Yardbarker: Chauncey Washington

[Jaguars] Jaguars C Brad Meester, OG Chris Naole Among Inactives

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:32:26 -0500

Jaguars inactives for Week 6 are: FS Reggie Nelson, RB Chauncey Washington, DB Brian Witherspoon, LB Thomas Williams, C Brad Meester, G Chris Naeole,...

[Jaguars] Jaguars C Brad Meester, OG Chris Naole Among Inactives

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:30:37 -0500

Jaguars inactives for Week 6 are: FS Reggie Nelson, RB Chauncey Washington, DB Brian Witherspoon, LB Thomas Williams, C Brad Meester, G Chris Naeole,...

The Pros: USC vs. Ohio St.

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:24:03 -0500

The Pros pits two college football rivals against one another and sees which has produced a more eligible pro team.

The Offense

Quarterback

USC currently has 4 quarterbacks in the league. Two of whom won Heisman's in Leinart and Palmer and two of whom have yet to start an NFL game in Cassel and Booty. Meanwhile the Buckeyes have only one quarterback in the league now that Krenzel is gone, and that is Troy Smith. The undersized mobile QB who's yet to make a dent in the NFL.

Edge: USC

Running Backs

USC of course has the double headed monster from the Colliseum in Bush and White still roaming the NFL as starters. In addition they have Justin Fargas whose playing the role of starter for the Raiders and Chauncey Washington in Jacksonville. The Buckeyes lone running back rep is Antonio Pittman whom like Troy Smith has yet to make an impact in the NFL.

Edge: USC

Wideouts

The Trojans currently have 5 wideouts suiting up in the NFL, none of whom have made a significant impact. If you had to chose a starting 3 for the Trojans it would probably be Steve Smith (not of the Panthers but of the Giants), Keary Colbert and perhaps Dwayne Jarrett. Not that impressive. Meanwhile the Buckeyes have the emerging Santonio Holmes, Joey Galloway and Anthony Gonzalez amongst their 7 total wideouts in the NFL.

Edge: tOSU

Tight Ends

Ben Hartsock vs. Rookie Fred Davis and Billy Miller. Pretty nondescript. Edge to USC for the rookie with potential.

Edge: USC

Offensive Line

Overall the Buckeyes have a handful more lineman but let's just take a look at whom would be the starters for each team.

Center: Ryan Kalil vs. Nick Mangold
Guards: Deuce Lutui & Chilo Rachal vs. Adrien Clarke & Rob Sims
Tackles: Winston Justice & Sam Baker vs. Orlando Pace & Kirk Barton

A lot of youngsters for both sides other than Orlando Pace who will be a hall of lineman. Neither team has two guards in the NFL that are currently starting.

Edge: tOSU

The Defense

D-Line

Tackles: Mike Patterson & Sedrick Ellis vs. Ryan Pickett & Tim Anderson
Ends: Kenechi Udeze & Frostee Rucker vs. Will Smith & Jay Richardson

Will Smith is probably the best player amongst this batch but Udezi isn't far behind and the Trojans have much more depth than does tOSU.

Edge: USC

Linebackers

Lofa Tatupu, Keith Rivers, Willie McGinest vs. AJ Hawk, Mike Vrabel, Na'il Diggs

The Trojans agter their top three only have Thomas Williams (who?) to turn while the Buckeyes have Bobby Carpenter, Vernon Gholsten (overrated) and Matt Wilhelm as other options. For me its too close to call.

Edge: Push

Secondary

Corners: Brian Kelly & Terrell Thomas vs. Antoine Winfield & Nate Clements
Safeties: Sammy Knight & Troy Polamalu vs. Donte Whitner & Will Allen

The Buckeyes are very deep at corner with Youboty, Shawn Springs & Chris Gamble as other options so feel free to disagree with my top two choices. Other way, despite the dominant Polamalu the Buckeyes have a much deeper secondary.

Edge: tOSU

The Special Teams

Return Men

Reggie Bush vs. Ted Ginn. Both have been highly disappointing at their actually poosition in the NFL, but both still pack some punch on special teams. As solid as Reggie Bush was as a punt returner in college he's not as fast nor as dangerous as Ginn on returns. Ginn adds the kickoff of return dimension which Bush currently lacks as well.

Edge: tOSU

Kickers

Neither team has a punter in the NFL, which is surprising to me given it seems like every tOSU punter kicks the ball 70 yards against Michigan, and only Ohio St. has kicker Mike Nugent of the Jets who got injured and limped around last weekend.

