Jodi Lyn OKeefe Emma Watson Amy Smart Sarah Wynter Jaime Pressly
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Second Shutdown 40: #63 – Titus Young, WR, Boise State
With the 2010 NFL season in the books, the draft edging ever closer (and a lockout battle now headed to the courts) it's time to turn our eyes to the pre-draft evaluation process. We've already done scouting reports of the top 40 players on our board, and you can read all the details on the first Shutdown 40 here. For the second Shutdown 40, players 41-80, we have the advantage of combine performances and that much more evaluation material.
But we're always going mostly on game tape; the proper evaluation formula seems to be about 80 percent tape, 20 percent Senior Bowl/combine/Pro Day. If you see what you expect in drills, you go back to the tape to confirm. If what you see in drills surprises you in a positive or negative sense, you go back to the tape to catch where the anomalies may be.
We continue the second Shutdown 40 with Boise State wide receiver Titus Young. The three-time First-Team All-WAC offensive weapon averaged more than 15 yards per catch in his career for the Broncos, and he stretches the field as well as anyone in the NCAA. Young also saved some of his best performances for the best competition, eradicating concerns that he was running up his stats against weaker WAC competition ? he blew Oregon State's doors off in 2010 with five catches for catches for 136 yards and a touchdown, and five kick returns for 125 yards. Adding his six catches for 129 yards against Nevada's excellent defense, and it's clear that Young is the kind of player that could project as NFL elite over time in the right system. In 42 games for Boise State, Young caught 204 passes for 3,063 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also rushed 44 times for 341 yards and eight touchdowns, returned 55 kicks for 1,435 yards and two touchdowns, and took 11 punts back for 76 yards.
The value of speed burners like Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson, both as a receiver and returner, makes Young a very interesting potential pick. But does Young measure up to that level of explosive production? Let's turn on the tape…
Pros: Gets off the line against press coverage very quickly and can use stutter-steps to help in that regard. Has a great burst and acceleration in his first few steps; makes him a real problem for enemy defenses on receiver screens and other yards after catch opportunities. Gets outside the wide corner on deep routes, establishes outside position nicely, and is fast enough in a straight line against most defensive backs to ease up if need be on underthrows (which you get used to when your quarterback is Kellen Moore). �Will probably develop into an even better deep receiver if/when paired with an NFL quarterback with a better feel for long passes. As a return man, possesses great straight-line and cut speed, and a tremendous eye for gaps.
Cons: Not an especially physical receiver; at 5-foot-9 and 174 pounds, may not be rugged enough for slot play even though he's built more like that type of receiver. Inconsistent hands catcher who looks upfield before securing the ball. Height makes him a liability with jump balls; Young has to win the speed battle deep. Surprisingly tethered near the ground for such an athlete. Presents very little threat to bail and establish further yards after first contact. Can be distracted by physical corner play and doesn't always read deflections well. Doesn't get the separation you'd expect, though this may be a function of having to adjust to throws. Has a pronounced belief in his own ability that can get in his way at times.
Conclusion: It's tough to know what to think of Titus Young. In the abstract, it's easy to see that he has great functional football speed, and that he can get open in ways that you'd think would transfer to the NFL. What I don't know is whether his raw speed is something that will allow him to beat the smaller passing windows in the pros, and whether his body will hold up to the rigors of a more physical league. I'm willing to give him a pass on the speed/separation issue, because I've seen other fast receivers robbed of their ability to get as vertical as they really could by noodle-armed quarterbacks. In the end, I think he'll be a nice end/slot hybrid guy with some return value, but I'm not seeing a #1 receiver here. The DeSean Jackson comparison is handy, but I don't think it sticks … at least, not yet.
