Jan. 2 - 4 College Football Bowl Games Discussion

[Outshined_One]

Staying another year in college won't help his mechanics, though. He needs to go to the pros, adapt to the speed of the game, and basically get his mechanics worked on since I don't think he'll get what he needs should he stay. His main problem in terms of passing seems to come when he tries to put touch on the ball, since he has a tendency to put a bit too much on those. That's a problem he can correct in the NFL.

 

Other than that, I think he has what it takes to succeed at the next level. Guys like Steve McNair and Donovan McNabb needed some time in the pros before they became good passers and I think the same can happen to Young. I think he is way ahead of the curve when it comes to all the other qualities you look for in a QB.

 

I want no part of him in Green Bay. A guy like that could very well turn into a beast in the pros.

[adamb0719]

1270- that is the number of registered users on a USC board right now.

 

And for some reason they are already talking about ND coming out there next year, and the rivalry between the two. They just lost the NC game, and every few posts mentions ND. I really don't get it.

 

Are you sure your brain doesn't just register all proper nouns as "Notre Dame"

 

LOL, you may be right.

 

Cpatt: Just because I am a Cubs fan does not mean it makes any more sense to me. I still find it baffling, just as I always have.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

1270- that is the number of registered users on a USC board right now.

 

And for some reason they are already talking about ND coming out there next year, and the rivalry between the two. They just lost the NC game, and every few posts mentions ND. I really don't get it.

 

Are you sure your brain doesn't just register all proper nouns as "Notre Dame"

 

LOL, you may be right.

 

Cpatt: Just because I am a Cubs fan does not mean it makes any more sense to me. I still find it baffling, just as I always have.

 

Should've said you should be used to it, not that you understand it. Inferiority complexes work in mysterious ways.

[adamb0719]

1270- that is the number of registered users on a USC board right now.

 

And for some reason they are already talking about ND coming out there next year, and the rivalry between the two. They just lost the NC game, and every few posts mentions ND. I really don't get it.

 

Are you sure your brain doesn't just register all proper nouns as "Notre Dame"

 

LOL, you may be right.

 

Cpatt: Just because I am a Cubs fan does not mean it makes any more sense to me. I still find it baffling, just as I always have.

 

Should've said you should be used to it, not that you understand it. Inferiority complexes work in mysterious ways.

Very true.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

For those of you that have espnu, they are replaying the game at 2am tonight and tomorrow at 3pm.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Thank you, Vince. This city will be so much more bearable (once they get over Vince's knee being down).

[TruffleShuffle]

A few thoughts after finally reading through this most excellent thread...

 

(1) That was the best college football game I have ever seen, and possibly the best football game I've ever seen. Just wonderful to watch the talent on both sides, and the stars from both sides playing extremely well. Vince Young's performance is one of the best efforts I've ever seen in a big game.

 

(2) It's funny that Treebeard tried to jump on USC's bandwagon, and still couldn't root for a winner

 

(3) jaydee really doesn't like Texas

 

(4) I strongly but respectfully disagree with those of you who say Young will be a bum in the NFL. No, he doesn't throw the ball all that hard. Neither did Joe Montana, and his career turned out OK. Young is not going to be a great pure pocket passer, but he can do a lot with his legs that other guys cannot, and I think his leadership, decision-making and accuracy are all better than someone like Michael Vick. I expect him to make at least 2-3 Pro Bowls in the NFL.

 

(5) Cut it out with the knee being down in the first half. Should it have been reviewed? Of course. But did it really alter the outcome of the game? No. It's not like Texas would have probably not scored on that drive if the play had been reviewed and called correctly. USC couldn't stop Texas all night; what makes you think that they would have on that drive? Texas won the game because Vince Young was awesome, because they stopped USC on 4th and 2, and because they drove and scored the game-winning TD. End of story.

 

(6) I agree wholeheartedly with Carroll's decision to go for it on 4th and 2. As said above, USC wasn't stopping Texas, and in the college game, two minutes and two time outs is an eternity to go 80 or 90 yards. The risk is, they start their drive about 30 yards closer. And the gain if going for it works, the game is basically over. The benefit is too great to not go for it. It's funny to see how some people praise Rich Rodriguez for the fake punt in the Sugar Bowl, but then rip Carroll for the call tonight. It's the same decision, just executed differently, and I agree with the decisions that both coaches made. If it were, say, Joe Paterno in that situation, I would want him to punt because PSU's defense is the strongest part of the team, and teams would have a very hard time going 80-90 yards in one drive against such a stout defense. But WVU and USC were struggling on D, and they went for the chance to end the game rather than put the game in the hands of their porous defense.

