FanHouse BenGrubbs

As we get ready for Super Bowl XLII, FanHouse is looking back at each team's 2007 first-round pick. Here's a look at the 27th pick, wide receiver Robert Meachem.


Who They Took: Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee

Who Else They Were Rumored To Consider: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami; Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn; Paul Posluzny, LB, Penn State

What We Said At The Time: "Meachem probably has the most complete package of size and speed in this draft of any receiver not named Calvin Johnson. ... His route running has to improve when he gets to the NFL, which means he really needs a good coaching staff tutoring him. The Saints showed by the way they helped Colston develop that they're up to the task."

What Meachem Did: Consider this stat line: 0 games, 0 receptions, 0 yards, 0 touchdowns. A redshirt season. Meachem was the only first rounder to never see the field. Injuries that lingered all the way into training camp slowed his ability to pick up the Saints' scheme and learn the nuances of the NFL, and he needed the rest of the season to heal and catch up mentally.

NFL Offseason Roadmap is a series focused on the needs of NFL teams as they begin the offseason.

The Baltimore Ravens have already taken their first step toward 2008. John Harbaugh is the new coach and brings with him the expectation of a more disciplined team that takes better advantage of its resources. Some have argued that this team is close to playoff position but, truthfully, change is needed to restore this team to the level of a contender. As it has for years, the major obstacle for the Ravens to overcome is at football's marquee position.

1. Quarterback – Elvis Grbac. Randall Cunningham. Jeff Blake. Chris Redman. Kyle Boller. Anthony Wright. Steve McNair. Those are the men who have started at quarterback for the Ravens since Trent Dilfer won Super Bowl XXXV in 2001. Other than McNair in 2006, not a one of them has done anything to earn a second season on the job, and McNair went down in flames in year two. Boller didn't embarrass himself at the end of this season but he didn't do anything to warm the cockles of your heart either.

Billick was Boller's biggest champion and we don't know who will be running the offense in 2008, so it's anybody's guess as to who will be under center.

I don't know if Steve McNair was just so bad that we all expected Kyle Boller to be an upgrade by default or what, but not much has changed in Baltimore. With the Browns leading 20-14 late in the third quarter and the Ravens driving, well, just watch:



To be fair, the longest interception return for six in Browns history isn't all on Boller. Safety Sean Jones went untouched on the blitz, which means somebody on the Ravens missed a blocking assignment, or head coach Brian Billick's offensive wizardry doesn't account for safety blitzes. I'll go with the latter.

Long term, this only reinforces the fact that Baltimore needs a) a head coach, and b) a quarterback. And no, Derek Anderson ain't walkin' through that door. Although we could see Troy Smith sooner than anybody expected.

Note: Pay special attention to Browns defensive lineman Robaire Smith absolutely obliterating Ravens guard Ben Grubbs. That's going to leave a mark.

As Brady Quinn torpedoed down the draft board this April, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome gave serious consideration to taking the Notre Dame quarterback should he still be available when Baltimore selected 29th. The Browns intervened -- trading back into the first round to grab Quinn with the 22nd pick, and the Ravens drafted guard Ben Grubbs. Four rounds later, they added Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith.

It's way too early to know if Baltimore has their quarterback of the future, or if they'll have to revisit the position sometime soon. But in the meantime, 34-year-old Steve McNair hopes his battered body can make it through another season:

"I feel every bit of the 13 years... That's where the offseason comes in. You've got to continue to keep your body in shape to be able to come out here and compete with these young guys.

"It's all about mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter - no matter what situation you're in."

A little contrived, yes, but that's how McNair has played his entire career: if he's able to walk, he'll be on the field. The problem, though, is that his injuries are catching up with him: "Over the past decade, he has had at least six surgeries, including on his lower back, right shoulder, left ankle and sternum."

The good news is that Baltimore has a young offensive line that could potentially be one of the best in football in a few years. Unfortunately, McNair doesn't have that long. And if he goes down, the Ravens' Super Bowl hopes will fall to Kyle Boller. You know, the team's most recent Quarterback of the Future.

