With The 3rd Pick In The NFL Draft The Buffalo Bills Select

Macel Dareus DT Alabama

Did you watch him on sports science? He threw a man 12 feet in the air. It was amazing. This kid is a big guy up the middle and will help the non existent Buffalo Bills pass rush for years. He's not your average fat DT he can get after QB's great pick.

With The 15th Pick In The NFL Draft The Miami Dolphins Select Select....

DP's Pick:
Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

I figure the Dolphins are going to lose both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown so Ingram is a guy who can come in and carry the ball 25 times a game. He has good hands and a great vision. He may not have homerun speed, but is extremely efficient. Watching him in college you can just see pro back in his game. He's tough, pretty durable and doesn't really have a glaring weakness. Great pick.

BMack's Pick:
Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

I agree with DP that the Dolphins aren't going to bring Williams or Brown back, and the running game is such an important part of their offense they they have to make this pick. Ingram is a grinder, who I believe has the makeup to carry the load for an offense. He seems like the perfect fit for this offense, and I think we are far enough down the board where they would be comfortable making this pick. Now, if they could just find a good QB.

NC State Turns To Mark Gottfried

After losing out on Shaka Smart, NC State turns to Mark Gottfried from Bama. I like Gottfried a lot, he will receive a five-year contract with a guarantee of $1.2 million annually, a deal that includes an automatic two-year extension if he leads N.C. State back to the NCAA tournament in either of the next two seasons.

He has a career record of 278-155 in 14 seasons at Murray State and Alabama. He took seven teams to the NCAA tournament, including a run of five straight at Alabama from 2002-06 and had Bama ranked 1 in the country in 2002.

NC State hasn't been good since Julius Hodge walked out that door, so hopefully Gottfried can bring them back to relevancy and back into the tournament.

With The 10th Pick in the NFL Draft The Washington Redskins Select..... (CORRECTION)

DP's Pick:
Jake Locker QB Washington

This is certainly a reach and many people will question this move, but they really need a QB and this will be Mike Shannahan's legacy player. Right now they don't have a QB, McNabb will be cut and there is no way that experiment worked. If Jake Locker left last year he would have been jockeying for the number 1 pick. He does need some time to develop some mechanical issues, but at least they get their guy.

BMack's Pick:
Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

I like DP's thinking with his pick, but Locker is just too much of a reach. The one position they have needed for a long time is WR. Santana Moss is a solid WR, but he is someone who really needs a big time WR across from him. Julio Jones can be that guy. He ran a 4.3 with a broken foot. He is big, fast, and tall. He did kind of underperformed in college for what my expectations were, but there is just too much talent here to pass up.



***CORRECTION***

DP called me out and he is 100% correct. I didn't realize the year Julio Jones had last year. I was thinking of his 2009 year when he didn't even have 600 yards receiving. Last season he had 1,133 yards and 7 TDs.

With The 2nd Pick In the 2011 NFL Draft the Denver Broncos Select.....

DP's Pick:
Nick Fairley DT Auburn

They need to fix their D Line and commit to a defensive scheme and Nick Fairley is the guy who can do this. Many people believe he could have gone 1, so the Broncos will be really happy to get him at 2. He is a guy who can help this year without much seasoning. He weighs 300 pounds and can be a penetrating force on the defensive line. I really like this pick for the Broncos.

BMack's Pick:
Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

It's no secret that the Broncos biggest concern is their defensive line. They couldn't stop any running attack, and although I think Fairley has better upside this guy is bigger, and can be the anchor in the middle of their defense. He might not be as good at rushing the QB then Fairley, but from what I am reading his a guy who gives more effort on every play. Fox is going to be changing a lot of things on this team, and I think we have seen time and time again that if you have a great big man in the middle the pass rush can open up for LBs. This is the more safe pick then DP's, but I think it's the right choice.

With The 1st Pick In the 2011 NFL Draft the Carolina Panthers Select.....

