Soxbadger

Sure sounds good, 4 should be an interesting pick.

Ill take whatever team you need, I was thinking about this yesterday. I prefer Bears, or any team with top 5 pick, but eh Im flexible.

I know just wanted to hear if you had an opinion. I like to hear what other people think, I think Bush looks like a smaller S. Alexander. His speed did not seem Deon fast or even Vick fast. Bennet a track star ran a 4.31, Landanian 4.41, and Vick at 4.36 all seem faster. Its just hard to judge prior to the combine.

::chuckles:: Ah Mr Harris, are you going to put your 2 cents into the argument or are you just going to stand on the sidelines? I dont shy away from my opinions on players, and that is why I went ahead and put Deangelo Williams and Lendale White ahead of Bush in my RB projections. As for patting my own back, I dont think its necessary. Come 2007 when we look back at this years draft class I think that my statements will prove their merit.

Chisox, I just would not bet my franchise on Reggie Bush. He may turn out to be an All-Pro, but I just do not think it is a certainty. I think Lendale White is much more likely to make an impact next year then either Bush or Calhoun, his size and style fits the pro game much better. As for Calhoun versus Bush, I am putting cost into the equation. Bush's cost will be ridiculously high, a top 5 pick over all, and $20-40mil in contracts. Calhoun's cost will be very low, most likely a late 2nd early 3rd round and at most $1-2mil in contracts. That is why I would not draft Bush at 1, because I do not think he is 10-20x better than Calhoun, Deangelo Williams, etc. If I were the Texans and I was hell bent on RB, I would 100% trade down and pick D'Brickshaw Ferguson. I would then see how the draft goes and either trade up from the 2nd round to get a first round rb, or stand pat and see who falls. Bush could prove me 100% wrong, but there are very few players in the last few years who can claim that I missed on them. I also think Bush did not play against top defensive talent, and he did not face many 8+ in the box sets. I also think Calhoun has better hands, thus he is more suited to be a WR/RB and why at 3rd round his value is very high. Once again, not saying he is better than Bush. Just saying that in my evaluation of both players, Bush is not so far ahead of Calhoun that if I was a team like the Jets who misses out on Bush in round 1, I would be very happy if I could get Calhoun in 3.

Basically I put my reputation on the line that Cadillac Williams would outplay Benson. In every post I said that Williams was the ideal player for the Bears if they were going to draft RB. That why would you select a player whose idol is Ricky Williams, when you have a player whose idol is Walter Payton. Also the Bears should lose major points for last years draft because of Lovie's laziness. Lovie was invited to be one of the coach's at the Senior game, but he turned it down and Gruden went instead. Gruden fell in love with Cadillac, and the rest is history. I can only imagine if Lovie had actually taken the time to go down there and coach the players he would of seen the type of player Cadillac is, and the Bears would not have drafted Benson. ::shrugs:: It really was not a toss up, Benson had many issues that an in depth character search would of uncovered. He was a player that looked like he would hold out, and did. In the end if you are picking a top 5 player you need to take a player who is playing for the love of the game, and not for the pay check. Benson is a pay check player. Cadillac is a love of the game player. Cadillac showed up and signed a contract because he is getting paid to do something he loves, and the difference between $25mil and $22mil in the grand scheme of things is peanuts if you are going to be a top back for your entire career. Honestly it sickens me as much or more as passing on Leftwich.

Good game by OSU, although they let Wisconsin stay in the game far to long. Wisconsin just did not have its shot the first half and missed its last 8-9 to give them any chance of tieing or trying to come back. Hard to win away games, but last nights game was just wierd. Seemed like no energy from both teams, and the home crowd was kind of silent. Anyways I expected them to lose, but hoped they could find a way to win. And as predicted OSU played some press defense.

I mean press defense, I expect OSU to use it even if they have not shown it in any game. Even Northwestern tried it for a few minutes because if you watch enough Wisconsin tape it is just puzzeling how bad they are against the press. They honestly just dont know what they are doing, panic, and then throw it away, or do something crazy. Wisconsin strength is half court game and inside outside game. Usually defend the perimeter and paint well, but give up the mid range jumper. If Butch starts to put up 10+ pts 5+ reb per game to go alon with Tucker and Taylor Wisconsin should be in pretty good shape.

Every game on the road is a touch match up. Im not that familiar with OSU, but teams that give Wisconsin the biggest problem are quick deep teams who can press the entire floor. For whatever reason Wisconsin is just not that good at handling the ball in the back court, and when you watch them play Minnesota the last few years, you just cringe when you see the press come out.

