Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer 2009 College Football Interview with 2010 NFL Draft Quotes

>> Saturday, January 9, 2010

Jonathan Dwyer, junior tailback at Georgia Tech, could be competing in his final collegiate game this evening when he and his Yellow Jacket teammates take on Iowa in the Orange Bowl.

Targeted as no later than a second-round pick by the pundits, Dwyer will decide after the bowl game if he will forgo his senior season and enter the 2010 NFL Draft.

Last week, Dwyer answered some quick questions via email which follow below:

FRD: My first question is about the ACC championship, what was it like to get to play for the championship and on top of that have such an impact like you did even scoring the game winning TD?

Dwyer: It was a memorable game that I will never forget. It was probably the best ACC championship in history with talented players on each side. Scoring the game winning touchdown I couldn't have done without my offensive line and Anthony Allen for a key block to spring me loose.

FRD: Coming out of high school, did you imagine you would be playing in this type of old school offense with the triple threat that you guys have? Or would you have gone to a school where you are the dominate runner?

Dwyer: No I had no idea that I would be running the triple option. I think the triple threat helps everyone out because the defense can't just key on one guy. It would be cool to be the main guy, but like I said I enjoy being a part of the best backfield in the country.

FRD: What are your thoughts going into the Orange Bowl with Iowa? Pat Angerer is a stud at LB how do you feel about this match up?

Dwyer: It's going to be a big game. Iowa is very good on defense and got a great LB and DE. I think its going to be a fun match up and game to be a part of.

FRD: How has your schedule been with such a break between games? How are you staying in game mode?

Dwyer: There is no reason not to stay in game mode. This is the biggest game of my college career. I know my teammates are ready and we better show up to play a good team like Iowa.

FRD: You've recently said you were going to submit your paperwork to see where you are in the NFL radar, have you put any more thought into entering the draft?

Dwyer: Yes there has been thought but no decision yet. I have to talk more with coach Johnson, my parents and my high school coaches Derek Cook, Irv Sigler and Richard Norman.

FRD: Has coach Johnson addressed entering the draft with you and given you his thoughts/advice?

Dwyer: Yes he has. He wants the best for us and he is giving us the most info he can get.

Nick Chesney contributed to this Q and A.

This interview is also online at the NBC Sports website College Football Talk and can be found via the link -- A conversation with... Jonathan Dwyer

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Indiana Hoosiers LB Matt Mayberry 2009 College Football Interview with 2010 NFL Draft Quotes



For the Indiana Hoosiers, the 2009 season ended against bitter in-state rival Purdue University. The Old Oaken Bucket, the trophy prized by both schools in their rivalry match-up, remained with the Boilermakers after the Hoosiers fell 38-21.

Against Purdue, senior Matt Mayberry concluded his career with one of his most outstanding games. The Hoosier linebacker finished with nine tackles and two sacks. Still, the loss in his final game capped a season of disappointment.

"We did not execute," Mayberry said during a phone interview this month, "we were never fully satisfied."

The Hoosiers struggled to find their form this season and ended with seven losses in the final eight games. "The results were not quite what we were looking for," Mayberry said.

Mayberry finished as one of the most accomplished linebackers ever to play at Indiana. Blessed with top-level speed for the position, he ended his senior campaign with 108 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks.

"I have good speed for a linebacker," Mayberry said. "The coaching staff utilized my abilities to get after the quarterback."

Adding in his senior totals, the linebacker ended his IU career with 251 tackles.

Much of his success was due to his summer regimen working out with Kevin Kasper. The former NFL wide receiver/returner is known for his speed training and Mayberry looked to Kasper to maximize his potential.

"Kevin knows his training. It was a privilege to work with him. He took me under his wing." Mayberry added, "He is a NFL veteran, so when he says something, you listen."

The Hoosier completed a battery of exercises including several focused on making him more explosive, a trait that is vital for linebackers looking to make the transition to the pro game.

And the pro game is indeed where Mayberry intends to end up, like his mentor Kasper. Mayberry is beginning to analyze his choices for where he will train prior to the 2010 NFL Draft.

"Nothing is finalized, but there are a lot of great facilities across the country."

With his sideline-to-sideline speed, Mayberry should be satisfied come April where he is projected to be selected at the NFL Draft.