DP's Pick:

MARCELL DAREUS DT Alabama

This might be a bit of a homer pick because I love the Tide, but I recently have fallen in love with this kid. He's a big mama jama at 319 and has been really successful in a 3-4 and 4-3 schemes at DT. With his quickness he could also be shifted to DE with a 3-4 scheme. The new trend is the Panthers taking Blaine Gabbert here and I just think that would be dumb because they have to give Jimmy Clausen at least another year (even though I'm not a fan). If worse comes to worse he'll tank it and they pick up Andrew Luck or Matt Barkley.


BMack's Pick:

Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Let me start by saying that I hate this pick. I agree with DP that Clausen should at least get another year before they just give up on him (and I also agree that I am no longer a believer). Yet, with a new coach the Panthers are going to look for a new "face of the franchise". Sure, this guy isn't a big name, but he will be by the time the draft comes around. ESPN always hypes all these guys, so by then he'll be the "next big thing".

Gabbert has the build of an NFL QB at 6'4" 234 lbs. He is a very accurate QB, although some of his stats don't show it. Scouts point out he didn't have a lot to work with at Missouri. He's got a great arm, and can move around the packet enough to avoid sacks. I'll say I don't like this pick, and if we were just making a list of the best guys in the draft I would probably have him at 5 or 6, but like I said before the Panthers are looking to completely rebuild and a new coach with want "his guy" under center, and that guy will be Blaine Gabbert.

I Love the South

The University of Alabama fired a part-time employee for playing unscripted and unapproved songs before Alabama's game with Auburn last Friday. The employee played songs that mocked the allegations surrounding Cam Newton, such as "Take the Money and Run," and "Son of a Preacher Man."

While I think the school is right to fire this guy, as their procedure is that all PA music be pre-approved, and while I think Cam Newton is innocent until proven guilty, I found this hilarious. And I commend the guy who had the stones to lose his job for a joke. Hell, his season of work at the football stadium was over anyway.

-The Commodore

Mark Ingram Back This Weekend

Future Patriot or Giant Mark Ingram will be back this weekend against Duke.

Ingram also is facing questions of whether he would start after Trent Richardson averaged 6.6 yards on 32 carries during his absence. Richardson also ranks second in the SEC in all-purpose yardage.

It's good that Ingram gets a go at lowly Duke who will be nothing but arms to run through a day. Unlike Richardson, who's extremely talented and more of a slasher back that provides more explosive plays, Ingram is a tough north/ south runner and a more complete back if you ask me.

With Alabama led by Ingram/ Richardson and Greg McElroy, I don't see how any team can knock them off.

Roll Tide Roll

Mark Ingram To Miss Week 1

Alabama running back Mark Ingram suffered a knee injury late in Monday's practice, coach Nick Saban announced in a statement Tuesday, and has been ruled out for Saturday night's season opener against San Jose State.

This is not anything serious, and Alabama will have no problem rolling over San Jose State. Backup Trent Richardson who is only a sophomore will take his place, and he is far from a stiff. Last season he ran 145 times for 751 yards with eight touchdowns, which is really impressive for a Freshman. Saban says that this is not an injury that should affect Ingram the rest of the season, so this seems precautionary decision against a weak opponent.

Rolando McClain Going Pro

McClain won the Butkus Award this season as the top linebacker in college football and led the Crimson Tide in tackles. He was a three-year starter and has been calling the defensive signals since he was a freshman.

He led Alabama with 105 tackles and 14.5 stops for losses in 2009. He also had two interceptions and two sacks.

This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone as he had such a good year and is projected to go in the top half of the first round. He has all the tools to be an NFL ready LB, and has the speed to shut anyone down. I am a little bias' because I am a Bama fan, but he will have more of an impact in the NFL than Suh.

