Draft Spotlight: Running Back

Who Are the Potential Feature Backs?

“Donald Brown (Connecticut), what can you say about that guy? LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh), holy cow! You talk about great backs, I mean, they are great backs,” West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart said of the two Big East backs in a College Football Insiders radio interview. Joining the UConn and Pitt products as potential feature backs are Beanie Wells (Ohio St.) and Knowshon Moreno (Georgia), who are pretty much the consensus top two.

Before we get to Beanie the Buckeye, the NFL Draft Bible’s top two backs are a pair of Jersey Boys in Moreno and Brown. Moreno was a star for the Dawgs the past two seasons running the football, and no one in college football played with as much fire or energy. He has excellent vision and knows how to make people miss. Moreno lacks prototypical size and speed, but is such an instinctive runner. In addition, he had the second best 3-Cone time at the NFL Scouting Combine, displaying his ability to change directions and accelerate. Similarly, Brown may not possess eye-popping measurables, but the kid can play, as evidenced by his 2,000 yards in 2008 for the Huskies. Brown is a strong runner, who sees the field well with the necessary patience to allow holes to develop.

Wells is bigger and faster, but has question marks regarding his durability and desire. Does he have a passion the game? Is he willing to play hurt? Very few NFL running backs are 100 percent by the time crunch time rolls around. He has the most upside of any back and comes with great potential value, but is not as safe a pick as Moreno or Brown—Beanie could boom or bust.

Finally, we come to McCoy, who not everyone views as potential feature back. Don’t count former teammate linebacker Scott McKillop among the doubters.

“He helped me become a better linebacker this year,” McKillop said of McCoy. “I thought I was pretty fortunate to go out and practice against one of the top running backs in college football. I think he helped me become a better tackler this year than I was last. He’s a great kid, I’m pulling for him.”

McCoy, a red-shirt sophomore like Moreno, had only two years of college experience; he lacks ideal size and did not get the opportunity to strut his stuff at the Combine due to an injury. Nevertheless, one cannot ignore what he can do on the field. McCoy has good vision, great balance and even better elusiveness—he’ll make ya miss.

Who Are the Next Tier of Runners?

More than any other back at the Combine, Andre Brown (North Carolina St.) displayed his potential with 4.4-speed and an NFL frame at over 220 pounds.

“His potential is unlimited,” his former head coach Tom O’Brien said in a CFI interview. “We’ve only been here two years and actually he missed the last six games of our first year with an injury. He’s certainly made tremendous strides this year. He can play whether it’s first, second or third down—he can be that back. He has size and he has speed to take that pounding at the next level. So I think he would be a great addition to someone’s team.”

What will likely keep Brown from becoming a feature back is his lack of durability. Brown has struggled to stay on the field, which limited his production as a collegian. He possesses good vision, patience and can be a factor in the passing game.

Glenn Coffee also must overcome durability concerns. He doesn’t have standout skills, but is tough, physical runner who always seems to find a way to fall forward and pick up an extra yard or two. He possesses the ability to cut, change direction and not lose speed.

Who is the Best Between the Tackles?

Shonn Greene (Iowa) doesn’t offer much in terms of breakaway speed, elusiveness or explosiveness, but he is a downhill runner who maximizes the available yards in traffic—he pushes the pile. One has to love his consistency as well; no other back ran for 100 yards in each and every game this past season.

Another north-south runner is Gartrell Johnson (Colorado St.), who had a dominant bowl game and was very impressive at the East-West Shrine game. Originally viewed by some as fullback, it appears Johnson has solidified himself as a runner. However, he may very well be the slowest running back in this class and doesn’t have the type of elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field, but he does possess very quick feet.

The best big back may very well be small school product Rashad Jennings (Liberty) who packs a punch at 231 pounds. In both the All-Star game process and the Combine Jennings proved he belonged among the Bowl Subdivision backs. He has good vision and can change directions very well for a big back. He surprised quite a few observers with his 3-Cone time of 6.86 (fourth at the Combine).

Are There Any Home Run Threats?

With only four backs running sub-4.5s at the Combine, there are not as many breakaway threats as NFL scouts would like. One reason for the poor Combine numbers was that the NFL did not see fit to invite little man Devin Moore (Wyoming) to Indianapolis. Moore shined at his own private workout in his hometown and teams looking for a breakaway threat should not underestimate this Wyoming product. He is elusive, possesses long speed, and is stronger than you might think.

