Seven QBs to battle for top of '08 draft board

The 2008 draft class is shaping up to be an interesting one. There are seven senior QBs in this class with distinguished college careers who are battling for the top of many teams' draft boards. Outside of the top seven, there are plenty of talented "projects," including Oregon's Dennis Dixon and Delaware's Joe Flacco.

Six of my top seven QB prospects all started at least 32 games in their college careers. USC's John David Booty only started 23. Games started, along with completion percentage, are believed to be the two best football stats to measure a QB. Michigan's Chad Henne, a starter since his freshman year, played in 46 games for the Wolverines.

Games Started
1. Chad Henne 46
2. Andre Woodson 37
Colt Brennan 37
Eric Ainge 37
5. Brian Brohm 33*
6. Matt Ryan 32
7. John David Booty 23
* Brohm received significant playing time in Louisville as a freshman, but never started a game.

All seven of these QBs also have a high career completion rate. Henne and Ryan's completion percentage was very close to 60%, while Brennan topped 70% in Hawaii's passing offense.


Completion Percentage
1. Colt Brennan 70.4%
2. Brian Brohm 65.8%
3. John David Booty 62.5%
4. Andre Woodson 61.9%
5. Eric Ainge 60.6%
6. Matt Ryan 59.9%
7. Chad Henne 59.7%

Its hard to see who the best of the seven are by looking at just these two criteria. All seven QBs performed well in these two categories. So, lets dig deeper with a little help from Scott Wright's Draft Countdown QB Rankings and my own player observations.

All seven of the QBs possess good height and size. Michigan's Henne is the shortest, at 6-2. Hawaii's Brennan could add some bulk to his 6-3, 190 lb frame. None of the seven QBs possess outstanding athletic ability. They all are decent athletes, but none will be mistaken for Vince Young.

Andre Woodson, Chad Henne, and Brian Brohm are believed to have the strongest arms of the group. Booty of USC may have the weakest arm of the group, as their are concerns about his ability to throw the deep ball.

Passing accuracy is not really much of a concern for these guys. They all have displayed good accuracy and touch with their passes. Brohm, Booty, and Brennan are considered to be the most accurate of the bunch.

Brohm is also considered the most NFL-ready. Many believe Boston College's Matt Ryan has the intelligence to make it as an NFL QB.

A key element to being a successful NFL QB is the ability to stay healthy. Three QBs in this group, Brohm, Booty, and Tennessee's Eric Ainge, have missed significant playing time in their college careers due to injury. That will definitely be something NFL scouts take a long look at.

Even after taking a cursory glance at these QBs, it is still very hard to separate them. Brohm, Woodson, and Ryan rank in the top of most categories, and seem to be high on many early draft boards.

Personally, I think it is silly to draft a QB high in the first round, unless you are a good, talented team. I like Matt Ryan in the mid-to-late 1st round, Brian Brohm and Andre Woodson in the top of the 2nd round, and Chad Henne as a sleeper prospect (think Chris Simms and Matt Schaub) in the 3rd round.

Three reasons why June Jones should be the next SMU coach

ESPN is reporting that Hawaii coach June Jones has actually resigned as the Warriors' head coach and is close to signing a deal to become the new head coach of Southern Methodist University.

While the move is a step down in terms of program prestige, SMU would offer many benefits to Jones.

For one, Jones is reportedly upset at Hawaii's lack of commitment to the athletic department. Even star QB Colt Brennan has voiced his displeasure about the under-funded athletic department. If SMU is willing to pay Jones $2 million a year (more than twice his salary at Hawaii), one has to assume that they are committed to a well-funded athletic program.

Another reason for Jones to take the SMU gig is the fertile recruiting ground that is the state of Texas. Jones will have instant access to high caliber prospects and a recruiting budget that will dwarf what he has at Hawaii. Make no mistake, Jones will not steal prospects from Texas, Oklahoma, or Texas A&M. But like the state of Florida, there is plenty of talent left over after the big three take theirs (as evidenced by the recent success of Central and South Florida and Florida Atlantic). Jones would instantly compete with Texas Tech, Baylor, TCU, Houston and UTEP for the best of what is left.

Jones would also gain the exposure at SMU that he couldn't get playing midnight home games (Eastern/Central time)at Hawaii. Jones has to be a little upset that Hawaii's first meaningful, mainland, prime time game was a blowout loss to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. If he coaches at SMU, he'll have plenty of opportunities to show the football world how good his teams can be. From what I've been able to Google, SMU has Missouri, TCU, and Texas Tech on their schedule over the next couple years. Think ESPN would be interested in televising a Jones-led SMU team against the Texas Tech Red Raiders?

