On The Clock: New Orleans Saints

Record: 8-8, 4th In the NFC South
General Manager: Mickey Loomis, Head Coach: Sean Payton (4th Year), Offensive Coordinator: Pete Carmichael Jr. (1st Year/4th Year With the Saints), Defensive Coordinator: Gregg Williams (1st Year)

Offense Rankings: No. 1 Overall, No. 1 Scoring, No. 1 Passing, No. 28 Rushing
Defense Rankings: No. 23 Overall, No. 26 Scoring, No. 23 Passing, No. 17 Rushing

Last Five Years: 36-44; Last Playoff Appearance: 2006; Last Playoff Victory: 2006 (27-14 Over the Philadelphia Eagles)

2008 Draft: (1-7) DT Sedrick Ellis, (2-40) CB Tracy Porter, (5-144) DT DeMario Pressley, (5-164) OT Carl Nicks, (6-178) K Taylor Mehlhaff, (7-237) WR Adrian Arrington

Top Picks Last Five Years:
2008 – (1-7) DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
2007 – (1-27) WR Robert Meachem, Tennessee
2006 – (1-2) RB Reggie Bush, USC
2005 – (1-13) OT Jammal Brown, Oklahoma
2004 – (1-18) DE Will Smith, Ohio St.

Boom: DE Will Smith (4th Round 2004), OT Jammal Brown (1st Round 2005), OT Jahri Evans (4th Round 2006), WR Marques Colston (7th Round 2006), OG Zach Strief (7th Round 2006)

Bust: LB Courtney Watson (2nd Round 2004), S Josh Bullocks (2nd Round 2005), LB Alfred Fincher (3rd Round 2005), WR Chase Lyman (4th Round 2005), QB Adrian McPherson (5th Round 2005), DE Rob Ninkovich (5th Round 2006), WR Robert Meachem (1st Round 2007), OG Andy Alleman (3rd Round 2007), RB Antonio PIttman (4th Round 2007)

Additions:
FB Heath Evans (Free Agent)
CB Jabari Greer (Free Agent)
C Nick Leckey (Free Agent)
DE Paul Spicer (Free Agent)
S Darren Sharper (Free Agent)

Subtractions:
S Josh Bullocks (FA-Tampa Bay)
FB Michael Karney (Released)
RB Deuce McAllister (Released)
CB Mike McKenzie (Released)
WR David Patten (Released)

Keepers:
WR Devery Henderson
WR Courtney Roby
OT Jon Stinchcomb
MLB Jonathan Vilma

2009 Picks:
Round 1, Selection 14
Round 4, Selection 16
Round 4, Selection 18 (From New York/AFC)
Round 7, Selection 13

Team Needs – Players of Interest (Day One):
1. Outside Linebacker: Brian Cushing, USC; Clay Matthews Jr., USC
2. Cornerback: Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio St., Vontae Davis, Illinois; Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
3. Defensive End: Robert Ayers, Tennessee; Tyson Jackson, LSU; DE Aaron Maybin, Penn St.
4. Running Back: Knowshon Moreno, Georgia; Donald Brown, UConn; Chris Well, Ohio St.
5. Quarterback (Depth): None

Photo Credit: Aggie Skirball (USC)

On The Clock: Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 5-11, 4th In the AFC South
General Manager: Gene Smith, Head Coach: Jack Del Rio (7th Year), Offensive Coordinator: Dirk Koetter (3rd Year), Defensive Coordinator: Mel Tucker (1st Year)

Offense Rankings: No. 20 Overall, No. 24 Scoring, No. 15 Passing, No. 18 Rushing
Defense Rankings: No. 17 Overall, No. 21 Scoring, No. 24 Passing, No. 13 Rushing

Last Five Years: 45-35; Last Playoff Appearance: 2007; Last Playoff Victory: 2007 (31-29 Over the Pittsburgh Steelers)

2008 Draft: (1-8) DE Derrick Harvey, (2-52) WR Quentin Groves, (5-155) LB Thomas Williams, (5-159) CB Trae Williams, (7-213) RB Chauncey Washington

Top Picks Last Five Years:
2008 – (1-8) DE Derrick Harvey, Florida
2007 – (1-21) S Reggie Nelson, Florida
2006 – (1-28) TE Marcedes Lewis, UCLA
2005 – (1-21) WR Matt Jones, Arkansas
2004 – (1-9) WR Reggie Williams

Booms: WR Ernest Wilford (4th Round 2004), K Josh Scobee (5th Round 2004), LB Bobby McCray (7th Round 2004), S Gerald Sensabaugh (5th Round 2005), S Reggie Nelson (1st Round 2007), RB Maurice Jones Drew (2nd Round 2006), LB Justin Durant (2nd Round 2007)

Busts: WR Reggie Williams (1st Round 2004), LB Jorge Cordova (3rd Round 2004), WR Matt Jones (1st Round 2005), OT Khalif Barnes (2nd Round 2005), WR Mike Walker (3rd Round 2007), Trae Williams (5th Round 2008)

Additions:
SS Sean Considine (Free Agent)
OT Tra Thomas (Free Agent)

Subtractions:
OT Khalif Barnes (FA-Oakland)
CB Drayton Florence (Released)
LB Mike Peterson (FA-Atlanta)
WR Jerry Porter (Released)
SS Gerald Sensabaugh (FA-Dallas)
DE Paul Spicer (Released)
RB Fred Taylor (Released)

Keepers:
C Brad Meester
CB Scott Starks
DE James Wyche

2009 Picks:
Round 1, Selection 8
Round 2, Selection 7
Round 3, Selection 8
Round 4, Selection 7
Round 5, Selection 8
Round 6, Selection 7

Team Needs – Players of Interest (Day One):
1. Wide Receiver: Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech; Jeremy Maclin, Missouri; Darrius Hayward-Bey, Maryland; Kenny Britt, Rutgers; Brian Robiskie, Ohio St.; Hakeem Nicks, UNC
2. Defensive Tackle: B.J. Raji, Boston College; Ron Brace, Boston College; Jarron Gilbert, San Jose St.; Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn
3. Offensive Guard: Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
4. Cornerback: Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State; Jairus Byrd, Oregon; D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt; Darius Butler, UConn; Sean Smith, Utah
5. Offensive Tackle: Eben Britton, Arizona; William Beatty, UConn; Jamon Meredith, South Carolina
6. Safety: Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State; Louis Delmas, Western Michigan

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Missouri), SEC Sports Media

Senior Bowl - Players to Watch in Mobile

By John Murphy - Next Level Scouting

A one-hour flight carried me from Houston to Mobile, Ala., earlier today for the NFL’s version of a corporate convention.