37 Bama, 21 Texas

Mark Ingram will not be in the long list of Heisman winners to take the L on the National Championship. Bama got the win and deserved the National Championship, unfortunately this game will always have the what if question surrounding it, as Colt McCoy got injured with some sort of shoulder injury and didn't come back into the game.

Replacing McCoy was 18 year old freshman Gareett Golbert. Gilbert had a game to forget as he started the game going 1-8 for -4 yards. But he started to right the ship at the end of the game and brought it to three points in the third at 24-21. Unfortunately, on the next drive he got hit ridiculously hard by a blindside hit as Eryk Anders forced a fumble, then recovered by Bama. Mark Ingram scampered in endzone for his 2nd touchdown, he also had 116 yards and the MVP of the game. Texas couldn't recover, and Bama just killed the clock and got their first Championship since 1992.

Roll Tide Roll

Texas - Alabama Breakdown

Why Alabama Wins:
Alabama has a very good formula to win, they have the Heisman winner for a runningback in Mark Ingram, and their backup Trent Richardson is better than any runningback on the Longhorns roster. Bama also has a qb who manages and very rarely makes mistakes in Greg McElroy. He threw for 2450 yards with 17 touchdowns and 4 picks. He manages the game as well as anyone and has weapons when he needs them. Julio Jones is already an excellent NFL prospect and Marquis Maze is no slouch either. I haven't even started with that Alabama defense either Mount Cody aka Terrence Cody is a ridiculous nose tackle, along with the best LB in football in Renaldo McClain. McClains speed was able to shut down Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor and Florida's Tim Tebow. And Javier Arenas is the best defensive back on this field. Oh yea, and the best coach in college football.

Texas Wins if..
Colt McCoy throws for 1000000 yards and Jordan Shipley runs every kick back for a TD. Texas has zero shot of winning this game and Colt McCoy is not Vince Young and Vince Young is not walking into that locker room.


I don't know how it is a 4 point spread.

Bama 35-21

College Bowl Picks/Previews: Part IX

We come to the end of the season, the National Title Game.

Thursday 1/7 - 8:00PM - ABC
BCS National Championship Game - Pasadena, CA
#2 Texas Longhorns vs. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide
The last time the title was decided at the Rose Bowl, it was a #2 Texas team that won it all over an undefeated team that boasted the Heisman Winner. Will history repeat itself?

Alabama has a running game and a stout defense. Texas has Colt McCoy and is solid all around. This should be a tight, field-position kind of football game. And both teams have excelled at extracting wins out of these kinds of close contests.



Alabama beat #11 Virginia Tech to start the season, they beat #12 LSU, and they crushed #5 Florida. They've been in big games against tough opponents, and they've found ways to win. Mark Ingram amassed 150 yards against Va-Tech, 144 against LSU, and 113 against Florida. He's a big-stage back.



Texas' schedule was much easier. They beat #19 Oklahoma State, and #22 Nebraska. But neither of those games were in Austin. Nobody in the Big XII came close to matching Texas. And if it weren't for their preseason ranking of 2, there would've been more controversy about their selection into this game.

But why were they ranked 2nd back in August? It was because they returned most of their team from the year before, a team that went 12-1. This is a talented bunch, and more importantly, a focused group of players. Mack Brown has these guys in-line and all striving for the same thing.



Then there's the X-factor: the venue. The 93,000 fans that fill the Rose Bowl will probably be an even split of burnt orange and crimson & cream. But this is familiar territory for Texas. The Longhorns are the only team besides USC to win the Rose Bowl since 2003. They've won there twice. And while no current Texas players were there, plenty of coaches and other personnel were, and this familiarity can help breed a sense of comfort, and even confidence.

I think Alabama struggles to score on Texas' defense. I think the Longhorns take a slim lead, Bama makes a few mistakes, and the Longhorns pull away. The Tide will make a comeback bid, make things close, but run out of time.

Texas 27, Alabama 24







-The Commodore

AP All Americans

The Tide have 6 All Americans to lead the country.

