Rookies you should root for this year…

We have all had our favorite players.  Some of those players have gone onto greatness, some have gone onto sell used cars.  The exciting thing about sports is being on the bandwagon at the right time, and being able to hero-worship your brains out for those men and women that we love to watch dominate.  Most of the names are easy, our parents and grandparents watched Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Bill Russell, Gordie Howe, Arnold Palmer, Bjorn Borg, and Jim Brown to name a few.  My generation latched onto Michael Jordan, Barry Sanders, Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Tiger Woods, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.  Today’s kids have the new breed of athele like Shawn White, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Sidney Crosby, and Michele Wie.  But what about the guys people love during their 15 minutes, and forget like what they had for dinner lastnight. what about the unsung heroes. I’m here to give you a list of guys from the NFL draft this weekend that you NEED to keep an eye on.  You need to root for, and you need to hope see get a chance to fulfill a dream.  Just like you and I did as we won the World Series in the 9th with a grand slam, hit the game winning jumper as time expired, put a wrister top in a shoot out for the cup, or went “over the top” in the Super Bowl.

Pierre Garcon-WR Mount Union College-Indianpolis Colts:  Only the second of two Mount Union Purple Raiders to even show at the NFL combine, was a sixth round pick for the Colts.  I’m sure there is no place Garcon would rather be then in the pass happy Colts offense with Peyton Manning.  Garcon is a playmaker, being the all-time leading WR in Mount Union History.  Hopefully there are enough balls to go around for him to make the team.  Garcon can handle the deep ball, return punts, and is certainly tough enough to work the middle, standing at 6 feet, 210.  Garcon is hoping that he can step in and make an impact just as Anthony Gonzalez did.  He’ll have to be patient, make plays and have good mini-camp.

Caleb Campbell-Safety Army-Detroit Lions:  Campbell was a 7th round pick, but don’t be fooled, this soldier can play.  He tallied over 300 tackles, 6 INT, 9 pass break ups, had 6 forced fumble and one fumble recovery.  His 4.5 speed and tenacity had NFL scouts looking all the time.  The unique part about Campbell is that since he’s drafted his terms in the Army will be slightly adjusted.  He’ll work during his spare time as a recruiter in his area.  He’ll use his experience at the U.S. Army, love for his country and the fulfillment of his NFL dream as post to hang his hat on for future cadets.  I must say I ususally have a soft spot for the military, part of me thinks I probably should have been for a while, but Campbell will no doubt be an inspiration to the people of his native state Texas, children everywhere, but most of all, the men and women serving over seas that give us the ability to do what we do everyday.  Give em’ hell Caleb…

Notre Dame Spring Game

This year the Irish take on an entirely new way of life.  A coach that wants to spend more time coaching by giving up just about everything he’s responsible for, ridiculous alumni expectations, overcoming the worst record in Notre Dame history, polishing up the dome, and for the most part getting back to basics.  Some would call that a rebuilding process, some a pile of bull, but for the college football and  Irish faithful(like myself), it gives us a glimmer of hope that college football will be back sooner then later.

Everything seems to be new this year in South Bend.  The Irish have the same ornery coach, with some slightly different duties, the offense has a new OC, the defense has the same DC, but a new guy helping in the box, and that same guy is the new assistant head coach.  They even went out and got a new spring game and special teams ideas.  Will that result in a new and improved win-loss record, let’s hope so.

The final score of the game was 47-46, but don’t be alarmed, both offense and defense were given points for stops, first downs, 10+ yard plays, sacks, and turnovers among other things. The offense was lead by a bulked up Jimmy Clausen(now 212) and an amped up Robert Hughes.  Hughes won the MVP of the game, totaling 22 pumps for 100 yards even.  Most importantly, it showed that the young players could indeed play.  And yes we know, the defense is vanilla, no one is at game speed, and there is constant game stoppage, but people still have to make plays as practice goes on right?

The WR’s showed that the maturation process is on, and that there could be some gamebreakers in teh bunch.  Duval Kamara caught the game winning TD on a pass from Clausen and totaled 4 catches for 48 yards.  The guy that I really like and who definately needs to see the rock is Golden Tate.  Tate has got game no matter how you slice it.  Weis needs to have him return kicks, punts, in the slot, and going deep often.  His athleticism is something that makes me think back just a few years to when a guy named Samardzija was running around. Tate had 7 catches for 73 yards.  Overall the wide outs looked much improved, and that was without stud incoming freshmen Michael Floyd playing.  Floyd could be starting by the mid-way point.  Looking at Kamara, Tate, Grimes,  Parris, and West, there is a good mix of size and speed.  With Floyd coming in, I feel like West or Grimes could be the odd men out.  Grimes has got plenty of talent but had the drops last year.  West can never stay healthy enough to make an impact.  What gives them some breathing room is that Tate is still learning the position.  That will give one of them time to really step up.  So far, Grimes should have a slight lead.

All the RB’s can play, but Hughes has solidified himself as the starter.  He’s physical and quick, but most of all he finishes plays.  Originally I’ve always liked oft-injured James Aldridge, who totaled only 18 yards on 6 carries.  He’ll be there as a nice back to spell Hughes.  Armando Allen has really been disappointing to me despite a solid effort at the spring game.  Last year he didn’t show the speed and ability that head coach Charlie Weis said he had.  He’ll probably be the #2 back behind Hughes after his 11 for 50 day.

The defense also showed that they finally have some depth.  Especially in the secondary.  Darrin Walls had a quiet day, but a mainstay with the defense.  The starting four should look like this, Walls and Lambert at CB’s, David Bruton and Kyle McCarthy at Safeties.  Gary Gray should be the nickel back and Harrison Smith is a nice hybrid player that will see time at bot safety and corner probably.  Smith had  only INT of the game gripping it 15 yards for a TD.  Blue and Gold Illustrated said that emotion was emphasized bye Coach Weis this spring. Smith definatetly gave the fans something the cheer about.  The 34 defense of Corwin Brown and John Tenuta had 6 TFL, 3 sacks and 2 pass break ups.  What that shows me is that guys are settling into their rolls and its still early in the spring for the  offensive line.  Starters there should be Sam Young, Chris Stewart, Dan Wenger, Eric Olsen and Paul Duncan.  Don’t be surprised to see Michael Turckovich or Trevor Robinson though.  Robinson has been making some headlines with his size and strength in the spring.

All and all, the spring game gave us a good look at the actual ability that some of these players possess.  Gluing it all together and making it work is Weiss’ job.  You can see the potential staring us all right in the face, the question is will it boom or bust.

Please boom Charlie, please boom…