This interview is also online at the NBC Sports website College Football Talk and can be found via the link -- A conversation with... Matt Mayberry

Photo Credit: Indiana Athletics

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Bob Chesney Profile: Johns Hopkins defense records historic season under defensive coordinator’s guidance

>> Monday, January 4, 2010

By: Sean Grybos

It is roughly seven hours before the end of the decade; the streets of Baltimore are filling with revelers eager to ring in 2010 at the city’s annual fireworks display in Inner Harbor. Outside residents of Charm City celebrate, but inside at the Johns Hopkins football offices, associate head coach/defensive coordinator Bob Chesney is going over recruiting files.

Much like the revelers, Chesney is eager to move into 2010 sans the noisemakers and fireworks, for it’s the 2010 Blue Jays season that he is focused on at this moment when I reach him via phone.


Photo Credit: Johns Hopkins Athletics

From Dickinson to Johns Hopkins

Chesney, a four-year letter winner at Pennsylvania’s Dickinson College, played safety for the Red Devils football team. At Dickinson, he began to formulate ideas about defense that would now serve him as the Blue Jays defensive coordinator. "[Playing safety] you take it all in; you are involved in both the pass and run," Chesney said, "You see the play progress."

After graduation, Chesney moved to Vermont in 2000 joining the staff at Norwich University to begin his coaching career. Stops at Delaware Valley College and Kings College followed before he ended up at Johns Hopkins where he has been for the past five seasons.

In his first two seasons, he worked with the Blue Jays defensive backs and special teams before being named defensive coordinator in his third season. This past summer Chesney was named associate head coach. With this title came added accountability to the program, its players, and coaching staff.

Chesney now was more involved in the decision making process for several facets of the program including recruiting, practice planning, and the strength and conditioning program. "Head coach Margraff and I work well together," Chesney said. "I am very thankful for the opportunity."

With new responsibilities in tow, Chesney also maintained his focus on his defensive coordinator duties. In 2009, the Blue Jays would venture into uncharted territory in the program’s greatest season ever. Hopkins made its deepest ever run in the NCAA Division III football tournament.

Along with a strong offense and special teams, the defense would play its role in Hopkins impressive season which culminated in a trip to the Division III quarterfinals after defeating two higher ranked opponents on the road.

No Centennial Conference program had ever before advanced to the third round of the tournament until the Blue Jays accomplished the feat this year. Hopkins, the Centennial Conference Champions, finished the season 10-3.


Photo Credit: Johns Hopkins Athletics

Intelligent Football

Chesney credits the student-athletes under his tutelage for the team’s 2009 defensive success. Accountability, trust, and performance on and off the field including academics are all important to the Hopkins football player.

"It’s obvious. These kids understand the bigger picture," Chesney said. "Not just on the field where they have a full understanding of what we are trying to accomplish, but off the field as well."

He added that the coaches have a saying for this combination of football prowess and academic pedigree. "We like to say that we practice smarter; we like to maximize our practice time and these players allow us to do that," Chesney said.

This "just do your job" mentality as Chesney described it allowed the defense to prosper into one of the greatest units in the history of the Hopkins program. "On the year, we averaged more than four turnovers a game," Chesney said.

"The defense finished first in the country in interceptions with 30 and placed in the top 25 of every other category. We had a very good year because our players were accountable and trusted one another," Chesney said.

The Prototype for the Next Decade

One such student-athlete was standout linebacker Colin Wixted who Chesney utilized all across the field. Wixted became the fourth Blue Jays player to be named Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

The linebacker finished third on the team with 76 tackles including 11 for loss. He also had four quarterback sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and added both a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Wixted and his defensive teammates allowed just 16.5 points per game.

Blessed with a strong combination of intelligence and athleticism, Wixted lined up at nearly every position from the defensive line to the secondary.

"Colin broke the mold," Chesney said. "He was very good. Smart, fast, tough, able to blitz and put pressure on the QB. It was exciting to get a chance to coach a player like that."

New Year, Same Ideals

Bob Chesney understands and appreciates the collegiate coaching environment. Accountability, strength of character, belief in self, perseverance, and dedication to his job are all tools that the associate head coach/defensive coordinator utilizes throughout his weekly routines and duties at the Johns Hopkins football program.

These tools will be needed for capturing the ultimate prize – a Division III National Championship. Then it will be time to grab those noisemakers, maybe even some fireworks in Inner Harbor too.