Mike Goodson (Texas A&M) wasn’t as productive as expected when he arrived at College Station, but he could end being the big play back the Aggies expected at the NFL level. He is explosive, has good balance in the open field and the long speed to hit the home run.

Two backs that surprised a few people at the Combine with their straight-line speed were Cedric Peerman (Virginia) and Kory Sheets (Purdue). Peerman ran a 4.5 in Indianapolis and he possesses good vision, but isn’t necessarily at his best in the open field. Sheets ran a 4.47 and excels outside the tackles, with the wiggle to make people miss. The former Boilermaker is also quite willing to get physical with defensive backs and when he wins those confrontations, he is more than able to break free for a big run.

“I think he could help a team in a lot of ways,” says Purdue head coach Danny Hope. “He’s a good kick return man, he has legitimate speed, and good size, not great. But I’m not surprised he ran as fast as he did. I think he ran somewhere in the mid, low 4.4’s. He was an excellent sprinter in high school. He was a track man in high school and had documented track times. He was fortunate this season to get the bulk of the work at the running back spot. We had an injury to one of our top running backs, Jason Taylor. We relied a lot on Kory Sheets and he rose to the occasion and really did a great job. He rushed for over 1,200 yards and was a good receiver out of the backfield, but I think the fact that he played in the spread offense and knows how to catch the football will separate him from some other guys at his position. If he can prove himself to be a physical player, I think he can do very well in National Football League. He is very talented and I think he has the desire to do well.”

Rounding out this group is Marcus Thigpen (Indiana), who may or may not get drafted, but leaves little doubt in terms of his pure speed. The man with sub-4.4 speed also has the potential to be a special return man.

Who Are the Best of the Rest?

There are still some talented backs remaining, led by the 5’9 duo of Jeremiah Johnson (Oregon) and Jevon Ringer (Michigan St.). What hurts this pair is that in addition to lacking ideal size, neither brings top end speed to the table. Ringer is very quick though, with the ability to change direction. He has good vision, is very tough, and better between the tackles than one might assume. Johnson is a little more explosive and more elusive in the open field, a very dangerous runner once he can get outside the tackles. The former Duck also seems to be able to break off long runs, he’s rarely caught from behind.

We also can’t forget Ian Johnson (Boise St.), Bernard Scott (Abilene-Christian), Arian Foster (Tennessee), James Davis (Clemson) and Aaron Brown (TCU). Johnson really proved the doubters wrong with his speed, quickness and strength at the Combine. He improved his draft stock by a round or two. Scott will get drafted beneath his talent level because of character question marks, but the kid can play ball.

The two senior sinkers since the start of the season are Davis and Foster. The former Vol has superb hands, prototypical size, and he is very smooth runner. However, he has serious questions when it comes to his ability to stay on the field. Davis has enough size and speed to play at the next level, but has tight hips, durability issues and he was not much of factor in the Tigers’ passing attack when it came to blocking or receiving.

Brown never put up big numbers as a Horned Frog and also had trouble staying healthy, but he has very good vision and burst, with the hands and ability to run after the catch. He could certainly be a solid third-down back.

Who Are the Potential PFA Gems?

A pair of backs who are not physically imposing or going to make you double check your stop-watch, but possess the quick feet and ability to change direction are Tyrell Sutton (Northwestern) and Kahlil Bell (UCLA). Brad Lester (Auburn) did not receive an invitation to the Combine because he barely contributed as a senior and struggled his entire career at Auburn to stay on the field. If healthy, Lester could be a real find.

Which Fullbacks Could Get Draft?

Tony Fiammetta (Syracuse) is the odds-on favorite to be the first fullback off the board. He has good size and speed, is an above average blocker and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Other fullbacks who could hear their name called are Quinn Johnson (LSU), Brannan Southerland (Georgia), Conredge Collins (Pittsburgh) and Jason Cook (Mississippi St.). Cook has prototypical size, Johnson is an excellent lead blocker, injury issues hurt Southerland, while Collins is athletic, but undersized.

Who Are the Stars of Tomorrow?

The top senior back for 2009 will be C.J. Spiller (Clemson), who possesses breakaway speed and is a true weapon coming out of the backfield. Even though Davis is gone, Spiller figures to share some carries. LeGarrette Blount (Oregon) and Charles Scott (LSU) are bruising backs that tip the scales at over 230 pounds. Stafon Johnson (USC) is an intriguing talent, but has never had the opportunity to get consistent carries as a Trojan.

