flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Eric Galko @OptimumScouting 3h3 hours ago Driskel scanning the field well in 7 on 7 but needs to get ball out quicker. Settled often for check down. #LaTech #SeniorBowl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Dan Kadar @MockingTheDraft 3h3 hours ago Blocking drills not kind to Tyler Ervin Rotoworld NFL Draft @Rotoworld_Draft 3h3 hours ago DL Sheldon Rankins (knee) out of Senior Bowl http://tinyurl.com/jdlv5yr Dan Kadar @MockingTheDraft 3h3 hours ago Darian Thompson running the North defense. The Senior Bowl isn't typically kind to safeties but he's looked good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Tony Pauline @TonyPauline 3h3 hours agoMobile, AL Josh Garnett/G/Stanford having a really strong day. Looks very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Dan Kadar @MockingTheDraft 3h3 hours ago Nice play by Tyvis Powell to close on a pass in front of Nick Vannett to pick off a Cody Kessler pass in the end zone. TURRON DAVENPORT @TDavenport_NFL 3h3 hours ago TURRON DAVENPORT Retweeted Jeff-LJ-Lloyd TURRON DAVENPORT added, Jeff-LJ-Lloyd @Jeff_LJ_Lloyd @FBallGameplan Turron praying before Father Emory Justis Mosqueda @JuMosq 3h3 hours ago Days been looking good at DE until this weak side toss where he had to chase a RB for contain. Allowed a TD. Jeff Risdon @JeffRisdon 3h3 hours ago On the back side of that Dixon TD scoot Chris Moore threw a nice block on Killebrew Tony Pauline @TonyPauline 3h3 hours agoMobile, AL Sheldon Day/DL/Notre Dame just made a great play off the edge, around Jason Spriggs to knock the ball out of Jeff Driskel's hand. Chris Lopresti @CLoprestiWFAN 3h3 hours ago Based on the chatter down at the Senior Bowl, Carson Wentz to #NYJ at No. 20 might be a pipe dream already. Jeff Risdon @JeffRisdon 3h3 hours ago Sheldon Day embarrassing Jason Spriggs. Oof. Dan Kadar @MockingTheDraft 3h3 hours ago Is it notable that Carson Wentz played with the second team all day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Jeff Risdon @JeffRisdon 3h3 hours ago I'm a fairly profane mother lover but Deiondre Hall makes me blush. Wow with the nonstop expletive thunderstorms Matt Miller Retweeted Stephen Nelson @Stephen__Nelson 3h3 hours ago While Braxton Miller has everybody buzzing, his #GoBucks teammate Nick Vannett (@nfldraftscout's #2 TE) looks good. Solid celebrations too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Tony Pauline @TonyPauline 3h3 hours agoMobile, AL Darian Thompson/S/Boise State looked good during 2nd half of practice. Has met with a half dozen GM's this week including Jets/Ravens/Bears 2016 Senior Bowl: Thursday Rumor Mill By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell With all the general managers, coaches and scouts in attendance for the Senior Bowl, there is a lot of chatter going around. Here are some of the highlights from the rumor mill on Day 4. Sources say that Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa is in play for the San Diego Chargers at the third-overall pick. Bosa isn't a great fit in a 3-4 defense, but the Chargers feel he is a versatile player whom they could move around. San Diego could move him around as a five-technique defensive end and a standup rush linebacker. Young edge rushers Melvin Ingram and Jeremiah Attaochu played well in 2015, and the team is excited about their development, but adding a third pass-rusher and tough run-defender could appeal to San Diego as they need to improve their defense next season. Obviously, the Rams are in search of a solution to the quarterback position this offseason and have other needs to address like wide receiver. Another potential hole to fill will be cornerback if Janoris Jenkins and/or Trumaine Johnson aren't re-signed. Jenkins will see a lot of interest from other teams, so retaining Jenkins isn't a slam-dunk for Los Angeles. The Rams will have E.J. Gaines coming back from an injury that cost him 2015, but if they lose both free agent cornerbacks that could put the position in play for their first-round pick. In speaking with Rams sources, they have a higher grade and preference for Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves over Florida State's Jalen Ramsey. A cornerback whom some sources really like is Northern Iowa's Deondre' Hall. Scouts say they love his length and toughness. Hall is a physical corner who doesn't shy away from flying into the tackle box to make tackles. Every year, some small-school corners rise in the lead up to the draft to be second-day picks. Hall could be a prime candidate