Not his half-sister. Not his step-sister. Not his adopted sister. Not his sister’s friend. Not his sister-in-law. Not some ‘pretty little sister from around the way’. His biological sister!

In May 2003 Washington had consensual sex with his 15-year old sister, was convicted of the crime but did not serve any jail time. He did receive 15 months probation for his actions though and will undoubtedly face a career filled with taunts and awkward questions. His sister will not speak publicly about the case but it is believed that the two have a good relationship - hopefully they aren’t as close as they once where!

Washington was 16-years old at the time and is still a registered sex offender, something that caught the eye of multiple NFL organizations last week during the combine. Some teams are willing to give him a chance but you could imagine teams like New York, Chicago and New England - where the media scrutiny wouldn’t be worth the risk - are contemplating taking him off their Draft Boards completely.

Washington’s former coach at Trinity Valley Community College, Mark Sartain, stated the obvious when describing his former player’s home life as ‘dysfunctional’. Sartain was willing to give Washington a second chance after he was upfront with the coach about his past. After his house was washed away during Hurricane Katrina, Sartain saw Washington as someone who needed the structure of a football field instead of a prison yard and allowed him to play at the school for two years before earning a scholarship to Abilene Christian.

Before this story became public, it was believed Washington, who had drawn interest from LSU in high school, was unable to gain admission to most D1 schools because of his grades and a bevy of personal issues during his prep career. Nobody would have thought sexual relations with his own sister would have been the main issue.

This will become more of a story after the Draft, when we know which organization Washington will be collecting his checks from and local beat writers take their stance on the subject. Until then, make up your own mind about Washington (featured in this article) and ask yourself whether you would want him on your team.

James Starks RB, Buffalo - On a few Draft Boards, Starks was the number one senior back in college football coming into this season. After missing the entire season with an injured shoulder, deciding to have surgery on it instead of playing his final season in pain, Starks needs a big weekend in order to make the money he thought he would after the 2008 season. He is fully recovered and will participate in every drill at the Combine. He is expected to weigh in around 220lb - up about 8 pounds from his playing weight as a junior - and run in the 4.4-4.5 range - a 4.4 would boost his stock drastically. Buffalo’s all-time leading rusher should be a man on a mission this week and could earn himself a lot of money if he performs the way some expect him to.

David Reed WR, Utah - Reed will point to his production during interviews with NFL teams and he can do so proudly. His 81 receptions for 1,188 yards were good for 21st and 11th respectively in the nation this past season, all while playing with two new quarterbacks - junior Terrence Cain and true frosh Jordan Wynn - at Utah. He made the move from slot receiver during his junior year to big play threat his senior year and did so seamlessly. He is quick off the ball and a menace in space, a lot like fellow Ute Steve Smith. Reed will show extremely strong hands but most scouts will be watching the stopwatch to make sure he has enough straight line speed to be a starting slot receiver in the NFL. He never has to leave the house to find a throwing partner either. His brother, Jordan, will be a redshirt frosh at Florida next year and will push John Brantley at the QB position for the next few years.

Tony Washington OT, Abilene Christian - The big man can move, is a great athlete and will wow scouts with his overall ability. Grades kept him from attending LSU out of high school but his long road to the Combine may put a necessary chip on his shoulder. He dominated competition at the Division II level but the Combine will really give him an opportunity to compete against the best of the best. He’ll have added motivation since the likes of Anthony Davis, Bryan Bulaga and Bruce Campbell have skipped over him on every Draft Board since declaring themselves eligible a year early.

John Skelton QB, Fordham - Don’t be the guy wondering “Who is this 6′5″ 245lb monster throwing as many balls as he could?” while watching the Combine this week. That guy is John Skelton and he has as much to prove as anyone this week. He has an extraordinarily strong arm but his accuracy and level of competition will be in question this week. He will have to answer questions about getting picked off a total of five times against the likes of Columbia and Lehigh, but a good workout could do wonders for his stock. If you’re only as good as your last game, NFL scouts will be impressed that Skelton threw for 405 yards, 5 TDs and 1 INT against Georgetown in his season finale, capping one of the finest careers in Patriot League football history. It will be interesting to watch the Texas-bred rifleman throw to the best receivers the college game has to offer.

Vladimir Ducasse OT, UMass - Right now Ducasse is a top-10 lineman on most Draft Boards but he could do himself a big favor by showing versatility, quick feet and freakish power this week in Indy. Coming out of a Connecticut high school, Ducasse was overlooked by every big D1 school in the East but he’s made a name for himself while dominating in the Colonial Conference - the best D1-AA football conference in the country - during his career at UMass. At 6′4.5″ 330lbs Ducasse has great size for a guard but he will help himself by proving that he could also play right tackle in the NFL by putting together a great combine on the field and in interviews.

Jared Veldheer OT, Hillsdale - Any general manager worth his salt should be able to find a starting offensive lineman in the 2010 Draft. They are coming from everywhere and there is more talent on the line in this Draft than any other in recent memory. There are the big names like Davis, Okung and Williams, the cool names like Iupati, Pouncey and Capers and the downright scary names like Vladimir and Veldheer. The last guy mentioned played at a small D-II school but that is the only thing small about him. Listed at 6′8″ 320lbs, Veldheer is a house but has reportedly run as fast as a 4.88 40-yard dash. He will have scouts salivating and line coaches begging to coach him. If the Patriots were able to take a project like Sebastian Vollmer in the second round last year and turn him into a starter in eight months, there is no reason a guy like Veldheer shouldn’t believe that has the chance to do the same thing. The tools are definitely there. Hopefully he falls into the hands of a coach that knows how to use them.

Brandon Lang DE, Troy - If you’re a gambling man you will automatically want Lang on your team - Remember Matthew McConughey’s character in ‘Two For The Money’? - so you can say you’re going with Brandon Lang on Sunday. But there are a lot more reasons to like the next NFL-ready defensive end from Troy. Following in the footsteps of DeMarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora, Lang has every measurable you could want from a defensive end and on everybody’s top 100 list of players in the Draft.

Other names to know to impress your friends while you watch the Combine:
Lindsey Witten DE, UConn - He is the anti-Carlos Dunlap, a player who works hard on every play and mixes hard work with great athleticism to get to the quarterback. His 11 sacks were two more than Dunlap while facing more double teams than the Florida big man.
Joique Bell RB, Wayne State - As a powerful, compact, bruising back, Bell will intrigue plenty of teams with his burst and explosive nature.
Armanti Edwards WR, Appalachian State - One of the most decorated players in D1-AA history, Edwards beat Joe Flacco’s Delaware team for the 2007 National Championship as a sophomore. Edwards is a menace in the open field, a Pat White-type athlete that can run the wildcat but will also pose a threat through the air.
Alex Carrington DE, Arkansas State - At over 6′5″ and weighing in at 284lbs, Carrington will stick out one way or another. With the build of a ripped offensive lineman and the explosiveness of a linebacker, he will have the eyes of every scout whose team needs help getting to the passer next season.
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah CB, Indiana (Pa) - And you thought that Nnamdi guy from Oakland had a tough name to pronounce? Owusu-Ansah is a speedy corner who is tough as nails and carries a chip on his shoulder the size of Pennsylvania. Those three characteristics are what the Combine is all about.
Tim Hiller QB, Western Michigan - Hiller is a tall drink of water but can make every throw and also has enough athleticism to evade the rush. He moves well in the pocket and will get a big boost by working with better athletes.