According to a Senior Bowl official, more than 500 credentials are expected to be distributed by the time the weigh-in begins Monday. However, a number of potential first-round prospects are not expected to be in attendance. Players I have confirmed who are not expected to play: Virginia OT Eugene Monroe, Ohio State CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis, Wake Forest OLB Aaron Curry and Missouri TE Chase Coffman.

Which players could catch the attention of scouts this week? Here are a few worth watching:

Liberty U. RB Rashad Jennings, Cal Poly WR Ramses Barden, Connecticut OT William Beatty, Boston College DT Ron Brace, Ole Miss LB Ashlee Palmer, Oregon State CB Keenan Lewis and Western Michigan S Louis Delmas.

Photo Credit: Collegiate Images, GS Photo

Fiesta Bowl: Ohio St. vs. Texas

By JOHN SEARS - BIG TEN INSIDER

January 5, 2009 * 8:00 PM * FOX

In this year’s Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State (10-2) and Texas (11-1) will revisit their brief home-and-home rivalry from 2005-06, where the visiting team each contest. Despite their recent pairings potentially serving a backdrop for this showdown, we again face the BCS nightmare of controversy and potential mismatch. The Longhorns are suffering from some form of elimination by advanced calculus, which ruled them (and Texas Tech for that matter) out of contention for the Big 12 Championship game and potentially, the National Title game. Ohio State, likewise receiving an at-large bid to the Fiesta Bowl, was selected over undefeated Boise St. despite being completely overmatched in their last two BCS games and an early season match-up with 11-1 USC. The Buckeyes’ only other loss this year came at the hands of another BCS-qualified team, Penn State. In Columbus, the scarlet and gray stood toe-to-toe with the eventual Big Ten champions, but fell short on a late game interception. Will we be reflecting on this game as the mismatch of teams undeserving of the BCS equation? Or will we be pleasantly surprised?

When the Buckeyes Have the Ball

The one word that would describe Ohio State’s 2008 regular season would be: adjustment. Boring, perhaps…but appropriate. The keys to the offense at the beginning of the season were handed to sixth-year senior Todd Boeckmann, an efficient field general who took the Buckeyes to the National Title game last year. But he was ousted midstream against USC, when head coach Jim Tressel pulled the trigger on true freshman, dual threat quarterback, Terrelle Pryor. The Buckeyes never looked back. The offense, originally pro-style and founded on power running by Beanie Wells, was quickly converted to a shotgun spread, with the focus coming from the arm and rushing of their quarterback. As Pryor was adjusting to his role as starter, a running back-by-committee approach was utilized until Wells recovered from a foot injury. With Wells healthy again, the conundrum of how the offense would be structured arose – shotgun zone read (befitting Pryor) or pro-style I-formation (befitting Wells). How about both? The Buckeyes have lined up in everything from a double-tight end formation to a variation of the pistol, eventually holding the 28th-best rushing offense in the FBS (3rd in the Big Ten, 193 yards/game). What’s so dynamic is the Buckeyes’ ability to bruise defenses between the tackles with the 6‘ 1”, 237 pound Wells or have them chasing tread marks made by Pryor’s graceful speed. Despite Wells’ injury, Boeckmann’s benching and Pryor’s inexperience, Ohio State still managed to keep the offense churning enough to take a share of the Big Ten title.
An area of concern for the Buckeyes, however, is their diminished passing attack. It is not at all a reflection of their flashy receiving duo, Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie, that Pryor’s maturation as an efficient passer is an ongoing process. Ohio State has fallen to 105th in the FBS in passing with 148 yards/game, but this may be aided somewhat by the Longhorns’ inability to stop the pass.

Texas has surrendered 266 yards/game through the air (albeit generally against the pass-heavy Big 12 conference). Just as misleading could be Texas’ 2nd ranked rushing defense in the FBS (74 yards/game) although they were able to hold Big 12 Champion Oklahoma to just 1.8 yards/carry. Further, their top tacklers come from not only their linebackers (Roddrick Muckelroy first in team tackles with 96 total), but also the safety positions – Earl Thomas and Blake Gideon are the next top tacklers behind Muckelroy. While safety play is often associated with managing the pass defense, their utility and required expertise has grown substantially with the evolution of running quarterbacks – you can’t contain rushing quarterbacks off the edge with poor safety play. Thus, it may come in handy for Texas that their safeties already possess the ability to find the ball and bring the rusher down. With that being said, one could argue that senior defensive end Brian Orakpo may prove to be the playmaker needed to slow down Ohio State’s attack. He’s sacked quarterbacks 10.5 times and also leads his defense in tackles-for-loss with 15. In passing situations Pryor has shown a tendency to either hold on to the ball too long or scramble too much before taking off down field, causing numerous drive-killing sacks. If Orakpo has a big day, he may all but eliminate Ohio State’s passing ability single-handedly.

When the Longhorns Have the Ball

As everyone knows, Texas boasts an elite quarterback in junior Colt McCoy, and not surprisingly, he is the anchoring point of their offense. This Heisman Trophy finalist made his job look simplistic while accumulating statistics a sixteen-year-old would be proud of coming from his Xbox: 3,445 yards, 32 touchdowns and only seven interceptions while completing 78 percent of his passes for an astronomical rating of 179. Not enough? How about the fact that McCoy also leads his team in rushing with 576 yards (4.5 average) and 10 touchdowns? The task sounds simple enough–stop McCoy and you win. But the Longhorns receiving corps won’t make that an easy task for the Buckeyes. Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby have been found by McCoy almost equally this year and have combined for 157 receptions, 1,934 yards and 19 touchdowns. Both are less than six feet tall, but what they lack in size, they make up for by possessing great speed and hands. Shipley also just happens to double as a playmaker in the return game, posting touchdowns from a kickoff and punt return against Oklahoma and Texas Tech, respectively. Altogether McCoy and company finished 11th in the FBS with 300 yards/game passing, which will be directly in the crosshairs of the Buckeyes’ 7th ranked pass defense (164 yards/game).

