This page was updated on
September 15th, 2011.

WELCOME BACK TO THE NFL

No more union vs. management disputes. The game has moved back to where it belongs - on the playing field.

Week one of league play was certainly a more interesting time than in previous years, probably because of the missed training time. Many upsets prevailed and it was the realization of the "Any Given Sunday’" cliché. Congratulations to the successful underdogs.

Let's hope it will continue to be an exciting year for America's favorite sport.

THE BATTLE FOR THE COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Despite the lack of a true playoff system, it appears that the schools are determined to stick with the current BCS system so, for the time being, it is all we've got. As always, follow the money.

Among the polls, the most influential one is probably the USA Today Weekly Coaches Poll. Staying high on this list is critical for any team hoping to go to a major BCS Bowl game.

After just two weeks of this year's polls, several teams have already taken big hits. Notre Dame (then #18) and Georgia (then #22) were knocked off the first week and both went on to suffer another defeat in week two.

TCU (then #15) was upset by Baylor and fell to #25 (now #23). Oregon fell to LSU and dropped from #3 to #14.

In the second week, Missouri (then #19) fell to Arizona State and Penn State (then #20) lost to Alabama.

As week three approached, 21 of the 25 preseason teams were still on the list but a long season of testing lied ahead. Looking ahead at the schedules, some schools have an easier road than others.

Boise State (#4) has only one more game with a rated opponent (TCU #23) and has a reasonable shot at going undefeated.

Virginia Tech (#12) faces no other currently rated team. They could meet Florida State (#5) in an ACC Championship game. The Seminoles have non-league games with Florida (#17) and Oklahoma (#1).

In the Big East, West Virginia (#20) is favored but must face LSU (#3) and close the season against South Florida (#22)

The PAC-12 could be a 3-way race with Stanford (#6), Oregon (#14) and Arizona State (#18). Oregon plays both the other teams but Stanford and Arizona State are not scheduled in the regular season.

The Big Ten should settle their issue in October since all four of the current contenders (Wisconsin (#8), Nebraska (#10), Michigan State (#15) and Ohio State (#16)) play one another during that period.

The Big 12 (10 teams??) have half their teams rated, Oklahoma (#1), Oklahoma State (#7), Texas A&M (#9), Texas (#21) and Baylor (#24). All of these teams will play each other in the regular season. Outside the league, Oklahoma faces Florida State and Texas A&M plays Arkansas.

In the SEC East, South Carolina (#11) and Florida (#17) remain in the poll and will meet in November. Florida may have the tougher route since their schedule also contains Alabama (#2), LSU (#3), Florida State (#5) and Auburn (#19). South Carolina gets Arkansas (#13), Auburn (#19) and Mississippi State (#25).

The real run through the gauntlet is in the SEC West where five rated teams will face one another trying to reach a shot at the SEC Championship game.

Alabama (#2) will also play Florida (#17). LSU (#3) has taken down Oregon and still will face West Virginia (#20) and Florida. Arkansas (#13) has games with Texas A&M (#9) and South Carolina (#11). Auburn (#19) must still play both Florida and South Carolina. Mississippi State (#25) has already lost to Auburn and stlll has a date with South Carolina. The showdown date for the SEC West will probably be November 5 when LSU visits Alabama.

A final note - Don't forget those four teams already knocked out of the polls (Notre Dame, Georgia, Missouri and Penn State). They could be back, either as contenders or as vengeful spoilers.

AN EARLY LOOK AT THE 2012 DRAFT

Continuing to update information for the 2012 NFL draft, the following is a ’"watch list’" broken down by teams and also by potential player values. The list is arranged for easy TV identification and includes jersey numbers.

Early grading in the far left column rates the prospects in four groups as follows:

A - Prospect currently projected to be drafted in top 40 (#1-#40)

B - Prospect currently projected to be drafted from #41-#80

C - Prospect currently projected to be drafted from # 81-#120

D - Prospect currently projected to be drafted from #121-#166

Underclass juniors are noted with an asterisk (*)

Prospect names and grades will undergo changes as the season continues.

DRAFT FACTS AND HISTORY

After receiving a lot of positive feedback on this section, we again present a series of charts in a printable pdf format covering many aspects of the draft and it’s recent history.

#1-#32 in ROUND ONE, 2002-2011 (by number and position)

Top 10 picks, by team, 2002-2011

Other first round picks by team, 2007-2011

Conference production of draftees, 2002-2011

Top individual schools producing draftees, 2002-2011

Size and speed of prospects, 2009-2011

Individual positions drafted by round, 2002-2011

Underclassmen drafted, 1989-2011

Importance of attending the combine, 2002-2011

Longevity of NFL draftees, 2006-2010

WHY THE CHANGE FROM THREE ISSUES TO TWO?

The college and pro seasons continue to run later into the month of January and it has become more difficult to acquire the necessary data in time for a January printing deadline.

The bowl games come later than in the past and season statistics are not always completed. The NFL early-entry list of underclassmen is not usually finalized for a January printing deadline.

The 2012 PREVIEW issue will be mailed to subscribers November 19-20, 2011.

The 2012 FINAL issue will be mailed to subscribers March 30-31, 2012.

All issues are mailed first-class.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN

THE DRUGSTORE LIST

THE DRUGSTORE LIST HAS JOINED SOME OLD FRIENDS (CRIS COLLINSWORTH, DAVE LAPHAM, TURK SCHONERT AND OTHERS) TO ANSWER FOOTBALL QUESTIONS AT FOOTBALLPROS.COM.

GIVE IT A TRY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. IT IS FREE AND THERE IS A LOT OF NFL EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE IN THIS GROUP.

QB Cam Newton* (Auburn) 6-5. 248 4.59

Early-entry- great mix of size, arm strength & running power- tough to bring down- accurate but untrained in pro-style offense- needs technique polish- off-field questions continue- Heisman, Maxwell, O'Brien and Camp awards, 2854 yds, 66.1%, 30 TDs, 7 i'cepts + 1473 rush yds, 20 rush TDs in 2010.

OLB Von Miller (Texas A&M) 6-2 5/8 246 4.53

Very instinctive- exceptional edge rusher- fast- quick- looks strong- tough vs. run- effective zone cover- hard hitter- high motor- determined worker- very impressive combine workout- 68 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 17.5 TFL, 3 FF,1 i'cept, 6 PBU, Butkus award in '10, 27.5 sacks, 39 TFL, 7 FF in last 2 yrs.

DT Marcell Dareus* (DE) (Alabama) 6-3 1/8 319 4.93

Early-entry- Has the size, speed and versatility to fit any defense- strong- stays low, gets good leverage, sheds well- stops the run at the POA- puts pressure on the passer- quick start, closes fast- good range- tough- does a good job reading the action- 33 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 11 TFL, 4 PBU in 2010.

WR A.J. Green* (Georgia) 6-3 5/8 211 4.49

Early-entry- highly-advanced receiver- good size- exceptional hands and adjustments- precise routes- fine speed- very agile- quick release- unafraid in traffic- runs well after the catch- tight focus- will block- immediate starter- 57 receptions, 14.9 per, 9 TDs, 12.5 PR, out 4 games for jersey sale in '10.

CB Patrick Peterson* (KR) (L.S.U.) 6-0 1/4 219 4.34

Early-entry- great mix of size, speed, agility & quickness- best in press or zone coverage, developing in man-to-man- decent c.o.d.- good reads & ball skills- tough vs. the run- exciting return man- 42 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 4 i'cepts, 6 PBU, 1 FF, 16.1 PR (2 TDs), 29.1 KOR, Bednarik, Thorpe awards in '10.