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Purdue Boilermakers QB Joey Elliott 2009 College Football Interview with 2010 NFL Draft Quotes

>> Wednesday, December 23, 2009


Statistically speaking, Joey Elliott's 2009 season ended on a high note. The Purdue University quarterback led the Boilermakers to four wins in his final six contests; he finished first in the Big Ten Conference in passing with 252.2 yards per game; and the redshirt senior tossed 22 touchdowns.

In his final three games, Elliott passed for 945 yards and connected on eight of his 22 touchdowns. Plus, the quarterback become only the fourth player in the history of the program to throw for 3,000+ yards in his first season as a starter. Included on this list are current NFL superstar Drew Brees and the Indianapolis Colts backup Curtis Painter, the quarterback who played in front of Elliott for three seasons.

More important than stats, Elliott quarterbacked the Boilermakers to several historic victories. Big Ten Conference wins came against a top-ten opponent (Ohio State Buckeyes) and on the road (Michigan Wolverines). The win at the Big House, Michigan's stadium, was the first for the Boilermakers since 1966. One has to go back to 2000 to find the last time Purdue defeated both Ohio State and Michigan in the same season.

The win against then No. 7 Ohio State snapped an early-season losing streak, including devastating losses at Pac-10 champion Oregon and at home to Norte Dame, that left the football team reeling.

"I wish the ball would have bounced our way during the 2009 season," Elliott said. "We were really close to being a surprise team during 2009."

Against the Buckeyes, Elliott threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps the game's most crucial play came when Elliott focused in on Keith Smith and connected with the wide receiver down the middle of the field just prior to halftime.

"It was a huge play," Elliott said. "The catch allowed us to get 3 points and take the lead."

Kicker Carson Wiggs hit from 55 yards out to give the Boilermakers a 9-7 advantage. Elliott and his teammates then staved off an Ohio State rally in the second half for a 26-18 victory.

"Beating Ohio State was huge because after so many close losses we needed a win," the quarterback said. "The celebration was like a rock was lifting off our backs."

Elliott’s collegiate career ended at Indiana as Purdue retained the Old Oaken Bucket, a trophy prized by both schools, with a 38-21 win against their in-state rival. The quarterback completed the afternoon match-up against the Hoosiers with four touchdown passes.

"The Bucket game is a rivalry that dates way back," Elliott said. "Growing up in Indiana I knew all about it. The records are thrown out the window and you are playing for PRIDE."

Up next, Elliott hopes to make an impression with a NFL team in 2010.

"Every college kid wants to fill the shoes of a NFL player," Elliott said. "I will do anything and everything to make that dream come true."

He should land in an NFL camp this spring as he looks to join the list of Purdue quarterbacks who have played at the professional level.

This interview is also online at the NBC Sports website College Football Talk and can be found via the link -- A conversation with... Joey Elliott

Photo Credit: Purdue Athletics

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Notre Dame WR Golden Tate profile prior to 2010 NFL Draft

Former Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate looks back through his collegiate career and pinpoints his first receiving touchdown as his most memorable play.

Interesting, considering that in 2009, Tate performed at an exceptional level, adding numerous memorable plays to his game film. At the conclusion of his Notre Dame career, however, the wide receiver reflects on that first touchdown in 2007, a 25-yard pass from Evan Sharpley against the Purdue Boilermakers.

"My first touchdown at Notre Dame is my signature moment," said Tate. "The coach had confidence in me and put me in. That is where it all started."

Tate was recently named the 2009 Biletnikoff award winner. The award is given to the nation's top collegiate receiver. "It's a great award, to be listed with those receivers," Tate said.

Now that he has announced his intention to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, preparations for playing at the professional level are up next.

"I will start interviewing with agencies soon," Tate said. "After that, I’ll set up with a training facility to get ready for the next level. I want to work on my speed and get faster."

The two-sport athlete at Notre Dame agrees that playing on the Irish baseball team aided in honing his receiving skills. "Baseball helped me a lot," Tate said, "I learned to catch the ball at the highest point. It’s been a big help."

Golden Tate achieved at the highest level at Notre Dame and is ready to begin a new chapter in the NFL. "I am excited," Tate said. "I want to do well at the next level."

This interview is also online at the NBC Sports website College Football Talk and can be found via the link -- A conversation with... Golden Tate

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Lydell Sargeant: 2009 NFL Combine Interview

>> Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Cornerback Lydell Sargeant is one of several Penn State Nittany Lions who will be attending the NFL Combine beginning today and running through February 24th.

