The CheckerBoard

I don't really think McCullers or Sentimore are ready to go. This whole season I've seen them stood up by the opposing team's offensive lines, which causes our linebackers not being able to fill the gaps and make the plays. JMO I just believe they'd benefit if they stayed one more year.

Here for what it's worth is my take on our juniors. Bray's a headcase and is another Ryan Leaf. Bray thinks he is better than Tennessee and doesn't think we deserve him. I hope he leaves. Hunter not ready but he will leave. He needs to get stronger. He will be pushed around by NFL defensive backs. Patterson, best talent we have seen in Knoxville in years. He loves playing football in Ktown but will leave because of his grades. James is not ready and he will be back. McCullers and Sentimore are not ready and both will be lucky to get drafted after next season. I hope they are getting good direction and both decide to stay.

I am sorry but I dont agree with any of these McCullers "not ready" posts. This guy was unblockable and disrupted offenses when he got his chance. I would venture to say that a lot of 3-4 defenses in the league would jump at McCullers.

I disagree totally. We have been watching 2 differant players. James plays on the right side of the line, not the left. To say he might be the most pro-ready player since EB is gross mis-statement. Have you seen CP play this year. He is a man amongest boys out there.

CP is a phenomenal athlete, maybe the best we've had in my life, but have you seen how many times Bray throws to a spot and CP is turning the other way? He's nowhere near polished, and I agree that a team will take him on raw athleticism alone, but he will be a work in progress. He simply doesn't have the full complement of skills and gamesmanship to be a true WR yet.

More to the point, what do you see in James that leads you to believe he isn't ready? The guy has great size and strength, plays with phenomenal technique, and has had incredibly few plays made on him this entire season.

Both Hunter and Patterson are amazing athletes with a lot of upside potential. Patterson's size, ability to snag the tough catch and his freakish running ability are simply incredible. His route running seems to be an issue that will not work in the NFL. Hunter is a much better route runner and too can make the tough catch. His easy drops are a concern as well as going after the ball and taking it away from the defender. Several times this year it looked like he could go get it but instead stopped and let the ball be intercepted. While I'm biased, I think both could improve their draft position by millions of dollars by coming back and improving their skills.