Thursday, June 26, 2008

ON AIR NOW: IN THE BLEACHERS (NEW SHOW)

The All Access Football Radio Network is proud to announce the addition of the In The Bleachers to its Blog Talk Radio lineup. Hosted by Brian Sakowski, In The Bleachers is the longest running college football podcast in the land, now entering its fourth season. Just one of many shows to be on the lookout for during the 2008 football season.

AIRING NOW: IN THE BLEACHERS - SEASON IV.EPISODE I - THE TOP NON-CONFERENCE GAMES FOR 2008

Tune-in right now to hear the first episode of In The Bleachers On Blog Talk Radio!
LISTEN NOW

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

FUTURE WATCH: BRANDON GREEN


By Brian Vornberg, College Football Insiders

The impact freshmen are having in college football is being felt more now than ever before. Percy Harvin was a great example a couple of years ago, as was Tim Tebow. Both were valuable contributors in the Florida Gators National Championship run in 2007. Last year, safety Chad Jones earned a lot of playing time for the LSU Tigers and made a similar impact on the defensive side of the ball.

In this, the first of a ten-part series, I will look at ten incoming freshman who could pay immediate dividends for their respective teams this upcoming college football season. First up in this series is Brandon Green. The Chicago-native headlines one of the strongest recruiting classes Minnesota has ever seen. The speedy WR brings optimism to the Golden Gophers and their fight to return to the national spotlight.

Brandon Green (Freshman WR, Minnesota)

- Standing 6’ 0” and weighing 167-pounds, nobody will mistake Brandon Green for the biggest wide receiver in the country. However, he may eventually become one of the best. Back in October of 2007, the dual-sport star (football and basketball) prospect out of Robeson High in Chicago committed to the Gophers over offers from almost every other Big Ten school, including Iowa, Illinois, Michigan State, and Northwestern. Green also brought his high school quarterback, Johnny Johnson, to help the Gophers in their rise back to national prominence.

His superb speed and all-around playmaking abilities will give Green an advantage from the moment he steps foot in Minnesota. He first set the stage for his recruitment in his junior year of high school when he finished the season with 62 catches for 1,875 yards and 21 TD’s. Coming off a great senior year, Rivals.com ranked him as the 39th best receiver in the nation. While speed and home-run-hitting ability are his strengths, he does have a couple of weaknesses. First, his size will not allow him to separate from receivers as easily as a bigger receiver, and he needs to work on running crisper routes. This is where Tim Brewster and his staff will need to earn their coaching stripes.

Green knew from the moment that he committed to the Gophers that he would be calling Minnesota home for the next four to five years. Speaking about how he might fit into coach Brewster’s offensive plans, Green said: “I feel that from the football side I’m a good fit in their offense and I could earn some early playing time.” Turning a Division I program around wasn’t the only major sticking point for Brandon in picking the Gophers. He knew that Minnesota was not only a great athletic institution, but a great academic one as well. “I’ll also get a great education at Minnesota and that was also really important,” Green said in an interview with GopherIllustrated.com in October.

And so it looks like year two of the spread offense in Minnesota will be a much better one thanks to the arrival of players such as Green and his teammate Johnson. Green should immediately become the team’s go-to deep threat in Brewster’s offense and should earn quite a bit of playing time in his first year on campus. After all, the Golden Gophers resurgence could depend on it.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

ALL ACCESS FOOTBALL RADIO UPDATE

Be Sure To Check Out Our All Access Football Radio Network On Blog Talk Radio For Exclusive Analysis On Everything Football.

FANTASY FOOTBALL INSIDERS RADIO: EPISODE #1
NFL Insiders Rick Serritella, Ross Mandel & Ralph Mancini Preview The Quarterbacks.
LISTEN NOW: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/All-Access-Football/2008/06/17/2008-FANTASY-FOOTBALL-INSIDERS-RADIO-EPISODE-1

THE LEGAL LINE: EPISODE #2

Legal Line Co-Founder Scott Daniels discusses violence in sports and looks back at some historical events and qustionable tactics.
TOMMORROW - 8:30 PM ET: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/All-Access-Football/2008/06/19/THE-LEGAL-LINE-EPISODE-2

ALL ACCESS
Our 2008 Canadian Football League Preview Show! Guests and Details TBA.
FRIDAY - 6:00 PM ET: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/All-Access-Football/2008/06/20/ALL-ACCESS-FOOTBALL-FRIDAY-SHOW-LIVE-6PM-ET

COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDERS: PREMIERE SHOW - ACC PREVIEW
College Football Insiders Co-Founder Daniel Mogollon hosts the first installment of CFI Radio.
MONDAY, JUNE 23RD: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/All-Access-Football/2008/06/23/PREMIERE-SHOW-COLLEGE-FOOTBALL-INSIDERS-EPISODE-1

To bookmark our radio channel, click here.

SMALL SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT: VOL XVIII

Over the next few weeks I will highlight some small school players to watch for next season that scouts have already taken notice of. In each installment I will highlight some names who will be on the NFL radar this coming season.

