Senior Bowl Names Lions & Jets Staffs for All-Star Classic

The Reese’s Senior Bowl today announced that NFL Football Operations has assigned the Detroit Lions and New York Jets as the coaching staffs for the 73rd annual Reese’s Senior Bowl to be played on Saturday February 5, 2022, at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama.

The game will be aired live on the NFL Network at 1:30 CT.  The Lions own the No. 2 pick, while the Jets own the Nos. 4 and 10 selections in the 2022 NFL draft. NFL teams are offered the opportunity to coach the two Senior Bowl squads based on draft order, unless they are transitioning coaching staffs. The Jaguars hold the No. 1 pick of the draft but with the club in search of a coach did not quality. The Lions hold the #2 overall pick, while the Jets have the #4 overall selection. The Lions last coached the Senior Bowl in 2020 under then-coach Matt Patricia. The Jets have not coached a Senior Bowl team since 1979 under coach Walt Michaels.

       Go to   seniorbowl.com   for this years Player list

Draft Insiders.com will attend all events and have in-depth coverage in Feb Newsletter

The Senior Bowl is coming off a record-breaking year in which 106 players were selected in the 2021 NFL draft, which represents 41% of the entire class. Over the past three drafts (2019-2021), 88.4% of the players wound up making an active 53-man NFL roster at some point during their rookie season.

The Senior Bowl has long been the nation’s most prestigious college all-star game and it is the only one coached by entire staffs from two NFL clubs.  NFL Football Operations smartly uses the draft order to select participating clubs because it serves as a valuable mechanism of parity for competitive balance in the league each year.

For the first time in the game’s rich history, head coaches will serve in more an advisory capacity while promoting select assistants into leadership roles on the staff (e.g. running backs coach to head coach, secondary coach to defensive coordinator, etc.). This new change will offer position coaches and coordinators developmental opportunities in a setting that showcases their skills in front of peers from all 32 clubs.

In addition, Senior Bowl leadership is excited to announce that four coaches from Historically Black Colleges & Universities will be a part of Senior Bowl coaching staffs in this year’s game. Coaches selected to take part in this minority fellowship program will be a part of on-field coaching, position meetings, and nightly staff evaluations.  The primary goal of this new initiative is to connect HBCU coaches with NFL decision-makers in hope that it leads to future career opportunities, while also giving the rest of the league’s teams four individuals to contact for information on Senior Bowl participants.

The three recent rosters have included the following standouts: QB Justin Herbert (Chargers), QB Mac Jones  (Patriots), QB Jalen Hurts (Eagles),  DS Jeremy Chinn (Panthers), WR Deebo Samuel (49ers), WR Chase Claypool (Steelers), WR Brandon Aiyuk (49ers), (Eagles), DB Kyle Dugger (Patriots), RB Elijah Mitchell (49ers), RB Antonio Gibson (WFT), WR Terry McLaurin (WFT), OL Chris Lindstrom (Falcons),  OL Elgton Jenkins (Packers), DL Montez Sweat (WFT), RB Najee Harris (Steelers), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots), RB Michael Carter (Jets), WR Kadarius Toney (Giants), WR Devonta Smith (Eagles), OL Quinn Meinerz (Broncos), and OL Creed Humphrey (Chiefs).

NFL Draft 2022 – First Round Mock Draft  1.0

 January, 2022
* Underclassmen –   Selection order with 1 regular season game to go
Pre All-Star games

All underclassmen had until Jan. 17^th to declare for the NFL Draft 2022. Players have three days to rescind their decision and return to school and still retain their college eligibility.

