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Since sports began back ages ago, the story of the underdog has always captivated fans everywhere.
A team coming from nothing to win a championship has happened many times in the past, but even more encouraging is the story of an unknown individual, who rises above all the adversity to become a star that no one expected.
The Cleveland Browns are one of those teams in the NFL that could have several players who are virtual unknowns become the next underdog story.
It has already happened within the last decade with Pro Bowler Josh Cribbs, who went from undrafted quarterback out of Kent State University to setting the NFL record for career touchdown returns on kickoffs just one season ago.
For a team that has been constantly rebuilding since they rose like a phoenix back in 1999, the Browns may have several young players on their roster who may become the next Pro Bowl talent and star wearing an orange helmet.
Of the following players (sorry, no rookie underdogs on this list), one or more may become that next star player in 2010 and/or beyond.
Marcus Benard, OLB
Benard was an undrafted free agent out of the small college of Jackson State, but he was a pass rush specialist and actually had five sacks in one game against Alabama State.
He averaged 11.5 sacks per season in college, and Benard gave a sample of his ability to get to the quarterback late in the season last year and ended up with 3.5 sacks. Two of those sacks were against the Steelers.
On a defense that has many faces and formations under Rob Ryan, Benard will get plenty of opportunities in 2010 to rush the passer as an underdog in a linebacker group, that is much deeper than Browns fans have seen, since he showed so much promised in the tail end of 2009.
James Davis, RB
Davis showed promise in the 2009 preseason, but his rookie year was cut short due to a shoulder injury during a practice drill.
Remember that Davis played with highly touted rookie running back C.J. Spiller of this year’s draft class, but Davis was also the guy who kept Spiller on the bench for two and a half season until he got injured and Spiller took over. This was the reason Davis dropped so far in the draft one year ago.
Now that the Browns have brought on rookie back Montario Hardesty, the back field is deep and crowded, but with head coach Eric Mangini being a run-heavy favorite, the Browns will look at all of their runners to get reps and this gives Davis a chance to be the underdog who breaks out.
Davis will get his chance in training camp and preseason once again, and he not only told media that he is considering 2010 as his second rookie season, but he also said he feels stronger and more powerful than ever.
Kaluka Maiava, ILB
In a linebacker group that is filled with players for the 2010 season, Maiava is one of the lesser talked about at this point of his young career, which could be good and makes him an underdog candidate.
Maiava came from USC and was the unknown linebacker in a draft class that already had Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga, and Clay Matthews III as the headliners. Maiava may have saw his stock drop because he was the odd man out in the USC stable of linebackers, but he is by far the one guy to watch out of all of them.
Anyone who goes out and hunts wild boar with their bare hands during free time needs to be watched, and Maiava saw more playing time at the end of the 2009 season and made some strides in his development.
He may not be ready to start, but with a veteran like Scott Fujita to mentor Maiava along for the next couple of season, look for Maiava to be starting within the next few years as one of the Browns’ inside linebackers.
Brian Robiskie, WR
The proclaimed “most NFL-ready wide receiver in the 2009 draft class” fell 100 yards of that title in his rookie year, only seeing the football field a handful of times, and now he is an underdog fighting for his chance at redemption.
Not the type of beginning a son of a wide receivers coach would like to start his NFL career, but being the son of a receivers coach will only help Robiskie develop since it most certain that his father Terry probably worked with and/or gave his a ton of guidance in this offseason to prepare him for the 2010 season.
Robiskie is part of a wide receiver group that is extremely young and untested, but if he can step up and become a leader of this young group, then look for good things not only from him, but from all the receivers that will make the Browns’ regular season roster.
Ahtyba Rubin, DT
Rubin went from understudy of starter Shaun Rogers to Rogers’ replacement in half a season last year…literally.
With a pending suspension and possible legal troubles on top of that, Rubin got his chance to prove himself in 2009 when Rogers went out for the season with an injury and the defense actually played better and stronger.
Rubin is a young underdog going into the 2010 season and may be the new centerpiece of the Browns’ 3-4 defensive scheme, as long as he can continue to hold the line along with a double team to allow the pass rushers an opportunity to get to opposing quarterbacks.