The senior not only found success on the field as one of the country's top defensive backs, but Sargeant was a key member in the political arena also. He was one of the leaders of Penn State Vote, which encouraged students to vote in the election last November.

Last spring, Sargeant wasn't preparing for the NFL Combine,
he was meeting then Senator Barack Obama as his campaign stopped at the university. The NFL hopeful presented the U.S. President with a Penn State football jersey in front of a crowd of more than 20,000 on the Old Main lawn.

Lydell Sargeant recently took sometime out of his combine preparations to speak with Football Review Daily about the his collegiate career, the NFL Combine, and his meeting with the U.S. President.

-- How have you prepared for the NFL combine?

I am training with Deion Sanders. The combine training program is called 'Prime U'. Training with Deion, I have learned alot about the game and specifically my position. Deion is one of the greatest if not the greatest cornerback to ever play the game, so having him teach me has been big in the development of my game. Not to mention he might have been one of the fastest players as well. We not only do combine training here (40, bench, drills, etc.) we also have wonderlic training, interview training, and life training. I think I am as prepared as I can be for the NFL combine.

-- Is there an advantage to having some of your college teammates at the event?

I don't really think there is a big advantage, as most of us are going to arrive and test on different days. I think seeing familiar faces is definitely comforting, and can help calm down your nerves a little. At the end of the day, you have to perform and show what you can do as an individual.

-- Was the 2008 season a success?

The 2008 season was a huge success. We started the season I believe ranked 4th or 5th in the big ten, and at the end of the season we were Big Ten Champions. We had the opportunity to play in a BCS game (rose bowl) didn't have the expected come out, but it was a great experience. Finishing 11-2 and winning the Big Ten, our team will be stamped in the stadium and in the football facility forever.


Photo Courtesy of Penn State University Athletics

-- Favorite game moment from 2008?

Favorite game moment from 2008, would be the Michigan State game. That was a big game for us, and we won and came out of the game Big Ten Champions, and I personally had a good game and that's all you can ask for on senior night, your last game playing in front of your university and fans.

-- Favorite moment from your playing career?

Favorite moment from my playing career would again be the Michigan State game. Senior night, getting an interception, winning the Big Ten Title, it was just a special day. Personally probably the interception against Ohio State at the end of the game, to clinch the game was probably one of my favorite moments.

-- Can you talk about the experience being a part of the Obama campaign this past year?

Being a part of the Obama campaign is probably the best experience of my life. I have grew up around sports and sports has always been a major part of my life, and for me to get as involved as I was in something besides sports was definitely a good feeling. To say that I played a part in helping Barack Obama become the President of the United States is special. Not only did I help out, but I had a chance to talk and build a relationship with him. Not too many people can say that they know the President of the United States, and I can and am very blessed to be able to.

-- Are politics in your future?

Politics is a harsh life. I have seen first hand how time consuming it is. You have to put a lot of hard work into it and you have to truly love what you do to be successful. Not to mention all criticism you get, its a very hard job. As I describe it, it sounds alot like sports! I'm not ruling it out, but its not in my near future, football is what I love and is what I want to do.

-- Growing up outside of Pittsburgh, you became friends with former PSU cornerback Justin King. What advice did he have for you about the pros?

Justin is my best friend, and I talk to him pretty much everyday. I talked to him last year when he was going through this process and sort of got a inside scoop of what it is like. He basically just told me, you can only control what you do. You cant control what team is going to like your style of play, you cant control what team is going to draft you, you cant do anything about those type of things. Once you have done everything you can and you've done it the best you can, all you can do is relax and just let things fall where the may. He's told me I can play at that level, he tells me all the time I have the skills and knowledge to play in the pros, and if I continue to work hard I can be successful in the league.

-- Finally, can you talk about the fans of the PSU program. What was it like playing in front of 100,000+ during your collegiate career?

Penn State Fans are the best fans in the country. The fans are what makes Penn State Football what it is. Playing in front of 100,000+ is special, and is something that ill never forget. I am blessed to be able to have a chance to play in front of those fans, the fans that are there rain or shine, win or defeat, hot or cold, they truly bleed blue and white. I probably won't be able to play ( if ever) in front of 100,000+ fans again and that is what makes playing in Beaver Stadium so exciting. As an athlete all you can do is appreciate the fans, and I personally am very appreciative and thankful for the 100,000+ Penn State fans that came to watch me play during my career there.