Exact draft order to be determined at close of the postseason

NFL  Mock Draft

1st Round

  #         Team             W/L      Player                          Pos      Ht/WT               School             Class
1         Jacksonville      2-14      Aidan Hutchinson          DE       6-6/265             Michigan           Jr
2         Detroit              2-13-1   Derek Stingley               CB        6-1/195             LSU         Jr
3         Houston            4-12      Kayvon Thibodeaux       DE       6-5/260             Oregon             Jr
4         Jets                  4-12      Kyle Hamilton               S          6-4/220             Notre Dame      Jr
5         Giants               4-12      George Karlaftis         DE       6-4/275             Purdue        Jr
6         Jets (Seattle)     6-10      David Ojabo               DE       6-5/250            Michigan           RSoph
7         Carolina            5-11      Kenny Pickett             QB       6-3/220             Pittsburgh     Sr
8         Giants (Chicago) 6-10    Evan Neal                   OT        6-7/350             Alabama           Jr
9         Washington       6-10      Ikem Ekwonu              OT        6-4/320             North Carolina St Jr
10         Atlanta              7-9        DeMarvin Leal           DT        6-4/290             Texas A&M       Jr
11         Denver              7-9        Devin Lloyd            ILB       6-3/235                Utah              Sr
12         Minnesota         7-9        Matt Corral               QB       6-2/205             Mississippi       Jr
13         Cleveland          7-9        Garrett Wilson         WR       6-0/190             Ohio State        Jr
14         Phil (Miami)       8-8        Treylon Burks           WR       6-3/225            Arkansas        Jr
15         New Orleans     8-8        Kaiir Elam                 CB        6-2/195             Florida         Jr
16         Baltimore          8-8        Tyler Linderbaum        C          6-3/290             Iowa      Jr
17         Pittsburgh         8-7-1     Charles Cross         OT        6-5/310             Mississippi St   RSoph
18         Philadelphia      9-7        Jordan Davis           DT        6-6/340             Georgia        Sr
19         Miami (San Fran) 9-7     Kenyon Green               OG       6-4/325             Texas A&M       Jr
20         Las Vegas        9-7        Andrew Booth               CB        6-0/195                Clemson           Jr
21         Phil (Indianapolis) 9-7    Ahmad Gardner            CB        6-3/200            Cincinnati          Jr
22         LA Chargers      9-7        Drake London               WR       6-5/210             Southern Cal     Jr
23         Cincinnati          10-6      Nicholas Petit-Frere       OT        6-5/315          Ohio State        Jr
24         New England    10-6      Jameson Williams         WR       6-2/190           Alabama           Jr
25         Buffalo             10-6      Kenneth Walker             RB        5-11/210            Michigan State Jr
26         Tennessee        11-5      Nakobe Dean                ILB       6-0/225             Georgia            Jr
27         Arizona             11-5      Drake Jackson             OLB      6-4/250             Southern Cal     Jr
28         Dallas               11-5      Christian Harris             ILB       6-2/235                Alabama          Jr
29         Kansas City      11-5      Jermaine Johnson         DE       6-5/265             Florida State     Sr
30         Tampa Bay       12-4      Jahan Dotson               WR       5-11/185            Penn State        Sr
31         Detroit (LA Rams) 12-4  Chris Olave                   WR       6-1/190             Ohio State        Sr
32         Green Bay        13-3      Jalen Wydermyer          TE        6-5/255             Texas A&M       Jr

X – The Colts #1 pick goes to the Eagles as QB Carson Wentz participated in 75% of the Colts offensive plays this season and they made the playoffs.

Currently four teams, the Bears, 49ers, Seahawks and Rams do not have a 1st round selection.
Teams 19-32 make the playoffs if the season ended today and are playoff clubs in the draft order. The draft order for playoff teams is determined by the results through postseason play.

April 28-30 – NFL Draft 2022 – Las Vegas, Nevada.

NFL Draft 2022 –

– The Jaguars are ‘On the Clock’ (again)!
Jaguars, Lions, Texans, Giants & Jets Hold Current Top 5 Selections

                     Eagles Have Three #1 Selections,
            Giants & Jets Hold Two #1 Draft Choices

The Jacksonville Jaguars are ‘On the Clock’ with the first overall selection for the NFL Draft 2022. They could earn the top overall draft choice again currently off a horrible 2-14 record if they maintain this position over the Lions. Rookie head coach Urban Meyer was fired in earlier December. Their recent overall draft decisions have been weak and slow to develop. Detroit currently holds the 2nd overall selection off a poor 2-13-1 record and could still land the top overall selection if they lose and the Jaguars win in the final week. Texans, Jets and Giants complete the top five selections with 4-12 records. There is a logjam with eight clubs between 5-11 and 7-9 that will impact the top 12 overall selections.

Jets and Giants hold two #1 picks with both probable top ten selections. The Eagles hold three #1 selections with all from the middle of the round back.

