AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFive SEC stars I’d pay to see
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hoover, Ala. — The SEC media days continue Thursday and my fellow sportswriters are starting to fill out their all-conference preseason ballots. This is bound to start an argument, but here are five offensive players from the SEC I’d pay to see. Have I left somebody more deserving off the list? Let me hear about it.
1. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas. He finished second in voting for the Heisman Trophy last season and as 2007 begins it is his to lose. He ran for 1,647 yards last seson and proved that he could do just a little bit of everything — including passing the ball — from Arkansas’s “Wildcat” formation. Only two backs in SEC history have run for over 1,000 yards as a freshman and a sophomore. Herschel Walker is one. McFadden is the other. He is big-time.
2. Percy Harvin, WR, Florida. Like McFadden, Harvin gets high marks for his versatility. Despite being hobbled for the first half of the season with injuries, Harvin racked up 855 yards of total offense on just 75 touches. He had 105 yards rushing in the SEC championship game from the wide receiver position. With sprinter’s speed, he can score from anywhere on the field. He is the kind of difference maker that every team wishes tit had.
3. Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt. Think about all the great receivers who have played in this league. Then think about the fact that Bennett has played only two seasons. Still, the junior from Birmingham needs only 48 catches to become the leading receiver in SEC history. He has 161 career catches. He is the only receiver in SEC to post two seasons with 75 or more catches.
4. Rafael Little, TB/KR, Kentucky. He was banged up last year and never got a chance to really show what he could do. But in 2005 he ran for over 1,000 yards and caught 46 passes for 449 yards. He is also the top punt returner in Kentucky history. Last season when he was healthy, Little averaged 22.6 yards on punt returns. If this guy can stay healthy the whole season, Kentucky is going to make some noise in the SEC East. He is just fun to watch.
5. Early Doucet, WR, LSU. Last April, LSU had two receivers drafted in the first round (Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis). Doucet, who is back for his senior year, may be better than both of them. Doucet had a great 2006 season with 59 catches for 772 yards. When the game was on the line last season in Knoxville, quarterback JaMarcus Russell found Doucet for the winning touchdown in a 28-24 win over Tennessee.
HONORABLE MENTION
— BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Ole Miss. Ole Miss had the worst offense in the SEC and Green-Ellis still ran for 1,000 yards.
— Jacob Hester, FB/TB, LSU. This guy is just a gamer. He can run the ball from both the fullback and tailback position and can catch the ball (35 catches last season). Runs with a great forward lean.
— Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas. Monk has played on a running team his entire career but has 24 touchdown catches, just seven shy of the all-time mark of 31 held by Florida’s Chris Doerring. He’s 6-6, folks.
— Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky. He’s 6-5, 230 and led the SEC in passing yardage (3,515) and touchdown passes (31) last season. Threw only seven interceptions in over 400 passing attempts. He should be the All-SEC quarterback this season.
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Comments
By Spike
July 26, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this
No Tim Tebow? Atta boy Tony.
By SECCoachnDallas
July 26, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
No one from COOTVILLE? Barnhart must be living in a cage, not recognizing the vast potential of SCum’s talent… Quarterbacks with rap sheets, 31 great recruits (oops, I think the new number is now 26?) and an outstanding recruiting class for ‘08 (no, I was mistaken…must have been thinking of Clemson, UGA, Bama, Florida and others - not COOTVILLE).
Excuse this post, I think Tony was right after all!
By gtgirl25
July 26, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
Sorry but who cares about Kentucky and Vanderbilt??? zzzzzzzzz Boring!
By Corey
July 26, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
UGA’s Sean Bailey will be on your list by mid October.
By D-MAN
July 26, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Now, Tony…uh..never mind.
By mcdawg
July 26, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
i always find Brandon Sutherland fun to watch and is similar to Jacob Hester i imagine i will be paying to see him play Western Carolina, Mississippi, & Vandy tis year-might as well buy ESPNs gameplan for the entire season at this point
By brandon
July 26, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
You have your favorites and I have mine. Have you ever heard of Kregg Lumpkin?
By wywalton
July 26, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
I’d pay to watch MOST players from the SEC. Who does the ACC have that would even come close to making this list?
By mamby pamby
July 26, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
mamby pamby schedules is college football. ya, i want to see alabama play utah st., florida a & m as well as texas play baylor, sam houston state, rice and louisiana-lafayette.
wow, what a great sport that is ncaa D1 college football. can’t wait for Dec. 3rd through Dec 29th…what a great docket of games.
