Kangaroo Craig

The following is an article posted by Zac Jackson, a writer for Clevelandbrowns.com. I found it interesting because Zac listed his "All sleeper team" and at the wide receiver position he has Dominick Hixson. I thought you guys would find this interesting:Filed under: Draft Blog — Zac Jackson @ 4:03 pm We’ve established that Reggie Bush is a once in a generation athlete, A.J. Hawk is on his way to Canton and Mario Williams is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound and tackle six quarterbacks on his way down. But there are other guys in this draft, too – 254 will be picked – and many fly way under the radar.Some guys like it that way. Some teams like it that way, too. With 30 days until the start of the 2006 NFL Draft, it’s time to look at some of the “sleepers†who could hear their names called on the draft’s second day, guys who fans may not know a lot about but could end up making favorable – and lasting – impressions on the teams who draft them.The Sleeper Team – strictly my opinion, and some worthy players are certainly left out – starts with the offense; I’ll list the defense in the next posting.QB: Brett Basanez, Northwestern – Hit his stride last September and October, completing nearly everything he threw and really grabbing attention from the NFL. He isn’t overly big or strong, and he didn’t finish his senior season as well as he started it, but the Big 10’s Offensive Player of the Year is athletic, experienced and smart. The new buzzword for quarterbacks is intangibles, and Basanez ranks well.RB: Jerious Norwood, Mississippi State – His college career was marred by losses and turmoil in Starkville, but Norwood still found ways to shine. He carried MSU to an upset of Florida in 2004, then twice posted 200-yard games last fall. Norwood had a solid showing at the Senior Bowl, then posted a 4.4 40-yard dash at the combine to raise his stock.RB: Chris Barclay, Wake Forest – Didn’t get invited to the combine because he’s considered too small to play in the NFL. But he’s the only player to lead the ACC in rushing three times – yes, three straight years – and is a member of a pretty exclusive 4,000-yard, 40 touchdown club. He also can contribute as a kick returner, and his coaches say he can be a pass-catching weapon out of the backfield even though he didn’t catch many in Wake’s offense.WR: Domenik Hixon, Akron – Probably won’t get drafted, but he’ll have more than a fighting chance to make someone’s team. Hixon is a football player; after two years as a safety, he moved to receiver and became Charlie Frye’s top target in ’04. He’s a fearless athlete, a high-character player, and the thought that his best days as a receiver are ahead should help.WR: Demetrius Williams, Oregon – Needs to gain weight and beat the rap that he’s too injury prone. But Williams is tall (6-foot-2), smooth, and can get open. He won’t be a starter right away, but he has very good hands and good potential to develop.TE: Tony Scheffler, Western Michigan – The Directional Michigans aren’t exactly football factories, but they’ve produced some players. Scheffler was a very productive (100 catches the last two years) player and he certainly has NFL measurables. He was nearly 6-foot-6, 264 pounds and ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine.OL: Fred Matua, USC – A sleeper from USC? Don’t act like you ever heard of Matua before he declared for this year’s draft. He’s young, athletic, and certainly knows what it’s like to block for big-time athletes on big stages. A team with patience can get a player late in this draft who likely would have gone much higher a year from now.OL: Travis Leffew, Louisville – Has very human measurables, but he’s regarded as tough, reliable and smart. He’s played in plenty of big games as a tackle for Louisville (he owns the school record for consecutive starts), and he could probably play all five line positions in a pinch. Versatility can win jobs in the NFL.OL: Daryn Colledge, Boise State – Wasn’t the best offensive linemen in a talented group at the Senior Bowl, but he was probably the most pleasant surprise. He’s solid on and off the field, and though he’s an experienced left tackle he’s willing to play any position at any time. Look for Colledge to go before some of the bigger-name offensive linemen on draft day.OL: Chris Kuper, North Dakota – Like Colledge, Kuper is a native Alaskan with above average athletic ability and intriguing upside. There are concerns about his size and the level of competition he’s used to playing against, but his positives seem to outweigh the negatives.OL: Zach Strief, Northwestern – At almost 6-foot-8 and at least 330 pounds, he’s certainly big enough to play in the NFL. The Cincinnati native also has 40-plus games of starting experience and is the kind of player, in terms of character and work ethic, teams feel is worth developing.UTIL: Garrett Mills, Tulsa – A pass-catching machine as a tight end in college, Mills might need to play fullback in the NFL because of his size. He’ll contribute immediately as an H-back type in the NFL and be given a chance to bulk up and have a productive career.UTIL: Reggie McNeal, Texas A&M – The last of McNeal’s four-year (seems like 14-year) quarterbacking career at A&M ended so badly that the Aggies didn’t make a bowl game and actually played better after McNeal went out with an injury. But he came back with a very strong performance in the Shrine Game (9-of-11, 211 yards, 2 TD) and was one of the fastest players at any position at the combine. He’ll have a chance to make a roster in “slash†role and might get drafted.

