|
National Football League
Draft King Analysis
July 27, 2009
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here. Send your thoughts to Draft King at LouPickney@gmail.com.
Some non-NFL Draft business before I begin:
-If you're considering buying a Samsung television, I urge you to hold off on it. I'll explain why soon. Once you read the insanity that my girlfriend has gone through trying to get Samsung to fulfill their warranty on her television, you might have a different view of the company. In my 6+ years of running Draft King, I've never utilized the site as a bully pulpit against a company. But, considering how many people who read this site also might be in the market to buy a television to watch college and pro football games on, and also considering the bizarre chain of events involved in this case, the floodgates are about to open.
Keep in mind: there's a reason that internationally famous radio talk host Bubba the Love Sponge ® refers to "Lou Pickney harshly worded letters" as almost a brand name for cease-and-desist type letters. The reason for this is because I used to write them for him during my tenure with his show when his intellectual property was being violated. The sad thing with this is that I like Samsung televisions in general, but what I perceive as the company's failure to follow through with a warranty promise is going to force my hand on this issue.
-Many of you probably play NFL fantasy football to one degree or another. I'm in a league that has been around since 1992 (back when you had to tabulate results by hand out of newspaper box scores). I have heard about a college football fantasy game that is coming soon that, from all indications, should be quite intriguing. Look for more on that soon. I could imagine the impacts that those multiple overtime college games could do for a given player's stats.
What I plan to do here on Draft King in the next couple of weeks is to look at players who are under the radar now but who could end up exploding onto the national scene in 2009. I touched a bit on the top-tier QBs in my most recent column, but here's a look at some other quarterbacks to watch who have the potential to have a great 2009 season and parlay that into being selected at a relatively high draft position. I'll be covering other positions in forthcoming columns.
Zac Robinson, QB, Oklahoma State (6'3" 200)
Robinson had a strong season in 2008 and he could be in a position to vault himself into the top tier quarterback mix better than anyone else in this list. He has the luxury of having a strong running back and a talent wide receiver at his disposal, but Robinson also has the challenge of trying to stand out in a conference that also boasts Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Texas' Colt McCoy.
Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia (6'3" 222)
He waited for years behind incumbent QB Pat White, and now Brown will have his opportunity to shine as a senior starting quarterback. Brown looked good in spring practice according to reports I've read, and this fall will be his opportunity to prove himself as a starting QB. Brown has the size and athleticism to play quarterback in the NFL.
Rusty Smith, QB, Florida Atlantic (6'5" 230)
With his size and his strong arm, Smith is receiving some attention as a dark horse prospect who could break through in 2009. Smith isn't particularly athletic, and there are concerns about his non-conventional release. But he's had back-to-back 3,000+ yard passing seasons, and with another solid year he could get some attention at the next level.
Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati (6'6" 212)
Last season ended poorly for Pike, with him throwing four interceptions in Cincinnati's Orange Bowl loss to Virginia Tech. But Pike has superior height, decent speed (roughly 4.8 in the 40) and could move out of the mid-round pack (where he's currently positioned according to some scouts) with a strong 2009 season.
|  | Can senior QB Andy Schmitt lead Eastern Michigan to a winning record? (Icon SMI)
|
Andy Schmitt, QB, Eastern Michigan (6'4" 221)
The football program at Eastern Michigan has been struggling for many years, but the team has a strong talent at quarterback with Schmitt. He has already set some school records, and with a strong 2009 Schmitt may be able to move up the chart for NFL consideration.
Jameel Sewell, QB, Virginia (6'3" 226)
Due to academic problems, Sewell missed Virginia's 2008 season. He rejoined the team in January, and he is a major question mark at this point. Physically he is a high-level athlete (he runs a sub-4.7) and, with a good season, Sewell could end up getting a strong look in the draft.
Kellen Lewis, QB, Valdosta State (6'1" 177)
Lewis was kicked off the team at Indiana this past spring for violating an unspecified team rule. Lewis has transferred to Division II Valdosta State, and he is slated to play QB there this fall. Lewis set records at Indiana at quarterback, but then the team abruptly moved him to wide receiver for 2008. Lewis may project more as a wide receiver prospect to the pro level, but it will be worth at least keeping an eye on how Lewis performs at Valdosta State this fall.
Max Hall, QB, BYU (6'1" 205)
Hall has worked this off-season to increase his weight, with him reportedly aiming to be at about 215 pounds by the start of the 2009 season. Hall ended last year poorly, throwing six interceptions and coughing up two fumbles. But this fall will give Hall, who transferred from Arizona State to BYU in 2006 (after redshirting in 2004 and missing 2005 while on a Mormon mission), an opportunity to build on the 3,957 yards and 35 touchdowns he posted in 2008.
NFL Draft Prospect Profiles
Draft King is owned and operated by Lou Pickney. Copyright © 2003-2025, all rights reserved. Information on this website should not be used for any gambling purposes, nor does it constitute any sort of advice, financial or otherwise.
| 