By joey
July 26, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
Sean? Kregg? You mean Knowshon!
By GEORGE
July 26, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
sean bailey and kregg lumpkin??????????????????? ha you UGA fans are pathetic. There is a reason that UGA is one of the worst in the SEC in number of players on all first, second, and third teams offense and defense. Come October nobody will give a rats a* about the dawgs anyway because they will already have 3 losses.
By wywalton
July 26, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
And GEORGE, who would you pay to see play? I would hope that you would pay to see ANY of the players from your favorite team (just as UGA fans would).
By corey
July 26, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
George, put the crack pipe down. UGA with three losses by October?? This isnt South Carolina we’re talking about. UGA has 2 of the last 5 SEC Championships, after this season it will be 3 of the last 6.
By The Ring Leader
July 26, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Corey likes guys…
By ColumbiaDawg
July 26, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
It’s interesting that Superior chose Boyd as a “spokesman” for his team. The same Boyd who shot up a Columbia night club, then the university had the Richland Co. Sherriff Dept bury it! He’s got quite the rap sheet - but then so do many of his recruits this year! It’s a shame Superior is compromising his ethics to win - just look what it did for Granny Holtz!
By UGAblows
July 26, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
Corey, maybe you need to put the crackpipe down. 3 out of 6? Get a life. You have no proven recievers to throw to, a new o-line and a young defense. Maybe this year you can beat Kentucky and Vandy-or even Florida for the third time in the last time 17 years. In the mean time, look for LSU to claim another title this year.
By UFownsUGA
July 26, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
Corey,
Sounds like you like yourself some crack too. UGA win the SEC this season? Thats a hoot.
By VanDSIRROM
July 26, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
It should be noted that Earl Bennett—the only SEC player in history to catch more than 75 passes in consecutive years—did so with two different quarterbacks…senior Jay Cutler (79 passes) and sophomore Chris Nickson (82 passes).
What will he do in the 2nd & 3rd years with Nickson?
The record book will be re-written in 2007 & 2008. His numbers will stand for decades.
By Rafael Belliard
July 26, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
Okay guys, please tell me how winning 2 of the last 5 SEC Championships will in any way help you win this year? Past history does not have any bearing on the present!
By Rory
July 26, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Last time I checked, Cory Boyd was a Lou Holtz recruit(that happened to be in the same place as the gang violence that runs rampant in Columbia) and UGA had quite a few more recent arrests than Carolina.
By wywalton
July 26, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
VanDSIRROM, I don’t expect Bennett to be around for the 3rd year with Nickson, especially if he continues putting up numbers like he has teh past 2 years. So his records could be broken by an undersized 4 year player at some point. Great player adn teh best of luck to him this year.
By NoKoolAid
July 26, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
Raffy you must be a gamecock. Put the Kool Aid down and relax
By tiger7_88
July 26, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
Tony’s just like the Heisman trophy voters… no respect AT ALL for defensive players.
I’m with ya on #1 and #2, Tony… but there are defensive players in this league WAY more exciting than your #’s 3, 4, and 5.
By cresmarine
July 26, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
Chris Nickson at Vanderbilt should have an outstanding year. After playing behind Jay Cutler at quarterback, he got some experience last year and should be a real dual threat running and passing to Earl Bennett. Vanderbilt has a very good all senior offensive line returning.
By Bill W.
July 26, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
What about Matt Stafford?
By Roswell Ed
July 26, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
Tony,
No need to pay to see Vandy or UK players play. Hell I bet they would pay you to go to their games.
By born 2 bark
July 26, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
I’m glad there are so many doubting our chances of winning the SEC. Keep doing it please! The Dawgs play a hell of a lot better when the expectations aren’t sky high. It’s also a lot more fun when we kick your a*. BTW, George is a tool.
By born 2 bark
July 26, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
I’m even more excited to see Knowshon in action than a maturing Stafford. I watched this kid during the G Day game and he is a stud. He’s destined for the espn highlight reel. Just say the guys name….he sounds like an awesome football player! UGA running game 07, I’m siked.
By harryMfer
July 26, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!
By lsu223
July 26, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
I think DJ Hall will be pretty fun to watch this year too. Keiland Williams will be the second best back in the SEC (McFadden) if he gets enough carries. I can’t wait for September.
