Devin Thomas vs. Desean Jackson

[dhimiter]

I gotta say these are the only two recievers I see worth our 1st round pick, Thomas and Jackson.

Both have very similiar playing styles, good Kick and punt returners, and run routes and are fast.

Thomas is coming off a very impressive year following a very poor year, where as Jackson is coming off a very unimpressive year after he had a great year, now what to make of this.

I think Jackson could be the type of player, Torry Holt, Mike Martz likes in his Offense, would be great.

I think Devin Thomas is more like Isaac Bruce, great routes does really well with attacking the ball.

Would we than take Jackson to be that Torry Holt or take Devin Thomas to be molded into the next Isaac Bruce.



Yes Yes I know, neither will be available at our pick!!!!
Nobody knows that until April 26th because plenty of players fall out of order especially since neither are top 15 talent most of the shuffling takes place after the 15th pick.

Who do you want?
Why?
Do you think, Kelly, Hardy, or Manningham is better? Why?
Do you believe as I do, that if neither is there we don't take a reciever in the first?

[Leeding49er]

Where is the option 'neither'?

[dhimiter]

Where is the option 'neither'?

Not an option because I am curious to who you prefer of these two.

If you have other feelings you can state them.

[Leeding49er]

Well fair enough - probably Thomas for his height advantage, although I understand that generally, DeSean is the more highly rated WR - but one of the reasons Thomas may not have been as good in 06-07 as opposed to 07-08 might be because of a change of coach at his college.

Personally, I'm not keen for the 9ers to draft a WR in the first two rounds unless a great offer comes along.

[MR. WEBBER]

i voted neither,but if i had to take one i would say jackson.

jackson is just way too skinny for my liking.but he is the better wr of the 2 and has great moves in the return game

thomas is a product of the system and a workout warrior,most of his yards and catches this year came from the bubble screen.plus he drops alot of passes

[goeagles99]

I don't see Devin Thomas as a Martz receiver. I think Devin is meant to play in the WCO. He reminds me of former Dolphin and Eagle Irving Fryar. Thomas is 6'2, 216. He's a thick, muscular guy.

Jackson could be a good vertical threat for Martz and SF. His ability as a returner would also be really appealing.

The best Martz receiver would be Mario Manningham of Michigan. He runs very good routes. He's got good hands.

[49ersforlife5x]

I don't really want either on my team

[MR. WEBBER]

good lord,another thread that we agree on 5x,this is starting to get eerie.

[Gof the Gij]

Devin Thomas.

[WiltonDeportes]

D-Jax because he is more polished and has better hands, speed, and routes. Thomas' only advantage is size.

[yayareawarrior]

I'm pretty sure we dont need a punt and kick returner now that we have rossum. Devin Thomas seems like a combine kid who had one good year. Go with Jackson if he is there.

[dhimiter]

I voted Thomas because I actually think he will be a better NFL prospect than Jackson, I am afraid Jackson is more like Peter Warrick.
I see more of Thomas doing the right things to become better.

[49ersforlife5x]

good lord,another thread that we agree on 5x,this is starting to get eerie.

Don't get too carried away, I'm liable to go off at any time.
If I had to choose of those 2, Thomas in a cake walk.

[Zhero06]

Jackson hands down. Better receiver, better hands, more speed, more moves, and just a better overall football player. He is also very durable, I don't think that he has missed more than 1 game during his career at Cal. He can easily put on 20 pounds of muscle and be a threat very similar to Steve Smith from the Carolina Panthers.

[ninersgold]

Don't get too carried away, I'm liable to go off at any time.
If I had to choose of those 2, Thomas in a cake walk.

:wwfsmd::wwfsmd::wwfsmd::wwfsmd:

[pogoowner]

Thomas, easily. He weighs over 40 pounds more than Jackson, and he's almost as fast. Thomas is a quality kick returner, and he's excellent after the catch, using his elusiveness as well as his power to get past tacklers.

[49ersRus]

At this point, I doubt either one of them will be there at #29. I find it even harder to believe both of them will be, lol.

I haven't seen much of Thomas, but Jackson was electric at the start of the year. My only concern is, he is kind of small. Thomas has the right size and speed for the NFL, and he has had at least one good year. Plus he has been a productive return man. My gut tells me Thomas will get drafted before Jackson.