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To the new Bills running back, scoring a touchdown is like a painting. You take your time with it and in the end it becomes beautiful. Spiller has scored a touchdown five different ways in college using creativity and speed to juke defenders out of their shoes.
C.J. Spiller has a daunting task ahead of him to be a franchise piece in rebuilding the Buffalo Bills who have not seen the post season since 1999, but C.J. Spiller, the thriller, is exactly what the Buffalo Bills needed.
Spiller, a track runner, claims that by running track it helps with his speed and endurance. In the off-season he uses a red laser to help with his vision and constantly works on his footwork. He is the ideal NFL draft pick and Buffalo knew it.
The Buffalo Bills selected C.J. Spiller “The Thriller” and while many wanted to see a quarterback or offensive lineman Buffalo “Bill-ieves” in “The Thriller” to be the difference maker.
The excitement and stardom that Spiller will bring to Buffalo will allow the Bills to continue to fill the seats and for the time being, hopefully quash the ongoing rumors of becoming the Toronto Bills.
Quarterback Trent Edwards is notorious for checking down and completing short passes. In fact, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Trent Edwards only attempted two passes that traveled over 40 yards and only 21 that traveled over 20.
While the frustration for fans continues each time he looked past Lee Evans or Terrell Owens, he now has “The Thriller” at his disposal which should slow down the rush and possibly give whatever quarterback more time to throw.
Put aside those horrible images of running backs the Bills have flaunted around with Willis McGahee and Marshawn Lynch, as C.J. Spiller is class. He returned to his senior season at Clemson even though he was projected as a top NFL pick only to be selected ninth in the draft in 2010.
C.J. Spiller’s No. 28 jersey will be retired at Clemson as Spiller was the only player in the FBS to score a touchdown in every game in the 2009 season. Spiller was named the 2009 recipient of the College Football Performance Awards Kickoff Returner Trophy, the first award at the position in college football history.
Welcome to Buffalo C.J. Spiller, we are ready to be thrilled.
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On Thursday, April 22, 2010, the Buffalo Bills shocked the draft world yet again by selecting Clemson running back C.J. Spiller, even though thousands of draft gurus rested assured that Buffalo would address the clearly visible need at left tackle, or solidify the new 3-4 defense with a stud nose tackle.
Instead, the Buffalo Bills brass elected to go the “best player available” route, as they didn’t see either Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga, Rutgers OT Anthony Davis, or Tennessee NT Dan Williams worthy of the No. 9 overall pick.
Let’s go back nine years.
Buddy Nix is Assistant GM of the San Diego Chargers, currently holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft. With no starter-worthy quarterback on the roster, the Chargers trade down, passing on Michael Vick, and selected the highly touted Texas Christian running back LaDanian Tominson, who was the best available player, in Nix’s mind.
This is very similar to the situation in Buffalo. New head coach, Chan Gailey operates a run-first scheme, and with the uncertainty regarding Marshawn Lynch and the lack of depth at running back, C.J. Spiller brings an explosive, change of pace to the lackluster offense that is the Buffalo Bills.
Spiller was a high school track and football star, averaging over ten yards per carry, rushing for over 5,000 yards and scoring over 30 touchdowns in his high school career.
Ranked the No. 8 overall high school prospect, and No. 1 running back prospect by Rivals.com, Spiller was selected to play in the 2006 U.S Army All-American Bowl, playing for the east with Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, Brandon Graham, LeSeanMcCoy, and Beanie Wells as his teammates.
Spiller attended Clemson, making an impact instantly as a true freshman, rushing for 938 yards and ten touchdowns, on 139 carries as a backup. Spiller displayed play-making ability and could change the momentum of a game at any moment.
In his sophomore year, Spiller became a threat as a receiver as well as in the backfield, receiving for over 200 yards and two touchdowns.
After his junior and senior years, Spiller went down in the NCAA record books, for most kick returns for touchdowns (7), and became one of only five players to gain over 7,000 all-purpose yards. C.J. is also the only player in the nation to score a touchdown five different ways: passing, rushing, receiving, a kick return, and a punt return.