Abilene Christian: OT Tony Washington.
Alabama: CB Javier Arenas, NT Terrence Cody, DE Brandon Deaderick , G Michael Johnson, TE Colin Peek, K Van Tiffin, DE Lorenzo Washington, S Justin Woodall.
Appalachian State: QB Armanti Edwards.
Arizona: DT Earl Mitchell, CB Devin Ross.
Arizona State: DE Dexter Davis, LB Travis Goethel, OT Shawn Lauvao, WR Chris McGaha, WR Kyle Williams .
Arkansas: G Mitch Petrus, DT Malcolm Sheppard.
Arkansas State: DE Alex Carrington.
Auburn: RB Ben Tate.
Baylor: WR David Gettis, C J.D. Walton.
Boise State: CB Kyle Wilson.
Boston College: LB Mike Mclaughlin, C Matt Tennant.
BYU: QB Max Hall, TE Dennis Pitta, FB Manase Tonga.
Buffalo: RB James Starks.
Cal-Davis: WR Chris Carter.
Cal: DE Tyson Alualu, WR Nyan Boateng, CB Syd’quan Thompson , WR Verran Tucker.
Central Florida: DT Torell Troup.
Central Michigan: QB Dan Lefevour.
Cincinnati: WR Mardy Gilyard, QB Tony Pike.
Citadel: WR Andre Roberts.
Clemson: OLB Kavell Conner, WR Jacoby Ford, DE Ricky Sapp, RB C.J. Spiller .
Colorado: TE Riar Geer.
Colorado State: T Cole Pemberton, G Shelley Smith.
UConn: RB Andre Dixon, WR Marcus Easley, DE Lindsey Witten.
Duke: QB Thaddeus Lewis, Vince Oghobaase.
East Carolina: P Matt Dodge, DT Jay Ross, DE C.J. Wilson.
Florida: WR Riley Cooper, DE Jermaine Cunningham, RS Brandon James, ILB Brandon Spikes, QB Tim Tebow.
Florida State: CB Patrick Robinson, S Myron Rolle, OLB Dekoda Watson.
Fordham: QB John Skelton.
Fresno State: WR Seyi Ajirotutu, CB A.J. Jefferson, P Robert Malone, RB Lonyae Miller, WR West Chastin.
Georgia: DT Geno Atkins.
Hillsdale: OT Jared Veldheer.
Idaho: G Mike Iupati.
Illinois: G Jon Asamoah, TE Michael Hoomanawanui.
Indiana: DE Jammie Kirlew , DE Greg Middleton, S Nick Polk, OT Rodger Saffold.
Indiana (Pa.) : CB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah.
Iowa: LB Pat Angerer, OT Kyle Calloway, OLB Andrew A.J. Edds, TE Tony Moeaki, G Dace Richardson.
Kansas: WR Kerry Meier, S Darrell Stuckey.
Kansas State: WR Brandon Banks, TE Jeron Mastrud.
Kentucky: FB John Conner, ILB Micah Johnson, CB Trevard Lindley, OLB Sam Maxwell, DT Corey Peters.
LSU: DE Rahim Alem, DT Charles Alexander, OT Ciron Black, OLB Harry Coleman, CB Chris Hawkins, RS Trindon Holliday, WR Brandon LaFell, OLB Perry Riley, RB Charles Scott, RB Keiland Williams, DT Al Woods.
Louisiana Tech: DT D’Anthony Smith.
Louisiana-Lafayette: DE Hall Davis.
Louisville: WR Scott Long.
Marshall: DE Albert McClellan.
Maryland: CB Nolan Carroll.
UMass-Amherst: OT Vlad Ducasse.
Miami (Fla.) : TE Dedrick Epps, OT Jason Fox, TE Jimmy Graham, RB Javarris James, LB Darryl Sharpton.
Michigan: DE Brandon Graham, P Zoltan Mesko, RB Brandon Minor.
Michigan State: K Brett Swenson, WR Blair White.
Minnesota: WR Eric Decker, OLB Simoni Lawrence, LB Nathan Triplett.
Ole Miss: CB Marshay Green, DE Greg Hardy, WR Shay Hodge, OT John Jerry, S Kendrick Lewis, RB Dexter McCluster.
Mississippi State: RB Anthony Dixon.
Missouri: WR Danario Alexander, G Kurtis Gregory, WR Jared Perry, OLB Sean Weatherspoon.
Missouri State: TE Clay Harbor.
Murray State: DE Austen Lane.
Nebraska: S Larry Asante, LB Phillip Dillard, C Jake Hickman, DT Ndamukong Suh.
Nevada-Reno: S Jonathon Amaya.
North Alabama: WR Preston Parker.
North Carolina: OT Kyle Jolly, DT Cam Thomas.
NC State: C Ted Larsen, DE Willie Young.
North Dakota State: RB Pat Paschall.
Northwestern: QB Mike Kafka, CB Sherrick McManis, DE Corey Wootton.
Notre Dame: S Kyle McCarthy, C Eric Olsen, OT Sam Young.
Ohio: WR Taylor Price.
Ohio State: S Kurt Coleman, K Aaron Pettrey, DT Doug Worthington.
Oklahoma: RB Chris Brown, TE Brody Eldridge, TE Jermaine Gresham, CB Brian Jackson, OT Trent Williams.
Oklahoma State: CB Perrish Cox, OT Russell Okung, QB Zac Robinson, RB Keith Toston.
Oregon: RB LeGarrette Blount, TE Ed Dickson, CB Walter Thurmond, S T.J. Ward.
Oregon State: QB Sean Canfield, OLB Keaton Kristick.
Penn State: QB Daryll Clark, OLB Sean Lee, DT Jared Odrick, TE Andrew Quarless.
Pitt: TE Nate Byham, TE Dorin Dickerson.
Purdue: DT Mike Neal, CB David Pender.
Rutgers: CB Devin McCourty.
San Jose State: OLB Justin Cole, DE Carl Ihenacho, WR Kevin Jurovich.
SMU: WR Emmanuel Sanders.
South Carolina: OLB Eric Norwood, S Darian Stewart.
South Florida:S Nate Allen, CB Jerome Murphy, DE George Selvie, LB Kion Wilson.
USC:OT Charles Brown, C Jeff Byers, RB Stafon Johnson, S Taylor Mays, TE Anthony McCoy, G Alex Parsons, CB Josh Pinkard, CB Kevin Thomas.
Southern Illinois: P Scott Ravanesi.
Stanford: TE Jim Dray, RB Toby Gerhart, OT Matt Kopa, DE Erik Lorig.
Stillman: DE Junior Galette.
Syracuse:D T Art Jones.
Tennessee: RB Montario Hardesty, OT Chris Scott, DT Dan Williams.
Texas: DT Lamarr Houston, DE Sergio Kindle, QB Colt McCoy, LB Roddrick Muckelroy, WR Jordan Shipley, OT Adam Ulatoski.
TCU: LS Clint Gresham, DE Jerry Hughes, OT Marshall Newhouse, LB Daryl Washington.
Texas Tech: G Brandon Carter, CB Jamar Wall.
Toledo: S Barry Church, WR Stephen Williams.
Troy: DE Brandon Lang, LB Boris Lee, DE Cameron Sheffield.
Tulane: WR Jeremy Williams.
UCLA: OLB Kyle Bosworth, CB Alterraun Verner.
UNLV: G Joe Hawley, WR Ryan Wolfe.
Utah: RB Matthew Asiata, OT Zane Beadles, DE Nawa’akoa Koa Misi, WR David Reed, OLB Steven Sylvester.
Vanderbilt: CB Myron Lewis, OT Thomas Welch.
Virginia: CB Chris Cook, FB Rashawn Jackson.
Virginia Tech: P Brent Bowden, S Kam Chancellor, CB Stephan Virgil, OT Ed Wang.
Wake Forest: OT Chris Degeare, CB Brandon Ghee.
Washington: DE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim.
Wayne State (Mich.): RB Joique Bell.
West Virginia: WR Alric Arnett, QB Jarrett Brown, OT Selvish Capers.
Western Michigan: QB Tim Hiller.
William&Mary: DE Adrian Tracy.
Wisconsin: TE Garrett Graham, DE O’Brien Schofield.
Youngstown: WR Donald Jones.

Tomlinson will probably take a step back for the next few weeks and see what NFL teams plan to do with their roster before the Draft. He was due to receive a $2 million bonus in March and $3 million in base salary in 2010. LT’s production has been on a steady decline over the past four years, from accumulating 1,815 yards and 28 TDs in 2006 to 730 yards and 12 TDs this past season in his final season with the Chargers.

San Diego has been on the verge of a Super Bowl appearance for what seems like Tomlinson’s entire career but they haven’t been able to make that leap during his tenure with the team. With as good of a chance in 2010 then they may have ever had, the Chargers will have to make their move without the NFL’s eighth all-time leading rusher.

It will be interesting to see where LT ends up considering the fact that the NFL is entering an uncapped season in 2010 and there are sure to be teams willing to sign Tomlinson to a deal that suits his liking.

1. Joe Haden CB, Florida - Haden’s ability in man coverage, press coverage and zone coverage are all extremely above average while his overall athleticism is off the charts. He was a record-setting quarterback in high school, breaking the Maryland state record for career passing yards while accounting for 80 touchdowns including four pickoff returns for touchdowns during his senior year. He is as much of a sure fire prospect as there is in this Draft and will contribute immediately to an NFL defense.