First Round Selection Order – after 16 Games

#   Team                       Record             Strength/schedule

1 Jacksonville               2-14                  .522
2 Detroit                       2-13-1               .539
3 Houston                     4-12                  .496
4 NY Jets                      4-12                  .515
5 NY Giants                  4-12                  .537
6 Carolina                     5-11                  .507
7 NY Jets (Seattle)        6-10                  .518
8 NY Giants (Chicago)   6-10                  .520
9 Washington                6-10                  .533
10 Atlanta                     7-9                    .461
11 Denver                     7-9                    .478
12 Minnesota                7-9                    .513
13 Cleveland                 7-9                    .524
14 Phil (Miami)              8-8                    .467
15 New Orleans             8-8                    .515
16 Baltimore                 8-8                    .531
17 Pittsburgh                8-7-1                 .520
18 Las Vegas                9-7                    .517
19 Philadelphia             9-7                    .461
20 Phil (Indianapolis)     9-7                    .489
21 LA Chargers             9-7                    .509
22 Miami (San Fran)      9-7                    .509
23 Buffalo                     10-6                  .469
24 New England            10-6                  .474
25 Cincinnati                 10-6                  .465
26 Arizona                    11-5                  .483
27 Dallas                      11-5                  .493
28 Kansas City             11-5                  .542
29 Tampa Bay              12-4                  .474
30 Detroit (LA Rams)     12-4                  .480
31 Tennessee               11-5                  .469
32 Green Bay                13-3                  .469

X – The Colts #1 pick goes to the Eagles as QB Carson Wentz participated in 75% of the Colts offensive plays this season and they made the playoffs.

Currently four teams, the Bears, 49ers, Seahawks and Rams do not have a 1st round selection.

Teams 19-32 make the playoffs if the season ended today and are playoff clubs in the draft order. The draft order for playoff teams is determined by the results through postseason play.

April 28-30 – NFL Draft 2022 – Las Vegas, Nevada.

College Football Bowl Season 2021-2022

College football bowl season is here. There are 44 bowl games scheduled, including the College Football Playoff and the national championship games. Bowl games begin Friday, Dec. 17 and ending on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022.

Complete Bowl Lineup
Schedule

Capital One Bowl Mania

Friday, Dec. 17 –

Bahamas Bowl
Middle Tennessee vs. Toledo
Noon, ESPN

Tailgreeter Cure Bowl
Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina
6 p.m., ESPN2

Saturday, Dec. 18

RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State
11 a.m., ESPN

Cricket Celebration Bowl
South Carolina State vs. Jackson State
Noon, ABC

PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl
UTEP vs. Fresno State
2:15 p.m., ESPN

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
UAB vs. BYU
3:30 p.m., ABC

LendingTree Bowl
Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty
5:45 p.m., ESPN

Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl
Utah State vs. Oregon State
7:30 p.m., ABC

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Louisiana vs. Marshall
9:15 p.m., ESPN

Monday, Dec 20

Myrtle Beach Bowl Presented by TaxAct
Old Dominion vs. Tulsa
2:30 p.m., ESPN

Tuesday, Dec. 21

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Kent State vs. Wyoming
3:30 p.m., ESPN

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl
UTSA vs. San Diego State
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Wednesday, Dec. 22

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Missouri vs. Army
8 p.m., ESPN

Thursday, Dec. 23

Frisco Football Classic
North Texas vs. Miami (Oh)
3:30 p.m., ESPN

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
UCF vs. Florida
7 p.m., ESPN

Friday, Dec. 24

EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl
Memphis vs. Hawai’i
8 p.m., ESPN

Saturday, Dec. 25

TaxAct Camellia Bowl
Georgia State vs. Ball State
2:30 p.m., ESPN

Monday, Dec. 27

Quick Lane Bowl
Western Michigan vs. Nevada
11 a.m., ESPN

Military Bowl presented by Peraton
Boston College vs. East Carolina
2:30 p.m., ESPN

Tuesday, Dec. 28

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl
Houston vs. Auburn
Noon, ESPN

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Air Force vs. Louisville
3:15 p.m., ESPN

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Mississippi State vs. Texas Tech
6:45 p.m., ESPN

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl
UCLA vs. NC State
8 p.m., Fox

Guaranteed Rate Bowl
West Virginia vs. Minnesota
10:15 p.m., ESPN

Wednesday, Dec. 29

Wasabi Fenway Bowl
SMU vs. Virginia
11 a.m., ESPN

New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Maryland vs. Virginia Tech
2:15 p.m., ESPN

