Dashing to the NFL Combine

Anyone else notice the similarities between national signing day and the NFL combines?

Yes, they are pretty obvious, but for all the primping and preparing, and judging and scoring, isn’t the whole thing a crap shoot anyway?

I’d like to believe that but it’s probably not true. However, I refuse to believe that because an offensive lineman can run the 40-yard dash in under five seconds it makes him a better talent.

Do you want your offensive lineman to run fast? I want mine to hold his position, be able to pull every once in a while and keep those freaks on the defensive line in front of him.

Frankly, is he’s using the sub-five second speed, my team probably has bigger problems, namely finding a new quarterback.

But hey, what fun would any off season be without signing day, the NFL combine, the draft, and please let’s not forget the invaluable tool that is…the Wonderlic Test.

Just as important as the 40-yard dash is and just as scrutinized. This test weeded out a potentially horrendous situation for many teams by giving them an excuse to pass on a rumored poor scoring athlete on the Wonderlic

Tennessee Titans apparently didn’t do their homework last year and fell for Vince Young anyway. Oh well, better luck this year.

Spring practice also gets cranked up soon...at least that's something where we can tell what's what.

Bowl Games on Whenever You Want

Florida Gator fans, and any Ohio State fans who like cruel and unusual punishment, click on over to NCAAFootball.com and pick up your copy of the national championship DVDs.

These are sure to be collector’s items. For those fans lucky enough to enjoy a national championship with their team, there is simply nothing better then watching that game over, and over again.

It is great to live in a day and time when reproductions of these games are so readily available. What did the fans of championships gone by do when the game was over? Talk about it? Please.

Sure, by not having DVDs at your fingertips the legend was probably enhanced a little, but we’re to the point now where most game film can be found somewhere, and will probably end up on DVD anyway if it’s not already.

Other DVDs are available as well. Any big winners want to enjoy that big bowl win? Go right ahead, but nothing quite tops the title.

So go ahead Gator Fans, enjoy it as many times as you want.

National Signing Day Was Last Week. Results TBD.

You may have heard that national signing day was last week. That day has turned in to one of the most anticipated days in sports in recent years for the thought of a new class giving fans a fresh start and a chance to move one step closer to winning it all.

I wish I could give you my rankings for this year’s best classes, but that would be impossible since there are a kajillion (that’s with a “K”) high schoolers out there playing football right now and for me to be able to tell you that one is going to be a better college player then the other would be crazy.

However, there are those people out there. And thank goodness for them.

It seems increasingly hard to gauge what a kid is going to be able to do on the next level. High schools are separated and divided so differently and so much from state to state, how do they tell that a offensive lineman playing at a small high school in Minnesota is a three-star and a running back from Ohio playing at a huge high school is a four-star?

And what pushes you over the edge in the star ranking system?

How do you get that one extra star, separating you from the group of star-numbered teens below you?

Anyway, it is an exciting day, especially for the fans of the schools that seem to just keep getting more talent. USC and Florida were ranked at the top of most people’s list for top classes. Not surprising, who doesn’t want to play at either of those two schools right now.

The things people must remember is that some of these players may never see the field, some will red shirt, and yes, some will excel. Predicting what will happen and how good these classes are is fun and it gives us something to talk about. But a prediction is all it is. We’ll find out just how good these classes are a few years down the road, on the field.

Until then, at least it gives us something to look forward to.

Rivals.com Top 10 Recruits & Top 10 Recruiting Classes

Where have the top ten recruits on Rivals.com committed? Who does Rivals.com say has the best recruiting class?

Top 10 Rivals.com Recruits:

1. Jimmy Clausen (QB) committed to Notre Dame.
2. Joe McKnight (RB) committed to USC.
3. Eric Berry (DB) committed to Tennessee.
4. Ryan Mallett (QB) committed to Michigan.
5. Carlos Dunlap (DE) committed to Florida.
6. Everson Griffen (DE) has committed to USC.
7. Marvin Austin (DT) committed to North Carolina.
8. Ronald Johnson (WR) committed to USC.
9. Torrey Davis (DT) committed to Florida.
10. Josh Oglesby (OL) committed to Wisconsin.

Top 10 Rivals.com Recruiting Classes:
**Updated!

1. Florida
2. Southern Cal
3. Tennessee
4. LSU
5. Texas
6. South Carolina
7. Auburn
8. Notre Dame
9. Georgia
10. Alabama

Scout.com Top 10 Recruits & Top 10 Recruiting Classes

Where have the top ten recruits on Scout.com committed? Who does Scout.com say has the best recruiting class?

Top 10 Scout.com Recruits:

1. Everson Griffen (DE) committed to USC.
2. Joe McKnight (RB) committed to USC.
3. Marvin Austin (DT) committed to North Carolina.
4. Jimmy Clausen (QB) committed to Notre Dame.
5. Ryan Mallett (QB) committed to Michigan.
6. Marc Tyler (RB) committed to USC.
7. Eric Berry (CB) committed to Tennessee.
8. Tray Allen (OG) committed to Texas.
9. Chris Galippo (MLB) committed to USC.
10. Terrance Toliver (WR) committed to LSU.

Top 10 Scout.com Recruiting Classes:
** Updated!

1. Florida
2. LSU
3. USC
4. Texas
5. Tennessee
6. Auburn
7. South Carolina
8. Oregon
9. Pittsburgh
10. Michigan

National Signing Day

Today is NCAA Football Signing Day. We'll find out where all the Highschool players will play next season. Many recruits has already given verbal agreements but there always a few who surprise the day of. We'll check back in to see where the top recruits commit.

Rookies Shine on Sunday

At least two rookies played prominent roles in helping their teams advance to yesterday’s Super Bowl.

Devin Hester and Joseph Addai, who just a year ago were completing their collegiate careers, were pivotal parts of each team’s success in 2006.

Hester, the thrilling return man from Miami, produced such electrifying play that it catapulted him to the head of the list for many rookie-of-the-year honors. Such a spark hasn’t been seen in the return game since the Kansas City Chiefs’ Dante Hall had the pro football world on red alert every time he touched the ball.

Addai has been a pleasant pickup for the Colts who lost Edgerrin James in the off season. His one-two punch with backfield mate Dominic Rhodes gave Indianapolis the ground burst to keep the Bears at bay.

Here’s the thing, Addai was a late first round pick and Hester went in the second round. There are a lot of elements that go into the draft. Need. Draft position. And if you’re the Houston Texans, temporary insanity.

But my point is solid players, impact players, can be had for every team out there. A lot can be said for the talent that surrounds rookies. And Addai has the benefit of being on one of the best offenses in the NFL, so it’s not like opposing offenses are geared to stop him. But he contributes and was huge this season.

Hester, I’m pretty sure he would have returned a few for scores on any team in the league.

But it’s also fun for the fans in Miami and LSU. They got to enjoy watching their guys excel on the highest level. Another reason college football is so great. Even on Sundays.

Chris Brown

A touchdown in a game is always a feat. 6 is unreal. Watch Chris Brown tear through the Nebraska defense in this 2001 highlight real.