram and Kentucky’s Derrick Locke, who averaged 84.4 yards per game.
Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett was the passing leader in conference games. He threw for 273.6 yards per game. Garcia wasn’t far behind with an average of 263.1 yards per game.
Anybody want to venture a guess on who threw the most touchdown passes in SEC games?
That would be Georgia’s Joe Cox with 17. Ole Miss’ Jevan Snead threw the most interceptions with 15.
Arkansas’ Greg Childs led the way in receiving yards per game (92.1), yards per catch (23) and most receiving yards (737) in conference games. Childs’ six touchdown catches were also tops among receivers in conference games.
Ole Miss’ Shay Hodge had the most catches (41), followed by LSU’s Brandon LaFell (39) and Florida’s Aaron Hernandez (38).
The top scorers among position players were Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty and Kentucky quarterback/receiver Randall Cobb, both of whom scored 10 touchdowns.
Ole Miss’ Dexter McCluster topped the league in all-purpose yardage with an average of 160.5 yards per game. The Kentucky twosome of Cobb and Locke were the next two. Cobb averaged 156.9 yards and Locke 156.8 yards.
Defensively, Tennessee linebacker Rico McCoy led the league with 91 total tackles. Georgia linebacker Rennie Curran was second with 90. Florida defensive end Jermaine Cunningham had seven sacks in conference games to lead the way, while Georgia defensive end Justin Houston had 11 total tackles for loss to finish No. 1 in the category. Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas had 10 solo tackles for loss.
Alabama safety Mark Barron had six interceptions in SEC games to rank No. 1 in that category.
Here goes:
In rushing, Alabama’s Mark Ingram led the way with 128.8 yards per game, but Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon was right on his heels at 127 yards per game.
Interestingly enough, five of the top seven rushers from a year ago in SEC games are gone. The only two back are Ingram and Kentucky’s Derrick Locke, who averaged 84.4 yards per game.
Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett was the passing leader in conference games. He threw for 273.6 yards per game. Garcia wasn’t far behind with an average of 263.1 yards per game.
Anybody want to venture a guess on who threw the most touchdown passes in SEC games?
That would be Georgia’s Joe Cox with 17. Ole Miss’ Jevan Snead threw the most interceptions with 15.
Arkansas’ Greg Childs led the way in receiving yards per game (92.1), yards per catch (23) and most receiving yards (737) in conference games. Childs’ six touchdown catches were also tops among receivers in conference games.
Ole Miss’ Shay Hodge had the most catches (41), followed by LSU’s Brandon LaFell (39) and Florida’s Aaron Hernandez (38).
The top scorers among position players were Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty and Kentucky quarterback/receiver Randall Cobb, both of whom scored 10 touchdowns.
Ole Miss’ Dexter McCluster topped the league in all-purpose yardage with an average of 160.5 yards per game. The Kentucky twosome of Cobb and Locke were the next two. Cobb averaged 156.9 yards and Locke 156.8 yards.
Defensively, Tennessee linebacker Rico McCoy led the league with 91 total tackles. Georgia linebacker Rennie Curran was second with 90. Florida defensive end Jermaine Cunningham had seven sacks in conference games to lead the way, while Georgia defensive end Justin Houston had 11 total tackles for loss to finish No. 1 in the category. Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas had 10 solo tackles for loss.
Alabama safety Mark Barron had six interceptions in SEC games to rank No. 1 in that category.
Mississippi State’s Chad Bumphis was one of the best freshmen in the SEC last season.
But he’s the first to tell you that getting open is a little easier when defenses are concentrating on Anthony Dixon’s every move.
“He made everybody better,” Bumphis said. “But we’re not going to have him anymore, so we’re going to have to spread teams out a whole lot more. We’re going to have to make a lot more big plays because we can’t depend on Anthony every play.
“The other thing it does is make us be better blockers. Last year, we might miss a block at receiver, but it was OK. Anthony would just run somebody over. Not having him changes everything at wide receiver.”
The plan is for Bumphis to be a lot more than just a receiver next season.
He led the Bulldogs with 32 catches for 375 yards as a freshman and also had six rushing attempts. Look for his touches to double next season, which means he’s going to get the ball a number of different ways.
“With coach (Dan) Mullen’s offense, you never know,” said Bumphis, who will also remain involved in the return game on special teams. “I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting some balls on handoffs and a few other ways.
“I’ve got to do more to help the team this year.”
The Bulldogs open spring practice on March 23. The 5-11, 195-pound Bumphis says he’s in better shape now than at any point a year ago. He’s kept his weight the same. But thanks to strength coach Matt Balis’ grueling offseason program, Bumphis said the baby fat is gone.
And if anything, he says he’s even faster than when he arrived in Starkville. He’s also a better student of the game.
“I’ve watched a lot of film from last year, seeing where I lacked and what I needed to work on,” Bumphis said. “I watched film of every game we played and know I will be better fundamentally with my route-running. I have a better feel now for what defenses are trying to do to me.”
Bumphis, who’s from Tupelo, Miss., was one of the crown jewels of Mullen’s first recruiting class. Had he not chosen to stay in-state, he probably would have gone to Florida.
His favorite player was Percy Harvin, and the Gators made a hard push. In fact, Mullen was one of the ones doing the pushing before getting the head coaching job at Mississippi State.
But when he landed in Starkville, one of his first recruiting calls was to Bumphis, who in the back of his mind never wanted to leave the Magnolia State in the first place.
“I wanted to come in and do something for my home state,” Bumphis said. “The other thing is that it’s a big thing for me to play in front of my family and friends. Plus, being from this state, I wanted to be part of the rivalry with Ole Miss.