Junior Jonathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech) is a powerful runner, with Jahvid Best (California) and Noel Devine (West Virginia) true game-breakers for the Class of 2011. The players with the most potential remain DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma) and Joe McKnight (USC), with the red-shirt junior out of Norman the more proven talent. Also out of the Big XII, Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma St.) is a sleeper who has been very productive.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Michigan St., Pittsburgh, NC State), SEC Sports Media, University of Wyoming Photo Service

NFF College Hall of Fame to Announce 2009 Inductees at NASDAQ MarketSite

DALLAS, April 15 , 2009 - The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today that The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ OMX) agreed to sponsor the NFF's announcement of the 2009 inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame from the Football Bowl Subdivision, which will be carried live on ESPNEWS on April 30 at noon, ET. The event will held at NASDAQ MarketSite in the heart of Times Square.

"At NASDAQ OMX, we are constantly looking to strengthen our relationships with leaders in the business world," said Bob McCooey, Senior Vice President, NASDAQ OMX. "The National Football Foundation, with its prestigious board of directors and nationwide chapter network, provides us an excellent vehicle for reaching the targeted audience of our nation's business leaders who learned to compete on the playing field and now exhibit that same spirit to win in the business world."

The partnership will provide the NASDAQ OMX presenting sponsorship status at the NFF's April 30 announcement and exposure at several of the NFF's New York City events, including the NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 8 and upcoming events with the NFF Gridiron Club of New York City. In addition to becoming the presenting sponsor of the April 30 luncheon announcement, NASDAQ OMX is supporting the NFF's efforts with GlobeNewswire, one of the world's largest newswire distribution networks, and Directors Desk, a fully hosted online board management solution.

"The NASDAQ OMX's facility in Times Square provides a powerful platform for reaching millions of people throughout the world," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "And the NASDAQ OMX brand symbolizes excellence and leadership in the business world. We are fortunate to be able to partner with them to leverage their assets to highlight football's unique ability to build leaders through football."

VanFulpen’s Mock Draft 2.0

With the Jay Cutler trade now done, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing Byron Leftwich here is the latest Mock Draft:

1. Lions: QB Matt Stafford, Georgia
Lions want a franchise quarterback and get one with Stafford. Now they hope he isn’t the next Joey Harrington.

2. Rams: OT Jason Smith, Baylor
They cut Orlando Pace and now they have a replacement with Smith.

3. Chiefs: OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
This gives the Chiefs bookend tackles as the reunite Monroe with Brandon Albert.

4. Seahawks: LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
Curry is possible the best player in the draft and he'll replace Julian Peterson.

5. Browns: WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
The Browns are looking to trade Braylon Edwards to the New York Giants and Crabtree would be the perfect replacement.

6. Bengals: OT Andre Smith, Alabama
The Bengals need help in the offensive line and Smith gives that to them.

7. Raiders: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
Al Davis loves speed and Heyward-Bey was the fastest wide receiver at the NFL Scouting Combine.

8. Jacksonville: DT B.J. Raji, Boston College
Raji gives the Jaguars a player to team with John Henderson on the inside of the defensive line.

9. Packers: OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas
Orakpo teams up with Aaron Kampman to give the Packers two great outside pass rushers.

10. 49ers: OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss
The 49ers could go with quarterback Mark Sanchez here as well.

11. Bills: OLB Everette Brown, Florida State
Brown gives the Bills the pass rusher they are looking for.

12. Broncos: QB Mark Sanchez, USC
Sanchez is the replacement for quarterback Jay Cutler now in Chicago.

13. Redskins: DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee
The Redskins cut Jason Taylor and use their first round pick to replace him.

14. Saints: CB Vontae Davis, Illinois
The Saints cut Mike McKenzie, Davis will take his place.

15. Texans: LB Clay Matthews, USC
Matthews' name is huge in Houston with his uncle Bruce now part of the organization and the Texans are looking to upgrade the linebacker core.

16. Chargers: LB Brian Cushing, USC
Cushing is a perfect fit for the 3-4 scheme, with the potential to play inside or outside.

17. Jets: WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
Maclin is a replacement for Laveranues Coles who is now with the Bengals.

