Leather Helmet Blog

Friends of the Program is overwhelmed by the Saints.   Who Dat? Bourbon St. this morning:

You know who really stole this year's Super Bowl? Fans. Pro football's extravagant curtain-closer gets flak for being a plutocrat-stuffed, expense-account corporate-fest. But this year, thanks to Who Dat Nation—and yes, Colts Nation—the proceedings throughout South Florida had a populist flair.

And you know what's the craziest part of all? It's Monday after the Super Bowl, and we still have no idea who it is that said they were going to beat those Saints.

Or something like that. Like you, we need to get back down to New Orleans and learn how to say it properly.

Rambo vs Rogers on Twitter

Rogers responded Saturday on Twitter:  «Who is Bacarri Rambo?»

Then from Rambo on Twitter: «Tell Darick 'pretty boy' Rogers he doesn't have to know me but I bet he will feel me!! Lol»

Then from Rogers: «don't worry about me ha … that's your choice … last time i checked a big hit ='s you getting knocked out.»

Rambo: «I compete against the best receiver in the nation everyday at practice. Why should i worry about that guy.»

Gamecocks know their place in the pecking order

For programs such as South Carolina and Clemson, it is difficult to crack the inner circle of success. Occasionally one of the fraternity's elite drops out and an outsider jumps in, but for the most part the same programs win year-in and year-out in recruiting and on the field.

We were exposed to a lot of talk about the Star rating of players during the recruiting frenzy. Here are the criteria used by Scout to assign those ratings

Five-star player: 85 to 100
A potential immediate game-changer at the major college level who could push for all-conference recognition as a true freshman. Will enter college with elite skills needed to create mismatches against top-level competition. A future All-American candidate.

Four-star player: 79.5 to 84.99
A potential 3- to 4-year starter at the major college level with the superior skills needed to see early playing time and make a significant impact during his college career.Three-star player: 75.0 to 79.49
A player with the skills to develop into a solid starter at the major college level. Potential high-ceiling prospect with the ability to make an impact during his career.

Two-star player: 68 to 74.99
A player who flashes developable major college talent and could be a late bloomer. Potential solid starter at the mid-major level.

One-star player: 55 to 67.9
Player does not show the physical tools or skill set at this point to project at the major college level, but could contribute at mid-major or FCS programs.

Super Bowl prop bets

• You can bet whether Drew Brees or Peyton Manning's first pass will be complete or incomplete (money line says complete).
• You can bet the over-under on the number of Colts to catch a pass (6.5) or have a rushing attempt (3.5) or Saints for the same bets (7.5 and 4.5, respectively.
• You can bet if the longest field goal will be over-under 42.5 or the longest touchdown will be over-under 49.5 (all moneylines -115).
• Will the first touchdown be scored by a guy with an even number (+325) or an odd number (-450)?
• If you think the final score will be 4-2 Colts (safeties!), you'd win $10,000 if you bet two bucks. That's good money

2011 top 15 prospects in Georgia. VolNation.
1. Isaiah Crowell (RB) Carver, Columbus
- His ability to keep his speed in his cuts is a very rare trait that few have ever possessed, Crowell is a lightning bolt in a very bulky body. Without a doubt the #1 player in GA next year and should be in consideration for at least top 10 nationally

2. James Vaughters (ILB) Tucker
- Has all the physical tools to be a special LB at the next level. He is an excellent tackler, is great in run support, and has exceptional speed for a kid his size

3. Tyler Hunter (S) Lowndes
- Bryce has the most upside in the state from what I've seen so far. He is a big hitter who is an outstanding cover guy. Has great hips, is a sure tackler, and his general football instincts are exceptional... and he's already built like a college player. Could play CB he's that good in coverage, but he will most likely end up at safety which he has more potential at

4. A.J. Johnson (ILB) Gainesville
- Johnson is a tackling machine and when he gets to the ball carrier he will win 9 out of 10 times against even top caliber players. He has outstanding speed for an ILB, and his play recognition skills is what makes him an «elite» player. You won't see him miss an assignment often

5. Watts Dantzler (OT) Dalton
- When you are 6'7» and 315lbs people take notice, but when you're that size and have the tools that Dantzler shows, you really take note. He is a great run blocker and when he locks someone in it's over. Struggles in pass blocking as faster guys can catch him leaning, but with the right coaches Dantzler has NFL 1st round material written all over him

6. Jay Rome (TE) Valdosta
- The total package at TE, he is a great blocker, is tall and muscular already, shows great speed, and has very good hands. He is an above average route runner at this point, but he knows how to use his body to shade off defenders very well. Should be up for contention as the #1 TE nationally

7. Gabe Wright (DT) Carver, Columbus
- Elite potential as a pass rusher, Wright shows great explosiveness off the ball with his 260 pound frame. He needs to learn how to use his hands a little better to disengage from the blocker, but that is easy to fix with coaching. Wright is another «high ceiling» type player with a lot of room to get a lot better

8. Ray Drew (DE) Thomas County Central
- Haven't been able to see Drew yet, but everything I've heard from south GA people is he's a terror of the edge in passing situations. Very lanky kid who has plenty of speed to burn. If I haven't seen a kid and rank him this high, I expect great things

9. Damian Swann (ATH) Grady
- Likely a safety at the next level, Swann has the confidence/cockiness you want in a all star caliber player. He's one of the best all around athletes in the state and he could potentially play CB or WR as well, but with his hitting ability and speed combination, S is where I like him right now

10. Nick Marshall (QB) Wilcox County
- Marshall is the definition of a dual-threat QB, he has a cannon for an arm, runs very fluidly, has top notch pocket awareness, he uses his feet very well, and he's an elite basketball player to top it off. The one thing he may need to work on is his short range accuracy. If he puts all of his focus into football, watch out for the next great DT QB

11. Brian Randolph (S) Kell
- Randolph is loves to hit, and he's very good at it. Had close to 250 tackles and 6 INT's over his SOPH and JUNIOR seasons, so he is a very active defender. Also is a solid RB

12. Quan Bray (RB) Callaway
- Should be one of the quicker players in the nation next year, doesn't necessarily have great long distance speed, but he is great at finding the open hole and getting to where he is going.

13. Shannon Brown (ILB) Cook
- Brown is definitely a project in the making at LB. People who weigh 240lbs shouldn't move like him, as he is a very good RB for his team. He wasn't too productive this past season on defense, but his physical abilities are too impressive to ignore

14. Terrance Smith (OLB) Southwest DeKalb
- Tall, rangy, productive, and fast... Smith was one of the top players on arguably the states most talented defense

15. Xzavier Ward (OT) Colquitt County
- Another kid I've failed to have seen, but heard from the same people that Ward will be as good as it gets in the state at o-line with a 6'7» frame, he needs to gain weight, but should easily do so as he's built more like a basketball player right now

Jim Furyk thinks Tiger will play in Masters

«If I had to bet I'd bet we'd see him at Augusta,'' Furyk told the Florida Times Union recently. «Tiger hasn't come out and made any real public statements, so it's hard to figure out. Everyone is guessing it will be Augusta. Whether he comes out earlier, or there, I have no idea.''