Explain this to me...why are you a frontrunner if you are a Buckeyes fan? Because you didn't go to school there. OSU represents its students, alumni, faculty, and maybe on a reach, the parents of students, but that is it. The problem is everyone thinks that OSU represents the state of Ohio because they are called Ohio State University. That logic only applys to pro sports (rooting for the team in your area). Using that logic, Ohio U should also be considered Ohio's team. OSU has a monopoly over the average Joe fan (most of who didn't go to college at all) base because they (and Cincinnati, although no one looks at them that way) are the only BCS schools in the state. Try living in California or Florida where there are a lot of choices to choose from. Example: My father graduated from USC, but I doubt he would use the Ohio logic that says you should be a Cal fan because you live in California. Put it in that context and you can see just how ridiculous your argument is. Root for your school and be proud, but don't be concerned about someone elses school. I hate that school down south. About the only time I root for them is when they play Michigan, but I really don't care who wins that game either.

That's messed up! That May 4th 1970 thing is about the only thing that I feel sorry about when it comes to Can't.

It sounds a lot like the same crap that my 17 year old son listens to. My father used to say the same thing to me about rock music. I,m 44 years old so I guess that sounds about right for someone my age. I wish him well.

You hit the nail right on the head. If not for Dr. Proenza, none of this would be taking place. That guy must be one heck of a salesman because he is convincing the state to shell out all of this money for our school. I can't wait for the new football stadium. I understand that a big part of that project is going to be privately funded.

The rankings are definitely flawed when they have Dix stadium ranked #7. The home side and that press box there are ok, but the visitors side and the two end zones make that place look like a high school field. I'm not that impressed with Doyt Perry either. It looks a lot like Can't, and its located in an area next to I75 that looks like a cow pasture.

I wonder when Can't State's contract with WHLO is up. They have a nice strong signal that reaches into Western PA and also to the Toledo area. I would have to think that the Zips would give them better ratings than the Flushes especially on Saturdays in the Fall.

I struggled with it because they are Suckeye fans, but I voted for them anyway because they are local kids and their competetors supported Michigan. I sure wish she would have pimped the Zips though. I just don't care for a school in Colunbus that takes support away from our beloved Zips.

Yeah, the wine sippers a good at making those accusations. Too bad Miami wasn't on that list.

This is also good news for football. The article says that Toledo will lose six (6) football scholarships. Western Michigan (5), Buffalo (3), and Northern Illinois (2).

I'm laughing my ass off! I couldn't have said it any better than this. Thanks for making my day RowdyZip!

Did your friend a Rotary mentiion anything about Dwight Smith Mardi Gras Plaza? I would rather have that than a Winking Lizard........Yeah me too. I'm all for seeing the b**bies. I think we can all do without the yacking though.

Thanks for the update BlueandGold. This pretty much goes along with what I heard a few weeks ago from an inside source speaking at a luncheon. Unfortunately all I was told was regarding location, seating, integral dorms, and cost. Thats all good information, but no discussion about a Winking Lizard restuarant or Jason Taylor alumni party deck. This is really going to be a first class facility. I can't wait to transfer my season tickets to the new place! Any ideas on what they might name it? I say Proenza Field.