Cheez-It Bowl
Clemson vs. Iowa State
5:45 p.m., ESPN

Valero Alamo Bowl
Oregon vs. Oklahoma
9:15 p.m., ESPN

Thursday, Dec. 30

Duke’s Mayo Bowl
North Carolina vs. South Carolina
11:30 a.m., ESPN

TransPerfect Music City Bowl
Tennessee vs. Purdue
3 p.m., ESPN

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Michigan State vs. Pittsburgh
7 p.m., ESPN

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Wisconsin vs. Arizona State
10:30 p.m., ESPN

Friday, Dec. 31

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
Wake Forest vs. Texas A&M
11 a.m., ESPN

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
Washington State vs. Miami
2 p.m., CBS

Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl
Central Michigan vs. Boise State
2 p.m.

CFP Semifinal: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
#4 Cincinnati vs. #1 Alabama
3:30 p.m., ESPN

CFP Semifinal: Capital One Orange Bowl
#3 Georgia vs. #2 Michigan
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Saturday, Jan. 1

Outback Bowl
Penn State vs. Arkansas
Noon, ESPN2

Vrbo Citrus Bowl
Iowa vs. Kentucky
1 p.m., ABC

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma State
1 p.m., ESPN

Rose Bowl Game Pres. by Capital One Venture X
Ohio State vs. Utah
5 p.m., ESPN

Allstate Sugar Bowl
Ole Miss vs. Baylor
8:45 p.m., ESPN

Tuesday, Jan. 4

TaxAct Texas Bowl
LSU vs. Kansas State
9 p.m., ESPN

Monday, Jan. 10

CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T
Semi-Finalist Winners
8 p.m., ESPN

College Football Mondays
Draft Insiders’ – College All-American Teams 2021

SEC and Big Ten Dominates First Two Teams
Staff

First Team
Offense

Pos       Player               Team                Year
QB Bryce Young           Alabama           Sophomore
RB Kenneth Walker III   Michigan St       Junior
RB Breece Hall             Iowa St             Junior
WR Jameson Williams   Alabama           Junior
WR David Bell               Purdue             Junior
WR Jordan Addison      Pittsburgh         Soph
TE Trey McBride           Colorado St       Senior
C Tyler Linderbaum       Iowa                 Junior
OL Evan Neal                 Alabama           Junior
OL Charles Cross           Mississippi St.   Junior
OL Ikem Okwonu             NC St               Sophomore
OL Nicholas Petit-Frere   Ohio St             Junior

Defense

DL Aidan Hutchinson      Michigan           Senior
DL Jordan Davis             Georgia             Senior
DL DeMarvin Leal          Texas A&M       Junior
DL Jermaine Johnson II  Florida St          Senior
LB Will Anderson Jr.       Alabama           Sophomore
LB Nakobe Dean             Georgia            Junior
LB Devin Lloyd              Utah                 Junior
LB David Ojabo              Michigan           Junior
CB Ahmad Gardner       Cincinnati          Junior
CB Roger McCreary       Auburn              Junior
S Kyle Hamilton             Notre Dame      Junior
S Jalen Pitre                    Baylor               Senior

Special Teams
K Jake Moody               Michigan           Senior
P Matt Araiza                San Diego St     Junior
KR Zonovan Knight       NC St               Sophomore
PR Britain Covey           Utah                 Junior
AP Marcus Jones          Houston            Senior

Second Team

Offense
QB Kenny Pickett          Pittsburgh         Senior
RB Tyler Badie              Missouri            Senior
RB Kyren Williams         Notre Dame      Soph
WR Chris Olave            Ohio State        Senior
WR Treylon Burks         Arkansas          Junior
WR Garrett Wilson        Ohio State        Junior
TE Michael Mayer          Notre Dame      Soph
C Jarrett Patterson        Notre Dame      Junior
OL Darian Kinnard         Kentucky          Senior
OL Zion Johnson           Boston College Senior
OL Kenyon Green         Texas A&M       Junior
OL Sean Rhyan            UCLA               Junior

Defense
DL Kayvon Thibodeaux  Oregon             Junior
DL Will McDonald IV      Iowa St             Junior
DL Myjai Sanders          Cincinnati          Senior
DL George Karlaftis       Purdue             Junior
LB Damone Clark          LSU                  Senior
LB Leo Chenal              Wisconsin         Senior
LB Nik Bonitto               Oklahoma         Junior
LB Sam Williams           Ole Miss           Senior
CB Coby Bryant            Cincinnati          Senior
CB Riley Moss              Iowa                 Senior
S Jordan Battle             Alabama           Junior
S Jaquan Brisker           Penn St            Senior

