Feldman on Heisman's, CU, Big 12

One of the most interesting college football voices around is Bruce Feldman of ESPN.com. From the first time I read his work, I knew he was different. Now part of the web site's Insider package, you have to go through a door that requires a "cover charge" but the content is well worth it.

He and I had an opportunity to talk recently and all I can share is he dropped some heavy material on me, especially a book he has written and a new one on the way on recruiting -- a deep look inside that subject.

The interview was so jam-packed with the good stuff that I'm going to split it into two parts so your eyes don't glaze over at all the text.

Here it is, the first installment of the Black and Gold Truth's conversation, in which we talk about college football, in general, and the program at Colorado. Tomorrow, the focus will be recruiting and some eye-opening stories.

BGT: You were at the U.S. Army All-American game -- what were your impressions of those top players competing against one another. Can we really take much from such a game?

Feldman: Not too much. I remember four years ago, Victor Abiamiri, who went on to Notre Dame, just dominated the game at defensive end. He had a decent career at Notre Dame but he's really not been the player that he was from watching that game where you say 'he could be the next Charles Haley.' He didn't quite prove to be that.

It's a high school event; it's really sloppy.

BGT: Why does it seem that Heisman Trophy quarterbacks struggle so mightily in bowl games?

Feldman: The month you're on the award's circuit or the weeks you're away from your team, when you're pulled in so many different directions, obviously the other team now has a chip on their shoulders and you become such a target for them.

I think you saw how much Vince Young was motivated last year that he didn't win the Heisman.

What you saw with Troy Smith was a breakdown everywhere, it wasn't just him.

Eric Crouch, for example, when he won, just was against a team a lot better than him (Miami).

BGT: Better pro prospect, Bruce -- Brady Quinn or JaMarcus Russell?

Feldman: I think Brady Quinn is very polished, he's had an NFL coach working with him offensively the last two years and he's very sharp. On paper, he has everything you're looking for.

JaMarcus is a little more raw. I don't think there's a person playing football at any level who has an arm as strong as JaMarcus Russell. He also can move. To me, he's the guy you create on a video game, where you can make a guy Superman.

I feel Brady Quinn and the experience he's had makes him a little more prepared and less likely to not have a very good career. I'll use the safe pick and lean towards him.

BGT: Could Oklahoma's Bob Stoops or Texas' Mack Brown be convinced to leave the college game for pro football or are they college guys all the way?

Feldman: I think Mack Brown would not go. He's basically the king in Texas. He has some connections in the NFL and he's made it known he's not interested.

Bob Stoops, at some point, I could see (being interested). He's more towards the college game, as far as his demeanor but he has been approached before.

The biggest factor as to why coaches leave is ego. These guys all feel like someone else didn't succeed at it, but they have done it before and they can do it again there.

BGT: Dan Hawkins leaves Boise State and they take their program up a notch. How much of that success was him and how much of it was new leadership?

Feldman: A lot was due to Hawkins. That foundation was laid in the last 10 years but Hawkins reaped some of the benefit himself with the cupboard not being bare.

BGT: Your feel on this -- will Hawkins make it work in Boulder or will he flame out like another Boise State success, Dirk Koetter at Arizona State?

Feldman: I think he's going to be successful there. He's got the ideal demeanor. It was a dismal season on the field but I hope the administration says 'we're going to give you five or six years to build this thing.'

Even if it's a better year next year, anything more than five wins is something you'd raise your eyebrows at a little bit. It's hard for teams to go from 2-10 to 7-5.

I hope the administration looks at a Rutgers and what they were able to do with (coach) Greg Schiano. They were patient and they finally turned the corner. A lot of people would have pulled the plug.

BGT: Tomorrow, the BGT will bring you the rest of the conversation with Feldman where we talk about some college football generalities, a book about Miami's program and how they accomplished unique heights, and his current writing project on recruiting.