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FBGP’s 2016 CAA Media Day Coverage: RB Darius Victor, Towson

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Football Gameplan’s FCS Kickoff: 2016 Missouri Valley Season Preview

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Gene Clemons TE Confidential: Panthers

Gene Clemons, FBGP Analyst
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We reach the penultimate spot in our Tight End Confidential series, and find a tight end corps responsible for helping their team get to the Super Bowl last season, the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers tight end unit begins with the fantastic play of University of Miami alum Greg Olsen. Since arriving in Carolina, he teamed with reigning NFL MVP Cam Newton has lit up the league. Olsen logged another 1000-yard season and cemented himself as the second best tight end in the league. Olsen has proven his value as a pass catcher and his prowess as a blocker in the run game is highly underrated. He has also been instrumental in one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL. Newton is continuing to improve, and with Kelvin Benjamin returning from injury this season, it will be extremely difficult to keep Olsen away from another 1000-yard season.

The number two guy for the Panthers is an end who has the ability to start and be a playmaker for any squad but is a great teammate who accepts his role in the offense. Ed Dickson joined the Panthers from Baltimore two years ago and he’s been a great compliment to Olsen and a very valuable asset in the run game.

The beauty of the Panthers tight end corps is that have adopted the carbon copy approach, as all of their ends have similar builds and skill sets. That allows them to interchange seamlessly and if someone is injured, they are able to fill in without changing the gameplan. Most teams have various types of ends. They have a guy who is valuable as a run blocker, but doesn’t offer much in the pass game, and they also have pass catchers that don’t have the ability to block in the run game effectively. This makes these teams much easier to game plan for because their personnel dictates what they are doing.

Both Olsen and Dickson are complete ends who stand around 6’5 and 250lbs. Braxton Deavers, Marcus Lucas, Beau Sandland, Scott Simonson are also all in that same physical mold. Those four guys will be battling it out for two spots most likely so that battle in camp will be fun to watch. All four have the ability to be effective for the Panthers offense, but with the quality and relative health of Olsen and Dickson, there may not be many snaps for anyone else but the other four will be counted on to make their mark on special teams.

The Carolina offense was spectacular last season despite dealing with injury and shaky offensive line play. They are hoping to have a much healthier team and improvement from every position, tight ends included. If that happens, Panthers nation should be overjoyed and looking forward to another great season much of that will be a product of the number two tight end group in the NFL.

Tweet: @geneclemons

Email: gclemons@footballgameplan.com

Football Gameplan’s 2016 Preseason FBS All-American Team

Two Heisman Trophy finalists in quarterback Deshaun Watson (Clemson) and running back Christian McCaffrey (Stanford) headline the 2016 Football Gameplan Preseason FBS All-American Team as announced today by Football Gameplan.

Football Gameplan, established in 2007, has selected a Preseason FBS All-American team since 2013 as it has for the FCS, D2, D3 and NAIA levels.

Football Gameplan CEO/Founder & Analyst Emory Hunt, who is also a college football color-commentator ( www.footballgameplan.com/tv-network ), is the host of The FCS Kickoff presented by the Connecticut School of Broadcasting and also does weekly commentary on Football Gameplan breaking down the big games in the FBS.

Football Gameplan has also released two football motivational/inspirational books entitled Football: A Love Story and What Did Football Teach Me. Both books feature over 100 interview from current and former coaches, players, executives and entertainers detailing the journey, love affair and life lessons learned from the game.

 

 

 

 

 

www.footballgameplan.com/books

Here is Football Gameplan’s 2016 Preseason FBS All-American Team special

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Clemson QB Deshaun Watson became the first FBS player in college football history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.  A remarkable year for the 6’2 215lbs junior who help lead the Tigers to the CFB Playoffs National Championship Game.  Defensive Back Jabrill Peppers of Michigan played all over the field last year for the Wolverines – including offense and kickoff/punt returner.  The junior defensive back finished 2015 with 45 tackles, 5 1/2 tackles for loss and 10 pass breakups.