ILB LEE ROBINSON, ALCORN STATE, 6021, 246, 4.65E
Robinson somehow went unnoticed by the SWAC coaches and didn’t earn All-SWAC honors after piling up 82 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He can run, hit, and appears to be in better shape this year. The coaches are moving him from OLB to ILB and letting him roam sideline to sideline more. He does need to play with more pad level due to being so big but if he can polish his technique he has the potential to move up boards. He is rated as a late rounder by many NFL insiders at this point.

WR QUINTEN LAWRENCE, MCNEESE STATE, 5115, 179, 4.35
Looking for this year’s version of Dexter Jackson? This could be the one. Lawrence is bigger and slightly faster than Dexter and he brings more versatility. He will play all three ways this year as the coaching staff is expected to try him out at CB. He had 31 catches for 645 yards and 6 touchdowns last year to earn Second team All-Southland honors due to his speed and versatility. He could rise up draft boards like teammate Bryan Smith did last year and top out in the 2nd-4th round range but is considered a 5th-6th round value heading into the season.

K JARED KEATING, MESA STATE, 5094, 192, 4.85E
Keating finished last year as a First team All-American and RMAC Special Teams POY after hitting 22 of 33 FGs and a long of 53 yards. Most of his missed kicks are blocks due to poor protection but he is money from the 44 and in and has the leg strength to hit past 50. He has hit from 60 in practice before as well. He is a great kid and hard worker. He has the potential to earn a late round grade and is the top small school kicker heading into the season.

OG DAKARAI GRIMSLEY, MORGAN STATE, 6040, 363, 5.70
Grimsley has started the last two years at LT but is moving to LG in ’08. he brings good size and strength for the guard spot and is more suited for the position. He is a good run blocker and tough kid. He is overweight and needs to get down in the 340-350 range. He has natural strength and some feel that when the light bulb turns on he will surely make leaps up the draft board. He is a 6th-7th rounder at this point who will either move quickly up the board or fall down purely on how hard he works, according to insiders in the NFL.

Monday, June 16, 2008

JOSH BUCHANAN 2009 NFL DRAFT SMALL SCHHOL WATCH

TE BRIAN MANDEVILLE, NORTHEASTERN, 6060, 248, 4.78
Mandeville is a former DE who had two tackles as a freshman in 2004 and then redshirted in ’05. He then moved to TE for his sophomore season and showed promise despite missing 2 games with an injury. His breakout season came last year with 30 catches, 411 yards, and five touchdowns to earn Second team All-CAA honors. His size, frame, and potential have scouts drooling. He enters the season with mid round grades from scouts but has 2nd-3rd round potential with a good year.

WR JULIUS PRUITT, OUACHITA BAPTIST, 6014, 225, 4.57
Pruitt displays great athletic ability, size, and huge hands that NFL scouts are looking for. He has developed a better work habit over his career and improved as a junior with 52 catches for 736 yards, and seven touchdowns to earn 2nd team All-GSC honors. He has the potential to run in the 4.4 range after training and possesses great leg strength with a 600 pound squat. His character is great and he is very smart as well. He is considered a potential mid to late round pick by many scouts due to his physical tools and upside.

C CECIL NEWTON, TENNESSEE STATE, 6014, 292, 5.15E
Newton is fairly athletic and shows good quickness. He also has a great work ethic and athletic bloodlines. He also brings the ability to long snap and started the last two seasons. Scouts like his game more than most realize as they have given him late round draft grades.

DT JOHN FALETOESE, UC DAVIS, 6014, 295, 5.05E
His production and accolades are among the most impressive of any linemen in this year’s small school crop as a three-time 1st team All-Great West selection who has 10 career sacks from inside. He missed a few games with a high ankle sprain in ’07 but has starting potential. He is very quick and tough to block inside. He also shows good instincts but will need to stay healthy. Faletoese enters the season with late round grades but has the potential to move into the 4th round area with a good season.

RUTGERS EXPANDS STADIUM

NJ gov starts raising money for Rutgers stadium expansion.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) -- Gov. Jon S. Corzine has started raising money for a Rutgers football stadium expansion after months of delay due to ethics concerns.

Conflict-of-interest concerns were raised over the multimillionaire governor raising money. So Corzine's chief counsel looked into the matter.

Corzine has agreed to solicit from donors that don't do business with the state or likely won't in the near future.

The university wants to expand its 43,000-seat stadium to 56,000 seats. Corzine and state Sen. Ray Lesniak said in December that they would help raise $30 million after pulling state support for the project.

Football coach Greg Schiano and Rutgers Athletic Director Robert Mulcahy sent a letter this week to 24 potential donors.

Friday, June 13, 2008

ALL ACCESS FOOTBALL UPDATE: JUNE 13, 2008

It may be the football off-season but the weather is not the only thing heating up. Check out the latest happenings at All Access Football:

* Former Florida Gator and current Jacksonville Jaguar Jeremy Mincey has drawn rave reviews thus far in training camp and there is talk that his improved performance could thrust him into a starting role this season. Check out Daniel Mogollon's one-on-one interview with the emerging defensive end in a Mini-Camp Edition of our Player Spotlight Show.

