Thursday, July 19, 2007

Coaches Preseason All-SEC Teams Announced: 5 Commies Honored

Earl Bennett, Jonathan Goff, Chris Nickson, Brian Stamper and Chris Williams were all named to the SEC Coaches' All-SEC Team.

His name is, Goff, and Williams were selected to the First Team, Stamper was selected to the Second Team, and Nickson was named to the Third Team.

Of all these selections, Nickson's surprises me the most. In a number of pre-season previews, the magazines have been split between UT's Erik Ainge, UGA's Matthew Stafford, and UK's Andre' Woodson as the top 2 or 3 QBs in the SEC. No where has Nickson been given that kind of ink or respect heading into this season. While all the "experts" agree that he is the "x-factor" for the Commies and their season, this would seem to indicate that the rest of the league is not taking Chris, or the Commies, lightly.

23 comments:

Stanimal said...

I'm hopeful that having two All-SEC tackles will lead to an All-SEC running back at the end of the year as well.

Seamus O'Toole said...

Couldn't agree more with Bobby. I pretty much agreed with every pick looking down the line, but was floored to see Nickson on the list of All-SEC QBs.

Let's not understate what this means: Nickson beat out Georgia's Matt Stafford, Auburn's Brandon Cox, Florida's Tim Tebow, and the best first-year starting QB in the league last year, Alabama's John Parker Wilson. Another notable he beat out is South Carolina's Blake Mitchell (67% passing efficiency with a 10 to 6 TD to INT ratio in only 6 starts).

I think the fact that Nickson made the coaches' preseason list reflects the fact that every coach knows he's a tough player to prepare for because he can beat you in multiple ways.

Seamus O'Toole said...

I highly doubt we'll have an All-SEC running back. CBJ is going to work a two- or potentially three-back system with Jennings, Jackson-Garrison, and likely even freshman Jared Hawkins sharing the workload. Not a recipe for an All-SEC back from Vandy, especially when the SEC is so completely stacked with RBs. Besides, Nickson will probably be our biggest threat on the ground again this year.

Douglas James said...

I join everyone in shock that Nickson would get this honor. Looking at the list that Seamus put out there makes it even crazier considering the hype that surrounds Stafford and Tebow. I think this is also another way of complimenting HNIE ("His name is Earl")

Bobby O'Shea said...

Perhaps this point is premature (or just plain wrong), but something just dawned on me. SEC Coaches are ahead of the media in recognizing how dangerous a team Vanderbilt has the potential to be. In almost every preview I've read, the analysis (with rare exception) can most be aptly described as dismissive of Vanderbilt and it's ability to compete. This vote by the coaches, to me, demonstrates that they will not make the same mistake. If, as most agree, Chris Nickson is the "x-factor" for Vanderbilt, and Vanderbilt is a team that has the potential to win on any given Saturday in the fall (as they have shown the past 2 seasons), this honor starts to make more sense.

I am sure many who cover the league will say this is the coaches "throwing a bone" to Bobby and the boys. I, being the homer that I am, take another view: this is the coaches putting the media and SEC fans everywhere on notice, "the Commies are coming, the Commies are coming."

Douglas James said...

Which means the element of surprise is gone.......which would have been helpful

Anonymous said...

I am shocked at who Nickson beat out. That's great. The SEC Coaches seem to know what you guys know....when will the media catch up? Could it be possible, Bobby's been right all along?!?! I can't believe it.

Seamus O'Toole said...

I see throwing Chris Nickson on the preseason All-SEC list as (1) a recognition that he's one of the most athletic QBs in the league and (2) a tip of the hat to Earl Bennett.

I think both the coaches and the media know Vanderbilt is a team to be taken very seriously, but in this conference that's not enough to bet the farm on heading into the season, especially when you look at a lack of depth and abysmal special teams, two areas that often end up deciding games (and championships) in the SEC.

When given the complete picture, I don't blame the media for pretty much across the board picking Vandy to finish 6th in the East. But they also acknowledge that the East could get 6 of 6 teams in bowls this year. Name me one other division in college football that you can say that about.

Stanimal said...

This team is definitely better than many we've sported in the past. We're not in a league of stupid coaches. I'm pretty sure the media is just playing the odds that we'll fall to the bottom as an assumption, but the coaches are watching our film (most of them anyway), see our stats, and know that we have some talent.

As to another conference division that could pull it off, it's conceivable that the ACC Atlantic could do it. Depends on if NC State and FSU rebound and Wake has another season like last year.

Stanimal said...

Although the teams in the ACC Atlantic have a seemingly tough OOC schedule to deal with that includes teams such as West Virginia, Nebraska, Louisville, Alabama, Notre Dame, Rutgers, and a sleeper like UCF.

Seamus O'Toole said...

I'll be shocked if NC State has a .500 season -- they're in the tank. But it's possible even a 6-6 record wouldn't get them a bowl game.

Stanimal said...

Most others who are not SEC homers would say they'd be shocked if Vandy has a .500 season.

Seamus O'Toole said...

Good point, Stanimal.

Little do they know...

Douglas James said...

Most people who aren't SEC homers are shocked that we have a viable football team (at least in NY). It should be noted that if you combine all NY's Division I-A football teams into 1 giant team, I don't think that team could beat Vanderbilt (Syracuse, Army, Buffalo)

Stanimal said...

You might as well just play with cuse.

Anonymous said...

ACC Atlantic....are you serious? Va Tech will win the ACC this year, and it will be easy.

Stanimal said...

Every single one of those teams has talent.

Anonymous said...

you left off....

...just so happens VA Tech has a little more.

Bobby O'Shea said...

While everyone is shocked by the Nickson nod as 3rd Team All-SEC, I think Stanimal made a point that we should expound upon a little bit more. Only LSU has more All-SEC selections on their offensive line (4) than Vanderbilt (Vanderbilt, Florida, and Arkansas all have 2 selections). Stanimal's point about 2 lineman receiving All-SEC selections could (and should) portend well for the Commies running game. Can you imagine if we had a running game that could, consistently, gain 3-5 yards a carry?

Anonymous said...

I say we schedule a game with Ohio State and bloody some bow ties...

Stanimal said...

VA Tech's in the Coastal.

Seamus O'Toole said...

We gained 4.7 yards per carry last season and were 4th in the SEC with 150 yards per game on the ground. With the offensive line we've got, we should be able to do even better.

The key to the running game, as much as anything else, is going to be holding onto the football. We coughed it up 26 times in 12 games last season, which is something we just can't afford to do.

It's strange to me that, being one of the least penalized teams in college football (an indication of being disciplined and fundamentally sound), we insist on turning the ball over.

Success this year will depend on rectifying that situation, if for no other reason than to keep our defense off the field and minimize the impact of our depth disadvantage.

Aaron said...

VA Tech is going to be really good this year with their defense, but their season (much like vandy's will depend on quarterback play).

A test of the ACC vs SEC debate will be settled when VA Tech plays LSU in death valley the second week of the season. That should be one helluva a game.

Also, surprised by Nickson. This is a great sign for Vandy. I really hope the University can get this message out to the students and fans so that Dudley field is full for every game.

Although i will be in VA i will have to make it back for at least 3 home games.

VSL tailgate anyone?