NFL Ohio State

Although it's not set in stone that Michael Vick will spend time behind bars, former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Art Schlichter has decided to give him some advice anyway.

"I would advise Mike to go in with a lot of humility," Schlichter said. "I'd advise him to try to be like everyone else.

"If you walk in there expecting to get special treatment from the inmates or the guards, you're going to be disappointed. They don't take kindly to that. What I tried to do was keep my mouth shut and get to know some people I wouldn't normally have had the chance to meet. I kept my head down most of the time."

Given the company Vick has decided to keep throughout his life, you can bet he's already heard this speech. However, if there is another person qualified to give his advice, it would certainly be Schlichter. Although the circumstances weren't quite the same, Schlichter's 10 years in prison are the closest thing Vick will have to relate to if and when those metal doors slam behind him.

Inmates have a different code of laws behind those walls. Gambling is one offence, probably overlooked by most inmates, whereas killing dogs for fun may be entirely different in the majority's eyes.

What Vick faces is something that most of us could never fathom, so he had better take all the advice he can get. Humility could be his best friend if he does eventually get sentenced to prison time.

NFL scouts thought they knew these guys, and it turns out we think they got it right...

If you've seen our College Eye for the NFL Guy profiles, you'll probably notice that we're quite argumentative in them. Well, we don't always think that NFL scouts are missing the boat. There are a number of Big Ten prospects that seem to be projected in just about the right position.

Whenever possible, I will note a player's projected spot in Todd McShay's seven-round (!) mock draft ($).

JAY ALFORD, DT, PENN STATE

ESPN.com ($): "He displays a powerful upper body and does a good job of using his strong hands to control some bigger blockers and to disengage. Has developed a solid work ethic and is said to be very "coachable". He has good football intelligence and picks up on new things quickly...is undersized and must prove he can keep additional bulk on his frame. He's strictly a one-gap prospect that is unable to anchor at the point of attack when teams run at him. He will need to be on the move in order to be effective. He gets frustrated by the double team and will occasionally give up on plays if he can't split it initially...he is a quick and powerful one-gap penetrator with good athletic ability for the position. He's not a fit for many teams in the NFL but the ones that value mobility over size (see: Colts, Buccaneers, Vikings, Bears, etc.) should view Alford as a fourth or fifth round prospect."

Probably getting drafted: Alford, as noted above, projects as an early second-day pick. McShay has him selected in the fifth round by Tennessee (152nd overall). I see Alford as a prospect with somewhat limited upside. He could be a solid player, but he has to be in a system where he can be protected from becoming a liability against the run.

SCOTT CHANDLER, TE, IOWA

ESPN.com ($): "Very effective as a short-to-intermediate receiver. Shows good initial quickness for his size and possesses excellent mobility. Displays good instincts when working as an underneath receiver. His hands are reliable and he does a good job of using his body to shield defenders. Will make the tough catch in traffic...Does not display a mean streak and needs to become a more physical blocker. Lacks explosive power and fails to sustain his blocks at times. Shows toughness as a receiver going over the middle, but he's too much of a "finesse" blocker...he lacks ideal speed to consistently stretch the field at the next level. More concerning is the fact that Chandler lacks the strength and toughness to adequately match up as an in-line blocker in the NFL. Chandler grades out as a late-first day prospect in a weak 2007 class of tight ends."

Probably getting drafted: Chandler is a solid prospect, but I think he's a little bit more athletically limited than Minnesota's Matt Spaeth, and he's not as good a blocker. He's a big target with great hands, and he should go in the third round. McShay's draft has him lasting barely into the fourth round, where Miami takes him with the 108th pick.

TONY HUNT, RB, PENN STATE

ESPN.com ($): "Has excellent lower body strength, keeps legs driving and excels at picking up yards after initial contact. He is a tough, aggressive and competitive runner. Has shown good durability throughout his career...He does not display a second-gear to run away from defenders in the NFL and he will struggle to consistently turn the corner as an outside runner. Lacks ideal lateral mobility and doesn't show great elusiveness in the open field...In our opinion, Hunt has a chance to emerge as a decent starter in a power-run scheme at the next level, but it's more likely he levels off as a good backup. He had an excellent senior season, so his stock is on the rise. Expect Hunt to come off the board in the third round of a weak running back class in 2007."

Probably getting drafted: Hunt should go during the third round. McShay says he'll be picked 91st overall by New England, which would be a good fit for him. It's just not a strong class of backs, which benefits Hunt. That said, his durability and competitiveness should give him a chance to stick as at least a change-of-pace back.

MIKE JONES, G, IOWA

ESPN.com ($): "He's feisty and plays with a mean streak. Displays adequate upper-body power and does a good job of using his long arms to maintain separation in pass pro. He also shows good awareness when it comes to picking up blitzes/stunts. He is a versatile prospect with experience at both tackle and both guard positions. He has developed into a vocal leader. Shows very good intangibles and work ethic...Does not display the wide base to anchor versus more powerful bull rushers in the NFL. Also will need help when attempting to move two-gap defensive linemen in the running game...he is a blue-collar player with the savvy and toughness to find his way onto a NFL roster."

Probably getting drafted: Jones has the look of a late-round pick. However, he also has the look of a guy like, say, Mark Tauscher, Marco Rivera, or Adam Timmerman - that is, a late-round pick who turns himself into a solid NFL starter. There's nothing flashy about Jones, who is projected to go 243rd overall to Green Bay. But he has the ability to play a number of different positions on the line, and will probably be a valuable reserve who becomes a starter within a few years.