for that this year. Colorado State wide receiver Rashard Higgins was one of the early entry players who probably should have gone back to school. Sources really like his route-running, reliable hands, and quickness to get open. Plus, Higgins was very productive the past two seasons. However, Higgins is very thin and sources say that is going to hurt his draft grade. If Higgins were thicker and heavier, he could be a second-round pick. Sources say that Higgins is probably more likely to go in the 3-5 range. Two players who have not done well in the team interviews are Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence and Southern Utah's Miles Killebrew. Spence had off-the-field issues at Ohio State and Eastern Kentucky with a year long suspension, transfer, and arrest for public intoxication. Teams weren't impressed with how Spence answered their questions. They also said that Killebrew did not come off well in the interviews. Both players will need to get better in a hurry with the Combine and pre-draft visits just weeks away. On Monday, we talked about how some teams were very critical about how Penn State head coach James Franklin handled quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Over the past few months, there have been media reports questioning Hackenberg as a teammate and suggesting he was disliked in the Penn State locker room. A few weeks back, we caught up with a former teammate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Donovan Smith. Smith who disputed those claims. This week, I spoke with Carl Nassib and asked him about the reports that Hackenberg was a bad teammate and disliked in the locker room. Nassib was stunned and his jaw hit he floor. He couldn't believe it. "Interesting, I had not heard that. Really?" said Nassib. "That is false. No. That is definitely speculation. Christian is a great player and a great teammate." Nassib is known as a high-character hard worker who was beloved by Franklin and former head coach Bill O'Brien. Thus, when Nassib responds in that fashion it carries some weight. Everybody around the league expects the Denver Broncos to use the franchise tag on linebacker Von Miller, but if he somehow hits free agency, expect the Jaguars to make a big play for Miller. Jacksonville has a ton of money available and they badly need a difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball. If Miller isn't slapped with the tag, the Jaguars are willing to overpay to get him to come to Jacksonville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Dan Kadar @MockingTheDraft 3h3 hours ago Carson Wentz says that right now he plans on doing everything at the combine Luke Easterling @LukeEasterling 3h3 hours ago Wentz to Burbridge for the score. #SeniorBowl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Dan Kadar @MockingTheDraft 3h3 hours ago Wentz said he thought his meeting with Browns HC Hue Jaackson went well on Wednesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Eric Galko @OptimumScouting 3h3 hours ago #SeniorBowl Day 3 North Winners: #OhioState TE Vannett #Harvard OL Toner, #WestVirginia SAF Dillion, #Utah DE Fanaika, #BoiseSt SAF Thompson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 SENIOR BOWL SOUTH PRACTICE DAY 2 NOTEBOOK Alex Khvatov | January 28, 2016 | 2016 Senior Bowl | No Comments SENIOR BOWL SOUTH PRACTICE DAY 2 NOTEBOOK Quarterbacks Jake Coker (Alabama) was the best QB for the South team during Wednesday’s practice on a chilly day in Mobile. He has the arm strength, the size and the quick release. He was accurate on short and intermediate throws. He also worked through his progressions. However, he missed a couple of deep balls. Brandon Allen (Arkansas) was accurate on short throws. He is usually a good decision-maker, but today he tried to force the ball into tight windows downfield. He made a few errant throws, and one of his passes was intercepted. He also showed a tendency to hold on to the ball for too long. Dak Prescott (Mississippi State) was inconsistent with his intermediate throws. He needs to make quicker decisions. He showed a tendency to stare down his primary receiver. Jacoby Brissett (North Carolina State) had a tough afternoon. He struggled with his accuracy. He forced the ball into tight coverage. His decision-making was poor. He also demonstrated below average field vision. Running Backs RB Aaron Green (TCU) had some early struggles in pass pro in the beginning of practice. But he came back and showed the ability to sustain those blocks. He also ran good routes. FB Dan Vitale (Northwestern) excelled in