It is time for PIGSKIN PAUL to hand in his report card on the post-season football All-Star Games. The report card is based on the DRAFT success of participants of the three major games. It’s the usual runaway victory for the SENIOR BOWL, which continues to enjoy being the only NFL/NFLPA endorsed game, thus giving it huge advantages in player procurement.

                            SENIOR BOWL                        

    In what I now call the “SCOTT WRIGHT RULE” ( www.draftcountdown.com ) the game once again scored 10 First Round players. Almost every year we sit in Mobile on Sunday Night/Monday morning and go over the rosters trying to project First Rounders. Most years, given the Agent induced absence of most elite prospects and declared Underclassmen, we just can’t figure out how 10 guys are going to really be taken in Round One from the rosters. And every year SCOTT smiles and reminds us all that it never fails to happen come April.

    Dead on once again. With the somewhat surprise Pick of TEBOW,  and PATRICK ROBINSON somehow being Pick 32, ten SR BOWL participants fell in Round One. What makes this feat so amazing is that for the first time the majority of First Round Picks (17) were Underclassmen who are currently not eligible for the game.

    Thirteen (13) more participants went in Round Two. Another 13 players were selected in Round Three.

    Out of the first 100 players taken in April’s DRAFT 44 of them were on SENIOR BOWL rosters. You can really grasp how impressive this is when taking account the fact that 34 Underclassmen were in that TOP 100 group of Draftees. That would mean that of a total of 66 senior players selected in the TOP 100, 44 ( 66%)  of them were in Mobile. Overall, I count 90 total players in Mobile being Drafted this year. That’s out of 255 total Drafted players.

    Now you should understand why most of us feel the week in Mobile is a lot more than seafood buffets for us each January

    This game was played in its fourth different city in the past 10 years. Though Orlando would seem like a natural home for this game the initial edition drew less than 10, 000 fans. But it did draw a solid representation of NFL Personnel People for the week of practices. And it seems pretty clear that League members saw more than a few guys that they liked during game week. A total of 36 players from this venue were Drafted last week.

    There were significantly more Shrine Game participants taken in the TOP 100 than last year. Four Shrine players went in Round 2, with another  3 coming off the Board in Round 3.

    Overall, 36 players from Shrine Game week were Drafted. That’s 14% of the total number of Seniors Drafted overall. Officially the league says that 46 Underclassmen were drafted overall. So if you take those away from the total number of Picks it means that 17% of the Seniors Drafted played in this game in Orlando.

    In my opinion this game still pumps out enough NFL talent to justify itself as an All-Star Game. Now the challenge is for the Shriners to pump up the publicity and fill the stands.

    I found it interesting to hear some grumbling within the Game’s organization and hierarchy that they were underwhelmed by a smaller crowd than last year at the game. Patience is a virtue, and a better TV contract is the key for this game’s future, not a couple thousand more fans in the stands. This venue continues to make big progress in the talent department each year.

    No player from the game heard their name called until Round 3, when JARED VELDHEER (to DA BEARS) became the highest player taken at PIck 69.

    The further into the DRAFT we got the more names from this Game’s rosters came off the Board. A total of 31 players, the most ever, were Drafted from the 2010 game. That’s actually gaining ground on the Shrine Game overall.

    West Texas is obviously becoming fertile ground for NFL teams as this tilt continues to grow in significance.

    Overall, an incredible number of players pour out of these games and into the NFL on DRAFT weekend. I count 144 total players from the three games being Drafted this year. That’s 56% of the total number of players selected, and out of the 209  seniors, who were eligible to play in the games, it comes out to 69% of the Draftees.

    I think the time has come for the NCAA, NFL and All-Star Games to get together and work out a mutually acceptable way for declared underclassmen to participate in the action. But I will save that dissertation for another day.

2/14/2010    Despite many articles written annually about the waste of time and money for January All-Star games I find them valuable on many counts. Right now I’d like to touch on their value as our first inkling of how small school Prospects stack up against their big school counterparts. Other than watching them in shorts at the COMBINE and their Pro Days, All-Star Games are the only chance to see them in pads until Training Camps open.

        So with that angle in mind let me briefly touch on some players I never got to see last Fall, but who left an impression on me based on their work in January (and Feb. to be exact).

JOIQUE BELL/RB/WAYNE STATE/5’11/223        I had seen BELL’s name listed as aTop 15 RB Prospect on many lists late last fall, but I had not even seen a highlight reel of his work. The highest compliment I can pay him at this point in time is to say that he looked like he ‘belonged’  the entire week in Mobile. He showed quickness and burst when carrying the ball. He displayed decent hands in catching drills. He appeared willing and at least able in pass pro. He left enough of an impression on me that he is very close to cracking my TOP 100 list.

VLADIMIR DUCASSE/OL/UMASS/6’5/326        DUCASSE got his invite to Mobile when OKUNG & BROWN elected not to show. From my perspective this was a big scouting break for many of us. DUCASSE showed off his athletic skills all week. He also showed some bad habits that probably weren’t so noticeable at his level of competition in the Yankee Conference. But at the end of the week my impression was that he was a solid NFL Prospect who would require patience and serious coaching to become an NFL starting caliber player. He’s not going to provide immediate value in the NFL, and thusly is not worthy of Round 1 consideration. But starting in the Second Round he may be highly sought after based on potential alone.

CLAY HARBOR/TE/MISSOURI STATE/6’3/240    Right now HARBOR looks more like an H-B than a TE. He is too light in the pants to be an in-line blocking TE at the Pro level. Whether or not he can add weight without diminishing his running speed will remain to be seen. We should get a clearer picture of his weight potential when his Pro Day comes around. Can he weigh 250 or more and still get open as a receiver? He showed nice hands and the ability to create separation during his All-Star work. If he can gain the weight to be a true TE, then his DRAFT value really rises.

RAMON HAREWOOD/OL/MOREHOUSE/6’6/350        This mountain of a man, even by NFL standards, was very impressive during his time in El Paso. He spent his career at Morehouse playing OT, but was primarily worked inside for the All-Star contest. He looked very good at the OG position. He is strong and reasonably agile for his size. He uses his long arms nicely to keep defenders off his legs. He has a chance to be Drafted, and looks to have NFL potential based on what I briefly saw of him.

AUSTEN LANE/DE/MURRAY STATE/6’6/267        The D1A sack leader got his chance in Mobile as a late invitee, and he made the most of it. He is lean and fit, and I’m guessing he shows up at the COMBINE weighing about 275 lbs. He is very athletic for a man his size and should have no problem playing with the big boys. He needs work in using his arms and hands more effectively to shed defenders, but his non-stop motor and high energy will make him a sideline-to-sideline defender. I see him right now as a 4th or 5th Rounder, but he has the potential to move up and start someday in the NFL.

MATT NICHOLS/QB/E. WASHINGTON/6’2/220       A last minute addition to the SHRINE roster, he may have shown the most of any of the QBs there with a strong arm and a solid ability to read the field. He has moved past several bigger name QBs on my Board, and may now have a reasonable shot as a Round 7 Draftee. As of right now he’s not on the COMBINE invite list, but he might get added as one of those supplemental QBs who usually get invited late. If that happens he would be well worth some attention, based on his work in Orlando.

NATHAN OVERBAY/TE/E. WASHINGTON/6’4/262    He showed a nice combination of size and pass catching ability in Orlando. His blocking technique needs work, but that’s not unusual from a small school guy. He looks willing to work on his blocking and looks the part overall of an NFL TE. I’m very surprised that he is not listed on the COMBINE TE list right now. He has good bloodlines, being the nephew of LYLE OVERBAY MLB 1B, and his size and strength should improve with more training and concentration on football as a career. Watch out for this guy by the time we get to DRAFT Saturday this April.

ANDRE ROBERTS/WR/CITADEL/5’11/192        ROBERTS had an outstanding week in Mobile. I never saw him drop a ball in practice, and he got open consistently in passing drills. He also showed good explosion and after the catch running ability. Given his impressive numbers at the Citadel I see no reason to think any of his solid work in Mobile was a mirage. If he posts the kind of 40-time I think he can at the COMBINE his pre-DRAFT stock could sky rocket. Watch this guy rise... and quickly in March.

ADRIAN TRACY/OLB/E/WILLIAM & MARY/6’3/245        He didn’t blow anyone away in El Paso, but he looked solid overall in his efforts to convert from a pass-rush DE to a stand-up OLB position. He has good size and solid athleticism, which showed in flashes during the Texas game. He did his best work there in practices. He is listed on the COMBINE invitee list, but as a DE. I will bet you dollars to donuts that he does most of his work at Indy with the LB group.

JARED VELDHEER/OT/HILLSDALE/6’8/315        The hype has been building since mid-season regarding this mountain of a man who played with boys at little Hillsdale College. He showed lots of athleticism in El Paso, but also showed his need for greater strength. He is so long that he got caught up in his own feet while trying to deal with speed -rushers at times. He did show nice ability to get to the second level blocks on running plays. He will also have to learn not to stand straight up when coming out of his stance, but that’s not uncommon for OL who stand 6’8” tall. He showed me he has lots of work to do before he’s ready to start in the NFL, but he has the size and athleticism to develop into a MARC COLOMBO type NFL RT.

        That’s the end of my notes form the All-Star Games, unless I find some more buried in a folder somewhere. My intent now is to concentrate of player rankings by position and in a Regardless of Position mode. Stay tunes to PPP for updates.

                                            TEXAS TIDBITS

  02/10/2010     OK, I have recovered from the shock of another pretty All-Star Game presentation and can write about some of the pleasant surprises that came out of the game itself. But I have to tell you that these games are getting pretty unwatchable other than the Senior Bowl. Ad i think the two biggest issues are Coaching and QB play. But you may have already read about my take on that issue at http://www.pigskinpaul.com/Pigskin_Pauls_Place/Home/Entries/2010/2/8_Thinking_Out_Loud!.html .

        Actually the real reason I am late getting this piece up is that I have been cleaning up the 6” of blowing snow around my property, and I got into ranking Prospects by position yesterday, and lost all track of time. So let’s get going with some players who caught my eye in the Saturday game in El Paso.

CHRIS ZARDAS/FB/MAINE/6’0/235            #47

I don’t expect ZARDAS to hear his name called n the 2010 NFL DRAFT, but I would expect to see him on a training Camp roster. And the biggest reason is his play in space. And that is an unusual thing to say about a true FB. But i was very impressed with him as a pass catcher in the game. He seems very natural and balanced out in space and really turned his shoulders quickly to head up field after catching he ball. A also like his FB mentality, which should serve him well as a Special Teams player, which is all important for Rookie Free Agents. I’m just an old-fashioned sucker for hard-nosed football players, and this guy looked like my kind of player.

5. E.J. WILSON/DE/UNC/6’2/280        #92
   

As I watch more ex-Tar Heels in action this post-season I wonder how anyone was able to run the ball on them. WILSON was a monster all day long in holding the end against the run, and getting serious, continuous pressure on the QB. There’s nothing the NFL can do to get past his 6’2” height limitations, but I saw little to quibble about when it came to his actual play. He showed a nice combination of strength. leverage and speed in his play. Combine that with a high-rev motor and aggressiveness and I think you have a Draftable 4-3 DE to throw into a DL rotation system in the NFL. He was unstoppable on the field.

