Deseret News | Speed gamer: BYU's Collie average on the track, unbeatable on the field

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Dick Harmon: Speed gamer: BYU's Collie average on the track, unbeatable on the field

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Not Staley | 10:26 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

CougarKeith commented on those leaving early. But you can't put Staley in that mold. Staley was the best athlete to ever step onto the field in Provo but he was a walking injury. He had more injuries and surgeries than any other Cougar I can remember. He won the Doak Walker Award his junior year but had to accept it on crutches after recently breaking his leg. He needed another surgery on his knee shortly after that. The kid wouldn't even have played his senior season had he stayed so he had to give the pros a shot while he could. At least he made a decent salary while on IR for the Lions but after being able to return for the following preseason he just couldn't overcome so many injuries and surgeries. Plaisted, Walsh and others made the jump because they thought they were good enough. Staley had no choice as he would have completely fallen off the radar had he sat in street clothes on the Cougar bench his senior season. He had to give it a shot. That is one kid who would have played 12 years in the NFL had he been healthy.

Re: BYU Quarterbacks | 10:29 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

BYU quarterbacks,

What are you talking about, a long line of good QB's in college but not in the NFL? Look Marc Wilson, Jim McMahon(spelling?), Steve Young were all good/great QBs. Ty Detmer had a 13 year NFL career. Steve Young was the best QB in the NFL when he played and is arguably one of the best QBs ever. John Beck will get his shake. Several others had QBs make NFL teams for a few years. Name me five schools that have had more qbs in the NFL than BYU and you will be hard pressed to do so.

Chester | 10:31 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Collie's low 4.5 speed is good enough for the NFL because of exactly what the article said. He runs precise routes and gets open with leverage and using great angles. Bottom line is he's already arguable the best WR that has donned the Cougar uniform and there has been some good ones. Best hands ever: Glen Kozlowski period. Mark Bellini had very good speed as did his brother Matt but Collie has everything and as to his dropped balls, they didn't change the outcome of any game and they are very rare. That stiff arm was absolutely NFL material. He is a strong man and he's going to play on Sunday as a rotating receiver. He'll get his shot but may not be an every down receiver. I think of him as in the same mold of Kevin Curtis even though Collie is stronger. Collie will be in the NFL next season and he'll make a roster.

Comments continue below

Hmmm... | 10:31 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Can't wait | 9:23 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008
"We now know who you are Collie. We will be waiting for you in the backfield this year. Keep talking your smack. We are listening to every word. Make sure you have a good disability policy come Nov. 22nd.

Ute Secondary"

So THAT'S where the Utah secondary was against Oregon State. Busy reading articles about Austin Collie. You'd better hurry off to practice. You've got Wyoming this week and Kyle is going over onside kicks with you guys all day.

Re: CougarKeith | 10:32 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

I agree that Plaisted should've tried to stay another year but I think his effectivity in CBB was diminishing more and more as teams were figuring out how to shut him down, through his obviuos weaknesses.

I totally disagree with you, however, about Luke Staley. He had just come off the best year he could imagine, winning the Doak Walker award. Very hard to replicate that his senior year. And he broke his leg at the end of that 2001 season. Because of his propensity for injuries, he absolutely made the right decision to jump ship a year early. And it worked. Imagine if he had stayed his senior year and was hobbled by his broken leg or other injuries. What would've been his chances being drafted or picked up by an NFL team, knowing his fragile history? He cashed in when his stock was at its highest. Can't blame him for that.

Ernest T. Bass | 10:34 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

I've heard he will be a first round pick.

Try using a little logic | 10:37 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Nobody said that Miami was in the SEC, just that their defensive backs were as fast or faster than any defensive backs in the SEC.

Somebody people can't see the forest for the trees.

As for which conference Miami was in in 1990, Mr. oh-so-superior-college-football braniac, Miami was an independent in 1990. The Hurricanes didn't join the Big East until 1991.

bud!

Re: utah sports kill me | 10:37 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

No one said Miami was in the SEC, bud. An earlier comment suggested SEC speed would easily neutralize BYU's receivers. The comparison was made to a Miami team that visit Provo in '90 that was probably as fast as their SEC counterparts.

How come the point is so easily missed by some?

BYU speed in the NFL | 10:39 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

I know Vai Sikahema was not known as a receiver but wasn't he successful in the NFL because of his speed?

