That bastard Manziel was the "best player on the field"? Was he when he threw an awful interception in the endzone? When he threw a pick six? Give me a break. There's your difference in the game, right there.
All I saw in that game was horrendous secondary play, crappy pass rushes, and the same Johnny Manziel prone to making stupid decisions under pressure with improved overall accuracy. A&M and Bama are very beatable.
As much talent as OBJ and Landry possess, they don't have the same type of threat that Mike Evans presents. His height alone separates him from the vast majority of receivers across the NCAA.
That is true Terry but from what I recall it wasn't as much his height that gave Fulton Fits. Fulton was beat, putting him out of position. I did have a few down my collar though so may be wrong. If height alone did it we have a 6'4 kid who's a Jr. and only has one reception.
I agree, but Landry has better ball skills than Evans, which gives him something Evans doesn't. Even he is only 60% as good, that would still yield 167.4 yards.
Height is brought in because you don't see 6'5" receivers going against 6' defensive backs each and every Saturday. You're certainly right about Fulton getting beaten. Those plays where you saw it the majority of the time (sans two or three times when the DB lost his footing) JF was beaten off the line of scrimmage. Playing bump and run coverage puts you at an immediate disadvantage when your "bumping" a guy that has almost a half of a foot in height. Compared to the two receivers mentioned earlier Evans carries 30 more lbs and 5" as an advantage. The kid is a ball player. I'd have to go through each roster/depth chart just to verify my feelings on this last point...off the top of my head I can't think of a receiver that might go before Evans in the draft. While that doesn't always define how they have performed in SEC play it's still a barometer. "Ball skills" is an expression I've used in basketball—never football. I'm sure you have a specific talent you're referring to but saying "better ball skills" needs a little more explanation. Are you saying he's got better hands?
By "Ball skills" I'm referring to a skill set by which a player is able to locate and seize a ball with emphasis on a ball being in a hard position to seize(specifically with reference to height) and all skills inherent thereto. Hands definitely play a roll, but it's more inclusive than just that. By example, Troy Polamalu has excellent ball skills for a safety being that he is great at locating the ball, and going to get it at the best(generally highest position). This is the skill set displayed on the fade pattern in the end zone. Evans is good because he's so big that it's easy for him to catch a ball above a defender. Landry is not as tall, but still has excellent leaping ability amongst other talents that let him get to balls that other receivers might find uncatchable.