Special Teams
K Noah Ruggles            Ohio St             Senior
P Jordan Stout              Penn St            Senior
KR Brian Battie             South Florida    Soph
PR Marcus Jones          Houston            Senior
AP Deuce Vaughn         Kansas St         Soph

NFL Draft 2022 –

Draft Insiders’ staff

First round selection order at midseason

#          Team             W-L   Schedule
1          Detroit            0-8-1     .554
2          Houston           1-8        .534
3          Jacksonville    2-7        .512
4          NY Jets             2-7        .575
5          Phil (Miami)     3-7        .511
6          NY Giants (Chic)  3-6     .548
7          NY Giants                     3-6        .553
8          NY Jets (Seattle)           3-6        .571
9          Washington                   3-6        .571
10         Philadelphia                4-6        .511
11         Atlanta                          4-5        .452
12         Minnesota                     4-5        .530
13         Miami (San Fran)           4-5        .534
14         Denver                          5-5        .462
15         x Indianapolis                5-5        .468
16         Cleveland                      5-5        .516
17         Cincinnati                      5-4        .434
18         Las Vegas                      5-4        .476
19         Carolina                        5-5        .473
20         LA Chargers                  5-4        .541
21         New Orleans                 5-4        .541
22         New England                6-4        .441
23         Kansas City                  6-4        .564
24         Pittsburgh                   5-3-1     .482
25         Buffalo                         6-3        .394
26         Baltimore                    6-3        .471
27         Tampa Bay                   6-3        .494
28         Detroit (LA Rams)        7-3        .446
29         Dallas                           7-2        .494
30         Green Bay                    8-2        .467
31         Arizona                         8-2        .505
32         Tennessee                    8-2        .516

X – The Colts #1 pick will go to the Eagles if QB Carson Wentz participates in either 75% of the Colts offensive plays this season or he plays in 70% if they make the playoffs.

Currently four teams, the Bears, 49ers, Seahawks and Rams do not have a 1st round selection.

Teams 19-32 make the playoffs if the season ended today. These playoff clubs in the draft order for playoff teams is determined by the results through postseason play.

April 28-30 – NFL Draft 2022 – Las Vegas, Nevada.

Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 7

 Cardinals Drills Browns – NFL’s Only Undefeated Club
Ravens Crush Chargers in a Key AFC Matchup

Team of the Week 
    Ravens (5-1) over Chargers (4-2) – 34-6
Ravens defense swarms Justin Herbert

Upset of the Week
   Jaguars Beat Dolphins – 23-20
Jaguars end their 20-game losing streak

 Players of the Week
  Offense – RB Jonathan Taylor – Colts    
  Defense – DT Kenny Clark – Packers
 
Rookies of Week
    Offense – QB Mac Jones – Patriots
    Defense – LB Derrick Barnes – Lions

Games of  Week 8 
  Bengals (4-2) at Ravens (5-1)
      Clash of AFC North Leaders

  Kansas City (3-3) at Tennessee (4-2)
AFC Contenders in Key Midseason Matchup

NFL Team Power Poll

Ranking /Record /Team
#1 – 5-1 Bucs
Bucs jumped the Eagles early and held on for another victory.

#2 – 6-0 Cardinals
Cardinals blasted the Browns to remain the NFL’s only unbeaten club with another strong performance.

#3 – 5-1 Rams
Rams took the Giants defense apart behind the hot hand of Matt Stafford.

#4 – 5-1 Ravens
Ravens drilled the Chargers with their strongest defensive performance of the season.

#5 – 5-1 Packers
The Packers Aaron Rodgers smoked the Bears defense for their 5^th straight win.

#6 – 4-2 Bills
Bills lost a shootout with the Titans that could play out bigger down the road.

#7 – 4-2 Chargers
Chargers were flat vs the Ravens and get their bye week now to regroup.

#8 – 5-1 Cowboys
The Cowboys are running on all cylinders and beat the Patriots in OT.

#9 – 4-2 Titans
The Titans bowed their neck vs the Bills Monday night. Host the Chiefs in another huge AFC matchup.

#10 – 4-2 Bengals
Bengals continue to impress, though get an acid test with a trip to Baltimore this Sunday.