18. Broncos: OLB Aaron Maybin, Penn State
Maybin helps them in their switch to the 3-4 defense.

19. Buccaneers: QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State
Yes the Buc’s signed Leftwich, but Freeman is their quarterback of the future.

20. Lions: LB Rey Maualuga, USC
Maualuga starts from day one in the middle for the Lions.

21. Eagles: RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
Wells is the big back that the Eagles lack.

22. Vikings: WR Percy Harvin, Florida
Harvin play-making skills will go perfect with Adrian Peterson.

23. Patriots: CB Darius Butler, Connecticut
Patriots need help in the secondary and Butler might turn out to be the best one.

24. Falcons: TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
Pettigrew would give Matt Ryan a big target, but they might not draft him if they can pull the trade off for Tony Gonzalez.

25. Dolphins: CB Malcolm Jenkins, OSU
Jenkins is the kind of big physical cornerback that the Dolphins like.

26. Ravens: OLB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
Laurinaitis starts from day one next to Ray Lewis, and when Lewis is done takes over for him.

27. Colts: DT Evander Hood, Missouri
Hood is a perfect fit for the Tampa Two defense the Colts run.

28. Eagles: OT Eben Britton, Arizona
Britton give the Eagles help on the offensive line.

29. Giants: RB Donald Brown, UConn
This pick could be the Browns if they make the trade for Braylon Edwards.

30. Titans: DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi
The Titans start to try to replace Albert Haynesworth.

31. Cardinals: RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
Moreno in, Edge out in Arizona.

32. Steelers: DE Tyson Jackson, LSU
The best defense in the league gets better with Jackson.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, College Press Box

Draft Spotlight: Quarterback

How Many First Round Picks?

Three, and this one is pretty close to a slam-dunk. Matthew Stafford (Georgia) is the number one guy, which is why he is the only signal caller in the conversation for the number one overall pick. If you ever watched a full Stafford game as a Bulldog, you thought at least once or twice, “No one in else in college football could have made that throw”. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee anything at the next level. He didn’t always make the best decisions, but always seemed to be dealing with slippery-handed pass catchers and an inexperienced offensive line. Georgia football coach Mark Richt compares Stafford to NFL legends John Elway and Dan Marino.

“He is very strong and durable, he is very agile,” Richt adds. “His arm is unquestioned in its strength, but he can also make any throw you would want a guy to make. He is highly intelligent. He loves the game. He’s a humble guy who wants to put the team first; he’s exactly what everyone is looking for. I think he will be a very high pick, if not the first pick.”

As for number two, it’s a toss up. Before you put Mark Sanchez (USC) in the top ten, could you find one person who called him a first round pick before his Rose Bowl performance? Didn’t think so. Sanchez has potential, but is a borderline first-round talent who will get over-drafted.

Finally, we come to the brick-house named Josh Freeman out of Kansas St. Yes, he is raw, but he has more potential than Sanchez and maybe as much as Stafford. I like Freeman more than I liked JaMarcus Russell coming out…the difference? Freeman didn’t have Dwayne Bowe, Buster Davis and Early Doucet to throw to or a defense stocked with future NFL talent constantly giving him the ball back.

Who Are the Top Senior QBs?

No senior quarterback will approach the first round and they all may have to wait until day two to hear their name called. The candidates include Pat White (West Virginia), Curtis Painter (Purdue), Thomas Brandstater (Fresno St.), Stephen McGee (Texas A&M) and Brian Hoyer (Michigan St.).

White is the most likely to go in the second round, but that has more to do with his “slash” potential than his ability to go under center in 2009. Hoyer appears to be a rising player on some people’s draft boards despite the fact he struggled to complete 50 percent of his passes as a senior.

The upside that Painter, Brandstater and McGee bring shouldn’t be underestimated. Don’t be surprised if one or more of this trio outperforms one or two of the big three as pros. It happens all the time. Quarterback coach Bob Johnson, who worked with Sanchez, Painter, Brandstater, White and Nathan Brown had especially high praise for the former Boilermaker.

“Curtis Painter is going to surprise people and end up starting in this league,” Johnson told the NFL Draft Bible in a radio interview. Brandstater and McGee may not have the arm strength of Painter, but provide a little more in terms of mobility.

What Happened to So-and-So?