Selective amnesia | 10:43 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Bury you head in the sand and pretend that it didn't happen, but Golden Richards did spend most of his college career at BYU and his Official NFL bio on nfl.com lists only Brigham Young, not Hawaii, as the college Golden played for:

Golden Richards
Height: 6-1 Weight: 181 Age: 57
Born: 12/31/1950 Salt Lake City , UT
College: Brigham Young
Experience: 7 Seasons

sports fan | 10:44 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

stay in school get your education first and formost..it will do you well in the end...if Sunday comes along great but take care of what you can take care of today and tomorrow will take care of itself...

Speed is important | 10:47 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

But not everything. A lot of the best players at BYU have fast enough 40 times for the Mountain West. Whatever Collie's real speed, given his decent size he plays to me like a 4.4 player. Dennis Pitta supposedly has peaked at 4.5 on a really good day. A tight end! at 4.5. The running back position, which is usually supposed to have the most speed of any spot, has not always been the fastest at BYU. Harvey Unga runs a 4.6 (so did Curtis Brown), and somewhere said that Fui Vakapuna ran a 4.5. No way, he runs a 4.8, maybe a 4.7 at best. But even though Fui and Harvey don't have the most speed, they are the starters. Harvey is a good back, and the starter because he breaks tackles, drives his legs, and has great vision and patiently waits for the holes to open up, and a 4.6 is fast enough against MWC teams usually. The younger backs like JJ Diluigi and Bryan Kariya have more speed, you can see a difference in their running styles. But they don't have the fundamentals down as well, so every position is far more about execution than anything else.

Hero of Canton | 10:47 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Point is, when you're taking care of things sometimes the Lord steps in makes miracles happen...like Austin Collie playing football.

lol at Mr. go BYU!! | 10:49 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Seems like our little brother up north is feeling a little football rankings envy this morning.

Don't worry, November 22nd will be here soon enough and your Utes will get their chance to prove that BYU can't win on the road.

Better get back to Wyoming, I hear there's just been an onsides kick attempt.

Barney | 10:51 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

RE: Indespensable

Wow!! Tim Tebow didn't even make Hayes top 20 most indespensable players list. It's an easy mistake to make since the Gators play in such an obscure conference. We've got to get the lowly SEC a little publicity. They could do wonders with a little BCS money. Didn't their coach spend time at UTah State?

re: Koz | 10:52 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

My question to you is, what's respectable? I liked watching him at BYU but other than some special teams and a great catch on Monday Night Football, his hey-days (like 99% of the other players) were while playing for BYU, not in the NFL. He had bad knees - but maybe we just disagree on what's considered a respectable career in the NFL.

Slow day?... | 10:57 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Or was he not living right that day?

Adding to St. George Aggie - not only did he get run down by a safety from the opposite side of the field, it was a safety from Utah State... not exactly known for recruiting strong and fast players.

I can't wait for the Utes secondary, although TCU's will probably do it first, to "uh... put, uh... put a hurt on [him]."
Oh Collie, how we do love your wonderful quotes.

Wait!!! | 11:01 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

If collie plays on Sundays will he be doing the right thing either on or off the field?

Dropped | 11:01 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

He dropped 3 easy balls in the USU game. Not the real deal.

BYU for life!! | 11:02 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Austin Collie is the man!!! I love this article about him. I,ve seen him on campus and he has this glow about him. You can tell he lives off the field in a way that helps him on it. That's a lot more than can be said for those yewties. Austin Collie truly is an inspiration to me.

re: You go BYU!! | 11:03 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Good grief, Wee Willy of the Trib must have finally worked up the courage to start spouting off over here, too.

The weak schedule argument won't hold up as the season progresses. The Holy War victor will get enough of a boost to rightfully claim all the marbles, making the rest of the schedule irrelevant other than wins and losses.

BCS_Buster_Man | 11:09 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

I calculated the BCS standings with the current polls and computer polls available according to the BCS system (average the computer polls in a percet format, then average the three polls). The results have Utah at #10, with BYU and BSU outside the top 15. Nearly all the computer polls have Utah in the top 5. The strength of schedule is killing BYU. Dumbing down the schedule doesn't help after all.

re: BYU receivers | 11:16 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Saying Golden Richards isn't a former BYU receiver is like saying Karl Malone isn't a former Utah Jazz, or Michael Jordan isn't a former Chicago Bull, or Joe Montana isn't a former San Francisco 49er.

re: BYU QUATERBACKS | 11:27 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Are you crazy!!! Gary Schiede, Gifford Nielson, Marc Wilson, Jim MeMahon, Steve Young, Ty Detmer, John Beck - all NFL QB's. Hall will be the next one!

winning QBs | 11:30 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Someone mentioned the success of BYU QBs in the NFL, in terms of starting Super Bowl winners. BYU is one of 5 schools with multiple Super Bowl winning starting QBs. BYU, Stanford, Notre Dame, and Purdue each had 2 such quarterbacks. Only Alabama (who'd a thunk?) has 3 (Starr, Namath, and Stabler). Just though it was interesting.

