The NFL Thread (with added College Football)

[usav]

Their current stadium was built for the 96 Olympics, so hardly archaic.

[Comrade Blitz]

A folly led by delusions of Super Bowl-hosting grandeur

[UK Redsox]

Their current stadium was built for the 96 Olympics, so hardly archaic.

It's Turner Field that was the Olympic Stadium. The Georgia Dome is a few years older.

[UK Redsox - Baseball Stadium Hall of Fame, Member of Inaugural Class 2001]

[cdbearsfan]

A folly led by delusions of Super Bowl-hosting grandeur

I doubt it's a delusion. If you're a Southern NFL stadium, chances are you'll host a Super Bowl every now and again.

[Comrade Blitz]

There's a bit more to it than that:

NFL List Of Super Bowl Criteria Leaked

[usav]

How the heck are Minneapolis going to fulfill this request in February??

But there are plenty of non-game related caveats as well, including having reservations at two "top quality" bowling lanes and three "top quality" 18-hole golf courses in near proximity to the host venue

I suppose it doesn't say they have to be open.

[UK Redsox]

Ryan Leaf is out of jail

http://deadspin.com/ryan-leaf-is-out-of-prison-and-he-looks-terrible-1666817956

If Leaf hadn't made public his reluctance to play in Indianapolis, the Colts might well have selected him instead of some bloke called Manning.

[UK Redsox]

NCAA playoff is set

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11992914/college-football-playoff-alabama-crimson-tide-oregon-ducks-florida-state-seminoles-ohio-state-buckeyes-inaugural-playoff

TCU and Baylor are the best teams to miss out

[UK Redsox]

Humourous move by Jeff Fisher before the Rams v Washington Football a Team game.

http://deadspin.com/jeff-fisher-taunts-skins-with-rg3-trade-haul-before-gam-1668003792

[UK Redsox]

Villa and the Raiders winning on the same day. The sports world has gone insane

[ADVILLAFAN]

Villa and the Raiders winning on the same day. The sports world has gone insane

I was pleased to see you won the 'No longer battle of the bay', against the Santa Clara 49ers.

[cdbearsfan]

Villa and the Raiders winning on the same day. The sports world has gone insane

I was pleased to see you won the 'No longer battle of the bay', against the Santa Clara 49ers.

In fairness, the Raiders would, and maybe will, be out of Oakland in a shot, too.

[cdbearsfan]

NCAA playoff is set

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11992914/college-football-playoff-alabama-crimson-tide-oregon-ducks-florida-state-seminoles-ohio-state-buckeyes-inaugural-playoff

TCU and Baylor are the best teams to miss out

I see they still need a "selection committee" to decide who makes the play-offs.

Reason number one why I can't bring myself to give a toss about college football.

[UK Redsox]

Until the NCAA put a proper league structure in place, there'll always need to be a selection committee.

At least now, the argument over who misses out revolves around the fifth best team rather than the second best.

I've not actually watched many of the games but the chat on US radio has been interesting

[UK Redsox]

2015 Draft Top 10 per Mel Kiper of ESPN

An asterisk denotes a junior for the 2014 season; two asterisks denote a redshirt sophomore.

1. *Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon Ducks

He finished with a flourish and has to be the favorite for the Heisman. What's great about Mariota this year is how, despite his 600-plus rushing yards, you simply can't call him a "running QB." He's been so efficient as a passer -- and with a pass-first mentality -- that even if you judged him on his passing exploits alone you'd have a really, really good prospect. He continues to show improved accuracy and anticipation, and his ability to get through his progressions more quickly is obvious. Of course, elite athleticism is a huge part of his game, though how well he can take apart a defense with tools other than his legs matters. But his ability to throw on the run or simply take off and pick up chunks of yardage is a major plus. Mariota is no lock to be a star. But he's an outstanding prospect.