[BAKNAFEK88]

I Would Have To Say Devin Thomsas. Yes He Only Had One Good Year Of College Ball, But In That Year, He Proved Himself To Be A Big Time Playmaker. Jackson Has The Speed, But It Is Hard To Imagine Him Being A #1 Only Weighing 165lbs. Thomas Did Well In Every Drill Including The Bench. Neither Of Them Will Be Available And We Have No Business Picking A Wr In The 1st, But I Would Like To See Us Go Eddie Royal Or Donnie Avery In The 3rd Or Will Franklin Who Is Alot Like Torry Holt In The 4th.

[MR. WEBBER]

baknafek88,did you watch any michigan st games this year?he isnt a playmaker,most of his yards and catches he had came on bubble screens where defenders took bad angles to try and tackle him.thomas is a workout warrior,thats why he did so well at the combine.

[ninersgold]

I Would Have To Say Devin Thomsas. Yes He Only Had One Good Year Of College Ball, But In That Year, He Proved Himself To Be A Big Time Playmaker. Jackson Has The Speed, But It Is Hard To Imagine Him Being A #1 Only Weighing 165lbs. Thomas Did Well In Every Drill Including The Bench. Neither Of Them Will Be Available And We Have No Business Picking A Wr In The 1st, But I Would Like To See Us Go Eddie Royal Or Donnie Avery In The 3rd Or Will Franklin Who Is Alot Like Torry Holt In The 4th.

:dootdoot:

[BAKNAFEK88]

baknafek88,did you watch any michigan st games this year?he isnt a playmaker,most of his yards and catches he had came on bubble screens where defenders took bad angles to try and tackle him.thomas is a workout warrior,thats why he did so well at the combine.

WATCHED THE GAME AGAINST PENN STATE WHERE HE HAD TWO TOUCHDOWNS. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY TOOK BAD ANGLES OR NOT, DID THEY TACKLE HIM? LET'S NOT MAKE EXCUSED FOR SOMEONE BEING GOOD. HE ALSO CAUGHT A FEW BALLS OVER THE MIDDLE AND TOOK THEM TO THE HOUSE. WHO DO YOU LIKE AT WR?

[BAKNAFEK88]

baknafek88,did you watch any michigan st games this year?he isnt a playmaker,most of his yards and catches he had came on bubble screens where defenders took bad angles to try and tackle him.thomas is a workout warrior,thats why he did so well at the combine.


http://collegefootball.rivals.com/video.asp?section=football&pkey=36335&vidtype=college&vidid=33274
WATCH AND LEARN.

[BAKNAFEK88]

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/video.asp?section=football&pkey=36335&vidtype=college&vidid=33274
WATCH AND LEARN.

THE ABOVE LINK SHOWS YOU WILL FRANKLIIN, BUT TYPE DEVIN THOMAS IN AND CLICK SEARCH TO SEE HIS HIGHLIGHTS.

[ninersgold]

THE ABOVE LINK SHOWS YOU WILL FRANKLIIN, BUT TYPE DEVIN THOMAS IN AND CLICK SEARCH TO SEE HIS HIGHLIGHTS.

Here is the Devin Thomas Highlights.
http://nfldraft.rivals.com/video.asp?section=football&pkey=63078&vidtype=college&vidid=33084

[Rexi]

Malcolm Kelly is miles ahead of both of them.

I'd take Desean Jackson over Thomas though...He's more explosive overall, and is much more creative with the ball in his hands.

[dhimiter]

baknafek88,did you watch any michigan st games this year?he isnt a playmaker,most of his yards and catches he had came on bubble screens where defenders took bad angles to try and tackle him.thomas is a workout warrior,thats why he did so well at the combine.

If you can make plays with the ball in your hands you are a playmaker, one way or another. He seems to do what it takes to get the ball and than do what he has to, to get yards.
I have also seen him block down field and recieve the deep ball, he seems much more well rounded than you are making him out to be.

[dhimiter]

Malcolm Kelly is miles ahead of both of them.

I'd take Desean Jackson over Thomas though...He's more explosive overall, and is much more creative with the ball in his hands.

I've heard that but, honestly I don't believe he can be that good in the NFL, though I could be wrong.

I also know alot of people like him and he will be the first reciever taken and therefore the chance he is there is slim to non, I do think Jackson and Thomas have a chance to fall to us, I wouldn't doubt one actually does.

If you have any video of Kelly though I would like to see it, in case I haven't before.

[pogoowner]

Malcolm Kelly is miles ahead of both of them.