“Sometimes your senior year doesn’t go quite the way it’s supposed to and maybe his didn’t, but there are a lot of things to be said about that whether it was protections or receivers or a new coordinator, whatever it was.”

That was Coach Johnson on Curtis Painter, but he easily could have been talking about Hunter Cantwell (Louisville), Cullen Harper (Clemson), Rudy Carpenter (Arizona St.) or Todd Boeckman (Ohio St.). Of this quartet Cantwell and Boeckman have the best arms. Cantwell is inexperienced and spotty, but if a team can be patient and coach him up, he possesses the raw tools. Boeckman was a victim of circumstance at OSU—after their National Championship hopes vanished, it was time for the Terrelle Pryor era to begin. Boeckman is a statue in the pocket, but he has a pro arm and could be a Free Agent bargain.

Coming out of the Big XII, Graham Harrell (Texas Tech) and Chase Daniel (Missouri) were as productive as anyone in this class of quarterbacks, but they simply don’t stack up physically. Yes, people have questioned the fact they are coming out of spread offenses, but scouts wouldn’t be as worried about the “system” label if Daniel was three or four inches taller and Harrell had a stronger arm.

John Parker Wilson (Alabama) is a solid game manager who led the Crimson Tide to an 11-win season, but he doesn’t offer much potential.

Who Could Be This Year’s Joe Flacco?

If you’re looking for someone who is going to step in as the starter and win a playoff game, the answer is “nobody”. The top small school candidate is Rhett Bomar (Sam Houston St.), who has the size, arm and athleticism to start under center in the League. Like Flacco who began his college career as a Pitt Panther (before transferring to Delaware), Bomar started at the Bowl Subdivision level, leading the Oklahoma Sooners to their last bowl victory before moving on to Sam Houston St. Accuracy is the biggest question make with this small school stud.

Not far behind is D-III standout Jason Boltus (Hartwick), who throws an impressive fastball. He's an intriguing prospect and it’s amazing that someone with his kind of arm slipped through so many cracks. Two other names to keep an eye on are Michael Reilly (Central Washington) and Nathan Brown (Central Arkansas).

Who Are Some Sleepers?

His stock may have dropped more than any other quarterback's throughout the evaluation process, but there is still a lot to like about Nate Davis (Ball St.), namely his rocket arm. His did not put his best foot forward on his way out the door, playing his worst two games of 2008 in his final two games as a collegian, but if you can snag him anytime after the third round, he could end up being a steal. Another strong-armed mid-major quarterback who could surprise is David Johnson (Tulsa). A one-year starter, Johnson did the most with his opportunity and proved himself to be capable threat. Unlike most spread offenses, the Golden Hurricane stretched the football field and not many throw a prettier deep ball than Johnson. Willie Tuitama (Arizona), like Davis, is short, stocky and athletic with a good arm, while Chase Patton (Missouri) hopes to be the next Matt Cassell and overcome zero college starts before embarking on an NFL career.

Who Are the Stars of Tomorrow?

If you heard enough of Pat White and what position he should play on Sundays…wait till next year! Everyone and their mother will have an opinion on Mr. Tim Tebow (Florida). Is he a quarterback? Tight end? H-Back? Fullback? Maybe even a linebacker? If he does stay “under center”, he will be asked to do very different things on Sundays than he does as the Gators' star. Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan), Zac Robinson (Oklahoma St.) and Juice Williams (Illinois) are three more dual threats, with Colt McCoy (Texas) coming out of the Texas spread. And keep an eye on 6’ 5 mid-major quarterbacks Tim Hiller (Western Michigan) and Rusty Smith (Florida Atlantic).

Red-shirt junior Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) will be the favorite to go number one overall heading into the season, but don’t sleep on former Longhorn Jevan Snead (Ole Miss), with Jake Locker (Washington), Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame), Colin Kaepernick (Nevada) and Pat Devlin (Delaware) all talented juniors.

No one looks the part of the old school prototypical pocket passer more than the 6’5/255 pound sophomore Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), while fellow second-year studs Terrelle Pryor (Ohio St.) and Robert Griffin (Baylor) are 100 percent new school.

Part I of an VIII Part Series - Tomorrow: Running Backs

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, College Press Box (Louisville), Sam Houston State Athletics, Walt Beazley, University of Tulsa, Purdue University Sports Information

Q&A: Courtney Greene, S, Rutgers

Click to listen to NFL Draft Bible Player Spotlight with All Big East safety Courtney Greene. Hosted by Bo Marchionte.