In my opinion, June Jones heading to Southern Methodist is a win-win situation for all involved (except Hawaii). The only question I have: Is the state of Texas ready for the return of Jerry Glanville?

Five Things To Watch For This College Football Season (Since USC has already won the National Championship)

I've got bad news everyone. There is no reason to watch college football this year. USC has already been crowned National Champions. At least according to 49.5% of the players surveyed in SI.com's Football Preview. Also according to the preseason Coaches' Poll, which gave USC 45 of 60 first place votes. And Sporting News' preseason college football guide. Bodog.com gives USC 5:2 odds of winning it all, by far the best odds of any team.

So what to do? Stick to the NFL? Watch soccer? NO! I present to you my list of five things to watch for this season in college football. Consider it my free gift to you for taking the time out of your busy day to read my blog.


Five Things To Watch For This College Football Season (Since USC has already won the National Championship):

1. Hawaii's QB Colt Brennan passing for 6,000 yards and 60 TDs.

Last season Brennan set records with 5,549 yards passing and 58 TDs. He returns for his senior season with the Warriors, and could break those records. Hawaii has arguably the weakest schedule in the country playing two 1AA teams, powerhouses Idaho, Louisiana Tech, UNLV, and Utah State. Defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville left to coach Portland State, and the defense should be weaker for it. I expect lots of shootouts and I think odds are good for Brennan putting up such Tecmo Bowl numbers. If the Warriors make it to a bowl game, that means Brennan only has to average 462 yards and 4.6 TDs a game.


2. USC not winning the National Championship.

I have nothing against the Trojans or coach Pete Carroll. The Trojans are loaded and should be the favorites. But seriously, how much fun would it be if they just steamrolled everyone and won it all? Ohio State proved last season how hard it is to go wire-to-wire as the #1 team. I'm hoping USC falls a lot earlier in the season. The schedule is not that difficult. Their first test will be at up-and-coming Nebraska September 15. The Cornhuskers could stamp their return to prominence with a victory over the Trojans. The next test, and this could surprise you, will be October 13 against Arizona. The Wildcats have a lot to prove this year and Coach Mike Stoops needs to show something if he wants to keep his job. Also, the Trojans will be coming off a cupcake game against Stanford and could be looking ahead to the game at Notre Dame on the 20th. This could be a trap game. Road games against Oregon, Cal and Arizona State could also prove tricky.


3. Urban Meyer's offense clicking on all cylinders in Florida.

Much fuss has been made about Tim Tebow's lack of experience. It is all for naught. Tebow is the perfect QB for Urban Meyer's offense. He's like a bigger, tougher version of Alex Smith (and he's a lefty too). Tebow's running ability will allow Meyer to run his offense exactly like he wants it, for the first time since coming to Gainesville. Sophomore sensation Percy Harvin, WRs Andre Caldwell and Cornelius Ingram and four returning o-line starters will make sure this offense goes. They will need all the firepower they can get, as they have many holes on defense and could have to outscore opponents to win this year.


4. The Battle for the Big East

I'll admit, when Miami, BC, and Virginia Tech left the Big East a few years ago, I thought the conference was done. In fact, the Big East is as strong as its ever been. Not only is West Virginia in the National Title hunt with RB Steve Slaton and QB Pat White, but Louisiville with QB Brian Brohm, Rutgers with RB Ray Rice, and South Florida with Montana-like QB Matt Grothe are all top 25 material. Weak non-conference schedules aside, these four teams will have an impact on the National Title picture. Don't discount the USF Bulls. They beat West Virginia last year and if they can pull off the upset September 8 at Auburn, they will be in line for a BCS bowl.


5. The Sun Belt

Are you watching the Sun Belt? It is full of exciting drama: Can QB Omar Haugabook lead the Troy Trojans to back-to-back league titles? Will Texas high school coaching legend Todd Dodge be successful in the college ranks with North Texas? Can Howard Schnellenberger, the man who put the Miami Hurricanes on the map, take the next step with the Florida Atlantic Owls? Will the Florida International Golden Panthers put up more of a fight (or less) in their rematch with cross-town rival Hurricanes? Still not interested in the Sun Belt? I tried. Now my charity work for the football season is officially over.