pass protection against the linebackers in the one on one’s. It is not surprising that he was the best blocker because this is what he excelled in at Northwestern. Wide Receivers/Tight Ends WR Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma) had some early struggles on Tuesday. He was the best WR coming into this event and he confirmed that status during Wednesday’s practice. He is so quick coming out of those breaks. He was able to defeat press coverage with his quickness. He displayed tremendous hands and savvy route running ability. WR Jay Lee (Baylor) has the size and the speed, but had questions about his hands coming into this week. He caught the ball consistently during Wednesday’s practice. He used his size to shield the defenders away from the ball and displayed the ability to highpoint it. WR Malcolm Mitchell (Georgia) was the star of the day during Tuesday’s practice, but was inconsistent today. He struggled coming out of his breaks and couldn’t keep his footing. He also had a tough time getting off press coverage. TE Glenn Gronkowski (Kansas State) played FB in college, but has seen time at TE here. He is a good blocker, but has struggled creating separation against the defenders. TE Jerell Adams (South Carolina) has great size and athleticism, but he needs to get stronger. He has struggled as a blocker and hasn’t shown the necessary effort in that area. Offensive Linemen OG Cody Whitehair (Kansas State) was the most consistent OL from South’s practice. He played with a stout base in pass pro and displayed good hand placement. He sustained his blocks very well. His knee bend was outstanding. OG Christian Westerman (Arizona State) was a five-star recruit coming out of high school. He ended up at Auburn, but later on transferred to Arizona State. He has shown strength at the point of attack and quickness out of his stance. He has displayed athleticism and light feet. OT John Theus (Georgia) was another five-star recruit coming out of high school. He has been slow getting out of his stance and has struggled against speed rushers off the edge. Defensive Linemen DE Noah Spence (Eastern Kentucky) was the best DL at the Senior Bowl today. He was unstoppable during the scrimmage. He showed his athletic ability and an incredibly quick first step. He is a relentless pass rusher with a non-stop motor. Off the field issues will hurt him on draft day. DE Sheldon Rankins (Louisville) can play multiple positions on the defensive line. He stood out in the one on one’s today. His hand usage was outstanding, played with good leverage and displayed quickness off the ball. Defensive Backs CB Jalen Mills (LSU) has been working at corner throughout this week after an injury-plagued senior season. He has good size, athleticism and terrific closing speed. He displayed outstanding instincts and was able to get a good break on the ball in the one on one’s. CB Jonathan Jones (Auburn) is an undersized corner (5’8 5/8, 178 pounds), but he plays with a physical edge. He disrupted receiver’s timing at the line of scrimmage by getting his hands on them. He showed good discipline, quick feet and ran step for step with Shepard downfield. He has good ball skills, but he dropped a pick in the 7 on 7’s. S Kevin Byard (Middle Tennessee) showed good range and ball skills. He read the QB’s eyes and intercepted a pass during the scrimmage. Special Teams K Ross Martin (Duke) has shown an accurate leg during practice. It looked like he could have hit a field goal from 60 yards today. http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/senior-bowl-south-practice-day-2-notebook/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 NFL Draft Blitz @NFLDraftBlitz 3h3 hours ago DT Adolphus Washington (Ohio State) showed a variety of pass rush moves in the one one one's. Good overall practice. NFL Draft Blitz @NFLDraftBlitz 3h3 hours ago QB Kevin Hogan (Stanford) was the top QB on the North Team. Made good decisions, accurate today. NFL Draft Blitz @NFLDraftBlitz 3h3 hours ago WR Braxton Miller put on a show again on Day 3.Did well in the redzone in the one on one's. Consistently catches the ball away from his body Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#27TheDominator Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 Interesting how some of the reports seem so uneven on certain players. Good for this profane mother****er. I will be looking for him Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 NFL Draft Blitz @NFLDraftBlitz 2h2 hours ago DE Carl Nassib (Penn State) showed more than just bend off the edge, beat an OL