NFL scouts thought they knew these guys, and it turns out we think they got it right...

If you've seen our College Eye for the NFL Guy profiles, you'll probably notice that we're quite argumentative in them. Well, we don't always think that NFL scouts are missing the boat. There are a number of Big Ten prospects that seem to be projected in just about the right position.

Whenever possible, I will note a player's projected spot in Todd McShay's seven-round (!) mock draft ($).

LEON HALL, CB, MICHIGAN

ESPN.com ($): "He's a fluid and smooth athlete. Possesses adequate-to-good size and plays even bigger than his size would indicate. An aggressive and tough cornerback. Shows very good instincts and will do an excellent job of reading quarterbacks' eyes in coverage...Lack of ideal turn-and-run skills is biggest knock...Hall is big and strong enough to handle bigger NFL receivers one-on-one and he also does a fine job supporting the run. In our opinion, Hall grades out as a mid-first round prospect but in a weak class of cornerbacks he could come off the board in the top-10 picks."

Probably getting drafted: Early. As the report notes, this is a weak cornerback class, and Hall is the best of the bunch. McShay has him going tenth overall to Houston, and there's little doubt he'll go in the first half of the first round.

ANTHONY SPENCER, DE, PURDUE

ESPN.com ($): "His motor never stopped running as a senior and it seems that the "light finally came on" in terms of his technique and recognition skills. He plays the run hard and will give great effort pursuing from the backside. Displays good strength for his size...Lacks ideal size; somewhat on the shorter side with just adequate bulk. Might struggle to get off of blocks as quickly versus bigger NFL lineman. He is quick and fast, but he doesn't possess great change-of-direction skills...While some consider him a 'tweener defensive end/outside linebacker, we're not convinced he's athletic enough to play linebacker in the NFL. His best fit most likely will be as a 4-3 defensive end in a one-gap scheme similar to the Colts'. Regardless, Spencer should come off the board late in the first or early in the second round."

Probably getting drafted: Spencer looks like he'll jump into the first round. McShay lists him 25th to the Jets. There's still a chance Spencer will drop into the first part of the second round, but the odds are still good that he'll get his name called by the time the Colts pick to close out the first round.

LaMARR WOODLEY, DE/OLB, MICHIGAN

ESPN.com ($): "He never gives up on a play and he displays an outstanding motor. He has improved his strength and did a much better job anchoring when teams ran at him as a senior in 2006...Has trouble stacking at the line of scrimmage versus taller, bigger offensive tackles. He has experience dropping into coverage but he's far more effective when turned loose up-the-field. He's a bit stiff in the hips and might not be fluid enough to make the move to linebacker in the NFL...The key for Woodley is to land with a team that will mask his weaknesses by using him as a one-gap DE. To his credit, Woodley bulked up and became much stronger versus the run in 2006. He also displays the speed, power and vicious mentality it takes to succeed at the next level. Despite his lack of a natural fit, we still think Woodley is worthy of consideration in the bottom-half of Round 2."

Probably getting drafted: Woodley's motor and strength seem to mask his status as a "tweener". A guy with his makeup but less physical ability would be relegated to the second day, but Woodley appears to be a solid second-round pick. McShay has him going 50th to the Titans.

NFL scouts think they know him, but they're wrong...

Ted Ginn, wide receiver, Ohio State

WHAT NFL SCOUTS ARE SAYING

ESPN.com ($): "He's at his best on vertical routes that give him time to get over the top of defenders in coverage. He also does well on quick-hitting throws and reverses that tend to maximize his acceleration in space. He flashes the ability to snatch the ball while still running on shorter routes, such as quick slants and "jailbreak" screens...he must become stronger and more polished as a route runner in order to fit the mold as a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL."

The Sporting News Pro Football Draft Guide: "Is dangerous in the open field. Has the quickness and agility to make tacklers whiff and the balance to absorb hits and keep on going - despite his thin frame. With improvement and polish, Ginn projects as a game-changer. That will take time, though he probably will contribute as a rookie."

PROBABLY GETTING DRAFTED

Early enough to merit an invitation to the proceedings in New York. We're looking at a top ten pick here, kids.

GUY WHO WATCHED HIM FOR FOUR THREE YEARS IS SAYING

He's a marvelous talent, no question. However, I can't help but see a little bit of Troy Williamson in him. There are exceptions to that. OSU threw the ball plenty of times this season, and Ginn was a big part of that, leading the Buckeyes' in receptions (59), yards (781), and touchdowns (9). He's been a big factor for Ohio State over the last three years, as opposed to the one-hit wonder Williamson. And he was a bigger factor in the return game, too.

(As Devin Hester showed us last year, you can make an impact in the NFL, even if the only thing you do really well is return kicks.)

However, like Williamson, Ginn is undersized. He's not great in traffic, he has inconsistent hands, and he may have trouble consistently getting off the line of scrimmage in the pros. Similarly to Williamson, it's going to be a year or two before Ginn makes a real impact, assuming he ever makes one. It could be argued that Williamson was a better blocker in college than Ginn showed himself to be.

Personally, I find myself downgrading Ginn a bit. I think the top-ten hype is a bit much with him. He has that kind of talent, but will we see enough of it to merit such a high pick? Before he plays like a top-ten pick in the NFL, he's going to have to bulk up a bit and work on being more consistent getting open and catching the football.