Cutler, Davis shine in Week 12

RB James Davis and QB Jay Cutler are on the rise this week, but Marques Hagans has taken a hit.

Originally Published: November 21, 2005

By Todd McShay | Scouts Inc.

The opportunity is there every Saturday. Some players seize it. Others let it slide away. Here's a look at the players who shined or slipped in Week 12:

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Auburn's defensive front seven
The Tigers sacked QB Brodie Croyle 11 times, including seven in the first half of their 28-18 win over Alabama in the Iron Bowl. It wouldn't be fair to single out one individual for what was simply the most impressive unit performance in college football this past weekend, so "Stock Up" to the entire Auburn defensive front seven. DE Stanley McClover finished with a team-high 3½ sacks, while MLB Travis Williams, WLB Antarrious Williams, DTs T.J. Jackson and Wayne Dickens and DEs Marquies Gunn and Quentin Groves kept the Tide contained all day.

Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
Much like his four-year career at Vanderbilt, Cutler's senior season has been a roller coaster. He got the Commodores off to a fast start but a midseason swoon took the program out of bowl contention and saw Cutler's NFL draft stock hit the skids. While Saturday's victory at Tennessee makes Vandy one game shy of bowl eligibility, it did snap a 22-game losing streak to the Volunteers. It also served as a momentum builder in NFL scouts' eyes in what was a strong three-game finish by Cutler versus Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee. If Cutler works some magic in postseason workouts and an all-star game, he could emerge as a second-round draft pick in 2006.

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