I'd take Desean Jackson over Thomas though...He's more explosive overall, and is much more creative with the ball in his hands.

I just watched the rivals.com highlight video for Kelly, and it sort of worries me that there was not one clip displaying any RAC ability.

[roleplay3r1]

I just watched the rivals.com highlight video for Kelly, and it sort of worries me that there was not one clip displaying any RAC ability.

That's because he doesn't really have any.

He's as big a posession reciever as there is in this draft. He won't separate well, won't do much after the catch. He could still be a **** good posession reciever, though.

[Hobbes2d]

That's because he doesn't really have any.

He's as big a posession reciever as there is in this draft. He won't separate well, won't do much after the catch. He could still be a **** good posession reciever, though.

Umm you couldn't be anymore wrong about Kelly.

He has plenty of RAC ability. He compares pretty favorably to Roy Williams of Detroit.

[roleplay3r1]

Umm you couldn't be anymore wrong about Kelly.

He has plenty of RAC ability. He compares pretty favorably to Roy Williams of Detroit.

Certainly not from what I've seen, but...

[Hobbes2d]

Certainly not from what I've seen, but...

Just what have you seen?

[Gof the Gij]

Umm you couldn't be anymore wrong about Kelly.

He has plenty of RAC ability. He compares pretty favorably to Roy Williams of Detroit.

He has ability to run after the catch, but it's mostly due to his size and strength. He doesn't really have much technique.

[roleplay3r1]

Just what have you seen?

Somewhere between 5-10 games. Not a ton, but I didn't see a whole lot of explosiveness out of him that leads me to believe he'll be dangerous after the catch.

[nikkayeah]

I don't see Devin Thomas as a Martz receiver. I think Devin is meant to play in the WCO. He reminds me of former Dolphin and Eagle Irving Fryar. Thomas is 6'2, 216. He's a thick, muscular guy.

Jackson could be a good vertical threat for Martz and SF. His ability as a returner would also be really appealing.

The best Martz receiver would be Mario Manningham of Michigan. He runs very good routes. He's got good hands.

the only route mario manningham knows how to run is the go route and he has stone hands. imo jackson would be the perfect fit for mike martz offense. people are overreacting to his size too. if its that big a deal, bruce could just teach him how to do the catch and slide/dive

[nikkayeah]

I voted Thomas because I actually think he will be a better NFL prospect than Jackson, I am afraid Jackson is more like Peter Warrick.
I see more of Thomas doing the right things to become better.

peter warrick was one of the best wr prospects ever, and he was just put in a bad position with the bengals.

[49er Fanatic]

I would prefer Desean Jackson. I think he has a chance to be a real playmaker

[co2112]

50/50 for me with just these two. If they are both on te board and defensive players are off. I'd go with Thomas, he looks like he could contribute today.

[nikkayeah]

50/50 for me with just these two. If they are both on te board and defensive players are off. I'd go with Thomas, he looks like he could contribute today.

jackson would contribute more than thomas on the first day because he is more polished. thomas would take about 3 seasons to catch on

[Hobbes2d]

jackson would contribute more than thomas on the first day because he is more polished. thomas would take about 3 seasons to catch on

Jackson because of his return abilities alone, and put him in the slot in Martz's offense and he'll be a Pro Bowler. Slot receivers are huge playmakers in this offense. IE Mike Furrey, Shaun McDonald and Az Hakim.

[SBbound49ers]

Jackson because of his return abilities alone, and put him in the slot in Martz's offense and he'll be a Pro Bowler. Slot receivers are huge playmakers in this offense. IE Mike Furrey, Shaun McDonald and Az Hakim.

I would have thought we could get McDonald for a 4th or 5th, which is worth it IMO. Hes excelled on two different two teams as Martz's slot WR including a real good year last year.

Bruce / Hill
Johnson / Battle
McDonald

[dhimiter]

I would have thought we could get McDonald for a 4th or 5th, which is worth it IMO. Hes excelled on two different two teams as Martz's slot WR including a real good year last year.

Bruce / Hill
Johnson / Battle
McDonald

I think Battle is going to have a great year coming up, he is the type to really excel as that slot reciever.

[rathman53]

I think Battle is going to have a great year coming up, he is the type to really excel as that slot reciever.

agreed i dont think Mcdonald is an better than Battle other than Mcdonald may be a bit quicker

[nikkayeah]

agreed i dont think Mcdonald is an better than Battle other than Mcdonald may be a bit quicker

and faster

[dhimiter]

And Battle is a better reciever and route runner, may not be as fast but gets the job done.

