Feast or Famine: Replacing the Man
November 5th, 2009 by Adam Mankuta
USC Matt Barkley (thanks Icon SMI)
Entering the 2009 season, many players had to step up across the college football landscape in an order to fill the shoes of a departed hero on their campus. Whether it was a Heisman finalist, #1 overall pick, or big playmaker, the following players replaced major impact players taken in April’s 1st round of the NFL Draft. And only one of the players listed below is clearly on their way in rising up to the level of his predecessor.
Matt Barkley, QB, USC-Replaces Mark Sanchez
That player is Sanchez, the talented freshman QB at USC who beat out Aaron Corp for the starting job and has not looked back. The two losses USC suffered this season were in no way his fault and he has proven he is a winner, even at such a young age. He has thrown for over 1,700 yards and has already won a road game as a freshman at Notre Dame. When the USC defense develops and Barkley has another offseason with his talented group on offense, the Trojans will be right back in the title game picture.
Joe Cox, QB, Georgia-Replaces Matt Stafford & Richard Samuel-Replaces Knowshon Moreno
Replacing the #1 overall pick is never easy, especially when you also lose the top tailback in the Draft Knowshon Moreno. Cox has been alright, tossing 15 TD’s, however in many spots his decision making is not there, as evidence by his 12 INT’s. Samuel may be the Georgia leading rusher, but that is not saying much, as he has totaled only 375 yards and two scores. Georgia needs a year to develop these two youngsters and it would not be a shock to see Brandon Ealey be the full time back in the Fall of 2010.
Brandon Saine, RB, Ohio State-Replaces Beanie Wells
Another no win situation was in Columbus where Saine, who is more of a change of pace back to begin with, replaced Beanie Wells in the Buckeyes backfield. While Saine has provided some good yardage games, he has only scored one time. This points directly to the struggles of the QB Pryor, who needs to become less mistake prone and give up responsibility near the goal line. The Buckeyes needed a year to rebuild, so in 2010, expect a different tailback. Until then, they miss their Beanie.
Detron Lewis, WR, Texas Tech-Replaces Michael Crabtree
Many experts thought Lewis would step up and become the true #1 target for the Red Raiders following the departure of Crabtree. Not so fast. Although he leads the team with 46 receptions for 625 yards and six scores, those numbers are not the caliber of a standout fantasy WR. Yes there have been three different QB’s for the Red Raiders; however, they have each been productive. Rather than focus on one spectacular receiver, the offense has become more balanced. Which is something that does not bode well for fantasy owners of those receivers.
Jared Perry, WR, Missouri-Replaces Jeremy Maclin
Some may say Danario Alexander replaced Maclin, however he was already established as the lead WR before all of his injuries. Perry has stepped in as that complimentary second receiver who is also used on gadget plays. He has been OK for the Tigers, but nothing great. He has six touchdowns, however there are plenty of wideouts averaging 4 catches per game. Blaine Gabbert has been better than advertised; hopefully as the year winds down and Gabbert recovers from his ankle injury, Perry will continue to see more targets.
Carson Coffman & Grant Gregory-Replaces Josh Freeman
It may be surprising but the Wildcats replacing Freeman has been the hardest to do for any of the above players. While Freeman threw for close to 3,000 yards, tossed 20 touchdowns and ran for 14 more in 2008, the combination of Coffman and Gregory has only been able to gain just over 1,500 yards in the air, tossed only five touchdowns, and have thrown six picks. Terrible. Somehow the Wildcats are playing near .500, but to be anything but a cellar dweller in the Big 12 for some years to come, they have to develop their next quarterback.
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