We are 18 days away from the NFL Draft. You have been pretty busy with workouts. Can you take us through how your Pro Day was?

Greene: It went real well. I think I started well at the Combine. I ran a good time in my 40 and did all the drills I wanted to do good. So I just wanted to go to my Pro Day and do drills and my broad jump. I felt like my broad jump wasn’t far enough at the Combine where my legs where kind of tired so I did it again and jumped 9’11. I was proud of that one. I looked real good in the drills so now I'm just trying to go out there and show them that I’m moving my hips and stuff, showing the guys that I can move.

Have you been talking with any teams since the Combine and your Pro Day? Any teams showing an interest in you?

Greene: At the Combine I had three interviews with the Broncos, Browns and Jacksonville. The Broncos came out here and worked me out. Atlanta came out here and I was just at the Jets yesterday and I’m going to the Giants on Thursday.

Anyone who loves football loves guys who play with that smash mouth mentality. Growing up, did you follow guys with that style or was that just a instinct and you just falling into that role?

Greene: I think I just fell into it growing up at the same time as Ray Rice. Not too many running backs growing up were going to run for touchdowns with Ray on the team so I had no other choice but to play defense. At a young age I just grew into it and figured I’d the best on defense and he would be the best on offense.

What kind of honor was it being named team captain at Rutgers, and what kind of leader where you?

Greene: It was a big honor. There was a whole bunch of guys on our team that could have been named captain. Then there was six of us and you don’t see that happen at too many programs with six captains in one year. So it was a honor, all six of us being named captain. It was just a honor to just lead the guys. Starting 1-2, then 1-5, and that’s when leadership had to kick in. We got all ours guys together and just understood that the coaches were giving us the right game plan and it was us that weren’t putting in the time or effort to it done on Saturdays. We turned that around and won seven straight.

Since the season ended you had your Combine and Pro Day. When is the next time you think you’re going to be able to relax?

Greene: I don’t know to tell you the truth. (Laughs) On the 17th all the visits and stuff stops so I will get to relax from then until the Draft. I’m just going to take it in with my family and just enjoy the moment. It's my childhood dream and I'm just excited with what God has put in front of me.

Talking about that childhood dream. Talk about when the realization of becoming an NFL player started to take root.

Greene: I think in high school. Growing up with Ray, we always spoke about it. We decided to go to the same college and in our first year we were both freshman All Americans. From that moment on we both knew we had what it took to get it done in college. It just wasn’t a high school thing where we were just dominate in high school. So from that moment on I knew this dream was going to come true, it was just a matter of when. Ray took his chance last year and I stayed in for my senior year to stay with these guys and get my degree. Now it's my turn.

Actually I was going to ask you that. You could have went pro last season. Earning your degree, was that a big reason why you returned?

Greene: That was the main reason. I spoke with my mom and she told us growing up that anything you start, you have to finish. I think that set in when I had to make my decision with Coach Schiano. I just wanted to finish what I started. I think I owed it to Rutgers and to my mom to come in and finish what I started and I'm finishing school right now. I’m coming from class, so it’s kind of different. But I’m just taking it in and enjoying the process right now.

Speaking about your former teammate Ray Rice, do you guys stay in close contact?

Greene: All the time. We always call each other, hit up a few jokes. Actually, we hung out last week. I went down to Baltimore to just get away for a little while for three days to be with him.

Are you going to miss the college life or are you ready to move on to the next level?

Greene: I think I’ve been out of college for a year. I think I when I decided to make the decision to come back my mind was in the NFL. So I prepared like I was in the NFL, did some partying and no one ever told me (Laughs) so yeah, I’m ready for the next step.

How about some teammates like Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood, facing those guys in practice. How was that?

Greene: Exciting, because you never know what’s going to happen with those two guys. Two great players that just made us better. I think they made our defense better each year. It showed in the end results—every year we were among the top teams in the country and those guys made it possible. Going against a guy like Kenny, he’s so physical and fast and just wants to catch every ball that’s up in the air while going against Tiquan, who’s flashy and fast, makes it troubling for a defense and that helped us out the last seven games. We all put it together and they played well and we played well and won seven straight.

Speaking a little Scarlet Knight football. Who are some of the more flamboyant and fun guys on the team?