[RandG Bleeder]

If we are going to draft a WR say in the 2nd round, I go for Thomas. He has run after the catch ability that I didn't see in any of the WR's we had last year. I would love to see Johnson, Thomas and Hill become the nucleus for the future. I harken back to the days of John Taylor and see many of the return skills applied to the WR position that Thomas would bring.

[nikkayeah]

some good RAC receivers in this year's draft:
devin thomas
adarius bowman
desean jackson
lavelle hawkins
james hardy
andre caldwell
eddie royal
earl bennett
early doucet
jordy nelson
harry douglas
dexter jackson
william franklin
davone bess
darius reynaud

[dhimiter]

Thomas has big play ability, you need a guy like that to open up things around the offense, he is the type of guy that we can get some early big gains from forcing a double team open up some things for the other recievers, even if it is quick slants or even reverses, he has show some great run after the catch ability and I think that is what seperates a playmaker for just a possesion reciever.

Not to mention someone who is such a short pass big gain threat has to played tight and with the help of sullivan and the ability to seperate could mean big gains down field, the more and more I think about it the more I want him on the niners.

[MR. WEBBER]

the only reason he had big gains after the catch is because the defenders took bad angles at trying to tackle him,go back and watch tapes on him.nfl defenders dont make bad plays like that.he isnt going to have the same results in the pros as he did his one year in college.bubble screens dont work as well in the nfl as they do that the college level.

plus he drops way too many balls.didnt we just release a wr who had that problem.what was his name....................

[SB49er4life]

the only reason he had big gains after the catch is because the defenders took bad angles at trying to tackle him,go back and watch tapes on him.nfl defenders dont make bad plays like that.he isnt going to have the same results in the pros as he did his one year in college.bubble screens dont work as well in the nfl as they do that the college level.

plus he drops way too many balls.didnt we just release a wr who had that problem.what was his name....................

NFL defenders take poor angles, just not as often. And tackling is actually WORSE in the NFL than it is in college; defenders are so big and fast that they think they can just lay the wood on EVERY hit, and a lot of times forget to wrap up. Happens many times in every game.

Might wanna try telling Steve Smith, Santana Moss, Anquan Boldin, Donte Stallworth and others that bubble screens don't really work in the NFL. As long as defenders give you cushion and you got guys that can make a defender miss, the bubble screen is a sweet play at any level.

[Hobbes2d]

NFL defenders take poor angles, just not as often. And tackling is actually WORSE in the NFL than it is in college; defenders are so big and fast that they think they can just lay the wood on EVERY hit, and a lot of times forget to wrap up. Happens many times in every game.

Might wanna try telling Steve Smith, Santana Moss, Anquan Boldin, Donte Stallworth and others that bubble screens don't really work in the NFL. As long as defenders give you cushion and you got guys that can make a defender miss, the bubble screen is a sweet play at any level.

Wes Welker kills on the bubble screen as well. Its a Patriots staple.

[SB49er4life]

Wes Welker kills on the bubble screen as well. Its a Patriots staple.

I know I left out a ton of guys... the bubble screen is a money play you can use in ANY offense to keep DB's honest.

****, Vernon Davis took a bubble screen 30+ yards and probably would've been to the house if the dude didn't horse collar tackle him.

[MR. WEBBER]

i would have to disagree about the bubble screens.yes it might work a couple times a game,but after the defenders see it once,they are ready for it again.no one could stop anything the pats did,so you really cant use them as an example

[pogoowner]

the only reason he had big gains after the catch is because the defenders took bad angles at trying to tackle him,go back and watch tapes on him.nfl defenders dont make bad plays like that.he isnt going to have the same results in the pros as he did his one year in college.bubble screens dont work as well in the nfl as they do that the college level.

plus he drops way too many balls.didnt we just release a wr who had that problem.what was his name....................

You act as if all he did was catch bubble screens. Sure, a few of his big plays came as a result of them, but it's far from the only way he was putting up great numbers.

Edit: And a bubble screen working a couple times a game is all you need. You're not using it every drive.

[MR. WEBBER]

a few of his big plays?most i have seen have come off that,deeper passes he just drops

[pogoowner]

a few of his big plays?most i have seen have come off that,deeper passes he just drops

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AHbkz0IMIeA

Well, he certainly catches plenty of passes deeper than screens in this video.