Edge: tOSU

Who Would Win?

Overall the Buckeyes have 9 more alumni in the NFL than do the Trojans (46-37). Their roster would have much more depth. The Trojans obviously have a much more skilled passer, but he would have no receivers to throw the ball to especially with the corners that the Buckeyes would throw out there. Both teams have dominant linebackers who could stuff the run. It's difficult to say who would be victorious but I'd give the edge to the Buckeyes mostly due to depth at offensive line and wideout

All Rosters Pulled from ESPN

Bouman, Woods Among Jaguars Cuts

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:04:28 -0500

The Jaguars will begin the 2008 season with only two quarterbacks on the roster. Todd Bouman was one of 19 players let go by the Jaguars as Jack Del Rio cut his roster down to the league mandated 53-man squad. Bouman outplayed backup quarterback Cleo Lemon through most of the preseason, but it wasn't enough to keep him on the team. Among other casualties, wide receivers D'Juan Woods and Ryan Hoag. Woods has practice squad elligibility, Hoag does not. That means that the Troy Williamson will be on the opening day roster. Williamson may have saved his spot with a 49 yard touchdown catch in the final pre-season game against Washington. Ironically, that pass was thrown by Bouman and it wasn't enough to keep him on the roster. Also let go was defensive end Mkristo Bruce, who tallied 2 1/2 sacks in the pre-season opener. The Jaguars also placed special teams star Chad Nkand and defensive end Jeremy Mincey on the Physically Unable to Perform List, meaning that they cannot return to the active roster until week six of the regular season. Defensive tackle Jonathan Lewis, who injured his knee in the pre-season finale against Washington, was placed on Injured Reserve. Among the veterans let go: linebacker Tony Gilbert, Jacksonville native and former Gator runningback Ciatrick Fason, defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona, and defensive ends Kenny Pettway and Bo Schobel. Other leg go: fifth-round draft pick cornerback Trae Williams, tight ends Chris Brown and Charles Davis, offensive linemen Andrew Carnahan, Pete McMahon and Drew Miller. Defensive backs Isaiah Gardner, Michael Grant, Rashod Moulton and linebacker Lamar Myles. Four of the five Jaguars' draft picks made the team: Derrick Harvey (1st round), Quentin Groves (2nd), Thomas Williams (5th), Chauncey Washington (7th) as well as undrafted rookie return man Brian Witherspoon. The Jaguars can begin signing up to eight players to the practice squad as of noon on Sunday.

Redskins-Jags third quarter

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:02:16 -0500

--Kelly is dressed in full pads, but he is not carrying a helmet, so it's doubtful that he's going to be able to play.

--Frost boomed a punt 61 yards, but it got returned 37 by Bolton. Not enough hang time, the result a net of 24 yards. That won't win you the job, but Brooks

Jaguars Scrimmage Report

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:12:52 -0500

The Jaguars annual pre-season scrimmage has evolved into little more than a set of drills inside Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. The 12,190 fans who attended Saturday night did get a little taste of what's to come. Especially from rookie defensive end Quentin Groves. Groves and the rest of the rookies were sporting new hair cuts, courtesy of some of the veterans. Groves had the letter "G" carved in the back of his head and had half of his beard shaved off. He took the hazing in stride, then disrupted the short scrimmage. "Offensively at the end, we couldn't do anything because Quentin Groves kept coming off the left side," Del Rio said of the rookie second round pick. "That was good to see. David Garrard led the offense on an efficient touchdown drive in his only work of the scrimmage. Garrard completed 4 of 5 passes, including a touchdown pass to Matt Jones. Del Rio has been cautious this year, more than normal. With high expectations for the team, reduced roster sizes without NFL Europa exemptions, and an experienced squad, the Jaguars have been less physical in camp this year, focusing more no the mental side of the game. So the next to last play of the scrimmage portion oft he evening was exactly what Del Rio wanted to avoid. As a mix of second and third teamers worked, rookie fullback Anthony Cotrone went down with a leg injury. Del Rio didn't have more specific information immediately following the scrimmage, but Cotrone was helped off the field and there is some concern that the injury could be a serious one. It's possible that a decision for a roster spot could have come down to Cotrone and fellow rookie Chauncey Washington. And just moments after Cotrone's injury, Washington took a hand-off, bounced to the outside, and out raced three defenders to the end zone. That was enough for Del Rio, who blew the horn ending the scrimmage, avoiding any other injuries. Injury Notes: Jack Del Rio got some good news on the injury front. Wide receiver Reggie Williams, who had his knee scoped, should be back before the end of the preseason, according to the head coach. Center Brad Meester, who had his injured biceps surgically repaired by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, could be back as soon as October. Until then, Dennis Norman will hold down the center spot.

