Garrett has to be the choice right?

Saw this article today in my daily reading and had to pass it along as even Jerry Jones has to realize that Garrett has done more than enough to be given the job full time for at least two years with an option for a third..right?

Joe Pa to Retire?

Although I won't believe it until I see it I had to share this story Joe to retire just to see what everyone thought. It will be a sad day on one hand to see a legend go but as the whispers get louder the time might finally be here for Joe to step aside and let someone new lead the program. There will be a lot of people in-line when the opening happens. Let me know you thoughts.

Two Trojans Declare

Not that this is a big surprise Source: USC Trojans losing OT Tyron Smith, DT Jurrell Casey to NFL draft - ESPN Los Angeles
but it just strikes me as strange seeing Trojans declaring so early. Guess this is what happens when you don't have a bowl game to prepare for in the coming weeks. Both Casey and Smith should be gone by the end of round 2.

WISCONSIN'S GABE CARIMI WINS 2010 OUTLAND TROPHY

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (FWAA) - Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi was named the 65th winner of the Outland Trophy on Thursday night, becoming the second player from Wisconsin to win the award in five seasons.

The winner of the Outland Trophy, which goes to the best interior lineman in college football, was announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show from The Walt Disney World Resort.

Carimi, a 6-7, 327-pound senior from Cottage Grove, Wis., has been a stalwart at left tackle for the Badgers (11-1) since taking over for 2006 Outland Trophy winner Joe Thomas at the beginning of the 2007 season. He has started 48 games in four seasons for the Badgers, who finished in a three-way tie for the Big Ten championship with Michigan State and Ohio State this season. The Badgers are headed to the Rose Bowl to face TCU.

He is one of the main reasons Wisconsin ranks 12th in the country in rushing (247.3 yards per game) and is second nationally in rushing touchdowns with a school-record 46. Wisconsin is fourth in the country in scoring offense (43.3), which is a school record and the Badgers' offensive line has allowed just 12 sacks in 12 games.

Carimi was a part of a dominating offensive line in the Badgers' 83-20 defeat of Indiana when star running back John Clay was out with an injury. Carimi and the rest of the Wisconsin line were co-Badger Offensive Players of Week in a 41-23 victory over Minnesota this season. Carimi is one of just three offensive players to start every game for the Badgers this season and is considered a cinch early-round NFL Draft pick.

"Ever since I've been around Gabe Carimi, he's a guy that is very focused on success," Wisconsin Coach Bret Bielema said earlier this season. "He is kind of a perfectionist. You are always worried - I think early on in Gabe's career - that he was going to be too hard on himself."

Carimi becomes the fourth Big Ten Conference player to win the Outland Trophy in the last eight seasons after Iowa's Robert Gallery (2003), Minnesota's Greg Eslinger (2005) and Thomas (2006).

The FWAA selects the Outland Trophy winner from its 25-man All-America team which will be announced on Saturday afternoon on ABC-TV at 2 p.m. ET. Carimi claimed the Outland Trophy over Florida State guard Rodney Hudson and Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder, also both seniors.

The Outland Trophy, which has been awarded annually by the FWAA since 1946, is named after the late John Outland, a lineman at Pennsylvania at the turn of the century. The Outland Trophy is the third oldest award in major college football behind the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award.

The official 2010 award presentation to Carimi will be Jan. 13, 2011 in Omaha, Neb., at a banquet sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee. At the banquet, Mike McGee of Duke will receive an Outland Trophy. He was the 1959 winner of the award.

Coaching Carousal

I can't help but laugh when I read some of these candidates for coaching jobs while others side by on the sidelines.   I'm not sure why Mario Cristobal (my initial choice) has not been interviewed by University of Miami AD, Kirby Hocutt, but it is fairly obviously he's not a serious candidate.  It seems pretty clear a top choice that would be ideal for Da U is University of Houston's head coach, Kevin Sumlin.  He's an offensive whiz who played defense in college and is thirsty to take over a national program and return them to glory.    

At Pittsburgh with Wanny resigning under pressure it's pretty clear they need someone to excite the alumni and take the program to the next level.  I  suggest they take a long look at Auburn offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn. He's innovative, young and has strong recruiting ties ties that could likely turn Pittsburgh into a national powerhouse.