[SB49er4life]

i would have to disagree about the bubble screens.yes it might work a couple times a game,but after the defenders see it once,they are ready for it again.no one could stop anything the pats did,so you really cant use them as an example

Obviously, NO play is gonna work if you keep running it over and over in an NFL game.

A bubble screen is usually run at least 2-3 times per NFL game, and it is a very common play. It wouldn't be common at all if it didn't work.

It's like saying "the go route to Randy Moss might work, but only a couple times a game". While that may be true, that's all you really need to get an offense going, produce, and keep DB's honest.

[MR. WEBBER]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AHbkz0IMIeA

Well, he certainly catches plenty of passes deeper than screens in this video.

wow,he catches deep passes in a HIGHLIGHT video,what a surprise

[SB49er4life]

wow,he catches deep passes in a HIGHLIGHT video,what a surprise

When is he supposed to catch him, in his low-light video ?

Mario Manningham has been making enormous plays and CATCHING deep balls on a consistent basis for Michigan ever since he stepped onto the scene.

He makes far more big plays than he misses.

[MR. WEBBER]

When is he supposed to catch him, in his low-light video ?

Mario Manningham has been making enormous plays and CATCHING deep balls on a consistent basis for Michigan ever since he stepped onto the scene.

He makes far more big plays than he misses.

well if you saw any of his game tapes you would see alot of his drops.highlights are suppose to make you look good,why would they put any drops in there?think before you speak

[MR. WEBBER]

oh,and on manningham,thats all he does is catch deep passes,he wont go over the middle.he is too scared of contact.we already have a player like that on our team,his name is lelie.

[pogoowner]

wow,he catches deep passes in a HIGHLIGHT video,what a surprise

So the plays become meaningless because somebody thought they were good enough to put in a video? You can't just discount examples of a player's ability because they're in a highlight video.

[SB49er4life]

oh,and on manningham,thats all he does is catch deep passes,he wont go over the middle.he is too scared of contact.we already have a player like that on our team,his name is lelie.

The only thing Manningham and Lelie have in common is SPEED.

Lelie is only good for go-routes when the DB's stack the box. And that's IT.

Manningham makes the first guy miss, has much better hands, is clutch, and is a MUCH better route runner.

I gotta say that the comparison is not accurate.

[SB49er4life]

So the plays become meaningless because somebody thought they were good enough to put in a video? You can't just discount examples of a player's ability because they're in a highlight video.

This is why discussion on prospects just start to get stupid; people nit pick and find the smallest flaws or ANYTHING they can use to discredit a guy and get away with it.

Michigan is an prestigious football school and they play some of the best teams in the country EVERY YEAR, and are a legitimate championship contender every year, yet you hear that they don't play good competition. Ya, ok.

If a player doesn't play in the SEC and have career games against the best defense/offensive players in the country or makes any kinda mistake, he sucks.

By that logic, Jerry Rice and Brett Favre should have never even been drafted.

People can say whatever they want about the dude, but he puts on a SHOW every time he steps on the field.

[nikkayeah]

t.o cried his way out of frisco and philly, ocho cinco is crying his way out of cinci, and if manningham comes here, which he wont because we have bigger needs, he will eventually cry his way out too

[SB49er4life]

t.o cried his way out of frisco and philly, ocho cinco is crying his way out of cinci, and if manningham comes here, which he wont because we have bigger needs, he will eventually cry his way out too

I'll take your word for it since you know him personally.

Chad Johnson wants outta Cinncy because the entire organization is a mess and their coach is a moron.

What if we draft Manningham and become a contender ? Do you suggest he will cry for the sport of it ?

[roleplay3r1]

What if we draft Manningham and become a contender ? Do you suggest he will cry for the sport of it ?

Didn't he do that at Michigan in a way?

[SB49er4life]

I think it's funny when people call Manningham a speed WR. The only reason he was fast at Michigan is because of the conference he played in.

Totally agree; the Big-10 Conference got behind defenses easily and made catches, not Mario Manningham.

And his 4.3 forty ? He actually had a "Fast Track" coupon on his Pro-day that allowed him to have scouts fabricate .3 of a second off his time. Word is he got in a McDonald's Monopoly peel off last year and it just hadn't expired yet.

Mario Manningham has played for a legit title contender every year since a freshman, and every year since his freshman year, he has been making plays and scorching teams deep downfield.

There's this little thing called "Strength of Shedule", and without it, you have 0% chance of competing for a Nat'l title. What does that mean ? He ain't exactly playing against chumps.

