The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

[moose141]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

The Sanchize! What a crazy end to the season, USC pulling off the title and showing they really are a true juggernaut. I expect them to be in the natty picture year after year. I wonder where Sanchez will end up going in this alternate universe... maybe we can still find a way to get the buttfumble to happen, haha.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Happy to see BSU win the WAC and their bowl game, but sadly as 12-1 season and they can't even crack the Top-10.

Huge year for Graham Harrell too. Turns out he is a pretty decent coach too.

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

The Sanchize! What a crazy end to the season, USC pulling off the title and showing they really are a true juggernaut. I expect them to be in the natty picture year after year. I wonder where Sanchez will end up going in this alternate universe... maybe we can still find a way to get the buttfumble to happen, haha.

Yeah it was quite the season for USC! I enjoy that they're a power (so far) in this game, because it feels weird nowadays and seeing how irrelevant they are on the national scale. The Pac-10 is probably theirs for the taking for a while here, with only UCLA (who I'd also love to get a national player both in this dynasty and in real life) being a serious challenger.

I saw the buttfumble on a SC Top 10 list the other day and couldn't believe it happened EIGHT years ago! And now after looking that up to confirm, I found that it has its own Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butt_fumble

Happy to see BSU win the WAC and their bowl game, but sadly as 12-1 season and they can't even crack the Top-10.

Huge year for Graham Harrell too. Turns out he is a pretty decent coach too.

Other than Utah's run in NCAA 07, my dynasty hasn't really given a fair shake to the non-BCS teams and I don't like seeing that. Boise had a fantastic year, as did Ball State - whose only loss was to Florida in W1, if I remember correctly - but neither could get in the top 15. And then Tulsa was the lone undefeated team in the season before in 07, but it didn't make a BCS game.

Harrell was superb and I really thought he'd win the Heisman over Sanchez, since this game loves the Texas Tech quarterbacks. If he could put up those numbers though, I can't wait to see the numbers that Luck/RG3/Pryor put up in that offense!

Thanks for the comments, gentlemen! I'm going to post a brief synopsis here about the dynasty in the next few minutes for any lurkers or followers that haven't caught up yet, then I'll drop the first big news piece of the offseason. Hoping to get through all the offseason stuff by the end of the weekend.

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Dynasty Synopsis (2006-08)

2006 (1-11 record):
- Carnegie Mellon begins its transition from Division III to Division I, starting with a two-year run as an independent at the FCS level. The roster features all players with overall marks below 48 besides junior tailback Robert Riley, sophomore wide receiver Pete Carlson, sophomore defensive tackle Devon Elliott, and junior cornerback Raymond Cooper, all who have an overall rating of 56. The schedule features 10 FCS games, a restart of its past rivalry with Pitt, and one game against a Division II opponent (I-AA East).
- The Tartans fail to score a touchdown in the first three games, being outscored by a combined tally of 99-3. They finally reach the end zone in game four, a 21-7 loss to Western Illinois, but the losses keep piling up - including a 38-7 defeat to Pitt - and CMU sits at 0-8 before its matchup with D2 Shippensburg.
- With two of its biggest recruiting targets in attendance (three-star HB Jim Manning, three-star OLB Matt Johnson), CMU came back from a 24-17 fourth-quarter deficit to earn its first win of the season, 27-24. A 99-yard kick return by Carlson tied the game at 24-24, and then the Tartans used a long drive at the end of regulation to set up the game-winning field goal. Manning and Johnson commit after the game, giving the team its first two commitments.
- The Tartans play better over the next two weeks, falling 17-10 in overtime to Princeton and 13-7 to Stephen F. Austin, but ultimately end the season at 1-11 overall. They pick up a third in-season commitment in three-star G Matt Fitch and Riley rushes for 1,000 yards, but the year in total was a predictable struggle with three different quarterbacks (48 OVR Andre Miller, 44 OVR David Ford, 40 OVR Alex Smith) seeing significant snaps.
- In the national landscape, Oklahoma shuts out Michigan in the national title game, 21-0, and Brady Quinn wins the Heisman comfortably over Sam Keller and Colt McCoy, among others. On the pro level, the Chargers ride MVP LaDainian Tomlinson - who rushes for 2,469 yards on 505 carries - to a Super Bowl title over the Seattle Seahawks in a 31-24 win.
- Because of their struggles, the Tartans bring a small 10-player recruiting class with the three three-stars (Manning, Johnson, Fitch), five two-stars, and two one-star prospects. All but Manning are immediate starters, with the freshman tailback initially sitting behind incumbent starter Robert Riley. CMU does, however, land a transfer from Penn State in sophomore Kevin Cousins, who will have two years of eligibility remaining after sitting out 2007.
- Florida brings in the nation's top class, with Cam Newton and Dez Bryant's signings with Miami being the most notable commitments. As I mentioned in the thread, I created certain real life recruits and then edited the names of others that matched particular players so that the players in today's college and pro football games will be a part of this dynasty.