[imb]

Well, I finally finished watching the game (Tivo)

 

Great game, it was everything I thought last years game would be (oops)

 

quick thoughts

 

Vince Young is an unbelievable college player, but to QB in the NFL he is going to have to fix his mechanics. It's not so much that he throws sidearm, but that he throws off balance and off his back foot all the time. He completed 30 passes today, and 10 of them were little 5 yard dump offs to his wide open tight end.

 

He'll play in the league one way or another, he's too damn talented. And big. People get caught up in how fast he is, and they dont notice that he's bigger than LenDale White. He played amazing and they deserved to win.

 

Leinart, on the other hand, was mostly terrific. He got out of his rhythym, and his mechanics bit the dust a few times, but for the most part, he was dialing it up. He's really impressive when he gets on a run because he just hits his receivers perfectly. Notice how many times Texas WR's caught the ball with one knee on the ground. Young throws off his back foot and leads his ball too low.

 

If Young comes out this year, it will be interesting to see how he grades. Leinart will grade above Eli and Alex Smith, that's for sure. I wonder if the Jets will try to trade up to number one to take him ahead of the Saints, I'm sure Houston wants to trade that pick.

 

Pete Carroll should have come to us for advice on Young, besides his freshman year (a game we won 65-13), he's never run the ball on us at all. In 2004, he was 8-23 for 86 yards and he had 54 yards on 16 rushes, and this year, despite killing our crappy DB's, he only ran for 45 yards on 17 carries.

Edited January 5, 2006 by Bunts Lick Butts

[imb]

Oh, and if you want to have a laugh at Matt "We're the better team" Leinart, here you go.

 

1 - Oops, if you declared last year, you would have been the number one pick. Not this year, sorry Matt.

2 - Oops, no repeat Heisman, sorry Matt.

3 - Oops, no repeat (3peat?) Championship. Sorry Matt.

4 - Oops, if you declared last year, you would have made a few million bucks. Sorry Matt.

5 - Oops, instead of getting drafted by the 49ers, and staying in sunny California, you're gonna get drafted by the Saints. Sorry Matt.

[TruffleShuffle]

If Young comes out this year, it will be interesting to see how he grades. Leinart will grade above Eli and Alex Smith, that's for sure. I wonder if the Jets will try to trade up to number one to take him ahead of the Saints, I'm sure Houston wants to trade that pick.

 

I can't imagine the Texans trading that pick. For one thing, fans would march on Reliant Stadium with torches and pitchforks if they trade it. And second, how would they explain to the players who threw games down the stretch that oops, you lost games on purpose for nothing?

[burnt out cubbie fan]

If Young comes out this year, it will be interesting to see how he grades. Leinart will grade above Eli and Alex Smith, that's for sure. I wonder if the Jets will try to trade up to number one to take him ahead of the Saints, I'm sure Houston wants to trade that pick.

 

I can't imagine the Texans trading that pick. For one thing, fans would march on Reliant Stadium with torches and pitchforks if they trade it. And second, how would they explain to the players who threw games down the stretch that oops, you lost games on purpose for nothing?

Umm...they would be getting a lot more than nothing if they were to trade the first pick. If they don't trade that pick it will haunt them for many years down the road. Oh, and I highly doubt they threw any games.

[imb]

If Young comes out this year, it will be interesting to see how he grades. Leinart will grade above Eli and Alex Smith, that's for sure. I wonder if the Jets will try to trade up to number one to take him ahead of the Saints, I'm sure Houston wants to trade that pick.

 

I can't imagine the Texans trading that pick. For one thing, fans would march on Reliant Stadium with torches and pitchforks if they trade it. And second, how would they explain to the players who threw games down the stretch that oops, you lost games on purpose for nothing?