2. *Leonard Williams, DE, USC Trojans

No change here for a while. I noted last week that it's impressive that Williams is second on the Trojans in tackles. He just has exceptional awareness and always finds the ball. Quick for his size, he can move all over and won't get pushed around when he's inside. At his size (6-foot-5, 290 pounds), he's a special athlete who could line up as a defensive end and drive a tackle back or line up on the outside shoulder of a guard and create problems with power and quickness. He's the kind of disruptive, versatile lineman who can succeed in any system.



3. *Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide

Finishes the regular season with 115 catches -- just incredible. Every week is a route-running clinic. He's neither a pure speedster nor an impossible high-point matchup threat given his size (6-1, 210 pounds), but there's nothing Cooper doesn't do really well, and he's probably more explosive than he looks because his movement is so precise. He separates with ease, has a good sense of how to find space against a zone, and will make contested catches. His work rate is legendary and will be a big selling point.



4. *Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska Cornhuskers

I'm pretty sure he'll enter the draft, and he'd be wise to. A super-athletic pass-rusher with a lean frame and exceptional quickness, he could be a 3-4 outside linebacker or add some weight and be useful in a 4-3 scheme. I think he's shown he can play with good leverage and hold the point on the edge, but his quickness, length and ability to disrupt in the passing game is the big sell.



5. *Shane Ray, DE, Missouri Tigers

Hit with a targeting call against Bama -- don't get me started -- he was a huge loss for Mizzou. It's fitting his ejection came on a QB hit, since nobody can block him this year. He plays with tremendous energy, beats blockers in multiple ways, and gets to the passer, so it's going to work out. What I like about Ray is that he combines a relentless effort level with a range of pass-rushing moves. He's not just a speed rusher off the edge; he'll get on the inside shoulder of a tackle and drive through, creating pressure from the inside. Super productive.



6. **Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State Seminoles

I admit I need more time to go back through this season of play to evaluate Winston. It's been so up and down with so many mistakes followed up by brilliant plays -- it's hard to know what to make of it all. What I do know is we're still talking about a pretty special, still-young talent. Winston has an extraordinary mind and physical talent for football, with special pocket instincts, and the necessary vision, size, arm strength and athleticism. He also has the ability to manipulate the pocket, see pressure early, and deliver the ball to the right target. But there have been mistakes, and that extends beyond the field.



7. Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa Hawkeyes

I still have Scherff as my top tackle, but it'll be interesting to see who is in the draft class. Overall, he's been dominant in the run game and has made strides as a pass-blocker. I've said before that he can be better in pass protection, but he is pretty good, just not super-nimble. He is the best run-blocker in the class, along with La'el Collins. Scherff uses a powerful base and a powerful punch to jolt defenders, and he can move well and line up blocks in space. He's a classic finisher in the running game.



8. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville Cardinals

A successful run after coming back from an August foot injury has really solidified Parker's stock. He offers great length, with long arms, good hops and a strong, chiseled, lean frame that will remind some of A.J. Green. Parker does a good job with body position when the ball is in the air -- and it all adds up to a guy with a huge catch radius. He will make plays downfield, and he's good with the ball in his hands.



9. *Melvin Gordon III, RB, Wisconsin Badgers

I'm just glad he's healthy after a senior year with 300-plus carries. Gordon is an easy accelerator, and he cuts with explosiveness and little wasted motion. He will miss a hole here and there in search of a bigger lane, but he has good vision, isn't afraid of contact between the tackles or on the edge, and has breakaway speed when he gets in space. Here's hoping health doesn't become an issue because of the workload.



10. *Landon Collins, S, Alabama Crimson Tide

I said last week I'm really impressed lately with how well he plays close to the line of scrimmage. Super-versatile, he's what every NFL coach wants right now. Collins can play deep -- making good reads and taking the right angle to the ball -- and he also has the ability to line up close to the line of scrimmage and run with tight ends. A strong tackler, Collins is fearless in taking on running backs, but he shows good technique and doesn't just throw himself at the ball.