*Note: Obamicon Image created using Photo Courtesy of Penn State University Athletics

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Michael Marquardt: Focused on His NFL Future

>> Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Photo Credit: Arizona State University Athletics

Former Arizona State defensive end Michael Marquardt kindly spoke with Football Review Daily prior to the NFL Draft.

He recently signed a rookie free agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. The defensive end’s journey to the NFL began in a football family, detoured abroad, and was finalized at Arizona State.

Marquardt grew up in a football household. His father Peter played at UCLA and his two older brothers also played collegiate football. Daniel played on the defensive line at Brigham Young University and Brian played at defensive tackle for Weber State. While a certain amount of competitiveness permeated the household, Marquardt believes that the support dynamic was more important for his development. “There is a degree of competitiveness, but on the flip side,” Marquardt added, “I used to call one of my brothers after every game and ask him what he thought.

Before his junior season, Marquardt spent time abroad as a missionary for his LDS church. Living and working in the futbol hotbed of Argentina seems like hardly a place to hone one’s American football skills, but the time spent in Bahia Blanca allowed Marquardt to set his sights on his football future. “You really become more focused on what you want.” Marquardt continued, “You have that time to sit and think about it.

With his mission work finished, Marquardt completed two successful campaigns for the Sun Devils. He started all 23 collegiate games he played in. In both his junior and senior season, he was named as an All-Pac-10 honorable mention. In his final regular-season game against the University of Arizona on December 1, 2007, the senior captain blocked a field goal attempt, recovered a fumble, and added a solo tackle. After the game, he was named the Most Valuable Player, a distinction that earned him the Ben Goo Trophy.

The student-athlete majored in urban planning. He was also a two-time First Team Pac-10 All-Academic selection and he was named to Arizona State University’s National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Scholar-Athletes.

Now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Marquardt feels that the time he invested this spring preparing for the NFL will be the difference. “There was nothing to distract me from preparing for the NFL. It has been really nice to focus on football.”

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Adrian Peterson Aims for 2,000…Can He Do It? (Part II)

>> Sunday, June 1, 2008

By: Mo Noorali
Football Review Daily

Read Part I: The 5 RBs in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards

Now, let’s look at what Adrian Peterson’s chances are of eclipsing the 2,000 yard mark. The Tavaris factor can be thrown out the window, since history is showing us that the worse the passing offense (3 of the 5 2,000 yard rushers were on a team that was last or 2nd last in the league in passing yards), the more yards for Peterson. In other words, greatness finds ways to get their yards, even if the defense knows its coming. Another thing Peterson has going for him is the fact that he has a great defense backing him, as did four of the five previous 2,000 yard rushers (with Barry Sanders being the exception). Having a good defense helps because they force three and outs, and help the offense get more possessions, which leads to more potential carries for the back (in the Lions case, they just let the other team score as quickly as possible, and Barry got his chances that way).

The Vikings should also be good enough to (at least) land in the middle of the pack in points scored, as have the other five teams of the previous 2,000 yard rushers. Also similar to all the teams but the 1998 Broncos, the Vikings will probably have a record around 9-7 or 10-6. Another similarity between AD and four of the five players to previously accomplish the feat is that he is known as an “upright runner” (all the others were except for Sanders). On that note, some feel that Peterson being an upright runner leaves him susceptible to big hits from on-coming linebackers and safeties, which will lead to him getting injured. Though it is a fact Adrian has not had a completely healthy season since his senior year in HS, it looked like he was going to make it last year, until a fluke of an injury. If Peterson stays healthy all year will it be enough?

History tells us that Chester Taylor’s presence will not stop Peterson since all five current members of the 2,000 yard club played on teams that were either 1st or 2nd in the league in rushing, and all five allowed their teammates to pick up at least 400 yards. It is possible that Chester gets more than that, but he should not get many more than that, he should get about 100 carries, and at a generous 4.5 yards per carry, he would yield 450 yards on the season. The carries though will be Peterson’s downfall. There is no way the Vikings will let him carry the ball more than 300 times. OJ Simpson had the least carries of the five, at 332 to reach the feat.

Even if we were to bump Peterson’s average of 5.6 yards per carry last year to 6.2 this year (which would be higher than any of the other 2,000 yard rushers), at 300 carries, that is still going to leave him 140 yards short of the mark. For those of you that think if he gets close enough, the Vikings will increase his load so that he can reach the mark, think again. There are too many other factors, such as potential rest in the final game for the playoffs, the track record of 2,000 yard rushers in the following season (there has always been a considerable drop off the next season), and the fact that they would choose his future health over a potentially historic season.