ESPN Might Need To Review Its Mag's Fantasy Content

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:00:40 -0500

Again, I always preface this with the statement that I'm not one to necessarily poke fun at typos and errors, but to have twenty seven found in a national publication is a tad bit too much. ESPN's Fantasy Mag is out in stores now and for the low low price of $7.99 you can see some of the errors found by Walter Football too! Here are some of my favorites....

Who the Heck is Greg Smith? (Page 55)

I have no idea why ESPN even ranked Chauncey Washington, a Jaguars rookie running back, but it says the following in his write-up: "It's possible he could emerge as the inside rushing complement to MJD, but he'd have to bump Greg Smith first." I searched high and low on NFL.com's Web site, but I couldn't find any player named Greg Smith. The man they were referring to, of course, is Greg Jones.

Spelling Error No. 1 (Page 45)

Taking a look at the first sentence of Jamal Lewis' write-up:

"Dust when you thought he was done, Lewis pulled us all back in."

Special News Alert: Steve Smith Has An Is (Page 66)

Sounds like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, doesn't it? At any rate, you can find this grammatical blunder in the Steve Smith analysis:

"He's not a burner but has is savvy enough to make occasional big plays."

Quinn Sypniewski, Miracle Man (Page 81)

Just a slight contradiction here. In the Quinn Sypniewski write-up, ESPN writes, "He tore his ACL during Ravens minicamp this April and will miss the season."

Yet, for projected stats, they have Sypniewski catching 21 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown in 13 games.

Lorenzo Booker - Lost in the Mail (Pages 45 and 53)

In the Ronnie Brown write-up, ESPN writes:

"Ricky Williams is still hanging around in south Florida, and Lorenzo Booker should be a bigger part of the offense."

OK, so maybe this magazine was released prior to the Booker-to-Philadelphia trade? Or maybe not - on Page 53, they list: "Lorenzo Booker, PHI."

It's rare to not get through an entire magazine without finding a mistake, but doesn't ESPN employ people to proofread? It's one thing to have a typo or two but if you read the WF post you'll find that no one took a second look at any of the sections. Things contradict each other and they leave players out entirely (Steve Slaton). If you have the magazine, also keep an eye out for Merril Hoge's sound fantasy advice including taking Braylon Edwards as your first WR because he's, "like [Terrell] Owens without the drama."

I'm sure fantasy owners really care about that, Merril.

