Five best players in the Big Ten

Submitted by Jim Harbaugh S… on

http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/08/06/big-ten-preview-five-best-p…

This list is just terrible:

1. James  Laurinaitis - This guy is not the best player in the big ten, he is the most overrated player though.  This guy is a paper tiger, his championship game preformance is so indicative of his career (big numbers but not a big impact).  

2. Beanie Wells - Now this I agree with (I would have probably ranked him number one, guy is a beast and he seems to be a Michigan killer, not looking forward to seeing him in Novemeber.

3. Juice Williams - You're kidding me right?  Juice Williams?  I'm not even going to discuss this.

4.  Derrick Williams - This to me is even worse than the Juice pick.  

5. Travis Beckum - Ok this I can buy, he is an awesome impact player.

I'm not sure who I'd have in my top 5 (outside of Beanie) - but there is no way in hell Juice, D-Will and Overrated-itis would be on it.

What do you guys think? 

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Md23Rewls

August 8th, 2008 at 8:20 PM ^

During the MNC game, I watched Lauranitis on every defensive play, and he was completely ineffective every time he was blocked, just absolutely could not shed a block. It seems so obvious to me that all he is good at is pass coverage and I don't see how everyone else can miss this.

Joined: 07/01/2008

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Nick

August 8th, 2008 at 8:23 PM ^

1)Beanie Wells - RB OSU

2)Maurice Evans - DE PSU

3)Travis Beckum - TE WIS

4)Kellen Lewis - QB IND

5)James Laurinitas - LB OSU

guys who might be top 5ish players

Martez Wilson - LB Ill (towards end of year maybe)

Dononvan Warren - CB Mich

Brandon Graham - DE Mich

Alex Boone - OT OSU

Arrelious Benn - WR Ill

Vontae Davis - CB Ill

Brian Robiskie - WR OSU

Jonathan Casillas - LB WIS

Jim Potempa - RB Mich

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1113

Jim Harbaugh S…

August 8th, 2008 at 9:17 PM ^

1. 100% agree with SJU - if you can get a helmet on "Little Animal" you can take him out of the play. Seriously he cannot shed a block. He is awesome at catching picks that are thrown right in his hands, that counts for something. BTW did you know his dad was a wrestler?

2. Javon Ringer is really good, I think he would be near the cut if I was making a top 5 list. 

3. I don't even think that Derrick Williams is the best WR on his team, and he is certainly not the best player.

4.Malcom Jenkins is another guy would get top 5 consideration in my mind. 

5. Nick - I like that you brought up Regis Benn, by the end of this season I think he will be one of the best players in the big ten (even with the Juice as his qb).

Joined: 06/30/2008

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chitownblue (not verified)

August 8th, 2008 at 10:49 PM ^

1. Beanie Wells

2. Maurice Evans

3. Kellen Lewis

4. Malcom Jenkins

5. Travis Beckum

Other guys I strongly considered:

Javon Ringer

Shane Carter

PJ Hill

Brandon Graham

Morgan Trent

Lauranitis

It should be noted that Sean Lee would have bumped Beckum off my list if he was healthy.

Joined: 12/12/2017

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Chrisgocomment

August 9th, 2008 at 12:27 AM ^

He should be top 5. Along with Wells, Beckum, Jenkins and probably some other F'n Bucknut douche. I think Terrance "Terrible" Taylor will be in there by seasons end......Yarrrrrrrrrr.........

Joined: 06/30/2008

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chitownblue (not verified)

August 9th, 2008 at 2:40 AM ^

You are under-rating Kellen Lewis. Check out his numbers last year - dude was a one man show.

Joined: 12/12/2017

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Nick

August 9th, 2008 at 4:35 AM ^

Yeh i've never really looked closely at how good or bad Laurinitas is. Ive heard he can't shed blocks ala CGraham. I would consider putting Jenkins, Ringer or Benn in my top 5 instead of him.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1113

hat

August 9th, 2008 at 1:32 PM ^

The enduring legend of Derrick Williams is one of life's great mysteries. He showed a few flashes in the half of his freshman season he played in, and that was it. He's been extremely average ever since.

I haven't followed the rest of the conference as closely as I usually do, but yeah, Chris Wells (I hate calling him by his dorky nickname) has to be #1. Take him away and OSU has no offense. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

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colin

August 9th, 2008 at 1:49 PM ^

I've seen him play. Didn't look amazing to me. Anyway, I really don't have a list here. Chris Wells would top it, but I don't know enough past that.

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 1472

mjv

August 11th, 2008 at 10:11 AM ^

Didn't Indiana lose its all-world WR from last year? I thought that he was kicked off of the team. I would have a hard time putting Kellen Lewis on the list with his only legitimate threat no longer on the team.

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Musket Rebellion

August 11th, 2008 at 2:57 PM ^

Derrick Williams will finish the year with 60 or so receptions for 550 or so yards and get drafted in the 5th round next year. Definitely one of the top 5 players in the Big 10. 1. Beanie Wells 2. Javon Ringer (yeah, I think he's that good) 3. Travis Beckum 4. Brandon Graham 5. Kellen Lewis or Tyrell Sutton if NW knows how to use him.

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