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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Texas vs. the Nation Excels in the Pros: A look at six all-stars from the past


The Texas vs the Nation All-Star game is the newest of the post season All-Star games and has been around only since 2007, when the first game was played on February 2, 2007. But that doesn’t mean that the game lack talent, the game format is different then the other post season senior All-Star games in which the Texas side of the roster is made up of only player who where born in the state of Texas or they went to college in the state of Texas. In the first game, their where 12 players that where drafted, from the 2008 game their where 18 players that where drafted and from last years game their was a new record of 25 players that where drafted. Let take a look at some of the more outstanding players from last years game so far this season in the NFL.

WR/RT Johnny Knox, Chicago Bears – Knox was drafted in the 5th round, 140th overall out of Abilene Christian, which is a Division Two school in Texas. So far he has caught 14 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns and returned 9 kickoffs for 322 yards (35.8 yard average) and 1 touchdown, being a 102 yard return against the Detroit Lions. The Bears plan to use him even more this season in their offense and will try to get him the ball in his hands more and more each week.

RB Bernard Scott, Cincinnati Bengals – Scott another rookie out of Abilene Christian was drafted in the 6th round, 209th overall and hasn’t got a ton of oppertunities so far this season to run the ball with the Bengals because of the success that Cedric Benson has been having. But last week against the Cleveland Browns Scott showed that he can be effective running the ball when he carried 6 times for 41 yards averaging 6.8 yards a carry. Because he has shown some flash look for Scott to get more carries as we get further in the season.

DT Terrance Knighton, Jacksonville Jaguars – Knighton was drafted in the 3rd round, 81st overall out of Temple and has been the Jaguars starting defensive tackle since the season has started. He only has 9 total tackles for season so far but should be in the starting line for the rest of the season as long as he stays healthy.

Not only has last years game produced players, let look at some of the players for the 2008 game and see what they have done so far this season in the NFL.

WR Pierre Garcon, Indianpolis Colts – The Colts drafted Garcon in the 6th round, 205th overall, out of Mount Union College which is a Division 3 school. Last season Garcon played in 14 games, but only caught 4 passes for 23 yards and no touchdowns. This season Garcon has steped into the starting line-up because of the injury to fellow wide reciever Anthony Gonzalez and has caught 10 passes for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns and has week after week come up with big plays for the Colts.

RB Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals – Hightower was drafted in the 5th round 149th overall out of Richmond and in his rookie season lead the NFC Champtions in rushing touchdowns with 10 and rushed for 399 yards as he spilt time with Edgerrin James. He also caught 34 passes for 237 yards in the Cardinals offense. This season he has rushed for 109 yards and 1 touchdown and has already caught 20 passes 172 yards in only 3 games and in the first game of the season caught 12 passes for 121 yards.

DE Trevor Scott, Oakland Raiders – Scott was drafted in the 6th round, 169th overall out of Buffalo and in his rookie season he played in all 16 games and had 5 sacks without starting a game, and also end up with 24 total tackles and 1 forced fumble. This season has played in all 4 games for the Raiders and only has 8 total tackles, but is a vauble member of their defensive line.

We have only touched on six players from the past two games, but there is many players that have played in the Texas vs the Nation game that are making an impact in the NFL. For the game to only be going on it’s fourth overall game in bowl game history it is remarkable the amount of talent it has already produced. Because of that reason all 32 teams will again be making a stop in El Paso, Texas come Febuary, 2010.

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