A Couple of Things

Now that we've avoided the NFL Apocalypse, we can get back to discussing more important stuff, you know, like the merits of re-signing Verron Haynes and why Cameron Crazies are an embarrassment, even at Duke (and similarly inane topics).

... First, I want to announce that Julie gets the first ever HSS Humanitarian Award for offering up her last copy of the Post-Gazette's Super Bowl Edition. Sadly, I already have a copy and just in case you're wondering, I was the idiot who paid 15 bucks for it, which, if my mathletics is correct, is only a 300 percent markup. Either way, it was a kind gesture, although the award carries no prestige, influence, or favor, and in all likelihood, will make people think less of you. But hey, it's the thought that counts.

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... Here's yet another report (this one is from Pro Football Weekly) on some safeties that may be worthy of consideration over the coming weeks:

And I promise I believed this before the Combine: The two best safeties are Syracuse’s Anthony Smith and Nebraska’s Daniel Bullocks. The latter could be a first-round pick after a disgusting 4.38 40. Being a Big 12 guy who watches as many conference games as I can here in Big Ten country, I always felt he was better — and scouts say he’s a more impressive interview — than his older brother, Josh, who was the 40th pick of the draft last year and played well as a rookie. If he’s not a first-round pick, shoot the GMs who let him slide past the first few picks of the second. And Smith, a sub-200-pound missile, can knock your eyebrows off he hits so hard. Plus, he’s a special-teams demon and will sacrifice his body and heart for the team that drafts him. Two very good players — and that’s no disrespect to Ohio State’s Donte Whitner, Nolan Nawrocki’s No. 1-ranked safety and a good player. I just like the other guys better.

... And there's more.

Eric is the resident Penn State guy, but I got an email the other day from a reader who also follows Ohio State. Here's some of what he had to say about Donte Whitner, and it's pretty interesting:

I have gone to 1-2 Ohio State football games per year for the last several years, and have been a Buckeye fan for over 35 years...and Donte Whitner is without a doubt one of the most fundamentally sound tacklers to ever don the scarlet and gray. He loves the big hit...but won't gamble and whiff (aka fellow safety Nate Sally). In addition, he is probably the best blitzing DB that I have ever seen play at the horseshoe...let me add tremendous range...Being a fan of the Black and Gold for 30+ years...but specifically as it pertains to the Cowher era (penchant for exotic blitzes)...I can't imagine a better fit. The Indy scouting combine is interesting from a measurables perspective; and it was kind of neat that he turned in 4.40 in the 40, and was in a class of about 3 (in the entire combine) that long jumped 11 foot. Which proves that he qualifies as a stud athlete...but believe you me (and much more importantly), the guy can flat out play the game.

[The Steelers could take Donte Whitner if he] is still available...because Chris Hope...is probably gone...as the team (based on positional salary analysis) must choose which safety they are willing to pay in the NFL's top 5. My belief is that money is earmarked for Troy Polamalu in a couple years (a relative no brainier, don’t you think?) This will likely hold true regardless of the cap increase. I do agree with you that Deshea Townsend may be a very viable alternative to hold the position while the youngster learns the nuances of the defense. But once Whitner learns it...look out! ALSO remember that Coach LeBeau is a Buckeye Alumnus...and Donte is his kind of player...it may sound looney toons...but don't be surprise to see the team move up a few places to nab him (if they are close enough)...absolutely no doubt in my mind that he is very much on their radar screen.

Good stuff. A couple of things I didn't think about (or know): saving some of Hope's money for Troy, who the Steelers could give a new deal to next offseason; Coach LeBeau is from Ohio State, so maybe he does have some Buckeye moles keeping tabs on guys like Whitner and maybe even Bobby Carpenter; the idea of Pittsburgh moving up in the draft if it looks like Whitner might go early.

I'm usually against moving up, but the last time the Steelers did it in the first round, they got some dude named Polamalu. I'm not saying that's a great reason to move up in the first round, I'm just pointing it out. Either way, great email.

... Finally, Randy Steele left this comment yesterday:

Isn't Heinz [sic] Ward a slash player, too? And what are the chances of getting a good slash-type guy in round 5 or lower? Sounds like a waste of a pick, doesn't it?

Well, I took a quick look at the last 10 drafts, and here's what I found:

* 45 players were drafted in rounds 5-7; of those 18 contributed in some way (and here "contribute" means anything from making the team to playing semi-regularly to starting. 57% of these players were taken in the 5th, 38% in the 6th, and 27% in the 7th.

* When just looking at starters, 21% were 5th rounders, 19% 6th rounders, and 20% were 7th rounders.

Looking at this, here's my question: if you can't take a flyer on a guy in the 5-7 rounds, when can you? I have no idea if any of those guys I mentioned would even be around then, but if they are, why would you instead take the next JT Wall, Bo Lacy if you could replace at least some of the production lost due to Randle El's departure?

Or, if the argument is that slash-type players are more often found early in the draft, how good is it going to look when the Steelers take Robinson/Smith/McNeal in the 2nd (when Randle was drafted) or 3rd rounds (when Hines was drafted) when there are better players on the board and other needs to be addressed? I suppose we can hope that the next Willie Parker gets signed off the street, but just to be safe, it might make more sense to use a late round pick on a project who could pay dividends down the road (like, say, Ike Taylor).

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Coach K is on Crack
This might be the most inane headline in the history of headlines. And in case you're too lazy to click the link, here's what it says:

"Conspiracy Theory: Krzyzewski Angry with Media"

Jeebus. But it gets better:

Coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke said that certain segments of the media have conducted a vendetta against his team this season for what is perceived to be favorable treatment from officials.

... Krzyzewski seemed most disturbed by TV sports programs and their illustrations regarding fouls and the disparity in the number of fouls called. He also said that newspaper reporters had overlooked notable aspects of the Blue Devils' season.

Krzyzewski didn't identify specific news organizations, other than mentioning ESPN once. He said he's upset because he thinks that Duke and center Shelden Williams haven't received proper credit for their achievements.

To be fair, I'm upset with ESPN too, but for one simple reason: they have a lot of crappy programming. Otherwise, this is redickulous.

... As long as I'm making fun of Duke, here's an indirect jab at the Blue Devils: A look at how UNC's incoming freshmen class finished up their high school seasons. Not too shabby.