As for Gator Nation it worked once why not go the same route again and hire Utah HC, Kyle Whittingham.  You know he must be growing frustrated with Utah always on the outside looking in and you know he doesn't fear following Meyer.  I think it's a low risk, high return hire and would let Florida keep rolling as all system can remain in tact.

D.J. Williams of Arkansas Named 2010 John Mackey Award Recipient

Bethpage, N.Y. (December 9, 2010) - The Nassau County Sports Commission, sponsored by Briarcliffe College, has announced D.J. Williams of Arkansas as the 2010 John Mackey Award recipient. The Southeastern conference senior recorded 49 receptions for 589 yards and four touchdowns while leading eighth ranked Arkansas to the 2010 Sugar Bowl. Williams becomes the first Arkansas Razorback to capture the Mackey Award and participated in the first-ever live Mackey Award presentation on ESPNU at the Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show this evening. 

2010 was a banner year for D.J. who also received the Disney Spirit Award given to college football's most inspirational player. He led the Razorbacks in receptions and was named first team All SEC (AP and Coaches). Williams, who is well known for his blocking ability and receiving prowess, has totaled 147 receptions, 1,817 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his four year career with Arkansas. Those career stats make him the active NCAA leader in catches and yards by a Tight End.

The John Mackey Award presented since 2000, lists nine NFL players as alumni: Dallas Clark ('01) of the 2006 Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, two-time Super Bowl Champion Daniel Graham ('02) of the Denver Broncos, Kellen Winslow II ('03) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, two-time Super Bowl Champion Heath Miller ('04) of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Marcedes Lewis ('05) of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Matt Spaeth ('06) of the of the 2008 Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, Fred Davis ('07) of the Washington Redskins, Chase Coffman ('08) of the Cincinnati Bengals and Aaron Hernandez ('09) of the New England Patriots. 

The John Mackey Award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame Tight End John Mackey. The 2010 John Mackey Award recipient was determined by confidential balloting of the John Mackey Selection Committee. Please visitwww.johnmackeyaward.org for all Mackey Award related information including the John Mackey Selection Committee, the selection process and award criteria, information on all past award recipients and a high resolution image of the award trophy available for download.

The Nassau County Sports Commission, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization sponsored by Briarcliffe College is responsible for the administration of the John Mackey Award and the John Mackey Award Selection Committee. For additional information, please visit www.nassausports.org.  

CAM NEWTON NAMED 2010 DAVEY O'BRIEN NATIONAL QUARTERBACK AWARD WINNER

FORT WORTH, Texas - The Davey O'Brien Foundation proudly announced Auburn's Cam Newton as the 2010 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) Winner today. Doug Flutie, the 1984 O'Brien Winner, presented the award during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Newton is the first player from Auburn to win The O'Brien. Newton was a finalist for The O'Brien along with Stanford's Andrew Luck and Boise State's Kellen Moore. The O'Brien National Selection Committee selected the winner with the Fan Vote accounting for five percent of the total vote. The committee was asked to consider the following criteria: quarterback skills, academics, character, leadership and sportsmanship. During his first season at Auburn, the junior college transfer has led the top-ranked Tigers to a 12-0 record, Southeastern Conference Championship and a berth in the 2011 Tostitos BCS National Championship game against the Oregon Ducks. The junior from College Park, Ga. has continuously demonstrated his versatility and athleticism, dominating opponents with his speed and accuracy. Newton, the nation's top-rated passer (188.16), leads the SEC in rushing (108.38 yards) and total offense (307.54 yards). He also ranks second in the NCAA in total points responsible for (22.62 per game). He has amassed 3,998 yards of total offense and 49 touchdowns this season. Newton is one of just three players to have 20 passing and 20 rushing touchdowns in one season. Newton will be honored at the 34th Annual O'Brien Awards Dinner on Feb. 21, 2011 at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

2010 Rotary Lombardi Award Winner

HOUSTON, December 8, 2010 - The Rotary Club of Houston announced today that Nick Fairley, a junior defensive tackle from Auburn University, is the winner of the 2010 Rotary Lombardi Award, presented annually since 1970 to the nation's top college football lineman (offense or defense). In addition to outstanding ability and performance, the award recognizes the player who best exemplifies the discipline of the late coach, Vince Lombardi.
 