Fast enough | 11:41 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Ask the vaunted Ute secondary if Collie is fast enough. I think they'll say, "yes".

Different team, same story | 11:43 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

I see that we have our weekly post from the Ute ghost in the closet predicting gloom and doom.

He's like Tokyo Rose.

A #13th-ranked Utah team should destroy that pathetic #144th-ranked Wyoming team, say 50-0, in the first half, without even having to resort to an onside kick this time.

Brett | 11:47 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Collie is so fast he can save young Jimmy down at the swimmin hole! "Ruff Ruff" What's that Austin? Jimmy and Sara are surrounded by wolves and need our immediate help!?! Run! Austin Run! Let's get to the old swimming hole!

Big DJ | 12:07 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

What most of you guys don't understand is Austin's incredible will to succeed.

His extraordinary TD against USU brought back memories of his senior year in HS. He dominated games on both sides of the field, and drove opposing coaches nuts.

One of the coaches who had been at the same school for over 20 year stated that he had never seen a better player than Austin.

He is a quality young man from a quality family, and you WILL see him in the NFL.

Re: Clayton | 12:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

I saw Clayton play at Provo High. He was probably the best quarterback that I have seen come out of Utah in the last 15-20 years. The problem wasn't football. It was off the field problems that he couldn't overcome.

RE: Come on, pro? | 12:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Seems to me Collie said live right, work hard, magic happens. The morons are the ones that keep trying to twist that simple faith into something offensive.

Doesn't matter to me because I won't see him on Sunday anyway. Let's just see if he torches the Utah defenders again - with or without magic.

re: Comparing | 12:36 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

"Jerry Rice ran a 4.4 40."

Where'd you get that?

Not comparing Collie to Rice, except in comparing speed.

When, if, Collie makes it into the NFL and makes his first Pro Bowl, then we can start the comparisons.

Re: Can't Wait | 12:42 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

You are such a big boy making threats like that. Now go back to class little fella, your home room teacher is worried about her little 1st grader that sits in the back of the class and picks his nose and pretends he is a big boy.

bakerb | 12:43 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Quarterbacks,

I have to disagree with you. EVERYONE that knows anything about the Heisman Trophy knows who Ty Detmer is. Any fan of the Philadelphia Eagles or Atlanta Falcons also know who Ty Detmer is. Also, the entire State of Texas knows who Ty Detmer is.

Nielson probably played less than many of the Former BYU Quarterbacks, yet he has a HUGE following in Texas (especially the Houston area) because of his work as Sportscaster after retiring from the Oilers.

In truth, both Detmer and Nielson are probably more well known outside of Utah than McMahon (even though McMahon had a much more successful NFL Career).

While Wilson won many games as a starter for a couple of years for the Raiders, he is not well known.

Virgil Carter played in the 1960s, so not many would remember him.

Bottom line: Name Recognition does not equal NFL Success.

BKB

CougarKeith to "Not Staley" | 12:55 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Perhaps you are right on that, I know he was injured, but I didn't know the extent of his injury list. I guess he may be the exception to the rule. I thought he could have come back, been healthy and proven himself another year, that is my opinion, your opinion may just be Fact, and if it is, then I am wrong about him, and I acknowledge it. I doubt he would have lasted 12 years though.

Jimmy's Sneakers | 1:05 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

4.4 is not such a big deal. Jimmy can do the same run in 3.4 seconds. Jimmy thinks Collie should put some "Ice, Ice Baby" on his leg cuz he's gonna be limping during the TCU game.

Who cares? | 1:13 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Pretty lame article. This was a footnote. So Collie's unofficial 40 time is 4.6. All of the sudden he's Jerry Rice? And we need about 50 quotes from Collie, Hall, and Pitta all giving their two cents about it? I know sometimes it's a reach to produce mid-week articles of interest, but this was some pathetic journalism.

Koz? | 1:17 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Check those stats again sir -- or at least define your choice of adjectives - Koz did not do much in the NFL sir -- By that token Reno had the same type of NFL career too.

Plaisted will never sniff an NBA floor of any significance.

Ty Detmer is well known in Utah, Philly and most definitely Texas sir. And I am pretty sure those folks down in Miami know who he is.

Collie leaves this year -- HUGE mistake but might be his best move. Next season there will be tons of WR folks and places for Hall to throw the ball -- most notably Jacobson will be back and he is DEFINITELY faster than Collie and anyone else in the MWC.