This may be another case of statistical inflation as the Buckeyes saw only one passing offense in the Big Ten that was in the top 20 in passing offense (Illinois).
Less of a statistical anomaly would be their stoutness against the run, as they surrendered only 115 yards/game on the ground. The Ohio State defensive leadership comes from their all-everything middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, who led the team in tackles and sacks (four) and combined with outside linebacker Marcus Freeman for 197 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Yet, as they are stronger against the run, it is plausible to see Texas in the shotgun, passing for 80 percent of their plays. This will call for senior (and leader of the secondary) cornerback Malcolm Jenkins to step up against the strength of Texas’ passing game. Jenkins and fellow defensive back Kurt Coleman combined for seven interceptions and 14 pass-breakups. Their ability to lockdown on Cosby and Shipley could be the match-ups which dictate how well the Longhorns can move the ball.

Final Analysis

This match-up seems to favor Texas on paper – great leadership and ability from their quarterback and defense. Ohio State is suffering a minor identity crisis in its passing game and may have to rely on Beanie Wells for 200 yards rushing to stand a chance. However, recent reports are sprouting suggesting that Ohio State may come out in offensive sets where both Boeckmann and Pryor are on the field at the same time. I am reticent in believing a gimmick offense (which has been employed in high school offenses as the “A11” set) would be the answer for a team that has confidence to beat their opponents outright. But is that not exactly what happened a few years ago when David (Boise St.) took down Goliath (Oklahoma) in this very same Bowl game? And, what about the emotional preparation on the Texas sideline as they went from National Title contenders to Big 12 contenders, to hopes for an at-large BCS bid? That has to be deflating. And that’s why the nod has to go to…the Longhorns. Why? The one word that describes what Ohio State has been lacking when facing tough opponents in the big game the last two years? Adjustment.

CFI Prediction: Texas 37, Ohio State 27

Photo Credit: College Press Box, University of Texas Athletics, OSU Athletics

2008 Home Depot College Football Award Winners

The 2008 Home Depot College Football Awards were handed out tonight in Orlando, FL. The college football season is coming to an end and it's time to find out who is the best of the best. From the Bednarik Award, given to the nation's best defensive player, to the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's best quarterback, we have it covered.

Bednarik Award Winner - Rey Maualuga (1st player from the Pac-10 to win this award)
(Outstanding Defensive Player)

The winner of this award will be in good company -- Dan Connor (2007), Paul Posluszny (2006 and 2005), David Pollack (2004), Teddy Lehman (2003), EJ Henderson (2002), Julius Peppers (2001), Dan Morgan (2000).

Award Finalists
James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, LB: 121 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 INT.
Rey Maualuga, USC, LB: 68 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 INT.
Aaron Maybin, Penn State, DE: 45 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 12 sacks.

Biletnikoff Award Winner - Michael Crabtree (2 years in a row)
(Wide Receiver)

The Biletnikoff trophy weighs 56 pounds, has won several national awards for design excellence, and is the largest of all the college football position awards. Previous winners include Michael Crabtree (2007), Calvin Johnson (2006), Mike Hass (2005), Braylon Edwards (2004), Larry Fitzgerald (2003) and Charles Rogers (2002).

Award Finalists
Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State: 74 REC, 1,313 YDS, 18 TD.
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech: 93 REC, 1,135 YDS, 18 TD.
Jeremy Maclin, Missouri: 88 REC, 1,175 YDS, 11 TD.

Lou Groza Award Winner - Graham Gano
(Kicker)

The Lou Groza Award is named for NFL Hall-of-Fame kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. He is regarded as the first kicker to be truly considered an offensive weapon. In 2007 the award was won by Thomas Weber of Arizona State.

Award Finalists
Josh Arauco, Arkansas State: 89.5 FG%, long of 44 YDS, 87 PTS.
Graham Gano, Florida State: 92.3 FG%, 5-7 from 50+, long of 53 YDS.
Louie Sakoda, Utah: 91.3 FG%, 2-3 from 50+, long of 53 YDS.

Ray Guy Award Winner - Matt Fodge
(Punter)

Candidates for the Ray Guy Award are evaluated on their overall statistics and contribution to their team with emphasis placed on the following categories: net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20, average return yardage and percentage not returned. In 2007 Durant Brooks of Georgia Tech won the award.

Award Finalists
Matt Fodge, Oklahoma State: 31 punts for 1,366 YDS. Average: 44.1. Long 71.
Pat McAfee, West Virginia: 55 punts for 2,457 YDS. Average: 44.7. Long: 65.
Louie Sakoda, Utah: 50 punts for 2,086 YDS. Average. 41.7. Long: 81.

Maxwell Award Winner - Tim Tebow (first 2-time winner since 1953)
(Outstanding Player)

The Maxwell Award is given to the most outstanding player in college football. The following candidates led their respective teams through their astonishing play on the field and their leadership. The 2007 recipient of the Maxwell Award was Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

Award Finalists
Graham Harrell, Texas Tech, QB: 115.4 RAT, 4,747 YDS, 41 TD, 7 INT.
Colt McCoy, Texas, QB: 125.6 RAT, 77.6 CMP%, 32 TD, 7 INT.
Tim Tebow, Florida, QB: 125.7 RAT, 65.0 CMP%, 25 TD, 2 INT.

