Wednesday July 26, 2006

Role Models; SEC and National Special Teams Rankings

Role Models
I mentioned last week that I really look up to C.J. Spiller. It is unusual to for an adult to look up to an 18-year old but I think a lot of people that have heard Spiller’s story feel the same way I do. In a world where kids are exposed to so much more than any other generation, Spiller has found a way to relate to generations that came before him.

I did not have the internet growing up. While you and I may use the internet for useful information and entertainment, some kids are exposed to an internet that many of you know nothing about. Some kids today practically live on facebook.com and myspace.com. They are websites where kids connect with each other and they post anything from the admirable to the vulgar. I have teenagers now and frequently check their site and others they connect with. Believe me when I say many of theses kids sites this can be disturbing.

Kids today are exposed to a world where drugs are more readily available to them. Some music they listen to talks about a world that does not paint a pretty scene. They are exposed to so many more distractions that I had at their age. Many companies understand this and market to the kids today. It would be easy for a kid today to succumb to the pressure they are bombarded with everyday.

We live in a world of indulgence. Today, more than ever, some companies are preying upon kids. In my opinion, this promotes selfishness. I speak to youth groups or college classes a few times a year. I have had several interns and talk to potential interns fairly often. I interview prospects on my radio show throughout recruiting season. In fact, I have interviewed hundreds of high school prospects over the years. One thing that strikes me as a common trait among many of those is their selfishness. How many times have you heard a player being interviewed and they talked about “me” or “my role” or “my touches in the offense.” When some kids commit to a school they attempt to embarrass the other schools involved when they pull the switched hat deal.

But somehow, Spiller escaped that. He chose not to go that path. He instead chose the path that would be closer to your grandfather’s than your grandkids’. How many kids today could you describe as courteous, thoughtful, kind, unselfish, level headed, hard working, focused, well-mannered? What percentage of our teenagers is grounded by their faith and spirituality? For that matter, how many adults fit this mold?

Spiller talks about team first. He talks about what he can do to help his teammates. Spiller is a breath of fresh air. He sounds like he grew up in the 1940s.

The best compliment I could give C.J. Spiller is that he is a better person than he is a player and he is an unbelievable football player.

SEC Special Teams Rankings
1. Georgia
2. Florida
3. Auburn
4. Arkansas
5. LSU
6. Tennessee
7. Kentucky
8. Alabama
9. South Carolina
10. Mississippi State
11. Ole Miss
12. Vanderbilt

National Punters (I have no idea who some of these guys are but just looked at stats and analysis from a few websites. We had to include this position to keep consistency).
1. Ken DeBauche-Wisconsin
2. Brandon Fields-Michigan State
3. Daniel Sepulveda-Baylor
4. Adam Podlesh-Maryland
5. Gordon Ely-Kelso-Georgia
6. Britton Colquitt-Tennessee
7. Michael Gibson-Memphis
8. Nic Schmitt-Virginia Tech
9. Mike Hughes San Diego State
10. Brendon Carney-Syracuse

National Place-kickers
1. Mason Crosby-Colorado
2. Brandon Coutu-Georgia
3. Jad Dean-Clemson
4. Alexis Serna-Oregon State
5. Paul Martinez-Oregon
6. Sam Swank-Wake Forest
7. Andrew Wellock-E. Michigan
8. Darren McCaleb-Southern Miss
9. Brandon Pace-Virginia Tech
10. Jeremy Ito-Rutgers

National Return Specialist
1. Ted Ginn, Jr-Ohio State
2. Steve Breason-Michigan
3. Derrick Williams-Penn State
4. Felix Jones-Arkansas
5. Rafael Little-Kentucky
6. Ramonce Taylor-Texas
7. Brandon Tate-North Carolina
8. Willie Foster-Rutgers
9. Darrell Blackman-NC State
10. Tyrone Prothro-Alabama (If Healthy)

Again, I know special teams rankings are boring and I don’t claim to know a lot about many of those kickers and punters. I am embarrassed to tell you I had to refer to several websites about kickers to compile the rankings. I had to include them for consistency. The good thing is tomorrow I have a great list of former Clemson coaches and players that are coaching today and I think the blog gets more entertaining again.

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