A few weeks ago, I had given a Pac-10 QB Battle Update, highlighting that Patrick Cowan had won the long-stranding QB Battle over Ben Olsen for the starting position.
Well it appears the Patrick Cowan can’t catch a break.
Cowan will miss the entire season after injuring his left knee while scrambling in practice today.It was a complete freak accident as it was during a non-contact play.The Redshirt Senior has already used his redshirt, and will have to be granted an unlikely sixth year of eligibility to give it a go in 2009.But in all likelihood, I think we may have seen the last of Cowan.Even if he were to be granted a sixth year, could he come back?The kid has messed up his knees so badly at this point, I’ll be surprised if he’ll be able to run normally, let alone stand the rigors of collegiate ball.
You have to feel for Cowan.Despite my disdain for UCLA, I’ve had some strange inkling of respect for Cowan, and hate to see a player’s career so hampered, and ultimately ended by injury, especially after he’s gotten so close on so many occasions of being “the man” and truly leading his team.I hope he’s given another chance, but I don’t know, it’s not looking too good.
And if that weren’t bad enough, Dwight Schrute, I mean, Ben Olsen, ended up going down the same day, again in another non-contact play.Olsen broke a bone in his right foot and will miss the next few months.The 25-year old will now be competing with JUCO transfer Kevin Craft for the starting job.What no McLeod-Thompson?
Man, not to get too “Thank God that ain’t us!” but…Thank God that ain’t us.I know Nate is down, but he’ll be back and hopefully we’ll have a healthy QB battle this fall.Either way, I feel pretty good about our QB position for the upcoming year.I don’t think Bruins fans can say the same right now.Who knows, maybe Craft will be the next great UCLA quarterback…or maybe he’ll be the next Bethel McLeod-Thompson.
22. (85th Overall) Tennessee Titans- Craig Stevens, TE
For some reason, Stevens strikes me as the player most ready to contribute right away at the pro level.He doesn’t have the sexy Vernon Davis level of athleticism (*click clack*) but seems to have all of the physical attributes, work ethic, and toughness to fit in very quickly in the league.While he won’t burn a defender deep, Stevens has good speed for his size (4.59 40 yard dash—faster than Michigan WR “Super” Mario Manningham), is adequately strong (27 bench press reps—most out of all tight ends at the combine), and has shown that he can put it all together on the field, contributing heavily in Cal’s running and receiving game over the past few years.
Many have questioned Stevens’ hands over the past few seasons, and has made a number of drops, but I think he’ll be just fine.He didn’t drop a single ball in any of the combine passing drills, and keep in mind, a lot of Stevens drops were in traffic as he was most likely to go over the middle.He will certainly have to improve this aspect of the game if he’s going to be a legitimate receiving option in the pros, but then again, teams drafted him more for his incredible blocking skills anyway.
And that’s the area where he will most likely shine and be consistent with Tennessee.Not to say that the guy is going to dominate right away, but I can imagine him coming in and definitely contributing in his first season.Granted, the Titans just signed former Pro-Bowler Alge Crumpler, but look for Stevens to back him up, line up on the other side, and become the starter in a few years time.
35. (98th Overall) Atlanta Falcons – Thomas DeCoud, FS
DeCoud was pretty solid with his production at Cal.A special teams monster for his first few years with his team, DeCoud moved into a starting role in the last two years.DeCoud has pretty good speed (a 4.48 40 yard dash) as we’ve seen with his time with the Bears.I’ll say it again, I have never seen anyone else make as many TD saving last minute tackles as this guy.Just watch the Tennessee game from last year, and see how many times DeCoud got there just in time to knock a player out of bounds at the 5 yard line.Most teams would end up scoring a few plays later anyway, but that’s another story.
While he’s not the biggest safety (6’2 196 lbs), DeCoud knows how to lay a licking, as his hit in the Desean Jackson punt return against UCLA is already engrained in Cal football history lore, and shows good run coverage.Justin Forsett once said of DeCoud:"I've been hit by everybody on the team.When Thomas hits you, it's not something you want to remember."
Those of you who might need a reminder:
He will need to show better consistency in his pass coverage, as he will need to make more plays on the ball in the air, but is rare to miss when he gets into position to make the play.Another concern is that he’ll be going to going into a situation where there will be a lot of depth at the safety position, after the Falcons just signed Erik Coleman in the offseason.In all likelihood, DeCoud probably won’t start this season, or maybe even next, but like his career at Cal, expect him to contribute heavily on special teams before getting the chance to shine as a starter.
