AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USChoice leads the ACC pack
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pinehurst, N.C. — We’re at the ACC preseason meetings for the next couple of days. So this seems like a good time to look at the players who are generating the most buzz in this league. Today we’re going to list the top five offensive players heading into the 2007 season. On Tuesday we’ll look at the top five defensive players. If I’ve left somebody special off this top five, let me know about it.
1-Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech: The transfer from Oklahoma led the ACC in rushing last season with 1,453 yards (105.2 average). With WR Calvin Johnson gone, Choice will be the focal point of the Georgia Tech offense. When new offensive coordinator John Bond was at Northern Illinois, he liked to get the ball to his running backs in a lot of different ways. Look for Choice to be a more versatile player in 2007.
2-James Davis, RB, Clemson: Nobody has done it better the past two seasons as Davis followed up a brilliant freshman year with 1,187 yards rushing as a sophomore. Last season he averaged 5.8 yards every time he touched the ball. The Clemson offensive line needs to be rebuilt in order to take advantage of what Davis can do. Davis did not get as many touches late last season because opponents committed to stop the run and Clemson could not throw the ball well enough to keep them honest. That has to change for Davis to have his second straight 1,000-yard season.
3-Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: The rising senior led the ACC in passing yards (2,942) and total offense (242.2 ypg) last season. If the Eagles can find a couple of receivers, Ryan could be the All-ACC quarterback for the second straight year. Ryan is a great decision maker and the unquestioned leader of the BC offense. Ryan will also benefit from the arrival of Steve Logan as offensive coordinator.
4-Brandon Ore, RB, Virginia Tech: As a sophomore Ore ran for 1,137 and 16 touchdowns. He had another 214 in receiving, giving him 112.6 all-purpose yards per game. But Virginia Tech must prove it can consistently throw the ball to take some pressure off the running game. So quarterback Sean Glennon, who is still stinging from VT’s loss to Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, has to bounce back so defenses don’t load up against Ore.
5-Antone Smith, RB, Florida State: Smith was a highly recruited player coming out of high school who almost left Florida State because he simply wasn’t getting the ball. As a senior he will finally get his chance. New offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher envisions Smith, who has a great combination of speed and power, as another Warrick Dunn. Don’t be surprised if Smith lines up as a wide receiver. FSU will try to get Smith a lot of touches from a lot of different positions on the field. Smith averaged 5.2 yards per carry last season but only got 88 carries.
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Comments
By freezekalo72
July 23, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Thats right Mr. Football. Choice is the best offensive player in the ACC. Davis and Spliller will split the votes for them. They are the best backfirld. But Choice is the best Choice. No other RB in the ACC was better last year. Brandon Ore made a good stab at it, but not the number Choice had. Matt Ryan will challange Choice, but the talent lost will be hard to subdue. Choice is it!
Freeze
By old gold engineer
July 23, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
Interesting that there are no receivers on the list and only one quarteback. Tony, who would you pick as the top receiver?
By Ryan
July 23, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
The top WRs would have to be Carr from FSU and Heyward-Bey from MD. The kid from UNC (Hakeem Nicks) is also promising.
VT has a good collective stable of guys, but no one individually as talented as the guys listed above, in my opinion.
By JustMe
July 23, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
Choice is the correct choice. I hope that his mouth doesn’t destroy any chance for Heisman consideration.
By jacketnation
July 23, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Choice is and awesome. Anything from Dwyer latley? Is he on campus?
By jacketnation
July 23, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Choice is and awesome. Anything from Dwyer latley? Is he on campus?
By ACCstinks
July 23, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
How boring, if this blog was about the SEC it would have twenty to thirty posts by now. Good Bye Techies.
By stop being a homer
July 23, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
Choice? Please.
He would be third string at Clemson. Davis and Spiller are much better.
And Antone Smith at No.5? Someone has been drinking the FSU Kool-Ade. Smith has all of the potential in the world, but he has done next to nothing to date.
