I'm sorry, but I'm just so sick of the whole "this is going to be the year Breaston really takes the college football world by storm" schtick. Since his college career so far has been eerily familiar to Stovall's at that point (eye opening freshman season, followed by nothing but disappointment), I still can't help myself. I really don't think Breaston is anything more than somebody who'd be a great corner, but is stuck playing receiver, where he doesn't have the route running skills or knowledge to succeed, instead only relying on his athleticism.

Everybody always says "but if he gets in the open field with no run in front of him...". Well, DUH, if somebody gets into the open field with no one in front of them they SHOULD score. All this guy can do is screens and reverses, and while he can do those well, he's no where close to being a complete, starting WR.

I'll get off my soapbox now.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 8:29 am | #

Pat: Good stuff as usual.
I can't help but notice that the ranking of teams by WR roughly matches the the probability of those teams beating us this year. In other words: If you asked me which games I was most concerned about, I'd instinctively say USC, Mich St., Mich, and Penn St. Given last year's secondary play, you've shown me that my gut feel can be traced to the quality of their receiving corps.

~!m
biggity | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 8:43 am | #

Derrick Williams. 22 receptions, 29 yards?
Is that right did he only have a little over a yard per catch?
Thanks for the great run down you do a great job.
Tnirshfan | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 8:59 am | #

Typo. He had 22 receptions and 289 yards.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 9:07 am | #

Ah, that's kinda what I figured.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 9:47 am | #

As a Michigan fan, I do think that you have given Breaston a little too much credit. With him, you see flashes, but not consistency. I have heard great things out of camp, but then again I heard them his redshirt year and each year that has followed. In my mind, he is a great #3 receiver. I can only hope that this is the year he shows he can be a #1 or # 2, because he did not show it last year.
masked avenger | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 10:28 am | #

Well, I was thinking about using a picture like this for Breaston, but I do think that as long as he's healthy he will have his best year as a Wolverine. In the past two years, Henne has had Edwards and Avant has his go-to receivers. I don't think Manningham will be that guy by the ND game, so my guess is that Henne will look to Breaston more. Good point about his consistency though, he does seem like a feast/famine type player.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 10:37 am | #

What I just don't get is why he gets so much attention? Everytime Michigan is mentioned on CFB segments on ESPN this year, I guarantee that just like last year they will mention what a "weapon" Breaston is as an "open field runner". Every....single....time. I simply fail to understand why this 'weapon' gets so much hype and only had 291 yards receiving as a junior.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 11:05 am | #

Because he's also a top notch kick and punt returner. That's where the open field comments come from. The guy did have 1,397 all-purpose yards last year. That's not too shabby.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 11:25 am | #

Wide receivers I'm not in the least bit concerned about this year.

Calvin Johnson -- we may very well stick 3 DB's and a linebacker on him, and still cover the rest of GT's receivers sufficiently.

Steve Breaston -- he is this year's recipient of the Dwight Ellick "All motor, no steering wheel" award. He will return a punt for a TD against Indiana or Northwestern, and probably rule against Central Michigan or Ball State, and that's it.

Kyle Ingraham -- he is physically incapable of stretching the field, unless he falls down.

Evan Moore -- ditto Kyle Ingraham.

Anyone from Navy, AF, or Army -- as you said before, scrap and pluck and 42-10.

Anyone from North Carolina -- Nebraska's former backup QB will be "throwing" him "passes," thus rendering him as useful as a &%&# on &%$*#. You can fill in the blanks.
Andrew | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 11:48 am | #

Oh, wow, this game is fun. There's so many different things that could go in there.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 11:52 am | #

" he is physically incapable of stretching the field, unless he falls down."

Awesome Andrew. I literally was laughing outloud at my desk. Classic.
chris | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 12:13 pm | #

Michigan's receiver's (as a group) are over-rated, although, with the veteran team coming back, they might be a real threat, especially manningham.

Penn State's Deon Butler has some pretty impressive number for a non-USC receiver. Not sure if Penn State will have a QB that can beat the coverage though. Otherwise, I think Deon Butler should get better props.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 12:57 pm | #

Pat,

I almost mentioned that play in the picture in my first message. That game would have been a lot more interesting if he makes that catch.

As I said, he can show flashes, but most of the time it is in the return game (and not just against Indiana and Ball State). In bowl games he has following all-purpose yards: (1) 2005 versus NU - rush 1-(-2); rec 1-8; punt 7-72; kickoff 4-146 = 222; (2) 2004 versus Texas - rush 3-15; rec 3-77 (50 yard TD); punt 1-2; kickoff 6-221= 315; and (3) 2003 versus USC - rush 2-21; rec 6-61; punt 1-0; kickoff 1-24 = 106.

Therefore, Breaston has had 643 total yards in 3 bowl games, but almost all of it has been in the return game. So I am unwilling to state he will be a great receiver this year, and obviously hope that I am proven wrong.
masked avenger | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 1:37 pm | #

What were his stats against ND the last two years (just curious)?
GRNDFan | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 2:26 pm | #

Excellent breakdown, Pat. I enjoy reading these a lot.

You mentioned the biletnikoff. I think samardzija has the best chance to win it this year, because Jarrett's QBs are going to be too new and USC's offensive production as a whole is going to drop way down this season IMO. Also, Calvin Johnson will never win one with Reggie Ball as his QB.
suave andrew | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 2:31 pm | #

I still have nightmares of Breaston returning punts against us in the 2003 game. I thought I remember him taking one or two to the house (right at me 19 rows up in the endzone) but his final stats were "only" 4 punt returns for 105 yards (55 long).
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 2:46 pm | #

suave andrew,

I think your logic might even work against you there, possibly. What I mean is, if Southern Cal doesn't have the running game it did last year (how could it?), then they might have to rely more on the pass. While that still means that they will have an inexperienced QB throwing the ball, it also might mean focusing more on the long ball and throws that require little of the QB in terms of placement, and lots from the wideout in terms of making a play on the ball.