Hawkins will be joining fellow teammate Craig Stevens out in Tennessee this upcoming year.The “Hawk” was taken in about the mid-range of where most NFL scouts had expected him to go.Some had him as high as a late second-rounder, while some saw him falling to about the mid 5th-round range.
Hawkins is a pretty strong example of a player who plays a lot faster and stronger than his numbers would dictate.He doesn’t possess blazing speed (running a 4.53 at the combine, although improved his time with a 4.48 at Cal’s Pro Day), Hawkins has shown that he is quicker than fast, being incredibly productive as a slot receiver.
He also doesn’t have all the attractive measurable as well.Short arms and marginal leaping ability, and like Desean, isn’t the biggest receiver ever.While he had a productive career, also had lapses of consistency where he would explode in certain games, and disappear a bit in others.He may also take some time to mentally learn the game, as it took him a few years at Cal before he really broke out.
With all that said, I love the Hawk and confess to have done the “hawk” flap a few times myself both at Memorial Stadium, and sadly enough at home as well.C’mon, you know you wanted to after his 64 yard TD catch, and fight for the first down in the OSU game last year.I think it will take a few years time, but best case scenario, the Hawk may end up being a Nate Burleson type of receiver in a couple of seasons.And maybe a few seasons after before the “Hawk” flap starts to catch on.
5th Round
18. (184th Overall) Philadelphia Eagles – Mike Gibson, OT
Gibson has shown pretty good versatility in college, playing every position at the offensive line, so it’s possible that the Eagles might switch him to the guard position, especially since he doesn’t have the longest arms for a tackle.He also appears to work well in unison with the rest of the line, another sign that he’ll be better suited for the guard position.
The biggest issue for Gibson will be the ability to stay healthy.The guy played through the 2006 season with a tear in his left shoulder, opting to get surgery done after the season was over.And as I covered extensively in my recap of the past few drafts, lingering injuries can become career killers for offensive linemen in the pros, so here’s hoping he can have a fairly long and successful career in the pros.
I for one was about as happy as a Cal fan could have been on Sunday when I found out that Forsett got drafted.Maybe relieved is a better word.I’ll be honest, in keeping up with NFL.com’s Draft Tracker, I was getting pretty nervous when we were nearing the end of the 7th round, and Forsett’s name never came up.But I’m glad he got drafted, as I feel it couldn’t have happened to a better guy.
I’m a Forsett fan.Some of my friends looked at me like I was crazy when I predicted Forsett would rush for over 1400 yards his senior season.I smiled with the “I told you so” type of smile when he crushed that with 1546 yards.He also led the entire Pac-10 in rushing TDs.But more importantly, he’s about as much of a quality character as you can ask for in a player: humble, hardworking, and on numerous occasions last season, put the team on his back (see Arizona game).
The biggest knock on Forsett was his size and lack of top-end speed.Undersized at 5’8, and lacking great sprinting speed (4.6 40 yard dash), a lot of teams were wondering what they could really do with him.A great college player, many wondered how it would translate in the pros.But there are a lot of reasons to like Forsett in addition the quality characteristics I mentioned earlier.He’s got underrated hands, good burst, is more quick than fast, and can change directions incredibly quickly.I remember the New Mexico State game a few years back, when Forsett took the ball off a handoff, charged into the line, saw nothing, stopped and in one fluid movement dashed off to the side about as quickly as I’ve ever seen.That’s when I knew the kid was pretty good.
Biggest concern for Forsett?Being buried in Seattle’s depth chart.Even after releasing former league MVP and Madden coverboy Shawn Alexander, the Seahawks have pretty good depth at the RB position with the signing of TJ Duckett, Julius Jones, and last year’s incumbent backup Maurice “Momo” Morris.It might be a season or two before Forsett even gets a crack as a 3rd down back.But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Forsett, is that he’s learned patience and humility in his entire career, from not being recruited in high school and backing up Marshawn Lynch for 3 years before getting to start.If we’ve learned another, it’s that Justin will make the most of his opportunity when it eventually comes.
Alrite, that's about it for now, I'll try and keep ya'lls posted with the Free Agent signings in the next few weeks as well. Definitely more to come.Read the rest of the post and comments here >>
What a weekend it was for the draft!Actually, not really.With the exception of Desean Jackson’s mini-slide (fall to the 2nd round), most of the Cal players were taken about where most draft scouts expected them to. By the time the draft was over, 6 Cal players were taken, and I expect a few more to sign in free agency over the course of the next few weeks or months (Robert Jordan, Andrew Larson etc).
The Cal players drafted were: Desean Jackson, Craig Stevens, Thomas DeCoud, Lavelle Hawkins, Mike Gibson, and Justin Forsett.I’ll be providing my thoughts on each of the selections, but thought I’d get the biggest one out of the way.