“I know the direction this program is headed. I think you saw that at the end of last year. I think the top high school players in this state are seeing that, too.”
But he’s the first to tell you that getting open is a little easier when defenses are concentrating on Anthony Dixon’s every move.
“He made everybody better,” Bumphis said. “But we’re not going to have him anymore, so we’re going to have to spread teams out a whole lot more. We’re going to have to make a lot more big plays because we can’t depend on Anthony every play.
“The other thing it does is make us be better blockers. Last year, we might miss a block at receiver, but it was OK. Anthony would just run somebody over. Not having him changes everything at wide receiver.”
The plan is for Bumphis to be a lot more than just a receiver next season.
He led the Bulldogs with 32 catches for 375 yards as a freshman and also had six rushing attempts. Look for his touches to double next season, which means he’s going to get the ball a number of different ways.
“With coach (Dan) Mullen’s offense, you never know,” said Bumphis, who will also remain involved in the return game on special teams. “I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting some balls on handoffs and a few other ways.
“I’ve got to do more to help the team this year.”
The Bulldogs open spring practice on March 23. The 5-11, 195-pound Bumphis says he’s in better shape now than at any point a year ago. He’s kept his weight the same. But thanks to strength coach Matt Balis’ grueling offseason program, Bumphis said the baby fat is gone.
And if anything, he says he’s even faster than when he arrived in Starkville. He’s also a better student of the game.
“I’ve watched a lot of film from last year, seeing where I lacked and what I needed to work on,” Bumphis said. “I watched film of every game we played and know I will be better fundamentally with my route-running. I have a better feel now for what defenses are trying to do to me.”
Bumphis, who’s from Tupelo, Miss., was one of the crown jewels of Mullen’s first recruiting class. Had he not chosen to stay in-state, he probably would have gone to Florida.
His favorite player was Percy Harvin, and the Gators made a hard push. In fact, Mullen was one of the ones doing the pushing before getting the head coaching job at Mississippi State.
But when he landed in Starkville, one of his first recruiting calls was to Bumphis, who in the back of his mind never wanted to leave the Magnolia State in the first place.
“I wanted to come in and do something for my home state,” Bumphis said. “The other thing is that it’s a big thing for me to play in front of my family and friends. Plus, being from this state, I wanted to be part of the rivalry with Ole Miss.
“I know the direction this program is headed. I think you saw that at the end of last year. I think the top high school players in this state are seeing that, too.”
Tracking the SEC vs. the final Top 25 polls
March, 8, 2010
Mar 8
5:07
PM ET
Several of you have inquired about how SEC teams have fared in recent years against teams that finished in the Top 25 of the final polls, either the Associated Press or coaches’ poll.
The argument is that your record against teams that finish the season nationally ranked is a better indicator than your record against teams that were nationally ranked at the time you played them.
I see both sides. But you ask, and I deliver.
The results were telling, too.
Only two SEC teams -- Florida and LSU -- have winning records over the last five seasons against Top 25 teams in the final polls. Florida is 14-9, while LSU is 13-11.
In fact, seven of the 12 SEC teams -- Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, South Carolina and Vanderbilt -- have managed five or fewer wins against teams that finished in the Top 25 of the final polls over the last five seasons.
Alabama is 10-12 during that period, but the Crimson Tide are 7-2 over the last two seasons and 5-0 during their 2009 national championship season. Georgia has gone the other way. The Bulldogs are 8-12, which includes a 2-6 mark over the last two seasons.
Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee are all winless the last two seasons against teams that finished in the Top 25 of the final polls.
Here’s the breakdown:
The argument is that your record against teams that finish the season nationally ranked is a better indicator than your record against teams that were nationally ranked at the time you played them.
I see both sides. But you ask, and I deliver.
The results were telling, too.
Only two SEC teams -- Florida and LSU -- have winning records over the last five seasons against Top 25 teams in the final polls. Florida is 14-9, while LSU is 13-11.
In fact, seven of the 12 SEC teams -- Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, South Carolina and Vanderbilt -- have managed five or fewer wins against teams that finished in the Top 25 of the final polls over the last five seasons.
Alabama is 10-12 during that period, but the Crimson Tide are 7-2 over the last two seasons and 5-0 during their 2009 national championship season. Georgia has gone the other way. The Bulldogs are 8-12, which includes a 2-6 mark over the last two seasons.
Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee are all winless the last two seasons against teams that finished in the Top 25 of the final polls.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Florida – 14-9 (.609)
- LSU – 13-11 (.542)
- Alabama – 10-12 (.455)
- Auburn – 8-12 (.400)
- Georgia – 8-12 (.400)
- Tennessee – 5-17 (.227)
- Ole Miss – 4-14 (.222)
- South Carolina – 5-19 (.208)
- Arkansas – 3-20 (.130)
- Kentucky – 2-17 (.105)
- Vanderbilt – 2-17 (.105)
- Mississippi State 2-20 (.091)
The SEC will get plenty of early exposure beginning this year during the New Year's Day bowl lineup.
With ESPN reaching a new agreement with the Gator Bowl and also extending agreements with the Capital One Bowl and Outback Bowl, that means three different SEC teams will be playing at the same time this Jan. 1.
This year, the Capital One Bowl will kick off an ESPN tripleheader at 1 p.m. ET and will match the first choice out of the SEC (after the BCS selections) against the first choice out of the Big Ten. The Rose Bowl Presented by Citi and then the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will follow the Capital One Bowl on ESPN.