* Now Airing on All Access: Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning was on hand at Club 21 last week to announce the launch of the National Football Foundation's Club of New York. You can watch the exclusive video here.

* In case you missed it, the All Access Football panel of experts debated the Top 10 Greatest NFL Quarterbacks of All-Time. Tune-in to our All Access Football Radio Channel on Blog Talk Radio to hear who made the cut.

* The debut of The Legal Line Show was a great success. Legal Line Co-Founder Scott Daniels was joined by Fantasy Sports Trade Association President and Sports Buff CEO Jeffrey Thomas as they analyzed the impact of the recent fantasy sports industry victory over MLB in Supreme Court.

* The 2009 NFL Draft Watch has already begun. Log-on to the NFL Draft Bible for Josh Buchanan's latest installment of our Small School Spotlight.

* Want to be brought up to date on the latest breaking news? Our new All Access Football Blog is up and running. Still want more? Other blogs that are being constantly updated include College Football Insiders and the rebirth of Fantasy Football Insiders, which will also debut a premiere radio show on Saturday. Updates to be posted here.

* Coming Soon: The All Access Football Network will be expanding its coverage into the world of Arena Football and the Canadian Football League. Stay tuned for more details...

DUKE RECRUITS TENNESSEE FANS

Duke football coach sells season tickets in Tennessee.

DURHAM, N.C. -- Don't laugh. First-year Duke football coach David Cutcliffe is signing up football season-ticket holders in Knoxville, Tenn.

Cutcliffe recruited 22 fans to buy season tickets during a May 22 visit to his old hometown.

Was the former Tennessee assistant trying to turn orange Volunteers fans into Blue Devils? "Absolutely," a confident Cutcliffe said. "Is that awesome? Isn't that great? We're going to set a record for season ticket sales. If you don't get on this year, you're really going to be out of luck next year."

Cutcliffe has crisscrossed the region on a Duke athletics tour to sell Duke football to jaded Duke boosters and curious non-Duke fans eager to meet the coach who shaped Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning in college. Duke last had a winning season in 1994.

Cutcliffe pitched the four-ticket family pack -- seven Duke home games for $199 -- as "cheaper than going to the movies." It's going over big. Sales picked up after each speech. Duke also sold 52 more season tickets to event-goers in Charlotte, 58 in Atlanta, 44 in Greensboro, N.C. and 65 in Wilmington, N.C.

courtesy: The News & Observer of Raleigh, N.C.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

CURRY LEAVES BOOTH FOR SIDELINES

Curry accepts new challenge as Georgia State coach.

ATLANTA (AP) -- Georgia State has its first football coach and, at 65, Bill Curry has a new job.

Curry, the former coach at Georgia Tech, Alabama and Kentucky who spent the last decade as a football commentator for ESPN, said Thursday he's ready for a new challenge after receiving a 5-year contract.

Curry was introduced as the first coach for Georgia State's new football program, which begins play in 2010. The Panthers will compete in the Colonial Athletic Association and will play their home games at the Georgia Dome.

Curry played at Georgia Tech from 1960 to 1964. He coached the Yellow Jackets for seven years in the 1980s before guiding Alabama to the 1989 Southeastern Conference championship.

MONEY ESCALATES HOME GAMES

Money talks with college football `guarantees'.

DALLAS -- Monetary guarantees for non-conference home football games are rising at "a fairly alarming rate," according to a top athletics director, and in some cases are approaching or topping $1 million.

Ohio State, for example, will pay $1.4 million for Navy to come to Columbus in 2009. Wisconsin will pay "just under $1 million" for each of two games against Northern Illinois, Badgers athletics director Barry Alvarez said. Texas is paying $900,000 to Florida Atlantic this fall. Arkansas is paying Tulsa $850,000.

"I would say it has been building over the last five to eight years, and I think what really triggered upward mobility of guarantees was the addition of the 12th game (in 2006)," Kevin White, new AD at Duke and president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, said at the group's convention in Dallas. "I think it's just subject to whatever the market will bear. There is no way to legislate against this kind of escalation."

Major powers pay guarantees instead of giving a return game because they take in several million dollars for each home game, not to mention the impact in their towns from a crowd of 90,000 or 100,000. It also gives them a competitive advantage that could have implications for Bowl Championship Series spots.

Less-successful teams or those with smaller athletic budgets see guarantee games as a way to build their coffers and give players the chance to face a major power in a big stadium.

"You talk about coaches' salaries skyrocketing," Georgia AD Damon Evans said. "Now the guarantees are just skyrocketing."

Alvarez said Wisconsin paid no more than $300,000 for a guarantee in 2000.

Ohio State's Gene Smith calls Navy a "special situation." The payout came because another school pulled out of a deal with Ohio State, leaving a hole in its schedule. But Navy had to buy its way out of a contract to do it, and Ohio State's guarantee will in effect cover the Midshipmen's buyout.

"We've always wanted to play a service academy," Smith said. "This is our opportunity and we can afford it."

(Contributing: Steve Wieberg, Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY)