The All-ACC Football team will be announced at 3 p.m. Monday and I'm expecting Duke to reap the rewards of a 10-win season.
There is tough competition at wide receiver and cornerback, where Jamison Crowder and Ross Cockrell deserve first team honors.
Duke nominated Perry Simmons and Laken Tomlinson on the offensive line and Kenny Anunike on the defensive line. Also Kelby would be a strong first-team candidate. Jeremy Cash has more tackles than any other safety in the ACC.
Both kickers were nominated, although that's also going to be tough. Devonte and Jamison are both on the ballot as return specialists.
Edwards is also a strong candidate as defensive rookie of the year.
And, of course, if Cut is not Coach of the Year, there should be an investigation.
You're overoptimistic.
Crowder will get second team - there are a TON of great WRs, even if he has big #s. Vernon got 2nd team last year. By contrast, Cockrell got first team last year and will repeat. I'm not sure anyone else will get anything.
Consider the comparison: In 2006, Wake WON the acc and stormed out of nowhere. They had TWO first team all acc players - both O Linemen. The great season =//= individual awards.
<devildeac> anyone playing drinking games by now?
7:49:36<Wander> drink every qb run?
7:49:38<loran16> umm, drink every time asack rushes?
7:49:38<wolfybeard> @devildeac: drink when Asack runs a keeper
7:49:39 PM<CB&B> any time zack runs, drink
Carolina Delenda Est
You're overpessimistic!
Crowder led the league in receptions and was third in receiving yards, and was only seven yards out of second - for third-best team in the league. Watkins is a lock for one of the WR spots, but good luck finding a more productive alternative for the other.
What is the over/under on the number of Coach-of-the-Year votes Fedora receives from the North Carolina voting block?
The kid from Maryland at WR and Kelvin Benjamin or Rashad Greene from FSU along with Sammy Watkins will probably round out the first team at WR
<devildeac> anyone playing drinking games by now?
7:49:36<Wander> drink every qb run?
7:49:38<loran16> umm, drink every time asack rushes?
7:49:38<wolfybeard> @devildeac: drink when Asack runs a keeper
7:49:39 PM<CB&B> any time zack runs, drink
Carolina Delenda Est
I admit that I am optimistic.
As for Crowder ... his big competition for first team comes from Watkins at Clemson (a lock), Greene at FSU and Benjamin at FSU. Maryland's Diggs would have been in the race, but he missed half the season. Campararo missed four games. He's not in contention. Pitt's Street also missed several games and his numbers don't compare with the top guys. Crowder's numbers put him first team ... I just hope the voters don't vote two FSU guys first team -- although I can see that argument. Sure Crowder's numbers are better, but they spread things out, plus they had every game put away early -- last weekend was just about the only time they both played into the fourth quarter.
It's going to be close -- Crowder will be either the third (first team) or fourth (second team) vote getter.
Cockrell is also in a tight battle. True, he led the ACC in passes defended (interceptions plus breakups), but Lamarcus Joyner at FSU is a lock for one CB spot -- he's the best player on the best defense in the league. The real threat is Kyle Fuller of Virginia Tech. Ross is either going to be the second vote-getter at corner (first team) or the third (second team).
No chance Kenny Anunike makes first team -- Beasley and Attachou have those spots locked up. But I'm hoping for second team.
Simmons doesn't have a chance at tackle -- in fact, he'll be lucky to make second team -- the position is loaded (Irving FSU, Thomas Clemson, Patchan of BC, Hurst UNC will be strong, Simmons might get 4th). Tomlinson isn't likely to make first team, but has a better shot at second. Not nearly as many great guards.
The guy who has the best chance at first team in Kelby Brown. Not saying he's a favorite, but the position is wide open and his numbers are great.
No chance for Ross Martin at placekicker (Freeze, Aganyo and Cantazarro are ahead of him)... very slim chance for Monday at punter.
Reasonable chance for Devon Edwards as a return guy and as defensive rookie of the year (although I think one of the VPI freshman corners will win it).
And, like I said, Cut is a lock for coach of the year (Jimbo will get some votes).
Like I said, I'm optimistic. I think when it comes down to a close race, the voters often reward the players from the best teams. For once, that's Duke.
Just a little over three hours until the team is announced (COY and the various POY and ROY stuff comes out tomorrow)