These are all perfect choices for a weenie liberal, political correct, don't hurt anyones feeelings school such as C'ant. It's no wonder that their football program sucks! At Akron, us technical and business world (ie real thinkers) types wouldn't think of promoting such p*ssie entitlement programs. We'll I guess you guys now know where I stand. Here comes the barrage.

OSU is overrated! The entire MAC is underated!

This is the second time that this story has surfaced. About two years ago, Bart Wolstien was talking to developers about this same project. They were looking at building it in the Boston Heights area. Bart died and the project was tabled. I believe that Bart did not want to go to Akron because he felt that a Boston Heights location could draw fans from Cleveland and its suburbs as well. I do not know who is trying to develop this now or what their opinions are on Akron. I'm with you though. It certainly could be quite a boost for the university.

If you thumb down to about the 19th response to this you see a post by a guy who calls himself "Devil Grad" In his post he attaches the following link. Although I totally disagree with the smack he runs about Akron, this thread is still pretty funny. Check it out at http://mattsledge.com/macforum/viewtopic.php?t=1163

This ranking by ESPN is incomplete. Many of the players across the league, including Mark Jackson, had grade marks of 0.0 next to them. No way are we middle of the league or 98th in the nation.

My source didn't say that, but it sure would make more sense. I would have to think it would be impossible to build a 25,000 seat outdoor facility for $20M. Heck, the concrete and materials alone would cost more than that. Maybe they're getting the erection for free.

While attending one of my Rotary Club meetings yesterday I was given the privelege to hear a guest speaker from the University of Akron facilities management department discuss current projects as well as future ones. One item in particular was discussion relating to a new on campus football stadium. This individual said that all or most of the funding for this project is coming from private donations. They also told us that they are now only $5M from reaching their goal. The current budget for the project is about $20M, but could go higher. This seems kind of low. I suggested to a friend that they must be building it out of popscicle sticks. It is my understanding that once this goal has been met, a public announcement will be made. Most, if not all from this board, have predicted that the site of the new stadium will be on the north side of exchange street adjacent to the new fieldhouse. That is about 95% Accurate. An alternate location is land on and adjacent to the old practice fields near Brown street. The school is currently buying up a lot of land in that area. The most likely scenario is that the Brown Street fields will be used to house all of the intramural sports. The university wants to separate the intramurals from the varsity sports in order to protect the varsity fields from any additional wear and tear. Probably a wise thing to do.As far as what type of facility and capacity: Forget about a dome. It ain't happening! It will be an outdoor facility with initial seating capacity of 20 - 25K. Incorporated into the design will be provisions to expand up to 45,000 should the school move up to a higher conference or just need the additioanl seating due to growing demand. The expansion would be mostly in the endzones, but also on the sidelines. They are also looking at incorporating some classrooms and maybe dorms into the design. The school is hopeful to have the new facility operational by 2008 or 2009.On a separate note, the school predicts that its enrollment will exceed 28,000 by next year and possibly 30,000 in two years.

1350 definitely is too weak of a station for us. Unfortunately it is all about supply and demand. As our teams continue to improve their games will become much more in demand. Once the demand gets high enough, it should be possible to move to a station with a more powerful signal. from there it becomes a domino effect: More fans, better station, larger coverage area, then even more fans. I hope!

I agree with you Mike, but because the NCAA selection committee has so little respect for the MAC, I think in order for an at large team to come out of our conference it will take 23 or 24 wins. Very unfair, but the big conference money boys will only select teams like us if they have no other choice.

Overall, I support the Beacon too. The problem that I have is that it seems like these writers are not proof reading their stories before they send them to print or they are just doing a "quick once over" and not paying much attention. If you can take the time to write a story then you can spend a few minutes reading it a few times to make sure that everything is correct. to Mike Rasor: Welcome to our board. I love reading your blogs.

They were definitely tired. I heard Frenchy say that the entire league is going to play, I think, three games in five or six days next week in order to accomodate fitting the bracket buster into the schedule. Two of those next three are against Miami and OU. Rest well boys!

It seemed like all our guys had to do was breathe on Northern and they got whistled for a foul. Let the damn kids play!