Davey O'Brien Award Winner - Sam Bradford
(Quarterback)

The Davey O'Brien Award is named after the All-American football player at Texas Christian University who was named to thirteen All-American teams and became the only college football player to win the Heisman, Maxwell, and Walter Camp trophies in the same year. The 2007 recipient of the Davey O'Brien Award was Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

Award Finalists
Sam Bradford, Oklahoma: 134.8 RAT, 4,080 YDS, 46 TD, 6 INT.
Graham Harrell, Texas Tech, QB: 115.4 RAT, 4,747 YDS, 41 TD, 7 INT.
Colt McCoy, Texas, QB: 125.6 RAT, 77.6 CMP%, 32 TD, 7 INT.

Outland Trophy - Andre Smith
(Interior Lineman)

The 2007 recipient of the Outland Trophy was defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey of LSU. This award is available to either offensive or defensive lineman, you just have to be the best in the trenches to win it.

Award Finalists
Michael Oher, Mississippi: Running backs averaged 4.6 YDS per carry.
Duke Robinson, Oklahoma: Offense ranked third in the nation.
Andre Smith, Alabama: Given up only one sack all season.

Jim Thorpe Award - Malcolm Jenkins
(Defensive Back)

The Thorpe Award has been presented since 1986, based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. Recent winners include Antoine Cason of Arizona (2007), Aaron Ross of Texas (2006), Michael Huff of Texas (2005), Carlos Rogers of Auburn (2004), Derrick Strait of Oklahoma (2003), Terence Newman of Kansas State (2002) and Roy Williams of Oklahoma (2001).

Award Finalists
Eric Berry, Tennessee, SS: Leads the nation with 7 INT, two returned for TD, 3 sacks.
Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State, CB: 3 INT, 3 forced fumbles and 2 blocked kicks.
Taylor Mays, USC, S: 48 tackles, 7 pass breakups, for USC's No. 1 ranked defense.

Doak Walker Award Winner - Shonn Greene
(Running Back)

The Doak Walker Award is the only major collegiate football award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification. It recognizes the nation's premier running back for his accomplishments on the field, achievement in the classroom and citizenship in the community. The 2007 recipient of the Doak Walker Award was Darren McFadden of Arkansas.

Award Finalists
Shonn Greene, Iowa: 1,729 rush YDS, 17 TD. Long: 75 YDS.
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia: 1,338 rush YDS, 16 TD. Long: 68 YDS.
Javon Ringer, Michigan State: 1,590 rush YDS, 21 TD. Long: 64 YDS
Other Award Winners:

Walter Camp Award (Player of the Year): Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

Dick Butkus Award (Nation's Best Linebacker): Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Nation's Best Sr. Quarterback): Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech

Home Depot Coach of the Year Award: Nick Saban, Alabama

Bronco Nagurski Award (Defensive player of the Year): Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

Vince Lombardi/Rotary Award (Outstanding Lineman): Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

Ted Hendricks Award (Defensive End of the Year): Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

Rimington Award (Most Outstanding Center): A.Q. Shipley, C, Penn State

John Mackey Award (Most Outstanding Tight End): Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri

Frank Broyles Award (Top Assistant Coach): Kevin Wilson, Oklahoma

Disney Spirit Award (Most Inspirational Player or Team): Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

Contributions to College Football Award: Bobby Bowden, Florida State

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Ohio St., Florida)

Player Anatomy: Malcolm Jenkins, OSU

Malcolm Jenkins is a prototypical lockdown cover corner, capable of defending the opposing team’s top target anywhere on the field. He has all the measurables—size, speed, length and quickness. According to the Buckeyes’ spring guide, Jenkins has been timed at 4.3 in the 40-yard dash. The Piscataway, NJ native has improved as a run stopper throughout his career and has proven durable. He has good hands and is a playmaker in the defensive backfield.

Character / Leadership Ability: A high-character guy who is a vocal leader and backs it up with his play.

Competitive Nature / Work Ethic: Doesn't like to lose; returns for his senior season to win a championship. Puts time in the film room and works hard in practice.

Football Intelligence: An intelligent football guy who has the instincts to read and react to a play. Has a 3.5 GPA in college and is extremely smart.

Size: Has very good size. Is tall enough to play against bigger receivers and is quick enough to play against smaller ones.

Athletic Ability: Physically gifted. Has the speed to cover receivers while playing man and can make the big hit against running backs.

Toughness / Durability: A very tough player who rarely misses games. Will play through minor injuries and is always on the field.

Speed: Has excellent speed and quickness. Has 4.4 speed and can run with anybody in football.

Agility: Is a very agile player who can play either corner or safety. Has good footwork and can change direction effortlessly.

Body Control: Very good at adjusting to the ball in the air. Can reach around the receiver and knock it away. Good body control.

Instincts / Recognition: Shows very good recognition of plays. Will come off his man to help out and make a play. Reads the quarterback well.

Pursuit: Jenkins can cover a lot of ground. He never gives up on a play and will come from across the field to make a tackle.

Tackling: Is a very good open field tackler and shows good form. Not afraid to come up and make a big hit.

Ball Skills: Teams tend to throw the ball away from Jenkins’ side, but when it comes his way he does a good job of catching the ball with his hands and not letting it get into his body.

Man Coverage / Turning Ability: Has very good man to man coverage skills. Can turn and run with the receiver. One of the few shutdown corners in college football.

Zone Coverage: When Jenkins is in zone coverage while playing safety, he tends to get locked in on the quarterback and sometimes is a little slow to get over and help with the deep ball.

Game of the Week: Penn St. @ Ohio St.

By RALPH MANCINI -
CFI SENIOR WRITER

IN A MUCH-ANTIICIPATED showdown that could determine who ultimately wins the Big Ten conference title, the Nittany Lions of Penn State (8-0, 4-0) face off against the Buckeyes of Ohio State (7-1, 4-0) at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Coach Joe Paterno and his high-flying offense are out to prove that they’re the elite team of their conference, and what better way to accomplish that feat than by ousting the team that’s won two straight undisputed titles? In the year preceding their two-year run as conference champs, the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions actually shared the rights to the coveted honor in 2005. While Penn State may be the more prolific team on paper, the blue and white have yet to beat Ohio State in their seven trips to Columbus since joining the Big Ten in 1993. The Buckeyes lead the series 12-11 going in to their 24th matchup on Saturday.