Also on Jan. 1, the Outback Bowl will be televised by ABC and kick off at 1 p.m. ET. It previously had been televised by ESPN with an 11 a.m. kickoff time. The Gator Bowl will kick off at 1:30 p.m. ET and be televised by ESPN2. Both the Outback and Gator bowls will also match the SEC against the Big Ten.
Under these new agreements, ESPN has exclusive rights to televise the Gator Bowl and Outback Bowl through 2014 and the Capital One Bowl through 2018 annually on Jan. 1. ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile TV can simulcast ESPN and ESPN2 telecasts each year.
This will mark the first year that ESPN will televise all five of the BCS bowls -- also including the Orange Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl and Tostitos BCS National Championship -- exclusively.
With ESPN reaching a new agreement with the Gator Bowl and also extending agreements with the Capital One Bowl and Outback Bowl, that means three different SEC teams will be playing at the same time this Jan. 1.
This year, the Capital One Bowl will kick off an ESPN tripleheader at 1 p.m. ET and will match the first choice out of the SEC (after the BCS selections) against the first choice out of the Big Ten. The Rose Bowl Presented by Citi and then the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will follow the Capital One Bowl on ESPN.
Also on Jan. 1, the Outback Bowl will be televised by ABC and kick off at 1 p.m. ET. It previously had been televised by ESPN with an 11 a.m. kickoff time. The Gator Bowl will kick off at 1:30 p.m. ET and be televised by ESPN2. Both the Outback and Gator bowls will also match the SEC against the Big Ten.
Under these new agreements, ESPN has exclusive rights to televise the Gator Bowl and Outback Bowl through 2014 and the Capital One Bowl through 2018 annually on Jan. 1. ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile TV can simulcast ESPN and ESPN2 telecasts each year.
This will mark the first year that ESPN will televise all five of the BCS bowls -- also including the Orange Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl and Tostitos BCS National Championship -- exclusively.
Lunchtime links: Tide's Milliner right on time
March, 5, 2010
Mar 5
12:32
PM ET
A check of what's making headlines around the SEC:
- The early arrival of freshman DeMarcus Milliner is right on time for Alabama's secondary, writes Gentry Estes of The Mobile Press-Register.
- Ole Miss defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix, who was wooed by Florida coach Urban Meyer this past offseason, will make $500,000 per year under his new contract at Ole Miss, reports David Brandt of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger.
- Two counts of criminal mischief are filed against former Florida defensive back Wondy Pierre-Louis for a January incident involving his girlfriend, reports David Jones of Florida Today.
- Mississippi State lost seven of its 56 official visits this calendar year as a result of violations that occurred when recruits visited a strip club back in January, reports Kyle Veazey of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger.
- South Carolina opens the spring with a spring in its step, writes Joseph Person of The State newspaper.
- Georgia's quarterbacks split up the first-team reps in the Bulldogs' first practice, writes Marc Weiszer of The Athens Banner-Herald.
- The NFL combine isn't always the truest measuring stick, writes David Climer of The Tennessean.
The fans speak on the SEC's top 30 players
March, 2, 2010
Mar 2
2:30
PM ET
OK, here's one more top 30 list from this past season, this one coming from Scott in Upstate New York.
He has Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis on his list, and as I've said, Lewis was really difficult for me to leave off. Scott also has LSU offensive tackle Ciron Black. I considered Black, but just didn't think he had a great senior season. Scott also included Florida receiver Riley Cooper, who had a big season and played his way into probably being drafted.
Another name that was thrown out there recently was Arkansas receiver Greg Childs, and Childs was another one I considered. I like all those Arkansas receivers. Here's betting a few of them show up in my pre-2010 season countdown this summer.
Thanks again for all your input.
Scott's top 30
No. 1: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
No. 2: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
No. 3: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
No. 4: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
No. 5: Dexter McCluster RB/WR, Ole Miss
No. 6: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
No. 7: Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi State
No. 8: Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas
No. 9: Eric Norwood, LB, South Carolina
No. 10: Javier Arenas, CB/RS, Alabama
No. 11: Antonio Coleman, DE, Auburn
No. 12: Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
No. 13: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
No. 14: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
No. 15: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
No. 16: Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama
No. 17: Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee
No. 18: Ben Tate, RB, Auburn
No. 19: Randall Cobb, QB/WR, Kentucky
No. 20: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
No. 21: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
No. 22: Rennie Curran, LB, Georgia
No. 23: Shay Hodge, WR, Ole Miss
No. 24: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
No. 25: Pernell McPhee, DE, Mississippi State
No. 26: Ciron Black, OT, LSU
No. 27: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
No. 28: Riley Cooper, WR, Florida
No. 29: Myron Lewis, CB, Vanderbilt
No. 30: Terrence Cody, NG, Alabama
He has Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis on his list, and as I've said, Lewis was really difficult for me to leave off. Scott also has LSU offensive tackle Ciron Black. I considered Black, but just didn't think he had a great senior season. Scott also included Florida receiver Riley Cooper, who had a big season and played his way into probably being drafted.
Another name that was thrown out there recently was Arkansas receiver Greg Childs, and Childs was another one I considered. I like all those Arkansas receivers. Here's betting a few of them show up in my pre-2010 season countdown this summer.
Thanks again for all your input.
