The Good Team

With most of the hardware handed out this week for D-I college football, I thought it appropriate to present our first annual “good team” selections. Instead of picking the best players by position, this instead is a roster of my favorite players to watch from the 2008 season.

It’s obviously biased by the games that I’ve watched, which in no way encompasses every player. But I watch a lot of football, so covers an awful lot. Players like Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry are obviously outstanding, I just haven’t seen him play much this year so he’s off my radar. This also isn’t any kind of cumulative recognition- I reward performance this year only. Without further ado, let’s get to the team, and in no particular order…

Alabama WR Julio Jones
Few players made the kind of impact Julio Jones did, and Julio did it as a true Freshman. Jones might be one of the few true freshman that I’ve seen in the last ten years that truly looks like they could go straight from high school to the NFL. JJ is big, physical, fast, and runs routes like a Junior. Jones ranks 62nd in receiving yards nationally, which isn’t that great, but consider he’s done that on a team that ranks 96th nationally in passing offense. Jones’ 51 receptions for 847 yards made the difference in several games between win and loss, three of which were wins by a touchdown or less.

Ohio State RB Beanie Wells
Speaking of old school backs, if you don’t like watching Beanie Wells play, you’re just an Ohio State hater. Despite missing three complete games and part of two others, Beanie still finished the year with almost 1,100 yards and 7th nationally amongst all backs on a per game average. Beanie is fun to watch on so many levels. He’s got the patience and vision to find holes, he’s got enough speed to run away from linebackers and safeties, and best of all, he’s got the bruising physicality to just knock people over.

Alabama RB Glen Coffee
I’m a big fan of old-school backs; guys that create space, treat the stiff-arm like it’s a security blanket, and guys who drag two or three guys down the field before getting tackled. Glen Coffee is that guy. He doesn’t have the biggest numbers but has a 6.1 yard per carry average and runs like he owns the field. On a crisp Saturday morning with a beer in my hand, Coffee is the kind of football player I want to watch.

USC S Taylor Mays
The USC defense is a true team effort, netting extraordinary results, but by definition not allowing any one player to accumulate massive statistics. Consider that Rey Maualuga leads USC in tackles but that’s only good enough for 180th nationally. Taylor Mays has suffered from the same problem, not accruing huge stats but still striking fear into opposing offenses. Allegedly the fastest player on a fast USC team, Mays is big, fast, and a ferocious hitter. He plays like a little guy with a chip on his shoulder, but with 6′-3″, 225 size.

Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham
There are plenty of 6′6″, 261 pound Tight Ends running around, but few with the skills of Jermaine Gresham. He’s the ultimate safety valve for a QB- great hands, good speed, and too big for a LB to cover. And as was the case in the Missouri game, the recipient of several clutch, if not lucky catches.

USC RB Joe McKnight
I’m probably biased by watching Joe McKnight make my Buckeyes look just silly live and in person, but McKnight is a freak. That is, when the USC offense allows him. Joe McKnight partially suffered from the running-back-a-palooza employed by the Trojans this year. He still managed to lead the team in rushing get 646 yards on only 84 carries, good for a 7.7 yards per carry. More importantly for McKnight is that “whoa” factor, where you just hold your breath every time he touches the ball. His speed and cutting ability make him one of my favorite players to watch.

Texas DE Brian Orakpo
6th nationally and 1st in the Big XII, Brian Orakpo is a sack machine tallying 10.5 on the year. He also forced 4 fumbles and 15 QB hurries and is the kind of disruptive end that is a joy to watch. I won’t enjoy watching him terrorize Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, but the dude is a beast. He dominates games and creates huge match up problems for opposing offensive lines.

Penn State DE Aaron Maybin
With multiple suspensions and injuries at the beginning of the season, the Penn State defense was desperate for someone to step up, and Aaron Maybin sure did. Maybin delivered 12 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles on the way to All-Big Ten and Walter Camp All-America honors. Maybin was a one-man wrecking crew harassing opposing quarterbacks and forcing offensive lines to double or triple team him. A red-shirt Sophomore, Maybin is rated by some as the 2nd best defensive end prospect in this year’s draft.

Ohio State CB Malcolm Jenkins
A 6′1″ 208 pound Junior, Jenkins was a force in the Ohio State secondary on the way to winning the Thorpe award. Jenkins is a special defensive back in that he has the speed to cover wide receivers but also has the size to cover the run too. And he loves to hit. In the mold of Antoine Winfield, only about 20% bigger. All of this is why I think he could probably play corner back or safety in the NFL, depending on team needs. 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 blocked kicks on the year.

Who’s on your team?