By SC
July 23, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
Antone Smith is a junior not a senior Barnhart.
By freezekalo72
July 23, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
Hey stop, you have to be kidding right? Choice being a 3rd string for Clemson. Trust me, they would love to have Choice. Davis and Spiller are speed backs. Put them on the outside and they are gone. Kinda like Steve Slaton. But Choice is a power back that isn’t affraid to take it north and south. And with Clemson’s weak line this year. Davis and Spiller will have no one to block for them down field. A running back is as only good as its blockers. And Clemson lost too much talent! But thanks for playing Stop, please come by again!
Freeze
By scjacket
July 23, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
i dont understand why everyone is so high on va tech? they are not as intimidating as evryone thinks. someone help me out
By terpland
July 23, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
I agree. Choice probably would be the third string back at Clemson. He is a good back but not great….probably a 4th round pick next year. It looks to be a another down year for our conference if these guys are at the top.
By GTGreg
July 23, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
scjacket: VT will have a great defense (again), and VT fans are hoping for the same thing as PSU fans… that their wholly underwhelming quarterback of the past year will have a light come on and do just enough to allow the defense to win games. If I had to place a wager on which of those two quarterbacks would put it together, I would have to say Anthony Morelli of PSU, but if Glennon can successfully string a few passes together, then I think that the VT hype might be warranted. I guess that is what the media pundits are counting on.
That said, I’m not too worried about Glennon solving GT’s relentless zone blitzing.
By Objective ACC view
July 23, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this
There was not very much thought put into this article….having Choice at 1 and Smith in the top 5 is a joke. It is sad to see that the Big East looks stronger from top to bottom than the ACC.
By wes
July 23, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this
Tony, bring back the “BEAT BARNHART” contest.
Also, who is the best defender in the ACC?
By Matt
July 23, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
VT is an overrated program and Beamer is an overrated coach. All you ACC types love to blame EVERYTHING on the quarterback (Glennon, Weathorford, Ball, etc.). If the running back fumbles, its the quarterbacks fault. If the D gives up a big play, its the quarterbacks fault. If a bird craps on your head, its the quarterbacks fault. Only problem is somebody is coaching these crappy quarterbacks. Somebody has recruited them. Somebody has failed to recruit players who are better than them. Somebody has failed to block for them. You get the idea I hope. The bottom line is the ACC is a crappy conference accross the board. There is no quick and easy fix ACC fans.
By gtgirl25
July 23, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
Deuce is awesome! We’re gonna show you 3rd string back on September 29th. Count on it! Go Jackets….THWG!!!!
By Elijah
July 23, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
All these people that are sooo hiped about VT need to watch there QB. He has know are strength. That is why an average football team like Georgia was able to come back and beat them and GT was able to beat them bad. They have a great defense and running game, and I don’t think beamer is overrated as a coach or his staff, but they will never be what they could be with that QB. GEORGIA TECH IS LOADED THIS YEAR AND THIS WILL NOT BE ANOTHER DOWN YEAR FOR ACC. IT WILL BE A GREAT. JUST CAUSE MARYLAND AIN’T NO GOOD THAT DON’T SPEAK FOR THE REST OF THE CONFERENCE.
By Jon
July 23, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Choice is definitely the best. He may not be the fastest, but he is the best. He also is the most consistent. That is what separates him from Davis, Spiller and Ore. These three all have outstanding games throughout the season, but they are not always awesome week after week like Tashard Choice. I believe Choice finished the season with seven straight 100 yard games. That is pretty impressive.
By David
July 23, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
If Chan can keep Tashard away from Tickle Piles I believe he has a chance to have an outstanding Year. However a few players are still showing up for Tickle Piles
By LazyT
July 24, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
It looks like David is salivating over an invite to a Tickle Pile from his Cow College of choice.
By jacketguy
July 24, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
watch and enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbMw4tOM1Io