Looks like Clifton Geathers is making the jump too... Probably a year early for him, but very interesting prospect... http://www.thestate.com/breaking/story/1107301.html
I heard about this a couple days ago and didn't believe he'd actually make the jump. It's really surprising considering he was projected as a 4th to 7th rounder...and he still decided to make the jump. Geathers is HUGE, so he'll more than likely get drafted by a 3-4 team.
He wouldn't go much higher next year. Might as well get the NFL thing going. Good developmental prospect right around where you said...4-7. Think Calias Campbell as his upside, but Campbell played harder more often at Miami.
You literally have no idea what you're talking about. Saying that Calais Campbell played harder proves my point. That's the same old typical sarcastic bullshit you used to spit out when you didn't know what you were talking about - you just compare Geathers to Campbell because they are both tall. Cliff Geathers would be at least a 3rd rounder next year...at least. Geathers actually has a pretty good motor, and he's got experience inside at 4-3 tackle and outside at 4-3 and 3-4 end. Yea, he's a good developmental prospect, but he definitely could've used another year at USC.
Calais Campbell never played hard at Miami. Not once. Not on a single solitary play. Never. Never ever.
Going back to school: Arkansas TE DJ Williams http://arkansasnews.com/2010/01/13/williams-coming-back-for-senior-year-with-razorbacks/ Oregon State DT Stephen Paea http://espn.go.com/blog/pac10/post/_/id/7184/paea-will-return-for-senior-year aaaannnddd.... Texas A&M LB Von Miller http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/9553/millers-return-should-solidify-leaky-am-defense Going pro: Marshall RB Darius Marshall http://www.wvmetronews.com/sports.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=34618 Nevada DE Kevin Basped http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/81287322.html
Psychopath, chill. If I didn't know half as much as you tell me I don't know then I'd be you. I'd be trying to convince people that Carlos Dunlap is a legit candidate as a 3-4 end. Which...in a player you hadn't marked as your area to dominate with vicious attacks on anyone who disagrees with you...would be laughed at. The player you describe in your second paragraph where you attempt to sound sane sounds a helluvalot like Campbell to me... And yes, they are both tall with similar frames and games. Not exactly a crazy comparison to make, apart from Campbell being a superior college player who actually tried. And yes GreenHurricane, Campbell did try. I realize this is further crippling my credibility in the draft forum to say that, but I really can't help the animosity sooo...oh well. Even in his supposedly crappy 2007 he posted a career high in tackles, had 6 sacks, an INT, and forced a fumble...while seeing alot of double teams.
Perhaps complete finality on Campbell was a bit excessive, but I'm just telling you that you can't compare effort for anyone and use Campbell. Campbell was more successful stat-wise than Geathers, yes, but as a junior was in the same boat when it comes to (lack of) impact. He shined as a sophomore with a superior defense around him (Baraka Atkins and Kareem Brown on that line), then folded when he had to take on an actual challenge and left early to avoid having to improve. Calais is clearly a sore spot.
Imagine what you're portraying for Campbell...that's what Geathers is. Geathers is a developmental prospect for a 3-4 team, but he's basically a watered version of Campbell the prospect. Campbell managed to turn himself into a starting player on a pretty decent D...Geathers probably won't. Thank you for not snapping at me. It harder proves you're a nice guy.
I'll give you equal effort in the two, I'm just not going to give Calais any credit. No malice was intended towards you in my original post, rather all of it was directed at Calais himself. As a Hurricane fan, the fact that he's somewhat successful is baffling (and frustrating) for me.
I really hope you realize that I wasn't trying to attack you when I was defending Cliff Geathers earlier in this thread - I've just watched the kid play, in person, for a couple years...I'm pretty upset that he's entering the draft because he could have made the Gamecocks' defense even better next season - with the loss of Eric Norwood, we're going to need some experienced upperclassmen out there. When it comes to Fresno State and South Carolina football, I'm not going to back down - I'm not trying to sound like a dick, but I know more about the two than anybody on this board, but only because I have a reason to pay close attention to both schools. The only comparison between the two could be there size - that's why I'm defending him. Geathers has been a high effort player on the field and surprisingly in the classroom...he's struggled with grades since high school. While he did have some off the field issues in Columbia, it kind of got brushed aside (one game suspension). It almost seems like Steve Spurrier doesn't give about what goes on outside of football. It really baffles me that he decided to skip a chance at making a lot more money in 2011's draft. Big Clif is a big reason for Eric Norwood's dominant play over the last two seasons.