with a nice swim move on Thursday. Patrick Woo @P_Woo 2h2 hours agoMobile, AL #SeniorBowl roster update: @SCStateAthletic DT Javon Hargrave has been added to the South Squad coached by @Jaguars. Will wear #93 NFL Draft Blitz @NFLDraftBlitz 2h2 hours ago RB Kenneth Dixon (LA Tech) showed all-around ability on Thursday. Good hands, did well in pass pro, quick feet, finishes his runs, nice cuts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Tony Pauline @TonyPauline 2h2 hours ago Indianapolis Colts were also on Darian Thompson/S/Boise State today. Interesting in that they were high on Damarious Randall last April. Tony Pauline @TonyPauline 2h2 hours ago Tony Pauline Retweeted Rotoworld NFL Draft Rankins has been stamped with a first round grade by the Seahawks and Falcons 2016 Senior Bowl Prospect Meetings Report This is Charlie Campbell's Wednesday 2016 Senior Bowl Prospect Meetings Report. Charlie is reporting live from Mobile, Ala., and he'll describe what he sees at practice and whom certain prospects talk to all week. If you want to see other 2016 Senior Bowl Reports, click the link. Follow me @walterfootball for updates, and stay tuned all week for tons of 2016 Senior Bowl coverage. 2016 Senior Bowl: Wednesday Prospect Meetings Report By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell Here is a recap of the player interviews that were conducted on the field after Wednesday practice sessions at the Senior Bowl. Typically, these interviews with area scouts are to set up longer, formal interviews for a night during the week. While teams say they "talk" to every player, teams do not take the time to conduct formal interviews with every draft prospect, so this can be a clue as to which players are on their radar. We also have some other team and player interviews listed below from speaking with sources. New York Jets - Texas Tech running back DeAndre Washington, Texas Tech left tackle Le'Raven Clark, and North Carolina State quarterback Jacoby Brissett. The Jets conducted a formal interview with North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz. Denver Broncos - Virginia Tech outside linebacker Dadi Nicolas. Baltimore Ravens - Kansas State guard/tackle Cody Whitehair and Baylor wide receiver Jay Lee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Matt Miller @nfldraftscout 2h2 hours ago For all the well-deserved hype surrounding Carson Wentz...Noah Spence, Braxton Miller, Vernon Butler and Austin Johnson were as impressive Matt Miller @nfldraftscout 2h2 hours ago My man Harlan Miller made some money this week. SE Louisiana corner is FEISTY in press coverage. Walter Cherepinsky @walterfootball 2h2 hours ago Out interview with #Bama LB Reggie Ragland (by @PatYaz33) at the Senior Bowl - http://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2016interview3.php … Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Chris Burke @ChrisBurke_SI 2h2 hours ago Chris Burke Retweeted Scott Tanner Yea, that's kind of the thing. Possible coaching issue? Playing extensively at DE has been great for him this week. Chris Burke added, Scott Tanner @scott_tanner1 @ChrisBurke_SI jihad ward impressions? will be interesting to square the recent buzz with lack of production Chris Burke @ChrisBurke_SI 2h2 hours ago Chris Burke Retweeted Nick Gray Kessler probably second on the North. Prescott has been solid throwing the ball, from what I've seen. Brissett, too. Chris Burke added, Nick Gray @ngray_63 @ChrisBurke_SI We've heard about Wentz all week. Any other QBs playing well? Jeff Risdon @JeffRisdon 2h2 hours ago Standing with a group and everyone is marveling at Javon Hargrave's plump bubble. Not weird at all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Rotoworld NFL Draft @Rotoworld_Draft 2h2 hours ago McGovern (hamstring) pulls out of Senior Bowl http://tinyurl.com/hk6983m Chris Burke @ChrisBurke_SI 2h2 hours ago Chris Burke Retweeted Peter Bukowski Hmm ... Minnesota at 23? Round 2 buzz is definitely real, especially if he lights up the 40 at the combine. Chris Burke added, Peter Bukowski @Peter_Bukowski @ChrisBurke_SI What's the highest we're going to see Braxton Miller in mock drafts after this week. Happens to someone every year. Eric Galko @OptimumScouting 2h2 hours ago Crisp route running and high pointing continue to be a theme for South WRs Jay Lee and Sterling Shepard. Standouts so far. #SeniorBowl Dan Kadar @MockingTheDraft 2h2 hours ago Finger pointing and shoving between Jalen Millls and Sterling Shepard because Mills grabbed Shepard's face mask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Tyler Matakevich @44_Matakevich 3h3 hours ago 3 TU boys representing @Temple_FB !