Broncos_OTM
09-16-2007, 12:27 AM
Sports Illustrated: Risers and Sliders
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Risers:
Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia: After being held to two-yards during the first half of a tight game against Marshall, Slaton broke things open in the second half. Punching in a pair of scores, the speedy running back totaled 144-yards on the ground in what was eventually a Mountaineers route. Slaton is considered a first round lock if he enters the draft.
Philip Merling, DL, Clemson: The junior made several key plays late in the game during the Tigers' victory over Florida State. He has great upside and could become a first-round prospect if he continues to progress.
Cory Byrd, RB, South Carolina: The little known running back was instrumental in the Gamecocks' upset over Georgia in Athens. He scored the game's only touchdown and averaged 5.4-yards on 14-carries. More importantly, Byrd picked up several key first downs during a late fourth-quarter drive to chew up the clock. He's a well-sized ball carrier at 215 pounds and has the potential to be a first day pick.
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida: Both cornerbacks from South Florida came up big in the upset victory over Auburn, but Jenkins was outstanding. The blanket coverage thrown on Auburn receivers by Jenkins caused headaches for Tiger passer Brandon Cox, who had a terrible game. Jenkins, another possible first day pick, intercepted a crucial pass in the fourth quarter, putting USF in scoring position.
Tony Hills, OT, Texas: Hills had an outstanding game protecting quarterback Colt McCoy in the win over TCU. He controlled pass rushing specialist and potential first-round pick Tommy Blake as well as Blake's teammate Chase Ortiz (a middle-round prospect). One of the more underrated pass protectors in the senior class, Hills is a top-60 prospect.
Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU: The rough and tumble linebacker was all over the field forcing the action as LSU routed Virginia Tech. Highsmith confused the Hokie quarterbacks on the blitz and made plays sideline-to-sideline all night.
Steve Justice, C, Wake Forest: Even in a tough loss to Nebraska, Justice was solid all day. The leader of Wake's offensive line, his blocking skills were key to several long drives that ended up in touchdowns.
Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon: Dixon had a career day during Oregon's manhandling of Michigan, accounting for 368 total yards, including 292 through the air, and four scores. NFL scouts have waited for Dixon to show better quarterbacking skills; the Michigan game could be a turning point for him.
Sliders:
Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson: He has the size (6-7, 345 pounds) and easily moves about the field for a large man. Yet the big blocker also gives half-hearted efforts and does not show the nastiness scouts want. Such was the case against Florida State, when Richardson seemingly gave up on plays and did not work to finish blocks.
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (FL): While Campbell had his moments during the Hurricanes shellacking at the hands of the Sooners, for the most part his play was uninspired. During most of the game, first-year starter Phil Loadholt, a junior college transfer who joined Oklahoma in January, handled Campbell.
Frank Okam, DT, Texas: The Texas tackle looked poorly conditioned and out of shape through most of the Longhorns victory over TCU. He was consistently handled at the line by one-on-one blocking and rarely got penetration up the field.
Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech: The highly rated junior had an awful evening during Tech's loss to LSU. He gave up several big plays in the first half to Tiger receiver Brandon LaFell, including a 56-yard completion, and was flagged for an unnecessary roughness penalty early in the game.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ers/index.html
Okam doesnt surprise me a whole bunch he was/is known as a lazy fella. i am a tad bit surprised however that cambell has taken a hit i thought he looked good the game i saw him
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Risers:
Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia: After being held to two-yards during the first half of a tight game against Marshall, Slaton broke things open in the second half. Punching in a pair of scores, the speedy running back totaled 144-yards on the ground in what was eventually a Mountaineers route. Slaton is considered a first round lock if he enters the draft.
Philip Merling, DL, Clemson: The junior made several key plays late in the game during the Tigers' victory over Florida State. He has great upside and could become a first-round prospect if he continues to progress.
Cory Byrd, RB, South Carolina: The little known running back was instrumental in the Gamecocks' upset over Georgia in Athens. He scored the game's only touchdown and averaged 5.4-yards on 14-carries. More importantly, Byrd picked up several key first downs during a late fourth-quarter drive to chew up the clock. He's a well-sized ball carrier at 215 pounds and has the potential to be a first day pick.
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida: Both cornerbacks from South Florida came up big in the upset victory over Auburn, but Jenkins was outstanding. The blanket coverage thrown on Auburn receivers by Jenkins caused headaches for Tiger passer Brandon Cox, who had a terrible game. Jenkins, another possible first day pick, intercepted a crucial pass in the fourth quarter, putting USF in scoring position.
Tony Hills, OT, Texas: Hills had an outstanding game protecting quarterback Colt McCoy in the win over TCU. He controlled pass rushing specialist and potential first-round pick Tommy Blake as well as Blake's teammate Chase Ortiz (a middle-round prospect). One of the more underrated pass protectors in the senior class, Hills is a top-60 prospect.
Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU: The rough and tumble linebacker was all over the field forcing the action as LSU routed Virginia Tech. Highsmith confused the Hokie quarterbacks on the blitz and made plays sideline-to-sideline all night.
Steve Justice, C, Wake Forest: Even in a tough loss to Nebraska, Justice was solid all day. The leader of Wake's offensive line, his blocking skills were key to several long drives that ended up in touchdowns.
Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon: Dixon had a career day during Oregon's manhandling of Michigan, accounting for 368 total yards, including 292 through the air, and four scores. NFL scouts have waited for Dixon to show better quarterbacking skills; the Michigan game could be a turning point for him.
Sliders:
Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson: He has the size (6-7, 345 pounds) and easily moves about the field for a large man. Yet the big blocker also gives half-hearted efforts and does not show the nastiness scouts want. Such was the case against Florida State, when Richardson seemingly gave up on plays and did not work to finish blocks.
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (FL): While Campbell had his moments during the Hurricanes shellacking at the hands of the Sooners, for the most part his play was uninspired. During most of the game, first-year starter Phil Loadholt, a junior college transfer who joined Oklahoma in January, handled Campbell.
Frank Okam, DT, Texas: The Texas tackle looked poorly conditioned and out of shape through most of the Longhorns victory over TCU. He was consistently handled at the line by one-on-one blocking and rarely got penetration up the field.
Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech: The highly rated junior had an awful evening during Tech's loss to LSU. He gave up several big plays in the first half to Tiger receiver Brandon LaFell, including a 56-yard completion, and was flagged for an unnecessary roughness penalty early in the game.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ers/index.html
Okam doesnt surprise me a whole bunch he was/is known as a lazy fella. i am a tad bit surprised however that cambell has taken a hit i thought he looked good the game i saw him