2. Ndamukong Suh DT, Nebraska - Suh was arguably the most dominant player that college football has seen in the past ten years. His ability to make plays against the rush and the pass, despite facing constant double teams, is incredibly intriguing to NFL scouts. There is no reason to believe that Suh will not make a seamless transition to the NFL game, where he will be asked to play a similar role.

3. Gerald McCoy DT, Oklahoma - McCoy is going to play hop scotch with Suh on the top of Draft Boards for the next few months and he is every bit the man Suh is physically. You can’t go wrong with either of these defensive tackles anchoring your line. They will be able to look at one another for motivation over the next decade and they will battle for the title of ‘most dominant defensive force’ over the next decade.

4. Rolando McClain LB, Alabama - From the moment McClain steps on the field for an NFL team he will make that team better because of his intelligence and ability to make his teammates better. Everybody on the dominant Alabama defense pointed to McClain as their leader, emotionally and mentally. McClain is looked to as a coach on the field and it doesn’t hurt that he packs an extremely high football IQ into a 6′4″ 260-pound frame that is built lead an NFL defense.

5. Mike Iupati OG, Idaho - There are two reasons Iupati is the lone offensive player on this list. First of all, skill position players are never a lock to be successful because they depend on the blocking of an offensive line or the accuracy of a quarterback in order to succeed. And while most great college tackles go on to great, good or at least decent NFL careers there is no exact equation to determine who will succeed at the next level. If they fail at the tackle position, they move to guard. It is a little bit more precise when a dominant interior offensive lineman moves to the next level. Unlike many of the talented linemen in this draft, Iupati has flown under the radar for most casual draft followers. But that’s what happens when you play in Idaho, even when you are 6′6″ and 330 pounds. Iupati can do it all from being a bulldozing run blocker to a stand up pass protector that keeps his QB upright. The team that drafts him will be able to plug him in on the line and be happy for the next decade as long as injuries don’t take their toll.

Five more guys whose futures look extremely bright regardless of where they end up:

Kyle Wilson CB, Boise State - In past Drafts, Wilson’s abilities and instincts would have garnered consideration as a top ten pick but in a deep draft that has everything you would want he gets lost. Wilson can return punts at an elite level and will make his presence felt in that area right away. He has the instincts to be a shutdown corner but that may be a few years and some coaching away.

Maurkice Pouncey C, Florida - Pouncey was an anchor on the Florida line for the past two years and is one of the most NFL-ready centers to come into the Draft over the past couple years, even as a junior. He will make an NFL team very happy from the time he steps onto the practice field to the time he snaps the ball in their opener.

Aaron Hernandez TE, Florida - As a playmaking tight end, Hernandez will take a lot of pressure off his QB and will make those plays early and often during his career. Don’t be surprised if Hernandez gives Florida their second straight Offensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL.

CJ Spiller RB, Clemson - He will make an immediate impact in the NFL returning kicks, one of the most underrated assets in football. He can also make plays catching passes out of the backfield and is a home run threat from every position he plays.

Derrick Morgan DE, Georgia Tech - Getting to the quarterback is key in the NFL and Morgan is the most proficient among the defensive ends in this Draft class at doing so. He might not make as much of an impact right off the bat as the guys above but he will pay off in the end.

Urban Meyer and Steve Addazio have put together another outstanding class

Sure there are teams like UConn, Texas Tech, Iowa and Cincinnati that find diamonds in the rough, polish them and pull off upsets year in and year out. But if the coaches of those respected teams had a chance to come away with Florida’s recruiting haul instead of their own, they would take it in a heartbeat. Good coaching only gets you so far, as we’ve seen over the last decade in college football, and there comes a point when you need dominant athletes to consistently win BCS games.

Over the next few weeks we’ll break down some of the winners and losers in the 2010 recruiting race. First up is a look at the SEC.

The Biggest Winner: Florida

Some are calling this Gator class the greatest group in recruiting history. It’s not fair to judge right now but if you consider the depth, speed, athleticism and overall freakish talent that this class provides, you can make an argument that this class has the ability to bring multiple titles to Gainesville and continue to build on the foundation of tradition that Urban Meyer has set during his first five years at Florida. The class includes four 5-star and fifteen 4-stars players that is sure to produce a bunch of victories for the Gators and make Meyer’s staff look like geniuses, all while making both the university and coaching fraternity an absurd amount of money in today’s college football landscape.

The Star: #1 ATH Ronald Powell (Rancho Verde HS, CA) is the biggest fish is a gigantic pond of Florida recruits. At 6′4″ 225lb Powell has the ability to play a hybrid LB/DE and had every powerhouse program in the country on his heels during his prep career. Powell will make an immediate impact tin Gainesville and help ease the pain of the departure of Carlos Dunlap to the NFL

The Sleeper: #53 ATH Tyler Murphy (Wethersfield HS, CT) is one of two multi-dimensional quarterbacks in the Gators class. UConn insulted Murphy with an offer to be a defensive back, with no chance of even competing at QB and giving him a very small window to make a decision. Since he wasn’t getting a lot of attention at the time UConn tried to big league him, got burnt and lost yet another in-state recruit to a national powerhouse program. Al Golden told Murphy he would be in the mix at QB as soon as he stepped foot on campus at Temple. Murphy committed to Temple but Florida invited him to campus to throw a few weeks ago and he displayed everything the Gators look for in their dynamic quarterback position. Florida loves the way Murphy throws darts on the run and his elusiveness in the pocket. He is also an All-American level Triple Jump star that could move to a different position if things don’t work out under center. But he will be given a chance to compete for the spot and that’s all he wanted. In two years the Gators will have two Connecticut quarterbacks - Jordan Reed being the other - battling for their starting spot. Reed is the more polished signal caller right now but don’t be surprised if Murphy waits his turn and turns head when given his chance. If the Gators need help in the defensive secondary don’t be surprised if Murphy turns into the next Major Wright. Yes, he is that athletic.

Most Disappointing: South Carolina

By this time in Steve Spurrier’s career many of his disciples would have pictured the Gamecocks being a constant threat to win the SEC title year in and year out. While that hasn’t been the case in Spurrier’s first few seasons, there is absolutely no reason South Carolina shouldn’t enter next season as one of the early favorite to win the SEC East. With the mass exodus of talent in Gainesville to the coaching change at Tennessee to the question marks revolving around Georgia, the Gamecocks are in a position to make some noise in 2010. It’s too bad they couldn’t convince a few more recruits that they may be on the verge on something special in Columbia. Don’t get us wrong, SC still put together a strong class but with the issues revolving around their main recruiting rivals we feel like they should have bagged a couple more 4-star athletes, especially since their time is now.

The real disappointment is that a team like Tennessee went through so much adversity and still had the ability to put together a better class. Georgia, who has a lot of tradition but also have question marks all over the field and on their coaching staff, was able to out-recruit the Gamecocks as well. It can be seen as a testament to those programs but for some reason we’ve been expecting a little more from this South Carolina program, one that will be highly ranked in our preseason Top 25. 2010 seemed like the year Spurrier could have put together a class that made everyone take notice. While this class still in the Top 25 nationally by most recruiting services they were merely the 7th or 8th best in the SEC, which doesn’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of the SEC’s top dogs. They also didn’t sign a big time quarterback, which is necessary for success in college football.

The Star: #2 RB Marcus Lattimore (Byrnes HS, Duncan SC) was the main reason this class was ranked higher than Mississippi State and Arkansas teams that are fighting for respectability in the conference. When Lattimore steps on the field next season he will demand respect from every opposing defensive coordinator in the league. This was arguably the most meaningful signing by any school in the country considering what South Carolina’s class would have looked like without him and it would have been double trouble had he ended up somewhere else in the SEC. Lattimore can run between the tackles, catch the ball out of the backfield and fill up a stat sheet, something he did throughout a stellar prep career. Lattimore will step directly into a featured role and share some carries with sophomore-to-be Kenny Miles, giving the Gamecocks a poor man’s version of the Ingram-Richardson backfield that Bama boasts. The only difference is that Lattimore could wind up being better than either of the studs at Bama. He’ll be looked upon to solve the Gamecocks backfield trouble and save them from leaning too much on Stephen Garcia, much like he saved this recruiting class from being toward the bottom of the SEC.