2007 (5-7 record):
- Beginning its second of two seasons as a FCS independent, CMU opens with a competitive 19-6 loss to Penn. The Tartans then carry the strides made from that defeat into their home opener, coming back from a 21-7 deficit to knock off Indiana State, 22-21. The new freshmen make instant impacts, with Jim Manning scoring on a 52-yard run and rushing for 99 yards on 10 carries spelling Robert Riley. New cornerback Calvin Burton picked off two passes, running one back for a 71-yard touchdown near the end of the first quarter.
- After a predictable 35-0 humbling by Pitt, CMU continued to show improvement in a 35-23 loss to Southern Illinois - where Riley ran for 182 yards and two scores - and a 55-54 double-overtime defeat to Rhode Island. The latter loss was an instant classic, as the Tartans made up a 31-14 deficit to take a 45-38 lead with 1:01 left, only to see URI's backup quarterback engineer the game-tying drive. CMU went for two and the win in the second overtime, but Keyes' conversion pass was batted down. Manning replaced an ineffective Riley and ran for 179 and two scores on 31 carries, while freshman dual-threat quarterback Justin Keyes contributed 120 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
- The following week, CMU is baffled by Southeast Missouri State and loses 37-0. Manning was moved into the starting tailback role but left the game with an injury after just four carries, and the Tartans are only able to reach the opponent 23-yard-line. Head coach John Elliott's job security bar dwindling after the loss, and a report comes out that he could be fired after the season if the slide continues.
- The defense picks up Elliott in the next game, as five sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception lead CMU to a 13-10 win over McNeese State. A healthy Manning returns and rushes for 162 yards on 31 carries, then gains 151 yards and a score the following week as the Tartans defeat Dartmouth, 21-6.
- Manning outdoes his previous two performances combined in a home contest against Villanova, as he rushes for a school-record 321 yards and three touchdowns in a come-from-behind 24-21 win, giving CMU its third straight victory. The Tartans needed every bit of Manning's yards, as Keyes continued an up-and-down freshman season with just 17 passing yards on 4-of-17 attempts.
- After landing its first in-season commitment in three-star receiver Stephen Carter, CMU drops two straight with losses to Hofstra (15-7) and Towson (35-14). It lands another commitment in three-star offensive tackle Jason Baker, then completes its two-year FCS run with a 48-20 drubbing at Idaho State. Manning goes off again for 195 yards and two scores, while Burton picks off two passes and runs them both back for touchdowns.
- Manning is the only player to receive any honors after the season, making the Freshman All-American team with 1,291 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing, despite not starting until the sixth game.
- In typical 2007 fashion, the national landscape gets crazy as undefeated #1 Florida and #2 Texas both lose in their conference championship games. The third undefeated #3 West Virginia elevates to the title tilt, where they play a surprising 11-1 Utah side that was blown out by Oregon State, 35-7, in week two. The Utes complete the unlikely journey in January, defeating the Mountaineers, 31-28, to capture the national title. Florida's Tim Tebow wins the Heisman over Texas' Jamaal Charles and WVU's Pat White.
- After running through the offseason on NCAA 07, I mistakenly delete the save file and reboot this dynasty through NCAA 08. To keep everything in line with the thread so far, I make the necessary changes to the roster files in Madden/NCAA, and sim the first season to give CMU a 5-7 record heading into the offseason. Because I replaced Temple in the NCAA 07 file due to their Independent status, and the Owls being a member of the MAC in NCAA 08, the Tartans are placed in the MAC East Division.
- Using the sim results from Madden 08, the Chargers go back-to-back with a 24-14 win against the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XLII. Tomlinson wins another MVP award with 1,988 rushing yards on 420 carries, while adding 874 yards receiving on 76 catches, and a combined 20 touchdowns.
- CMU comes away with the MAC's best recruiting class, coming in at 51st overall with nine three-stars, six two-stars, and one one-star. In addition to in-season commitments Stephen Carter and Jason Baker, the Tartans also add freshman starters Mark Toth (MLB), Anthony Tremblay (OT), Todd Andriano (FS), Elvis Washington (SS), David Brown (DE), and Jon Foster (K).
- UCLA has the nation's top recruiting class, but the real story - despite me trying my damnedest not to let it happen - is Texas Tech signing the top three quarterbacks in Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Terrelle Pryor. Julio Jones, the #1 recruit, signs with Mississippi State, while Patrick Peterson (WVU) and A.J. Green (Clemson) are just two others of the notable real recruits that don't to their actual destinations.
- Chad Henne is picked #1 overall by the Lions, who acquired the pick from the Vikings. Matt Ryan is selected #5 by the Browns, who also drafted Brady Quinn the season prior, and JaMarcus Russell is drafted #11 by the Raiders.