JUAMORRIS STEWART/WR/SOUTHERN/6’3/205        #88

STEWART was the most effective and impressive wideout in this game. he showed a nice blend of size, good hands and sideline catching technique. I don’t think he’s going to outrun too many NFL CBs, but he seemed to get separation, and may the potential to use his size and hands to move the chains at the nest level. his is the kind of receiving prospect we used to see to a lot more of coming out of the D2 schools. He was by far the most productive WR in the game with 5 catches for 89 yards and 1 TD.

JAROD PERRY/WR/MISSOURI/6’1/180        #8

Even though he had only 1 catch for 16 yards PERRY seemed to constantly be on camera during the game. I saw him open several times when the QB failed to spot him, or get him the ball. I saw him blocking downfield on other occasions. He looks to have decent speed, and better quickness, with consistent hands and the ability to get open. He will  never be a starting WR in the NFL, but I think he looks to have the athleticism and work ethic to contribute weekly and and be a solid 45-50th player on an NFL roster.

SIMONI LAWRENCE/OLB/MINNESOTA/ 6’0/230                           #21

The rise up the Draft Boards continued for this former JC Safety, who came up big time in 2009 for the Gophers Defense. He was all over the field Saturday, making tackles and covering receivers on his side of the field. Not only did he show his speed and feel for following the ball, but he displayed a physical nature that says he is likely to be a willing head-hunter on Special Teams at the pro level. LAWRENCE is still raw, but if you watched him flying to the ball all over the field of play you had to be intrigued by his pro potential.

JOSH HULL/ILB/PENN STATE/6’1/240            #43

Gotta love these hustle guys, who play with a mean streak and intelligence. HULL, a former walk-on, is a better athlete than many think and can cover a reasonable amount of ground from the ILB spot. I think he is best suited for a 3-4 scheme, with a heavy emphasis on Special Teams participation. He was credited for being part of 6 tackles, and shared a TFL. I think he could have been given credit for another 3 tackles without stretching he point. he also appears to be a team leader both on and off the field. HULL earned himself a COMBINE invitation, and we’ll get a good feel there if he is athletic enough for the NFL.

TRINDON HOLLIDAY/WR/RS/LSU/5’5/165        #1

If DEXTER McCLUSTER can get a ton of love for his play as a mighty-mite, then there has to be some love left over for TRINDON. They are not the same player, but in El Paso on Saturday HOLLIDAY (despite the misspelled jersey name) showed his combination of versatility and flat-out speed that make him an ideal late-Round target for an NFL Play-Off contending team that needs an extra weapon on the field of play. He put up 209 yards of Total Offense and scored two TDs for the TEXAS team. His value as a gadget play ace was demonstrated on multiple occasions in the game. He’s an exciting highlight reel TD maker.

DEREK HARDMAN/OT/E. KENTUCKY/6’5/305        #77

There were some other ‘small-school’ OL who came into town more highly ballyhooed than HARDMAN, but I don’t think anyone had a more productive overall week than him. He showed good foot movement and decent strength. His frame looks as though it could hold another 10-15 lbs. of muscle once in an NFL weight room, and training table. HARDMAN seemed to accept coaching advice quite readily during the entire week of work, including the game. He looks like a legit RT prospect who deserves a late-Round selection come April.

JUNIOR GALETTE/OLB/STILLMAN/6’1/250        #44

The former-Temple player came to El Paso with a rep as a high energy, pass rushing specialist, who would have to show some signs that he could stand up  and play as an OLB. I’m not sure he really accomplished the latter in his short time in Texas, but he did show the burst and strength that would indicate he is worth a Draft Pick, and some patience ala JAMES HARRISON of the STEELERS. He pushed the pocket all day with 1 Sack and 3 QB hurries. He seemed infectious to his teammates with his high energy and verbal nature. The NFL Personnel People saw enough to wet their appetites for his appearance at the COMBINE.

KEITHON FLEMMING/RB/WEST TEXAS STATE/5’10/210       #24

He was the most impressive RB I saw on the field. he is not a speed burner, but he shows great burst through the hole, and has that forward lean that gets extra yards almost every carry. He looks to be a very nice fit as a back-up RB in a zone-blocking scheme, where quickness and the one-cut running style are highly valued. For a guy who does not have an invitation to the COMBINE (as of now) it was important to show something in El Paso. FLEMMING did just that with his  13 caries for 69 yards, which breaks down to a nice 5.3/ypc average.

    Not to dispel what I have written above, but remember this game had the least overall talent of any of the 3 major All-Star contests. There was not one player in El Paso who I would  expect to see Drafted until Day Three (Rounds 4-7) of the 2010  DRAFT. But these were amongst the most productive players of those present. They should all have a chance at earning a Draft slot come April.

2/05/2010 With about 24 hours to go before Kick-off of Texas vs. Nation here is my list of players I will be watching during the game. I will be taping the game and am sure i will end up scoping out some other players who make some noise once the game gets underway.

#54    DANNY BATTEN/E/LB/SOUTH DAKOTA ST/6’2/248

#17    JONATHAN  CROMPTON/QB/TENNESSEE/6’3/230

#84    CLAY HARBOR/TE/HB/MISSOURI STATE/6’3/240

#29    CHRIS HAWKINS/CB/LSU/6’0/185

#81    DONALD JONES/WR/YOUNGSTOWN STATE/6’2/210

#33    DEJI KAREEM/RB/SOUTHERN ILLINOIS/5’9/197

#98    ANDRE NEBLETT/DT/TEMPLE/6’2/285

#11    RYAN PERRILOUX/QB/JACKSONVILLE STATE/6’2/230

#49    ADRIAN TRACY/OLB/WM & MARY/6’3/240

#32    NATE TRIPLETT/OLB/MINNESOTA/6’2/240

#66    JARED VELDHEER/OT/HILLSDALE/6’7/325

#        AARON WEBSTER/S/CINCINNATI/6’2/205

   

    I had hoped to get you more detail on player weights and the like, but the info flow out of El Paso has been disappointingly slow and sparse this week.

02/04/2010    The third, and final, All-Star game of 2010 is rolling in El Paso this week. It will culminate with a game that most of you will be unable to watch, because if will be televised by CBSC-TV. And if you are a Draftnik that’s too bad. Because the TEXAS vs. the NATION game has a preponderance of smaller school prospects that most of you have never seen play, or at least not recently. Let me give you a couple of examples of the kind of players I am referring to here.

RYAN PERRILOUX/QB/JACKSONVILLE STATE (NC) I have his name in purple as a reminder to you that he was supposed to be the successor to JaMARCUS RUSSELL for LES MILES at LSU. After about his umpteenth run-in with the law and/or school administration he was sent packing. He re-emerged in the hills of North Carolina as a D-2 QB playing like a man amongst boys. He displayed a bit more maturity and the same elite athleticism on the football field in his second chance at college football. And he comes into this game as a hot prospect waiting to happen. He has not been invited to the COMBINE where interviews would be critical to his potential NFL future. But for now his work on and off the field in El Paso this week will indeed serve as his initial NFL job interview. If he shines this week watch for his to be a late add to the Indy line-up.

J’MARCUS WEBB/OT/WEST TEXAS A&M    WEBB was originally a Longhorn, and MACK BROWN doesn’t recruit anything less than 4-star prospects. But things didn’t work out in Austin for the big fella and he ended up an Aggie at a lower level of play. This week is his chance to show he is the athlete everyone thought he was coming out of High School. His size, strength and athleticism as displayed this week are critical for a player who did not get that COMBINE invite.

1. A.J. JEFFERSON/CB/RS/FRESNO STATE    Blessed with exceptional return ability, due in great part to his speed, elusiveness and field vision, JEFFERSON  was a major disappointment for the Bulldogs as a CB. He wasn’t even a full-time starter as a Senior last fall. He does have an invite to the Combine but it would be very helpful if JEFFERSON could show some cover and tackling ability this week.
   

JARED VELDHEER/OT/HILLSDALE    This big guy has been heralded all year as the best small school OL Prospect for the 2010 DRAFT. This is his first step in validating that assessment. He does have a COMBINE invite, but he could go a long way toward answering questions about his blocking footwork this week in drills with pads, and in the game on Saturday. This is his opportunity to demonstrate that he can compete at the highest level. What he shows this week could mean a couple of Rounds difference in his Draft status come April.

ADRIAN TRACY/OLB/WILLIAM & MARY    This small school star is ranked as the best Pro Prospect coming out of WM & MARY since a guy named DARREN SHARPER.  TRACY  had 12 sacks during the 2009 season, and spearheaded the Defensive unit in their opening game upset of Virginia back in September. He faces the question of whether or not he can make the transition form a down DE into a stand-up OLB in a 3-4, or 4-3 NFL defensive scheme. He is a COMBINE invitee and can use this game a a springboard to an NFL career. And I’ll bet 95% of you have never seen him in action.

    Based on initial feedback from some of he folks in El Paso watching practices this week, I continue to hear good things about a player whom I feel is on the rise...

JONATHAN CROMPTON/QB/TENNESSEE    At the end of the 2008 college season CROMPTON was the poster child for the “ditch PHILLIP FULMER” campaign. At that time the story line was that the sad excuse for an SEC starting QB was the best that FULER and his staff could do from a recruiting perspective.... and it just wasn’t good enough. The short-lived KIFFIN regime resigned itself to their fate with CROMPTON as their projected starter for the 2009 season and set to work developing CROMPTON’s skills as a QB. Lo and behold, CROMPTON got better as the 2009 season progressed. By the month of October he was putting up some pretty solid stats and giving the VOLS a chance to win just about every week. Despite a COMBINE  snub right now, JON is looking like a solid NFL developmental prospect. He is being widely reported as the best QB in El Paso this week. He will be a big story on game day Saturday. He has a chance to get that late invite to the COMBINE, and looks Draftable right now.

    The word is also positive from El Paso in the early going on another small school player who is trying to make the first step in a position adjustment this week...

LARRY HART/DE/LB/CENTRAL ARKANSAS    While I wait to acquire weigh-in info from El Paso I will say that HART has  been previously listed as being 6’0/240#, and is demonstrating a nice combination of speed, quickness and strength in practices this week. This is especially true during pass-rush drills. But the proof in the pudding for HART will be whether he shows progress understanding pass coverage responsibilities during 11-on-11, and in the game. If you are watching this game on Saturday make sure you check out what  No. 31 is doing in his pass drops.

        I’ll pass on any further info I can pick-up from El Paso on Friday. Then I’ll give you some game observations on game performances on Sunday and Monday.

                                            MEMOS FROM MOBILE 2010

01/30/2010   It’s game day in Mobile for the 2010 SENIOR BOWL. It feels very busy and hectic this afternoon. The game has been sold out every year I have been here, but this one was crazier with traffic than I ever remember. I’m sure some of it is TEBOW and ‘BAMA fever, but I also think it has to do with the game at least starting in the daylight hours instead of evening like last year. The sun disappeared yesterday and we had heavy rains last night, along with a few thunderstorms. The promise is that the rain has moved out, but it is overcast and cool. The cold front has pushed south and I’m damn glad I am sitting in the Press Box. Thanks again Kevin!

