Doc's Sports All-American Team
by Robert Ferringo - 08/25/2008
Money players.
Money players are the guys who come through. Money players are the guys who make a difference. Money players are the guys who move the line depending on if they are healthy, or angry, or motivated. Money players are the guys that turn everything around when you are in your most desperate, distraught, distressed state each weekend.
Money players are the guys who get you paid.
In college football it's possible for one or two players to take over a game. Whether it's on offense, defense, or even special teams, one player can be the determining factor in a win or a loss not just for his team, his fans, and his school, but also those weekend wizards who wager on these amateur games of violence and chance.
Below is Doc's Sports Services first ever All-American Team. It is comprised of simply a first-team offense, a first-team defense, and some specific special teams standouts. The list was comprised using individual ballots from each of the five handicappers, who each produced a first-, second- and third-team. Selections were then weighted and scored based on which team they were selected to for each capper, with the consensus winner at each position given a spot on Doc's Sports All-American Team.
These guys are the best of the best, the ruling class of college football's elite. Here is the inaugural Doc's Sports 2008 College Football All-American Team:
(* Denotes a consensus first-team selection)
Quarterback - Tim Tebow, Florida
Superman, himself. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner edged Chase Daniels for the right to lead Doc's Sports Preseason All-America Team. And why not? He only scored over 50 touchdowns (think about that) last year while single-handedly keeping Florida in the Top 10. Let's see what he does for an encore.
Running Back - Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
A first-teamer on four of the five ballots, Moreno not only gets it done between the tackles, but also on the sideline. Moreno was a freshman captain for one of the most venerable programs in the country. He is the unquestioned leader of the No. 1 team in the land and the No. 1 back on our list.
Running Back - Chris Wells, Ohio State
Beanie is a baller, and he gets the nod over other worthy backs like LeSean McCoy, P.J. Hill and Ian Johnson. He'll get a chance to earn this on Sept. 13 when he's cracking helmets with no less than four first-teamers from USC!
Wide Receiver - Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech*
The freshman sensation from Lubbock was a no-brainer. He won the Biletnikoff Award for the nation's top receiver as a freshman in 2007, putting up nearly 2,000 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. Um, yeah, he's good.
Wide Receiver - Percy Harvin, Florida
And like that…he's gone. Harvin is the one who makes the Florida offense go, tallying over 1,600 yards last year despite missing two games! He's banged up now, but we're confident he's going to earn this.
Tight End - Travis Beckum, Wisconsin
VSI had no love for Mr. Beckum, completely leaving him off the ballot! But he was No. 1 on every other card and gets the nod.
Center - Max Unger, Oregon
The cerebral center led the point for an o-line that paved the way for one of the nation's most explosive offenses last year. A second-team All-Pac-10 pick, Unger is only going to keep rolling with a new Duck quarterback's hands in his groin.
Guard - Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
At 6-feet-5, 330 pounds, Robinson is the biggest, baddest lineman on the biggest, baddest line in the country. It's a safe bet that no one is pushing him around.
Guard - Anthony Parker, Tennessee
Parker has started at both right and left guard in Knoxville and was a second-team All-American in 2007. Basically, he's a stud.
Offensive Tackle - Alex Boone, Ohio State
Those boys in the Big Ten can't run, but they sure can slug it out in the trenches. And Boone certainly gives as good as he gets.
Offensive Tackle - Andre Smith, Alabama
The Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner was also first-team All-SEC last year. He's started every game he's suited up for in Tuscaloosa and you know Nick Saban will have him ready for the next level.
Kick Returner - Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
Maclin, the electrifying sophomore for the Tigers, actually tied with Percy Harvin for the second wideout slot. But He also won the kick returner vote. This way we get both on the same team. And for both the M.O. is the same: wherever and whenever they touch the ball you hold your breath and wait for six.
Kicker - Thomas Weber, Arizona State
Personally, I would have gone with Wake Forest's Sam Swank. But the majority spoke and Weber was The Man! Tough to argue, though. He went 24-for-25 as a freshman and took home the Lou Groza Award.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive End - George Selvie, South Florida
Selvie is a man amongst boys and the reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year. This was one of the toughest categories to call, but his 15 sacks last year sure helped.
Defensive End - Maurice Evans, Penn State
Evans held off Michael Johnson and Greg Hardy for this spot. He had 12.5 sacks from the left end last year as a sophomore and looks like he's ready to hit the pros after one more dominant fall.
Defensive Tackle - Fili Moala, USC
Moala, a senior, has started for the Trojans since he stepped on campus. He is charged with filling the LARGE shoes of No. 1 pick Sedrick Ellis this year, sliding from his normal DT slot over to nose tackle.
Linebacker - James Laurinaitis, Ohio State*
The Animal was the Butkus Award winner in 2007, running the point for the nation's No. 1 ranked defense. He's just a dominant playmaker that is looking to start in his third consecutive national title game this year.
Linebacker - Rey Maualuga, USC
Mr. Inside, Maualuga actually had more tackles, more sacks, and forced more turnovers last year than No. 1 draft pick and former teammate Keith Rivers.
Linebacker - Rico McCoy, Tennessee
McCoy was only a second-team All-SEC performer last year but we're expecting him to break out in 2008. After just two starts in 2006 he has his coming out last year, serving as Tennessee's No. 2 tackler last year.
Linebacker - Brian Cushing, USC
Cushing snuck into our first team over a number of challengers. He is a hybrid linebacker on the outside, possessing the ability to rush the passer from the outside and drop into a three-point stance as a former defensive end.
Cornerback - Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State*
Apparently, locking down wideouts runs in the Jenkins name. Last year, Michael Jenkins (USF) was one of the best in the business. Now it's Malcolm's turn. Shutting down Big Ten wideouts is one thing. Next he's got to show he can keep up with the speed of those SEC ballers.
Cornerback - Vontae Davis, Illinois
I was pretty surprised that we ended up with two cornerbacks from the Big Ten, given that it's probably the least pass-happy league in the nation! But Davis gets the nod. And his true value might not be seen until he's playing on Sundays.
Safety - Nic Harris, Oklahoma
Harris is everything you want in a safety: solid, dependable, and unflappable. He plays cat-and-mouse every weekend with some of the best quarterbacks in the league. And he definitely wins his fair share of those games.
Safety - Taylor Mays, USC
Mays was on the first team of all but one ballot - mine! I like Missouri free safety William Moore. But Mays is kind of an athletic freak that lays the lumber at the back end.
Punter - Kevin Huber, Cincinnati
Yup, you need a punter. Here is ours. But look at our offense. How much do you think we're going to be punting!