I hope you realize that most psychopaths say similar things to their victims (that survive). Eric Norwood is the reason Norwood's been as good as he's been.
What is your problem? I was explaining my earlier posts...damn. Eric Norwood is the best defensive player that Carolina's had since John Abraham. I didn't say Geathers was the reason he's such a good player, but Geathers had a huge part in Norwood's success at linebacker. Geathers is good, not great at keeping guys from getting to the next level...allowing Norwood and other linebackers to make plays.
I'm just saying dude. I said nothing untrue...I've never tried the "hey, I'm the victim here" card either. The fact that Norwood had a big athletic dude in front him, a really big athletic dude at that, helped him. I can't deny that. It's bound to help a really good, smart college player. That said, Geathers wasn't a consistent standout once the game got going and he's basically just ball of potential. He has similar abilities and upside to Campbell, but Campbell was the better prospect and turned himself into a starter on a good D. If Geathers can do that, then props to him. He's not really someone on my radar, but I'll admit the size and upside make him interesting as a 3-4 DE prospect. He's really not anyone to get all crazy over right now. In fact, this kind of makes me hope the Jets don't draft him. He's closer to UDFA than he is 3rd round right now anyway, and his upside in this or even next years draft is 3rd round.
The "creepy" and "psychopath" comments definitely aren't needed...especially from someone that just came back from a ban. C'mon DWare, just trust me on this one - I've been to almost every single Carolina home game over the past three seasons. Clifton Geathers was pretty consistent considering the Gamecocks only had 2 active defensive tackles for the entire season. CG was pretty much forced to play out of position at defensive tackle in most games (...guys like Ladi Ajiboye and Nathan Pepper spent most of the season suspended or injured). He played pretty damn well at end when the Gamecocks lined up with 3-man fronts. I'm willing to bet your rarely watched any Carolina games, so how can you say he didn't stand out? He was a standout and he was pretty important to that defense, especially in specific packages. USC had a top 15 total defense, and Geathers was a big part of that success. There are three players that really stood out on that defense: Norwood (obviously), Geathers, and true freshman corner Stephon Gilmore.
You're such a big USC fan/expert and you forgot that Cliff Matthews exists? 5-6th rounder is my guess, with a chance to fall to to 7th-UDFA area or to rise to the late 3rd-4th area...I'm talking about Geathers. Matthews might be a better pro prospect than Norwood...
Cliff Matthews isn't leaving early. I don't think Matthews will be a better pro prospect than Norwood...mainly because he lacks as much versatility. I like Cliff Matthews a lot and I'm excited to see what he can do next season. Hopefully he'll continue to get better.
Stephon Gilmore stood out way more than Matthews - like I said before, I'm willing to bet you didn't watch many USC games. As a true freshman, Gilmore was one of the better corners in the best conference in all of college football. He completely shut down Julio Jones, who many consider the best WR in the SEC: 0 catches for 0 yards and 0 TDs. I'm eager to see how he does against AJ Green next season. It doesn't matter what I say, you're going to disagree with me. If I don't mention someone, you'll bring him up. I bet you don't even know who C.C. Whitlock is, - he's probably the next Dunta Robinson, but I didn't mention him because Geathers, Norwood, and Gilmore were the three most important players on that defense in 2009. Hopefully Matthews will step up now that Geathers is out of the picture. At least 4 of Matthews' 7 sacks were because of Eric Norwood's pressure. I'm not knocking the guy (because getting sacks is his job), but I really want to see how he'll do with a weaker supporting cast.
And Matthews stood out way more than Geathers. And yes, I do know who both of the CBs are, Gilmore moreso than Whitlock. That's getting ridiculously condescending, hence my attitude towards you. "Do you actually watch football" is not an actual argument on a football message board.