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Jeff Risdon @JeffRisdon 1h1 hour ago Eric Striker lost in space. Again. I have no idea where he can play in the NFL Dan Kadar @MockingTheDraft 1h1 hour ago South corners have done a solid job today. Forcing a lot of check down throws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Justis Mosqueda @JuMosq 1h1 hour ago Whitehair beaten more times today than I've seen the other two practices. Spence is legit. Dan Kadar @MockingTheDraft 1h1 hour ago Gus Bradley getting after Reggie Ragland for not setting the edge Pro Football Focus Retweeted Steve Palazzolo @PFF_Steve 1h1 hour ago It's actually comical now, every time a QB turns his back on play action, Noah Spence is there for the sack #SeniorBowl Tony Pauline @TonyPauline 1h1 hour ago Paul McRoberts/WR/SE Mizzou has made a number of nice catches all day. Jeff Risdon @JeffRisdon 1h1 hour ago That blown cover was on Cash, per the DB coach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 2016 Senior Bowl Practice Report This is Charlie Campbell's Thursday 2016 Senior Bowl Practice Report. Charlie is reporting live from Mobile, Ala., and he'll describe what he sees at practice and whom certain prospects talk to all week. If you want to see other 2016 Senior Bowl Reports, click the link. Follow me @walterfootball for updates, and stay tuned all week for tons of 2016 Senior Bowl coverage. 2015 Senior Bowl: Thursday Practice Report: North Team By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell The North team took the field of Ladd-Peebles Stadium for their third practice of the Senior Bowl. The Dallas Cowboys' coaching staff ran the practice and will coach them all week. The Cowboys' staff had the players practicing in full pads. Dallas' staff kept them going at a good pace and at a reasonably physical level. Here is a run-down of the noteworthy players. North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz had his best practice of the week. He showed his arm talent with some rifled balls and lofted-in passes. Wentz threw open wide receivers, and scouts praised a number of his passes to me. In the team scrimmage, Wentz lofted in a beautiful rainbow downfield that his receiver had hit off his finger tips. Scouts said a NFL receiver would have run under it for a completion. During the seven-on-seven red-zone session, Wentz threw some dimes. He fired a fastball by some defenders to hit Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett between the numbers, but Vannett dropped the pass, which was intercepted on the deflection. Wentz shrugged it off to throw open Michigan State wide receiver Aaron Burbridge in the end zone. In the final team scrimmage, Wentz hit Burbridge again over the shoulder of Maurice Canady for another score. Wentz has shown improvement each day and has done a lot to his draft stock in Mobile. The other player who has received a ton of attention this week has been Ohio State wide receiver Braxton Miller. He had another good practice, showing his speed, physicality, and natural football-player skills. He outfought Minnesota's Eric Murray for a touchdown in the one-on-ones. Murray knocked Miller's helmet off, and Miller took exception to that. Miller has natural explosion and is a real offensive weapon. This week has been tremendous for Miller. image: http://node-p2e-o9tee3.sitescout.com/pubmatic/px/aid:56aa9068866f946400720003;c:0.60159;s:948b169dbd596dbe;cid:292435;ts:1454018664780 image: http://pixel.sitescout.com/dmp/pixelSync?nid=3&wb=1&hdid=1 image: http://c.betrad.com/a/4.gif Northern Iowa cornerback Deiondre' Hall has had a good week. He showed nice coverage to run with Miller on a corner post into the end zone. Hall went up and batted the pass away from Miller. Hall is a physical gritty defender, and sources say he has some Richard Sherman bulldog in him. In the 2016 NFL Draft, Hall could go on Day 2. Murray is a physical corner who fights hard. He will have to watch pass interference calls in the NFL. In the one-on-ones. Burbridge got the better of him. Murray would be best in a zone system. Virginia cornerback Maurice Canady got picked on Thursday. Receivers were getting separation from him, and he showed a lack of feel. Sources have said they have Canady graded for the third day of the 2016 NFL Draft. A prospect who has gotten some hype is Southern Utah safety Miles Killebrew. He passes the eyeball test, but as a player, he needs work. Killebrew took some false steps that left him out