AP All-America first team
Position Player(s)
QB Colt McCoy (Texas)
RB Toby Gerhart (Stanford), Mark Ingram (Alabama)
WR Golden Tate (Notre Dame), Jordan Shipley (Texas)
T Russell Okung (Oklahoma State), Trent Williams (Oklahoma)
G Michael Johnson (Alabama), Mike Iupati (Idaho)
C J.D. Walton (Baylor)
TE Aaron Hernandez (Florida)
All-purpose player C.J. Spiller (Clemson)
K Leigh Tiffin (Alabama)
DE Jerry Hughes (TCU), Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech)
DT Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska), Terrence Cody (Alabama)
LB Rolando McClain (Alabama), Greg Jones (Michigan State), Eric Norwood (South Carolina)
CB Joe Haden (Florida), Eric Berry (Tennessee)
S Earl Thomas (Texas), Javier Arenas (Alabama)
P Drew Butler (Georgia)

ReMarkable

I don't know what's more impressive, Mark Ingram's stats vs the SEC defenses or the fact he is the first Alabama player to win the Heisman. Ingram received 227 first-place votes and 1,304 points. Gerhart got 222 first-place votes and 1,276 points, while Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, last season's runner-up, received 203 and 1,145. Although it was close in the voting, I do believe Stanford's 4 losses and Alabama's unblemished record was the deciding vote. ngram has been the backbone of Alabama's offense, rushing for a school-record 1,542 yards, gaining 6.2 yards per carry and scoring 18 touchdowns. There is no better person to deserve this than Ingram.

Mark Ingram For Heisman?

Why shouldn't Mark Ingram win the Heisman? He was the only one to live up to their Heisman hope this weekend. Colt McCoy and Texas may have won, but stats wise, Colt had an awful game (184 yards and 3 picks). Other frontrunner Tim Tebow had a clunker of a game also going for 247 yards with a TD and a INT. The only one who had a great game was Mark Ingram who finished the game with 113 yards on the ground and 76 yards receiving and 3 TDs against the number 1 ranked defense in college football. Toby Gerhart deserves some consideration too, but you also have to take competition into account. The Pac 10 defenses aren't really that scary compared to the SEC defenses and to have Ingram run for close to 1,600 yards against the NCAA's tough defenses is extremely impressive. So with that being said. Ingram for Heisman. Roll Tide Roll.

All You Need To Know About The Florida/ Bama Game

and

Alabama/ Florida Preview

The Tide is rolling boys. Tebow is going to throw three picks and blow 4 dudes.

Bama 35-21

College Football Picks

(5) Alabama Over (7) Virginia Tech

Two players: Julio Jones, Mark Ingram. Both of these players are impact players and even though V-Tech's D is impressive, there is no stopping those two players. Plus Bama's defense is going to rearing to go after that terrible Utah loss in the Sugar Bowl.

Bama: 35-17

Nevada over (23) Notre Dame


Not only will Colin Kaepernick be a Heisman finalist, but he will lead the Nevada Wolfpack over the highly overrated Notre Dame. This game will be close, but that's Kaepernick's style.

Nevada 28-21

Julio Jones, Mark Ingram Cleared To Play

No. 5 Alabama will have two of its key offensive players for the opener Saturday night against No. 7 Virginia Tech.

The NCAA reinstated receiver Julio Jones and tailback Mark Ingram on Wednesday on the condition that they repay the cost of a Gulf Coast fishing trip paid for by businessman Curtis Anderson during the spring. An Alabama spokesman said the money had been paid to charity. ESPN

Well thank God, because there is no way Alabama would be able to beat Virginia Tech without two of their most dangerous weapons. It's going to be hard enough with a new QB in there but they kind of played without one last year when John Parker Wilson was at the helm. Alabama had a break out season last year and if they want to keep it up, they need a lot of production from Julio and Mark this year.

Roll Tide