In addition to Fairley, other finalists for the award were Da'Quan Bowers, senior defensive end from Clemson; Adrian Clayborn, senior defensive end from the University of Iowa; and Jake Kirkpatrick, senior center from TCU.

Fairley, from Mobile, Ala., led Auburn, nation's number one team, with a school-record 21 tackles for loss on the Tiger's road to the BCS national championship game on January 10 against Oregon. He ranks second in the SEC with 10.5 quarterback sacks and has 55 tackles this season, including 31 solo stops. He recovered two fumbles, forced one fumble, intercepted a pass and recorded 21 quarterback hurries.

One of five finalists for the 2010 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, as chosen by the Football Writers of America, Fairley also is a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award. He was named SEC Defensive Player or Defensive Lineman of the Week five times during the season and was chosen SEC Defensive Player of the Year by Associated Press.

Fairley is the second player from Auburn to win the Rotary Lombardi Award. He follows in the footsteps of his current position coach, Tracy Rocker, who claimed the honor in 1988. Fairley considers Rocker to have had a great influence on him, and credits his mentor with much of his success.

Voters for the Rotary Lombardi Award consist of all head coaches of NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams, all former winners and finalists, and selected members of the sports media.

Texas DE Sam Acho Named Recipient of the 2010 William V. Campbell Trophy

NEW YORK, December 7, 2010 - University of Texas defensive end Sam Acho has been named the 21st recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy, endowed by HealthSouth, at The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame's Annual Awards Dinner in New York City tonight. 

The Campbell Trophy is one of college football's most sought after and competitive awards, recognizing an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. The award comes with a 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship. A total of $300,000 was awarded to Acho and the other 15 Campbell Trophy finalists, who each claimed $18,000 scholarships for their post-graduate educations. 

"We are proud to honor Sam as the nation's top scholar-athlete," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "Highlighted by an endless list of accolades, he has proven himself as a team leader on the field who is just as successful in the classroom. In the community, Sam's exemplary record of giving back places him among the most selfless college athletes in the country. The Acho family, the University of Texas and, of course, Sam are to be congratulated on this singular achievement." 

A three-time Academic All-Big 12 performer, Acho has been twice named a First Team Academic All-American by ESPN The Magazine and has been a member of the UT's Athletics Directors Honor Roll six times. Named one of The Sporting News' "20 Smartest Athletes" and a two-time Arthur Ashe Sports Scholarship Award winner, Acho was inducted into UT's Friar Society, the university's oldest honor society. Landing a prestigious internship with Target in 2009, Acho earned acclaim when one of his marketing ideas was advanced to the CEO. 

On the field, the Dallas native was recently named a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and ranks fourth on the team with 59 total tackles this season, while leading the Longhorns in sacks (9), tackles for loss (17), quarterback pressures (17), forced fumbles (5) and fumble recoveries (4). As a junior, Acho led the Big 12 champions with 10 sacks, four fumble recoveries and ranked third on the team with 14 tackles for loss. In 2008, Acho helped Texas to a 12-1 finish and a No. 4 national ranking en route to earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 laurels. Acho ranks among the nation's top 10 active players with 21 career sacks and boasts 148 career tackles, 37 tackles for loss, eight forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries. 

Acho, who was recently named the winner of the 2010 ARA Sportsmanship Award, was named to the AFCA Good Works Team earlier this year and is a veteran of numerous medical mission trips to Nigeria. He helped organize fundraisers for the trips the last two years, assisting approximately 40 doctors in giving treatment for Nigerians who often only have access to a doctor once a year. He represented UT at the 2009 NCAA Leadership Conference, the Big 12 Conference on black student government and the NCAA Football Issues Committee. Acho has also found time to mentor elementary school students, volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and the Children's Courtyard program, and participate in numerous visits to the Dell Children's Medical Center, the Rise School and the Arc of the Capital. 