Spiller’s versatility is perfect for the Buffalo Bills, who have lacked any excitement since the good ol’ days of the K-Gun offense. At Clemson, Spiller scored 51 touchdowns, 21 of which were 50+ yards.
C.J. Spiller is a player that can break a play and shift the momentum of a game in a split second. While watching tape of Spiller, it brings me to the Buffalo vs. Tennessee game, in which Titans running back Chris Johnson carved the Bills’ defense for over 230 all purpose yards, breaking six rushes of over 20 yards.
Bills fans will be angered at first, for not taking an offensive tackle, but Spiller is projected by many as the player who will have the most impact this year out of all the prospects in the 2010 NFL Draft.
“Spiller is a world-class athlete with that speed and explosion,” said Hall of Fame former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders outside Radio City Music Hall.
It will be very interesting to see how this situation will play out in Buffalo. Spiller is so versatile, and I expect to see a lot of split backfield combinations, and Spiller in the slot on some occasions. He is a player that the defense always needs to be aware of, and hopefully that will open doors for the other play makers on the team.
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The 2010 NFL Draft continues tonight at 6:00 p.m. EST, and all eyes will be on both former Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen, and former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy.
With the second round kicking off, both of their landing spots will be of high intrigue, but neither should last too long.
Here is a prediction as to how the second round will shake out.
Round Two
1 (33) — St. Louis Rams: Golden Tate (WR) — Notre Dame
The Rams depth chart at receiver is not exactly an intimidating bunch.
The Rams need to get new quarterback Sam Bradford a weapon. Tate is strong combination of hands and speed that will help Bradford on day one.
2 (34) — Minnesota Vikings: Nate Allen (S) — South Florida
The Vikings inked Lito Sheppard right before the draft, so without an overly impressive corner-back still on the board the Vikings go with some protection in the back of their secondary.
3 (35) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Everson Griffen (DE) — USC
Griffen was looked at as a possible first rounder in weeks leading up to the draft, but questions about his learning curve and consistent attack of the line, dipped his stock.
Nevertheless, the Buccaneers badly need a pass rush off the edge and Griffen is the best talent left on the board at this spot.
4 (36) — Kansas City Chiefs: Jimmy Clausen (QB) — Notre Dame
Yes, they have Matt Cassel locked up for big money but it is difficult to imagine new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis letting his boy slip passed him, especially at second round dollars.
Enter Clausen while general manager finds a way to make Matt Cassel expendable.
5 (37) — Philadelphia Eagles: Taylor Mays (S) — USC
The Eagles free safety spot was a revolving door in 2010.
The team is still looking for someone to fill big shoes left behind by Brian Dawkins.
Mays still has work to do in pass coverage, but the Eagles are not going to let slip an athletic talent who can step in on day one like Mays.
6 (38) — Cleveland Browns: Colt McCoy (QB) — Texas
Cleveland gets their quarterback for the future (who will hopefully and finally stick) with McCoy.
It’s no secret general manager Mike Holmgren is very warm to Colt McCoy and there is no way he doesn’t take the former Longhorn with him on the board.
7 (39) — Oakland Raiders: Charles Brown (OT) — USC
Beefing up the offensive line was one of the Raiders big concerns heading into the draft.
Brown is a bit raw and needs to be coached up, but the talent and projection is there.
He should be able to learn on the job under former offensive line coach-turned-head coach Tom Cable.
8 (40) — Miami Dolphins: Sergio Kindle (LB) — Texas
Bill Parcells and Co. beefed up the defensive line in the first round and land a very high value pick in Kindle at this spot in the second. Not only does Kindle boast great athleticism but he gives the Dolphins flexibility off the edge that Bill Parcells love.
9 (41) V Buffalo Bills: Rodger Saffold (OT) — Indiana
The Bills were though to go with an offensive tackle with the ninth overall spot, but instead landed a possible sleeper pick at No. 41.
