Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

This is Kenneth Page's MySpace page.

This is Kenneth Page:

Who is Kenneth Page? He's a stud Clemson offensive line recruit who possibly found a large sack of money somewhere along the streets of Columbia.

Seriously, how much money is in that picture? I've read some witty things online about the picture. Blogs are wondering if he's afraid of banks, has a rich grandmother, etc.

No matter how he got the money, how much it is or what he wants to do with it, he should be smarter. In a day where sports and colleges are doing anything to keep their noses clean, it's photos like Page's that likely has Clemson cringing.

Page doesn't mind, though. The "display name" on his MySpace page reads: "3500 Hits In One Day! I'm On A Roll!!!!!!!!!!!"

You can't blame Page, though. Turn on the TV and it's one show after the next about the biggest houses, tricked out cars and lavish parties and lifestyles.

As a side note, his MySpace page also informs us: "Hey People, the picture was on facebook. You people have no lives. hahahahaha"

Crap.

By Adam Abramson

I am sure most of you have not kept up with my physical appearace the last 5-or-so months, but I took the winter as an opportunity to honor cavemen with my look from the neck up. No haircuts and as much beard as Newsday will allow (I'm not sure if there's a policy, but I had to keep myself at some standard).

Anyway, the result is above...and that was my hair 3 months ago. I haven't cut it since.

I'm juxtaposed by Pau Gasol and Washington State's Robbie Cowgill.

I didn't even realize the look I'm going for totally works on the hardwood...

Carry on.

By Adam Abramson

I've talked about depth for many positions in the 2008 NFL Draft, but I found one group lacking a lot of value on paper.

Safeties. Both free and strong.

You'll likely see just one safety taken in the first round, and he's a very good one. His name is Kenny Phillips. The University of Miami Hurricane stepped on campus and provided immediate impact expected of him coming out of high school. Philips is the real deal and should be a stud in the NFL.

Otherwise, there are some names you might hear later on the first day, such as DaJuan Morgan, Simeon Castille, Tom Zbikowski and Quintin Demps.

One name you won't hear is Ryan Mundy.

He's bigger than Morgan and less than a step slower, bigger and faster than Castille and Michael Griffin of Texas, yet he wasn't invited to the Combine and might slip off draft boards. Why?

Well, he began his career at Michigan and started 18 of 35 career games. However, a good portion of his time in Ann Arbor (including one full season) was spent on the sidelines courtesy of injury.

When Mundy, right in the picture, graduated, he wanted to pursue his Master's degree in a field Michigan didn't offer, so he exercised an NCAA rule allowing him to transfer without losing eligibility.

He landed at West Virginia where he played alongside Eric Wicks, leading a secondary that was instrumental in WVU's season that resulted in a Fiesta Bowl victory. Mundy finished fourth on the team in tackles, including 11 in the win over Oklahoma. He also picked off three passes and recovered three fumbles. This wasn't a big surprise for Mundy, who played well for Lloyd Carr when he was healthy.

He's used to playing with top talent, against superb competition and in different schemes. The fact he was able to immediately step in and be a top contributor in West Virginia's unorthodox defensive scheme, against brand new opponents, says a lot about his willingness to learn and adapt.

Mountaineers coach Bill Stewart has been public about Mundy's contributions, all positive of course. (I put a call into Stewart, but they're all out for Spring Break this week.)

Mundy did work out in a Pro Day and did well for himself. One scout told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "It was a good day for Ryan Mundy to show what he can do. He didn't go to the Combine, and I thought that was a slight to him."

Injury-prone is a very tricky word. Every player is injury-prone. It's football. Mundy has proven he is a legitimate safety when given the chance. Teams should take notice of him and should not shy away from drafting him the second day.

Also, draft these guys:
Marcus Monk
Joe Flacco
Dustin Keller
Jeremy Zuttah
Chevis Jackson

By Adam Abramson

March 23 will forever be known as "If it's not called, it's not a foul" day in Los Angeles.

Texas A&M's Donald Sloan raced down the floor, rose in the lane and was clearly hacked by Darren Collison and Josh Shipp -- two veteran Bruin players.

Ben Howland has made his name as a coach with tough defense, and it was instrumental in sparking an impressive UCLA comeback against the Aggies, but that doesn't mean the two didn't foul Sloan at the end.

I am all for not having games decided by fouls, but that does not give defenders the open floor to hack guys who are trying to make a play.

You can argue that UCLA is alive as a No. 1 seed because of favorable referee decisions in three games down the stretch.

A foul should have been called in this situation because it was so egregious.

Would it have decided the game? We'll never know. Sloan created an opportunity, but Shipp and Collison broke the rules to shut that down.

That's all I'll say about three great days of basketball (we're not counting Thursday if it's not Dook-Belmont).

By Adam Abramson

While I have a few minutes, I figured I would come by here and talk a little NCAA Tournament.

Once again, my bracket isn't in good shape. I hit 12 of 16 yesterday -- but it was a day where 14 was anything but out of the question. I did get Michael Beasley and Kansas State. Everyone was talking about Beasley and Mayo, but I'm glad it was Bill Walker who stepped up. Walker is ridiculous, but this shouldn't come as a surprise -- he and Beasley were Top 10 recruits last year. I'm calling a Sweet 16 for the Wildcats.

Because all of my crazy upset picks were yesterday (Winthrop, George Mason and Kentucky) means that San Diego, Siena and American will screw me over today. Right? Anyone hit 16 yesterday?

Overall, it was a dry Day 1. UCLA held the Fighting Jerry Rices to 29 points. Kent State had 10 points at halftime. Winthrop had 11 in the second half, coming out of the locker room tied at 29.

There was a looot of ugly basketball yesterday.

