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FWAA Names Coach of Year Finalists

Photo - Eddie Robinson - Grambling University

The Football Writers Association of America has announced nine finalists for the 2008 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award to be voted upon by their membership.
It was a pleasure to get to know and call Eddie Robinson a friend since the 1980's. We were introduced in association with the Whitney Young Classic game, first at Yankee Stadium and then at the Meadowlands when he was head coach of Grambling University that participated in the event annually. Eddie epitomized fine leadership that this award has come to symbolize in college football building one of the most storied college program in sports. His leadership and strong example build the nation's premier small college program in Grambling University into a national power despite a very limited budget that high profile teams today would be embarrassed to have to operate under annually. Eddie was a coach to had a strong hands on approach to coaching, seeing his profession as a teaching position in every sense of the word. He was a teacher of life to his athletes, in addition to having an astute football mind that changed countless lifes over his legendary college career. He sent an endless supply of football talent to the NFL over the decades with many Pro Bowl and eventual Hall of Fame athletes coming from the renowned Grambling program. His remarkable legacy lives on with this award awarded by the FWAA annually.

With the 2008 regular season completed, the FWAA, in conjunction with the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, has tabbed the following finalists: Texas' Mack Brown, USC's Pete Carroll, Texas Tech's Mike Leach, Florida's Urban Meyer, Penn State's Joe Paterno, Boise State's Chris Petersen, Alabama's Nick Saban, Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and Utah's Kyle Whittingham.

Frank Coyle vote - Coach of the Year
#1 Urban Meyer - Florida
#2 Nick Saban - Alabama
#3 Mack Brown - Texas
#4 Bob Stoops - Oklahoma

The finalists were placed on a ballot that was sent to the entire FWAA membership. The winner of the FWAA/Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award will be announced and honored at a reception on Jan. 6 in Miami sponsored by the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and presented in conjunction with the FedEx BCS Championship Game.

NFL Power Rankings ‘08
Giants Hold Top NFL Ranking Despite Burress Suspension

1. New York Giants (11-1)
The Giant are the champs till someone beats them in the playoffs.

2. Tennessee Titans (11-1)
The young Titans continue to impress and have matured quickly to rise to the top of the AFC.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
Steelers face a killer final month that could push them to the top of the AFC.

4. Tampa Bay Bucs (9-3)
The Bucs' are building momentum off a four game winning streak that has them fighting for the NFC South title.

5. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
Colts are on a five game winning streak that makes them dangerous in the playoffs.

6. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
The hot Ravens have won six of their last seven game but they face a tough stretch run to win a playoff spot.

7. Carolina Panthers (9-3)
Panthers get the underrated Cardinals in a key NFL clash this week.

8. Dallas Cowboys (8-4)
A three game winning streak has the Cowboys ready for a tough final month.

9. New York Jets (8-4)
Jets had their five game winning streak snapped vs the Broncos and face a winnable schedule over the final month.

10. New England Patriots (7-5)
Patriots hit the road for two soft games vs the Raiders and Seahawks that they have to win.

11. Miami Dolphins (7-5)
Dolphins have won five of last six games and have the ability to shock people and make the playoffs.

12. Atlanta Falcons (8-4)
Falcons have won four of their last fives games and are starting to believe in themselves.

13. Denver Broncos (7-5)
The Broncos have won 3 of last 4 games and can clinch AFC West this week.

14. Washington Redskins (7-5)
Skins have lost three of their last four game and face a huge game at Baltimore this week.

15. Arizona Cardinals (7-5)
Cardinals have lost two in a row and face a critical final month that will determine their '08 fate.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (6-5-1)
Eagles won a huge game vs Cardinals but need to run a streak now to get back in the playoff hunt.

17. Minnesota Vikings (7-5)
The Vikings' have won four of their last five games but their starting DTs begin a suspension this week.