By NASCARfan
July 26, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
Thank GOD Barny here isn’t on the Tim “Lisping Lizard” Teblow [sic] bandwagon.
By SEC is Football
July 26, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
lsu223….I agree with you about DJ Hall and have no idea why he was not picked as a preseason All-SEC player when he finished 2nd team last year. I think Keiland Williams will have a great year if he is given more snaps. I think the 2nd best back in the league this year is Jones out of Arkansas but I would definitely have Williams in my top 5. Doucet is a guy for LSU who is fun to watch. Very athletic kid!
By Casey
July 26, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
I’m a Dawgs fan, but Sean Bailey is not an exciting player to watch. Georgia doesn’t even have a reciever who they can rely on to make a catch or big play yet. If anyone from Georgia’s team should be on the list it should be Thomas Brown. He’s coming off the knee injury, but is pound for pound the strongest player on the team. It is fun to watch his hard running, and watching him drag defenders down field with him. The list sounds good to me Tony. I’d probably move Doucet up underneath Percy Harvin though. Watch out for the Dawgs this year though. The defense is young, but still agile, fast, and physical. the O-Line is young, but has a little experience under their belt. And the skill players have a playmaker in Stafford now to get them the ball, so watch out.
By 24-22 on Homecoming
July 26, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
Always enjoyable to see people put down Vanderbilt and Kentucky. I’m certain that Bulldog fans have at least learned not to do that. And if nothing else, neither team is boring, gtgirl.
By Nitetime
July 26, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
You UGA fans are really humorous. Keep feeding yourself all these lies. It only makes it funnier when your guys leave Alltel drunk and mad and your girls leave crying in their prom dresses. Seriously, you can’t really think you’re going to win the SEC this year. You’re totally outclassed in just the east, and the Talladega spooner is your one bright spot. Call me when you: 1) have a playmaker outside of Spooner and Thomas Jones, 2) can beat Florida, 3) have fans that can count to the number of wins required to win the SEC without the use of their hands. Since all three would be required to actually win the SEC don’t hold your breath.
Come to think of it, if I had one wish, it would be that Florida moved to the SEC West and found themselves up against the puppies in Atlanta. The Jacksonville scene is fun, but nothing would compare to Georgia fans streaming out of the GA Dome and crying/making excuses all the way back to Athens for the rest of the year.
By Nitetime
July 26, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
Oh I forgot, I can be reached at 1-800-Defending-Champs (of pretty much everything right now come to think of it). And in case you forget the number, look for the soon to be released University of Florida license tags; I’m sure that’ll be printed on there somewhere.
We own UGA; in fact, the first is comin’ up so don’t forget rent is due…
By Matt
July 26, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this
I’m a Georgia fan so suffice to say my top 5 comes from Georgia’s roster. Elsewhere, I’m eager to see Matt Flynn at LSU, Tebow at Florida, and McFadden at Ark. I think Flynn will have a great year whereas Tebow will struggle more than most expect. I’m rooting for McFadden to win the Heisman. I predicted not long ago that an SEC player would never win the Heisman again because the defenses are too good to put up Heisman numbers.
By Matt
July 26, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
To hear you people tell it Georgia went 4-9 last year instead of 9-4. The hate is hilarious, if not pathetic. Most of this garbage sounds more like wishful thinking than anything else. Yeah, Georgia lost to Vandy and Kentucky. Ask Auburn, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech how much that’s worth and get back to me.
By mdbatl
July 26, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
I agree with you Tony. Even as a Georgia fan, I think that Bennett is the best reciever by far in the SEC. Too bad he’ll be breaking all of Terrence’s records. For Georgia though, a lack of exciting players doesn’t necesarily mean bad football; we’ve got the playmakers to contend for the SEC and just have to put them together. Can’t wait.
By sobedawg
July 26, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
I want to see Thomas Brown, Kregg Lumpkin, Knowshon Moreno and Caleb King…don’t care about the other backfields…;-)
By eddie
July 26, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this
Hey Matt. It’s not a hatred of UGA but a hatred of your typically arrogant fans. Beat UF and win a national title in the next generation before you wanna start running your mouths off about how great you are in football.
By eddie
July 26, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
Hey Matt. It’s not a hatred of UGA but a hatred of your typically arrogant fans. Beat UF two years in a row and win a national title in the next generation before you wanna start running your mouths off about how great you are in football.