However, Belmont kept it from being a completely boring first day, and could have provided the best game of the Tournament on the first day. Unless you're one of the odd few that's a Dook fan, you were probably on edge like Vince Gill and I.

Alex Renfroe was a treat to watch. His first step made DeMarcus Nelson look flat out awful. Then again, most things Nelson did last night looked flat out awful (1-for-6, 2 points, 4 boards, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls). Who didn't look awful was Gerald Henderson, who is so anti-Dook it's unbelievable. What's anti-Dook? Athletic and cool.

What is Dook, you ask? Jon Scheyer:

Click the pic for more hilarious pics.

I know it's not fair to hate Dook as much as I do. And I really can't put my finger on it. I just don't like Dook.

I'll stop there. Bill Raftery is an hour from calling his first game and I need to prepare. I'm 100% going 4-for-4 on Raftery-called games today.

Have fun.

By Adam Abramson

I raced home Tuesday afternoon to put on the YES Network just in time to see the ball field where I spent countless afternoons on "the hill."

More Photos: Yankees vs. Hokies

As a Virginia Tech alumnus, I'll use my corner of the Internet to say "Thank you" to everyone with the Yankees and YES. While a baseball game can do very little in replacing a lost loved one, the families of the 32 April 16 victims were reminded that they're not forgotten -- nor will they ever be.

Alex Rodriguez hanging out in the Virginia Tech dugout, Joe Girardi sitting with the most iconic figure on Tech's campus (Frank Beamer) talking to fans and the families, Derek Jeter taking the time to talk to Marcy Crevonis, Michael Kay and Bob Lorenz defining what a Hokie really is and personal friend Jose Cueto robbing Wilson Betemit made for the best afternoon of baseball I'll ever watch.

The extreme amount of class and respect from everyone involved with Tuesday's game made it easy for this Hokie to forever welcome the Yankees to our tight-knit community.

By Adam Abramson

Terrelle Pryor is announcing any minute and I am hearing the quarterback will be heading to Ohio State.

Strange, considering he said he wants to play next year and Todd Boeckman is coming off a great season. Two quarterback system?

Stay tuned. If this story has proved anything, it's that it's not over yet.

This was sent to me in an email and it's hilarious.

By Adam Abramson

Because Ashley Alexandra Dupre became a public figure this week, I honestly did not have the time to set up my three scheduled "Draft This Guy" interviews. They're tabled, but not gone forever.

In the meantime, I did write SOMETHING. And it might make you laugh (if my analysis doesn't, the video clip should). Read here.

I'm still playing phone tag with an agent for the next installment of "Draft this Guy."

Until then, I rediscovered "Risk."

The game is actually 51 years old, but I'm calling for a resurgence.

Why?

Well, how many board games are about global domination?

And the Newman-Kramer battle, as featured above, is unforgettable.

I rest my case.

I rediscovered "Risk" because a few of my college friends who live afar have been playing the actual board game and gloating about it on our listserv. Frankly, it made me jealous.

So I did a little Googling...

If you have Facebook, you can install the "Attack!" application here. I've played this version. It's awesome. I'm currently coordinating battles with said friends and trying to figure out how to get my Newsday firewall to give me access. We'll keep that between us. None of the editors like college football, anyway.

No Facebook? There's also Riskattack.com. I have yet to try, but I am sure it's a great way to go.

Now, some of you may be saying, "Wait a minute, 'Risk' never went anywhere for me." If that's the case, you rule.

Just remember: The Ukraine is not a game.

Why draft Jeremy Zuttah?

The Rutgers offensive tackle clocked the fastest time for his position (4.99!) at the Combine and was second strongest, only behind Jake Long.

Sounds like reason enough for me. And it doesn't even end there: Apparently he blew GMs away during the interview process. What I'm trying to say is Zuttah was a gigantic beneficiary of this year's Combine. Also, watch the highlight -- if you question his athletic ability, you're crazy (side note: the guy who "tackled" him is in a lot of trouble.)

So why is he ranked No. 14 among offensive tackles by NFLDraftscout.com and No. 9 among offensive guards by NFLDraftcountdown.com?

Well, my guess is that he's considered a "tweener" along the offensive line (a term usually designated for guys on the defensive side of the ball). This year's Pro Bowl tackles were Flozell Adams (6'7, 340), Chad Clifton (6'5, 320), Walter Jones (6'5, 325), Chris Samuels (6'5, 310), Jonathan Ogden (6'9, 345), Marcus McNeil (6'7, 336) and rookie Joe Thomas (6'6, 315).

What do all of those guys have in common? They're all taller and heavier than Zuttah. All of them.

At the Combine, Zuttah checked in at 6'4, 303. But, I left out a name from that list of Pro Bowlers: Matt Light. The man in charge of keeping Tom Brady's backside covered is 6'4, 305. Eerily similar sizes.

Zuttah was a four year starter along a line that plowed massive holes for Ray Rice. Many think he'll have to slide inside to guard, which would require a lot of beefing up. One GM at the Combine said they could see him as a center, as well.

What a great problem to have: A guy who projects at three different positions. All the more.

Yet many consider him a second-day pick. I disagree. Zuttah is at least worthy of a selection in the third round.

Also, draft these guys:
Marcus Monk
Joe Flacco
Dustin Keller
Ryan Mundy
Chevis Jackson

Hello, all,

I've offically made the switch to the morning shift. Alarm at 4:05am so I can rock in the office from 5am-1pm.

I've been working on some more "Draft This Guy" installments. I am waiting to see if I can get two guys on the hook to get some quotes. As soon as I know either way, I'll get em posted.

But while I have the mic, any names you feel I should be looking into?

Hopefully have one, with quotes from the actual "guy" soon.