What's up with Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis? Earlier this week he said he was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. However, he said that conclusion was reached via a blood test. Doctors are saying that you can't diagnose an anxiety disorder like that. Anxiety could be a symptom, not a diagnosis, if the conclusion was reached via a blood test.
The Brewers placed closer Trevor Hoffman on the 15-day DL. The move is retroactive to March 27th so he could be available as early as the 11th of April.
The Rays released 3B Morgan Ensberg.
There has been a lot of action from Philadelphia management in the last 48 hours. First, the team released utility infielder Marcus Giles. Today, the team released veteran OF Geoff Jenkins, named Chan Ho Park the 5th starter, and are rumored to be interested in Gary Sheffield, who was released by the Tigers today. Sheffield would provide a powerful RH bat off the bench. Cole Hamels was also recently declared out for the opener. He will most likely pitch the Phillies first road game of the season in Colorado.
The Dodgers signed veteran lefty RP Will Ohman to a 1-year deal. Joe Blanton or Brett Myers will get the opening day nod.
The Atlanta Braves have extended the contract of 3B Chipper Jones through the 2012 season.
No, I don't mean about posting. I clearly haven't taken a vacation; posting has been pretty regular around here of late.
What I mean is, what sporting events have I been to? This exercise was really for my historical reference to reminisce about all the tings I have done in the sports world.
However, if you're interested to see the games I've been to check out the right sidebar under the schedule and you can see what sporting events I have attended. It is limited to football and basketball right now but I hope to add hockey and baseball soon.
I've limited it to professional and collegiate matches. I could go on and on about all the lower level events I've seen. I have attended probably more than 30 Reading Phillies games and close to 20 Reading Royals games.
So check out where I've been. Eventually I'll have my thoughts on some of the games up and any pictures I may have from the event.
The Phillies host the Braves in the regular season MLB opener. Though they still are the defending champions, we can't dwell on the past. It's 2009; a new year.
I didn't do too much during the offseason to honor my favorite baseball team so I've taken the time now. For the next week or so the banner will be dedicated to them.
Don't worry, a sweet PSU banner will be back shortly. You may have even gotten a sneak peek at it today.
Well I think I've done pretty well over the last six weeks. After posting a combined 32 times from November through January, I managed 39 in February. This is the 47th for March. Set schedule are goooooood.
After writing about the same things for the last month and a half, I've decided to make some changes. April brings to mind two things (to me at least): the NFL draft and Phillies baseball. The former will be the focus of many of the daily posts.
Below is a description of each of the daily features.
Mondays - Mock Draft Update: I have two primary reasons for moving this to the first work day of each week. First, this allows me a week off to do some more analysis for my own mock and also decide if I want to expand the expert comparisons and, in turn, the ADP. Second, I feel moving my mock to Monday will generate more traffic. Let's face it; on Friday's - the old day for the update - people are focused on the weekend. Then the weekend comes and the mock update gets buried. Hopefully this will make my mock more prevalent. Perhaps I'll even get some comments and/or suggestions!
Tuesdays - Nittany Lions in the Pros: Yep, it's back! Though I finished chronicling the positions in which former Penn State football players are hoping to make an NFL roster this summer, there are a few left to examine. Starting a week from tomorrow I'll examine former Nittany Lion Ps, TEs, RBs, and QBs.
Wednesdays - NFL Draft Averages: Hey, a new feature! This weekly installment will actually run twice a week in order to examine all positions. What I'm going to be publishing here is 10-year draft averages for each position and what it means for this years prospects.
Thursdays - Around the Interwebs: This will be the standard PSU football update complete with links and my analysis. This will be much more in depth this month thanks to the presence of spring football.
Fridays - Phillies Update: And finally something other than football. This post is pretty self-explanatory.
Saturdays - Penn State Update: Football is at the front of our minds here at Sports Fountainhead, however we respect all of the sports Penn State has to offer. While this post will include football news the focus will be how other Nittany Lion athletes performed the last week.
Sundays - NFL Draft Averages: This was covered above. I have to post two updates a week or I won't cover all of the positions prior to draft day (April 25th).