Either way, the Bills needed to boost the offensive line and now newly drafted running back C.J. Spiller has a big body to run behind.
10 (42) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Cook (CB) — Virginia
The Buccaneers could go one of two ways with this pick, corner-back or wide receiver.
The Buccaneers need to find a way to slow down the big aerial attacks in the NFC South which makes their selection of the best corner-back left on the board the wiser choice.
11 (43) — Baltimore Ravens: Lamaar Houston (DT) — Texas
Houston is not the true nose tackle that the Ravens look for their system, for which they are very few left this high on the board, but he is strong, athletic tackle who can fill space against the run and let the Ravens linebackers clean up the rest.
12 (44) — New England Patriots: Daryl Washington (LB) — TCU
The Patriots once again went secondary in the first round.
In the second round they should be looking for a new outside linebacker.
He doesn’t have ideal size for an outside linebacker, but he makes up for with speed and ability to make place in space. That is something Patriots sorely lacked in 2009.
13 (45) — Denver Broncos: Brandon Spikes (ILB) — Florida
The Broncos were flat out bad against the run last season and need a big body in the middle who can fill space and stop the run at the point of attack.
Spikes’ stock took a hit with poor 40 time at the combine, but he still has the raw ability to get the job done.
Character issues may be a red flag here.
14 (46) — New York Giants: Sean Lee (ILB) — Penn State
The Giants missed out on Rolando McClain in the first round and cannot afford to miss out on a linebacker in the second round.
Lee was first round talent a year ago before blowing out his knee so injury questions do linger, but he is a heady player and sure tackler.
Those are two traits the Giants badly missed in their linebacking corps last year.
15 (47) — New England Patriots: Arrelious Benn (WR) — Illinois
Concerns about Wes Welker’s return date and the need for youth opposite Randy Moss make Benn a solid choice here.
His hands need work, but he’s got speed and can run routes. The hands can be worked on.
16 (48) — Carolina Panthers: Brian Price (DT) — UCLA
Steve Smith has been clamoring for another receiver across from him for some time, but the Panthers were simply bad against the run (22nd in the league last year) and lost a bunch of depth at the DT spot off their roster via free agency.
Price at times was a projected first round pick. He’s too good for the Panthers to pass up here.
17 (49) — San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Ghee (CB) — Wake Forest
The 49ers loaded up their offensive line in the first round. Now they go for secondary help with a choice of Ghee who impressed with speed (4.37 at the Combine) and size (6′-0″, 195 lbs.)
Nate Clements missed most of the season last year and Dre Bly is gone via free agency.
18 (50) — Kansas City Chiefs: Bruce Campbell (OT) — Maryland
The Chiefs could have gone with one of the top lineman in the draft at fifth overall. Forty-five picks later and they still need a tackle to protect either Matt Cassel’s or Jimmy Clausen’s blindside.
Campbell is a gifted athlete for a big man who can step in immediately.
Great value here.
19 (51) — Houston Texans: Morgan Burnett (FS) — Georgia Tech
The Texans are need in of an upgrade at the safety position.
More name choice already came off the board, but Burnett’s stock climbed a bit following an impressive Pro Day.
Maybe a bit of a reach, but Burnett fills a need.
20 (52) — Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon LaFell (WR) — LSU
The Steelers can’t trade away Santonio Holmes and do nothing to fill the void.
LaFell didn’t exactly light up his 40 time (~4.55), but he has very good hands and is a crisp route runner.
That will play just fine in the Steelers offense.
21 (53) — New England Patriots: Rob Gronkowski (TE) — Arizona
Ben Watson was a total flame-out of the Patriots who still need a tight end in their offense.
He missed a lot of time in 2009 with a back injury, but he’s hands down the second best tight end in the draft and will immediately fill a need for the Patriots.
22 (54) — Cincinnati Bengals: Donald Butler (LB) — Washington
The Bengals’ linebacking corps was downright ugly at times last year and exposed way too many holes at the second level.
Butler is an inside linebacker by trade and gives the Bengals a presence in the middle.