#11 – 3-3 Chiefs
Chiefs regrouped vs WFT and prepare for key AFC road game in Nashville.

#12 – 3-3 Browns
Browns defense was pounded again and must recover quickly for Thursday night game.

#13 – 4-2 Raiders
The Raiders found a way to beat the Broncos after a wild week of changes on coaching leadership.

#14 – 3-2 Saints
Saints will be well rested for the Seahawks Monday night in a key NFC matchup.

#15 – 3-3 Colts
The Colts pounded the Texans to keep pace in the competitive South division.

#16 – 3-3 Broncos
Broncos have lost three in a row and face AFC rival, the Browns in Cleveland on Thursday.

#17 – 2-4 Patriots
Pats lost a wild OT game vs the Cowboys that puts them in an important contest vs the rested Jets.

#18 – 3-3 Steelers
Steelers edged the Seahawks in OT to reach .500. Get their bye week to prep for a playoff run.

#19 – 3-3 Vikings
Vikings edged Carolina in another win that keeps them alive in the NFC playoff chase.

#20 – 2-3 49ers
The 49ers are rested for vital home game vs the Colts Sunday night.

#21 – 3-3 Bears
The Bears were bashed by Aaron Rodgers again. Travel to Tampa in a major test for their fate this season.

#22 – 3-3 Panthers
Panthers lost their 3^rd in a row as Sam Darnold continues to return to reality after a strong start.

#23 – 2-4 Seahawks
Seahawks lost tough OT game to Pittsburgh. Host the Saints Monday night that may determine any hope for the postseason.

#24 – 2-3 Falcons
Falcons coming off their bye week. Travel to Miami for key matchup.

#25 – 2-4 Redskins
The Redskins defense failed to contain the Chiefs last week. Travel to Titletown in a must win situation.

#26 – 2-4 Eagles
The Eagles fought the Bucs tough in their loss. Go to Las Vegas hoping to claim a much-needed win.

#27 – 1-5 Giants
The Giants were outclassed by the Rams. Host the Panthers in a must win game.

#28 – 1-5 Dolphins
Dolphins lost to the winless Jaguars last week. Host the Falcons hoping to regroup for second half.

#29 – 1-5 Texans
Texans were crushed by the Colts. Travel to Arizona to face the undefeated Cardinals this Sunday.

#30 – 1-4 Jets
Jets rested for their trip to New England hoping to avert a midseason collapse.

#31 – 1-5 Jaguars
Jaguars shocked the Dolphins to end their 20-game losing streak. Get their bye week to enjoy the victory.

#32 – 0-6 Lions
Lions are being outclassed weekly and face the potent Rams in LA this Sunday.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 25 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

Creator of ‘Mr Irrelevant’ – Paul Salata Passes

Paul Salata, the Newport Beach businessman and philanthropist who founded Mr. Irrelevant Week 45 years ago, died Saturday, October 16th. Salata was 94 years old and passed the day before his 95th birthday this past Sunday. He had been in declining health for several years.

Salata was part of the rich bizarre history and lore of the NFL Draft. He created Irrelevant Week in 1976 to honor the last player selected in the NFL Draft, who would be known as “Mr. Irrelevant.” A week’s worth of activities, including a welcome party, a golf tournament, a trip to Disneyland and The Lowsman Banquet’ with a parade, were among the events.

Mr. Irrelevant would be presented the ‘Lowsman Trophy’, which looked like the famed Heisman Trophy except the football player on the Lowsman Trophy is dropping the football. This last selection in the NFL Draft also created the ‘Salata Rule’ after an incident in 1979 between the LA Rams and Pittsburgh Steeler. The Rams passed on the next to last selection to allow the Steelers to move up one spot and the Rams would get the final selection. The Steelers also passed on the selection which forced the Commissioner Pete Rozelle and NFL office to rule that no team can pass on the next to last selection to claim the final overall draft choice. Steelers retained the last draft choice.

Salata gave to many charitable causes – Irrelevant Week always benefited local charities – and created endowments at USC where he played football and baseball.

Salata was master of ceremony and guest of honor at many events for many years in Orange County. His quick wit was always on display. One example: Tampa Bay Buccaneers placekicker Ryan Succop was a Mr. Irrelevant when he was the last player drafted in 2009 by the Kansas City Chiefs. Succop’s last name is pronounced “suck up.” With that in mind, Salata’s introduction of Succop included, “He comes from a whole family of Succops.” As a Buccaneer in 2021, Succop became the first ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ to win a Super Bowl ring with the Bucs.