2008 (3-9 record, 2-6 in MAC):
- CMU struggles out of the gates in its first FBS season, being predictably dominated by #18 Wisconsin, 43-10, and then not-as-predictably throttled at home by Tulane, 34-7. Keyes leaves both games early due to injury, though neither are serious. In the third week, the Tartans manage 16 points but fall to rival Pitt, 42-16, as LeSean McCoy scores four times (two rush, two rec) for the Panthers.
- The season looks to be spiraling already with 2-0 Buffalo coming to town, but then sophomore cornerback Calvin Burton ties the NCAA single-game record with five interceptions as CMU defeats the Bulls, 45-35. The Tartans pick off eight passes in all and Jim Manning rushes for 286 yards and four scores on 33 carries.
- The next week the Tartans come crashing back to earth, unable to keep pace with an explosive Central Michigan team, 49-21. Keyes continues his disastrous sophomore season with a line of 7-15, 48 yards, 2 INT, though he manages a touchdown on the ground. Another 49-21 scoreline follows as Bowling Green thrashes CMU, and Keyes throws three more interceptions to move his TD:INT ratio to 1:11, although he tallies 124 yards and two scores on the ground.
- Three more Keyes interceptions follow in a 27-3 loss to Miami (Ohio), a winnable game that saw CMU's defense come up with four interceptions. Keyes improves in the next game with his first multiple touchdown pass performance, but the Tartans fall to 1-7 with a 21-14 defeat to Akron. Despite the awful start, CMU secures a commitment from three-star defensive tackle Matt Burnsides, who requested a specific number (#29) and the team was happy to oblige.
- The slide ends in a 37-35 win at Ohio, as the CMU defense comes away with six interceptions. Freshman MLB Mark Toth picks off three of those passes in particular, and the Tartans receive another solid performance from Keyes offensively (8-14, 115 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 25 carries, 99 yards). Manning continues his strong sophomore season with 178 yards and a score.
- Because of this game's insistence on unsportsmanlike conduct taunting penalties if you don't click out of a cut-scene fast enough, CMU is able to knock off 0-10 Duke, 41-37. Keyes tossed what looked like to be the game-ending interception late, only for Duke to be hit with a penalty that set them up with a 1st and 25. After a three-and-out, the Tartans were able to get the game-winning score with 20 seconds remaining. Manning and Keyes combined for 290 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
- The two-game winning streak ends at Western Michigan, as the Broncos rout CMU, 42-10. The Tartans are able to secure two more commitments over this stretch in three-star center Joey Muhammad and three-star quarterback Bryan Williams, the latter likely to compete with Keyes for the starting job in 2009. The next week, CMU's first FBS season comes to an end at 3-9 with a 38-14 defeat to Northern Illinois.
- Mark Toth is the lone Tartan to earn any sort of recognition, as he's named Freshman All-American. I also give him the MAC Freshman of the Year award, since he is the only player in the conference to be named to the team. He tallies 50 tackles, three sacks, and six interceptions as the starting middle linebacker.
- USC wins the national title over Oklahoma, 31-24, while Mark Sanchez captures the Heisman over Graham Harrell and Ryan Perrilloux, among others. There was no drama in the closing weeks of the season, as the Trojans and the Sooners were the only two undefeated teams remaining entering the bowl season.

So here we are entering a big offseason, with CMU struggling to find consistent footing in its inaugural FBS season. There are plenty of solid pieces to build around (Manning, Johnson, Toth, Burton in particular), but the team has been dying to find good quarterback play and needs to make some changes in order to take the next step in this build. Hopefully this review helps some lurkers catch up and really sets the stage for what is a big 2009!

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Nottingham Hired as Tartans Offensive Coordinator
The English offensive coordinator was previously the quarterbacks coach at NCAA Division II school C.W. Post



C.W. Post quarterback Cedric Booker won Division II's version of the Heisman Trophy under Nottingham's tutelage. (Ryan Scane / Getty Images)

by Jayson Thomas, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Carnegie Mellon is turning to an unfamiliar name in hopes of sparking its inconsistent offense.