The Sleeper: #56 OG Corey Robinson (Haveock HS, NC) was one of South Carolina’s targets to build a dominant interior offensive line, one that will be taking a hit after this season due to graduations. One of the most physically imposing guards you will find in the prep ranks, Robinson will look good coming off the bus at 6′7″ 290lb but he’ll need to be coached up a little before he becomes a bulldozer on the front lines for Marcus Lattimore in the next year or so. AJ Cann is the most heralded lineman in the Gamecocks class but Robinson’s size and coachability may allow him to make an impact in an offense that needs to start punishing people up front before they can make big plays down the field.

Ranking The Classes

1. Florida

Michael Dyer gives Auburn a quick replacement for Ben Tate

2. Auburn - Gene Chizik is turning this thing around quick. The signing of #1 RB Michael Dyer puts them ahead of LSU and the Crimson Tide by a nose.
3. LSU - If anybody thinks Les Miles’ program isn’t getting a little sick and tired of everyone else -including Tennessee - receiving the accolades, then you’ve got another thing coming. #12 RB/ATH Spencer Ware brings some versatility to an extremely deep class.
4. Alabama - They got the top quarterback - Philip Sims - in a somewhat weak quarterback class. The might be third in the SEC but their depth and athleticism puts them in the top five nationally on a lot of rankings.
5. Tennessee - What Derek Dooley did after the departure of Lane Kiffin was borderline miraculous. He not only kept most of the Vols’ signees but added 4-star WR Da’Rick Rodgers at the last minute by stealing him from Georgia. Do yourself a favor and write down Rodgers’ name. He’ll score the Vols first TD in 2010!
6. Georgia - The Bulldogs already have some talent in the backfield so they insured them a little bit with some linemen that can make holes but 8 out of the top 11 prospects are defensive studs, proving how much the SEC values defense.
7. South Carolina
8. Mississippi - Your recruiting is going to fall off once you lose Ed Orgeron but the Rebels still put together a nice class that has some depth, highlighted by 6′8″ DE Wayne Dorsey, a junior college transfer who is expected to make an impact right away.
9. Arkansas - The Razorbacks have become a throwing, put-you-on-an-island offense. You better protect the QB when you play that way and #8 OT Cam Feldt is coming in to do just that. They landed a ton of 3-stars but couldn’t get over the hump and it’s only going to get tougher over the next couple years.
10. Mississippi State - You need to be fast in the SEC. So the Bulldogs went out and got four guy that can run 4.4 40s and decided they are going to get the best all-around athletes they possibly can.
11. Kentucky - Unfortunately, there are no John Walls or DeMarcus Cousins’ in this class for the Wildcats football team.
12. Vanderbilt - This class was ranked in between Cincinnati and USF on a couple of recruiting sources. You know what that is in the SEC? The worst recruiting class in the Southeastern Conference. My goodness!

Colts 6:1 odds

This is a little bit high for our liking. The Colts overachieved this season but the oddsmakers in Vegas obviously see it as Indianapolis reloading. Peyton Manning has made Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie viable weapons in the league, something that nobody could have imagined coming into the season. Joseph Addai proved that he still has some juice left but Donald Brown is going to have to step up and be more of a threat if the Colts want to repeat in the AFC.

Chargers 8:1 odds

Too high. For a team that has never reached the Promised Land, it seems more likely that they will have a hard time finding a replacement for LaDainian Tomlinson and some of their defensive stars. Next season will decide whether Shawn Merriman is a legit threat to be the next Ray Lewis or if he is just another four year star in the NFL. He is a restricted free agent and it will be interesting to see how the Chargers handle his contract situation. DE/LB Larry English will have to step up and become the force San Diego expected him to be when they drafted him.

Steelers 10:1 odds

This is a nice little bet. If Pittsburgh can add some firepower in the backfield through the draft to help Rashad Mendenhall - the most silent 1,000-yard rusher in the league in 2009 - the Steelers could have a dynamic offense to go along with an always steady defense. You come to expect to Steelers to get value out of their draft too, another reason they are a nice little bet in this spot.

Patriots 10:1 odds

New England is another team that has to reload their backfield and figure out some things on defense in order to be a legitimate title contender but as long as Brady and Belichick are together the Pats are a threat to make the Super Bowl. An improving young defense and Wes Welker’s return to health will be the biggest keys to New England’s success in 2010. Nobody would laugh at you if you made this preseason bet.

Saints 10:1 odds

Would anybody be surprised if the Saints went back to being an 8-8 or 9-7 football team next season? The Falcons are going to be better and they will face a tougher schedule, not to mention the Super Bowl champs always have a target on their back the following season. Brees, like Manning, can make athletic receivers stars because he never forces them to make tough plays. The ball is always on the money, the just have to catch it. New Orleans has to make a lot of tough salary decisions in the offseason, the biggest being what to do with Reggie Bush. He fits perfectly into their offense and luckily for them, not too many other NFL franchises can say that. There won’t be as big of a market for Bush’s services as you would expect, considering his athleticism and versatility. New Orleans has 29 players whose contracts expire after this year so there will be a lot of decisions to be made.

Vikings 12:1 odds

You have to love this bet….as long as Brett Favre returns. The Vikings were one game - possibly one play - away from playing in the Super Bowl this year and their roster isn’t going to change much next season. Sidney Rice became a legit number one receiver this season and Percy Harvin is only going to get better next year. Favre doesn’t have any reason to retire football-wise but there is destined to be more drama when it comes to Favre and his return. Minnesota would love to find out early, so they can trade for Donovan McNabb, but Brett won’t be rushed by anyone.

Cowboys 12:1 odds

This is where the Chargers should be. You can make a lot of comparisons between the two teams, with the only glaring difference being the Chargers recent playoff success. They both have coaches that haven’t won the big game throughout their career and are seen as ‘player’s coaches’. The Cowboys have the stars on both sides of the ball to win but they are really going to feel the effects of the Roy Williams trade this season because there is going to be a lack of young stars to go along with the tenured stars that sprinkle their roster.

Packers 12:1 odds

The media is enamored with Aaron Rodgers and his ability to put up numbers but what has he really done in his short career? He took a supposed Super Bowl contender in 2008 and turned them into a 3-13 team. This year he led them to the playoffs only to lose in a shootout to Arizona, 51-45. Granted, he couldn’t have done any more to help the Packers win in that playoff game but we’re not as high on him as most of the media.

Eagles 12:1 odds

These odds can change with an offseason quarterback change. If the Eagles have the mindset of their crazed Philadelphia fans and part ways with Donovan McNabb, these odds should plummet. If McNabb returns and Philly decides to draft focusing on the defensive side of the ball it could be enough to put them over the top in a wide open NFC next season. If McNabb leaves and Kevin Kolb becomes the starter, they’ll be fighting with Washington for third place in the division. If McNabb leaves and they decide to go with Mike Vick as their starter thing could get interesting. When you put an offensive formation that consists of Vick, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy on a consistent basis, explosive plays are bound to happen.

Ravens 15:1 odds

This is another nice bet. A $100 investment on an improving offense and dominant defense can return $1,500 at the end of next season. The front office has to realize that QB Joe Flacco needs some help in the downfield receiver department and that the defense isn’t getting any younger. A lot will depend on the return of Ed Reed, but at 31 it doesn’t feel like it’s his time to go yet, especially with a team that is a legit contender in the AFC.

Jets 15:1 odds

Come on! Sure the Jets were one game away from the Super Bowl this year but in a division with the Pats and the Dolphins, New York will be hard pressed to repeat their great performance in 2009. Let’s not forget, the Jets were all but out of it with three weeks left in the season and they needed two teams - Colts and Bengals - to roll over in order to make the playoffs. The Jets’ defense will be a force as long as Rex Ryan is their coach but they need Mark Sanchez to improve drastically in order to be in the same position in 2010.