Greene: (Laughs) I don’t know...Ah, I’d probably say Joe Lefeged, a sophomore safety who’s going into his junior year now. He's the real clown on the team but he’s going to be a great player. If people don’t know him yet, they are going to know him this coming year.

With the Draft being 18 days away, what are your plans when April 24 rolls around? Are you going to spend it with family, are you going to get away from the television set, or are your eyes going to be glued to it?

Greene: I really don’t know what I’m going to do yet. (Laughs) Probably the first day with some friends and see what my status is. I'm not going on the first day...I doubt I'll even watch it. I'll probably just go out with my family to eat and have fun a little bit. Then the next day, wake up and wait for my name to be called. I'll just sit around with my family and just have fun that day.

You played under three secondary coaches while at Rutgers. Has that helped make you more well-rounded? Can you share your thoughts on that?

Greene: I think it helped me. I think there are two different style of coaches. One was more aggressive and one was more X and O’s. I think that helped me out a lot. Coach Pinkham made me a smarter football player this past season. He explained to me that it’s not just about your position but about everybody and everything that’s going on on the field. That made me a better player. I was just excited for the opportunity to be coached by him.

Playing in the Big East, who were some of the stand out offensive players that come to mind?

Greene: Obviously I think about Pat White when you think about a guy from the Big East, and West Virginia and what they have done at that program. He had a tremendous season. I remember him when we played him as a freshman, we played him out here and he had 199 (yards) against us. I told them it was a fluke then he came out the next three years and did the same thing to everybody. That’s a guy to think about. Another to think about is Kevin Malast (linebacker), who is on our team and actually got to chill with him a couple times. He’s a cool guy, I'd look for him to be nice pick.

During your downtime what are we going to find Courtney Greene doing?

Greene: Probably just go home to my mom. I'm at school a lot and when I’m not in class, I'm probably doing workouts for the teams and visiting teams. So probably just go home relax with my mom. I can’t wait to go home and go to church with her and just relax.

You plan on getting mom anything special when you finally get to the NFL?

Greene: (Laughs) I’m sure I’m going to get her something. This is our goal. It’s been our goal for awhile. I’ve been the one doing it but without her I wouldn’t be in this position. So definitely have to get her something nice.

How are your workouts going? You said you worked out with the Jets yesterday
and you're working out with the Giants later this week. You doing mostly the same drills on each visit, or do they change things up on you?

Greene: Each one is different. I think they mix up the schemes and stuff, and what techniques they teach. They try to make you do different things to see if you will fit and do the drills they actually want you to do. It’s all been different but it’s football and everybody back-peddles, everybody brakes, and everybody has to have smooth hips as a safety. So it’s the same stuff, just different techniques. I think all of them have been going real well so we'll see what happens.

Growing up, were there any teams you rooted for?

Greene: (Laughs) Actually, it’s Green Bay.

Really?

Greene: I actually liked watching Brett Favre He wasn’t even a defensive player, it was just Brett Favre, and I liked watching him play, the way he played the game.

That’s pretty neat, a physical defensive player like yourself saying Brett Favre. That would be a good trivia question.

Greene: (Laughs)

If we put you under the helmet of a NFL team, who would you remind us of out there?

Greene: I don’t know. My favorite player was Sean Taylor before he passed away. Butif there was someone I look like, I’d probably pick him.

With a couple minutes left here, I like to shut things down with something I call Quick Slants. You ready to go?

Greene: (Laughs) Yeah...

If you had to pick one of these occupations would you rather be a lead singer of a boy band or a male runway model?

Greene: Runway model.

Which competition would you get farther in, Dancing With the Stars or American
Idol?

Greene: Dancing With the Stars.

Pretty good dancer?

Greene: Yeah.

Or can’t you sing?

Greene: No, I can’t sing.

Would you hold a live tarantula in you hand?

Greene: Yes.

Wow, we usually get a “no”. Okay, last question. If one of these embarrassing things was going to happen to you, which one would you pick—would you prefer to get laid out on a kick return by a kicker, or get beat deep by a offensive lineman for a touchdown on a trick play?

Greene: (Laughs)

So imagine going to the game tape where they are going to show you getting laid out by a kicker or be beaten by a tackle.

Greene: Laid out by a kicker. At least we didn’t give up a touchdown.

Great answer, spoken by a true defensive-minded player.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Rutgers)