Tartans head coach John Elliott announced the hiring of Jules Nottingham as the team’s new offensive coordinator this afternoon, bringing the Crawley, West Sussex, England native to the Steel City from his previous job of quarterbacks coach at C.W. Post.

“I’m excited to bring Coach (Jules) Nottingham into the program as our new offensive coordinator,” said Elliott in a press release. “He’s a bright, young mind who brings a unique look at offensive schemes, and will really help elevate our offense to the next level. We’ve got a good team coming back next season and have some studs in Jim Manning and Kevin Cousins, and I think Coach Nottingham’s vision will allow us to reach our potential.”

“I’d like to thank Coach (John) Elliott on believing in me and my ideas for the Carnegie Mellon offense,” added Nottingham. “Since coming over to the United States for university, I became infatuated with the game of football and knew this is what I wanted to do for a living. I’ve been working towards getting an opportunity like this since arriving in America, and I’m thankful that I have this chance to prove myself.”

Nottingham, 29, arrived in the United States to study biochemical engineering at Northeastern University, and found himself working as a student manager for the football team after his freshman year. He was elevated to a student assistant as a senior, then took a graduate assistant position with Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. in 2002. After two seasons, he was named quarterbacks coach at Ohio Wesleyan University for two years, before moving to C.W. Post to take the same position in 2006. The Pioneers finished the 2008 campaign at 12-2 and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoff quarterfinals, with senior quarterback Cedric Booker winning the Harlon Hill Trophy for the most valuable player at the Division II level.

The English-born coach will bring a spread offense to Gesling Stadium, with most sets featuring a single back, three wide receivers, and a tight end. Getting the ball out in space is the biggest component to Nottingham’s attack, whether it be with quick passes out wide to the receivers, or in the read option game with his quarterback and runningback. He’ll have a capable back to rely upon in rising junior Jim Manning, who rushed for 1,396 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore, but could use more consistency at the quarterback position after classmate Justin Keyes posted an 89.5 rating and 19 interceptions in 2008.

Carnegie Mellon finished the 2008 season – its first at the NCAA Division I FBS level – with a 3-9 overall record and 2-6 mark in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

--------------------------

Author’s Note: After using a pro-style playbook with most plays coming out of the I-formation, I will be switching to a spread offense in 2009. The playbook in particular I'll be using is North Texas', which features a lot of quick hitter passing and read option concepts that should help establish more consistency on that side of the ball - no matter who the quarterback is. No rhyme or reason as to why I made the new OC from England, just felt like it added some potential storylines for the future and I really liked the name I came up with, haha.

[young22]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Started going through this the other day, it's cool to see an older NCAA since most of us are on NCAA 14. Also cool to see names like Mark Sanchez, brought back the butt fumble memories haha.

[joshuahuskers]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

CATCHING UP:

I have never heard of Shippenburg, but congrats on the win nevertheless!

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Started going through this the other day, it's cool to see an older NCAA since most of us are on NCAA 14. Also cool to see names like Mark Sanchez, brought back the butt fumble memories haha.

Thanks for checking in! I love NCAA 14, but love these older titles more and one of the reasons why I enjoy rolling with the older games is because I can basically rewrite history in a sense. We'll see if the buttfumble follows him to this world wherever he's drafted, haha.

CATCHING UP:

I have never heard of Shippenburg, but congrats on the win nevertheless!

Thanks! I just looked up Pennsylvania D2 schools to fit my schedule, and decided to choose them. That game seems like forever ago, but I remember how excited I was afterwards, taking my ragtag group of 40-50 overall players to a comeback win. I'm glad I don't have to deal with that kind of roster again though, haha.

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Forgot to do this the last couple seasons, not doing the same this time around... it's the 2008 Carnegie Mellon STATS DUMP!

(Team leaders, as updated on the first page, are in bold.)

