Karl Klug off to a fast start

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco loses the ball as he is hit by Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Karl Klug (97) in the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. At left is Ravens tackle Jah Reid.

Defensively, 2011 Draft Class Off To A Fast Start.

By danielreese05

September 30, 2011

I love to say I told you so, the Titans did a really good job of drafting defensive players in last April's draft. In today's links, you probably saw the list from Pro Football Focus about the early race for Rookie of the Year and how this year was really strong for rookie defensive linemen. Well, the Titans had two players on the defensive line and one more at linebacker.

Star-divide

Let's start with Karl Klug. I was a huge fan of this pick as soon as it was made. The fifth round for a guy who had improved that much in three years and a boatload of desire to get even better? Sign me up, this guy went from nobody to stud in no time at all. I was expecting him to get time at defensive end, but he seems to be just fine and is holding his own at tackle. Klug spends most of his time in the enemy backfield crushing and/or hurrying the quarterback. In limited time, he's got three pressures, three hits, and a sack. In limited time. Just keep doing what you're doing Karl, you'll crack the starting rotation in no time.

Next up, Jurrell Casey. We were promised nasty explosiveness. Check. We were promised disruption in the backfield. Also check. He's ready, he was born ready. It's funny 'cause he's already got eight times as many tackles as Jerry Hughes. Things aren't looking good for Sen'Derrick Marks. I feel bad for the guy, but the best players gotta play and before long, Casey and Klug are gonna be the best players.

Finally, my pick for DROY in the preseason, Akeem Ayers. Although I'm at least a tad bit disappointed at how he's played so far, Ayers has already been noted as a top rookie twice by PFF, so expect for him to at least be in the conversation. Week one was an early coming out party as Ayers made some nice plays in the run game, but after that he seemed to drop off a little bit. At times he just seems to disappear out there. That's what I was kind of afraid of when he came in here, he's not the most physical linebacker and when he's forced to take on blockers head on, he struggles at times. However, he's playing really well against the run when given the opportunity, the pass rush will hopefully follow suit.

In terms of upside, I've still got Ayers at number one for the defensive players in this draft. He just has so many unique skills that make him perfect to be the next do-it-all linebacker. I have visions of Ayers blossoming into our own version of Baltimore's Terrell Suggs. It's a stretch, as Suggs was praised as an undersized, but dominant pass rusher coming out of school and Ayers as a coverage-first outside linebacker, but Suggs has changed his game by excelling in run support and becoming a crucial part of his team's defensive scheme.

Oklahoma gives Bob Stoops extension

September 20, 2011

Associated Press

TULSA, Okla. -- Two days after winning one of the college football season's early marquee games, Bob Stoops was rewarded Monday with a new contract extension that could keep him as the coach of top-ranked Oklahoma through 2018 and pay him $34.5 million over the next seven years.

Oklahoma's board of regents voted to give Stoops a $75,000 bump in his annual salary and a handful of bonuses that will reward him for staying in Norman each June -- after the coaching carousel has usually run its course.

"I don't think I need to add anything to the proof that he gave to the national viewing audience that there's no better football coach in the country than he is," university president David Boren said before recommending approval of Stoops' new contract.

The deal calls for Stoops' paydays to grow over the years, topping out at $5.15 million in salary and bonuses over the final three years. He was already one of the highest-paid coaches in the country, making $30 million over the course of a previous seven-year deal approved in 2009.

The extension made no changes to his salary for this year, when he is set to make $4.875 million, including an $800,000 bonus he received on Jan. 1.

"In my opinion, he does not have a peer in college coaching either in terms of his strategic abilities as a coach, but also in terms of his example as a role model," Boren told The Associated Press. "The quality of the players on our team as people is just extraordinary. They are caring people, they set very high standards for themselves, they are very modest and generous to others and that doesn't happen unless you have a coach who sets a very powerful example for them."

Stoops' Sooners won 23-13 at fifth-ranked Florida State on Saturday night, moving his record 100 games over .500 at 131-31.

Regents also gave athletic director Joe Castiglione a three-year contract extension through June 2017, including an annual raise of $165,000 and an annual bonus of $110,000 each Oct. 1 starting in 2013. His total salary this year will be $915,000 without bonuses.

"We have excellent leadership in Joe Castiglione. He has brought to the university I think across the board the strongest group of coaches that we've ever had," Boren told the AP.

"I feel really blessed," he added. "I just would put our total athletics program up against any in the United States, and I don't think anybody exceeds our standards."

Sports Illustrated names Ted Ginn Jr. Special Teams Player of the Week

The Award Section

Special Teams Player of the Week

Ted Ginn, WR/KR/PR, San Francisco. Hard to be a more valuable special-teamer than Ginn was in the 49ers' season-opening win over Seattle. When the Seahawks got to within 19-17, Ginn returned a kickoff 102 yards, and later a punt 55 yards, both for touchdowns, to make the difference in a 33-17 win.