Speed week | 1:20 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Bill Walsh continued:

ï¿½in a sense it is a crutch for an evaluator and it has been a crutch for scouts for many years because that's the one measurable that everyone acknowledges...the problem with the 40 is the game of football requires functional speed, not pure track speed. So functional speed is related to playing the game and responses to another moving object. Jerry Rice's functional speed is probably the very best in the history of football. But if you timed him in the 40, he would be over 4.5

Each year we hear about 4.1s, 4.2s, 4.3s and yet often these men are out of football in a year or twoï¿½a lot of the times that fit into the general mainstream can be deceiving.

We need to run the 40, but we must remind ourselves when we are talking about less than a tenth of a second in differentials, we are talking about the conditions of the track and how much training the athlete has with a track start.ï¿½

Clarity guy | 1:28 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Good comments on Collie. Those that excuse his average speed often point to WR's that have great hands or run precise routes. They also have compared him to Rice. The key thing to remember about Rice is he: ran precise routes, was tough, had TERRIFIC hands, made catches, and ran fast after the catch. I'm not saying collie can't do those things but having a WR possess all other those skills is rare. That is why he is the greatest ever.

There are countless WR examples of guys with medium speed making it but they all had great hands and were tough and smart. Largent, Kevin Curtis, the big kid from Penn State that I can't recall (white guy) that played a number of years in the NFL....Giants, Denver then Seattle....

Miami tanked | 1:41 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

its too bad that #1 miami team tanked after BYU squeaked out a 7 point win 28-21. there DBs werent very good were they. what did they finish 3-8?

RE: Clayton Barnes | 1:51 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Hey Clayton, did you see Napolean Dynamite... I think you were in that movie. I'm sure if the Cougs would only put you in we would win the National Title, you crack me up dude!

BYU 54 - NM 7

Guru | 1:58 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

I remember LaVell talking about how rain affected the passing game after a game at Arizona many years ago. LaVell said that rain wasn't a serious factor. He was more concerned with wind, than rain or even snow, because wind affected the flight of the ball more on passing attempts.

I don't remember LaVell ever making any special preparations for bad weather, he just played the game and made game time adjustments as needed.

BCS UTE | 2:02 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

THe only reason Utah has inflated BCS numbers is because Oregon State had the sunshine on their butt and beat USC -- and then lost to UTAH due to terrible clock management at the end of the game. At the end of the season it won't matter because the Utes will have a loss on Nov. 22nd and probably lose to TCU -- so your arguement will be dead like the UTes season.

Come on now | 2:03 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Guys,

If Collie is living right off of the field than he will run a 4.2 40. God says so.

No succesfull BYU QB's? | 2:08 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Steve Young, Jim McMahon, Mark Wilson, Ty Detmer... Any of those names ring a bell?

What QB has Utah put into the NFL? Alex Smith? what a joke.

re: Buster_Brown | 2:13 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

And your calculations will be all wrong because you didn't include all of the games that will be played between now and October 19th, and you didn't drop the high and low computer polls and average the reamining 4, since only 5 of the 6 polls have been released, "unofficially", btw.

Since Utah and BYU play 8 of 11 common opponents, their SOS will be within 20 places of each other by the end of the season, the only time when the BCS rankings will matter anyway, and the W/L record of each team and their head-to-head matchup will carry far more weight than the relatively small difference in SOS between BYU and Utah.

So, keep on beating that SOS drum and working that sliderule all you want, but, when all is said and done, Utah fans will be sitting back scratching their heads and wondering why their "huge" advantage in SOS didn't make a difference.

byudog | 2:15 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

As far as 5.3 being average 40-time, I was talking about for the average person-not a Div-1 athlete. And yes even some fat O-linemen can run better than that in college or high school.

So a 4.6 is not average, as was said in the article. I don't think it's average even for Div-1 CF. Average is more like 4.7 or 4.8.

There are a lot of Div-1 teams out there btw...

fizix | 2:19 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

So Collie may be the next Wayne Chrebet? That's great.

Who really cares about times in the 40? How often is undefended straight line speed really a factor?

If it were, then as a Dolphins fan, I would not have been so critical of the drafting of Ted Ginn, Jr.

NFL Combine | 2:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

When Collie runs in the NFL combine he needs to be at least 4.5 in the 40 to even be considered in the first 5 rounds. If he runs a 4.6 40 say good bye to the NFL and say hello to the CFL. With his size and athleticism if he can run a 4.5 or below he has the chance to go in the first two rounds.

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Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

BYU receiver Austin Collie was clocked with a 4.6-second 40-yard dash — considered slow for a wide receiver. But Collie does have "football speed."

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Dick Harmon: Speed gamer: BYU's Collie average on the track, unbeatable on the field