Justin Keyes, So., QB | 89.5 QB rtg., 114-228, 1,250 yards, 7 TD, 19 INT; 140 carries, 624 yards, 7 TD
Alex Smith, Jr., QB | 90.6 QB rtg., 11-22, 130 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Jim Manning, So., HB | 245 carries, 1,396 yards, 10 TD; 15 catches, 122 yards; 31 kick returns, 661 yards, 21.3 avg.; 12 punt returns, 48 yards, 4.0 avg.
Nate Satele, Fr., HB | 87 carries, 422 yards, 3 TD
Korey Harper, R-So., HB | 12 carries, 64 yards
Tramon McCollum, Sr., HB | 12 carries, 32 yards
Pete Carlson, Sr., WR | 31 catches, 270 yards, 1 TD; 30 kick returns, 664 yards, 22.1 avg., 1 TD; 6 punt returns, 20 yards, 3.3 avg.
Stephen Carter, Fr., WR | 28 catches, 258 yards, 1 TD; 8 kick returns, 150 yards, 18.7 avg.; 2 punt returns, 13 yards, 6.5 avg.
Kevin Cousins, R-Jr., WR | 25 catches, 301 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 6 yards
David Young, Fr., TE | 16 catches, 295 yards, 2 TD
Kurt Thompson, Jr., WR | 7 catches, 126 yards, 2 TD
Jeremy Miller, Jr., WR | 3 catches, 8 yards
Matt Johnson, So., OLB | 70 tackles (16 TFL), 5 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 1 TD
Mark Toth, Fr., MLB | 50 tackles (9 TFL), 3 sacks, 6 INT, 3 FF, 1 FR
Aaron Crosby, So., OLB | 46 tackles (5 TFL), 2 sacks, 2 FR, 1 TD
Hayden Temple, So., CB | 35 tackles (2 TFL), 5 INT, 1 FR
Elvis Washington, Fr., SS | 33 tackles (2 TFL), 2 INT
Todd Andriano, Fr., FS | 31 tackles (1 TFL), 2 INT
Andrew Miller, So., DE | 26 tackles (11 TFL), 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF
Devon Elliott, Sr., DT | 25 tackles (7 TFL), 2 sacks, 1 FR
Raymond Cooper, Sr., CB | 24 tackles (3 TFL), 3 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FF
Chris Hill, Fr., OLB | 23 tackles (4 TFL), 2 sacks
David Brown, Fr., DE | 23 tackles (4 TFL), 2 sacks
Calvin Burton, So., CB | 21 tackles (2 TFL), 7 INT, 2 FR; 4 kick returns, 72 yards, 18.0 avg.
Erik Sellers, Fr., CB | 12 tackles (1 TFL), 1 INT
Jon Foster, Fr., K | 9-15 FG, 28-29 XP
Brad Jones, Sr., P | 51 punts, 1,968 yards, 38.5 avg., 28.5 net avg., 17 inside 20

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Bumping the start of the offseason dump posts to the next page!

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Around the NFL – 2008 Season Wrap-Up Edition
The St. Louis Rams are denied a second Super Bowl title for the second straight year with a 19-16 loss to the New York Jets

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- There was no guarantee needed this time around, but the underdog New York Jets rose again on Sunday night.

Entering the postseason with the worst record of all 12 playoff teams, the 9-7 Jets completed their Cinderella run with a 19-16 victory over the NFC champion St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium. New York captured its second Lombardi Trophy in the closing seconds, as Super Bowl MVP Josh Brown nailed a 46-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to put Gang Green in front.

The contest was a field goal fest for the first three quarters, with Brown and Shaun Suisham nailing three apiece to make it 9-9. Byron Leftwich provided the game’s first touchdown with 12:41 remaining, finding Jerricho Cotchery for a three-yard score, but Steven Jackson answered with a one-yard plunge three minutes later. Justin Miller set up Brown’s game-winning kick, giving the Jets good field position with a 35-yard punt return.

Leftwich threw for 119 yards on 16-of-28 passing for the victors, while NFL MVP Marc Bulger completed 18-of-32 passes for 209 yards after missing last year’s Super Bowl due to injury.

The Jets’ run included a 17-12 win over the fifth-seeded Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round, followed by a 27-24 upset of the top-seeded Tennessee Titans the next weekend. New York punched its ticket to Tampa with another stunning upset, defeating the two-time reigning Super Bowl champion San Diego Chargers, 10-6, in the AFC Championship Game.