18. Green Bay Packers (5-7)
Packers have let this season get away from them with several critical close NFC losses.

19. Buffalo Bills (6-6)
Bills have won only two games since the first month of the season.

20. Chicago Bears (6-6)
Da Bears are still in the hunt in the mediocre NFC Central.

Falcons' Matt Ryan Heads Strong Rookie Class

Photo - QB Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons

Rookie passer Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons continues to show rare maturity as an NFL starting QB. He has helped the surprising Falcons get in the thick of contention in the NFC South with a current 6-3 record. He leads a strong rookie class that has made an impressive impact during their first season as pros. Ryan has made few mistakes in guiding the Falcons to respectability that could shock fans with a possible playoff berth by seasons end. Ryan was our #1 overall prospect in September 2007 for the NFL Draft '08. We never moved him from the top overall spot among college prospects despite media hype of several other candidates. Ryan has the Falcons in contention only a few seasons removed from the Michael Vick debacle that left the club falling to the bottom of the NFC South. Ryan is not the only rookie QB leading a playoff contender. The Ravens are tied for the AFC North lead behind rookie Joe Flacco, a strong armed passer who has given his club the ability to get the ball down the field. Flacco is a prospect we scouted extensively over his final two seasons at Delaware. We recommended Flacco on our Senior Bowl list last October that eventually got him an invite to the premier All-Star classic. They are the two most successful rookie QBs in over a decade.
The rookie running back class has been just as impressive with the Titans' Chris Johnson, Bears' Matt Forte, Texans' Steve Slaton, Panthers' Jon Stewart, Ravens' Ray Rice and Lions' Kevin Smith all having impact on their offensive clubs. It has been the strongest group of rookie runners in over a decade and could be the watershed class of feature backs for seasons to come. Other top rookie runners Darren McFadden and Rashard Mendenhall have flashed playmaking ability prior to being hurt and missing several midseason games.

Mid Season 1st Team All-Americans

Photo - Safety William Moore - Missouri

Pos - Player - Class - School
Offense
QB Colt McCoy - Jr. - Texas
RB Javon Ringer - Sr. - Michigan St
RB Knowshon Moreno - Soph - Georgia
WR Dez Bryant - Soph - Oklahoma St
WR Michael Crabtree - Soph - Texas Tech
TE Chase Coffman - Sr. - Missouri
OL Andre Smith - Jr. - Alabama
OL Michael Oher - Sr. - Mississippi
OL Duke Robinson - Sr. - Oklahoma
OL Alex Mack - Sr. - California
OL Herman Johnson - Sr. - LSU

Defense
DE Brian Orakpo - Sr. - Texas
DE Jerry Hughes - Sr. - TCU
DT Terrence Cody - Jr. - Alabama
DT Fili Moala - Sr. - USC
LB Aaron Curry - Sr. - Wake Forest
LB Scott McKillop - Sr. - Pittsburgh
LB James Laurinaitis - Sr. - Ohio St
CB Malcolm Jenkins - Sr. - Ohio St
CB Alphonso Smith - Sr. - Wake Forest
S Eric Berry - Soph - Tennessee
S William Moore - Sr. - Missouri

NFL Power Rankings ‘08
Titans Move to the Top of the NFL Rankings

1. Tennessee Titans (6-0)
Titans are the NFL's only unbeaten club but meet their old nemesis in the Colts this Monday night.
2. New York Giants (5-1)
The Giant need to bring the A game with big contests over the next month.
3. Buffalo Bills (5-1)
Bills will match up with AFC East foes over the next three weeks that might determine the division.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1)
Steelers bang heads with the Giants in the game of the week this Sunday.
5. Carolina Panthers (5-2)
Panthers get the underrated Cardinals in a key NFL clash this week.
6. Tampa Bay Bucs (5-2)
The Bucs' face a huge NFC contest vs Cowboys that could have a strong bearing on two divisions.
7. New England Patriots (4-2)
Patriots took Broncos to the wood shed last Sunday.
8. Washington Redskins (5-2)
Skins won another close game last week.
9. Arizona Cardinals (4-2)
Cardinals was our surprise NFL club for this season and have not disappointed.
10. Dallas Cowboys (4-3)
Cowboys have lost two in a row and Tony Romo is sidelined with key NFC games on deck.
11. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)
Eagles are looking to make up ground over the next month.
12. Green Bay Packers (4-3)
Packers will regroup in bye week with key NFC North games over next month.
13. Indianapolis Colts (3-3)
Colts are hoping a bye week allows them to regroup from slow start and get back on pace.
14. Chicago Bears (4-3)
Da Bears are starting to play up their potential in the mediocre NFC Central.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)
Jags are well rested with a stretch of winnable games here that should push them into strong contention.