Scott's top 30
No. 1: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
No. 2: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
No. 3: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
No. 4: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
No. 5: Dexter McCluster RB/WR, Ole Miss
No. 6: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
No. 7: Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi State
No. 8: Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas
No. 9: Eric Norwood, LB, South Carolina
No. 10: Javier Arenas, CB/RS, Alabama
No. 11: Antonio Coleman, DE, Auburn
No. 12: Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
No. 13: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
No. 14: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
No. 15: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
No. 16: Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama
No. 17: Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee
No. 18: Ben Tate, RB, Auburn
No. 19: Randall Cobb, QB/WR, Kentucky
No. 20: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
No. 21: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
No. 22: Rennie Curran, LB, Georgia
No. 23: Shay Hodge, WR, Ole Miss
No. 24: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
No. 25: Pernell McPhee, DE, Mississippi State
No. 26: Ciron Black, OT, LSU
No. 27: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
No. 28: Riley Cooper, WR, Florida
No. 29: Myron Lewis, CB, Vanderbilt
No. 30: Terrence Cody, NG, Alabama
The NFL combine wraps up on Tuesday, and a flood of former SEC players have left their mark -- both good and bad.
The defensive backs were the last to run the 40-yard dash, and a lot of eyes were on Tennessee safety Eric Berry.
Unofficially, his two 40-yard dash times were 4.46 and 4.40. Earlier, the 5-11, 211-pound Berry did 19 reps on the bench-press, so he certainly didn’t do anything to hurt himself and figures to be a top 10 pick.
Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas tweaked his hamstring running the 40 and didn’t go a second time. He ran a 4.52 unofficially on the first one.
Florida cornerback Joe Haden turned in a disappointing 4.57 in the 40. Again, these are unofficial times, and we’ll try to get you the official times once they’re posted later Tuesday.
Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis helped himself with a 4.45 in the 40 and also weighed in at more than 200 pounds. The NFL loves big corners who can cover.
LSU safety Chad Jones ran a 4.54, but only did nine reps on the bench-press.
Georgia safety Reshad Jones was second among the safeties with 24 reps.
Mississippi State’s Jamar Chaney posted the fastest 40-yard dash time among linebackers, a 4.54. He also did 26 reps on the bench-press and recorded a 39-inch vertical jump. Chaney solidified himself as a solid mid-round pick, possibly as high as the third or fourth round.
Todd McShay of ESPN’s Scouts Inc. also felt like South Carolina outside linebacker Eric Norwood helped himself by running a 4.71 40-yard dash. At 245 pounds, Norwood also showed good lateral movement, quick feet and demonstrated all the qualities that make him an explosive pass-rusher.
A pair of former SEC linebackers that didn’t impress McShay were Kentucky’s Micah Johnson and Florida’s Brandon Spikes. Johnson (258 pounds) ran a 4.99 and didn’t change directions very well. Spikes didn’t run the 40, but looked stiff in drills.
Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap turned in a fast 40 time (4.71), but according to scouts McShay talked with, Dunlap didn’t come across well in interviews and was characterized as lazy.
Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams continues to look like a first-round pick. Weighing 326 pounds, he ran a 5.17 40-yard dash and did 26 reps on the bench. He also moved fluidly during drills.
McShay thinks Alabama nose guard Terrence Cody will probably be a second-rounder. Cody shed some pounds and was down to 354, but ran a 5.68 40, the slowest among the defensive linemen.
The defensive backs were the last to run the 40-yard dash, and a lot of eyes were on Tennessee safety Eric Berry.
Unofficially, his two 40-yard dash times were 4.46 and 4.40. Earlier, the 5-11, 211-pound Berry did 19 reps on the bench-press, so he certainly didn’t do anything to hurt himself and figures to be a top 10 pick.
Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas tweaked his hamstring running the 40 and didn’t go a second time. He ran a 4.52 unofficially on the first one.
Florida cornerback Joe Haden turned in a disappointing 4.57 in the 40. Again, these are unofficial times, and we’ll try to get you the official times once they’re posted later Tuesday.
Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis helped himself with a 4.45 in the 40 and also weighed in at more than 200 pounds. The NFL loves big corners who can cover.
LSU safety Chad Jones ran a 4.54, but only did nine reps on the bench-press.
Georgia safety Reshad Jones was second among the safeties with 24 reps.
Mississippi State’s Jamar Chaney posted the fastest 40-yard dash time among linebackers, a 4.54. He also did 26 reps on the bench-press and recorded a 39-inch vertical jump. Chaney solidified himself as a solid mid-round pick, possibly as high as the third or fourth round.
Todd McShay of ESPN’s Scouts Inc. also felt like South Carolina outside linebacker Eric Norwood helped himself by running a 4.71 40-yard dash. At 245 pounds, Norwood also showed good lateral movement, quick feet and demonstrated all the qualities that make him an explosive pass-rusher.
A pair of former SEC linebackers that didn’t impress McShay were Kentucky’s Micah Johnson and Florida’s Brandon Spikes. Johnson (258 pounds) ran a 4.99 and didn’t change directions very well. Spikes didn’t run the 40, but looked stiff in drills.
Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap turned in a fast 40 time (4.71), but according to scouts McShay talked with, Dunlap didn’t come across well in interviews and was characterized as lazy.
Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams continues to look like a first-round pick. Weighing 326 pounds, he ran a 5.17 40-yard dash and did 26 reps on the bench. He also moved fluidly during drills.
McShay thinks Alabama nose guard Terrence Cody will probably be a second-rounder. Cody shed some pounds and was down to 354, but ran a 5.68 40, the slowest among the defensive linemen.
Taking a look around the SEC as we say hello to March:
- Tim Tebow defends Florida coach Urban Meyer, who is getting some criticism for not correcting Tebow's elongated delivery and throwing motion while Tebow was in college.
- LSU coach Les Miles expects more offensive line production in 2010, writes Randy Rosetta of The Baton Rouge Advocate.
