This was a classic "tale of two halves" contest. The Richmond Spiders absolutely suffocated the Tribe's reasonably prolific offense in the first half, taking a 20-3 half time lead on the force of 4 first-half interceptions of QB Jake Phillips and the strong running of Spider HB Josh Vaughn. Richmond has the best defensive line in all of the FCS, with three legit camp guys, and they put so much heat on Phillips that he eventually threw a career-high six picks in all. The William & Mary offensive line must have received a severed tongue-lashing at half time, and they employed more max protection in the second half, as the Tribe eventually started to get things done. However, the real break came on a 52-yard PR-TD from CB Derek Cox, that cut the lead to 20-13 and gave Phillips enough hope that he could tie it up, that he showed enough confidence to do just that. Unfortunately, William & Mary did not move the ball at all in the overtime period and missed their field goal, while Richmond gained only a few yards too, but made theirs. Richmond heads to the playoffs, along with UNH who narrowly outlasted Maine 28-24 up in Orono.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: William & Mary Conference: Colonial Athletic Columnist: Steve Martin

Elliott Mack 2 5' 11.5" 195 4.60 WR 2009: Just back from injury and was playing on a gimpy knee which he reinjured in the fourth quarter. Crying shame because the kid has some talent, but no one is going to likely remember now. Gets open. Ideal size--not too big to suffer from "big man's cut/pattern" syndrome, and not too small to get thrashed at the LOS. Showed really nice hands and the ability to get open before he got hurt again. He might have been a priority UDFA. GRADE: Neutral

Jacob Phillips 11 6' 2.5" 209 5.00 QB 2009: I know this is going to sound a bit odd for a guy who threw 6 interceptions, but there is definitely some talent here. He tries too hard at times and takes chances, but most of his picks were balls that were just missing by inches, or throwing off his back foot while under intense pressure. He really does throw a decent ball, and stands in. Moves up pretty well, but is not very elusive overall. Telegraphs. Throws well rolling to his left for a righty. Quick feet. Smart, even if he doesn't always show it out there. Good mid-range accuracy. The same passes that were just missing and getting picked, found their receivers in the comeback. Could be the best PP QB from the CAA this year when all is said and done. Bigger than Towson's Sean Schaefer (though somewhat similar otherwise) and a better passer than Northeastern's Anthony Orio. Won't suffer from the elevated expectations that may haunt UMass's Liam Coen. GRADE: Neutral


Josh Rutter 44 6' 2.2" 225 4.75 LB 2009: He's been injured for weeks too, and came back to play MLB for just a half. Certainly looks like a more than capable FCS signall caller back there. Directs traffic. Doesn't get deked. Classic form tackler. Sure tackler and a leader. Looks stiff in his drops though (injury?) and didn't show much explosion going forward. Doubt he will get any further than Mack will, though he possibly could have had he stayed healthy. GRADE: Neutral

Derek Cox 37 6' 0.0" 186 4.60 CB 2009: Best PP on the squad. Very acceptable coverage man at this level, and has shown the past two weeks that he can make a team with his punt return ability. Bit of an upright returner who moves his whole body when faking people out, so...make what you will of that. Lacks recovery speed as a corner but does a little of each back there (nailing people and covering). Looks like a FS playing corner. Lacks elite ball awareness. Only shot will be as a ST guy, who may bulk up 10-12 pounds and try to be a nickel. GRADE: Positive

College: Richmond Conference: Colonial Athletic Columnist: Steve Martin

Tim Silver 53 6' 5.5" 330 5.35 OT 2009: DNP. Injured again (he missed all of last year too, so his NFL shot is over.)

Martin Parker 55 6' 3.0" 260 0.00 DE 2011: Could be one of the CAA's best DTs right now. Obviously he isn't going to be that at the next level at 270 pounds, but he has an ouside shot at playing backup strong side DE in a 4-3. Good motor and clean tackling for a collegiate DT. GRADE: Neutral

Sherman Logan 8 6' 2.5" 241 4.80 DE 2009: Backside chaser. He and Maine's Jovan Belcher are definitely cut from the same cloth, though Belcher may be even a tad more explosive. Pass rusher who will have to be looked at for an OLB transition because of his size. Doesn't seem to lack any movement skills for the transition. Older, 6th-year player, and that will hurt. Still, he has some explosion. Drops will need to be fully evaluated. No idea if he can cover at all, and that will make or break him, frankly. Can get after the QB or RB though. GRADE: Neutral

Josh Vaughan 32 5' 11.3" 232 4.70 HB 2009: Not quite Tim Hightower, but he has certainly been a reasonable facsimile this year, especially over the second half. Has rushed for over 1400 yards to lead all CAA backs. Has learned who he is, and is now playing like a confident one-cut back, and has stopped dancing. Really hits the hole and really finishes his runs now. Pro size and lower body. If only he had an extra gear. Camp back, who has a shot at a practice squad. Reminds me some of UMass's Steve Baylark, without the hands, and Baylark only got so far...GRADE: Positive for his game production, neutral for pro propsects.

Lawrence Sidbury 2 6' 3.0" 260 4.85 DE 2009: Best all-around D-linemen on a very good FCS D-line. Can do it all well. Not quite the pass rusher that Logan is, but not far off either. Better run defender. Relentless. Was getting stood up by the double team early, but kept with it and adjusted. Shows some variety in his pass rush. Can squeeze himself through cracks and suddenly show up where he shouldn't be. Sudden for his size. May be faster than we list him. Gets there with both power and speed. I can see him sticking in the right situation, though he probably will have to go the UDFA route. GRADE: Positive

John Crone 3 5' 10.8" 250 4.80 FB 2009: Solid lead blocker who can run a little in short yardage and even catch a pass once in awhile. Unsung guy who deserves a look but probably won't get one. GRADE: Neutral

OTHER NOTES:


William & Mary TE #98 Varno was the guy who essentially brought the Tribe back in the second half. Looks good as a FCS receiving TE. W&M used a lot of two TE sets to try to deal with that UR D-line, and he didn't do much to impress me there though.


Richmond: CB Justin Rogers (#5) is just a soph, but he may be the best pro prospect in the CAA. Kid can cover. Had two picks.