Acho joins former Campbell Trophy winner Dallas Griffin (2007) and eight others as the 10th NFF National Scholar-Athlete from Texas. 

Launched in 1959, the NFF scholar-athlete program became the first initiative in history to credit a player for both academic and athletic accomplishments. The centerpiece to the NFF's scholar-athlete program, which has awarded $9.5 million to 740 top athletes, the Campbell Trophy, first awarded in 1990, was renamed last fall in honor of Bill Campbell, the chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFF's Gold Medal. 

"Sam Acho and the 2010 National Scholar-Athlete Class represents all that is right about college football," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell winner) and Eli were NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "They have balanced practice with difficult majors like mechanical engineering and biology. They've also taken their passion for helping others beyond their local communities, taking medical and mission trips overseas to help those less fortunate than themselves. They are prime role models for future generations of young men in this country." 

Candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. 

The 2010 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients and Campbell Trophy Finalists includes:

• Sam Acho - DE, University of Texas
• Anthony Castonzo - OT, Boston College
• Ben Chappell - QB, Indiana University
• Alex Gross - LB, Columbia University
• Owen Marecic - FB/LB, Stanford University
• Greg McElroy - QB, University of Alabama
• Mike Mohamed - LB, University of California
• Travis Nissley - LB, Bucknell University
• Isaac Odim - RB, University of Minnesota Duluth
• Christian Ponder - QB, Florida State University
• Derek Sherrod - OT, Mississippi State University
• Nate Solder - OT, University of Colorado
• Chris Stewart - OG, University of Notre Dame
• Scott Tolzien - QB, University of Wisconsin
• Ben Wartman - HB, University of Saint Thomas (Minn.)
• Stefen Wisniewski - OG, Pennsylvania State University

Listed in chronological order, past Campbell winners, counting two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners, and five first-round NFL draft picks, include:  Chris Howard (Air Force, 1990 - College President), Brad Culpepper (Florida, 1991 - Attorney), Jim Hansen (Colorado, 1992 - Leader in Climatological Research), Thomas Burns (Virginia, 1993 - Engineering Executive), Robert Zatechka (Nebraska, 1994 - Physician), Bobby Hoying (Ohio State, 1995 - Real Estate Executive), Danny Wuerffel (Florida, 1996 - Nonprofit Executive Director), Peyton Manning (Tennessee, 1997 - NFL Player), Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1998 - Television Broadcaster & Insurance Executive),Chad Pennington (Marshall, 1999 - NFL Player),Kyle Vanden Bosch (Nebraska, 2000 - NFL Player), Joaquin Gonzalez (Miami, 2001 - Corporate Executive),Brandon Roberts (Washington University in St. Louis, 2002 - Physician),Craig Krenzel (Ohio State, 2003 - Insurance Executive), Michael Munoz (Tennessee, 2004 - Marketing Manager),Rudy Niswanger (Louisiana State University, 2005 - NFL Player),Brian Leonard (Rutgers University, 2006 - NFL Player),Dallas Griffin (University of Texas, 2007 - Corporate Finance Associate),Alex Mack (University of California, 2008 - NFL Player),Tim Tebow (University of Florida, 2009 - NFL Player)

CLEMSON'S BOWERS WINS 2010 BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (FWAA) – Clemson end Da'Quan Bowers claimed the 2010 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which annually is awarded to the best defensive player in college football.

Bowers became the 18th winner of the award as voted upon by the Football Writers Association of America. He received the award on Monday night at a banquet at the Westin Hotel that is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. The four other finalists were Auburn tackle Nick Fairley, Georgia linebacker Justin Houston, Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly and LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson.

Bowers is the first Clemson player to be named a finalist for the Nagurski Award since the late Gaines Adams in 2006 when Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis claimed the trophy. Bowers wears the same No. 93 that Adams wore at Clemson. The two players were close friends until Adams, who played for the Chicago Bears, sudden death last January in South Carolina.

Bowers broke Adams' Clemson school record for sacks by a defensive lineman this season week when he had a sack at Florida State late in the season. He also broke Adams' record for consecutive games with a sack, with nine straight in 2010.

