The CAA was nearly turned on its head this past weekend with William & Mary stunning UNH, Maine downing Delaware at Delaware, and Richmond leading JMU by 8 points (31-23) with a minute to go. However, QB Houdini (I mean...Rodney) Landers pulled out a few of his tricks in that final drive to give JMU the ball at the Richmond 5 with 58 ticks left. He handed off to Sr. HB Eugene Holloman from there, and the 2-point conversion pass tied things up. JMU then scored on a 69-yard kickoff return with :01 left, and the Spiders were left reeling. The saddest thing was that Richmond had game-planned away from outstanding JMU kick returner Scotty McGee all day, but when it really mattered the most, they kicked away to him in an effort to not give JMU the 40-yard line (and a short FG drive) as they had all day with their pooch kickoffs, and sure enough, McGee wound up beating them. 15 points in 58 seconds, or else the FCS standings would have really been messed up.



College: James Madison Conference: Colonial Athletic Columnist: Steve Martin
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Marcus Haywood 34 5' 11.2" 190 4.63 S 2009: Few player's futures depend more on their eventual confirmed 40 times than Haywood's. He has the whole package to be converted to a CB at the next level (or at least a nickel) except obvious makeup speed. He hits like a safety, although he is prone to drag tackle at times. He is leading the team in tackles and interceptions. He times up the PBU perfectly. One of the best d-backs in the FCS, however (and this is really becoming a bit of a cliche) "he lacks the size for safety and the speed for corner." That usually spells the end of a career, but if he can run in the 4.5s I think he might get a look as a CB convert at the next level. Has all the intangible stuff. GRADE: Positive

Eugene Holloman 14 5' 10.4" 185 4.52 HB 2009: Tough long strider with a nose for what he must get. Edge rusher most of the time, but he can take it up the middle. Not effective running the middle because of his stride even at this level though. I doubt the 4.52. Nothing here to make me think he can stick. GRADE: Neutral

Hassan AbdulWahid 99 6' 3.8" 240 4.80 DE 2009: Sets the edge well at this level, though he'll need 20 pounds to do that at the next. Doesn't have the spin you'd want, and I'd think the 3-cone would not be outstanding. Run stuffer, who occasionally gets into the backfield too. Nothing to write home about. GRADE: Neutral

Rodney Landers 7 6' 0.3" 215 4.58 QB 2009: Defines "dual threat" but the emphasis is definitely on the run with Landers. Just not a big league passing threat. Could be a Steelers' style dual-threat RB at the next level. Has RB size and strength. Some have said he is the best player in the FCS. I think that is a stretch, but he has enough "there" there to find a home with a team with a clever and creative OC. Copying Tebow's jump pass now. GRADE: Neutral

Scott Lemn 62 6' 2.5" 285 5.09 C 2009: Really impressive at this level. Cuts well. Blocks 2. Hunts. Wins one-on-one. Pulls OK. Always on the second level and playing to the whistle. Gives great effort with no snaps off. Could surprise in a camp and be a real tough guy to cut. GRADE: Positive

Evan McCullough 2 5' 10.0" 190 4.65 S 2009: Really wraps. gets into the pile and doesn't shy away from anything. Another one of those smallish safeties who stands out in the CAA, but who is going to have a very tough time doing that next year. ST tackling ability is above average. GRADE: neutral

Terrence Apted 60 6' 3.2" 335 5.45 OT 2009: Heavy legged. Playing out of position at ROT. Is only effective in short areas, and is not a devastating run blocker, so what does that leave you? Misses his blocks far too often. Maybe camp fodder, but I doubt it. Looks more like a MEAC o-lineman. GRADE: Negative

College: Richmond Conference: Colonial Athletic Columnist: Steve Martin
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Tim Silver 53 6' 5.5" 330 5.35 OT 2009: Some sad similarities to Apted, but at least he's playing the right spot now (ROG) and doesn't miss as many blocks. He has a shot because he is bigger and more confident of his abilities as a run blocker. Turns his man, gets him off balance, and dumps him. Slow. Needs to go to a team that still emphasizes the run, like the Steelers or Redskins. Will maul you if he gets you. GRADE: neutral

Sherman Logan 8 6' 2.5" 241 4.80 DE 2009: Yes, I think he can convert to OLB. Will have to, and should be successful if he does. Intense. Explosive off the ball as a DE. Fights off blocks and makes plays. Emotional and dedicated. Similar to UMaine's Jovan Belcher, but slightly bigger and slightly less explosive. GRADE: Positive

Josh Vaughan 32 5' 11.3" 232 4.70 HB 2009: Really does fine when he understand who is, and does not try to cut. Dangerous short yardage back and downhill load carrier at this level. Lacks the burst to be Hightower II though. Good body lean. Makes something out of nothing. Barrels through the line with bad intentions. Similar to Steve Baylark, and will probably have a similar tough road to hoe at the next level. Lacks Baylark's hands.(23 for 94, 2 TDS today) GRADE: Slightly positive

Lawrence Sidbury 2 6' 3.0" 260 4.85 DE 2009: That extra size makes me think he will have as good a shot (though he can stay put) as Logan.. 10 more pounds of musle would really help. Pretty quick off the ball too. Gets walled, but recovers. Keeps fighting his was into the backfield. Not explosive, but steady enough to bring in for a look. Very few FCS DEs have more potential than Sidbury does to move on and play football. GRADE: Positive

John Crone 3 5' 10.8" 250 4.80 FB 2009: Gets the ball ins short yardage and gets his yard ot two. Scored on a 1-yard run realy in the game. Not as good a blocker as you'd expect given his size though. Lacks footspeed to lead anywhere but just the 1 & 3 holes. GRADE: Slightly negative


OTHER NOTES:

JMU: KR #19 Scotty McGee is special. Keep that name file waya for future use.

#17 RB Yancey is also going to develop into a very good FCS back. Could carry a draftable grade one day.


Richmond: Soph KR/CB Justin Rogers is only a shade behind McGee as a KR, and is a cover corner who will be drafted in the sprind of 2011. Write it down now. The kid can cover.

QB Eric Ward is the better pro prospect between he and Landers, IMHO. You won't get an "amen" in many corners on that, I dare say, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. He can pass. He can run. He's getting smarter and harder to defend day after day. Big play QB.

#10 PK Andrew Howard has now kicked 121 of 121 xpts in his career. That's got to be some kind of record.

WR Josh Gray, a RFr is another name to remember.