So there's the new schedule. Hope you enjoy the new features!
Today will undoubtedly be the longest installment of Nittany Lions in the Pros. Penn State was blessed with a fresh stable of workhorse WRs in 2005, one that help Penn State declare "We Are Back". Now they are on their way to the NFL.
What's in store for Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, and Jordan Norwood now that their time in white and blue is up? How have past Penn State WRs fared as professionals? Check out the statistics below.
Click to enlarge statistics.
OVERVIEW According to Pro Football Reference - where all of the Nittany Lions in the Pros data has come from - Penn State has sent 19 WRs to the NFL in the last 43 years. Looking at this more closely we, as Penn Stat fans, see this is misleading. At least Ethan Kilmer (safety) and Michael Robinson (running back) do not play WR in the NFL and possibly others on this list did not play there during their professional days. That drops us to 17. Lowering the number doesn't help Penn State's case. Once every three years a Penn State alum will make it to the NFL as a WR. Without a wider context with regards to other major universities it's hard to tell if that is good or not. What isn't good is that a PSU WR has made the All Pro 1st team just once. But wait... he made it as a kick returner! So NO All Pro performances by a Nittany Lion receiver EVER. The same goes for Pro Bowls! That is a little ridiculous. It seems that Penn State produces solid guys but never a true #1. This doesn't bode well for Williams, Butler, and Norwood. Of course, it only takes one to start rewriting statistical history. Penn State has had more success in the last 15 years than they did from 1966 through 1992. Eleven former PSU WRs made NFL rosters in that period and it resulted in a total of only eight seasons accrued as a starter in 49 seasons. Yuck. However, when O.J. McDuffie was taken in the 1st round by the Dolphins things improved.
NITTANY LION STANDOUT Between 1993 and 2008, six Penn State WRs have been drafted/signed to NFL rosters and 16 years as a starter have added up over a total of 46 seasons. Nothing to brag about but certainly better than the first 2.5 decades. So who among this group of six is best? I'd argue it comes down to McDuffie, Joe Jurevicius, and Bobby Engram. McDuffie was a 1st round choice of the Dolphins in 1993 and started in five of his eight seasons in the league. Jurevicius was a second round pick of the Giants in 1998 and has played 10 seasons (with a final 11th coming in 2009). He has only been a teams primary starter for three of those seasons but he has always been around winners. He went to the Super Bowl with the Giants (XXXV), Buccaneers (XXXVI), and Seahawks (XL). Last is Engram who is my choice for standout. Like McDuffie and Jurevicius, Engram was selected early in the draft (52nd pick by the Bears in 1996) and was set to be a top WR. He never reached the lofty goals the organization and fans had for him but was always a solid contributor on and off the field. Engram has played 13 season in the NFL (five with the Bears, the last eight with Seattle) and will be playing at least one more in 2009 (with the Chiefs). The former Penn State All American and Biletnikof winner is the most decorated former PSU WR in the NFL, for better or worse.
2009 DRAFT Derrick Williams garnered all the praise and admiration coming out of high school but he may not be the one NFL scouts see as having the best upside at the next level. There are rumblings that Deon Butler has performed well enough since the season ended that he could hear his name called before D-Will. How did the two of them plus Norwood perform during their four year stint in Happy Valley? Williams amassed 161 receptions for 1,743 yards and nine TDs in 46 career games. He returned 66 punts for 724 yards with three TDs and added another 50 returns, 1,095 yards, and two TDs on kickoffs. He rushed 117 times for 594 yards and eight TDs. Did you know that Williams had only one career 100+ yard receiving game (11/10/2007 @ Temple)? Williams will be drafted primarily as a speedy slot guy who can also return kicks. However, since he is a hard worker and high character guy he'll provide whatever team selects him great value.
How about Butler? While Williams became a jack-of-all-trades and more of an athlete than receiver, Butler was the QBs go-to guy. He played in all 51 of Penn State's games over the last four seasons and caught 179 passes for 2,771 yards and 22 TDs. He had six career 100+ yard receiving games and holds the Penn State record for receiving yards in a game (216 vs Northwestern, 9/30/2006). Pretty good idea shifting him from DB to WR prior to his redshirt freshman season, no? Good job coaching staff! Butler has tremendous upside and is actually faster and a better catcher than the more heralded Williams. Butler could sneak into the end of round two. Definitely expect to hear his name called early on day two.