I did not say Calhoun was better than Bush. I said I do not think Bush is 30million better than Calhoun, and that is underestimating the difference in contracts that they are going to be given. From NFL Draftcountdown because until combine no real way to determine speed etc: Bush: Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200 | 40-Time: 4.28 Calhoun: Height: 5-10 | Weight: 194 | 40-Time: n/a So why would Calhoun need to put on 20 lbs, when he is 2 inches shorter and only 6 lbs ligher than Bush? He also took far more punishment this year then Bush playing in the Big 10 and having over 400 touches, which should suggest he is more durable than Bush. As for the 40 time, I expect that Bush runs about a 4.4 and Calhoun about a 4.45. I think Calhoun has better hands then Bush, and Bush has better game breaking ability at RB. Therefore the question is, Is Bush at 1st round 1st pick worth more than Calhoun who may be around at 3rd round 1st pick? I would take Calhoun at the price. If price was the same, then clearly Bush is the better bet.

I dont think Weber is a bad recruiter. I think Weber got a bad rap because he took over for "golden boy" Self, and the media made Weber out to be a bad recruiter. Most teams do not pull great recruits when they lose their coach to a better program so expecting a lot out of 2005 and 2006 recruits was just silly. The Illinois basketball program is probably going to be better off because Weber can win with or without 5 star recruits. Honestly I was never that enamored with Self, just seemed the grass is always greener when he left.

A is excellent. Im not going to give that grade out to a player just because he was drafted late and then started. As for Benson, what can I say, I just do not like the pick. Also when you look at the talent the Bears passed up, you have to severely knock his grade.

I agree on Calhoun, he should of stayed and he would of been next years "Reggie Bush". When you look at both of them play, Calhoun is basically a less prolific Bush. The question I posed in my rb ratings is whether or not Bush will be 30million dollars better than Calhoun, and I really think he will not. If Calhoun had stayed, I think he could have built his stock up into the first round, and depending on his combine have a chance at being in the teens. This year even if he tears it up at the combine, most teams will have to pass because of his size. But, you look at Warrick Dunn and realize that size isnt everything, and Calhoun has superior receiving talent then most wr's you are going to see in this draft. You could do a lot of interest things with Calhoun in your offense.

How is it being a homer to say if Wisconsin wins they are in a great position to win the Big 10 and get their highest seed ever? I dont believe Wisconsin has in the last 10 years ever had above a 3 or a 4 seed, and this year they have a good chance to get a 2 seed for the first time ever. As for winning the Big 10, if Wisconsin wins their home games, and goes 1-2 on the road versus OSU, Iowa, and MSU, they win the Big 10 title. How is that not a good position, considering Wisconsin has only lost 1 Big 10 game at home since moving to the Kohl center, and that game was to undefeated Illinois? Wisconsin is a good team, they have a favorable schedule, and other teams have already had some losses.

They always say RB's have a tendency to fall the most on draft day. I just really cant see it though, White looked good, and if he has any speed he will be a solid pro.

Whitesoxfan, How am I making a bad argument? In fact I will make it easy and break it down for you into simple categories an Illinois fan can understand. Football Arguments 1. Recruiting sites are not that great. 2. Zook is a good recruiter a bad coach Basketball Arguments 1. Recruitings sites are not that great. 2. 2007 is along way out to be putting a lot of hope in. 3. Oral commitment is not 100% gauranteed. 4. Weber has a lot to prove as a coach as 1 good year does not make a program. Now if you can find out how that is "Circular" or a bad argument go ahead. Im fair, I slam Alvarez, I slam Wisconsin players, I slam those who deserve it. I think Alvarez is one of the worst coaches in NCAA, but a good recruiter. Does that make me a rabid hater of Wisconsin? No it just means that Im not such a homer I cant be fair. You want to get a nonbiased fan, anyone thats not from U of I, to say my argument is nonsense, go ahead and I will stop.

If you are addressing me, please take the time out of your day to type, "Soxbadger" "Badger" "Stupid Wisconsin fan" I atleast take the time to address my arguments to the people they are intended to, it would be common courtesy if you could do the same. Also if you are going to start attacking people's grammar and intellect, I would say you are treading on some very thin ice.

How does Zook being a bad football coach have anything to do with Bruce Weber or the Illini recruiting at basketball? Zook is a bad coach. Ive watched him more years than any Illini fan on this site. He took Florida's program and ruined it, he set Rex Grossman back years. Sorry if the truth is being blinded by my Illinois hate, but that is just absolutely the stupidest statement made. I honestly doubt you will find any non-Illinois fan who has a problem with the statements Im making. It seems the Illini fans stick together because of numbers and try and press their "viewpoint" on other people saying its "fact".