When the Cats Have the Ball

RUNNING BACK EVAN Royster is the unsung hero of this offense, and has increasingly grown into being the focal point of Penn State’s attack despite the presence of a plethora of playmakers at wide receiver. The sophomore tailback is a disciplined runner who waits for his blockers to set up the play and always keeps his legs churning. The 212-lb. workhorse shows exceptional burst once he gets past the first level of defenders and his second gear has enabled him to record 10 carries of over 20 yards. Penn State’s ability to beat teams in a variety of ways is due in large part to quarterback Darryl Clark. As the ringleader of the team’s new “Spread HD” offense, the Youngstown, Ohio native not only utilizes his athleticism to run the option, but is also quite capable of reading defenses from the pocket. Clark’s weekly improvement as a passer has manifested itself in his ability to spread the ball to a multitude of receiving weapons. Seniors Derrick Williams, Jordan Norwood and Deon Butler form a lethal trio of downfield threats. Williams is the most explosive of the three, as evidenced by his quickness off the line and the way he instantly reaches top speed, allowing him to make plays as a runner, receiver and return man. Norwood is Clark’s go-to guy on shorter routes and has tremendous leaping ability, but must avoid dropping catchable passes. Butler is a quick and crafty route runner with soft hands. Center A.Q. Shipley is a force in the running game along with left tackle Gerald Cadogan, who does an excellent job of pulling on counter plays. Kicker Kevin Kelly is a Lou Groza Award candidate, who is three field goals away from becoming the Big Ten’s all-time leader.

WHILE OHIO STATE’S defense faces a tall task in stopping the Nittany Lion running attack, JoePa’s big uglies aren’t as formidable in pass protection. To that end, the scarlet and gray must utilize linebackers James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman to get to the quarterback due to a lack of explosive edge rushers, such as defensive end Lawrence Wilson, who suffered a season-ending injury. Laurinaitis has great instincts, which he puts to good use with his sideline-to-sideline speed. Fellow senior Freeman is a 6’2, 236-lb. strongside linebacker, who’s an athletic open-field tackler and coverage man. Coming off a Michigan State victory in which star runner Javon Ringer was held to 67 rushing yards, defensive tackles Cameron Heyward, Doug Worthington and Nader Abdallah hope to duplicate their success by generating interior pressure to keep Royster in check. Earlier in the season Ironhead’s boy was moved inside to shore up the team’s run defense. Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins headlines a talented secondary. The fourth-year starter usually lines up all over the field to match-up with the opponent’s best receiver. His instincts, speed and quickness make him a natural in man-to-man coverage. Against Penn State’s big three, Jenkins will occasionally be shifted to a center-field position on passing downs with Donald Washington entering the game. The 6’0” Washington is an intelligent player with big-play potential in both man-to-man and zone packages. The 188-lb. Chimdi Chekwa isn’t as physically imposing as Jenkins, but he makes up for that with his sound coverage technique. Chewka suffered an injured shoulder versus the Spartans last week, but is said to be healthy enough to suit up this Saturday. At safety, Kurt Coleman is a heat-seeking torpedo, but is prone to the missed tackle when looking to make the big hit. His partner, Anderson Russell, is a much-more disciplined player with cornerback skills. The energetic safety is typically among the team leaders in tackles, and also has a penchant for forcing the key fumble and notching the important sack.

When the Buckeyes Have the Ball

DYNAMIC FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK Terrelle Pryor adds a new dimension to a run-oriented attack with his ability to run bootlegs out of the pocket or faking oncoming defensive ends to buy himself enough time for his receivers to get open. What’s most impressive in Pryor’s development is his improvement in recognizing defensive alignments. The electric 19 year-old was masterful last week in directing four scoring drives in the game’s first 25 minutes. The Buckeyes hope to get another strong performance out of their offensive line this week that would allow the Buckeyes to establish long, slow drives behind their meal ticket Chris “Beanie” Wells. The immensely gifted back got off to a slow start this season with a well-chronicled toe injury, but has bounced back in grand fashion and shown no visible signs of wearing down. In fact, Wells carried the ball a season-high 31 times last week for 140 yards and two scores. The 6’1” 237-lb. bruiser is a sustaining back, who has the added zip to break free on long runs. The aforementioned offensive line is led by outspoken senior left tackle Alex Boone, who specializes in blowing defenders off the ball on running plays. Jim Tressel’s group hopes to expose Penn State’s back seven in pass coverage by allowing Pryor to buy extra time with his feet and hook up with receivers Brian Robiskie, Brian Hartline and Ray Small. While none of the three is a speed merchant, they certainly have enough in their bag of tricks. Following the return of Wells, the Buckeyes’ passing game has become an afterthought for the most part—leading receiver Robiskie has only two receptions in each of his last three games. Look for the 6’3” senior to be a factor in short-yardage and red zone situations if the home team is forced to pass more than they normally would. Hartline, who leads the team in receiving yards, is more of a deep threat who typically gets open on sideline throws or crossing routes over the middle. Rory Nicol and Jake Ballard are the tight ends who may be used on play action and goal line scenarios.

PENN STATE’S SUCCESS in pass defense can be attributed to their ability to consistently generate a pass rush. No one defender has been more of a difference maker in that department than defensive end Aaron Maybin. Fourth in the nation with 10 sacks, the 6’4, 236-lb. hellraiser has been unstoppable. His tremendous burst and hand skills make him one tough nut to crack. Fellow end Josh Gaines shows good quickness, which helps him gain penetration and stop running backs dead in their tracks, often behind the line of scrimmage. PSU’s defensive line has been fortified by the return of their standout lineman Maurice Evans (previously suspended). The Brooklyn boy is a complete player that can get to the quarterback with his combination of moves, in addition to his pure speed. Against the run, Evans is capable of holding his edge and powerful enough to push tackles back when necessary. Sophomore linebacker Navarro Bowman has led the team in tackles six times this season, and is among the leaders in the Big Ten. Outside linebacker Tyrell Sales has the tools to be tackling machine himself, provided he gets the support of his two defensive tackles Jared Odrick and Ollie Ogbu. Bani Gbadyu and Michael Mauti add speed to the linebacker corps. Safety Anthony Scirrotto is a limited, yet an instinctive competitor who’ll make his share of big plays in pass coverage. Mark Rubin covers the other half of the field, while cornerbacks Tony Davis and A.J. Wallace bring good size to the table.