The truth is that, the way the NFL is constructed right now; there might not ever be another 2,000 yard rusher. Teams are starting to favor the two-back system more and more, and the health risks of giving one guy that big of a load (to get all the way to 2,000 yards) outweigh everything else. With that said, Peterson does have a chance to do it down the line, since the NFL could be changing very soon. It has been reported that in the new CBA a 17th regular season could be added, which could give Peterson a chance, but until that happens, the chances of another 2,000 yard rusher are pretty slim
.

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Adrian Peterson Aims for 2,000…Can He Do It? (Part I)

>> Saturday, May 31, 2008

By: Mo Noorali
Football Review Daily

Adrian Peterson excited Vikings fans and fantasy owners alike earlier this off-season when he stated that he will rush for 2,000 yards this season. Early last season, it seemed as if AD was going to pull off the feat in his rookie year, but eight and nine man fronts along with a knee injury prevented that from happening. The Vikings still have their superb offensive line intact, and are expecting Tavaris Jackson to make a big improvement in his second full year as a starter. Adrian Peterson has many obstacles in his way to reaching 2,000 yards though, including but not limited to Jackson’s inefficiency, staying healthy, and sharing the load with Chester Taylor. Along with all those factors is the fact that only five running backs in the history of the NFL have ever rushed for over 2,000 yards. Let’s take a moment to look over those five historic seasons before making any predictions for Peterson in 2008.

OJ Simpson – 1973 – 2,003 Yards

Let’s not forget that OJ did it (yes, I did just use those three words together) in just 14 games because that was how many they played per season back then. It took him 332 carries to get his total for the season, which resulted in an average of 6.0 yards per carry. It should be noted that Simpson only had one “horrible” game, in which he went for 55 yards on 14 carries. He had another one in which he was “average” in which he totaled 79 yards on 20 carries. His other 12 games, he was either at or over 99 yards…including 11 100+ yard games, six 150+ yard games, and three 200+ yard games, along with his dazzling opening week game of 250 yards. The Buffalo Bills as a team went 9-5 on the season (missed the playoffs), had the 15th ranked offense out of 26 teams, and the 10th ranked defense, points wise. Yards wise, the Bills were ranked 10th offensively and 14th defensively. The Bills ranked last in passing offense with a total of 997 yards on the season, and predictably finished 1st in the league in rushing yards, with 3,088 yards on the ground for the season.

Eric Dickerson – 1984 – 2,105 Yards

Dickerson, unlike Simpson, accomplished the feat in 16 games; therefore, his per game average was not as high (131.6 for Dickerson to Simpson’s 143.1). Dickerson, however, still holds the single season record for rushing yards in a season. He also carried the ball quite a few more times than Simpson, 379, and had a yard per carry average of 5.6. A glance at Dickerson’s game logs from 1984 show that he had a couple of very bad games and was still able to rush for over 2,000 yards (he had games of 49 and 39 yards). In his other 14 games though, Dickerson went for 98 or more in 13 of them, topping out at 215. He actually rushed for 215 in the game in which he broke Simpson’s record (the 15th game of the season). The St. Louis Rams as a team went 10-6 on the season (also missed the playoffs), had the 12th best offense out of 28 teams, and the 13th best defense, when looking at points. They were ranked 21st in offense and 14th in defense when looking at how many yards they gained and allowed. The Rams were 27th in passing offense with a total of 2,142 and 2nd in rushing yards, with 2,864 yards on the season.

Barry Sanders – 1997 – 2,053 Yards

Sanders famously started out the season with 2 sub 100 yard games (33 and 20), and finished it with 14 straight 100 yard games (which is still a single season record). It took him 335 carries to reach his total, and Sanders averaged 6.1 yards per carry, the highest among all 2,000 yard rushers. Along with his 14 100 yard games, Sanders mixed in five games of at least 150 yards, including two 200 yard games, topping out at 216. In 1997, the Detroit Lions were 9-7 and made the playoffs as a wild-card team (remember that there were no wild-cards when Dickerson and Simpson accomplished their feats), losing in the 1st round to the Tampa Bay Bucs. They scored the 4th most points in the league (out of 30 teams), and gained the 2nd most yards. The Lions were 21st in the league in points allowed, and 14th in the league in yards allowed. They were ranked 12th in the league in passing offense with a total of 3,334 yards and 2nd in rushing yards with 2,464 yards.