 

I think they do. They just resigned Davis to an extension, and they have a lot of years/cash invested in Carr. I say they trade down to 3 or 4, pick up a 2nd and a 3rd, or a future first, and draft D'Brickashaw.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

If Young comes out this year, it will be interesting to see how he grades. Leinart will grade above Eli and Alex Smith, that's for sure. I wonder if the Jets will try to trade up to number one to take him ahead of the Saints, I'm sure Houston wants to trade that pick.

 

I can't imagine the Texans trading that pick. For one thing, fans would march on Reliant Stadium with torches and pitchforks if they trade it. And second, how would they explain to the players who threw games down the stretch that oops, you lost games on purpose for nothing?

 

I think they do. They just resigned Davis to an extension, and they have a lot of years/cash invested in Carr. I say they trade down to 3 or 4, pick up a 2nd and a 3rd, or a future first, and draft D'Brickashaw.

If they trade down they will get all of those picks. That first overall is going to be one of the most coveted in a while.

[CuseCubFan69]

That was a fun game...made even more fun by the fact that Pete Carroll is a twit when it comes to coaching.

 

Vince Young definitely is looking like a Top 5 pick in the draft if he comes out, though. I'd absolutely hate to see the Packers draft him.

 

Maybe that's why he has (or needs) to have enough talent to win by 50 each game. I'm curious on how he would do if he had to do a lot of in game strategy.

[CuseCubFan69]

Great game, great championship game. USC made mistakes, but so did Texas. I almost think Texas made more than USC in fumbles and special teams.

 

I really never have seen a player will his team to win more than Vince Young. I am definatly more worried about Young leaving now to the NFL than I was before.

 

Texas's 800th win results in a NC.

 

Time to change the banner.

 

Congrats shnsajaxx and to Zip Dog wherever you are! Coach Robinson was pretty torn on who he wanted to win this game. He decided to pick Texas because he knew the kids. Ironically, both Carroll and Brown called him.

 

I still think the undefeated Penn State was the best team in 69 though. Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell...that team was loaded.

[CuseCubFan69]

If Young comes out this year, it will be interesting to see how he grades. Leinart will grade above Eli and Alex Smith, that's for sure. I wonder if the Jets will try to trade up to number one to take him ahead of the Saints, I'm sure Houston wants to trade that pick.

 

I can't imagine the Texans trading that pick. For one thing, fans would march on Reliant Stadium with torches and pitchforks if they trade it. And second, how would they explain to the players who threw games down the stretch that oops, you lost games on purpose for nothing?

Umm...they would be getting a lot more than nothing if they were to trade the first pick. If they don't trade that pick it will haunt them for many years down the road. Oh, and I highly doubt they threw any games.

 

I've never really been that impressed with Bush. I know I'm in a minority but I don't think he'll be that much of an impact player as many believe.

 

I was impressed with some of Leinart's throws but his scrambling ability leaves much to be desired for. He better get on a team with a decent or better offensive line IMO.

[gflore34]

Vince Young - Let the Packers draft him, Urlacher, Briggs, Brown and/or Vasher will knock him silly. He (Young) will be a better passer but, at the moment he's one dimensional, he'll get mashed in the NFL.

[USSoccer]

Quick Thoughts:

 

-Vince Young is every bit as good as Michael Vick was in college-probably even better. Let's see if the BooYa Network's hype machine does for him what it has done for Vick.

 

-Was it me or was Reggie Bush really underused in the game? Just my opinion, but if you are going for it on 4th and 2, I'd rather give the ball to your best player (Bush) than anyone else.

 

-Leinart should have thrown the ball away on the last play of the game. 9 seconds in College FB should be enough time to get 2 plays off, and all they really needed was 1 first down to get into FG range.

[shnsajax]

Quick Thoughts:

 

-Vince Young is every bit as good as Michael Vick was in college-probably even better. Let's see if the BooYa Network's hype machine does for him what it has done for Vick.

 

-Was it me or was Reggie Bush really underused in the game? Just my opinion, but if you are going for it on 4th and 2, I'd rather give the ball to your best player (Bush) than anyone else.

 

-Leinart should have thrown the ball away on the last play of the game. 9 seconds in College FB should be enough time to get 2 plays off, and all they really needed was 1 first down to get into FG range.

 

White had one of his best games in his carrer. I think his draft stock might have risen 10+ slots last night alone to become a top 10 pick.