- It's Big Money Monday for Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, writes Gentry Estes of The Mobile Press-Register.
- Kyle Veazey of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger checks in on former Mississippi State star Anthony Dixon at the NFL combine.
- Former Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes discusses his eye-gouging incident at the NFL combine, writes Pat Dooley of The Gainesville Sun.
- Former Tennessee safety Eric Berry wants to leave no doubt that he's the best player in the draft, writes Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
- Rennie Curran says one of the reasons he left Georgia early was because all of his defensive coaches were fired.
- Todd Grantham's new 3-4 scheme energizes Georgia's defense, writes David Hale of The Macon Telegraph.
After originally planning to open spring practice last Friday, LSU will get started on Monday.
Georgia will practice on Thursday of this week before taking some time off for spring break and then resuming practice.
Here's an updated list of the spring practice start dates for all 12 SEC schools and when their spring games will be played:
Georgia will practice on Thursday of this week before taking some time off for spring break and then resuming practice.
Here's an updated list of the spring practice start dates for all 12 SEC schools and when their spring games will be played:
Spring practice is already upon us, and the SEC football media days are less than five months away.
The 2010 season will be here before you know it.
The dates for the SEC media days are July 21-23 at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala., and the schedule for the teams has already been set. The players attending will be announced later, but here's betting that Ole Miss defensive end Kentrell Lockett is one of them for the Rebels and steals the show. The guy is a quote machine and wants to get into sports broacasting.
Here's the schedule for the teams:
JULY 21
First rotation: Alabama/Mississippi State
Second rotation: Kentucky/Florida
JULY 22
First rotation: Georgia/Arkansas
Second rotation: Vanderbilt/South Carolina
July 23
First rotation: Auburn/Tennessee
Second rotation: LSU/Ole Miss
The 2010 season will be here before you know it.
The dates for the SEC media days are July 21-23 at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala., and the schedule for the teams has already been set. The players attending will be announced later, but here's betting that Ole Miss defensive end Kentrell Lockett is one of them for the Rebels and steals the show. The guy is a quote machine and wants to get into sports broacasting.
Here's the schedule for the teams:
JULY 21
First rotation: Alabama/Mississippi State
Second rotation: Kentucky/Florida
JULY 22
First rotation: Georgia/Arkansas
Second rotation: Vanderbilt/South Carolina
July 23
First rotation: Auburn/Tennessee
Second rotation: LSU/Ole Miss
The fans speak on the SEC's top 30 players
February, 26, 2010
Feb 26
4:02
PM ET
Some of your countdowns of the top 30 players in the SEC from this past season are starting to roll in.
Here’s one from Andrew of Auburn, Ala., and he has Tennessee safety Eric Berry No. 1. He also has Florida cornerback Joe Haden and Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes a little higher than I did and included Tennessee linebacker Rico McCoy and Auburn receiver Darvin Adams on his list. Otherwise, his list includes most of the same names as my list.
He only listed 29 players. I'll post a few more lists next week:.
Here's Andrew's list:
No. 1: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
No. 2: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
No. 3: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
No. 4: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
No. 5: Dexter McCluster, RB/WR, Ole Miss
No. 6: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
No. 7: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
No. 8: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
No. 9: Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi State
No. 10: Eric Norwood, LB, South Carolina
No. 11: Antonio Coleman, CB, Auburn
No. 12: Javier Arenas, CB/RS, Alabama
No. 13: Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
No. 14: Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee
No. 15: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
No. 16: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
No. 17: Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama
No. 18: Ben Tate, RB, Auburn
No. 19: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
No. 20: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
No. 21: Darvin Adams, WR, Auburn
No. 22: Shay Hodge, WR, Ole Miss
No. 23: Pernell McPhee, DE, Mississippi State
No. 24: Rennie Curran, LB, Georgia
No. 25: Rico McCoy, LB, Tennessee
No. 26: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
No. 27: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
No. 28: Malcolm Sheppard, DT, Arkansas
No. 29: Terrence Cody, NG, Alabama
Here’s one from Andrew of Auburn, Ala., and he has Tennessee safety Eric Berry No. 1. He also has Florida cornerback Joe Haden and Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes a little higher than I did and included Tennessee linebacker Rico McCoy and Auburn receiver Darvin Adams on his list. Otherwise, his list includes most of the same names as my list.
He only listed 29 players. I'll post a few more lists next week:.
Here's Andrew's list:
No. 1: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
No. 2: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
No. 3: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
No. 4: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
No. 5: Dexter McCluster, RB/WR, Ole Miss
No. 6: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
No. 7: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
No. 8: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
No. 9: Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi State
No. 10: Eric Norwood, LB, South Carolina
No. 11: Antonio Coleman, CB, Auburn
No. 12: Javier Arenas, CB/RS, Alabama
No. 13: Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
No. 14: Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee
No. 15: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
No. 16: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
No. 17: Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama
No. 18: Ben Tate, RB, Auburn
No. 19: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
No. 20: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
No. 21: Darvin Adams, WR, Auburn
No. 22: Shay Hodge, WR, Ole Miss
No. 23: Pernell McPhee, DE, Mississippi State
No. 24: Rennie Curran, LB, Georgia
No. 25: Rico McCoy, LB, Tennessee
No. 26: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
No. 27: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
No. 28: Malcolm Sheppard, DT, Arkansas
No. 29: Terrence Cody, NG, Alabama
Scouting the SEC's nonconference foes
February, 26, 2010
Feb 26
1:00
PM ET
Ole Miss doesn’t have two FCS schools on its schedule in 2010 like it did a year ago. But the Rebels still aren’t going to win many points for schedule strength, either.