Terrell Davis – 1998 – 2,008 Yards

Davis enjoyed his 4th and final great season in 1998 eclipsing the 2,000 yard mark in 392 carries, with an average of 5.1 yards per carry. He had 11 games of 100 yards or more, along with five games of 150 plus yards, and one 200 yard game, his season high of 208. Of all the 2,000 yard rushers, Davis’ team enjoyed the most success going 14-2 in the regular season, and winning the Super Bowl. In the playoffs he actually rushed 78 times for a total of 468 yards, so it could be argued that he truly is the record for most rushing yards in a season, but that’s an argument we’ll let Davis and Dickerson decide. The Broncos, coming off a Super Bowl the year before, finished 2nd in the league (out of 30 teams) in points scored and 3rd in the league in yards gained. The defense allowed the 9th fewest points in the league that year, and the 11th fewest yards. The Broncos were 7th in the league in passing offense with 3.624 yards (some guy named Elway played behind center that year), and 2nd in the league in rushing offense with a total of 2.468 yards.

Jamal Lewis – 2003 – 2,066 Yards

The 5th and most recent member of the 2,000 yard club is Jamal Lewis. He reached his total in 387 carries, at an average of 5.3 yards per carry. Lewis gained a ridiculous amount (500) of those yards against his current team, the Cleveland Browns, including a then record-breaking 295 yards in week 2. Lewis crossed the century mark 12 times, but only had three 150 yard games and two 200 yard games (both against the aforementioned Browns). The thing that helped Lewis the most was his consistency, as his lowest total on the season was 68 yards. That season, the Baltimore Ravens went 10-6, made the playoffs, and lost to the Titans in the 1st round. They scored the 9th (out of 32 teams) most points in the league, and allowed the 6th fewest. The Ravens gained the 21st most yards, but were able to overcome that by allowing the 3rd least yards in the league. They were ranked last in the league in passing offense, gaining a total of 2,255 yards through the air, but finished 1st in rushing yards with 2,674.

So, now that the history lesson is complete, can Adrian Peterson rush for 2,000 yards?

Find out tomorrow in part II of my report.

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Art Monk: Just One Part of the Redskin's Dynamic Trio

>> Monday, May 26, 2008

By: William Calvin
Football Review Daily

In the late 1980s and early 1990s there was a trio of NFL wide receivers like no other, The Posse was their name, consisting of recent Hall of Fame inductee Art Monk, small in stature but big in heart Gary Clark, and speedster/Super Bowl record breaker Ricky Sanders. While Clark’s and Sanders’ statistical achievements were not head and shoulders above other NFL receivers, the three combined wreaked havoc on opposing defenses with their sure-handedness and lighting fast speed.

Art Monk, easily the most known of the three receivers, frequently rested among the NFL’s elite in various receiving categories. Known to most as “Quiet Man” or sometimes even “#81” because of his humble nature, Art Monk was one of the most reliable receivers to ever lace ‘em up. With his precise route running and sure hands he was able to eclipse 900 receptions, the first receiver in history to do so. With 940 receptions, over 12,000 career yards, and 68 touchdowns, Art seemed to be a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame. Yet it took the famed receiver almost 9 years to achieve what lesser receivers had already done. On February 2nd, 2008, the 1980 All Rookie winner, 3-time All Pro, 3-time Pro Bowler, and one time #1 receiver in NFL history was finally enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Gary Clark, one time USFL player, was well respected for his ability to play big while being only 5’9” 180 lbs. In 1985, Clark was signed by the Washington Redskins and went on to have an amazing rookie campaign consisting of 72 receptions, nearly 1000 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Consistently a 1000 yard per season receiver, Clark still holds a Redskins Monday Night Football receiving record of 11 receptions, 241 yards, and 1 touchdown. A 4-time Pro Bowler, Redskins’ Ring of Honor inductee, and one of Washington’s 70 Greatest Redskins, Gary Clark was a huge cog in this trio of miracle working receivers.

Ricky Sanders, while not the most popular member of The Posse, Sanders was easily the fastest and most electrifying on the trio. In Super Bowl XXII, Sanders had one of the greatest games in Super Bowl history. With 9 passes for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns, Sanders was able to haul in 168 of those yards in one quarter along with 2 touchdowns, all while tying a touchdown receiving record of 80 yards on one play. After a brief run in with the law in 1991, Ricky Sanders was eventually released in 1993 and signed by the Dolphins where he never played another down.