1st Team Offense

QB – Deshaun Watson – 6’2 215 – Clemson, Jr.

RB – Leonard Fournette – 6’1 230 – LSU, Jr.

RB – Dalvin Cook – 5’11 205 – Florida State, Jr.

FB – Jaylen Samuels – 5’11 223 – North Carolina State, Jr.

WR – Calvin Ridley – 6’1 190 – Alabama, Soph.

WR – JuJu Smith-Schuster – 6’2 215 – USC, Jr.

TE – O.J. Howard – 6’5 242 – Alabama, Sr.

OL – Cam Robinson – 6’5 327 – Alabama, Jr.

OL – Roderick Johnson – 6’7 307 – Florida State, Jr.

OL – Pat Elflein – 6’3 300 – Ohio State, Sr.

OL – Dan Feeney – 6’4 310 – Indiana, Sr.

OL – Zach Banner – 6’9 360 – USC, Sr.

AP – Christian McCaffrey – 6’0 205 – Stanford, Jr.

1st Team Defense

DL – Myles Garrett – 6’5 262 – Texas A&M, Jr.

DL – Jonathan Allen – 6’3 294 – Alabama, Sr.

DL – Malik McDowell – 6’6 280 – Michigan State, Jr.

DL – Derek Barnett – 6’3 257 – Tennessee, Jr.

LB – Reuben Foster – 6’1 240 – Alabama, Sr.

LB – Raekwon McMillian – 6’2 240 – Ohio State, Jr.

LB – Anthony Walker – 6’1 235 – Northwestern, Jr.

DB – Jabrill Peppers – 6’1 208 – Michigan, Jr.

DB – Jalen Tabor – 6’0 199 – Florida, Jr.

DB – Desmond King – 5’11 203 – Iowa, Sr.

DB – Jamal Adams – 6’1 211 – LSU, Jr.

1st Team Specialists

K – Jake Elliott – 5’10 165 – Memphis, Sr.

P – JK Scott – 6’5 198 – Alabama, Jr.

KR – Evan Berry – 5’11 207 – Tennessee, Jr.

PR – Cameron Sutton – 5’11 186 – Tennessee, Sr.

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Both wide receivers James Washington (Oklahoma State) and Christian Kirk (Texas A&M) were big time playmakers last season. Washington averaged an eye-popping 20.5 yards per catch.  Kirk led the Aggies in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and kickoff and punt return yardage.  USC’s Adoree’ Jackson makes the squad as both an All-Purpose player and as a defensive back. Jackson is truly one of the unique players in college football, playing extensively on both sides of the ball.

2nd Team Offense

QB – Baker Mayfield – 6’1 212 – Oklahoma, Sr.

RB – Samaje Perine – 5’10 235 – Oklahoma, Jr.

RB – Royce Freeman – 5’11 230 – Oregon, Jr.

FB – Sam Rogers – 5’10 228 – Virginia Tech, Sr.

WR – James Washington – 6’0 205 – Oklahoma State, Jr.

WR – Christian Kirk – 5’11 200 – Texas A&M, Soph.

TE – Jordan Leggett – 6’5 255 – Clemson, Sr.

OL – Adam Bisnowaty – 6’6 300 – Pitt, Sr.

OL – Ethan Pocic – 6’7 309 – LSU, Sr.

OL – Dan Voltz – 6’3 301 – Wisconsin, Sr.

OL – Braden Smith – 6’6 286 – Auburn, Jr.

OL – Connor McDermott – 6’9 310 – UCLA, Jr.

AP – Adoree’ Jackson – 5’11 185 – USC, Jr.

2nd Team Defense

DL – Carlos Watkins – 6’3 300 – Clemson, Sr.

DL – Chris Wormley – 6’5 303 – Michigan, Sr.

DL – Eddie Vanderdoes – 6’3 305 – UCLA, Jr.