    I’ve been chatting it up with a few guys from the national media here this afternoon and there is no doubt their slant and stories will read a lot better and make the Sunday edition if TEBOW somehow excels and makes something happen today. I am making the assumption that he is healthy enough to play. He has been reported as ’under the weather’ much of the week, though the strep-throat stories have been dismissed.

    The sad/bad story of the day Friday was TEBOW’s non-appearance Friday afternoon at the Meet The Players portion of the Fan Fest event, for health reasons. There was no riot in downtown Mobile, but I saw for a fact that a very high percentage of the fans who lined up hours in advance of the event had Florida and Tebow attire on. Now let’s all hope he is well enough to play, and play well today.

    Time for some actual football talk, as the players are introduced to the fans.

1. 1)I like the North QBs better than the South group, but they had best be prepared to move out of the pocket today. When your starting OTs are ED WANG & SAM YOUNG it tells me the South pass-rush specialists may be able reek some havoc throughout the afternoon. Based on the overall play this week, I would have given serious consideration to stating IUPATI at OT.
   

2. 2)The same may hold true on the other side of the ball as well, which could play to the running strength of TEBOW. The DL position for both teams are probably the deepest and most talented position groups. I expect the defenses to win the battle at the line-of-scrimmage for most of the day.
   

3. 3)Prove me wrong, but I think the weakest position group, on both sides of the ball is at the LB position. The best LB prospects for the NFL are playing at the down DE position this week.
   

4. 4)Both teams will have to find a way to run the ball a bit today for two reasons. If they can’t than the pas-rushers will pin their ears back and collapse the pocket with regularity. The secondaries are so talented that you have to make them honor the run.
   

                                                        ------------------------------

   After one full half of football action we hold these truths to be self-evident...

TIM TEBOW has too long and slow of a wind-up and delivery, as well as an inaccurate arm.

JOIQUE BELL/RB is a solid north/south runner with a great burst through the hole.

BRANDON GRAHAM/DE looks like a one-trick pony with only an outside pass-rush move and he loses track of the ball while chasing the QB.

JARRETT BROWN/QB is more athlete than QB, with a scatter-throw arm and a habit of pulling the ball down to escape pressure too quickly.

SEAN CANFIELD/QB looks like a deer in the headlights when he sees a defender penetrating his pocket are.

CIRON BLACK/OT isn’t pretty, but he is a steady and understands what his job is.

TERRENCE CODY/DT is exactly what we should expect from a 370-pounder. He plugs the middle and takes up blockers.

SEAN WEATHERSPOON/LB has struggled at times from his LB position, but he is a hellacious Special Team coverage guy.

GENO ATKINS/DT has all the quickness and hustle we expected, but I still don’t see how he holds up inside in the NFL.

        Wow talk about taking a break. I got caught up in some “stuff” and the game blogging stopped. So let’s just wrap it up with some full game conclusions/observations.

TIM TEBOW/QB    For anyone who was not sure that TEBOW is nowhere near ready to jump into a QB job in the NFL there should be n doubt any longer that he is a multi-year/if ever project. Taking him in Round 1 is ludicrous and even Round 2 may be an irresponsible gamble. But before he drops much further one has to factor in his overall athleticism, apparent intelligence and determined leadership qualities. I give him credit for coming, but he did not do much to help silence his critics.

JOHN JERRY/OG    The NFL Personnel People did JERRY a big favor: they told the DOLPHINS they wanted to see him used inside at OG. His decent OT feet turned into nimble cat-quick feet as an OG. And he was able to use his size and strength to maul DL trying to penetrate or hold the line of scrimmage. I now view him as the second best OG for the 2010 DRAFT after his work this week, and his play in today’s game.

LeGARRETTE BLOUNT/RB    Talk about redemption! BLOUNT said all the right things about the BOISE STATE punching incident during the week, and then went out on game-day and just ran through and over people. He averaged over 5 yards per carry and was an absolute load inside the Red Zone. He showed good speed for a guy his size. He reestablished his place as the best between-the-tackles senior RB heading into the 2010 DRAFT. That’s quite a comeback from ‘suspended indefinitely’ in September.

SEAN CANFIELD/QB    Despite some nice practice attributes, like an accurate arm and throwing a very catchable ball, he reverted to some of his old bad habits on game day. Once the pressure began to collapse the pocket he displayed panic and poor decision making. He single handedly kept the South in the game with two weak throws for INTs. It was also clear at game speed that he has below average arm strength for the pro game. CBs can sit on his throws and bait him into making throws that he cannot zip past them. He is a late round selection for a team that has to bring in a new face at QB for their Training Camp... nothing more.

A.J. EDDS/OLB    It’s always impressive (to me) when a player shows in  game situations exactly what you saw from him in practices. THat was the story of A. J. EDDS this past week in Mobile. he is not a tackling machine, and pass rushing is not his forte. He is a marvelous player is space, both against the run and the pass. He had two open field tackles. He recovered a fumble. And he picked off a pass during his time of the field Saturday. Mark him down as a Wil-LB in a 4-3 pro defense, and figure he goes no later than Round 3 after today’s performance.

MARDY GILYARD/WR     GILYARD had a mediocre week of practice, at best, but he showed up huge on game day. This will be a concern to NFL coaching staffs who need players to go all out during practice, but his talent was obvious in the game where he piled up 179 total yards and scored a TD. His speed, explosiveness and propensity to make big plays will play well in NFL film rooms. I think he currently ranks as the best Senior WR/RS in the 2010 DRAFT class. Whether or not that translates into a Round 1 selection will remain to be seen. if it doesn’t his practice habits may end up being his downfall.

SELVISH CAPERS/OT    It was clear all week that CAPERS is a much better athlete than a football player at this point in his football career. And things did not get any better for him during the game. he definitely needs to gain a few pounds and a lot of strength. Even though he has quick feet and overall athleticism he gets pushed around and man handled by stronger, more polished DL. He’ll need to be in a West Coast scheme and may need at least a year of learning and weight room time.

KOA MISI/OLB    There may be no one down here who helped himself more this week in terms of DRAFT status than MISI. The former DE at Utah, stood up at OLB starting in practice on Monday and looked like he had played there his entire career. He carried his practice momentum into the game. He was in on 6 tackles, and forced a fumble. He failed to record a sack, but did record a TFL. More importantly, he looked natural in dropping off into pass coverage. No one moved further up Draft Lists this week than MISI.

JARED ODRICK/DT    The most impressive DL this week was ODRICK. His combination of size and athleticism is just exceptional. His 1 tackle in the game doesn’t look impressive, but he was constantly collapsing the pocket and forcing bad throws from South QBs. He as also key to stuffing the South running game between the tackles. The South averaged 1.2-yards /carry on 26 rushing attempts forcing them to go to the air 40 times, with modest results. He cemented himself as a Round One selection on Saturday in my opinion.

DAN LeFEVOUR/QB    JIM SCHWARTZ apparently saved the best for last by making LeFEVOUR his final QB to enter the game. What DAN showed was the ability to move an offense with his decision making, accurate passing and his legs. Even on a fumbled snap from Center he was able to recover the ball and run it into the end zone for a TD. After an initial 3rd Quarter possession at QB ended in a Punt, he followed up by leading the North of three consecutive scoring drives, for 17 of the team’s 31 total points. This guy should be fighting for a starting QB job by his third year in the League.

    Possible First Rounders coming out of SENIOR BOWL WEEK:

TAYLOR MAYS/S/USC

TERENCE CODY/NT/ALABAMA

SEAN WEATHERSPOON/LB/MISSOURI

DAN WILLIAMS/DT/TENNESSEE

GEROGE SELVIE/E/LB/SOUTH FLORIDA

MARDY GILYARD/WR/RS/CINCINNATI

MIKE IUPATI/G/T/IDAHO

JARED ODRICK/DT/PENN STATE

PERRISH COX/CB/RS/OKLAHOMA STATE

KYLE WILSON/CB/RS/BOISE STATE

    A couple of these players are a reach, but I tend to subscribe to the SCOTT WRIGHT theory that the Senior Bowl always has about 10 guys selected in Round 1, when all is said and done. it’s a reach this year, but ...

   

    Obviously, there is a story for every player who was in Mobile this week. And you can count on me writing more over the next few weeks about what we learned down here this week. I ‘ll be back in Wisconsin by Monday night... I hope. I will begin watching the video tape of the game to get a closer look at more players.

    In the meantime let me bid another fond farewell to Mobile, Alabama. I’ve been here every January for over a decade now, and I still look forward to, and enjoy my stay every single year. Thanks to Steve, Kevin, Chris, Jane and everyone associated with the game for their support of the Media in their reporting efforts every year. And a special thanks this year to Mobile Chamber of Commerce for the great weather we had covering the practices from Monday to Thursday. It was the best week of sun and relative warmth that I have experienced during this decade.

    Good night and goodbye Mobile. See you next year.

01/29/10        This is the lull day for players and Coaches in Mobile. Light walk-throughs actually take a back seat to the Meet The Players event (open to the public) scheduled for this afternoon at 3:00 PM. The autograph seekers are already here in force, some showing up as early as 7AM this morning. What a surprise... there seems to be a preponderance of FLORIDA jerseys amongst the early arrivals.

    I thought I’d kick off today’s notes with my list of players, by position, who should leave this event with the highest Draft grade at their positions. This could obviously change if several players have an outstanding game Saturday afternoon. WE’ll talk more about that concept later on.

QB    DAN LeFEVOUR/CENTRAL MICHIGAN    Even though he admitted some difficulty with taking the snaps under Center, and dropping back with his back to the D, he showed the best overall skill set this week. His mechanics were better than many thought, and he showed the arm to make all the throws required in the NFL. His accuracy was well above average and he seemed to see the field quite well, making sound decisions on who to throw to much of the time.

RB    BEN TATE/AUBURN

Though it’s hard to get a great read on RBs in practice alone TATE looked to be the whole package this week. He has good burst and power. he showed very good hands catching the ball when needed. He also blocked quite effectively in pass-pro. He showed as the best all-around RB in Mobile this week to my eyes.

WR    ANDRE ROBERTS/CITADEL

I never saw this young man drop a ball this entire week of practices. He is very quick and has a knack for getting separation, as well as sitting down in an empty space. He show quickness and elusiveness after the catch gaining extra yards over and over again. We’ll have to wait on his straight line speed until the COMBINE, but e was the most impactful WR here this week.

TE    ANTHONY McCOY/USC

This is the case of a player doing nothing spectacular in the past 4 days, but being able to do everything that was asked of him. Steady and versatile would the words I would use watching him work out this week. He can catch and he can block. My guess is he will validate this selection with his play during the game.

OT    CIRON BLACK/LSU

This is a backhanded compliment because the OT group was not real strong here this week, and the QBs may pay the price on game day. But BALCK  held his own all week. BLACK just did his job and was not embarrassed very often by a strong group of DL. His forte is using his power in the run game, and he looked like he has lost a couple of pounds since the end of the college season. Which is a good thing. He’s a  Round 3 RT, and that’s the best we can do at the OT group here this year. DUCASSE will be drafted before BLACK, but BLACK is more ready to play for a power running team in the NFL right away.