of position on a number of plays on Thursday. He lacks instincts and feel. Sources say that they were unimpressed with Killebrew in his team interviews as well. One source said Killebrew reminds them of Sabby Piscitelli, a busted second-round pick by Tampa Bay out of Oregon State in the 2007 NFL Draft. Conversely, West Virginia safety K.J. Dillon hasn't gotten much attention, but sources have been impressed with his hitting ability. That continued on Thursday as he rocked some ball-carriers on a number of plays. In the game on Saturday, don't be surprised if Dillon is a physical force. Two Notre Dame players stood out with excellent practices. Defensive tackle/end Sheldon Day was firing into the backfield all day. He has an excellent get-off and blockers really struggle to get a hold of him. Day is a tweener end/tackle, but he is a penetrator who looks like a potential difference-maker at the point of attack if he's used in the right way. Notre Dame center Nick Martin continued his strong week with an impressive practice on Thursday. He had two superb reps to stop Louisiana Tech's Vernon Butler in the one-on-ones. Martin stood up a bull rush as Butler got too high. He kept Butler away from the marker later after some initial penetration. This week has shown that Martin has good technique and should be ready to compete quickly in the NFL. Butler came back to have some impressive wins against Michigan State's Jack Allen. Butler flew by Allen on one play and then quickly bull rushed him straight down the pocket. Ohio State defensive tackle Adolphus Washington had a solid day. He got it started by making a nice play to get off a block and stop a run in the run scrimmage. In the one-on-ones, he did well, but wasn't as dominant as he was on Tuesday. Washington used a fast spin move to beat Stanford guard Josh Garnett. Garnett got a win on the first rep by keeping him out of the backfield. They split two more reps with Garnett stopping a spin move cold, and then Washington bulling Garnett into the marker. Shortly later, Washington State's Joe Dahl rode Washington around the pocket on one play. Washington showed excellent speed to power to push Allen into the quarterback marker. Washington's interviews were important, but on the field, he took care of business this week. Stanford tackle Kyle Murphy had some rough days earlier in the week, but he was much better on Thursday. He had impressive wins against Michigan State's Lawrence Thomas in the one-on-ones. Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett has really struggled this week. He has dropped passes and struggled to get separation in man coverage. Vannett looks like a pic for Day 3 rather than a second-day candidate. Ohio State safety Tyvis Powell had an interception in the team scrimmage as he read the eyes of USC quarterback Cody Kessler. The Trojan quarterback floated a pass downfield and Powell easily broke over for an interception. Kessler's lack of arm strength was very apparent on that play. Read more at http://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2016practice4.php#CtFjlChZdPA7FtIt.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Jeff Risdon @JeffRisdon 1h1 hour ago Noah Spence needs to be in your 1st round mock. Vadal Alexander does not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Seth Walder @SethWalderNYDN 1h1 hour ago Mehta: At NFL draft, could Jets be thinking about QB Wentz? http://nydn.us/1SepTJC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Marcus Mosher@Marcus_Mosher Louis Riddick says that a scout called Noah Spence "Khalil Mack with pass-rush moves" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lupz27 Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 From what I saw Thursday CB Harlen Miller stood out the most, and S Jalen Mills not to far behind. Both are completely different corners thou, Miller has rare ability to mimic the route based on watching the man he is covering, off the charts athletic ability. Mills on the other hand keeps eyes in on QB first few steps, and doesn't lose track of his man while doing it, and reads routes, runs the route for the WR, and jumps them. Miller might be the man coverage sleeper in this draft, could see him fly up draft boards like the Cromartie's did if he runs a great 40. Mills fits the bill as a possible elite zone DB/S with ability to cover in man to man when asked, and if he does the film work could be a top S for years in the NFL. Just my opinion from the DB/WR portion of the South practice. **** Just read Mills was involved in an incident for punching a