Last, but certainly not least, is Jordan Norwood. Norwood played in 48 of the last 51 games, missing only the 2005 opener versus South Florida as a freshman and the Illinois and Purdue games in 2008 due to injury. He accumulated 158 catches for 2,015 yards, and 13 TDs. Yep, more receiving yards and TDs than Williams. He also returned two punts for 23 yards. Norwood actually appeared to be the most sure-handed WR of the three. He had hands like glue and didn't fear going over the middle. That tenacity and spirit could help him latch on to a slot role like Wes Welker and Davone Bess. Again, he could be a late round or undrafted gem. WRs are supposed to catch, right? He does that. Well.
So what are the chances of all three being drafted in a month? I'd say about 65%. Butler and Williams are a lock; look for them to go in rounds two or three. Norwood could sneak his way into the late sixth or seventh round. They each had respectable Pro Day workouts a few weeks ago. All will make NFL rosters for training camp.
All three compare favorably to McDuffie, Jurevicius, and Engram. I'd say that's a compliment. However, we are looking for the first great PSU WR in the NFL. Will we get it? I have to say probably not. This senior trio was phenomenal at Penn State but I have a tough time believing any of the three will become more than a complementary or role playing WR. But ya never know, right?
The Dolphins had a busy weekend. Reports on two separate yet equally interesting developments made it to the media and they promptly took the bait. First, The Miami Herald reports that on a recent scouting trip taken by the trifecta - Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland, and Tony Sparano - a fourth member of the organization joined them: second-year QB Chad Henne.
Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne embarked on a multicity tour of the country with the team's top three decision makers, during which time he has been throwing to potential draft picks.
The team asked Henne if he wanted to join their crew for the trip, and he agreed. During the trip, the Dolphins will work out more than six receiving prospects in several cities.
This is just another step towards handing the keys to the Dolphins offense to Henne in 2010. Henne is evaluating the available talent and to receivers he'd presumably be throwing to in just over a year (or sooner if Chad Pennington is injured). His willingness to go on the trip backs up the notion put forth by the current regime that Henne is just biding his time before he is the team leader. It also helps that Parcells and Co. have continually shown faith in the kid and this reinforcement could send his confidence through the roof, something young QB sometimes lack.
On the scouting trip, Henne threw to first round prospects Hakeem Nicks (North Carolina) and Percy Harvin (Florida).
The choice will be largely up to Taylor. And the choice largely will determine who Taylor is and what he is about. If he is still driven by a desire to put himself in the best spot to win a title, he must go to New England.
But Taylor is said to also be motivated by a desire to remain close to his family and not put them through the difficulties of his disastrous 2008 experience, when he lived in Washington and they stayed in South Florida.
No team except the Dolphins can fulfill Taylor's desire to remain close to his family.
Armando Salguero, the articles author, points out that the relationship rift between Taylor and Parcells has healed and both have respect and nothing but praise for one another.
MY TAKE: Yes and yes. On the Henne front this makes me ecstatic. As a huge Hennefan and supporter, the reality is setting in that, were Miami to win a Super Bowl in the next 5-10 years, a kid I played football with could be the one leading them to victory Holy crap.
In regards to Taylor I'm all for it. Why not? As the article points out, Sparano knows that you can never have too many pass rushers. Even if Taylor would come back to Miami this regime is set on drafting a pass rusher early. Both Porter and Taylor are old and on the downside of their careers; new blood is needed regardless. How great would it be for someone so loved by the organization and fans to return? Even though I hated the way he handled things last offseason, he remains a standup guy off the field and a great leader and player on it. Please come back, Jason.
Michigan QB Nick Sheridan has suffered a broken leg and will miss the remainder of spring practice. In his absence, freshman Tate Forcier has taken over as the #1 QB on the depth chart. Forcier, Sheridan, and Denard Robinson will be competing for the starting job come August.