Final analysis
PENN STATE’S BALANCED attack will be too much for the Buckeyes. Expect Penn State to jump out to an early lead and watch Evan Royster punish Ohio State’s defense on the ground behind the blocking of fullback Dan Lawlor and tight end Mickey Shuler, Jr., who’ll both be called upon to fend off linebackers Laurinaitis and Freeman. On the other side of the ball, Ohio State will put up decent yardage, but be limited to settling for field goals against a Nittany Lion defense giving up a paltry 11.8 points per game.

Prediction: Penn State 35 Ohio State 19

Photo Credit: Collegiate Images

Game of the Week: Ohio St. @ Wisconsin

WHEN: 8:00 PM * TV: ABC
WHERE: CAMP RANDALL STADIUM

PLAY-BY-PLAY: MIKE PATRICK
ANALYST: TODD BLACKLEDGE

THE 73RD MEETING between Ohio State (4-1) and Wisconsin (3-1) will mark the first time the Buckeyes visit Camp Randall Stadium since October, 2003. This promises to be a highly-contested battle between Big Ten powerhouses that both feature run-based offenses. Wisconsin has won its last 16 games at home, the second-longest home winning streak in the nation. This rivalry dates back to 1913 with Ohio State holding a 51-17-5 lead in the series.

When the Buckeyes Have the Ball

FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK TERRELLE PRYOR has a daunting task ahead of him, matching up with a Wisconsin defense that limited Michigan to 268 total yards last week and only 21 in the entire first half. Pryor’s speed and mobility should come in handy versus a defensive unit that only has five sacks in four games. The centerpiece of this offense, however, isn’t the quarterback. All-world running back Chris “Beanie” Wells is the one with the “S” on his chest. He’ll be counted on to carry the Buckeye attack on his back by moving the chains and making the occasional game-breaking run into the open field. Wells returned to the lineup last week after missing three games with a nagging toe injury that may hamper him for the rest of the season. To avoid further compli-cations, the junior phenom has been instructed to wear high-top lineman cleats that may compromise his lateral movement. Wells’ size, vision and tackle-breaking prowess always make him a threat to score--—high cleats and all. The offensive line is a deep group, which features 6’8” senior left tackle Alex Boone. Despite the line’s issues in the early part of the season, Boone remains a ferocious run blocker, who isn’t shy about getting downfield and running over players in the secondary. After a slow start out of the gates, wide receiver Brian Robiskie broke out with eight catches and two touchdowns last week. Son of NFL assistant coach Terry Robiskie, Brian is a big wide out with soft hands, good route-running skills and a fierce competitive spirit, which often comes out in his downfield blocking. At 6’3”, Brian Hartline is a tall receiver with deceptive speed.

WISCONSIN’S FORMIDABLE FRONT seven make this unit one tough nut to crack for opposing offenses, and it all starts with a senior-laden defensive line. Defensive end Matt Shaughnessy is a long and lean pass rusher (6’6” 253 lbs.) with excellent hand skills. Though sackless to this point, the disruptive lineman leads the team in quarterback hurries and pass break-ups. Junior O’Brien Schofield is the lone underclassman along the line, which collectively boasts 98 starts. Linebacker DeAndre Levy is a standout whose great range enables him cover tight ends and make plays all over the field. Middle Linebacker Jaevery McFadden is a tackling machine, who ranks among the top defenders in the Big Ten in that category. Impact player Jonathan Casillas mans the weakside. After missing the first two games due to injury, the New Jersey native has come on like gangbusters. In addition to making a game-saving tackle versus Fresno State, Casillas was a Big Ten top performer last week by recording eight tackles and an interception, which was returned for 49 yards. Free safety Shane Carter headlines Wisconsin’s backfield. Carter is a ball hawk, who gets his hands on lots of passes, but can be temperamental and take stupid penalties. A bit more consistency can truly make Carter a special player.

When the Badgers Have the Ball

NEW YORK’S P.J. HILL is the marquee player among a triumvirate of standout running backs. At 5’11 236 lbs., Hill may physically resemble one-time Badger Ron Dayne, but the junior back is blessed with breakaway speed and superb hands as a receiver out of the backfield. Coach Bret Bielema has advised the jumbo halfback to take on less tacklers this season in order to save his body from added wear and tear. Hill leads the team with 449 yards on 92 carries and four touchdowns. John Clay and Zach Brown are his backfield mates. Brown is a much smaller player at 207 lbs., but has proven that he can carry the load with a 250-yard, two-touchdown performance in place of Hill last season versus Minnesota. The 6’2” 237 lb. Clay, on the other hand, is a big-play freshman who has already hit pay dirt four times. All three backs run behind an experienced offensive line made up of five behemoths that average 6’6” 319 lbs. Third-year sophomore Ben Moffitt is the man snapping the ball at center. The athletic and physical Connecticut native is the only member of the line who came into the 2008 season with less than 10 starts. The fact that Wisconsin ranks fourth in the country in both scoring (31.8 ppg) and yardage (413.5 ypg) is a testament to their big uglies up front. Although star tight end Travis Beckum has been fighting a hamstring injury this season, he is undoubtedly the team’s top weapon in their aerial attack. The senior playmaker is part of the new breed of tight ends that are more big slot receiver than traditional in-line blocker—receiving hybrids. At his best, this former linebacker is a match-up nightmare with his combination of speed and athleticism. Due to Beckum’s inability to stay on the field this year, quarterback Allen Evridge has had to spread it around. In fact, twelve different Badgers have caught the ball this season, led by tight end Garrett Graham and wide receiver David Gilreath, who are tied with 11 receptions each. Evridge likes targeting his tight ends off play-action fakes.