Wild Card Weekend
#3 Baltimore Ravens (10-6) 27, #6 Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) 15
#3 Green Bay Packers (11-5) 17, #6 Arizona Cardinals (11-5) 14
#4 New York Jets (9-7) 17, #5 Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) 12
#5 Chicago Bears (11-5) 17, #4 Carolina Panthers (10-6) 10

Divisional Round Weekend
#4 New York Jets (9-7) 27, #1 Tennessee Titans (12-4) 24
#1 St. Louis Rams (12-4) 35, #5 Chicago Bears (11-5) 14
#2 San Diego Chargers (11-5) 28, #3 Baltimore Ravens (10-6) 23
#2 Washington Redskins (11-5) 34, #3 Green Bay Packers (11-5) 13

Conference Championship Weekend
#4 New York Jets (9-7) 10, #2 San Diego Chargers (11-5) 6
#1 St. Louis Rams (12-4) 42, #2 Washington Redskins (11-5) 14

Super Bowl XLIII
New York Jets (9-7) 19, St. Louis Rams (12-4) 16
MVP: Josh Brown, K, NYJ (4-5 FG, 1-1 XP)

Pro Bowl
AFC 41, NFC 14
MVP: Carson Palmer, QB, CIN (12-20, 150 yards, 3 TD)

NFL Standings
AFC East: New York Jets (9-7), New England Patriots (8-8), Miami Dolphins (5-11), Buffalo Bills (5-11)
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens (10-6), Cincinnati Bengals (10-6), Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7), Cleveland Browns (3-13)
AFC South: Tennessee Titans (12-4), Indianapolis Colts (10-6), Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9), Houston Texans (6-10)
AFC West: San Diego Chargers (11-5), Kansas City Chiefs (11-5), Denver Broncos (9-7), Oakland Raiders (5-11)
NFC East: Washington Redskins (11-5), Philadelphia Eagles (7-9), New York Giants (6-10), Dallas Cowboys (5-11)
NFC North: Green Bay Packers (11-5), Chicago Bears (11-5), Detroit Lions (6-10), Minnesota Vikings (1-15)
NFC South: Carolina Panthers (10-6), Atlanta Falcons (7-9), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10), New Orleans Saints (6-10)
NFC West: St. Louis Rams (12-4), Arizona Cardinals (11-5), Seattle Seahawks (9-7), San Francisco 49ers (7-9)

NFL Awards
AP NFL MVP: Marc Bulger, QB, STL (98.9 QB rtg., 379-577, 4,056 yards, 36 TD, 11 INT)
AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year: Larry Johnson, HB, KC (333 carries, 1,619 yards, 16 TD; 59 catches, 553 yards, 5 TD)
AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Jonathan Vilma, MLB, NYJ (160 tackles, 6 sacks, 4 INT, 5 FF, 4 FR, 1 TD)
AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Steve Slaton, HB, ATL (256 carries, 991 yards, 6 TD; 48 catches, 347 yards)
AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: Keith Rivers, OLB, TEN (83 tackles, 10 sacks, 7 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR)
AP NFL Coach of the Year: Ken Whisenhunt, ARZ (11-5 record; NFC Wild Card)

NFL Statistical Leaders
QB Rating: Marc Bulger, STL (98.9)
Passing Yards: Marc Bulger, STL (4,056)
Passing Touchdowns: Marc Bulger, STL (36)
Passing Interceptions: Andre Woodson, DAL (24)
Rushing Yards: LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (2,332)
Rushing Touchdowns: Larry Johnson, KC; Edgerrin James, ARZ (16)
Catches: Steve Smith, CAR (117)
Receiving Yards: Steve Smith, CAR (1,712)
Receiving Touchdowns: Reggie Wayne, IND; Chad Johnson, CIN (15)
Tackles: Jonathan Vilma, NYJ (160)
Sacks: Terrell Suggs, BAL (21)
Interceptions: Keith Rivers, TEN; Andre Dyson, NYJ (7)
Made Field Goals: Nate Kaeding, SD (36)
Net Punt Average: Ben Graham, NYJ (36.1)
Kick Return Average: Reggie Bush, NO (29.6)
Punt Return Average: Andre Johnson, HOU (16.9)

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Singletary Becomes New Seahawks Head Coach
The Pro Football Hall of Fame member spent the last four seasons on the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff

SEATTLE, Wash. (AP) -- After a 10-year run as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, Mike Holmgren has been replaced by a division rival.

Mike Singletary, previously the linebackers coach with the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons, has been signed to become the new head coach of the Seahawks. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his days as a linebacker with the Chicago Bears, Singletary started his coaching career with the Baltimore Ravens as their linebackers coach for two seasons before moving onto San Francisco.

Holmgren has joined the Denver Broncos as their offensive coordinator. The Tennessee Titans saw both of their coordinators leave the team – offensive coordinator Al Saunders to the New York Giants’ head coaching position, and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the same position.