OG    TIE    MIKE IUPATI/IDAHO        JOHN JERRY/OLE MISS

Mike has ben impressive both on and off the field, and his potential seems unlimited. He took some snaps at both Tackle positions and got better at it each day. He has solidified a spot as a First Rounder with his appearance here. JERRY switched inside after being exclusively an OT for Ole Miss last year. He looks natural inside where his footwork flaws do not show up as much. He is a mauler inside and some of us think members of the DOLPHINS staff have indeed developed a crush on the guy.

OC    MATT TENNANT/BOSTON COLLEGE

As I expected the BC Eagle came in as the most fundamentally sound OC on the roster. He is undersized, but does not play like it. He has the quick feet of an agile OT. He sticks his nose in on run blocking, but really excels in the passing game. He could make his mark in the NFL anchoring a line for a passing Offense.

DE   GEORGE SELVIE/SOUTH FLORIDA

Even though i still see him standing up in an NFL 3-4 Defensive scheme he really put on a show this week. His forte was using his quickness and spin moves to generate pass-rush. He blew by more than a few OT during drills. He sticks his nose in some, but pass-rush and pursuit are his strengths.

DT    JARED ODRICK/PENN STATE

The DL was one of the most talented groups down here this year. But it wasn’t even a contest as which DL displayed the most talent and productivity. ODRICK did everything asked of him, and did it well. He is an amazing physical specimen with a very high motor. I like him best as a DE prospect on a 3-4 scheme, but have no doubt he could handle a 4-3 DT position well in the League as well.

MLB    DONALD BUTLER/WASHINGTON

BTLER may have helped himself this week more than any other player down here. He was a ‘guy’ just filling a roster spot to most of us when the week began, but he went out every day and did his job. He fills well, has decent pursuit range and quietly handles his assignments. He became Draftable in Mobile this week.

OLB    DARRYL WASHINGTON/TCU   

WE can debate all we want how he fits in the NFL at only 226 lbs., but what cannot be debated is his athleticism and productivity out on the field. he played like a heat-seeing missile this week. He is assignment sure, and quick to respond to the ball in game action situations. I look for him to turn some heads again in the game.

CB        PERISH COX/OKLAHOMA STATE   

Every day it became clearer that COX was the best, and most complete CB in Mobile this week. he is fast and quick. He is very confident and is a play maker. I think he has 3 or 4 INTs during scrimmages (11-on-11) for his week’s work. he is fluid in his hip turn. I saw him bait QBs into throws by laying back off the receiver, because he knew he could jump the throws. He cemented his First Round status with his work this week.

S        MYRON ROLLE/FLORIDA STATE

For a guy who was in school in England not on the football field last fall ROLLE had an amazing week. He seems to have regained his enthusiasm for the game and I think has looked better than during his 2008 season as a Seminole. He is lighter and faster than when we last saw him play. He sees the whole field from his S slot and can cover a very large area. I felt he would be a curiosity this week, but he has been an exceptional football player instead.

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    Before I pack the laptop away I want to comment on the importance of the actual Senior Bowl Football Game tomorrow. I totally disagree with those who say it is purely an exhibition and the players have already done their real work this week. The game of football is still played on the field, with full pads and for the purpose of determining which team of players is better on game day. There will be players who were invisible during practice week who will shine in actual game action. Other who looked good in drills, will not get the job done when the score is being kept. The game counts and all the NFL Personnel People constantly remind themselves not to fall too deeply in love with players and what they do in shorts versus pads.

01/28/10    So have you had enough of the daily practice reports. Quite frankly I have. And i know every other Draft Site is doing it each day... so why be repetitive. Let’s take a look at possible players of interest, in this game, to the packers since I am based out of Wisconsin. I’ll break it down by Round. I am limiting this to players here at the game. Obviously, they will actually draft from the entire eligible talent pool.  Their interest would obviously change once picking a player at a certain position.

                ROUND 1

MIKE IUPATI/G/T/IDAHO

PERRISH COX/CB/RS/OKLAHOMA STATE

JARED ODRICK/DE/PENN STATE

               ROUND 2

ANTHONY McCOY/TE/USC

BRANDON GHEE/CB/WAKE FOREST

JAVIER ARENAS/CB/RS/ALABAMA

            ROUND 3

ANDRE ROBERTS/WR/RS/CITADEL

ALEX CARRINGTON/DE/ARKANSAS STATE

JACOBY FORD/WR/RS/CLEMSON

        ROUND 4

MICHAEL HOOMANAWANUI/TE/ILLINOIS

ED WANG/OT/VIRGINIA TECH

COLIN PEEK/TE/ALABAMA

        ROUND 5

ZOLTAN MESKO/P/MICHIGAN

        Also please remember this is my opinion and is not based on any inside info from talking to or watching the PACKERS Personnel People down in Mobile this week.

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    I think ti might also be of interest to many of you to share some comments from the Press Conferences this week.

    TONY SPARANO has mentioned on two straight nights that he considers the TE position to be the hardest position to play after QB in the NFL today. He sights the multiple uses and responsibilities of the TE these days. They are blockers and receivers. They are asked to shift into the backfield. Many play specific roles on Special Teams.

   SPARANO has also been supportive of TIM TEBOW’s work this week. He has stated multiple times that TEBOW has gotten better every day, and is a quick learner. He feels TEBOW only has to be instructed once on a point of emphasis before he assimilates the instruction.

    JIM SCHWARTZ thinks that MIKE IUPATI has better looking hair than TROY POLAMALU, and may push TROP for those shampoo ads once in the League.

    BRANDON GRAHAM is totally prepared to make the switch to OLB in the NFL. He also made note that former teammate LAMARR WOODLEY taught him all he could about pass-rush technique before leaving Michigan.

    ZAC ROBINSON/QB/Oklahoma State feels that suspended teammate DEZ BRYANT will be an outstanding pro because of his athleticism and dedication to the game of football.

    ROBINSON also acknowledged that he and JARRETT BROWN have been reminded several times by their coaches this week to wait their turn and not to be overwhelmed by the TEBOW phenomenon swirling around them.

    KIRBY WILSON  says he has had multiple conversations with new teammate LaGARRETTE BLOUNT and all is forgiven and forgotten from the September incident in Boise.

    DAN LeFEVOUR admitted that the biggest challenge this week has been taking the snap directly from Center and then dropping back with his back to the defense. But he thinks he has progressed pretty well.

    One year footballer  JIMMY GRAHAM/TE says his favorite spot originally was football, but his junior HS didn’t have a football team, so he took up basketball. He has really enjoyed football because he likes the violent outlet. he says he holds the Hurricanes’ record for games fouled out of during his B-ball career.

    SPARANO currently sees MT. CODY as a 2-down player because he is one-dimensional as a run stopper. But he quickly added how essential and special a player that big is to a 3-4 NFL Defensive Scheme.

    SEAN WEATHERSPOON admitted his senior season was not his best at Mizzou, and that was in good part because he got careless in his eating habits and played most of the season at a career high 251 lbs., ten above his current weight.

    COLIN PEEK told me personally that  former GA TECH WR/DEMARYIUS THOMAS is only slightly less gifted than CALVIN JOHNSON, and will be dynamite as a Pro.

    COACH SCHWARTZ stated emphatically that JACOBY FORD is short, but not small. he says he is surprisingly strong and battles well with DBs for the ball.

    SCHWARTZ also expressed strong interest in the size/speed ratio exhibited by CB/CHRIS COOK. He sees the necessary footwork from COOK, despite his size, that should allow him to play CB in the NFL.

    SPARANO specifically acknowledged that he has reminded his staff on several occasions they cannot fall in love with a Prospect here to the exclusion of hundreds of players that they do not get this chance to get as close to.

    When asked today by a young media member what to expect at the Friday walk-through SCHWARTZ looked at him and said incredulously, ‘You’re going to the Friday walk-through?! I don’t even want to go.’

01/27/10    We’ve reached mid-week and quite honestly I am beginning to feel the onset of brain drain. I’ve looked at just over 200 players running around for about 10 hours live, and the longer i look the more many of these guys look about the same. That should give you a bit of an idea how difficult this talent sorting process is for NFL Personnel People. I know i have come to appreciate what a tough task it is to watch all these talented guys and sort it out.

    Since there are so many of us down here pretty much ding the same thing with our practice reports i thought I would start with a different tact tonight. I’m going to give you thumbnails of 7 players who are far from household names to many of you and tell you what they have done to help themselves down here with their work so far. Here they are in alphabetical order:

ALEX CARRINGTON/DE/ARKANSAS STATE    6’5/285

CARRINGTON has been impressive from the moment he walked up on stage and was weighed and measured on Monday. His body is almost the prototype for a 4’3 DE. And he has gained serious momentum with his on-field performance as well. He is strong, and uses his arms and hands well to handle and fend off OL. He gets good push in his pass-rush and is solid holding the line of scrimmage against the run. He seems to be accepting coaching well and is showing improvement each day. He was well thought of going into the 2009 college season, but as Arkansas State struggles to win he got lost in the publicity shuffle. he is doing a very nice job of getting back on the radar in Mobile.

MIKE IUPATI/G/T/IDAHO        6’5/325

I cannot begin to tell you how impressive this man-child has been in every phase of the process so far. He is big, strong and incredibly athletic. He came in as one of the top rated OG for the 2010 DRAFT. But from the moment he wowed us with his muscular, powerful body on Monday everything has been positive for Mike. He has seen some snaps at both OT slots and gets better every day. He is a soft-spoken, humble, but proud warrior of Samoan blood. And according to Coach JIM SCHWARTZ he has even better hair than TROY POLAMALU. He is winning friends and fans down here every day. And I feel comfortable saying he will make a high value player in the middle of the First Round. He will succeed and play in the NFL for a long time... trust me.

TED LARSEN/OC/N C STATE        6’2/302

LARSEN is a tough, hard nosed, old fashioned football player. He has an ideal temperament for an OC. His athleticism is adequate, but nothing special. His size is marginal, but acceptable for his position. He has been a frustrating, pain-in-the-ass opponent for members of the South DL whether in drills or scrimmages. He will grab, hold, trip... whatever it takes to carry out his blocking assignment, or protect the QB. He should be a late round selection come April, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him win a starting job somewhere within a couple of years once in the NFL.

DONALD MILLER/MLB/WASHINGTON        6’1/244

Let’s be honest here... there is no way MILLER was on the initial invite list to this game. He was buried pretty far down everyone’s ILB prospect lists eat the beginning of last season. But obviously this was another guy who benefitted greatly from the Coaching changes at Washington. He has been active and productive in every practice thus far. He isn’t flashy, but he gets in on more than his share of plays. He also looks like he will be a solid player on Special Teams. By coming to Mobile and showing his stuff MILLER has moved his stock up to Draftable in 3 days.