Indiana head coach Bill Lynch has made the move of Kellen Lewis from QB to WR official. Lewis, who had a tremendous 2007 season for the Hoosiers, will now be catching passes from his former backup Ben Chappell. Lynch says the move is to get both Lewis and Chappell on the field at one time, which may cause matchup problems for defenses.
The USC QB race is wide open. There are four candidates and little is known about who may have an edge this spring. Garrett Green, Aaron Corp, Mitch Mustain, and freshman Matt Barkley all have a shot.
Coach Dave Wannstedt has deemed Bill Stull his starting QB but says that if someone else performs better than him this spring and summer he won't hesitate to make a switch. Pat Bostick and TinoSunseri are also in the running for the job. Wannstedt has rewarded the QB that has performed that best at practice take the final four repetitions each day.
USF RB Keeley Dorsey died over two years ago and since then no Bulls player has donned his #10 jersey on the field. That is going to change this season. To honor their late teammate, a different USF senior will wear Dorsey's number each game - blank, with no nameplate. Senior QB Matt Grothe will be wearing Dorsey's jersey during their homecoming game and DE George Selvie will put it on for their Senior Night matchup versus Miami on November 28th.
Over at the new and excellent Phillies blog, Macho Row, I, along with three other Phillies bloggers, answer questions about the upcoming 2009 season. Kevin McGuire, creator of Macho Row (and Nittanydelphia), posed us questions about the Phillies and the N.L. East.
The Phillies won the World Series? Now what?
ME: We, as fans, celebrate. Who knows when this will happen again, right? The city waited 10,236 days (or 28 years, 9 days) between World Series titles. Look at the Red Sox or both Chicago teams. They each had to wait a long time for another World Series title. The Cubs are still waiting! We cannot take this for granted. And I don't think anyone is. For once, we are the best. As fans, live it up. World Series don't come around all that often, especially for us (just two in 126 seasons). From a roster/management stand point, don't get lazy. The goal is to win a championship every year, not every sixty years. Sure, 2008 was a blast but it's over with; 2009 is here and the bullseye on the Phillies back has grown. Not only are the Mets gunning for us, the entire league is. A new season is upon us. Time to get back to business, with a chance to become the first team to successfully defend a title since the 2000 Yankees.
I have been overlooking a few teams during my weekly Penn State update. Today they'll get their due.
Fencing is a little recognized sport around the nation. However it has been quite successful at Penn State over the last 20 years. This year has been no different. The men's and women's teams combined for their 11th National Championship. Penn State's first NCAA Title came in 1990. Since then the fencing team has captured 10 more. Four Nittany Lion fencers earned individual honors, two men and two women. AleksanderOchoki and Nick Chinman are the sabre and foil National Champions, respectively. For the women, Anastasia Ferdman (epee) and Doris Willette (foil) earned individual titles. When the last coaches poll was released, Notre Dame was favored to take home the overall title. They finished second with 182 total wins, 13 behind Penn State. Ohio State was third with 166. This is Penn State's 63rd NCAA National Championship in any sport. It is also the fourth won in the past 16 months. [Go PSU Sports, Nittany White Out, and Black Shoe Diaries]
Congratulations to the Penn State fencing team for winning their 11th National Championship in the last 20 years.
The men's golf team participated in the Pinehurst Intercollegiate event in mid-March and finished in first place at the conclusion of the match. Up next for the men is the Kepler Invitational in Columbus, OH on April 11 and 12.
The women's golf team finished 4th in the First Market Bank Intercollegiate last weekend. They'll be participating in the Canes and Cardinals classic next weekend.
The men's lacrosse team fell to 3-4 on the season when they lost to Fairfield in OT, 5-4. They are currently playing at Massachussetts while I type this.
After starting the season 4-0, the women's lacrosse team has dropped four straight evening their record at 4-4. They try to start a new winning streak today at William & Mary.
The men's swimming and diving team are participating in the NCAA Championships this weekend in College Station, Texas. They were ranked 22nd as of 2/26 (the last update). The 200 freestyle relay finished 14th on Thursday. The individual and team competitions continue today.