Others

Giants 30:1 - This seems like a decent long shot bet as long as they can add some depth to a beat up defensive line and get another offensive weapon, the type they’ve lacked since Plaxico went to prison.
Cardinals 30:1 - Once the offense went into the hands of Matt Leinart the Cardinals went from a Super Bowl-level team to a questionable playoff contender. If they can trade for McNabb in the offseason, they should be a favorite to win the West and be a problem come playoff time.
Falcons 30:1 - This is another decent bet. They play in a tough conference but Matt Ryan should have a better season and if Michael Turner returns to form they will have a chance in the NFC.
Bengals 30:1 - This season seemed like their best shot to make a splash. A locker room that was made up of questionable characters over the years seemed to bond together and a defense that couldn’t stop anybody in previous years became a force. But in a tough AFC North, don’t look for the Bengals to make the same sort of splash.
Titans 30:1 - Can you imagine Vince Young holding the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season? Uh, yeah neither can we! If you want to make this bet give us a call and we’ll take it.
Texans 40:1 - A Pro Bowl quarterback, a Top-3 wide receiver and a dynamic running back combined with a defense that has three legitimate stars equals a really good long shot bet in our eyes.
Bears 40:1 - The Bears need to add a few weapons offensively in order to be considered a threat in their division. You can’t make a run in this league with Devin Hester as your prime receiver and Kahlil Bell as your second leading rusher. Chicago needs offensive depth and they need it fast.
Panthers 40:1 - Carolina has a nice backfield but you can’t go to the Super Bowl when your quarterback position is one of the biggest questions.
Dolphins 40:1 - If Chad Henne steps up and a couple guys step up, the Dolphins will be a good team. But in that conference the Fins aren’t a great bet.
49ers 40:1 - See Panthers.
Seahawks 40:1 - Seattle should have been better this year but Pete Carroll is going to have his hands full in his first season back in the NFL.
Broncos 50:1 - Denver got hot at the beginning of the season but they showed their true colors over the last ten game when they went 2-8. They’ll be lucky to go .500 next year, never mind a Super Bowl.
Jaguars 50:1 - Jacksonville is going to be a train wreck next season. They have questions at quarterback and holes on defense. They’ll be worrying more about Jake Locker than the playoffs toward the end of the season.
Redskins 50:1 - With a uncapped year on the horizon you know Washington will be a player but they have a ton of problems to solve. They’re guaranteed to play in Dallas next year but not in the Super Bowl.
Bills, Browns, Bucs, Chiefs, Raiders and Rams 100:1 - If you want to put $100 or more on any of these teams please track us down and we will happily take your action.

Lane Kiffin and USC had just secured their most coveted recruit in the 2010 class after receiving news that Seantrel Hendrson, a monstrous 6′7″ 300lb offensive tackle from Minnesota, would be faxing in his letter of intent as soon as the NCAA decided whether or not to take action in the Reggie Bush debacle. They had won the battle for Henderson by convincing the talented young star that the Trojans’ future was brighter than Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State’s and perennial title contender Florida’s, a task that is easier said than done.

So while coaching staffs around the nation took this time to sit back and possibly give their beautifully manufactured new car a test ride - if enough players were on campus - Lane Kiffin decided to lay the ground work for a new class. Not the 2011 class though. Or the 2012 class. Or the 2013 class. Not even the class of 2014!

Kiffin took a walk on the recruiting trail and picked up a commitment from a 13-year-old quarterback prodigy named David Sills. Sills, a seventh grader from Delaware, hopped all over the scholarship offer and became the first member of USC’s 2015 - or maybe earlier - class.

Sills works out with quarterback guru Steve Clarkson who has tutored the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Leinart, Jimmy Clausen and other prep quarterbacks who swear by his developmental techniques. His latest star pupil, Matt Barkley, is currently the starting quarterback for the Trojans.

“His skill set is off the chart,” Clarkson said of Sills. “I’ve never seen anyone at his age do what he’s been able to do. He’s already six feet as a 13-year old and he’s breaking down NFL footage.”

Clarkson was discussing another recruit with Kiffin when Sills all of a sudden became the topic of the conversation. Clarkson persuaded Kiffin to watch a highlight video of Sills on the internet. After watching the footage and hearing everything the credible Clarkson had to say about the young buck, Kiffin decided to make the instant offer.

It will be interesting to see if Sills attempts to take some type of fast track to the pro or college game if he is truly head and shoulders above his peers. For example, baseball’s latest prodigy, Bryce Harper, has figured out a way to beat the system and become eligible for the 2010 MLB Draft, a year earlier than he would had he graduated with his natural high school class of 2011.

Harper, who has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated alongside the title ‘Baseball’s Chosen One’, got his GED and enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada, a junior college outside of his hometown of Las Vegas, and under Major League Baseball rules he can be taken in the upcoming MLB Draft in June.

If Sills was interested in doing the same thing, he would probably have to work extremely hard to graduate early from high school, possibly by age 17, and immediately enroll at USC. Be honest with yourself; would anything this kid does between now and the time he actually plays his first college game surprise you?

Only 4 of the top 17 players from the fertile football breeding ground of Ohio are currently committed to The State University. But when you look deeper into the Buckeyes’ class they gathered necessities from in-state and ultimately searched for dynamic athletes from the outside.

If this continues to happen year after year, it would be a troubling trend but for one recruiting season it may be exactly what the program needs; new blood from diverse areas to shake up a stagnant program that is desperately trying to shake the label of ‘slow Big Ten style’ system.

Ohio’s top recruits were as talented as any other state in the union and because of this they were given the opportunity to chase their big college dreams at other powerhouse programs. While it was a foregone conclusion in past years if you were a top five players out of the state of Ohio you would become a Buckeye, the trend broke this year and other national powerhouses got involved.

Programs such as Texas, LSU, West Virginia, Nebraska and Pittsburgh all realized that the Buckeyes have been doing something right by recruiting in-state talent and reached out to those players, pilfering many of the top playing in the state. The usual suspects - Michigan, Iowa and Notre Dame - also got their kids which made an even bigger dent into the Buckeyes’ class.

If Coach Jim Tressel was not replacing these top notch athletes with dynamic players from outside the state, there would be riots on the streets of Columbus. But Tressel did a great job of grabbing one of the nation’s best running backs from Indiana - ESPNU’s #7 Roderick Smith - and a couple dynamic wide receivers from Florida and Pennsylvania -

RODERICK SMITH

#12 James Louis and #20 Corey Brown - to go along with a stable of defensive studs from PA, North Carolina, Virginia, Michigan and a versatile athlete - #41 ATH Bradley Roby - from Georgia.

Ohio State’s football success has largely been built on the football success in the state of Ohio. It is inevitable that programs are going to realize that one of the best football programs in the country gets their players from an area and will, in turn, try to scour that area for players to build their programs around. Programs like LSU or Texas do not want to come in and pilfer all the talent from the Buckeye state. Success to them is stealing one or two premier players away from the Buckeyes in order to strengthen their recruiting roots and weaken those ties built by the Ohio State staff.

All it takes is one Ohio prep player to make an impact at Texas or Florida and there will be the draw to become ‘The Next’ great player from Ohio to represent his state down South. The pill that SEC and Big 12 fans have a hard time swallowing is that the Buckeyes have been doing this for years and it is not an irregularity for a dynamic athlete from Florida to head to the Midwest with the dream of dominating the Big Ten. Floridians Duron Carter, Chimde Chekwa, Michael Brewster and Brian Rolle played pivotal roles in Ohio State’s run to the Rose Bowl this season and the FLA-OH pipeline will continue to run this year, although not as fluid but running nonetheless. The difference is Florida has enough talent to spread around while Ohio only produces a certain amount of top notch D1 athletes every year.

In all, Ohio State’s class contains eight players from Ohio and is currently ranked 13th by ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill. Whether high school players in Ohio have decided to spread their wings and take their chances in other power programs or the Buckeyes haven’t done their job by keeping kids from their own backyard in state is a debate that could rage until next year’s class is announced, but the bottom line is that Ohio State will be as formidable as ever in 2010 and their ability to go outside the Buckeye state to attract top talent is something they will have success at as long as the wins on the field keep piling up.

Ohio State Loses Out on top Recruits
Rivals Ohio Prospect Rankings (Although these recruits were seen differently by other recruiting sources)
Cleveland.com Article on Loss Of Ohio Recruits
Sharrif Floyd’s Recruiting Story

Jets +8 @ Colts

The Jets have covered eight straight games as an underdog and have been playing that role to perfection over the past few weeks. Earlier this week an analyst figured if the Jets could take away four possessions from the Colts throughout the course of the game they would have a shot. And let’s remember here people, all we want is a shot for the Jets to win.

The Jets have enough on defense to make the Colts fight for everything they’ll earn which will eat up clock, as will their running game. That will be the key because the less we see Peyton Manning on the field today the more likely it is the Jets are in the ball game.

That said, if the Colts get an early lead it will be really tough for the Jets to come back and pull this one out.

Here’s how it’s going to break down - and as I said this to one of the guys Colin and I work out with at the gym this morning he almost started to cry because he loves the Colts giving the points:

The Jets will be down 20-9 with about 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter, with the game easily in hand. Sanchez and Co. will get the ball back on their own 35 yard line and turn in an 11 play, 65-yard drive to make the score 20-16 and welcome you in to Cover City through the back door.