If you play in the Big 10, you're slow; if you play in the Pac 10, the defense's are puss; if you play in the ACC, the comp is watered down. The WAC is the WAC.

Why don't NFL teams just start ONLY drafting out of the SEC ?

[Hobbes2d]

Totally agree; the Big-10 Conference got behind defenses easily and made catches, not Mario Manningham.

And his 4.3 forty ? He actually had a "Fast Track" coupon on his Pro-day that allowed him to have scouts fabricate .3 of a second off his time. Word is he got in a McDonald's Monopoly peel off last year and it just hadn't expired yet.

Mario Manningham has played for a legit title contender every year since a freshman, and every year since his freshman year, he has been making plays and scorching teams deep downfield.

There's this little thing called "Strength of Shedule", and without it, you have 0% chance of competing for a Nat'l title. What does that mean ? He ain't exactly playing against chumps.

If you play in the Big 10, you're slow; if you play in the Pac 10, the defense's are puss; if you play in the ACC, the comp is watered down. The WAC is the WAC.

Why don't NFL teams just start ONLY drafting out of the SEC ?

Strength of schedule doesn't matter if your a pre-season top 25 team. Especially if you're in the top 15 or top 10 like Michigan usually is.

And the Big 10 is slow.

Manningham is not a burner. I'm not impressed by him "torching" other slow *** teams like Northwestern, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Minnesota etc, teams with terrible secondaries and slow defenses overall.

The SEC isn't the only good conference, but the Big 10 has become a joke of late. Its Ohio State and everyone else. And obviously Ohio State isn't able to compete on the national stage either yet they're only ranked so high all the time (as is Michigan) due to the reputation of their program.

There are much better athletes overall in just about every other conference team for team then there is in the Big 10.

Edit: Illinois is getting a lot better of late due to the recruiting ability of Ron Zook and I suspect that Michigan will improve their team speed as well with Rich Rodriguez around, so things will probably improve in that regard, but for the past 5 years + the conference has been kind of down.

[Gof the Gij]

Why don't NFL teams just start ONLY drafting out of the SEC ?

Good idea! :ninercaphell:

[dhimiter]

What I am curious to know is what makes Desean Jackson better than Devin Thomas, Jacksons hands might be a bit better but Thomas has better up side and is bigger and just as fast.

[nikkayeah]

What I am curious to know is what makes Desean Jackson better than Devin Thomas, Jacksons hands might be a bit better but Thomas has better up side and is bigger and just as fast.

elite agility and change of direction, polished and experienced

[roleplay3r1]

What I am curious to know is what makes Desean Jackson better than Devin Thomas, Jacksons hands might be a bit better

Well you sorta just answered your own question...upside doesn't matter as much to some people(seeing as Jackson has a ton of upside himself).

[NY2ThaBay08]

The best Martz receiver would be Mario Manningham of Michigan.
I wouldnt mind gettin him in the 2nd and groves in the first

[SB49er4life]

Strength of schedule doesn't matter if your a pre-season top 25 team. Especially if you're in the top 15 or top 10 like Michigan usually is.

And the Big 10 is slow.

Manningham is not a burner. I'm not impressed by him "torching" other slow *** teams like Northwestern, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Minnesota etc, teams with terrible secondaries and slow defenses overall.

The SEC isn't the only good conference, but the Big 10 has become a joke of late. Its Ohio State and everyone else. And obviously Ohio State isn't able to compete on the national stage either yet they're only ranked so high all the time (as is Michigan) due to the reputation of their program.

There are much better athletes overall in just about every other conference team for team then there is in the Big 10.

Edit: Illinois is getting a lot better of late due to the recruiting ability of Ron Zook and I suspect that Michigan will improve their team speed as well with Rich Rodriguez around, so things will probably improve in that regard, but for the past 5 years + the conference has been kind of down.

When has their ever been a Top 10 pre-season team with a "weak" schedule ?

Not exactly sure how it works, but they aren't going to put teams with chump schedules that high in the rankings.

Every single team in the Top 10 is gonna have what is looked to be a very tough schedule going into the year.

I'm just not all for discrediting players blindly just based on the conference they play in; people can call it "slow 10" all they want, it doesn't change the fact that running a 4.3 does not make for a great CB, or that 2 of the better CB's in the entire nation, Justin King and Vontae Davis play there. AND they're pretty **** fast.