Anybody want to venture a guess on how many teams in the league don't have an FCS opponent on their schedule next season? The answer is one ... Vanderbilt.
Here’s a statistical breakdown, including the 2009 records, of each school’s nonconference schedule next season:
ALABAMA
Sept. 4: San Jose State 2-10
Sept: 11: Penn State 11-2
Sept. 18: at Duke 5-7
Nov. 20: Georgia State 0-0 (first season)
Combined record: 18-19
Combined winning percentage: .486
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 1
Bowl teams: 1
ARKANSAS
Sept. 4: Tennessee Tech 6-5
Sept: 11: Louisiana-Monroe 6-6
Oct. 9: vs. Texas A&M (Arlington, Texas) 6-7
Nov. 13: UTEP 4-8
Combined record: 22-26
Combined winning percentage: .458
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 0
Bowl teams: 1
AUBURN
Sept. 4: Arkansas State 4-8
Sept. 18: Clemson 9-5
Oct. 2: Louisiana-Monroe 6-6
Nov. 6: Chattanooga 6-5
Combined record: 25-24
Combined winning percentage: .510
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 1
Bowl teams: 1
FLORIDA
Sept. 4: Miami (Ohio) 1-11
Sept. 11: South Florida 8-5
Nov. 20: Appalachian State 11-3
Nov. 27: at Florida State 7-6
Combined record: 27-25
Combined winning percentage: .519
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 0
Bowl teams: 2
GEORGIA
Sept. 4: Louisiana-Lafayette 6-6
Oct. 2: at Colorado 3-9
Nov. 6: Idaho State 1-10
Nov. 27: Georgia Tech 11-3
Combined record: 21-28
Combined winning percentage: .428
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 1
Bowl teams: 1
KENTUCKY
Sept. 4: at Louisville: 4-8
Sept. 11: Western Kentucky 0-12
Sept. 18: Akron 3-9
Nov. 6: Charleston Southern 6-5
Combined record: 13-34
Combined winning percentage: .276
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 0
Bowl teams: 0
LSU
Sept. 4: vs. North Carolina (Atlanta) 8-5
Sept. 25: West Virginia 9-4
Oct. 16: McNeese State 9-3
Nov. 13: Louisiana-Monroe 6-6
Combined record: 32-18
Combined winning percentage: .640
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 1
Bowl teams: 2
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept. 4: Memphis 2-10
Oct. 2: Alcorn State 3-6
Oct. 9: at Houston 10-4
Oct. 23: UAB 5-7
Combined record: 20-27
Combined winning percentage: .425
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 0
Bowl teams: 1
OLE MISS
Sept. 4: Jacksonville State 8-3
Sept. 11: at Tulane 3-9
Sept. 25: Fresno State 8-5
Nov. 6: Louisiana-Lafayette 6-6
Combined record: 25-23
Combined winning percentage: .520
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 0
Bowl teams: 1
SOUTH CAROLINA
Sept. 2: Southern Miss 7-6
Sept. 18: Furman 6-5
Nov. 20: Troy 9-4
Nov. 27: at Clemson 9-5
Combined record: 31-20
Combined winning percentage: .607
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 1
Bowl teams: 3
TENNESSEE
Sept. 4: Tennessee-Martin 5-6
Sept. 11: Oregon 10-3
Sept. 25: UAB 5-7
Nov. 6: at Memphis 2-10
Combined record: 22-26
Combined winning percentage: .458
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 1
Bowl teams: 1
VANDERBILT
Sept. 4: Northwestern 8-5
Oct. 2: at Connecticut 8-5
Oct. 9: Eastern Michigan 0-12
Nov. 27: Wake Forest 5-7
Combined record: 21-29
Combined winning percentage: .420
FCS schools: 0
Top 25 teams: 0
Bowl teams: 2
Anybody want to venture a guess on how many teams in the league don't have an FCS opponent on their schedule next season? The answer is one ... Vanderbilt.