Colts win 20-16 but the Jets are in the money.

Vikings +4 @ Saints

Adrian Peterson is going to have a HUGE day!
This isn’t going to be as high scoring a game as people may think. Sure, two of the most explosive offenses in the NFL meet up against one another but Brees and Favre will be cautious enough to drain the clock while it is in their hands in order to keep it out of the opposing quarterback’s hands.

The Saints kill their opponents through the air but they wear them down on the ground. They average well over 100 yards rushing per game and use it to set up their passing game. Once those gaps are filled by the mighty Vikings line, the Saints will be put it third and long situations in which the Vikings can rush three and drop eight into coverage.

Brett Favre’s lack of turnovers have been the biggest key to the Vikings success all season and with Adrian Peterson to hand the ball off to, it’s no surprise Favre is playing with a lot less pressure on his shoulders. This will continue as Peterson explodes for a playoff career high rushing day and brings Minnesota to the Super Bowl.

Minnesota wins this game straight up but take the points because they are free.

The one thing a program like Florida is never prepared to handle is the freakish behavior of a closet pervert who happens to be a recognizable figure inside the football program. Compared to this, Alabama’s running backs are a welcomed opponent.

Steve Babik, the former University of Florida radio coordinator, is facing federal charges of distribution and possession child pornography. This creep faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 if convicted of the charges. He was fired immediately after charges were filed.

The multiple departments investigating Babik accuse him of possession and distribution of child porn on multiple occasions from November 2nd to Novemebr 30th. Hopefully the legal system gives this guy a fair trial, takes everything into account and gives him the MAX sentence. There is no room for guys like this in the free world. Hopefully he gets a 6′6″, 325lb cellmate who has kids of his own and a short fuse for child abusers.

To make sure he gets what he deserves they should throw him in the closest prison to Tallahassee, where just being a Gator fan in could get you eaten alive.

This shouldn’t be an indictment on the University of Florida football program by any means. There are perverts in every line of work and I’m sure we’ve all had relationships with people who get in trouble for crimes that we didn’t think they were even capable of. That said, any fellow employee that had a close relationship with Babik should be subject to a complete background check and if they had any prior knowledge of this dirtbag’s dirty deeds they should get the ax too.

It is unclear if Babik will have to give up his role in the hit TV show ‘30 Rock’. None of the Baldwin Brothers could be reached for comment.

Come on, doesn’t he look like that dude?

My record now stands at 58-48-2 overall with seven games to go. For thos eof you who have been following me, I’m thinking about moving on to the hoops season and giving a daily free pick. Let me know your feelings on that. Here we go!……..-Fireman Mike

Arizona +7 @ New Orleans

This could be one of the highest scoring games in playoff history with the two prolific offenses that are taking the field on Saturday. But both of these defenses have too much pride to allow all the scoring to be done offensively, so look for a few touchdowns to come on defensive touchdowns and big special teams plays.

Kurt Warner will keep this game close enough that the cover will never be in doubt. The Cardinals get Anquan Boldin back on the outside to help the offense, not like they need it. Steve Breaston and Early Doucette stepped up last week but Arizona hopes they get a lot more from running backs Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower in New Orleans.

Drew Brees and the Saints are going to score their points but Arizona’s defense will do a better job containing it than they did against Green Bay. The key will be limiting big plays late in the game. Although it’s easier said than done but the Cardinals have the horses to keep this game close.

Arizona keeps it close but is unable to pull it out as the Saints win 37-34 in an offensive-minded battle.

Ravens+6 @ Indianapolis

Baltimore comes into this game against the Colts on the high from dominating one of the best teams in over the last decade of the NFL with their performance in New England.

Even over their own decade of dominance the Colts have never been the team to consistently win games by three touchdowns, running away. They play close, hard-nosed football that results in victory but doesn’t necessarily translate into big leads. This will be the case tonight.

With the Ravens attempting to run the ball and control the clock this game will be slow paced and to the Ravens liking. But remember, the Colts don’t need a big time of possession differential in order to win the football game, as evident in their midseason Monday Night victory over the Dolphins. Joe Flacco will have to be more involved in this game and Derrick Mason and Co. will have to do their share of playmaking.

Peyton Manning and his veteran receivers aren’t going to be the question with their time off but young players like Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon will need to be as effective as ever against the punishing Baltimore defense.

Ray Lewis and Friends come into town looking for blood. The draw it at first but realize they are in for a 60-minute dogfight. Still, Baltimore pulls it off on the road, 24-23, and moves onto the AFC Championship game in dramatic fashion.

Minnesota -1.5 vs. Dallas

The Vikings have worked hard all season in order to get their week off last weekend and I think it will make a world of difference in terms of energy, scouting reports and just freshness in general.

The Cowboys have been playing exceptionally well and it will be interesting to see if Tony Romo will be satisfied with simply winning a playoff game or if he and the rest of the much-maligned Dallas organization will use last week’s victory as motivation to catapult them into the next level.

Vikes RB Adrian Peterson will be the key to keeping the ball out of Romo’s hands and Roy Williams’ hands will be the focal point of the Dallas media if he doesn’t clutch onto the passes he’s supposed to rein in.

The Vikings make bigger plays defensively and the Williams Bros. make the Cowboys run game a non threat in a 31-27 Minnesota victory.

NY Jets +7 @ San Diego

The Jets are playing with house money right now and this team has so much swagger on and off the field that you would think they are the seven point favorites heading into the weekend.

Darrelle Revis is the definition of a ‘lockdown corner’ and has taken on the best of the best throughout the season, only to have them tip their cap at the end of the day and become a another stranded victim on Revis Island. With the pressure brought up the middle by the Jets front seven, we should see some exciting one-on-one battles between Revis and rising star WR Vincent Jackson.

The Jets will control the clock with a strong running game using Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene to open things up for rookie QB Mark Sanchez, who has shown the ability to stay within himself and deliver the ball to open receivers off play action.

The Jets keep this a low scoring, defensive oriented showdown but San Diego escapes with the victory, 20-16, to set up a showdown with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game.

After parting ways with Phillip Fulmer in 2008, Tennessee hired Lane Kiffin, freshly fired and run through the gamut by Al Davis in Oakland, as their new head coach and put faith in him to restore the fading program. Fourteen months later Kiffin is back on his old turf at Southern Cal and the Volunteer faithful are once again looking for the right man to fit the job description, this time without much luck.

There definitely isn’t a lack of qualified candidates or knowledgeable young assistants who want a chance to run their own program. Frankly, there has never have been a bigger group of successful coaches on the market but each is talented enough to wait for the ‘perfect fit’ to come along before they make their move. Tennessee doesn’t seem to be anybody’s ‘perfect fit’.

Former Tennessee assistant David Cutcliffe, who is best known for developing both Manning brothers into NFL stars, turned down the position to stay at Duke. It speaks volumes when a former Vols assistant would rather stay at Duke instead of taking the reins at the former SEC powerhouse.

Will Muschamp had much better reasons for not taking the job. As the head-coach-in-waiting at Texas, Muschamp will be given every opportunity to take over the winningest program of the last decade once Mack Brown decides to step down. With that honor in his near future it’s not a surprise that Muschamp didn’t take Tennessee up on their offer but the lack of other big name coaches with interest in the program is.

Jon Gruden put talks of coming out of retirement to take over the Vols to rest very quickly. Utah coach Kyle Wittingham also decided to stay at a non-BCS school instead of pursuing his trade in Tennessee. The denials aren’t the only problematic sign revolving around the vacancy though. The overall lack of passion for the job has to be troubling for Volunteer fans and - to a point - the SEC.

There are a couple main issues surrounding this job that make it less desirable than it was, say, five years ago.

First of all, you won’t be handed a program that is ready to win immediately but you also won’t be taking over a program whose fan base is willing to patiently wait for a winner to come along. Tennessee fans are like the ugly rich guy that expects beautiful women to like him even before he shows them his wallet. Just like the women will eventually like the guy for his money, Tennessee’s football program will eventually start winning because the school and state are committed to its program.

The one thing Kiffin did during his short stint in Knoxville was convince fans that his team would win, and win soon. He made an immediate impact on the SEC’s recruiting landscape and did not allow anyone else’s expectations for his team to be bigger than his own. Now, the new coach at UT has to live up to them.