For example, when Edwards was a senior at UM, he lost his experienced QB and got a freshman in Chad Henne. Since Henne was inexperienced, Michigan wound up getting into a 2nd and short and simply having Henne throw one up for Edwards to go get. Edwards had his best year yet in terms of catches and yards, because the QB was forced to rely more upon him rather than make his progressions and find an open #2 or #3. This may mean more picks, but that would just place them in more of a position to throw the long ball (assuming a few picks puts them behind, lets say). Plus, poor throws which get picked don't hurt Jarrett's stats.

What I mean is, while he might not get as great or as many passes thrown to him on short to intermediate routes, they may just chuck it deep and allow Jarrett to use his speed and 6'5" frame to run down and jump-ball it. I'm not disagreeing (sp?) with you, I'm simply noting that it could work for or against him.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 3:04 pm | #

BGS guys correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is the postion of all teams that ND faces this year that has the most experience.

This is something that should have a lot of ND fans worried that there are a lot of good (maybe not great, but still good) and expereinced WR's going against an ND pass defense (not just the secondary's fault here) that was by all accounts not good. Now I think Charlie noticed this well before spring ball and made sure that pass defense became the #1 priority. His priority last season wast to fix a putrid offense and that was good, so I expect that if Charlie is the next great thing at Notre Dame, that he will have some sort of impact on fixing the pass D.
OITLinebacker | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 3:14 pm | #

I think he will, more than ever, for one main reason. I think Charlie believes that his pass defense is much more important than his rush defense. Reason being, I think Charlie adamantly believes that he can outscore almost any team, or at least turn any game he wants into a shootout. If ND gets up, running the ball becomes inconsequential in comparison with the pass defense. I really believe that the ONLY way a team will beat us this year is by throwing the ball, if all other factors remain equal (no crazy injuries, fluke 5 TDS given up on kick returns, etc.).
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 3:27 pm | #

Penn State WRs worries me a bit more than Michigan WRs.

So, I would swap them:

3. Penn State
4. Michigan
TintinInNYC | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 4:43 pm | #

"What were [Breaston]'s stats against ND the last two years (just curious)?"

I presume you were being facetious since you didn't ask about 2003, but just in case you weren't (beside, your question made me curious):

2005 - rush 2-34; rec 1-9; punt 6-31; kick 2-30 = 104 total.

2004 - rush 1-(-4); rec 5-42 (td-25); punt 1-7; kickoff 3-77 = 122 total.

2003 - rush 0-0; rec 0-0; punt 4-105; kick 0-0 [apparently ND's only kickoff was a touchback - ;)]= 105 total

Again, what damage Breaston has done (and its has been fairly limited) has been in the return game.
masked avenger | Email | Homepage | 07.28.06 - 10:28 pm | #

Breaston scares the hell out of me. As I recall, we were all saying the same things about Ted Ginn (great athlete but crappy receiver), and we all know how that turned out.
scott | Email | Homepage | 07.29.06 - 1:09 pm | #

Some updates on USC's receiving corps:

-Jamere Holland dislocated his shoulder in a 7-on-7 session against a Southern California junior college; I wouldn't be surprised if he redshirts this season.

-That injury increases the likelihood that Travon or Vidal plays right away in the slot, giving the Trojans a speedy threat lacking in recent years.

-Pete Carroll said at Pac-10 Media Day that Jarrett is unlikely to be docked any playing time (not that it would affect game no. 11 on the docket anyway)

-Finally, Ryan and Brandon Ting have left the program to focus on medical school; this is a bit of a surprise considering both were listed on the depth chart (Ryan as no. 1 punt returner; Brandon as no. 2 strong safety)
Dan | Email | Homepage | 07.30.06 - 6:44 am | #

Am I the only one who doesn't understand the concept of 'suspending' someone in the offseason? I've been reading a lot of articles on CFB and I keep coming across stories at SEC schools, as well as this Jarrett thing of coaches or the NCAA suspending players during the offseason and then re-instating them when the season begins? What are they actually being suspended from?
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.30.06 - 2:03 pm | #

Pat,
Good write-up as usual. As of right now, O.J. Washington will start in front of Barnes for Navy, although I have no idea why (that's what the new depth chart said, although Barnes clearly looks like he could have a huge future.) Remember that the SBs for Navy get as many balls thrown to them as the WRs, and both Campbell and Hines are have been/are tricksters down here who could both put up 500 yards receiving for the year.

I also think that Purdue WR Corps is going to be scary good, especially now that Painter can complete a pass attempt.
Mr. A | Email | Homepage | 07.30.06 - 4:24 pm | #

Thanks for the additional insights Dan and Mr. A. The more info, the better.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.30.06 - 8:00 pm | #

The PSU receivers are going to get even more touches this year because Justin King is going to be playing primarily defense this year. He'll still be used a little but not to the extent he was last year. Morelli has shown flashes of being quite a gunslinger. If the offense can give him time to throw he should be able to light-up defenses....Including a weak ND secondary!
JB | Email | Homepage | 08.01.06 - 12:04 am | #

I have a feeling the ND secondary is going to surprise a lot of opposing fans who are expecting the Keystone Cops.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 08.01.06 - 9:36 am | #

I think you've got Stanford a little wrong - Evan Moore was ready for a breakout year last year before the injury. He's a hell of an athlete and will create all kinds of problems for DB's. He'll be #1 and the one to worry about
tim | Email | Homepage | 08.01.06 - 1:36 pm | #