LONYAE MILLER/RB/FRESNO STATE        5’11/220

Teams can only put players out on the field 11 guys at a time. MILLER got stacked up behind a guy named RYAN MATHEWS and didn’t get many carries at Fresno. But many scouts thought he was a pretty talented RB. He was also invited to the Shrine Game this year. It is hard to judge RBs in practice, but it has been easy to see that MILLER has quickness and speed, along with his solid frame. He has gotten to, and around, the corner several times in scrimmages this week. He has also shown some ability to run through defenders between the tackles. If he looks as good in the game as he has in practice then he may take a serious jump up the RB list.

KOA MISI/OLB/UTAH            6’3/244

MISI is another of the players who is undergoing a position change here, having spent most of his time in a down DE slot at Utah last season. You would never know it from his performance so far this week in Mobile. He has a solid, muscular body and displays good pursuit speed and strength. He has been very quick to come up in run support, as well as providing some pass-rush pressure. We’ll find out more about his cover skills in game action, but overall he has not looked like a player struggling to learn a new position. He has been an attacking defensive force, who looks very comfortable as an OLB. He looks to have solid NFL potential and may be even more effective in a 3-4 scheme.

JOE WEBB/WR/UAB            6’3/223

Many felt he got an invite to the game only because of his Alabama football ties. That played a part, but it is clear that he has the physical tools and size to compete for an NFL job. He has had mixed results this week and dropped some balls despite his large, soft hands. But it has also been obvious that he is improving every day, which is always the goal for players moving to the next level, and/or a new position. There is a long road ahead of him in his efforts to gain a place in the 2010 NFL DRAFT, but he has shown the coaches enough already for them to feel pretty good about his prospects ongoing after Mobile.

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01/26/10        Tuesday is over and we are still in the process of sorting out the wheat from the chaff as it were. Of course that sorting out petty much came before the selection took place of the current group of players. Except for a handful of roster fillers everyone in pads has a great chance to make it in the NFL. What we are really trying to do in the Media is place some order and ranking to the value of these guys. It was sunny and warm all day (again) which really makes it fun this year.

    The day started badly/sadly for yours truly. Having gone to bed without reading the sports news out on the internet, it was not until this morning that I learned of the catastrophic knee injury suffered by O’BRIEN SCHOFIELD/LB/DE/WISCONSIN in he North afternoon practice on Monday. SCHOFIELD had a good week last week in the Shrine Game and now he probably will miss the 2010 NFL season with a torn ACL.

                NORTH PRACTICE        TUESDAY AM

Let me give you my observations of players that I watched who made an impression on me.

JARED ODRICK/DL   He’s probably the best all-around DL for the North, with a great combination of size, athleticism & effort. He will play inside this week because there is a paucity of 300 lb. DL here for the North. He is very long when you combine his height and arm length. He looked good in both drills and scrimmage. he looks like a solid late First Rounder.

DAN LeFEVOUR/QB    He is the best QB down here based on a combination of mechanics, athleticism and throwing ability. he missed a few receivers, but not by much when they ran the right pattern. He looked to be reading nicely through his progressions in the 7-on-7, and the 11-on-11 today. he throws a very catchable ball, but can burn in the fastball when needed. he’s making good progress, and QB Coach MARC TRESTMAN is happy with his work.

DANARIO ALEXANDER/WR    The long, lanky receiver can really generate separation with his long strides, but he is messing up some of his routes, and dropped a couple of very catchable throws this morning. I think his lack of playing experience at Missouri behind MACLIN is showing this week. Unless he catches fire Wednesday he’s going to outside of my TOP 100, and looking in.

SEAN CANFIELD/QB      The ex-Beaver looks incredibly smooth in the pocket, and throws nice tight spirals that are very receiver friendly. He seems to see the field well and puts the ball where he wants to with good timing. He has a wonderfully smooth throwing motion... the best here. But before I anoint him as a TOP 100 guy I want to see him in game action. It seems to me that his game fell apart during the college season whenever he got hit with consistency in the pocket.

BRANDON GRAHAM/DE     GRAHAM exhibited quick feet and great explosion today... again. The only real question on this young man is where he will play at the professional level. He can get caught up in the traffic when run at. He stated at tonight’s Press Conference that he has played LB most of his football career, and he learned how to pass-rush from former teammate LAMARR WOODLEY. WOODLEY made the transition from college DE to OLB with the STEELERS which bodes well for GRAHAM.

1. A.J. EDDS/OLB        EDDS continues to display very flexible hips in his pass drops, and that uncanny ability to see the pass
   

plays unfold before him. He is not a pass rusher, but can hold his own against the run. He looks like he can play the pass better than some of the S prospects down here. Pro Personnel people don’t see many players with his cover skills coming out of college, and he is getting a lot of scrutiny this week.

MARK TENNANT/OC        TENNANT has been very impressive centering the OL so far. He looks like a tough kid who does not back down, and will mix it up as needed. He is a bit light in the pants at 290, but he makes up for the lack of bulk with his technique and tenacity. He got beaten a couple of times in pass-pro drills, but came right back to win the next match-up. This  guy is looking like someone who goes in the mid-rounds of the DRAFT and ends up as a starter early in his career.

JOIQUE BELL/RB    BELL broke loose on a couple of long runs during 11-on-11 work today. The short, but stout D2 player appears to have good strength, burst and open field speed. In a year with a paucity of top RB Prospects BELL could really move up Draft Boards if he shows well the rest of this week, including the game.

SEAN WEATHERSPOON/LB    SPOON is undertaking a significant position change this week. He is running as the first team MLB after spending his career on the outside with MIZZOU. He still looks a half-step slow in his pursuit, and a bit tightly wound right now. Perhaps the move inside has been proposed by NFL scouts as a way to boost his NFL stock and potential.

SETH OLSEN/OG/C        The former Golden Domer is showing the versatility and toughness that marked his solid career in South Bend. He’s not going to win any beauty contests for his play or style, but he will battle until the whistle. he has seen time already at all three inside OL positions. he’s already a better prospect in my eyes than VIKINGS starting OC JOHN SULLIVAN, who preceded OLSEN here in Mobile.

CAM THOMAS/DT    After keeping an eye peeled on THOMAS all day today I have a very good feeling about his NFL future. He is a big strong guy, who gets good leverage and even has an inside spin move. Bt what has caught my attention is his infectious spirit and enthusiasm for the game. He shows high energy, and is a real rah-rah guy with his teammates. Keep an eye on this guy in the game on Saturday.

LARRY ASANTE/S       The week is still young and there is time to improve, but at this point the scouting reports coming into this game on ASANTE appear pretty accurate. He likes to hit and looks for action. he may be the kind of player who is able to force some big turnovers with his hard hits. But he also looks a bit slow to react to the ball and help in deep coverage. he was hoping to prove he had decent cover skills, but I haven’t sen that yet.

    My eyes got tired, and I ran out of time to analyze any more players at the North practice.

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           SOUTH PRACTICE        TUESDAY PM

DEXTER McCLUSTER/RB    The Mighty-Mite from Oxford is up to his old tricks again this week. Despite not having the normal size of an NFL RB (by any normal standing) he continues to elude and outrun defenders almost every time he touches the ball. He should see the ball this week as a receiver, RB and Punt Returner. DEXTER is a big play just waiting to happen whenever he touches the ball. He also displayed his sense of humor at tonight's Press conference when I talked him into an Ole Miss Hoddy-Toddy cheer for those of us present.

ZAC ROBINSON/QB    TEBW fever not withstanding, ZAC has the best overall passing mechanics of the South QBs. He holds the ball high and tight while surveying the field, and has a nice smooth and rhythmic throwing motion. Though his arm strength is not the equal of either of his teammates, he is finding the pen receiver most often and delivering strikes the vast majority of the time.

ANDRE ROBERTS/WR            This late addition to the South receiving corps is quietly making a statement that he belongs in this game, and indeed may be one of the best WR down here. MATT B. and I are in agreement that we haven’t seen him drop a ball yet that was within his reach. He also looks quick and elusive after the catch. He could really move up Draft Boards if he has a solid game this Saturday.

GEORGE SELVIE/DE        SELVIE had a disappointing senior season after being recognized as one of the nation’s premier college pass-rushers in 2008. He has looked like his old self down here the past few days. He has consistently gotten into the backfield to collapse the pocket, and made some nice plays in run pursuit. His weight of 247 was a nice surprise on Monday morning. He could be pushing his way back up into the First Round.

ERIC NORWOOD/OLB        I have been standing alone in my support of NORWOOD as a potential First Rounder this year. The converted DE shows great strength, and a strong pass-rush. He looked very solid in his pass drops this afternoon. He is also instinctive and aggressive in coming up into run support. I like his look as roams the field delivering some solid blows to runners and receivers alike.

TIM TEBOW/QB        So let’s try to cut through a little bit of the Bull-Shit surrounding the play of MR. TEBOW so far. He is a hard worker and a positive influence on his team. He still shows the flaws of a flat and extended wind-up on his passing motion. His accuracy is erratic. His arm is very strong. He is having some problems taking the snap under Center. Coach TONY SPARANO stated tonight that TEBOW has demonstrated the ability to quickly grasp anything they ask him to adjust in his play. Now watch him take over the game on Saturday.

JOHN JERRY/OG    I am pleased to see JARRY taking the bulk of his snaps inside at OG, and impressed with what I see him doing in there. He goes from being a bit slow at RT, to being a powerful inside force with good feet and the mobility to pull. This is a positive move with good results so far.

COLIN PEEK/TE        This young man caught my early in the season as a very nice combination of a blocking/receiving TE. I’ve not changes my mind with what he has done so far. He looks like a willing and effective blocker. He also shows the ability to find holes in he zone and get open for his QB. He also has demonstrated very reliable hands.

STAFON JOHNSON/RB    After seeming a bit tentative Monday in his first action since crushing his larynx in a lifting accident last fall, JOHNSON picked up the pace today. He looked more aggressive and decisive. He looked like a  natural hands catcher as a pass receiver. I think he will look better and better as the week moves on.

PERRISH COX/CB        The most impressive and consistent CB on the South squad looks to be COX right now. He shows a very good combination of closing speed and ball awareness. His size and flexibility allow him to challenge receivers for the ball. he has also shown a willingness to attack the line of scrimmage.

MATT DODGE/P        There is good news and bad news on DODGE. He boomed several balls more than 50-yards, with hang times on my watch of over 5 seconds. The bad news is that for every one of those he literally shanked some 30-yarders that stayed in the air barely over 3 seconds. In a word he is disappointingly... inconsistent.

                                                    ------------------------------

    A very interesting Press Conference this evening . Coach SCHWARTZ was polite, but basically elusive or obscure in most of his responses.

    Conversely, TONY SPARANO was effusive, loquacious and seemed willing to talk all night. He was finally spirited  away because he was late for a Coaches meeting he had scheduled. He was fairly candid, and humorous at times. I don’t recall that he dodged any questions. This guy could be fun. I like his straightforward approach to conversation.

    This is the kind of fun we had with GRUDEN and NOLAN in recent years past.

Monday, Jan 25

We are under way down here with bright sunny skies (for now), rosters in hand and the Weigh-In (meat market) all concluded before noon. It was clear again this morning why we got no rosters last night. The Staff was hard at work filling rosters spots for the annual half-dozen or so last minute no-shows.