woman in the face (after Sophmore season, or during Junior season not sure on time line), this could take him off many teams draft boards **** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRL Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 After watching the recap shows and two days of practice here's the playersthat stood out to me: Offense QB- Carson Wentz (No. Dakota St.): athletic Joe Flacco RB- Tyler Ervin (San Jose St.): Darrin Sproles type of RB who showed toughness and the ability to block- Kenneth Dixon (La. Tech)- DeAndre Washington (Tex Tech): Maurice Jones-Drew type of RB who showed excellent ability torun routes and catch balls out of the backfield WR- Braxton Miller (Ohio St.): unbelievable footwork and hands for a QB still learning the position. Canbe special, he also was being used returning kicks & punts- Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma): faster, more explosive Jeremy Kerley with special teams experience- Paul McRoberts (SE Mo St.): big WR (6-3 200) that fits the "Gailey mold" OT- Joe Haeg (No. Dakota St.): RT prospect- Kyle Murphy (Stanford): RT prospect- Jason Spriggs (Indiana): prototypical LT, long, lean and quick footed- Cole Toner (Harvard): intriguing Ivy League prospect who was able to hold his own against big comp G- Josh Garnett (Stanford)- Joe Dahl (Wash St.)- Nick Martin (Notre Dame): a "hair" below his brother Zach. Their parents crank out good OLinemen C- Jack Allen (Mich St.): excellent ability to "re-anchor" and hold his ground if a DT surprises him Defense DT- Sheldon Rankins (Louisville): incredible quickness, reminded me of Sheldon Richardson- Vernon Butler (La. Tech)- Sheldon Day (Notre Dame): short "3 technique" with Aaron Donald traits- Matt Ioannidis (Temple): Mike Devito type who is strong and relentless OLB / Edge- Kyler Fackrell (Utah St.)- Carl Nassib (Penn St.): unheard of production (19.5 tackles for loss & 15.5 sacks) canhe stand up and play LB?- Dadi Nicolas (Va. Tech): very light (6-3 230) but has incredible speed and flexibility.Until he puts on weight will he be just a specialist?- Noah Spence (E. Ky): if he's put his issues behind him he'll be a top 10 pick- Jordan Jenkins (Georgia) ILB- Deion Jones (LSU): total speed/coverage LB who has safety size (6-1 230)- Kentrell Brothers (Missouri) S- Darian Thompson (Boise St.) CB- Tavon Young (Temple)- Harlan Miller (SE La.)- Jonathan Jones (Auburn): small feisty CB who wasn't afraid to challenge bigger WR's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 29, 2016 Author Share Posted January 29, 2016 Browns coach Hue Jackson said North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz "has a lot of the characteristics that you look for." Jackson met Wentz at the Senior Bowl. He has said he needs a "dominant, consistent quarterback'' and indicated there are a few available in the draft. NFL Network's Mike Mayock and Daniel Jeremiah say Wentz is in the conversation to be the No. 1 quarterback in the draft. Cleveland, of course, has the highest pick (No. 2) of any team that needs a QB. "I thought it went well,'' said Wentz of his meeting with Jackson. "Kind of like all of my meetings, it went well and he seemed like a really good guy and obviously I'm assuming he's going to be a really good coach up there in Cleveland, so it went well.'' ESPN's Mel Kiper has speculated that the Cowboys may trade up to No. 1 to grab Tony Romo's successor. Wentz also had positive impressions of meeting Dallas owner Jerry Jones at the event. ""It was cool,'' said Wentz. "Obviously a legend and icon like Jerry Jones, it's really cool to get to meet him." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 29, 2016 Author Share Posted January 29, 2016 Could New York Jets target Braxton Miller in NFL Draft? Wide receiver Braxton Miller runs in the open field during North Team practice at the Reese's Senior Bowl at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. 