OHIO STATE’S DEFENSIVE unit better bring their A game to this battle considering the fact that it has struggled mightily in defending the run, particularly in their games versus Ohio University and USC, who rushed for 145 and 164 yards respectively. Defensive ends Lawrence Wilson and Thaddeus Gibson are both strong and fast. The 6’4” 274 lb. Wilson is a feared pass rusher, who missed most of the 2007 season due to a broken leg. The junior end is one of this unit’s vocal leaders. On the other side, Gibson replaces Cameron Heyward, who’s been moved inside to tackle in order to shore up the team’s aforementioned porous run defense. Gibson is a defensive playmaker with speed that can drop into coverage in the “Leo” position made famous by current Saint Will Smith. Seniors James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman anchor the linebacker corps. Winner of the 2006 Nagurski Trophy and the 2007 Butkus Award given to the top college linebacker, Laurinaitis’ ability to pursue ballcarriers from sideline to sideline is second to none, as are his pass-coverage skills. The future first round pick specializes in reading opposing quarterbacks. Freeman is the other pro-bound linebacker and is a terrific athlete with superior open-field tackling skills from the strong side. Over in the secondary, Malcolm Jenkins has everything you could want from a cover corner. His quick feet, fluid hips and unique anticipatory skills allow him to routinely blanket and nullify receivers. Fellow corner Chimdi Chekwa is also impressive in man-to-man coverage. The sophomore’s athletic prowess was on grand display earlier when making a torso-twisting interception in mid-air off USC’s Mark Sanchez. Free safety Anderson Russell is a high-effort competitor coming off an outstanding showing last week versus Minnesota with seven tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Final analysis

THE BADGERS INABILITY to score touchdowns will force them to kick field goals and prevent them from keeping pace with Ohio State’s offensive arsenal. The Buckeyes will win the time of possession battle, and ultimately the game, in a very physical grudge match.

Final Score: Ohio State 27 Wisconsin 19

Photo Credit: Collegiate Images

CFI RANKINGS: #1 OHIO ST. BUCKEYES

2007 RECORD: 11-2; BIG TEN: 7-1
Lost BCS Championship Game vs. LSU 38-24
LOCATION: Columbus, Ohio
STADIUM: Ohio Stadium (102,329)
HEAD COACH: Jim Tressel
OVERALL: 208-73-2 (22 seasons)
AT OHIO ST.: 73-16 (7 seasons)

The last two seasons Jim Tressel has led his Buckeyes all the way to the BCS Championship game, only to be thrashed by an SEC team each time. Several players seriously considered declaring for the NFL draft, going so far as to send their names to the NFL for evaluation. Ultimately, only Vernon Gholston made the jump. Whether they didn’t like their grade or the call of a potential National Championship was too strong to pass up, the return of several key senior starters makes OSU the team to beat.

WHEN THE BUCKS HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jim Bollman (8th Season)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 9
KEY LOSSES: Kirk Barton

Lost in last season’s run was the outstanding job by signal caller Todd Boeckman. He was taking over a team that had lost in the BCS Championship game the previous season and for Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. Boeckman rallied the troops and brought them to the brink of a national championship. He has a good arm and is a better athlete than he’s given credit for. Eight Buckeyes caught 10 or more passes a year ago and all eight are back, led by senior Brian Robiskie. The son of a coach, Robiskie runs crisp routes, has reliable hands, and plays faster than his 40-time. Four of five blockers return along the line, led by senior LT Alex Boone. He possesses the size and mobility to protect the QB and lead the way in the rushing attack, which leads us to the focal point of Ohio St.’s offensive attack. Junior TB Chris “Beanie” Wells tops several Heisman lists and depending on how many touches he receives, Wells could make a run at 2,000 yards. The fact that legendary Buckeye Archie Griffin would even mention Beanie’s name in the same breath as Jim Brown’s tells you all you need to know about this tailback.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) QB RB Chris Wells (JR), 2) OT Alex Boone (SR)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jim Heacock (4th Season/13th at OSU)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 9
KEY LOSSES: Vernon Gholston, Larry Grant

The two players that surprised the NFL the most by returning were MIKE James Laurinaitis and cover corner Malcolm Jenkins—a duo that many had slotted as first round picks. Their time will come, but not before they try to capture a third straight Big Ten title. Laurinaitis is a speedy playmaker who can do it all—stop the run, get after the quarterback, and drop into coverage. Not too far behind is fellow senior Marcus Freeman, who possesses excellent size and speed. He may be overshadowed, but Freeman is one of the top linebackers in the Big Ten, if not the country. Jenkins leads a stellar and experienced secondary. The senior corner can lock people down or drop into a zone and read the QBs eyes. He is a solid tackler and can play some safety if need be. That shouldn’t be too much of an issue with returning starters Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell manning the safety positions. Keep an eye on sophomore Chimdi Chekwa, the next in the line of outstanding Buckeye corners. Up front, they will miss Gholston’s pass-rushing ability, but may have the answer in Lawrence Wilson if the senior can return to 100 percent. The top talent along the line is sophomore end Cameron Heyward, who is both powerful and quick—another star in the making.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) CB Malcolm Jenkins (SR), 2) LB James Laurinaitis (SR)

THE SCHEDULE

With the Big Ten down, many view the Buckeyes as having a one-game season. Go into the Coliseum and beat the USC Trojans on their field and OSU can punch their ticket to a third straight title appearance. Is it that simple? Of course not. Is that their biggest game of the year? You can bet your bottom dollar. In the Big Ten they still have to play Wisconsin, Penn St., Illinois and Michigan, all of whom are ranked, thank you very much. Illinois knocked them off last season in Columbus and Madison is never an easy place to go to. In 2003, No. 23 Wisconsin knocked off the No. 3 ranked Buckeyes—the two schools have not squared off the last two seasons. Another potential road bump is a trip to East Lansing to take on an improved Spartans squad.