NFL Comparison: Deon Butler, Seattle Seahawks
More Second Shutdown 40
#41 ? Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia | #42 ? Muhammad Wilkerson, DT/DE, Temple | #43 ? Aaron Williams, DB, Texas | #44 ? Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech | #45 ? Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA | #46 ? Martez Wilson, ILB, Illinois | #47 ? D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas | #48 -- Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina | #49 ? Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy | #50 ? Jabbal Sheard, DE, Pitt | #51 ? Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa | #52 ? Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona | #53 ? Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky | #54 -- Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada | #55 ? Sam Acho, OLB/DE, Texas | #56 -- Andy Dalton, QB, TCU | #57 ? Davon House, CB, New Mexico State | #58 -- Jon Baldwin, WR, Pitt | #59 ? Marcus Cannon, OT, TCU | #60 ? Drake Nevis, DT, LSU | #61-- Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina | #62 ? Orlando Franklin, OT, Miami
Kylie Bax Diora Baird Laura Prepon Ashley Scott Michelle Behennah
Flyers prevail through the goalie fails, force Game 7
The Philadelphia Flyers started a postseason hero in goal, one who gave up three goals on eight shots in 19:48 and was pulled. They brought back their All-Star defenseman and attitudinal guide Chris Pronger to strictly play on the power play (4:33), where he didn't produce a point and picked up two penalty minutes.
They got down 2-0 in an elimination game on the road, and then 3-1, then 4-3. They came back every time, and then forced a Game 7 in this unpredictable series on this Ville Leino goal at 4:43 in overtime, for the 5-4 win�over Buffalo.
Kris Versteeg makes this play happen: Alertly firing a second shot after Paul Gaustad blocked it. Ryan Miller, who had an inconsistent game to put it kindly, blocked it away high after a Mike Richards tip. Chris Butler, having a rough day with two minor penalties, couldn't box out Leino for the game-winner.
That the Flyers won this game with the goaltending they received was nothing short of miraculous. Michael Leighton was terrible: Rob Niedermayer's goal was soft. One of Thomas Vanek's was in slow-motion, another snuck through the five hole. The one goal Brian Boucher let in was a whiff on a Nathan Gerbe shot.
And yet here we are, in a Game 7 on Tuesday in Philly, which is a tribute to the resiliency of the Flyers that play in front of the crease.
A few thoughts:
? Danny Briere now has five goals in six playoff games, after 12 in 23 last season. In his career, Briere has 90 points in 92 playoff games. He used to be viewed as an overpaid, soft player; he's now one of the best playoff performers in the NHL, no debate.
? Quintessential Mike Richards game: Dangerous hit on Tim Connolly, shoving his head into the glass on a boarding penalty. (Leaving it as a minor was the right call. Coach Lindy Ruff thinks it's "something the league definitely has to take a look at," and Connolly is "out" for Game 7.) And yet he had the primary helpers on the game-tying and game-winnng goal, and led all Flyers forwards in shifts (32). If you're saying you wouldn't take him on your team, you're lying.
? Reader Steve Lansky with the line of the day: "Maybe Nathan Gerbe's signature move should be to dive into a photographer's hole."
? Again, it's an unpredictable series. But did anyone get the sense late in this game that the Sabres are going to regret not closing this out in six?
Susie Castillo Fergie Ivanka Trump Blake Lively Christina Applegate
Heroic Clay Matthews foils the plan of an evil wrestling lady
So, Tuesday night, The Rated-R Superstar Edge had to defend his world title against Dolph Ziggler, who is a total jerk, but is oh-so-dangerous inside the squared circle.
Further stacking the odds against Edge, the special referee for the match was to be Vickie Guerrero, who is kind of a jerk herself, and get this -- is dating Dolph Ziggler.
In order for Edge to survive the match with his world championship -- nay, his very life -- intact, he'd have to have help from a strong, noble and heroic friend. Fortunately, just such a man was nearby.
That friend's name? Clay Matthews.
BOO-YAH. That's a Spear, and that's a one-two-three count from Matthews. That's what happens to bad guys, Ziggler.
Vickie Guerrero had also previously made The Spear illegal, before attempting to deliver one on Edge herself. In the process, she hurt her ankle, and that's why there was no other official available.
I'm so happy for Edge, and so impressed with Matthews, because in the two days since he won the Super Bowl, he has apparently been able to go through all the necessary training to become a licensed WWE official. He had the shirt and everything. He's a true renaissance man.
You can see all the action for yourself on Friday night at 8 p.m. ET on Syfy.
Jessica Alba Kylie Bax Diora Baird Laura Prepon Ashley Scott
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