Cowboys Deal Picks for Roy Williams

Photo - Wideout Roy Williams

The NFL trading deadline closed Tuesday with a major deal between the Cowboys and Lions involving wideout Roy Williams. The Cowboys surrendered their #1, 3 and 6th round selections in the NFL Draft '09 for the talented receiver. Detroit also gave the Cowboys a 7th rounder next year. It presents an interesting alignment for the Cowboys with Terrell Owens and Roy Williams the current starters. Unfortunately, they will operate without starting QB Tony Romo who is out for a month with a broken pinkie. The Cowboys outbid several clubs and paid a high price for the young veteran but he addresses a major need area for their offense. Draft Insiders predicted Williams was on the block this week and stated he was being rumored to be heading to either Dallas and Tennessee with the Lions being able to get three picks and two high selections as the bidding rose over the final days. Dallas paid a high price for this former #1 pick. They quickly signed this potential free agent to a five year deal avoiding Williams becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The deal indicated the Cowboys are definitely playing for this season with almost half their draft selections already gone in this blockbuster deal. Williams does give them an awesome duo with veteran TO, though it could take to late in the season for the duo to provide any impact with Romo missing until after midseason. Veteran Brad Johnson will take over the QBing duties in the short term and benefits from the deal and strong offensive supporting cast.
The Colts acquired DT John McCargo from Buffalo for a #4 selection plus other consideration next spring in the only other transaction. McCargo addresses the the Colts' battered front four that has struggled with many injuries, in addition to an overall subpar performance through the early '08 season. He is a disappointing former #1 pick who has never lived up to the high expectations when he entered the NFL and gets another opportunity to produce in a four man front that should allow him to succeed in a three technique spot. Otherwise, the NFL trading deadline was an afterthought despite many rumors this year involving veterans like receivers, the Bengals' wideouts T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson and the Rams receiver Torry Holt to Bucs all rumored in trade talks. Kansas City's Pro Bowl TE Tony Gonzalez remained with the Chiefs despite several clubs interested in adding him prior to the 4 pm deadline.

NFL Power Rankings ‘08

Photo - Giants Celebrate Super Bowl Victory

1. New York Giants (3-0)
The G Men continue to win in the new tough NFC East.

2. Tennessee Titans (4-0)
Titans have turned the corner and are ready to make a return to playoff contention.

3. Dallas Cowboys (3-1)
Cowboys are primed for a big season but must win key games to live up to expectations.

4. Buffalo Bills (4-0)
Bills have learned how to win key close games that has their rebuilding program moving up nicely.

5. Carolina Panthers (3-1)
Panthers may be the NFL's sleeper team this season with the talent and focus to return to the Show.

6. Tampa Bay Bucs (3-1)
The Bucs' fast start has them ready for a strong playoff run.

7. Indianapolis Colts (1-2)
Colts are hoping a bye week allows them to regroup from slow start and get back on pace.

8. New England Patriots (2-1)
Patriots will have to do it without Tom Brady.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
Steelers look to Big Ben to carry them to the postseason.

10. Washington Redskins (3-1)
Skins are playing their best football in a decade under new HC Jim Zorn.

11. Denver Broncos (3-1)
Broncos' QB Jay Cutler gives them a chance to beat anyone.

12 San Diego Chargers (2-2)
Chargers will recover from a slow start and could prove to be the best in the AFC.