Bowers' father, Dennis, passed away in the summer before the season. The two had bonded during the summer playing in a rock band on the road.

"I have dedicated this year to my dad," Bowers said during the season. “We had many talks on the road this past summer about being in the best shape to improve my quickness and doing all the little things to have a great season in 2010."

Bowers, a 6-4, 275-pound junior from Bamberg, S.C., is a big-play pass rusher who led the nation in quarterback sacks with 15.5 (1.29 a game). He was second in the country in tackles for loss with 24.5 (151 yards). He had nine tackles, one quarterback sack, two tackles for loss and a pass interception in the Tigers' 16-13 loss to Florida State.

Bowers' efforts certainly mirror the person for whom the trophy is named. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is given in memory of the legendary Nagurski, a former All-America lineman at Minnesota (1927-29).

Nagurski was a farm boy of Ukrainian and Polish stock who developed his body by pulling a plow. He was discovered, legend has it, by Minnesota coach "Doc" Spears, who stopped by a farm field in International Falls, Minn., near the Canadian border and asked directions from a big kid plowing a field without a horse. The kid showed Spears where he wanted to go by picking up the plow in one hand and pointing it in the direction Spears was heading.

Nagurski dominated college football at Minnesota as a bruising fullback and defensive tackle and could have been an All-American at any position. He then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s.

Notre Dame defensive tackle Mike McCoy received the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award presented by CSX Intermodal. McCoy was a member of the FWAA's 1969 All-America Team. Each year, a top defensive player from a past FWAA team is honored at the banquet.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,200 men and women who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tigerfwaa@aol.com.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official Web site, ncfaa.org.

Third Quarter Mock Draft

Here it is the third installment of what the first round of next April’s draft could look like if it were to happen today.    

1. Carolina:  Andrew Luck QB Stanford…best QB prospect since Peyton Manning and should have similar success saving a franchise.  Carolina can move Clausen as they “lucked” out and got the best QB in college. 

2. Detroit:  Patrick Peterson  CB  LSU…Moral victories don’t count but if they did the Lions would have quite a few more than their current win totals.  They are making steps in the right direction and Peterson gives them that difference maker in the defensive backfield which will help everyone.

3. Cincinnati:  Da’Quan Bowers   DE  Clemson …Might be a place for the next franchise QB but based on right now Bowers will give them the most bang for their buck the fastest.  Never full recovered from David Pollack injury so Bowers will finally give them a presence at defensive end. 

4. Buffalo:  A.J. Green   WR   Georgia....played their way out of the first pick in the draft and now has to settle for the top WR prospect.  Granted an offensive lineman makes more sense none grade this high so might as well get a sure fire starter and almost impossible cover in college.  Green will make whomever the QB is that much better. 

5. Denver:  Marcell Dareus   DT  Alabama Not quite sure what going on in Denver but they finally need to hit a HR with a first round pick at defensive line and Dareus will make up for the blunders of the past and then some.

6. Dallas: Adrian Clayborn   DE  Iowa  Another team that probably should look offensive line but none grade this high so instead they get the highly effective Clayborn.   Should contend for a starting role in camp.   If they switch to a 4-3 then Robert Quinn would be the pick. 

7. Arizona:   Ryan Mallett   QB  Arkansas OK we all know Derek Anderson is not the answer and Hall is a nice back up but this team needs a #1 QB and the big boy Mallett will prove awful tempting.    I have some questions on him but it appears the NFL scouts are high on him. 

8. San Francisco:   Prince Amukamara  CB  Nebraska… A shut down corner that will improve the defense but the 49’ers have to be hoping for one of the QBs to grade out and warrant being selected this high. 

9. Minnesota:    Nick Fairley   DT  Auburn…The Williams boys are getting older and it doesn’t appear a long term replacement is on the roster.   Nick is just scratching his potential and can been groomed along nicely before starting for the talented Vikings defense. 

10. Cleveland:  Julio Jones   WR  Alabama…A beast of a player who will become an instant favorite of Colt McCoy.   Jones gives them a number one receiver the team desperately lacks.  

Read the rest here