Fourth and Dumb

The following are the best & biggest name quarterbacks who did not have their names announced over this past weekend; we’ll be doing our best to keep track of them and see where they end up in the next few months.

In alphabetical order:

Sam Keller, Nebraska – currently unsigned

Xavier Lee, Florida State – currently unsigned

Anthony Morelli, Penn State – Signed with the Arizona Cardinals (Source)

Bernard Morris, Marshall – currently unsigned

Paul Smith, Tulsa – currently unsigned

Kyle Wright, Miami – Signed with the Minnesota Vikings (Source)

Please note that we will do our best to keep this update, but it would be less than shocking if a player or two slipped past us.

The Collegiate Times is reporting that Branden Ore has been dismissed from the Virginia Tech football team.

Ore went through a turbulent 2007 season, declaring for the NFL draft before changing his mind and deciding to return to Blacksburg for his final season. Coach Frank Beamer would not elaborate on why Ore left the team, only saying “During recent meetings with Branden Ore, we have decided that it would be best for Branden to pursue other opportunities.”

Backup Kenny Lewis, who had 57 carries for 205 yards and four TDs in 2007 will now battle for the starting job, along with Jahre Cheeseman, who added 133 yards of his own during the campaign. Lewis filled in for Ore during his first quarter suspension in the Orange Bowl after arriving late to practice.

Since Ore withdrew his name from the NFL Draft, his only hope of having somewhere to play this fall comes in the chance of being signed as an undrafted free agent. Any transfers would exhaust his remaining year of eligibility.

Ore leaves Virginia Tech just shy of being the school’s all-time leading rusher, just 987 yards shy of the career mark.

First round locks

Matt Ryan, Boston College. End of list. Ryan’s likely to go in the top ten, maybe the top five. He has a good ability to find his receivers and is mobile enough to avoid some sacks, and just about all of BC’s 2008 on-field success was due to Ryan. His biggest problem is his arm – it’s not exactly a wet noodle, maybe just a noodle that was previously wet but has been left out in the sun for too long.

Continue reading ‘Quarterback Draft Standings – 3/8/08’ »

News out of the Senior Bowl is that Texas WR Limas Sweed hurt his left wrist again, meaning he could see a major drop in the draft board; and that LSU WR Early Doucet skipped out after “tweaking” his hammy. Doucet shouldn’t expect his draft stock to be hurt by this as it should be forgotten in a month’s time… as long as he heals.

Oregon safety Patrick Chung has pulled out of the NFL Draft, leaving Kenny Phillips of Miami as the only underclassman safety to stay declared for the draft. Chung appeared to have been a late pick on the first day of the NFL Draft at best.

Virginia Tech’s Brandon Ore has announced his intention to return for his senior season in Blacksburg. Ore most likely saw that with the crowded running back class of 2008, he might not even be a first day draft choice. His return to Hokie country will hopefully strengthen his draft position.

Clemson running back James Davis has announced his intention to return to Clemson for his senior season, removing himself from the draft. The junior would have been part of a very strong running back class in this year’s draft, but faced the possibility of slipping in the draft order due to the logjam at that position. He is already being considered as the top running back in the 2009 draft after picking up over 1000 yards and ten touchdowns in the 2007 season.

Oregon safety Patrick Chung has declared for the draft. Chung should be one of the first safeties selected.

Here’s video of him taking Jonathan Stewart on in the open field during practice. Hint: Chung wins.

California wide receiver DeSean Jackson and Oklahoma cornerback Reggie Smith both officially entered the draft today.

Jackson is a tremendous wide receiver prospect and should be the first one taken before we’re halfway through the first round. Smith is one of the top cornerbacks available and should be gone before the end of the second round. Both were strong decisions by each player, as it seems unlikely their draft values could increase any more.

So apparently Macho Harris has changed his mind and is going to return to Virginia Tech next season…telling defensive coach Torrian Gray about it via text message.

What I’m trying to figure out is exactly how texting became an “official” communications channel. In a sport where you can give verbal commitments and sign letters of intent, how much weight should a text message hold? Apparently quite a bit, as the NCAA decided to ban text messaging as a recruiting tool in August. Now coaches are stuck with that archaic “telephone” stuff.

I’m trying hard to picture Joe Paterno using a cell phone to text new recruits. Can you imagine him sending one when he was courting Dan Connor or Anthony Morelli?

hey cum 2 psu we gt a gd fb team thx ur bff joe