    The biggest names bowing out were:

    JERRY HUGHES/DE/LB/TCU I almost get this one because most of us feel he will have to stand up at OLB in her pros, and be a better fit in a 3-4 scheme, where his pass-rush skills can be put to best use. Since the All-Star Games confine themselves to 4-3 schemes it increases the learning curve for a guy like HUGHES down here. Or he plays DE and gets run over all day long.

    BRANDON LaFELL/WR/LSU    Bad move, bad advice. BRANDON had a solid senior season, but nothing spectacular. he could have used this game to show he has the size, hands and separation ability to excel at the pro level.

    TRENT WILLIAMS/OT/OKLAHOMA    2009 was his year to shine for the Sooners as the most talented, and only returning OL starter. he did not do that. he looked lazy and slow footed at times in ’09. He was even moved to OC for their Bowl Game. For a player touted as a potential TOP 12 PIck going into last season, he needed to come compete with the best. Now it looks like he is hiding until the COMBINE.

    CHARLES BROWN/OT/USC        BROWN’s name was absent from this morning’s roster. That is a big surprise because Trojans have been very willing to play in Mobile during the CARROLL regime. BROWN has been moving up DRAFT BOARDS this winter and had a chance to move up even more down here. I am waiting to find out whether his absence is injury related.

    CHARLES SCOTT/RB/LSU    SCOTT did not pass his physical based on shoulder X-Rays. he stuck around for the weigh-in, and was a very solid 5‘113”, and a non-flabby 239 lbs. I do not expect him to put on the pads because of that shoulder.

    Unless there is an injury involved I guys not showing up here are missing an opportunity to open some eyes and compete against the highest level of fellow Draft Class players. Their experience working under NFL coaching staffs also provides them with first hand experience as to what to expect going forward. Even if they struggle here they have a chance to redeem themselves at the COMBINE or Pro Days. Stop hiding guys... tell your Agents you want to play football.

                                        -----------------------------------------------

    As usual there were also some names of players filling in for the missing who I saw in Orlando last week. Here is the current list of SHRINE GAME participants who have made their way over to Mobile.

CHRIS SCOTT/OT/TENNESSEE

MIKE NEAL/DT/PURDUE

O’BRIEN SCHOFIELD/E/OLB/WISCONSIN

                            THE WEIGH-IN

    I’m not going to even attempt to give you all the details of today’s process. I am sure COLIN & SCOTT will be posting complete lists of the players’ numbers before we even get to the afternoon practices. But I will point out some tidbits that ay be of interest to many of you.

TERRENCE CODY/DT/ALABAMA  6’4”    370 lbs.

SCOTT WRIGHT had the over/under set at 365. At the last minute I took the over because everyone else had the under. I won... CODY lost. THat kind of weight will move him out of Round 1 folks. He had the worst body i have seen since his former teammate ANDRE SMITH last year. he is a good kid (by all accounts) and game changer, but he has got to get into some semblance of football shape to stay out on the field long enough to have an impact in the pro game. he has a lot of work to do at someone’s Performance Camp.

JIMMY GRAHAM/TE/MIAMI (F)    6‘063”    259 lbs.    34 3/4” arms/10 5/8” hands

No surprise that the ex-basketballer for the Hurricanes was a physical specimen. He had the second largest hands here, and that can be pretty important for a pass-catcher. His were also the longest arms measured this morning. He is a project because of inexperience, but I can guarantee you that a lot of Personnel People are remembering that missed on ANTONIO GATES coming out of college with a Basketball pedigree.

CHRIS COOK/CB/VIRGINIA        6‘016”    212 lbs.    32” arms/9 3/8” hands

Very seldom do you see a CB with any of his measurables. Yet that is what he played during his on-and-off career with Virginia. Scouts will be anxious to see what a guy wIth his numbers can do in coverage drills against the WR corps in this game. he has a real chance to move himself up the Draft Boards with his work here, and then his numbers at the COMBINE.

MYRON ROLLE/S/FLORIDA STATE        6‘014”    217 lbs.   

The RHODES Scholar is sending out strong signals (primarily through his dad) that he is quite serious about an NFL career. Looking at his defined and muscled body it was also clear that he was lifting more than books while studying in England the past year. he looked strong, lean and fit on the stage this morning. To my knowledge he is at a Performance Camp and trying to get back into the swing of things a football player. He will get a hall-pass card down here as long as he shows some good signs once the practices start.

MIKE IUPATI/OL/IDAHO        6‘052”      325 lbs.    35” arms/10 3/8” hands

Looking at this young man with a powerful, toned body and his numbers, the first thing that popped into my head was that we might have a case of an interior OL who could make the switch outside to the bigger buck OT position. We’ll have to see how he moves his feet, but the numbers above are all more reminiscent of the outside slot. His size and those long arms speak well for the possible position transition.

GARRETT GRAHAM/TE/WISCONSIN    6‘031”    234 lbs.        30 3/4” arms/9 3/8” hands

For a guy who came out of 2009 as being one of the better all-around TE prospects GRAHAM’s numbers are concerning. His height at just over 6’3 is no shock, but his weight of only 234 lbs. is a long way from the 250 estimate most of us have been using to date. He certainly is likely to be “blocking-challenged” in the NFL at his current weight. His hand size is good for a receiver, but for his height those are short arm measurements. I will be watching closely for his blocking and reach for high throws.

JARED ODRICK/DL/PENN STATE        6‘051”    301 lbs.        34 1/4” arms/9 3/4” hands

ODRICK has been rising up most Draft lists the past few months, and his appearance at the weigh-in did nothing to slow down that momentum. He was solid, if not ripped, and looked anything but bulked up. His frame and muscle tone reinforced this writer’s opinion that he is almost the ideal specimen for a 3-4 DE spot along the lines of AARON SMITH/STEELERS. His 34”+ arms should make him a ‘long’ player in obscuring passing lane vision and tipping throws.

PATRICK ROBINSON/CB/FLORIDA STATE        5‘111”      190 lbs.        30 1/2” arms/8 1/2” hands 

For those familiar with the Seminoles program there were concerns about what ROBINSON’s height might be. FSU has been notorious for padding the measurements of their players. In this case having ROBINSON measure a full 5’11” is a major positive. His speed and cover skills are amongst the top in this year’s CB corps.

TONY PIKE/QB/CINCINNATI        6‘055”    212 lbs.

I certainly understood that PIKE was a long, lean QB, but when he paraded to the stage I thought more of a stick figure, than a football player. 212 lbs. is incredibly light for an almost 6’6 football player, no matter what position he plays. PIKE needs to put in some serious time with a nutritionist, and a weight trainer. I would seriously be concerned that he could be broken in pieces playing against the men in the NFL. His frame gave no evidence at all of a developed musculature.

CHARLES SCOTT/RB/LSU        5‘113”    239 lbs.    32 1/2” arms/9 7/8” hands

I was impressed that SCOTT stuck around for the weigh-in even though his shoulder is not ready for him to return to contact yet. I was impressed with his stout, but solid body when he strode to the podium. My jaw dropped when he tipped the scales. He carries that weight very well and looks solid and thick. I can see this guy, in this body doing some effective between-the-tackles running as a second RB on an NFL roster.

AUSTEN LANE/DE/MURRAY STATE        6’6”    267 lbs.        33 3/4” arms/10” hands

The small school, late addition to the game is an intriguing relatively obscure prospect with legit NFL potential. If you read across and consider all four measurements taken this morning you see an almost ideal combination of numbers that one would attribute to a pass-rush DE in a 4-3 NFL defensive scheme. And his frame looks well suited to accommodating another 10 lbs. of muscle. The weigh-in alone has made his appearance here well worth his trip to Mobile.

ANTHONY DIXON/RB/MISSISSIPPI STATE    6‘006”    245 lbs        32 1/2” arms/10” hands

I was surprised at DIXON’s weight because he did not look bulky, and I had heard he had lost some weight last season to fit the new State coaching regime’s system... evidently not. His hand size would indicate he should be able to hang onto the rock, and perhaps be developed into a decent receiver if he can catch in space. We’ll have to see how quickly he gets into and through the hole this week to truly judge his pro potential.

                                            SOUTH  PRACTICE

    I chose to head down to Fairhope for the South practice, primarily because I am staying on this side of the bay. It took an inordinate amount of time to get to the stadium this time, and it was primarily due to the TEBOW factor. he as much a rock star as he is a QB down here. WWJD is almost turning into WWTD right in front of our eyes.

    And to add to the celebrity atmosphere SAINT NICK made a guest appearance (to thunderous fan applause) about half way through the practice session.

    I took a few scattered notes at the practice, but I put very little emphasis on what goes on today in shorts. This is a get acquainted practice between the players and the coaching staffs. The full pad action starts tomorrow for both teams. The practice week will peak on Wednesday when the players will be pushed to the max, and be encouraged to lay the wood, as it were.

   TIM TEBOW looked about like I expected. He showed decent footwork, and displayed plenty of arm strength. His accuracy and the timing of some throws was pretty marginal, although that could be said of all 3 South QBs. He also displayed the enthusiasm and leadership he has become noted for. He was first in line on most drills and showed good effort throughout. I will be very curious to see how he responds to pro coaching this week.

    I was impressed with the fluidity and quickness of MYRON ROLLE. He did not look like a man who has been out of football for almost a year. It is also apparent that the roughly 10 lbs. he lost at Performance Camp have helped him move around better. We’ll have to see how he looks in coverage and tackling people in earnest. He will be worth keeping a close eye on this week, based on what I saw today.

        Had some First Round Prospect speculation with SCOTT WRIGHT of Draft Countdown this afternoon. He still feels the Senior Bowl will produce about 10 First Rounders this year. I am a little skeptical that this number may be high, but historically he is right on. Here is out combined list of probable Round One Picks before the action kicks in.

TERRENCE CODY/NT  (JUST ME)

TAYLOR MAYS/S/LB      (BOTH)

PATRICK ROBINSON/CB    (BOTH)

TIM TEBOW/QB            (HIM)

DAN WILLIAMS/DT        (BOTH)

VLADIMIR DUCASSE/OT    (BOTH)

MIKE IUPATI/G/T            (BOTH)

JARED ODRICK/DL        (BOTH)

SEAN WEATHERSPOON/LB    (BOTH)

??????????

    Good night from Mobile. Back at you tomorrow.

           

01/23/10                OBSERVATIONS from ORLANDO

    I’ll start the day with an old saying that has been part of the logo for this game for decades; ‘Strong legs run, so that weak legs can walk.’ I wish we had a bigger paying house here because of the noble use for funds raised at these games, but maybe next year.

    No there are probably not any first rounders on the field today, but I’ll bet dollars to doughnuts that more than half of these players will be Drafted, with another third becoming RFA as NFL Training Camps roll around. And more still will find their way into the CFL. Checking through the game program today I found a breakdown showing  46 of last year’s players in this game were Drafted. Another 44 were Free gents in 2009 NFL Training Camps. I perceive this year’s game talent pool as being the equal of last season after watching 4 days of practices.