Salata was a successful sewer contractor. The late Orange County Register columnist John Hall often called Salata “The Sewer King.”

Before getting into the business world, Salata was an outstanding receiver at USC. He caught a touchdown pass for the Trojans in a 25-0 victory over Tennessee in the 1945 Rose Bowl game (Salata would claim he caught two touchdown passes in the game, but an official, Salata said, made a mistake when the official ruled Salata was out of bounds on what would have been a touchdown reception). At USC, he was an infielder and part of the Trojans’ first College World Series title. His USC playing days were interrupted by an 18-month stint in the Army Air Corps.

Salata played for the Baltimore Colts when the Colts were in the All-American Football Conference and rejoined the team when the Colts were integrated in the NFL. He played for the San Francisco 49ers in 1949 and 1950. During the 1950 season, he had 50 receptions, playing for the 49ers and Colts that season.

He also played in the Canadian Football League in which he was an all-star receiver with the Calgary Stampeders. Salata played college and minor-league baseball.

Salata was an extra or bit-player in 18 films, including as a prisoner of war in “Stalag 17,” as one of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball players in the original “Angels in the Outfield,” the ‘Ten Commandments’, ‘Singin in the Rain’, and he was the guy who sliced open Frank Sinatra’s nose in “The Joker Is Wild.”

He is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughter Melanie Salata Fitch, son Brian Salata, granddaughters Alix and Marie, and brother George.

Salata Fitch assumed the leadership role in Irrelevant Week in recent years and hopefully continues this amazing tradition.

College Football Monday – Week 7

Bama Upset by Texas A&M
Iowa Wins Thriller Over Penn St

Georgia Claims #1 Ranking – Hosts Undefeated Kentucky Next

Top 25 Weekly Rankings

Team of Week –
  Iowa over Penn State 23-20
 
Upset of the Week –
     Texas A&M over Alabama 41-38

Offensive Player of Week – RB Kennedy Brooks – Oklahoma
Defensive Player of Week – DT Octavious Oxendine – Kentucky
 
Upcoming Key Weekly Matchup – 10/16
   #8 Kentucky (5-0) @ #1 Georgia (6-0)
 
DraftInsiders.com   Top 25 Rankings

Rank / Team          Record   
1 Georgia                      6-0
2 Iowa                          6-0                   
3 Cincinnati                 5-0
4 Ohio State                 5-1                   
5 Alabama                    5-1                   
6 Oklahoma                 6-0                   
7 Michigan                   6-0
8 Kentucky                   6-0                   
9 Michigan State        6-0                   
10 Oregon                    4-1                   
11 Penn State                5-1                   
12 Oklahoma State      5-0
13 Notre Dame             5-1                   
14 Texas A&M              4-2                   
15 Ole Miss                    4-1                   
16 Wake Forest             6-0                   
17 Coastal Carolina     6-0       
18 BYU                            5-1       
19 SMU                           6-0
20 Arizona State          5-1
21 Arkansas                  4-2                   
22 Florida                     4-2
23 San Diego State       5-0
24 North Carolina State     4-1       
25 Clemson                 3-2                   
 
Coaches Poll

Rank /     Team                       Record / Pts    
1          Georgia (64)                 6-0        1624    
2          Iowa (1)                         6-0        1537    
3          Oklahoma                    6-0        1452    
4          Cincinnati                    5-0        1418    
5          Alabama                       5-1        1363    
6          Ohio State                    5-1        1254    
7          Michigan                      6-0        1237    
8          Penn State                   5-1        1124    
9          Michigan State          6-0        1064    
10         Oregon                         4-1        1004    
11         Kentucky                      6-0        994      
12         Oklahoma State        5-0        910      
13         Notre Dame                 5-1        817      
14         Ole Miss                        4-1        741      
15         Coastal Carolina       6-0        708      
16         Wake Forest                6-0        580      
17         Florida                           4-2        543      
18         Texas A&M                   4-2        396      
19         Arkansas                      4-2        386      
20         BYU                                5-1        342      
21         NC State                        4-1        321      
22         Arizona State              5-1        294      
23         SMU                               6-0        269      
24         San Diego State        5-0        156      
25         Clemson                       3-2        155      
 
Complete Rankings
Others receiving votes: Auburn 98, Baylor 91, Texas 74, Pittsburgh 36, UTSA 30, Appalachian State 18, Mississippi State 18, Iowa State 18, Boston College 11, Air Force 9, Tennessee 8, Liberty 8, Nevada 7, Louisiana 3, Fresno State 3, Houston 3, UCLA 1
 
Dropped from rankings: Auburn 19, Texas 23
 
Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 28 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He was a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites.