Here’s a statistical breakdown, including the 2009 records, of each school’s nonconference schedule next season:
ALABAMA
Sept. 4: San Jose State 2-10
Sept: 11: Penn State 11-2
Sept. 18: at Duke 5-7
Nov. 20: Georgia State 0-0 (first season)
Combined record: 18-19
Combined winning percentage: .486
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 1
Bowl teams: 1
ARKANSAS
Sept. 4: Tennessee Tech 6-5
Sept: 11: Louisiana-Monroe 6-6
Oct. 9: vs. Texas A&M (Arlington, Texas) 6-7
Nov. 13: UTEP 4-8
Combined record: 22-26
Combined winning percentage: .458
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 0
Bowl teams: 1
AUBURN
Sept. 4: Arkansas State 4-8
Sept. 18: Clemson 9-5
Oct. 2: Louisiana-Monroe 6-6
Nov. 6: Chattanooga 6-5
Combined record: 25-24
Combined winning percentage: .510
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 1
Bowl teams: 1
FLORIDA
Sept. 4: Miami (Ohio) 1-11
Sept. 11: South Florida 8-5
Nov. 20: Appalachian State 11-3
Nov. 27: at Florida State 7-6
Combined record: 27-25
Combined winning percentage: .519
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 0
Bowl teams: 2
GEORGIA
Sept. 4: Louisiana-Lafayette 6-6
Oct. 2: at Colorado 3-9
Nov. 6: Idaho State 1-10
Nov. 27: Georgia Tech 11-3
Combined record: 21-28
Combined winning percentage: .428
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 1
Bowl teams: 1
KENTUCKY
Sept. 4: at Louisville: 4-8
Sept. 11: Western Kentucky 0-12
Sept. 18: Akron 3-9
Nov. 6: Charleston Southern 6-5
Combined record: 13-34
Combined winning percentage: .276
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 0
Bowl teams: 0
LSU
Sept. 4: vs. North Carolina (Atlanta) 8-5
Sept. 25: West Virginia 9-4
Oct. 16: McNeese State 9-3
Nov. 13: Louisiana-Monroe 6-6
Combined record: 32-18
Combined winning percentage: .640
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 1
Bowl teams: 2
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept. 4: Memphis 2-10
Oct. 2: Alcorn State 3-6
Oct. 9: at Houston 10-4
Oct. 23: UAB 5-7
Combined record: 20-27
Combined winning percentage: .425
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 0
Bowl teams: 1
OLE MISS
Sept. 4: Jacksonville State 8-3
Sept. 11: at Tulane 3-9
Sept. 25: Fresno State 8-5
Nov. 6: Louisiana-Lafayette 6-6
Combined record: 25-23
Combined winning percentage: .520
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 0
Bowl teams: 1
SOUTH CAROLINA
Sept. 2: Southern Miss 7-6
Sept. 18: Furman 6-5
Nov. 20: Troy 9-4
Nov. 27: at Clemson 9-5
Combined record: 31-20
Combined winning percentage: .607
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 1
Bowl teams: 3
TENNESSEE
Sept. 4: Tennessee-Martin 5-6
Sept. 11: Oregon 10-3
Sept. 25: UAB 5-7
Nov. 6: at Memphis 2-10
Combined record: 22-26
Combined winning percentage: .458
FCS schools: 1
Top 25 teams: 1
Bowl teams: 1
VANDERBILT
Sept. 4: Northwestern 8-5
Oct. 2: at Connecticut 8-5
Oct. 9: Eastern Michigan 0-12
Nov. 27: Wake Forest 5-7
Combined record: 21-29
Combined winning percentage: .420
FCS schools: 0
Top 25 teams: 0
Bowl teams: 2
Here’s a Western Division breakdown of who’s out and who’s in for the 2010 season. Auburn was the only team in the league without any turnover:
ALABAMA
Who’s out: Associate head coach/linebackers coach James Willis
Who’s in: Alabama coach Nick Saban promoted Jeremy Pruitt from director of player development to fill the vacancy left by Willis, who went to Texas Tech to be Tommy Tuberville’s defensive coordinator. Pruitt had been Alabama’s director of player development for the last three seasons and coached at Hoover High School just outside Birmingham prior to that.
ARKANSAS
Who’s out: Offensive coordinator/receivers coach Paul Petrino, assistant head coach/offensive line coach Mike Summers and defensive ends coach Kirk Botkin.
Who’s in: Garrick McGee was promoted to offensive coordinator after Paul Petrino left to take the Illinois offensive coordinator’s job. Kris Cinkovich will coach receivers after spending the last six seasons coaching receivers at UNLV. Steve Caldwell, who was out of coaching last season, will coach ends. Caldwell was on Phillip Fulmer’s staff at Tennessee for 14 seasons. Chris Klenakis will coach offensive line after coming over from Nevada.
LSU
Who’s out: Assistant head coach/running backs coach Larry Porter, receivers coach D.J. McCarthy and tight ends/recruiting coordinator Don Yanowsky.
Who’s in: Frank Wilson, who was at Tennessee last season, will coach the running backs and serve as recruiting coordinator. Billy Gonzales will coach receivers and serve as the passing game coordinator. Gonzales spent the last five seasons at Florida. Steve Ensminger, a former quarterback at LSU, will coach tight ends. He spent last season coaching high school football, but was at Auburn the six seasons prior to that and has also coached at Georgia, Clemson and Texas A&M.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Who’s out: Defensive coordinator Carl Torbush and defensive line coach David Turner.
Who’s in: Manny Diaz will be the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator and also coach linebackers. He was the defensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee State the previous four seasons. Chris Wilson will serve as co-defensive coordinator and coach the defensive line. He spent the last five seasons coaching the defensive line at Oklahoma.
OLE MISS
Who’s out: Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kent Austin.
Who’s in: Dave Rader will coach quarterbacks and take over as co-offensive coordinator for Austin, who left to take the head-coaching job at Cornell. Rader was out of coaching the last three seasons, but was the offensive coordinator at Alabama under Mike Shula from 2003 to 2006. He was also the head coach at Tulsa from 1988 to 1999. Rader will share the coordinator duties with Mike Markuson, who was promoted by Houston Nutt and will also continue to coach the offensive line.
ALABAMA
Who’s out: Associate head coach/linebackers coach James Willis
Who’s in: Alabama coach Nick Saban promoted Jeremy Pruitt from director of player development to fill the vacancy left by Willis, who went to Texas Tech to be Tommy Tuberville’s defensive coordinator. Pruitt had been Alabama’s director of player development for the last three seasons and coached at Hoover High School just outside Birmingham prior to that.
ARKANSAS
Who’s out: Offensive coordinator/receivers coach Paul Petrino, assistant head coach/offensive line coach Mike Summers and defensive ends coach Kirk Botkin.
Who’s in: Garrick McGee was promoted to offensive coordinator after Paul Petrino left to take the Illinois offensive coordinator’s job. Kris Cinkovich will coach receivers after spending the last six seasons coaching receivers at UNLV. Steve Caldwell, who was out of coaching last season, will coach ends. Caldwell was on Phillip Fulmer’s staff at Tennessee for 14 seasons. Chris Klenakis will coach offensive line after coming over from Nevada.