Notable NFL Coaching Moves
Al Saunders, TEN OC to NYG HC
Mike Singletary, SF LBC to SEA HC
Mike Holmgren, SEA HC to DEN OC
Jim Schwartz, TEN DC to TB DC
Jim Fassel, BAL OC to CLE OC

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

McNair Ends Career After 14 Seasons
The longtime Tennessee Titans quarterback spent his final three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens

BALTIMORE, Md. (AP) -- One of the league’s most exciting players is calling it a career.

Steve McNair, 36, has announced his retirement after a 14-year career. He spent 11 seasons with the Tennessee Titans organization – four of which were when they were called the Oilers, and the first two in Houston – before moving onto Baltimore after the team’s drafting of Vince Young. He led his teams to the postseason six times, including a historic run with the Titans in 2000 to Super Bowl XXXIV.

McNair made three Pro Bowls (2000, 2003, 2005) and captured Associated Press co-Most Valuable Player honors in 2003. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist and won the Walter Payton Award in 1994 at Alcorn State.

A list of notable NFL retirements can be found below.

Notable NFL Retirements
Steve McNair, QB, BAL (36 years old)
Jon Kitna, QB, DET (36)
Kerry Collins, QB, BAL (35)
Warrick Dunn, HB, ATL (34)
Priest Holmes, HB, MIN (34)
Terry Glenn, WR, SD (35)
Derrick Mason, WR, BAL (35)
Issac Bruce, WR, STL (35)
Amani Toomer, WR, KC (34)
Wayne Gandy, OT, ATL (38)
Adam Timmerman, G, ARZ (38)
Kevin Mawae, C, TEN (38)
Tom Nalen, C, DEN (38)
Donnie Edwards, OLB, KC (36)
Derrick Brooks, OLB, TB (36)
Randall Godfrey, MLB, SD (36)
Tedy Bruschi, MLB, SD (36)
Ty Law, CB, KC (35)
Sam Madison, CB, NYG (35)
Matt Stover, K, BAL (41)
John Kasay, K, ARZ (38)

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Former Texas Starter Transfers to Colorado State
Jevan Snead redshirted in 2008 after starting for Texas as a true sophomore in 2007

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) -- After Colt McCoy announced his intentions to return for his final season of eligibility, the ensuing announcement was inevitable. And luckily for Colorado State, it landed its biggest recruit in program history in the process.

Texas redshirt sophomore quarterback Jevan Snead has announced his transfer to the Rams this afternoon, and will be eligible to play as a fifth-year senior in the 2010 season. Because of both players’ injuries, Snead and McCoy shared the starting quarterback job following Vince Young’s departure to the NFL, with McCoy starting in 2006 and this past season.

Snead was injured in fall camp and redshirted, and watched McCoy lead the Longhorns to an 11-2 record and Rose Bowl berth. As a true sophomore in 2007, Snead was briefly in the Heisman Watch and guided Texas to an undefeated regular season, only to see it upset in the Big 12 Championship to Colorado and Orange Bowl to Florida State.

A list of all NCAA Division I FBS transfers is below.

CFB Transfers
Case Keenum, R-So., QB, Houston to Air Force
B.J. Phillips, R-So., QB, North Carolina to Yale
Jevan Snead, R-So., QB, Texas to Colorado State
Armando Allen, R-Fr., HB, Notre Dame to Penn
Anthony Elzy, R-So., HB, North Carolina to Columbia
Johnny White, R-So., HB, North Carolina to Yale
Bryan Schutte, So., HB, California to Air Force
Ronald Johnson, So., WR, USC to Stanford
Blaine Irby, R-Fr., TE, Texas to New Mexico State
Will Yeatman, R-So., TE, Notre Dame to Army
William Ball, R-So., TE, Duke to Yale
Andre Smith, R-So., TE, Virginia Tech to Buffalo
D.J. Williams, So., TE, Arkansas to Iowa State
Beau Warren, R-So., C, Virginia Tech to Navy
Shawn Lemon, So., DE, Akron to Yale
Drake Nevis, R-Fr., DT, LSU to New Mexico State
Jonathan Arceneaux, R-So., OLB, Rice to Kansas State
Matt Woodlief, So., MLB, Wake Forest to Columbia
Trey Womack, R-So., CB, Virginia to Yale
Ben Wells, R-Fr., FS, Texas to Nebraska
Tony Logan, So., FS, Maryland to Yale
Doug Rogan, R-Fr., SS, Michigan to Yale
Derek Knight, R-Fr., SS, West Virginia to Columbia
Marcus Williams, R-Fr., SS, Ohio State to Dartmouth

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Heisman Winners Among List of 62 NFL Draft Early Entrants
USC’s Mark Sanchez and Florida’s Tim Tebow are two of five quarterbacks declaring early for the NFL Draft

NEW YORK, N.Y. (AP) -- Headlining this year’s group of NFL Draft early entrants are a pair of Heisman Memorial Trophy winners.