The women's swimming and diving team, ranked 15th as of 2/26, competed in the NCAA Championships last weekend. The women finished a disappointing 38th.
The men's tennis team fell to 8-8 on the year when they lost to #28 Minnesota, 5-2, yesterday. They are off today but host Iowa tomorrow.
The women's tennis team stands at 3-12 on the year. They lost yesterday to Minnesota, 5-2. They play at Iowa tomorrow.
The men's and women's track teams are in the Jim Thorpe Invitational today at the Nittany Lion Track. The men aren't ranked but the women's indoor team was ranked 5th as of 2/18.
The baseball team sits at 13-9 on the season and was very active the last week. They swept the three game series versus New York Tech (4-2, 13-2, 9-2) last weekend and beat Kent Staet (9-2) and Temple (7-4) on the road. They opened up a three game series with rival Ohio State last night. The Nittany Lions lost the first game 8-3. The teams are playing right now and will also meet tomorrow afternoon.
The softball team fell to 9-14 this year after losses to Nebraska, Illinois (twice), and Pittsburgh. They take on Northwestern today and tomorrow as the heart of Big Ten play starts.
The wrestling team's season ended last weekend but here is one last recap. Penn State had two All-Americans (Quentin Wright and Frank Molinaro). The team finished 17th overall. It was another strong year for the Big Ten Conference as a whole. Iowa (surprised?) won another National Championship, their 2nd straight and 22nd overall. Three other Big Ten schools finished in the Top 10 (Ohio State - 2nd, Illinois - 8th, Wisconsin - 9th). All 11 Big Ten school finished in the Top 25. Galen has the lowdown. Check it out. [The Nittany Line]
The men's gymnastics team vaulted up to 4th place in the national rankings (as of 3/23) thanks to a competitive showing against #2 Oklahoma. Penn State fell to the Sooners, 366.850 to 356.300. The regular season has concluded and the Big Ten Championships begin next weekend. It will most likely come down to Illinois, Michigan, and Penn State.
The women competed in the Big Ten Championships last weekend and finished 3rd, catapulting them to 12th in the national rankings. Michigan took the title - their 17th - and Illinois finished 2nd. Oddly enough those two teams are ranked 16th and 14th, respectively, in the nation. However, the individual honors rolled in for the Nittany Lions. Brandi Personett was named the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year and head coach Steve Shephard took home his third Coach of the Year title. The team has been selected to compete in the Southeast Regionals in order to earn a place in the NCAA Championships. The matches will take place April 4th in Raleigh, N.C. at North Carolina State's Reynolds Coliseum. The top two teams from each regional advance to the national championships to be held April 16th-18th in Nebraska. Penn State and #1 Georgia are favored to emerge from the field of six, which also includes #13 Nebraska, #21 West Virginia, #29 N.C. State, and #30 North Carolina. This isn't the best draw for the Nittany Lions. They have to compete against the #1 team in the nation, two teams from in-state, and the team hoping to win a national championship on their home turf. Good luck ladies!
The men's volleyball team, ranked 12th as of 3/23, has won four straight matches after failing to win one at the Active Ankle Classic at Long Beach State. They beat IPFW, Loyola Chicago, Juniata, and Princeton 3-0 over the last eight days. The team hosts Mount Olive tonight.
Last, but certainly not least, the men's basketball team. The Nittany Lions upset the favored Florida Gators in the NIT quarterfinals to advance to the Final Four in New York. They will face Notre Dame on Tuesday. No matter how this season ends it has been quite a run for the Penn State seniors and head coach Ed DeChellis. [Nittany White Out]
OK this is really last. Who did BSD name the Nittany Lion of the Week? How about two of our new national champions? That's right, this week Anastasia Ferdman and Doris Willette take the honor. [Black Shoe Diaries]
Congratulations again to the fencing team on their 11th National Championship! Don't forget to tune in for the NIT Final Four match versus Notre Dame on Tuesday!