    First Quarter was pretty vanilla with stagnant offense and a few big plays by the D. O’BRIEN SCHOFIELD created the first turnover of the game intercepting an ill-conceived late throw across the middle of the field by MAX HALL. It may have been more good fortune than an excellent pass-drop, but whichever is the case he showed good athleticism and nice hands grabbing the throw.

    We’re only 10 minutes into the 2nd Quarter and I am already making statements in the press Box that it is easy to see why ROMEO CRENNEL is no longer a head Coach in the NFL. His game plan and play calling sequence are baffling at times. If the West can muster 17 points this game is theirs in a lock, unless there is a change of philosophy in the Easts offensive scheme.

        Time for DARRYL CLARK  to show that his dismal week of practice work is not reflective of his true overall worth. If he can’t then he has no chance of being selected in the April DRAFT. Amazingly (good for him) CLARK leads the East to 3 first downs and into FG range. This time SHENE takes a normal leg swing and connects from 44 yards to tie the game. The real star of the possession was actually KEATON KRISTICK/LB/OREGON STATE. He made some nice plays at the line of scrimmage and in the secondary. KRISTICK is capping off a very impressive week of work here today.

        Looking at a 6-3 halftime score should come as no surprise in an All-Star game, and particularly this one where the skill position talent (especially at QB) is marginal. it is enough of a challenge to install an Offense with a group of strangers after only 5 days of practice no mater what the talent level. It is nigh on impossible when your field generals are CLARK, KAFKA, SKELTON, REESING, HALL & NICHOLS. The running, mobile QBs have the best chance t be successful, but either side will need a ‘big play’ or a turnover deep in enemy territory to drive into the Red Zone. Point of fact, neither team actually got into the Red Zone in the first half.

    We have completed 3 Quarters of play and we still have not had an offense move the ball into the Red Zone. I am not sure I have ever seen this happen before. I am sure I do not want to see it ever again. The last East drive of the third quarter had some good plays, but the team fell victim to it’s own sudden penchant for penalties, incurring 3 on the possession.

    Just got my MVP ballot, which will be collected with 7 minutes to go in the game. I’ll vote with 7:30 to go. It is going to be a real challenge to select an Offensive Player.

    Add to the bag of tricks for O’BRIEN SCHOFIELD with nice coverage and a tackle on Punt coverage for the East.

    Alert to ROMEO and his staff with the return of QB/MAX HALL to the game in the 4th Quarter; Concentrate your coverage on DENNIS PITTA/TE who played pitch and catch with HALL at BYU!

    With a pass to his pal PITTA, HALL has his team in the Red Zone. That’s a first today. It’s also probably a last and should be good enough for the West victory.

    With pass interference call the East has it’s first Red Zone trip with 3:25 to play. KAFKA with another “lazy” throw, ending up in a deflected ball, the game realistically ends on a 4th down play.

    I voted for MAX HALL/QB/BYU as Offensive MVP of the game.

    I voted for GREG HARDY/DE/OLE MISS as the Defensive MVP of the game.

   

    And amazingly the EAST scores with 6 seconds left and apparently pulls out the game. KAFKA to QUARLESS with the TD pass in the middle of the End Zone. Final score 13-10.

    Good night from Orlando folks. I’ll be back at you Sunday night from Mobile with some more thoughts regarding the week down here, and some initial thoughts on the Senior Bowl.

01/22/10     How about if we lighten things up a bit with some tidbits, trivia and factoids related to the SHRINE GAME and the players in this year’s event.

    The only player from Badger Country, where I live, is O’BRIEN SCHOFIELD. He is making the tough transition from a down DE position to that of a stand-up OLB. He has shown flashes of his athleticism all week, but also shows he has way too much to think about at times.

    SCHOFIELD has two famous cousins presently playing in the NFL in VONNIE HOLIDAY/DE & BOBBY ENGRAM/WR/RS.

    Another note of slight interest to Wisconsin sports fans is that in case you though the name looked familiar NATHAN OVERBAY/TE/EAST WASHINGTON is indeed the nephew of former BREWERS First Baseman LYLE OVERBAY.

    WEST QB TODD REESING looks like a solid CFL or Arena League candidate, but not an potential NFL player. His lack of size and pro arm will keep him out of the league, though he was a great college QB at KANSAS.

    KERRY MEIER a member of the WR contingent for the West squad is the man from whom REESING took the QB job. He is a back-up receiver prospect for the NFL, and a potential Wildcat Package snap taker. When REESING won the job MEIER went to HC MANGINO and volunteered to change positions if it would help the team and get him on the field more. Seems as though things worked out pretty well for everyone involved. MEIER had 97 catches as a junior, and 102 as a senior.

    The SHRINE GAME is in its 85th year, which makes it the oldest of the All-Star games by more than twenty years over the Senior Bowl.

    Because the Shriners are an international organization they always invite players who have played their college careers at Canadian schools. This year the reps form the Great White North (with apologies to Colin @ GBN) are WR/JORDAN SISCO/REGINA & OL/MATT MORENCIE/WINDSOR.

   Speaking of Canada, the Canadian Football League is well represented at this venue (as usual) by Scouts and Personnel People. Because a third of the players here won’t be Drafted, or will be cut from NFL Training Camps, it is fertile ground for CFL teams to pick up solid US talent for their league.

    The SHRINE GAME continues to be a showcase for small school talent each year. In addition to the 2 Canadian players previously mentioned there are another 8 players on this year’s rosters who come from non-D1 programs.

    How about some tale-of-the-tape numbers for you based on the official weigh-in on Monday...

Of the 104 players scrutinized Monday morning 22 tipped the scales at 300 lbs. or more.

23 of the players were under 6’ tall.

Largest hands went to EARL MITCHELL @ 10 3/4”.

Longest arms belonged to LINDSEY WITTEN @ 34 5/8”.

Heaviest player was MARTIN TEVASEU @ 329 lbs.

Tallest player was USMA’s ALI VILLANUEVA @ 6’9”.

The smallest player overall (minus P/K) was CRHIS CHANCELLOR. He stood only 5’ 9 1/8” & weighed 171 lbs.

    Let’s flash back to MARTIN TEVASEU/DT/UNLV for a moment. I sat with his agent at lunch on Wednesday and he had some interesting comments about Martin. He came from Samoa to the states as a 200 lb. HS RB. At the beginning of his college career he weighed over 400 lbs. Through diet and training regimen changes the goal is have his weight at about 315 by the COMBINE at the end of February.

    Based on overall talent, which often means nothing in this kind of venue, I would expect the EAST team to win the game by double digits. They seem stronger at almost every position group. I give the coaching advantage, by a whisker, to the WEST under MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER and his staff.

01/21/10    Thursday of Shrine Week is in the books with the West afternoon practice ending a bit early because of a typical 15 minute Florida downpour.  Pigskin Paul bailed out early and sat in his car collating notes and calling in an ESPN radio report rather than getting wet.

        The WR groups for both squads are having a nice week down here. My second highest rated player in this game is WR/FREDDIE BROWN/BOWLING GREEN. And he has lived up to that ranking in my opinion with his work in Orlando. BROWN checked in Monday at straight up 6-feet tall, and packing 212 lbs. on that frame. He may not have blazing speed (we’ll find out for sure in Indy) but he is very quick in and out of his cuts and displays strong hands. He is also good at going up for jump balls or overthrown passes. He made a great catch at the end-line of the end zone right in front of me this morning. He got one foot down then tapped a heal before his butt landed out of bounds. As he asked if it was good, I raised my hands to indicate a TD catch, whether College or NFL rules. He was mightily pleased. He’s been making catches and breaking tackles all week long. He also seems to have an infectious influence on his teammates. I see him as a solid Round 3 Prospect, with the skills and talent to become a No. 2 receiver at the pro level.

        On the West squad a sleeper at the receiver spot is making more and more progress every practice; SEYI AJIROTUTU/FRESNO STATE. The last time I saw him in action he had a lackluster performance in Fresno’s Bowl loss. But this week he has been constantly getting separation from defenders and even when he doesn’t he catches the ball with a combination of strong hands and a willingness to take a hit from the defender. He is probably more quick than fast and seems to be running better patterns every day. He led the Bulldogs in receptions with 49, including 7TD, on a team that ran the ball almost twice as many times as they passed it. He should make a very nice developmental project for some team as a Round 5 or later selection. Watch for him in the game on Saturday.

    I want to make mention of one more WR from the East squad before I move on. The player who really caught my eye today was NAAMAN ROOSEVELT/WR/BUFFALO. He is bigger than I thought he was at 6’0 and 200 lbs. He is supposed to have average speed but every time I looked up today he had his defender beaten long. And that led to the receiving trait of his that really impressed me. He has that uncanny ability to find the ball thrown directly over his head and catch it cleanly in full stride. There are lots of receivers in the NFL that have extreme difficulty making that catch. This skill should make him an extremely useful and dangerous Red Zone threat. If he turns in a 4.4-40, or better, at INDY he could do some serious climbing on Draft Day 2010.

    Let’s switch gears here and talk about one of the Big Boys who has come out of nowhere this week in RODGER SAFFOLD/OL/INDIANA. The Hoosiers were an offensively inconsistent team most of the 2009 College season. Accordingly, SAFFOLD did not draw a great deal of attention for his efforts in the trenches. But he came to Orlando having started all 12 games for IU at LT in 2009, earning 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors. He has the size to either OT or OG. What has impressed me the most this week is competitive/combative personality. He’s not a dirty player, but he will fight back if pushed around. He has a feisty attitude and an aggressive style of play. My guess is that he is not a secret to any team after his work in Orlando this week.

    For me the hardest position players to get a feel for in practices are the RBs. Even in 11-on-11 scrimmages the whistle usually blows before the ball carrier is thrown to the ground. That being said I am more impressed every day with the work I have seen by JAVARRIS JAMES/RB/MIAMI (F). I have been a fan of his skills and style of running for the past two seasons. He shows me explosiveness to and thru the hole. He also has a done a nice job catching the ball out of the backfield this week. JAMES strikes me as one of those runners who can contribute some big numbers in a shared backfield role. His 6’0, 213 lb. weigh-in numbers were also encouraging. He has done nothing this week in my estimation to diminish an early 4th Round grade.

       One more guy i want to talk about tonight: KERRY MEIER/WR/KANSAS. The converted KU QB has some of the same attributes as a WR than MATT JONES displayed with the JAGS for a time. He is not quite as big, though certainly big enough for NFL play at 6’2”, 219 lbs, and does not have JONES’ speed. But MEIER has a great work ethic and attitude. He has shown all week that he can get open on intermediate patterns and has very good hands. Though not called on to do so here, I can also envision MEIER being able to run some form of Wildcat scheme in the  NFL because he is a good ball handler, and a decent passer, especially on the roll. He is certainly not a deep threat, nor is he elusive after the catch, but he should be able to help move the chains for some NFL offense.

    Friday will basically be walk-throughs for both teams. I’m going to stay home, phone in some more radio reports and  go through my notes one more time so I can give you another half-dozen or so player reports. I’ll blow the whistle on a couple of guys who have shown me they just do not have a pro football career in their future.