[rawaction]

Great game. However, it was badly coached and officiated.

[Mark_R]

White had one of his best games in his carrer. I think his draft stock might have risen 10+ slots last night alone to become a top 10 pick.

 

I look at it from another perspective. Say he's projected pre combine (which probably won't help him because he's not a "speed" back) to be in the top 15-20. The guaranteed money for that spot is roughly 10 million dollars. Also bearing in mind that there's 3 possibly 4 RB's who will be taken ahead of him: Bush, Williams, Maroney, and possibly Calhoun.

 

He could come back for his senior season and be THE focal point of that offense and put up incredible numbers possibly boosting himself into the top 5 (AD is coming out next year, so he'd probably be the second back taken), which comes with nearly 30 million in guaranteed money. Its a very fine line.

 

Perhaps its just the contrarian in me that thinks of this scenario. One thing White has going for him is that he has a pretty low amount of carries on his wheels and that could be a VERY attractive attribute for a team.

[Jon]

Did they ever say how long the replay equipment was down?

[Derwood]

Did they ever say how long the replay equipment was down?

 

And in a game this important, why can't they tap into the network replay feeds?

 

This year's NFL Draft ought to be interesting. I think Tamba Hali is a top 10-15 pick. Early indications are that Posluszny has ligament damange (perhaps 2 of the 3 knee ligaments). He gets an MRI today.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

(6) I agree wholeheartedly with Carroll's decision to go for it on 4th and 2. As said above, USC wasn't stopping Texas, and in the college game, two minutes and two time outs is an eternity to go 80 or 90 yards. The risk is, they start their drive about 30 yards closer. And the gain if going for it works, the game is basically over. The benefit is too great to not go for it. It's funny to see how some people praise Rich Rodriguez for the fake punt in the Sugar Bowl, but then rip Carroll for the call tonight. It's the same decision, just executed differently, and I agree with the decisions that both coaches made. If it were, say, Joe Paterno in that situation, I would want him to punt because PSU's defense is the strongest part of the team, and teams would have a very hard time going 80-90 yards in one drive against such a stout defense. But WVU and USC were struggling on D, and they went for the chance to end the game rather than put the game in the hands of their porous defense.

 

There were less than 20 seconds left when Young scored. There's a pretty good chance the extra 25+ yards is going to take near that amount of time, plus it's extra yardage to stop UT, force a turnover, etc. Given that they'd already been shut down on a 4th and short, and that this one wasn't even under a yard, I would've kicked it away.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Quick Thoughts:

 

-Vince Young is every bit as good as Michael Vick was in college-probably even better. Let's see if the BooYa Network's hype machine does for him what it has done for Vick.

 

-Was it me or was Reggie Bush really underused in the game? Just my opinion, but if you are going for it on 4th and 2, I'd rather give the ball to your best player (Bush) than anyone else.

 

-Leinart should have thrown the ball away on the last play of the game. 9 seconds in College FB should be enough time to get 2 plays off, and all they really needed was 1 first down to get into FG range.

 

White was their best player yesterday. Bush really didn't look as good after his failed lateral outside of a play or two.

 

White had one of his best games in his carrer. I think his draft stock might have risen 10+ slots last night alone to become a top 10 pick.

 

I look at it from another perspective. Say he's projected pre combine (which probably won't help him because he's not a "speed" back) to be in the top 15-20. The guaranteed money for that spot is roughly 10 million dollars. Also bearing in mind that there's 3 possibly 4 RB's who will be taken ahead of him: Bush, Williams, Maroney, and possibly Calhoun.

 

He could come back for his senior season and be THE focal point of that offense and put up incredible numbers possibly boosting himself into the top 5 (AD is coming out next year, so he'd probably be the second back taken), which comes with nearly 30 million in guaranteed money. Its a very fine line.

 

Perhaps its just the contrarian in me that thinks of this scenario. One thing White has going for him is that he has a pretty low amount of carries on his wheels and that could be a VERY attractive attribute for a team.

 

White was probably already ahead of Calhoun on most team's draft boards but he probably is now ahead of Maroney. All along this year, it was said by people near the team that he was more likely to turn pro than Bush. Most of the USC coaches seem to be operating under the assumption that White won't be back and Coleman or Reed will be starting next year.