Zombie Nation is reporting, via Fight on State, that redshirt freshman Michael Zordich (who recently swiped a new jersey number) will play linebacker and not fullback as had been rumored. This pleases me. I had hoped we'd have a the Mike Trio (Zordich, Yancich, and Mauti) taking over for Lee, Bowman, and Hull in 2010. Now that is a possibility. Using Zordich at FB would have been a waste of talent, in my opinion. LB Shaine Thompson has been moved to FB in place of Zordich. Smart move by the coaching staff.
Shuffling was limited this week since only two "expert" mocks updated. However, there was some movement that could help give you an idea of who the best prospects are, where they could be drafted, and who's stock is rising or falling. Check out the Mock Draft Average Draft Position results for March 27th, 2009 below.
Click to enlarge the 3/27/2009 average draft positions.
You can see the 7th version of my 2009 NFL Mock Draft below this post or by clicking here.
The Football Expert, one of the sites that I use for my comparisons and ADP sections, has published a comprehensive Mock Draft ADP. It uses 101 mocks from around the blogosphere/interwebs. You can check it out here. It debuted yesterday and was compiled by Gregory Cox.
My 2009 NFL Mock Draft Version 7 has been completed! This revision had a huge mix up as I reevaluated each of the prospects fighting for selection in the first round as well as reevaluating each teams needs. I think this may be the best one I've made this year. Jacksonville, Buffalo, Chicago, and Minnesota throw me a bit but there will always be a handful of teams that have needs that may not fit whats available or a team with so many needs you have no idea which way they'll go. The bare text of the mock can be found just below. If you'd like more in depth analysis, a lock at who I had picked for each team in the last version, plus a few other options the teams will consider, check the PDF download immediately below this sentence.
Only two sites updated over the last week: Draft Tek and Walter Football. I have included the most up-to-date expert mocks in my comparisons image below. Nothing too out of the ordinary to make a note of. For the second straight week no new prospects have made it into consideration for round one. I expect that to change in the next week or two. Look out for Jarron Gilbert (San Jose State)!
Click to enlarge comparisons for 3/27/2009.
PROSPECT UPDATES
Former Rutgers WRKenny Britt ran 4.40 second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day last week and is now a legitimate late-first round prospect. 27 teams were present at the Rutgers workout and all paid attention to his performance. The Ravens, who hold the 26th pick, are holding a private workout with the 6' 3", 210 pound receiver sometime next week. Experts expect Britt to go between picks 25 and 40.
Former Pittsburgh RB LeSean McCoy has had private workouts with the Broncos, Eagles, and Bengals. He had a so-so Pro Day and may be losing the battle for 3rd RB taken to Connecticut's Donald Brown, who was on fire at his recent workout, and...
Andre Brown, the shifty but big N.C. State back. The Chargers, 49ers, Titans, Texans, Patriots, and Jaguars all have a visit scheduled with him. Expect Brown to creep into the middle or end of round two, with McCoy and the other Brown.
Penn State's Rich Ohrneberger is starting to get more interest after he was impressive at his Pro Day last Wednesday. Ohrnberger was a third team All-American but was not invited to the combine. Teams said to be interested are the Eagles, Bears, Giants, Jets, Falcons, and Patriots.
Ole Miss OT Michael Oher had a solid Pro Day workout this week and his cemented his status as a Top 15 pick. He improved both his 40-yard dash and bench press events from what they were at the combine.
Despite missing all of the 2008 season due to a torn ACL, Florida TE Cornelius Ingram is expected to be taken in the second round. He has visits scheduled with the Ravens, Dolphins, Eagles, and Seahawks. Ingram blazed a 4.50 second 40 and did not drop a pass at his Pro Day workout.
Western Michigan FSLouis Delmas, who worked out at his Pro Day more than two weeks ago, has visits schedule with multiple teams, including the Ravens, Falcons, Jets, Saints, Broncos, Dolphins, Browns, Patriots, and Cowboys. The Browns, Eagles, and Dolphins also have a private workout for him soon. Delmas is expected to be the first safety taken, most likely at the beginning of round two.
Connecticut CB Darius Butler is said to be visiting at least six teams (Bills, Jets, Titans, Vikings, Saints, and Rams) over the next two weeks and has at least five private workouts scheduled. Those most interested in the CB are the Cleveland, Denver, Miami, Atlanta, and St. Louis.