       

01/19/10    Wednesday morning dawned with sun and the promise of mid-seventies temperatures. And for once the weatherman was right on. Overall the play was crisp and some players who started slowly made some progress today.

    CHRIS SCOTT/OT/TENNESSEE continued his slid work at LT. He literally stuns DL at times with his punch move. He has a knack for getting his weight (which is considerable) behind his first blow at the defenders. At times it just stops them in their tracks. I am beginning to think I should not relegate him to a job at RT too quickly. In a power running attack like the REDSKINS he might be able to handle the left side if his first three days here are a true  indication of his talent and skill. He is more athletic than I thought.

    I have also been pleasantly surprised with the strength at times from GREG HARDY/DE/OLE MISS. He checked in on Monday at a solid 279 lbs. on his just under 6’4” frame. He of course shows the quickness, and pass-rush moves that he is noted for, but he has shown some real pop with his first hit on some unsuspecting blockers, who expected to be blocking a finesse, sped rusher. Of course questions still linger because of HARDY’s history of nicks and injuries, but no one has ever questioned his athleticism on the football field. I still see him as the highest Draftee to come out of this game, moving up in the Second Round with his play so far.

    NFL Scouts had better see something they really like in Mobile as far as QB play is concerned. Because I can’t see any of the 6 QBs in this game getting Drafted come April. MIKE KAFKA and JOHN SKELTON might have outside shots, but I’d put my money on the “not” side of the table. KAFKA looked the best coming into today, but had a pretty unimpressive practice with throwing accuracy issues. SKELTON may have the most upside, but it is going to be a long process to develop him to the level where he can compete with the size and speed of the NFL.

    RIAR GEER/TE/COLORADO has made a huge impression on me through three days. He has shown good hands (which I saw during the regular season) and a willingness to run those underneath, crossing patters despite the potential punishment from the Defense. Today I focussed on his blocking, and though he may not be as punishing as a DANIEL GRAHAM, he shows enough strength and willingness to take on defenders at the line of scrimmage to offer hope for teams in need of a Red Zone blocking and receiving TE like the PACKERS. He measured in at a solid 6’2 1/2”, 252 lbs.

    There were two new kids in town today and TERRENCE AUSTIN/WR/UCLA was the most impressive of the two. He was quick as a cat, and displayed incredible hands. He made saving catches of several low, and errant passes from his QBs. he looked as if he had the playbook down pat. His size is limiting (5’11/172 lbs), but with quickness and hands i saw today he could easily make an NFL roster as a PR, and a  No. 4/slot receiver in a West Coast scheme. He bears watching for the rest of the week.

    A player who I considered a roster filler for the WEST has looked better to me with each passing day: REGGIE STEPHENS/OG/C/IOWA STATE. This massive guy (6‘025”/322 lbs) has been powerful as expected, but I have been pleasantly surprised by his footwork and determination. He gets of the snap quickly, and has executed more than a few second level blocks. He also delivers some thudding blocks in the run game. It was intimidating at times today watching matched up on DT/MARTIN TEVASEU/UNLV, who currently stands a little over 6’1”, and weighs 329 lbs. The earth shook a couple of times today when those two went at it.

    I have to admit, that as a lifelong football fan (or close to 50 years of it anyway) some of the things I see and do while writing for my website make me pinch myself at times. I now rub the flesh with guys who were my heroes in pro football for so may years. It was a rush to share a bench in the shade for 10 minutes with “Mean Joe” GREENE, and talk about QBs needing to throw the ball away more to live another day, and learn that he likes the light California red wines with a good steak. It was fun to talk football past and present at lunch with former PACKERS WR BARRY SMITH.

    It’s not that I am awestruck (well maybe a little sometimes), but it’s just a world where I never really thought I could relate to and be treated as one of the crowd. And it will just get better next week in Mobile, where I really feel at home during Senior Bowl Week. I guess it’s my version of living the dream.

    Oh by the way, I got some sun blush today despite the sun-screen I applied. My puppies are barking at me tonight, and my back is a bit stiff. 6 hours of standing and walking around at these practices each day will do that. I think I’ll be doing a lot more sitting in mobile next week.

    I’ll probably be blogging more next week from Mobile. But you know it’s more fun, and more meaningful to come back to my son’s house and hug my grand-children and read Morgan a bedtime story, than head straight to the keyboard. That’s the way I roll right now, and it feels right for me.

    Good night all from Orlando... or rather Groveland to be exact.

1/19/10    Day Two of practices is in the books for the 2010 SHRINE GAME and as always happens opinions are forming on many of the players here. So let me kick in and advise you of some players who have stood out to me in a positive vein.

    For the second day in a row I was very impressed with the work of BLAIR WHITE/WR/MICHIGAN STATE. WHITE had a fine Senior season for the Spartans and has looked like perhaps the best all-around WR in Orlando for two days. He runs very tight/crisp pass routes and is getting solid separation from the CB trying to cover him. He has also demonstrated great ball awareness once it leaves the QB hands. He has made adjustments to catch balls thrown behind him and over his head. He has shown exceptional body control and excellent vertical. He has demonstrated great footwork along the sideline. And he may be faster than most of us thought, based on the separation he gets at times on longer routes. He is practicing like a 4th Round Prospect right now and I will need to move him up significantly on my Regardless list if he keeps this up.

    On the other side of the ball I continue to be fascinated by the size and athleticism of DOUG WORTHINGTON/DT/OHIO STATE. Though certainly not skinny he does not look to have an ounce of fat on him and has massive length even for his 6’6” frame. He is a smooth athlete and is showing the high-rev motor that he displayed most of his career as a Buckeye. I think he has almost unlimited pro potential as a DE in a 3-4 scheme. He impresses me whether in drills or scrimmages.

    A guy I have been asked to watch closely down here by my Wisconsin radio outlets is former Badger DE O’BRIEN SCHOFIELD who is being used as an OLB this week. That is no doubt, where he will have to play in the NFL. But I think the difference is that he is better suited to make his transition in a 3-4 scheme, which does not get employed in these All-Star venues. Accordingly, he is struggling, especially in pass coverage. This will probably continue to be a tough week for SCHOFIELD, but he will be better going forward as a prospect for the experience in the long haul.

    I will mention another transition that will need to take place, and that is by DE/LINDSEY WITTEN/UCONN. I have still not obtained the official weigh-in numbers from Monday, but if WITTEN weighs the 250 lbs. he is currently listed at on the East roster, then I am Dirk Diggler, and ready for action ladies. WITTEN is flat out skinny. Standing beside his fellow defensive linemen he almost looks like a stick figure. He is quick, with good balance and long arms. He looks like another guy who will have to make that transition to a 3-4 Will-LB to fulfill his athletic potential in the NFL. This practice week and Saturday’s game will most likely only validate this projection.

    On the West squad a guy who caught my eye late in the 2009 College season was EARL MITCHELL/DT/ARIZONA. He has looked even more impressive down here in person. He is very active and looks the role of an under-Tackle in a 4-3 front. I like the way he keeps his pad level low and just drives through blockers. He gets very good penetration in the gaps, and can hold his own when the run comes right at him. he plays bigger than 6’2”, 290 lbs.

    The West seems particularly challenged offensively, so it’s a good thing that they have some very impressive looking defensive prospects on the roster. The defensive secondary for the West features multiple solid prospects who have lived up to their billing so far. The biggest name is DARRELL STUCKEY/S/KANSAS and he has indeed looked the part. He has been lighting up receivers and ball-carriers both without discrimination to either position group. He has also been praised multiple times by coaches for some sound coverage over the middle of the field.

    I’m still not convinced how valuable an overall prospect he is, but KEATON KRISTICK/OLB/OREGON STATE has been hitting everything in sight, and lighting them up. He has made a couple of hits that have sent choruses of oohs and aahs up from the assembled personnel people ringing the practice field. He flies around with reckless abandon, and looks like a surefire Special Teams ace for coverage units. The NFL values guys who are willing to sacrifice their bodies every week, and KRISTICK may be able to translate this gladiator mentality into a late round Draft slot this April. He bears watching the balance of the week. If he shows much from plays as a defender he will get noticed as the week goes on.

    I’ll be back out on the Practice Field Wednesday morning watching for some other guys who are making a mark for themselves down here in Florida. Goodnight from Orlando.

   

01-18-10     In my opinion the NFL DRAFT process is now in full swing. Step one was completed (well almost) last Friday when the final day for underclassmen to declare came and went. By the end of the week we should get the official list from the NFL.

    Step two came this morning when the Shrine Game week began down here in Orlando. The players have arrived and checked in, and the rosters have been finalized.

    The original player rosters of December have been ravaged by defections to the SENIOR BOWL. But if the TOP 100 players (minus Underclassmen) are pretty much going to Mobile, then much of the 101-200 ranked players are in town to participate in this game. This means the bulk of players from Rounds 4-6 are in town for this game.

    This afternoon was packed with 2 full practices of 90+ minutes each, under  partly sunny, mild (upper 60’s), breezy conditions here in the land of “THE MOUSE”. My legs and back are sore and stiff, and my face is wind-burned this evening. Though not coached by current NFL coaching staffs there were plenty of coaches on the practice field with NFL credentials on their resumes’. ROMEO CRENNEL and MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER are the Head Coaches and have brought with them a lot of coaches from their former NFL staffs. An old Green Bay favorite, KURT SCHOTTENHEIMER (Marty’s kid brother) is handling the secondary for the West squad.

    There may have been more stars on the sidelines today than on the field. BILL PARCELLS was present for the full three hours plus. he looks good, perhaps 25 lbs. lighter than a couple of years ago, with a touch of tan on his face. He also looked relaxed and smiled a great deal of the time. He and JOHN DORSEY spent much of the EAST practice together talking and observing. During the afternoon session he chatted and watched shoulder-to-shoulder with son-in-law SCOTT PIOLI, CHIEFS GM. TED THOMPSON was around with his Scout’s eagle-eye tuned to the field.

    I’m going to refrain from any specific practice player observations until after seeing them in practice for a second day on Tuesday. But I would like to give you my list of the top ranked players in this game as they appear on my Regardless of Position Board.

#54   GREG HARDY/DE/OLE MISS

#72    FREDIE BARNES/WR/BOWLING GREEN

#81    DARRELL STUCKEY/S/KANSAS

#89    O’BRIEN SCHOFIELD/OLB/WISCONSIN

#98    EARL MITCHELL/DT/ARIZONA

#103    JAVARRIS JAMES/RB/MIAMI (F)

#108    KYLE CALLOWAY/OT/IOWA

#110    KAM CHANCELLOR/SS/VA TECH

#111    NAAMAN ROOSEVELT/BUFFALO

#116    AL VERNER/CB/UCLA

#121    MIKE NEAL/DT/PURDUE

#132    STEPHAN VIRGIL/CB/VA TECH
#135    DENNIS PITTA/TE/BYU

#141    DEXTER DAVIS/OLB/ARIZONA STATE

#142    WILLIE YOUNG/DE/LB/NC STATE

    My one initial comment after viewing the final rosters, and seeing one practice for each team is that the EAST Squad should be heavily favored in this game based on overall talent.

    Good night from Orlando.