Harris, 1 good run does not make a program, and 1 good coaching year does not mean you are the next Dean Smith. Whitesoxfan, I dont hate the Illinois, I call a spade a spade. Illini fans keep harping about how the 2007 class will be the messiah and then we will get to see the greatness of Illinois. ::shrugs:: Ive never said Illinois cant recruit. I have said that the 2007 class wont matter for years. You want to argue that point, fine. As for hating the Illinois? How can I hate something that I pity. Im from Illinois, I wish my home school put out a product that I could be proud of. I wish when I was chosing colleges that Illinois was on the same level as Wisconsin and Michigan in terms of athletics and education, it would have saved me a considerable amount of money. But it just is not. So you want to get in an argument with me Wisconsin versus Illinois since 1999, go ahead. That is when I chose Wisconsin over Illinois, prior to that I honestly never for a day rooted for Wisconsin as Illinois was my favorite team. Its pathetic when some one can not attack the argument, they attack the person. If not for an injury to Dee Brown Illinois was going to be a bottom dweller in the Big 10 this year. Perhaps that is why no one can really take seriously all this talk of how Illinois is this great sports powerhouse. I mean Ive read where people have said that Illinois sports program is better over all than Wisconsins. Please argue with me, please tell me how the statement "Classes are based on record" is a circular argument. Please Im dieing to hear it.

Are you talking to me? Because I put no faith in star ratings from 2 internet sites. I believe Ive already posted this but, Beckum 5 star, number 1 rated DE from Wisconsin never even played a down this year. Where as a 3 star DT was one of Wisconsin's best players. But then again, I actually watch the players play myself, and then rate them myself. Internet sites are fun and all, but for the most part they are just parrots. And I think the relevant factor of whether some one can recruit or not is, The final standings and the ability in the NCAA tournament. Was Dick Bennet a bad recruiter because he never got any star players? Or was he a good recruiter because he got to the final 4 and set the Wisconsin program up to be one of the best in the nation? End result is all that matters, not any sites ratings or rankings. So I dont judge classes until they are done. ::shrugs:: Once again, talking about recruits is fun and all. But recruits are only a small piece of the puzzle. Im pretty sure that in the next half decade that regardless of whether or not Wisconsin gets hyped recruits as long as Ryan is the coach they will be top 3 Big 10. SB

If Lendale runs a sub 4.5 you could see him easily top 10, arguably the best back in the nation really.

Wow are Illini fans touchy these days. Lets be serious you are all riding your hope on 2007 class that for the most part will not even see the court and make major impacts until 2008 and 2009. By then the entire landscape of the Big 10 could have completely changed, not to mention I do not believe that "verbal" is written in stone, and you can just as easily lose a top 100 recruit as gain one. Nothing in life is certain, and really banking on recruit classes is more hit and miss than prospects in baseball. Im sure the Illini will have a good program, whether or not it will be an elite program is for argument. But for people to just constantly come in and act like they know everything is just foolish. Good luck, but come on, acting so aloof because of a 2007 class is kind of lame.

I thought Williams was a DE?

Bears draft from me gets no higher then a C. 4. Benson, D. At this point it is unclear whether Benson will be an absolute waste, or a serviceable player. What is apparent is that he was not worth the 4th pick in the 2005 draft and the Bears would of been better off selecting Cadillac Williams, or trading down and drafting a RB in the 2006 draft. With dedication and a attitude change, Benson can move up to the C+ B- range, but I doubt he will ever put up the stats necessary to get an A grade with the 4th pick. 39. Bradley, B- B+. Looking at the draft and at what the Bears were looking for at this point Bradley is a good pick. Limited playing time does not affect his grade as much as Benson because a second round pick is not supposed to make the impact as a top 5 pick, and quite frankly Bradley when playing was worth more to the Bears offense than Benson. Orton, B. Solid back up player, questionable cieling. Good value for his round, but in the 4th there are generally some solid players who slide. Probably never will be a consistent starting qb, thus not an A. Currie, incomplete. Harris, B+ A-, whenever you get a player this late who can start and is actually good you have to give them some love in terms of rating. Wilson, incomplete. Over all the Bears draft is killed by the terrible Benson pick. I just can not understand how people who are paid to scout players for a living could not see what they were getting with Benson. He may be a good player, but it is unlikely he he will be the stud that people thought at the 4 pick. And when your getting top 5 pick money, you need to play to a higher level.

Wisconsin at OSU tonight. Basically I expect OSU to try the Minnesota tactic of full court press, even Northwestern tried it, while Wisconsin tries to control the tempo through the swing offense. A game that Wisconsin can win, but on the road nothing is guaranteed. A win tonight and Wisconsin is in a very good position to win the Big 10 and get their highest NCAA tournament seed ever. SB