PIVOTAL POINT

The Regular Season: Yes, this is the part of the schedule that the Buckeyes have conquered in each of the past two seasons. However, any athlete will tell you one of the most difficult things to do is understand that you do not start where you left off the previous year, especially when you’ve come so close to reaching the pinnacle. Ohio St. did exactly that last season…can they do it again? James Laurinaitis leads a group of players who dabbled with the idea of jumping to the NFL, but ultimately decided to return to Columbus. The Butkus and Bednarik Award winner can say that they did not return just to finish the job, but winning the title has to be on their minds. They have the team to it, as long as they follow the coach’s cliché and take it one game at a time.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

It can only be about the title for the Buckeyes this season—there are no more moral victories. They return nine starters on both sides of the ball from a team that made the BCS Championship for a second straight season. It is time to get out there again and, this time, finish the job. In “Beanie” Wells they have a difference maker who can elevate an already great team to even higher levels. Expect Boeckman to be better in his second year as starter and their defense to be even more dominant. This is the year Tressel claims his second national title.

Photo Credit: Collegiate Images

Thorpe Award names 12 semifinalists

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins and LSU's Craig Steltz were among the 12 semifinalists chosen Monday for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given annually to college football's top defensive back.

Boston College's Mike Silva, Oklahoma's Reggie Smith and Kansas' Aqib Talib are also among the semifinalists, who will be narrowed to three finalists on Nov. 19. Three finalists will be invited to the college football awards show on Dec. 6, where a winner will be announced.

The other semifinalists include UCLA's Trey Brown, Arizona's Antoine Cason, Illinois' Vontae Davis, South Florida's Mike Jenkins, Miami's Kenny Phillips, Wyoming's Julius Stinson and Notre Dame's Tom Zbikowski.

The last two winners were Michael Huff and Aaron Ross, both of Texas.

SOURCE: NCAAFOOTBALL.COM; PHOTO CREDIT: COLLEGIATE IMAGES

TEN PRO PROSPECTS FROM THE BIG TEN

BY MICK MILLER
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDERS
BIG TEN WRITER


The Big Ten continues to cultivate, and the National Football League salivates. Some of the top talent and impact players that college football has to offer comes from the Big Ten, which produced 32 players in the 2007 NFL Draft, including two of the top five in Wisconsin left tackles Joe Thomas (#3) and Penn State’s Levi Brown (#5). In all, six went in the first round, with Ted Ginn of Ohio State (#9), Michigan’s Leon Hall (#18), Anthony Spencer of Purdue (#26) and Ginn’s fellow OSU wide out Anthony Gonzalez (#32).

This year’s crop is just as bountiful as these ten players will provide teams at the next level cornerstones to build upon.

1. Jake Long, OT, Michigan – The draft status of both Thomas and Brown gives us an idea into the draft potential of Long. It was Long, not Thomas, who won the conference’s Lineman of the Year award, to go along was First-Team All-Big Ten and a consensus All-American selections. Considering where Thomas and Brown were selected, Long’s potential certainly places him in the top five.

2. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State – Although Buffalo Bill draftee Paul Posluszny got all the print, Connor had the better season from the opening kick. He also was a Bednarik finalist last season and his 113 tackles (including nine for a loss) has placed him 99 tackles behind Posluszny’s newly established school record. Some experts consider him a better linebacker prospect than Posluszny.

3. James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State – The Bronco Nagurski Award (nation’s top defensive player) winner had a solid 2006 season and led the Buckeyes with five interceptions from his linebacker spot as he chalked up 115 tackles and four sacks to boot. Said to be not as athletic as former first rounder A.J. Hawk, he will be equally productive in college and at the next level.

4. Justin King, CB, Penn State – How happy is the valley with this Thorpe Award candidate and possibly the first defensive back off the board when he decides to leave for the pros? King has the size (6-0, 186), the speed (4.38) and versatility (Dean’s List in ’05 and Academic All-Big Ten in ’06) to improve on a 2006 when he was selected to the Second Team All-Big Ten. Claiming to be the healthiest he has ever been, coaches are expecting a monumental year.

5. Jack Ikegwuono, CB, Wisconsin – Big (6-1, 199 lbs) and fast, Ikegwuono ran down Arkansas all-world running back Darren McFadden from behind on the opening drive of the Capital One Bowl when it appeared to be a sure touchdown. This play not only displayed the measurables, but showed the type of heart this Badger plays with as well. It fueled the Badgers to a 17-14 win in the bowl game and will carry over into this season. He only had two interceptions, as teams simply threw away from him.

6. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State – Another big (6-1, 202 lbs) corner who simply takes half the field away from opposing offenses. With 4.3 speed and solid tackling ability, he has NFL written all over him. He had four interceptions last season, including a 61-yard for a touchdown on one of his picks. Jenkins was First Team All-Big Ten and after a huge sophomore year, the sky is the limit.

7. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State – A Second Team All-Big Ten selection last season, Gholston led the Buckeyes with 8.5 sacks while starting all 13 contests. The 6-4, 260 pound junior runs a sub-4.7 forty and looks to pick up the slack on a defensive line that lost three seniors. Having the benefit of a redshirt freshman year could vault Gholston into the first round in the 2008 NFL Draft.

8. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan – A starter since his freshman year, Henne had a solid 2006 with 2,508 yards, 22 touchdown passes and only eight interceptions. In his three seasons in Ann Arbor, he has thrown for 7,777 yards, 70 touchdown passes, and 28 interceptions. With an intact offense coming back and some shootouts bound to come his way this season, Henne could topple all of the Michigan passing records this season and take his place amongst other NFL Wolverine quarterbacks.

9. Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State – A mountain of a man in the midst of a Buckeye reload could be a top ten pick in the 2008 Draft if he comes on with a strong junior campaign. Considered the best offensive line prospect since Orlando Pace, who himself went number one overall. A poor showing in the National Championship loss to Florida has placed a chip on his shoulder and he is out to prove himself.

10. Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan – Derailed by injury last season, Manningham stepped his summer training regimen by working out with quarterback Chad Henne and the rest of the Wolverine receivers on routes, fundamentals, and overall conditioning. At 6-0 and 181 pounds, Manningham is electric on the outside and opens everything up for the Maize and Blue underneath. A big game performer in the clutch, he is looking to explode this season and take his place amongst the greats at the U of M at the receiver position.