Secondly, there are so many good coaches in the SEC right now with programs so far ahead of Tennessee that it wouldn’t make sense for a proven coach to take their offer. The reality at Tennessee is that they have to be willing to take the rising, small name assistant coach who has nothing to lose by taking over their program.

Fourteen months ago a spark hit the Tennessee campus and started a fire whose affects were felt from Knoxville to Gainesville to Starkville. Now that the ignition has left it is the athletic department’s responsibility to keep that fire burning and the momentum moving in the right direction. So far, the Volunteers don’t seem up to the task.

All too often a man will rise to prominence in their given field of expertise with the opportunity to appoint leaders who are responsible for the supervision of specific aspects of big business, school system, municipalities, etc. and uses it as a way to become the puppet master.

This man now has an array of options from which to choose from when assigning these duties to these candidates. He can either hire proven experts in their given field to oversee their department, someone who is proven and has succeeded throughout their career, or they could go the opposite, insecure route by hiring someone that is completely inept but will play the role of puppet during their entire tenure with the company or franchise.

Lane Kiffin could have easily gone this route when putting together his new staff at the University of Southern California or during his prior job with Tennessee. Instead, Kiffin showed the wisdom of a confident veteran by assembling a coaching ‘Bream Team’. He hired the best coaches available for the job and surrounded himself with talent, not only on the field but in film rooms and coaching banquets.

While at Tennessee Kiffin didn’t negotiate for the maximum salary that he could have gotten but squeezed out the most money possible to be divided amongst the assistants on his staff. Not only did that entice some of the nation’s best position coaches to join his team but it also made them the biggest oxy-moron in college sports; High-priced Volunteers.

As a young coach, nobody would have been surprised if Kiffin surrounded himself with vibrant, green assistants that made up for what they lacked in experience with hard work and dedication. Considering what Kiffin went through in Oakland - where he was run out of town by an ornery old owner who made it no secret that he was the judge, jury and executioner of the Raiders organization and exercised it more often than Jack Lalanne - he almost earned the right put himself in a position of maximum authority over his assistants during his next coaching stops. But Kiffin took more away from Oakland than the average fan may realize. He saw the inner workings of a terrible organization and vowed never to let his name be associated with one ever again.

Along with his father, defensive coordinator/guru Monty Kiffin, Lane also brings Ed Orgeron along for the ride to USC. Orgeron is known as the best recruiter in the country and also has head coaching experience, with a short lived tenure at Mississippi. He made an attempt to hire offensive coordinator Norm Chow but Chow decided to stay put at UCLA. Kifffin is not afraid to go after the best of the best, knowing full well that great assistants have as much to do with a head coach’s success as great players do.

Kiffin’s ethics may have also come into question during his most recent hiring process as well, with video of him promising Tennessee fanatics that they ‘will be singing Rocky Top all night long after beating Florida,’ being the main source of ammunition against the former Volunteer head coach. While Kiffin was ecstatic about receiving the coaching job at Tennessee, even at the time of those statements, there was no doubt that if the USC coaching job ever became available, Kiffin would be on the next plane to LAX.

It was almost a fitting end to his 14-month tenure as head coach considering the amount of controversy he caused shortly after he arrived in Knoxville. Now, he leaves a group of venomous detractors in Tennessee who know - tenfold - how the rest of the SEC must have felt after getting burnt by Kiffin’s words and actions.

Still, this is an extremely smart young man we are talking about, and a football coach who has been beaten down by the lowest of bosses only to survive and be hailed as the next great coach at the best football program on the west coast. You don’t have to look any further than his coaching staff to realize that Kiffin is not only confident in his own skin but knows that he only becomes a better coach when he surrounds himself with premier talent on the sidelines as well.

For as much hubris as Kiffin may exude, a brilliant football minds lays underneath that exterior. That mind will become more of a weapon as he takes in everything his assistants have to offer.

Even though offensive coordinator Norm Chow will be the most heralded of the assistants, Ed Orgeron, the recruiting mastermind behind USC’s back-to-back National Championships, comes back to Southern Cal with a chip on his shoulder after being let go as the head coach of Mississippi in favor of Houston Nutt and being bad mouthed by the cutthroat recruiters in the SEC during his tenure with Tennessee.

While at Ole Miss, Orgeron put together a boatload of talent that Houston Nutt has been able to cash in on over his first few seasons as head coach. Many believe Orgeron didn’t get a fair opportunity to see his recruits develop and nobody can dispute the fact that he was left to work with Ole Miss’ leftovers from an era in which there wasn’t much success. Orgeron was fired from Ole Miss after putting together two great recruiting classes, yet he couldn’t shake the perception that he couldn’t get the job done on the field because he was winless in conference play in 2007. Rebels fans wanted Orgeron to win immediately with highly touted freshman and sophomores which is an unreasonable expectation in the SEC. Nutt has reaped the benefits of Oregeron’s recruiting genius though, leading the Rebels to consecutive Cotton Bowl victories during the 2008 and 2009 seasons with Orgeron’s studs.

Now, the man who was responsible for assembling Carson Palmer, Reggie Bush and a bevy of future NFL stars has returned to his old backyard, ready to take out some frustration on the rest of the nation. Like a hunter who knows the landscape of his area better than anyone else, Orgeron will go directly from stealing recruits from the top programs in the SEC to sealing the deal with players from nearby high schools who have made it acceptable to play their college ball outside of the state of California.

Expect less and less blue chip recruits to get away from the Trojans - not like it had become an epidemic in the first place - as Orgeron will quickly restore his rapport with the best of the best in the California high school ranks.

With his assistants in place and a blueprint for winning ready to be followed do not expect much of a ‘transition period’ during the Kiffin Era. Don’t forget, Kiffin has a lot to prove to football fans in California considering the sour taste he left in their mouths following his dismissal in Oakland.

Expectations will be as high as ever for the Trojans entering the 2010 season and Kiffin has put together a staff that will not disappoint.

You always have something to prove…..to yourself. And over the next four or five years, Pete Carroll will set out to prove his NFL detractors wrong.

Deep down, maybe Carroll thinks he can bring the Seattle Seahawks to USC-level success. But maybe Pete Carroll is just like me and you. He realizes that he is in the period of his life when he is the most valuable commodity in a sport that happens to pay quite well. In other words, he wants to be paid what he is truly worth.

$7 million a season - a near 60% pay raise - seems to be the going rate for a coach that is willing leave his beachfront college job to deal with the pressures of the NFL.

Pete Carroll’s first couple jobs in the NFL weren’t as horrific as the media would lead you to believe. He never won a playoff game but he got the Patriots there twice and finished his career above .500, 33-31, in four seasons with the Pats and Jets. He wasn’t exactly coaching in areas that accept mediocrity or have patience for rebuilding either. If it wasn’t for Tom Brady, the Patriots may have been another middle of the pack franchise making the playoffs on a semi-annual basis.

In Seattle, Carroll will never be handicapped by finances - Seahawks owner Paul Allen is one of the richest men in the world - or by the ‘win now’ mentality that cripples coaches in their new cities. Seattle sports are at an all time low and the arrival of Padre Pete couldn’t have come at a better time. He will be welcomed with open arms and held onto like a puppy on Christmas morning.

Carroll will probably have the opportunity to draft the quarterback of his choice this April, if he so chooses, but is faced with the unenviable task of deciding whether to make Jimmy Clausen, Sam Bradford or Jake Locker his franchise next’s quarterback. He could also draft an anchor on the offensive line or a shutdown corner that will fill holes for the Seahawks immediately and wait for one of those QBs to fall to the second round, maybe take a shot at super accurate Colt McCoy.

Any way you slice it, the Seahawks are not a franchise paralyzed by bad signings and terrible salary cap discipline. Heck, with the uncapped season coming up Paul Allen might be rolling the dice and going for broke if he believes Matt Hasselback has one more year left in him. Seattle has drafted well over the years and is not a team that is far from returning to the top in the wide-open NFC West. For all of these reasons, Jim Mora was genuinely devastated to hear the news that he was being replaced after only one season.

Pete Carroll is a smart man. Smart enough to be content at a powerhouse university that adores him and smart enough to strike when the iron is hot. Pete Carroll just struck gold in Seattle.

Bengals -1 vs. Jets

The Jets are riding high after receiving back-to-back byes from Indianapolis and Cincinnati and to make things worse their fans are trying to convince one another that a team led by the most turnover-prone quarterback in the league is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Carson Palmer and the Bengals will end those dreams quickly.

What do the Jets do best? Run the ball.