23 (55) — Philadelphia Eagles: Jon Asamoah (OG) — Illinois
The Eagles need guard depth and get a lucky break with Asamoah, the best guard remaining, still on the board at No. 55 overall.
24 (56) — Green Bay Packers: Koa Misi (OLB) — Utah
The Packers lost Aaron Kampman to Jacksonville in free agency and need to fill his spot.
Misi boosted his stock with a strong showing in the Senior Bowl and offers an athletic style of play.
25 (57) — Baltimore Ravens: A.J. Jefferson (CB) — Fresno State
Jefferson impressed at the Combine with a 4.43 40 time and 44-inch vertical leap.
He’s got fantastic raw ability, but does need to be coached up.
Jefferson may not be ready to play on day one, but he’s a very interesting talent with a potentially high upside.
26 (58) — Arizona Cardinals: Vladimir Ducasse (OG) — UMass
Ducasse is a guard by nature, but he also played right tackle in college, which is a spot the Cardinals need help at now, that Levi Brown appears ready to switch to the left side.
Ducasse was a First-Team All-America in FCS.
27 (59) — Dallas Cowboys: Reshad Jones (S) — Georgia
The Cowboys watched guys they may target in Burnett and Ducasse go off the board in front of them.
The Cowboys still need a safey and while Jones isn’t that impressive in size (6’1″, 214 lbs,) he plays very well on the ball.
28 (60) — Seattle Seahawks: Carlos Dunlap (DE) — Florida
The Seahawks did a very good job addressing need in the first round with Okung and Earl Thomas.
In the second round they go three-for-three by taking the best defensive end left on the board.
It should be a no-brainer if Dunlap falls to this spot.
29 (61) — New York Jets: John Jerry (OG) — Ole Miss
The Jets can draft for depth here.
Jerry is a mountain of man (6’5″, 335 lbs) and is very skilled in run protection which works just fine for the Jets.
30 (62) — Minnesota Vikings: Dexter McCluster (RB) — Ole Miss
The Vikings lost Chester Taylor to free agency and thus will look to McCluster as another play-maker out of the backfield.
He doesn’t possess the size like Taylor but he can catch balls and make plays on special teams which add to his value.
31 (63) — Indianapolis Colts: Jared Veldheer (OT) — Hillsdale
There are some concerns about Veldheer’s reach, but he is a beast at 6’8″, 312 lbs.
That is the kind of big body the Colts could use on the depth chart to further protect Peyton Manning.
32 (64) — New Orleans Saints: Novarro Bowman (OLB) — Penn State
The Saints addressed corner-back in the first round. In the second round the fill the void left by the departed Scott Fujita with Bowman.
Bowman is flexible in space, defends the pass and can play the run.
At one time he was fringe first round pick but hangs on to Round Two here.
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Despite needs at both offense and defensive lines, the Buffalo Bills went the “Best Player Available” route, selecting versatile running back C.J Spiller from Clemson University. A four-year starter at Clemson, Spiller has re-wrote the school’s record books, starting in all four years. Spiller holds the FBS record for all-purpose yards, with 7,588.
With widely renowned offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga out of Iowa still on the board at No. 9, I was completely shocked with the selection of Spiller. Considering that Bulaga is projected as a decent right tackle, he seems great for filling an immediate hole, but when Bulaga reaches his potential as a tackle, it will still be only of the caliber of a right tackle.
C.J Spiller is the highest rated running back in the 2010 NFL Draft, and also fits the
“scat-back” prototype running back that head coach Chan Gailey covets so dearly.
With the addition of a versatile threat of the likes of C.J. Spiller, it is quite obvious that the Buffalo Bills are interested in moving Marshawn Lynch. Lynch was a No. 12 overall pick, and has been much more than his worth.
With Chan Gailey’s run-first offense, C.J Spiller adds a home-run threat on every play. Last season at Clemson, Spiller averaged 5.3 yards per carry, gaining over 1,200 yards, scoring 16 touchdowns.
While passing on Bryan Bulaga, Dan Williams and Derrick Morgan seemed like atrocities, I have faith in Buddy Nix’s draft history
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