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Lout Holtz sits down with the NFL Draft Bible to talk about some of the recent draft picks, including top ten picks Darren McFadden and Vernon Gholston.
WALDORF-ASTORIA, NY--Lou Holtz has not only coached several successful NFL stars such as Tim Brown, but he got a chance to see the pro game from up close as the headman of the New York Jets for (almost) one season. The only man to lead six different Universities to a bowl game sat down with us for a few minutes, even teasing us the way a grandfather would on the fact that none of our cover boys—Darren McFadden, Chris Long or Matt Ryan—was the number one in the NFL Draft (the slogan “Who’s Number One?” dons the cover).
“I think that (Vernon) Gholston…I saw when he played against Michigan, I think that guy will be a great asset to the Jets,” Holtz offered when asked about his thoughts on the draft this past weekend. “He’ll give them that type of pass rush that John Abraham gave them for a couple of years. Vernon Gholston might be a little more physical.”
Holtz also thought the New York football Giants did well with their selection of Mario Manningham out of Michigan in the third round. The former coach pointed out the different perspective the two organizations have…the Big Blue coming off a Super Bowl, while Gang Green has to look a long way back to 1969…barely visible in today’s rearview mirror.
Going from the media capital of the world to the college football capital—the SEC--Coach Holtz spoke of a trio of running backs, telling the NFL Draft Bible that the NFL will be very surprised when they see Cory Boyd, agreeing that the former Gamecock will be among the top sleepers in the ’08 Draft.
“I like McFadden,” the Coach added. “I thought he was a heck of a player, but I tell ya, I thought this Felix Jones who played behind him and went to Dallas was outstanding.”
The future College Football Hall of Fame inductee did not coach at East Carolina, but his son Skip Holtz does, which brings us to a third running back selected in the first round of the ’08 Draft, Chris Johnson. The elder Holtz praised his speed and athleticism—things you cannot teach—as well as the way he developed from just a phenomenal talent as a sophomore to a great football player in his final campaign. Holtz sees Johnson as a player that can hurt opposing defenses in so many ways, including coming out of the backfield as a receiver.
Ultimately, the motivational speaker believes a lot more is involved than just who runs the fastest and who jumps the highestwhen explaining why certain players succeed at the next level and other don’t.
“It’ll be interesting to see who succeeds,” Holtz stated. “It isn’t because of talent. It’s because of the attitude and because of the support system and the discipline they’ll have with all the money. If they know how to handle success, how to handle all the money, and still remember what got them there…which is hard work, dedication and making good choices. On the field, off the field making good choices about the people you run around with, those are the people who will be successful in this draft, not talent.”
Are you listening boys?
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