By Tony Barnhart
July 26, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
Just to be clear folks, today’s list was of the top five OFFENSIVE players I’d pay to see. On Friday I’m going to do the top five DEFENSIVE players. And trust me when I tell you that picking five from that list of great ones will be much, much harder.
Tony B.
By Matt
July 26, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this
We’re working on that Eddie. I agree we don’t have much to say to Florida. That’s why you’ll never see me with much to say about Florida. The rest of the SEC is free game though, and especially the ACC. Sorry, just the way it is man. I make no apologies.
By joe
July 26, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
Funny thing about Doucet, when he caught the game winning pass against TN, he was NOT the intended target…he just happened to be out of position and reached back for the ball. To his credit, he caught it, but the ball wasn’t his. Furthermore, QB Russell fumbled previously on the drive and the refs didn’t make the call, so that catch should have never been. UGA fans…hope you are preparing for that inevitable 0-2 start. MARK IT DOWN!!!
By Barry
July 26, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this
Remember Vince Young? Vandy has another one in Chris Nickson! Funny that they are in the same city together;isn’t it.
By eddie
July 26, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
Matt, the “rest of the SEC is fair game”? Do you realize LSU has a national title and a Sugar Bowl victory in the last 4 years? Hell, even UT has won a national title in the last ten years. Yeah, the same team that pasted 50 on you in Athens last year. Get a reality check on the “rest of the SEC” before you start acting unapologetic.
By nmattmonroe@hotmail.com
July 26, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this
Eddie, do you realize I could care less? Georgia has humilated LSU on the field since their national title. Georgia has won 2 SEC titles since Tennessee won its last. Get a reality check before you start crying like a baby about arrogant Georgia fans.
By eddie
July 26, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
Obviously you do care because you keep responding, moron. UGA has won SEC titles but where are your national titles? You probably weren’t even born when UGA won one. Ha ha. Loser.
By eddie
July 26, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
Don’t cry, Mattie, just because UF owns your SEC champion Dawgs. Maybe you should you win a national title some time soon before you start bragging your recent SEC titles, loser. Ha ha ha ha!
By eddie
July 26, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this
Because 3 SEC teams other than UGA can claim national titles in the last 9 years and a fourth one can claim an undefeated season. Get a reality check. But keep on bragging about those SEC titles if it makes you feel cocky.
By Larry Whorley
July 26, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
By season’s end, Andre Woodson will not only be the best QB in the league but possibly the nation. 31 TDs last year and only 7 INT, plus over 3,100 yards.
Go ahead, write off UK. Then count wins and losses at the end of the season.
By dawg85
July 27, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this
Matt Stafford’s going to roll this year. You’ll pay to see him by midseason.
By chris
July 27, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
Anyone else notice this article has the word “t**” in it?
By DawgByte
July 27, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Call me a homer, I don’t care. I want to see Matt Stafford make mince meat out of Tim Tebow. Tebow has got to be the most over blown, over rated player in the history of the SEC. Give me a break with this dude. Put 9 guys in the box and double team Harvin on the outside. Game over!
I’m also really interested to see how Moreno progresses.
By CLTDawg
July 27, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
Since all the UF fans posting here are obviously 25 or under, and keep talking about looking at the numbers, let’s have a little lesson in the numbers.
Wins UGA 46 UF 38 Ties 2 15 of 17 & still 8 back - looks like we own this one.
SEC Titles UGA 12 UF 7 Hmmm, we win this one too.
National Titles UGA 3 (42,46,80) UF 2 (96,06) Uf’s are more recent, but seem to lag behind yet again.
UGA - 11th winningest program of all time w/ 701 wins. UF - not even sniffing the top 20.
UGA - 6th all time with 42 bowl appearances. UF - not even close.
UGA - playing football for 113 years and still have the 13th best win percentage at .640. UF - not so good.
So for all you lizards spouting numbers, chew on those numbers. Enjoy your present success, because you will always be second best in this series. Learn to live with it.
By Scot-eye
July 27, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
OK, Toni - we’re even ‘cause you’re not on my list of top five “journalist” that I would pay to read - glad I get this crap for free.
By pumpdawg
July 27, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this
Hey CLTDawg,you forgot one stat:”Coaches with CLASS”.I think they got a big ZERO on that one too.