LSU
Who’s out: Assistant head coach/running backs coach Larry Porter, receivers coach D.J. McCarthy and tight ends/recruiting coordinator Don Yanowsky.
Who’s in: Frank Wilson, who was at Tennessee last season, will coach the running backs and serve as recruiting coordinator. Billy Gonzales will coach receivers and serve as the passing game coordinator. Gonzales spent the last five seasons at Florida. Steve Ensminger, a former quarterback at LSU, will coach tight ends. He spent last season coaching high school football, but was at Auburn the six seasons prior to that and has also coached at Georgia, Clemson and Texas A&M.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Who’s out: Defensive coordinator Carl Torbush and defensive line coach David Turner.
Who’s in: Manny Diaz will be the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator and also coach linebackers. He was the defensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee State the previous four seasons. Chris Wilson will serve as co-defensive coordinator and coach the defensive line. He spent the last five seasons coaching the defensive line at Oklahoma.
OLE MISS
Who’s out: Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kent Austin.
Who’s in: Dave Rader will coach quarterbacks and take over as co-offensive coordinator for Austin, who left to take the head-coaching job at Cornell. Rader was out of coaching the last three seasons, but was the offensive coordinator at Alabama under Mike Shula from 2003 to 2006. He was also the head coach at Tulsa from 1988 to 1999. Rader will share the coordinator duties with Mike Markuson, who was promoted by Houston Nutt and will also continue to coach the offensive line.
Auburn's Adams certainly top 30 material
February, 25, 2010
Feb 25
3:30
PM ET
I’m still waiting on some of your lists counting down the top 30 players from this past season in the SEC.
While I haven’t received any complete lists, I have received plenty of feedback from you and some second-guessing. I’m sure you find that hard to believe.
Nah, seriously, there were several good points raised, and just like the preseason list I did, there were some players I probably should have included. Then again, I could have listed 50 players, and there still would have been some debate about those players who didn't make it.
Welcome to SEC football.
The one who sticks out is Auburn receiver Darvin Adams, clearly one of the breakthrough players of the year last season in the SEC. I didn’t forget about him. He was one of about three or four guys that I was trying to decide among for those last couple of spots.
And in retrospect, he probably deserved to be in there somewhere when you look at his numbers. He was second in the league to LSU’s Brandon LaFell with 10 touchdown catches and just missed 1,000 yards receiving (997).
So, I completely understand the heat I’m catching from the Plains about that one. But ultimately, I went with Alabama’s Julio Jones, even though Jones’ numbers were down this past season. Once he got a little healthier, he was much closer to his old self the second half of the season and was one of the best blocking receivers in the SEC.
Some of the other names that have been tossed out there by fans that weren’t on the list were Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus, Vanderbilt running back/return specialist Warren Norman, LSU safety Chad Jones, Georgia defensive end Justin Houston, Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton and Florida defensive end Jermaine Cunningham.
I could see an argument for most of those players. But over and above Adams, the two guys I had the hardest time leaving off the list were Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis and Kentucky defensive tackle Corey Peters.
I realize neither player is a household name, but they both had terrific seasons.
I also had some Alabama fans disagree with the order of the top two. Several thought I had it transposed and that Rolando McClain should have been No. 1 and Mark Ingram No. 2. Indeed, that was a hard call, and I did go back and forth.
But my Heisman Trophy vote went to Ingram, and I wasn’t going to deviate from that.
Once again, let’s see some of your top 30 lists (name and where you live), and I’ll run some of them in the SEC blog.
While I haven’t received any complete lists, I have received plenty of feedback from you and some second-guessing. I’m sure you find that hard to believe.
Nah, seriously, there were several good points raised, and just like the preseason list I did, there were some players I probably should have included. Then again, I could have listed 50 players, and there still would have been some debate about those players who didn't make it.
Welcome to SEC football.
The one who sticks out is Auburn receiver Darvin Adams, clearly one of the breakthrough players of the year last season in the SEC. I didn’t forget about him. He was one of about three or four guys that I was trying to decide among for those last couple of spots.
And in retrospect, he probably deserved to be in there somewhere when you look at his numbers. He was second in the league to LSU’s Brandon LaFell with 10 touchdown catches and just missed 1,000 yards receiving (997).
So, I completely understand the heat I’m catching from the Plains about that one. But ultimately, I went with Alabama’s Julio Jones, even though Jones’ numbers were down this past season. Once he got a little healthier, he was much closer to his old self the second half of the season and was one of the best blocking receivers in the SEC.
Some of the other names that have been tossed out there by fans that weren’t on the list were Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus, Vanderbilt running back/return specialist Warren Norman, LSU safety Chad Jones, Georgia defensive end Justin Houston, Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton and Florida defensive end Jermaine Cunningham.
I could see an argument for most of those players. But over and above Adams, the two guys I had the hardest time leaving off the list were Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis and Kentucky defensive tackle Corey Peters.
I realize neither player is a household name, but they both had terrific seasons.
I also had some Alabama fans disagree with the order of the top two. Several thought I had it transposed and that Rolando McClain should have been No. 1 and Mark Ingram No. 2. Indeed, that was a hard call, and I did go back and forth.
But my Heisman Trophy vote went to Ingram, and I wasn’t going to deviate from that.
Once again, let’s see some of your top 30 lists (name and where you live), and I’ll run some of them in the SEC blog.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Chris Low
Low joined ESPN.com in 2007 after 10 years with The (Nashville) Tennessean covering the University of Tennessee and SEC. The Rock Hill, S.C., native lives with his wife in Knoxville and has three sons.