2nd Round
18. (49th Overall) Philadelphia Eagles – Desean Jackson, WR
Jackson ended up being the 7th overall wide receiver taken.By the time I realized that the first round was going to be focused on franchise building offensive linemen and defensive players, I wasn’t too surprised to see Jackson fall to the second round.I was however, surprised to see him get drafted behind so many other wide receivers.
It was somewhat of a funky draft for the wide receivers.None were taken in the first round, and a lot of those taken before Jackson were projected as 2nd round guys, but not rated higher than he was.That is to say, many of the “higher” rated wide receiver prospects (Malcom Kelly, Limas Sweed, even James Hardy) were taken after those who expected to go in the second (Eddie Royal, Donnie Avery, Devin Thomas etc...).
Jackson has already openly stated that he will be playing with a chip on his shoulder, motivated by concerns about his size.But he appears to be happy to be with Philly."I felt like I would go higher than I did, but God had a plan for me and I knew it would be a team that would pick me up and put me in a great position," Jackson said. "Everything happens for a reason and I think this is going to be a great fit for me." (Okanes)
With that said, I think Philly will be a great fit for Jackson, since he’ll be playing in a football market, with an established veteran QB and strong offensive system.
And speaking of Jackson’s size, anyone know the line on when Jackson expects to take his first pro game pop?I mean, getting knocked the F out.It’ll happen.I don’t wish harm on the guy at all, but it’s going to happen.Look what happened to Reggie Bush in his first year.
Even in college, plays like this one at USC in ’06 is what you can probably expect on a weekly basis:
But he’ll get back like he always does, and by season’s end, I hope we’ll be seeing more plays where he’s doing this:
4:50 - It's official. With the 18th pick in the 2nd round - THEPHILADELPHIA EAGLES HAVE DRAFTED DESEAN JACKSON.
I'll analyze this more early next week along with the other Cal draftees, but Desean Jackson's mini-slide provides much to talk about. Either way, congrats Desean and have fun in Philly.
Okay, I'm off to a wedding, we talk more later. Payce all.
4:34 - We're midway through the 2nd round and none of the "big 3 WRs" (Malcom Kelly, Desean Jackson, and Limus Sweed) have yet to be drafted. Looks like the teams who passed up on them in the 1st round may get some steals in the 2nd. A lot of the 2nd tier WRs are jumping up draft boards and going before these guys. Really interesting. You have to wonder any of the Big 3 thought they'd dip this low. You have to think they're sitting at home like this: 3:20 - The Niners take Kentwan Balmer, DT out of North Carolina. I think that seals it--Desean drops to the 2nd round unless Green Bay or the Giants take him, which I don't think is likely considering their needs.
3:18 - If the Niners don't take Desean Jackson with their 29th overall pick, it's fairly safe to say that Jackson falls out of the 1st round completely. Wow. When was the last time that happened? Seriously, anyone know?
2:55 - With the Titans having picked Chris Johnson with their 24th pick, and the Cowboys going with Felix Jones with the 22nd, two of the teams that had been potentially projected to select Desean Jackson have gone in other directions.
No other wide receivers have been selected so far in the draft, so it's still a question as to who will be the first to go.
It's obvious that Desean Jackson isn't going to benefit from the full Ted Ginn Jr. effect and get a surprising reach pick. He'll probably end up about where people thought he would go, but you have to think that he's getting a little nervous with 7 picks left in the first round. Does he fall to the Niners???
Hey all. In spending all this recapping the previous five drafts for Cal players, I haven't spent much or really any time covering this year's draft. That's mainly because I wanted to avoid speculation and spend more time extensively covering the draft AFTER it was over.
But I can't help myself. I can't help but wonder what will happen to Desean: Ted Ginn Jr. like early swoop, or Aaron Rodgers like fall to the bottom of the first or possibly into the second round?
And what about all of our other Cal Bears? DeCoud seems to be a look in the 3rd round, but where does Lavelle Hawkins go? The 3rd as some hope, or all the way down to the 5th? And does Larson get drafted? What about Jordan? And which team will take the chance on Forsett?
.jpg)
Cowan will miss the entire season after injuring his left knee while scrambling in practice today. It was a complete freak accident as it was during a non-contact play. The Redshirt Senior has already used his redshirt, and will have to be granted an unlikely sixth year of eligibility to give it a go in 2009. But in all likelihood, I think we may have seen the last of Cowan. Even if he were to be granted a sixth year, could he come back? The kid has messed up his knees so badly at this point, I’ll be surprised if he’ll be able to run normally, let alone stand the rigors of collegiate ball.