How bad do you miss Auburn football? For me, it's gotten really bad. I actually watched today's practice session at the Senior Bowl carried by the NFL Network.

And you know what? I really enjoyed it. OK, so maybe I have issues. I think its called withdrawals. For the three of you who actually get that channel, the network will be carrying tomorrow and Thursday's practice sessions starting at 4:00 p.m. CT.

When the game kicks off Saturday, it will feature five former Auburn players, including running back Kenny Irons, defensive back David Irons, offensive linemen Ben Grubbs and Tim Duckworth and wide receiver Courtney Taylor.

Irons looked really good in practice today. He caught the eye of more than one NFL coach.

But the one they were talking about most was Grubbs. He's projected by many to be the first guard taken in April's NFL draft. They were also giving a lot of love to Duckworth. When you see both of them working out for scouts, it hits you just how bad they are going to be missed.

The Auburn offensive line has huge holes to fill. Thankfully, Hugh Nall has gone out and found some talented high school linemen. Unfortunately, it looks like too many of them will get a chance to play next year.

The South squad is coached this year by San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan and the North squad is led by Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden. Saturday's contest will be carried on the NFL Network and starts at 3:00 p.m. CT.

For the second time this season, Auburn offensive lineman Ben Grubbs has been named the SEC's Offensive Lineman of the Week. Grubbs also won the award on September 11th after pounding on Mississippi State in Starkville. I'd say Alabama could have used him on Saturday.

Grubbs participated in 51 plays against Arkansas State on Saturday and graded out at 99 percent. He had a team high five pancake blocks, five cockroach blocks and four rodeo blocks against the Indians. For the record, I still have no clue what a cockroach block is but I think it's something good. I'll have my research department look into it and I'll get back with you or feel free to enlighten me.

Grubbs helped pave the way for the Auburn offense to gain 399 total yards of offense. And once again the offensive line gave up no sacks. That marks 14 straight quarters in which Auburn has not allowed a sack. Talk about coming a long way, that's worst to first. In contrast, Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson was hit 22 times by Mississippi State on Saturday.

Big Ben is the ninth Auburn player to be honored by the SEC this year.

It's only Monday and this weekend's showdown with LSU already feels enormous. I can only imagine what things will be like on Friday. I'm glad I graduated years ago. I probably wouldn't be in class much this week... Our article, Auburn Turns Attention To Bayou Trash, was named the Headline of the Week by Sports Illustrated. That's a cool honor. Be sure to check it out...

I still can't believe CBS Sports has chosen the Florida-Tennessee game as its primetime telecast. I guess Auburn's number three ranking and LSU's number six ranking wasn't good enough. Some argue that the ratings are higher for the 3:30 afternoon game, but that's a load of crap. Saturday night ratings are always higher...

While on the subject of television, it appears that ESPN GameDay will be headed to Los Angeles for this weekend's game with USC and Nebraska. Yawn! Apparently ESPN has decided to follow ABC's Saturday Night Football telecast and go to the location of that game. They've done now for each of the first three week's of the season. It appears that the SEC is finished with GameDay. ABC does not have a contract to carry SEC games in the regular season...

Auburn senior offensive guard Ben Grubbs has been named the SEC's Offensive Lineman of the Week. Grubbs graded out at 94%. The Tigers will need another performance like this on Saturday if Auburn is to win... I would love to be in the mind of Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. He hasn't been away from Baton Rouge long and that should help the Tigers defense on Saturday. LSU has a new coaching staff, but the key players on the defensive side of the ball were recruited by Muschamp. He should know their tendencies well...

Don't forget that former Tiger assistant Jimbo Fisher is still at LSU. He continues to serve as the team's offensive coordinator. You might remember that Fisher served on Terry Bowden's staff. At the time he was a young, bright, up and coming coach. Now he is one of the best minds in college football... Until tomorrow... War Eagle!

Link: Football Saturday In The South