2008 Heisman winner Mark Sanchez of USC and 2007 honoree Tim Tebow of Florida are just two of 62 players forgoing their final one or two seasons of eligibility to declare for the NFL Draft. The duo are just two of five quarterbacks who are leaving school early to start their pro careers.

Sanchez, who led the Trojans to a 31-24 victory over Oklahoma in the BCS Championship Game earlier this month, finished his lone season as a starter with a 180.2 quarterback rating, 4,050 passing yards, and 54 total touchdowns (2 rush).

Tebow, who guided the Gators to an 11-2 record and No. 12 ranking this season, posted a 169.7 quarterback rating, 3,518 passing yards, and 50 total touchdowns (3 rush) in his historic Heisman sophomore campaign.

A full list of the entry entrants in this year’s NFL Draft can be found below.

NFL Draft Early Entrants
Jameel Sewell, R-Jr., QB, Virginia
Jake Christensen, R-Jr., QB, Iowa
Ryan Perrilloux, R-Jr., QB, LSU
Mark Sanchez, R-Jr., QB, USC
Tim Tebow, Jr., QB, Florida
Vondrell McGee, R-So., HB, Texas
Demarco Murray, R-So., HB, Oklahoma
Joseph Turner, R-Jr., HB, TCU
Miquale Lewis, Jr., HB, Ball State
Chris Bullock, R-Jr., HB, Bowling Green
Marlon Lucky, R-Jr., HB, Nebraska
Jonathan Stewart, R-Jr., HB, Oregon
Javarris James, Jr., HB, Miami (Fla.)
Chris Wells, Jr., HB, Ohio State
Keiland Williams, Jr., HB, LSU
Percy Harvin, R-So., WR, Florida
Max Komar, R-Jr., WR, Idaho
Tyrone Pronty, Jr., WR, Bowling Green
Ryan Wolfe, Jr., WR, UNLV
Damon McDaniel, Jr., WR, Florida State
O.J. Murdock, R-Jr., WR, South Carolina
Darrius Heyward-Bey, R-Jr., WR, Maryland
Chris Brooks, R-Jr., WR, Nebraska
Vidal Hazleton, Jr., WR, USC
Micah Kia, Jr., OT, UCLA
Robert Brewster, R-Jr., OT, Ball State
Robbie Frost, R-Jr., OT, Texas A&M
Kevin Bemoll, R-Jr., OT, California
Jake Bscherer, Jr., OT, Wisconsin
Chris Scott, Jr., OT, Tennessee
Simon Codrington, R-Jr., OT, Florida
Brian Abraham, R-Jr., OT, UCLA
Travis Arnold, R-So., G, Ball State
Greg Isdaner, R-Jr., G, West Virginia
Victor Brooks, R-Jr., DE, Rice
Dave Henderson, Jr., DE, Oklahoma
Adam Patterson, Jr., DE, Michigan
Kellen Heard, R-Jr., DT, Texas A&M
Brian Jones, Jr., DT, Texas Tech
Todd Denlinger, R-Jr., DT, Ohio State
Kade Weston, R-Jr., DT, Georgia
Travis Goethel, Jr., OLB, Arizona State
Chris Collins, Jr., OLB, Oklahoma State
Roddrick Muckelroy, R-Jr., OLB, Texas
Ross Homan, Jr., OLB, Ohio State
Ryan Stamper, R-Jr., OLB, Florida
Ryan Reynolds, R-Jr., OLB, Oklahoma
Walner Leandre, R-So., MLB, Arkansas
Mike Nixon, Jr., MLB, Arizona State
Luther Brown, R-Jr., MLB, USC
Darryl Sharpton, R-Jr., MLB, Miami (Fla.)
Syd’quan Thompson, R-Jr., CB, California
La’Roderick Thomas, R-So., FS, Missouri
Willie Garley, Jr., FS, Rice
Wes Davis, Jr., FS, Boston College
Quinton Andrews, R-Jr., FS, West Virginia
Latarrius Thomas, Jr., FS, Louisville
Taylor Mays, Jr., FS, USC
Nolan Carroll, Jr., SS, Maryland
Andre Sexton, R-Jr., SS, Oklahoma State
Nate Whitaker, Jr., K, Notre Dame
Trevor Gerland, R-Jr., P, Texas