2008 ESPN Fantasy Football Magazine: 28 Factual Errors, Omissions and Illogical Statements (Walter Football)

Making Even More of a Case to Jump on the Bandwagon

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:16:43 -0500

After hearing from folks around the country, I've come to realize that the Jaguars are poised to have more fans jumping on the bandwagon than at the start of any other season in franchise history. And while the bandwagon often carries with it a negative connotation (SEE fair-weather fans) for this team it can only be a good thing. With rumors swirling of the franchise's uncertain future in Jacksonville, fan and media attention is more important than ever. Training camp begins today so for all the undecided, here are three reasons you should seriously consider joining the Teal and Black Bus. After I've convinced you, next week I'll offer three reasons you may be in for a bumpy ride. WINNING: First of all, you should hop on board now cause this train just might go all the way to the Super Bowl. By definition, bandwagons follow a winner and this team is going to be just that. In 2007, the Jaguars displayed a winning mentality. The offense struggled at times while the defense was porous at others, yet they found a way to win on most weekends. Believe it or not, the inconsistent Jags won the games they were supposed to win, showing poise that they'd lacked from the turn of the century. In David Garrard, the team found their first legitimate star quarterback since the peak of Mark Brunell's career. Last January they nearly challenged the Pats for AFC supremacy, and might have pulled the upset if not for a couple dropped "touchdown" passes and an inability to get in Tom Brady's zip code. Heading into this season, it looks like they've only gotten better. EXCITEMENT: Bandwagoners are attracted by exciting teams, and while the bottom line is to win, it helps to do it in an exciting way. The receiving corps received a boost of speed with the acquisition of Jerry Porter from Oakland and Troy Williamson from Minnesota. While Porter will miss all of the pre-season to recover from hamstring surgery, if either he or fellow wideout Mike Walker (knee) can successfully rehabilitate and live up to expectations, the Jaguars will see an immediate improvement in the passing game. Speedsters Williamson and John Broussard also have the ability to stretch any defense. If the Jags' can produce a legitimate passing attack, that will only facilitate the running game; a very scary thought indeed. Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew still have the ability to score on every touch and Garrard is certainly one of the most exciting quarterbacks to watch working with his feet. On defense this team brought in the aggressive Gregg Williams to direct the unit and he should have enough weapons to suit his attacking style of play. Explosive rookie ends Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves were drafted with one job: get to the quarterback. That's quite a burden on their young shoulders, but they should be aided by second-year players Reggie Nelson and Justin Durant, who figure to factor often in WIlliams' schemes to get pressure on the passer. This team should be fun to watch on both sides of the ball. COLLEGE AFFILIATION: If you're part of the Gator Nation it's hard not to be a Jaguar fan right now. Stars Fred Taylor and Mike Peterson both spent their college years playing in the Swamp, as did Nelson and Harvey. A fifth Gator, DE Jeremy Mincey, will be hoping for a roster spot as he sits out training camp on the PUP list. On top of that, this team has a decidedly Floridian flavor with RB Greg Jones, WR Mike Walker, and CBs Trae Williams and Rashean Mathis representing FSU, UCF, USF, and Bethune-Cookman respectively. Add DBs Jamaal Fudge and Drayton Florence to the list that grew up in Florida and you truly have Florida's team. College fans out in LA might want to keep an eye on the little stat-machine, Jones-Drew, as well as his Bruin counterpart TE Marcedes Lewis, who figures to play an even more prominent role this season. And their cross-town rivals will be interested in following the two USC products picked up by the Jags in the later rounds of this year's draft. Trojans LB Thomas Williams and RB Chauncey Washington will be battling to impress head coach, and fellow USC-alum, Jack Del Rio to secure a place on the team.

A few words from QB John David Booty

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:27:23 -0500

Nothing spectacular here. Just a short Pro Day message from USC QB John David Booty, who happened to be parked next to me in the parking lot. We were both leaving campus at the same time, so I figured why not get a few words from the Trojan QB.

How fast can you run the 40-yard dash?

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:16:53 -0500

I'm pretty sure I could do 4.50, assuming it's measured in days, not seconds. These guys from USC do it a whole lot faster. Up-close-and-personal video from USC's Pro Day: Keith Rivers, Sedrick Ellis, Thomas Williams, Chauncey Washington, Sam Baker and Terrell Thomas.

Yardbarker visits USC Pro Day

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:09:05 -0500

What's up, Yard? I spent today at USC's Pro Day, where Sedrick Ellis, Keith Rivers, Thomas Williams, John David Booty, Lawrence Jackson, Fred Davis, Sam Baker, Chilo Rachal, Terrell Thomas, and others, worked out for NFL scouts. Below is a bit of what I learned after watching the drills, and also from speaking to coaches and scouts. These are the five guys who I watched most closely. I shot some video and a bunch of photos; between now and the Draft, we'll release some of the video, and I'll post some of the photos here in the comments. - Dewey CHAUNCEY WASHINGTON (RB): One scout said to me that on film Washington looks like a 4.73 guy. No one expected him to run a 4.35 forty. But he did. Surprise of the day. The stadium erupted when his official time was announced. SEDRICK ELLIS (DT): Sedrick Ellis is a beast, and fast too. Five seconds flat in the 40. But most impressive was his quickness out of the stance. The guy fires up and into his blocks. I don't think he'll last past Cincy at #9. KEITH RIVERS (LB): 42" inch vertical today. He literally out-jumped the machine designed to test vertical leaps. He had to do it again so that he could be measured properly. Rivers had nothing to prove today, but he worked out anyway. THOMAS WILLIAMS (LB): Maybe the smartest guy on the field. Scouts with whom I spoke love his intangibles and also his work ethic. He's not the same caliber as Rivers, but he helped himself today. I spoke with his teammate Rey Maualuga, who in a nutshell said that Williams was the most impressive guy at Pro Day, and that he made himself some money with a bump in draft stock. SAM BAKER (OT): He's a value pick in the second round, and a steal in the third round. He doesn't fare well on the quote-unquote measurables (i.e. he's slooooooooow) but in position drills he looks like a first-rounder. He's a football player, not a 40-yard-dash runner.