With nearly 35,000 receiving yards, 2100 receptions, and roughly 190 touchdowns combined, The Posse will forever go down in NFL history as one of the toughest trio of receivers to cover, as most teams did not have 3 top cornerbacks to do so.

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Why Owners Opted Out

>> Sunday, May 25, 2008

By: Scott Rogers
Football Review Daily

As we all know by now, the NFL owners opted to terminate the collective bargaining agreement early with the players union, giving the potential for a lockout in 2011. Scary stuff? Please!

Right now, there is absolutely no reason to think this will not be resolved with a few concessions on both sides. Any other doomsday scenarios that you read are just posturing from one side. In effect, there were three main reasons Commissioner Roger Goodell listed as the main reasons for early termination.

  1. High Labor Costs
  2. Rookie Money Pool
  3. Inability to recoup bonuses in contracts where players breach the contract of refuse to perform

The high labor costs will remain, if only because every industry from McDonald’s to the NFL has to spend a certain amount of money on salaries. Roughly 60% of league revenue goes toward player costs. Don’t expect to see this change too much. What I believe will change is the way rookie contracts are handed out. There will be some sort of cap, not as low as the NBA rookie salary structure, but a bit more manageable so we won’t see Matt Ryan with a bigger guaranteed bonus than Larry Fitzgerald.

The bonus issue is a big deal. The Michael Vick court ruling is a warning for all owners that when you guarantee money, you do not face good odds in getting it back. What will happen is some sort of guidelines will be drawn up for many scenarios showing how much money owners can recoup. Most likely all other issues will end up before independent arbitration.

So do not panic. The sky is not falling. Realistically, nothing will get accomplished for the rest of 2008. 2009 should be the jump off for real negotiations and if nothing has happened in two years, then we can hit the panic button.

Scott Rogers will report on the economic state of the NFL as well as the latest trends in performance training.

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Money for Nothing and Your Cleats for Free

>> Wednesday, May 21, 2008

By: Scott Rogers
Football Review Daily

Being the worst team in the NFL is bad enough. No one went through last season without poking fun at the Dolphins, especially the ill-fated Ricky Williams comeback. Not only does your fan base become agitated, but your talented players feel like seniors at the freshman dance. So as a reward, you get the first pick in the NFL Draft. Exciting? Yes. Getting a great college player? Yes. Getting a great NFL player? Possibly. Spending some money? Absolutely.

The first pick in the NFL Draft can be a blessing and a curse. For Jake Long, the blessing comes in the form of $30+ million guaranteed. For the Dolphins, a Courtney Brown-esque curse? Time will only tell.

Cade Massey and Richard Thaler highlighted this phenomenon in “The Loser’s Curse”, whose subtitle should have been that players drafted in the first round have as good of a chance as making it to the pro bowl (9%) as they do never starting a single game (8%). This study is a must read for any football junkie. But how can we predict which group our pick will land in?

For one, it is very complicated to analyze with a formula. A player’s impact at a skill position is easy to see. But what about a defensive tackle? A starting guard? It becomes a bit murky. The easiest way to assign a value to each pick is the NFL Draft chart that teams use when trading. We would also need to take into account the average amount of guaranteed money doled out to each spot over the past 4 years. As you can see, with the variables we will be adding, this could get extremely complicated.

The easiest way to look at it is by comparing guaranteed money. Salaries are available for the average fan to see. Looking at only guaranteed money, Long and Matt Ryan are both around $35 million in guaranteed salary. This type of investment is rarely given to the best players. Larry Fitzgerald renegotiated his contract this off-season and got $30 million guaranteed. Alan Faneca got $21 million guaranteed. These two guys have been to multiple pro bowls and Faneca is consistently one of the best lineman in the game. Something has to give.

From a finance standpoint, giving a proven player a lot of money upfront carries a small risk. Giving a rookie, who may not even start right away, a bigger bonus carries exponentially greater risk. But what is a bad team to do? Fans do not want to hear fiscal responsibility and risk reduction in a $6 billion dollar industry. In the end all fans care about is wins, which if the team had any, then they wouldn’t be in this spot in the first place.

Scott Rogers will report on the economic state of the NFL as well as the latest trends in performance training.

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