Bucs’ Antoine Winfield Scouting Evaluation – Draft Insiders’ Yearbook Scouting Report – NFL Draft 2020

Winfield – Immediate Impact Defender in the Bucs’ Defense

Antoine Winfield has been a major difference maker for SB Champion Bucs since starting game one as a rookie in 2020. Frank Coyle of Draft Insiders’ ranked him as one of the top safeties especially as a complete defender. He ranked among as one of premier playmakers in the NFL Draft 2020 class and predicted him an early NFL starter and playmaker. He has been a major steal in the late 2nd round and arguably one of the best values in the entire draft class. He was among the Bucs defensive leaders on their run to the NFL Championship.

This season, he has continued his impact in a diverse role in the Bucs secondary. This week vs the Patriots on Sunday night, he was a difference maker in the Bucs 19-17 victory. He totaled 5 tackles, 1 FF, 1 PD and 1 interception and kept Pats’ rookie QB Mac Jones off balance in most key situations.

Safeties NFL Draft 2020

* Underclassmen

* Antoine Winfield #11 – 5-9, 205, Minnesota – Sp. 4.45
NFL Player Comparison: Tyrann Mathieu                            Rating 86
Hard-hitting undersized dynamo safety has been the leader in the Gophers’ secondary since his true freshman season. Stepped in as a full-time starter as a true freshman with limited starting duty the following two seasons due to injuries. His 2019 performance was his best and earned first team Big Ten honors. Short compact athlete combines excellent speed, quickness and fluid athleticism to be a three-down defender with the versatility to lineup at a few spots in the nickel packages. At times, he seeks to deliver big stops, but is not a violent hitter and his marginal size is a concern related to holding up to the physicality of the game. Sure wrap down tackler, though needs to breakdown better in space and eliminate some missed tackles. Displays a quick closing burst, arriving with good pad level to maintain leverage and breakup passes. Outstanding read-react ability and attacks with an aggressive manner with a motor that knows only one speed. Drives through his target upon contact and able to finish. Lined up in a variety of ways, usually the high safety and slot corner in different alignments. Effective single-high safety with excellent range to make up ground and get to the ball. Often lined up over a slot receiver, and shows the quick footwork to mirror off the line with the closing speed to break up passes. Sometimes he drops down into the box and blitzes and added 4 sacks with 3 coming in 2019. Versatile with the range and instincts to play free in the deep middle and at times the toughness and run stopping ability to be the eighth man in the box. He has fine instincts for man-coverage, but only average matchup skills where his lack of height will be tested in the NFL. Fine field vision and reacts to the ball quickly. Attacks the throw at the catch point as if he was the receiver. Marginal height and above average leaping ability, compromises his ability to win jump-ball throws. Plays all facets of the game with a strong sense of urgency. In 2019, started 13 games and had 88 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 7 picks, 1 PBU and 2 FR. Earned 1st team Big Ten honors. In 2018, started 4 of 4 games and made 17 tackles, 1 FR, 1 pick and 1 PBU. For his career, totaled 177 tackles with 7 TFL, 9 picks and 6 PBU. Best suited for playing single high scheme. Fine athleticism to be a three-down defender. At the NFL Combine, he came in at 5’9” and 203 lbs. with 30 1/8” arms. He ran a 4.45 time and did not lift. Added a 36” VL and a 10’4“ BJ with no agility drills. He has the speed, quickness and ball skills to be an early starter and compares to Tyrann Mathieu in size, AA and versatility. Shows flexible hips and quick footwork with the instincts to continue to improve in coverage. Talent to be a difference maker. High quality athlete and football player with experience to compete for time in different packages and an excellent addition. Son of former longtime NFL corner Antoine Winfield. Probable early starting ability with the versatility and fast developing talent to be a three-down defender. Rising top 50 selection with impact talent. Teams like the Cowboys and Dolphins have on their short list in the 2nd day.
Draft Projection: 2nd Round