The Saturday Hangover (12/8/07)
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by Chachi
Lost in the Shuffle
Today’s Hangover is dedicated to those players who normally would be gaining all types of notoriety if it weren’t for incredible seasons by other players and teams. Specifically, I’m talking about those NFL and college football players who, if not for the Bradys, Favres and Tebows of the world, would be big news and having breakout years. Also, I’m talking about some of those really good players we have just seemed to forget about.
NFL
Braylon Edwards – If it wasn’t for TO and Moss, Edwards would be the story this year at wide receiver. He is currently 6 th in the NFL in receiving yards, 2 nd in yards per reception to TO (for receivers with over 50 receptions), and 3 rd in touchdowns behind Moss and Owens. Edwards has been all over the place for the Browns this year and a major force behind their current resurgence. Although he has had some costly drops this year, Edwards has more than made up for it with some jaw-dropping highlight reel catches.
Patrick Kerney – While the likes of Jared Allen and Aaron Kampman have received a decent amount of attention, it seems that no one has noticed how Kerney has quietly reinvigorated his career in Seattle. After a sub-par, injury filled end to his Falcons career last season, Kerney has lived up to the contract Seattle gave him. He is currently tied for 4 th in the NFL with 10.5 sacks, has 3 forced fumbles (a career high), has an interception and has helped Seattle give up the 4 th fewest points per game this season.
Antonio Cromartie – Many questioned whether Cromartie was worth the first round pick the Chargers used on him two years ago, but this season Cromartie is proving his worth and changing minds all across southern California. Currently Cromartie is leading the NFL in interceptions with eight, two ahead of Pro Bowlers Ed Reed and Asante Samuel. Also, Cromartie has had two remarkable NFL days this season. On November 11, Cromartie intercepted future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning three times in a 23-21 Chargers victory. A week earlier, Cromartie set an NFL record when he returned a missed field goal 109 yards against the Minnesota Vikings.
College Football
Sam Bradford – While Tebow, Dennis Dixon, Colt Brennan, and Chase Daniel have been the media darlings this year as far as quarterbacks go, Bradford has put together an impressive season of his own. Bradford, as a freshmen mind you, has thrown for over 2,800 yards, 34 touchdowns with only 7 interceptions, has completed over %70 of his passes and lead the nation in quarterback rating. For comparison, that is more passing touchdowns than Daniels (33), Tebow (29) and Dixon (20) and only four less than Brennan (38). Also, his seven picks are half has many as Brennan has and only one more than Tebow. Put this kid on your 2008 and 2009 Heisman ballots now.
Ray Rice – When did the entire college football world decide to start ignoring the star running back from Rutgers? Wasn’t he a preseason Heisman candidate? Well guess what, if you look at his numbers side-by-side with McFadden’s maybe he should still be. Rice has 1,732 yards and 20 touchdowns compared with McFadden’s 1,725 yards and 15 touchdowns. Now I known McFadden contributes a ton to his team besides rushing, but I just think we have forgotten far too quickly about the man who is 3 rd in the nation in rushing yards and 6 th in rushing touchdowns.
Kevin Smith – Smith is the answer to the trivia question, “Who led the NCAA in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in 2007?” Playing at UCF this year Smith racked up over 2,400 yards rushing and 29 rushing touchdowns while leading his team to a Conference USA championship. And for those who think he couldn’t hang with the big boys of college football, Smith ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns against Texas earlier this year. Smith also etched his name in the NCAA record books this year. He broke Marcus Allen’s single-season record for rushing attempts with 415, moved into second place all-time behind Barry Sanders for most rushing yards in a season, and, when adding in his one receiving touchdown, recorded the fourth most touchdowns in a single-season. Catch Smith December 29 in the Liberty Bowl to see if he can gain the 180 yards he needs to pass Sanders for first all-time.
5 Random Thoughts This Morning
1. You have to respect how Lute Olson is handling his current personal problems at Arizona. He’s not allowing his problems to affect his team as much as he can and he knows that some things in life are more important than being a basketball coach.
2. The Marlins will officially be a punch line for the entire 2008 baseball season. Oh, and was it just me, or did every big time baseball “expert” get blind sided by the Tigers/Marlins trade.
3. I will miss the end of the Buckeyes football season for many reasons. But one of them has to be not getting to hear my dad yell, “That play doesn’t work!” every time Maurice Wells gets a handoff up the middle.
4. Personally, if I was the Twins I would hold on to Santana till the season starts and wait to see which team was most desperate for pitching help in order to maximize what I got in return for him.
5. It amazes me everyday that Isiah Thomas has a job. He has to have incriminating photos of Larry Dolan.