DL – Arden Key – 6’6 234 – LSU, Soph.

LB – Jarrad Davis – 6’2 240 – Florida, Sr.

LB – Zach Cunningham – 6’4 230 – Vanderbilt – Jr.

LB – Devonte Fields – 6’4 245 – Louisville, Sr.

DB – Eddie Jackson – 6’0 194 – Alabama, Sr.

DB – Jourdan Lewis – 5’10 175 – Michigan, Sr.

DB – Adoree’ Jackson – 5’11 185 – USC, Jr.

DB – Budda Baker – 5’10 184 – Washington, Jr.

2nd Team Specialists

K – Andy Phillips – 5’11 209 – Utah, Sr.

P – Austin Rehkow – 6’3 208 – Idaho, Sr.

KR – DeVon Edwards – 5’9 180 – Duke, Sr.

PR – Will Likely – 5’7 175 – Maryland, Sr.

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Larry Rose III of New Mexico State ran for over 1,600 yards last season at 6.9 yards per carry, averaging 137 yards per game.  Navy Midshipmen return specialist Dishan Romaine averaged a healthy 27.3 yards per kickoff return.  Florida Atlantic’s defensive end Trey Hendrickson makes the list after an impressive junior season that saw him accumulate 13.5 sacks.

3rd Team Offense

QB – Josh Rosen – 6’4 210 – UCLA, Soph.

RB – Sony Michel – 5’11 212 – Georgia, Jr.

RB – Larry Rose III – 5’11 184 – New Mexico State, Jr.

FB – Darrin Laufasa – 6’1 250 – UTEP, Sr.

WR – Corey Davis – 6’3 213 – Western Michigan, Sr.

WR – Richie James – 5’9 177 – Middle Tennessee State, Soph.

TE – Jake Butt – 6’6 250 – Michigan, Sr.

OL – Brian Allen – 6’3 303 – Michigan State, Jr.

OL – Dan Skipper – 6’10 326 – Arkansas, Sr.

OL – Avery Gennesy – 6’5 310 – Texas A&M, Sr.

OL – Nico Siragusa – 6’5 335 – San Diego State, Sr.

OL – Greg Pyke – 6’6 313 – Georgia, Sr.

AP – Jeremy McNichols – 5’9 207 – Boise State, Jr.

3rd Team Defense

DL – DeMarcus Walker – 6’3 273 – Florida State, Sr.

DL – Charles Walker – 6’2 299 – Oklahoma, Jr.

DL – Carl Lawson – 6’2 257 – Auburn, Jr.

DL – Trey Hendrickson – 6’4 270 – Florida Atlantic, Sr.

LB – Malik Jefferson – 6’3 238 – Texas, Soph.

LB – Kendall Beckwith – 6’2 250 – LSU, Jr.

LB – Jalen Reeves-Maybin – 6’0 225 – Tennessee, Sr.

DB – Derwin James – 6’3 213 – Florida State, Soph.

DB – Cameron Sutton – 5’10 186 – Tennessee, Sr.

DB – Cordrea Tankersly – 6’1 195 – Clemson, Sr.

DB – Tre’Davious White – 5’11 191 – LSU, Sr.

3rd Team Specialists

K – Daniel Carlson – 6’4 214 – Auburn, Jr.

P – Cameron Johnston – 5’11 195 – Ohio State, Sr.

KR – Dishan Romaine – 5’11 175 – Navy, Sr.

PR – Ryan Switzer – 5’10 188 – North Carolina, Sr.

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Total FBS All-Americans by Conference

ACC: 14

American: 2

Big 12: 5

Big Ten: 14

Conference USA: 3

Mid-American: 1

Mountain West: 2

Pac 12: 10

SEC: 29

Sun Belt: 2

 

Football Gameplan’s FCS Kickoff: 2016 Pioneer League Season Preview

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Football Gameplan’s FCS Kickoff – 2016 MEAC Season Preview

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