Cincinnati’s front seven is one of the toughest units in football and had to travel through teams like Baltimore and Pittsburgh just to earn a spot in the playoffs. They rested their key players for most of the game last weekend while the Jets running backs piled up yards, which will only serve as motivation to stuff Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene.

Carson Palmer leads a veteran offense that hasn’t thrown the ball as much as you’d like to see but can come at you on the ground as hard as anybody. The difference in this game will be Palmer’s ability to convert on third down and find OchoCinco when necessary.

The Bengals win this game, 23-16, and find themselves in the second round of the AFC playoffs.

Eagles +5 @ Cowboys

I have a ton of stats and reasons behind this bet but I’m going to give you the two most convincing: Andy Reid is 7-0 in first round playoff games and the Dallas Cowboys haven’t won a playoff game in 13 years. Give me those points!

The Eagles win this game straight up, 34-27, and make it another frustrating offseason in Jerrytown. But, as always, take the points because they are free!

In very fine print at the bottom of the newspaper Ray is holding it reads, "But take the points because they are free!"

Ravens+3.5 @ Patriots

Maybe I was hearing things or just inhaled too much smoke at a fire but on Monday the line for this game was Baltimore +6.5! Whether or not the wise guys bet this game down in order to get a deal or Vegas flat out came to their senses, I don’t really know.

Tom Brady is playing against a malicious Ravens defense with a pair of broken ribs and a banged up finger. Now, none of us have the skills or demeanor of Tom Terrific but could you imagine facing Ray Lewis and his prowling wolves when you’re already wounded. It’s like watching a bleeding baby seal trying to make his way back to land in shark infested waters. The ending is never pretty.

The Ravens offense isn’t a bunch of slouches either. If it wasn’t for a Derrick Mason dropped pass earlier this season the Ravens would have had a great shot at knocking the Pats off on their home turf. Well, this weekend they get another opportunity and they’ll take full advantage of it. You’re going to want to stop reading right here Pats fans because you’re not going to like this.

Definitely take the points, but Baltimore wins this game straight up, 24-23, on a last second field goal, covers the spread, gives Ray-Ray something to smile about and all of a sudden the Ravens are the favorite to win the AFC championship! Read that again, digest it and see how it comes out.

Cardinals PK vs. Packers

Green Bay took Matt Leinart and the rest of the Arizona ‘B’ team behind the wood shed last weekend and showed America what happens to a team that doesn’t give a damn about winning or losing. Unfortunately for the Packers, they aren’t going to see the same team again this week.

Kurt Warner and his seasoned group of receivers will raise hell with the Packers secondary that includes a banged up Charles Woodson. Side Note: Woodson should be the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Warner will be helped along by a running game that has improved as the season has gone along. Beanie wells is going to find himself in a big spot this weekend and I have a feeling that his fresh legs are going to come up huge for the home team.

Green Bay may have put up big numbers in the regular season but this Cardinals defense is fast, athletic and can get to the quarterback, ranking third among playoff teams in sacks. While Aaron Rodgers doesn’t throw many interceptions - 7 on the year - he gets sacked more than 3 times a game. When you’re a team relying on your quarterback to keep you in the hunt you can’t let him get sacked 50 times in the regular season. Arizona will be bringing it heavy.

Remember Nolan Richardson’s old Arkansas Razorbacks old ‘40 Minutes of Hell’ full court press back in the 90’s? Well, the Packers are going to be seeing 60 minutes of it on Sunday, except Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell will be playing the part of Andy Rooney and won’t get out of his face for the entire game.

Warner and the Cardinals win, 30-24, and the hype machine finds a friend in Arizona. But don’t get too excited because their bus will eventually have to go through Minnesota, a terrible matchup for the Cards. Still, relish Sunday and let them win you some dough before they end their season.

*******GOOD NEWS JUST CAME IN THE FORM OF A TEXT MESSAGE FROM OUR MAN COLIN. AS MOST OF YOU MAY KNOW, WE ARE IN A LEAGUE TOGETHER IN WHICH WE PICK EVERY GAME, EVERY WEEK, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS AGAINST THE SPREAD. COLIN PICKED THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF ME ON EVERY ONE OF MY PICKS THIS WEEK!***************** -Fireman Mike

At one point during the investigation he was so upset that he told the media that the “ruined his entire life”.
McKnight’s name will be mentioned among the top backs in the country heading in the Draft but there can be two schools of thought for the dynamic back:

NEGATIVES:
- The whole scandal thing that happened at the end of the year. Some scouts will question his integrity, decision making and overall dedication to his team. His anger toward the situation could be perceived as immature.
- McKnight has been compared to Reggie Bush since he was in high school. In college, you can’t receive a higher compliment. In the NFL, teams will be weary.
- McKnight didn’t get a load of carries and never had to put the Trojans on his back for USC to win games. He only had one game in his career in which he carried the ball 20 times
- What is he? If you draft him too high you aren’t going to want him to return kicks and punts because your best back is libel to get hurt.

POSITIVES:
- McKnight never complained about carries while at USC and contributed in every role he was asked in USC’s offense.
- McKnight averaged over 6 yards per carry during his career at USC. While he may not be the quintessential ‘every down’ back, no player in the 2010 NFL Draft - who isn’t named C.J. Spiller - offers the ability to make explosive plays in so many different ways.
- He’s fresh. Since the Trojans have always had a stable of backs that share carries McKnight hasn’t taken too many big hits during his career and has stayed relatively injury free.
- If you were able to grab him in the late second or early third round - which would truly be a steal - you would have a free mindset to use him whichever way you wanted without worrying about the ramifications from the media or ownership.

BOTTOM LINE:
We’ll take Joe McKnight on our team any day of the week. There is no doubt that he is a Reggie Bush-type player and while some people knock that, think about how much time and attention defensive coordinators around the league have to devote during the week in order to contain Bush when he has the ball in his hands. Anybody who thinks Bush plays a small part in the Saints offense isn’t a very educated NFL fan. Coordinators spend as much time preparing for Bush as they do for the ‘Wildcat’ on a week to week basis and that in itself gives your team an advantage. The biggest issue with Reggie Bush is that he got drafted way too high therefore became overpaid and can be labeled as a bust due to expectations, even though he holds the NFL rookie record for receptions.

While McKnight might be a reach in the first round, any organization that spends a second round pick - or anything thereafter - on him will get a dynamic player with the ability to win you a ball game during any given week. McKnight won’t go as high because of Bush but that will only hurt his wallet, not the way NFL teams use him. A talented team at the bottom half of the first round might actually feel intrigued enough to use their selection on him.

McKnight, Jimmy Clausen and USC RB Marc Tyler at the 2007 US Army All American Game

With the recent, shocking firing of Jim Mora by the Seattle Seahawks, questions and rumors are flying as to why the organization would make such a sudden move after one only season. Although Mora was the ‘coach-in-waiting’ under Mike Holmgren for a few years before formally taking over, it seemed a little abrupt for the Seahawks to make this move so soon. There is a much bigger reason why they made this move though. And it makes a lot of sense.

Pete Carroll is on his way to Seattle. Seahawks ownership, as well as many people who are familiar with the situation, believe Carroll my very well be their next head coach.

Seattle will obviously have to pony up a ton of money in order to pry Carroll away from his dream job at the University of Southern California. Not only has he made the Trojans a national powerhouse and perennial BCS title contender, but everything from the weather to the women to the waves makes USC the ideal job in college - possibly any level of - football.

The pending allegations against Joe McKnight combined with the ugly scar Reggie Bush left on the program are two reasons why Carroll may think about relocating.
Carroll will have his detractors, those who think that he is strictly a college coach who can only succeed in the University atmosphere. Those who disagree with Seattle’s decision need to look no further than Carroll’s record as an NFL head coach with the Jets and Patriots. While he had an overall winning record, he didn’t live up to the standards that were set forth by either organization.

In New York Carroll started 6-4 but lost the final six games of the season to finish 6-10 on the year, getting canned immediately after the season. He joined the 49ers as a defensive coordinator the following season and remained there for two years before getting the head coaching job in New England.

Carroll had a winning record with the Patriots but failed to win a playoff game and was fired after three seasons. That’s when he went West and created a dynasty.

After a 6-6 opening season, Carroll didn’t lose more than two games until this year when the Trojans went a disappointing 9-4 with freshman quarterback Matt Barkley at the helm. He has won two national championships with USC and has accumulated a combined record of 97-19. Unfortunately for Barkley, he may not be studying under Pete Carroll for much longer.