71SHARES SHARE TWEET EMAIL By: Turron Davenport | 3 hours ago There has been a steady buzz at the Senior Bowl about Ohio State quarterback turned wide receiver Braxton Miller. He has put on show in Mobile, utilizing a variety of fakes and jukes while running routes. One thing has been made very clear; Miller is one of the best athletes out there when he steps onto the football field. The New York Jets have a trio of wide receivers that can do plenty of damage by lining up outside. Brandon Marshall showed that he is the number one receiver and can take over a football game. Eric Decker also has the ability to come through with a big play in the clutch. A healthy Devin Smith threatens defenses with his ability to stretch the field any time he lines up as well. The one thing that the Jets offense can really use is a game changer that can work the slot. Enter Miller, a former quarterback who has been studying a pair college quarterbacks that successfully made the conversion to NFL slot receivers. Miller recently said that he’s inspired by the success of New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman and Green Bay Packersdo-it-all player Randall Cobb. Edelman played quarterback at Kent State and was first introduced to the receiver position when he reported to Patriots camp as a rookie in 2009. Braxton Miller of Ohio State (1) works against a Dallas Cowboys assistant coach on a drill during Senior Bowl practice Cobb was named to the SEC All-Freshmen team at quarterback but switched to receiver prior to his sophomore year at the University of Kentucky. Both Edelman and Cobb have found a great deal of success after making the switch. Miller would give the Jets a player that can be used to create matchup problems for opposing defenses. The Jets can put him in the slot and allow Miller to use his quickness and athleticism to get open on an assortment of quick hitting routes. Miller would play a make the Jets an even more efficient team on third downs. The Jets ranked 11th in the NFL with a 40.6% third down conversion rate. Like Edelman and Cobb, Miller can run choice routes in space and make the necessary plays to get first downs. The Patriots and Packers consistently get the ball into their slot receivers’ hands and allow them to generate yards after the catch. Playing slot will give Miller a chance to line up off of the ball which will make it hard for defensive backs to jam him. There are some things that will need to be refined by Miller such as unnecessarily jumping to make catches and making too many moves while running routes. Miller understands the importance of being a playmaker and feels that he would be an impactful player for whatever team that selects him. “I feel like every team needs playmakers and they’ve mentioned that I can do it all whether it’s being a punt returner, in the backfield as a decoy and playing on the outside,” Miller said. “It’s a great feeling being able to do all that stuff and still learn so much at the same time.” The model for how to utilize a player like Miller has been set by the Packers. Simply put, they find ways to get Cobb the football. Braxton Miller was a dynamic player at Ohio State Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey will be able to fully utilize the elite athleticism that Miller possesses. He can send Miller in motion and give him the ball on jet sweeps. They can also line him up in the backfield and feed him the football by running stretch plays or running routes out of the backfield. Making the switch to receiver is something that Miller embraces. He feels that it is the best way for him to help NFL teams. On the field, he has a fighter’s mentality as shown by the degree of talking that he does to whoever is guarding him. He is much more humble when dealing with coaches and at the end of the day, he just wants to make a contribution to the team winning. “I’m a team player that will do whatever the team needs. Whatever the coaches ask me,” Miller said. “I’m going to make sure take it in and run the route exactly the way they want it to be run.” *** Turron Davenport is the NFL Draft analyst for Jets Wire. He can be reached on Twitter (@TDavenport_NFL) or via email (tvdavenport@yahoo.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 29, 2016 Author Share Posted January 29, 2016 Jets scouting Jordan Jenkins, two other pass rushers, at Senior Bowl 123SHARES SHARE TWEET EMAIL By: Turron Davenport | January 28, 2016 8:20 am ET Teams typically meet with an abundance of prospects during Senior Bowl week at the Renaissance Place Hotel in Mobile. The New York Jets have a clear need for an edge rusher that can get pressure on the quarterback. They met with three stand up pass rushers that stood out at practice this week. Here is the list of outside linebackers that the Jets met with on Wednesday night (statistics as per seniorbowl.com): Jordan Jenkins OLB Georgia 2015 (SENIOR): Played in 12 games with 10 starts … voted the team’s defensive MVP … voted one of team’s defensive captains … 59 total tackles … co-led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss and was second with 4.0 sacks … career-best, team-leading 13 tackles against Georgia Southern, including a critical TFL on fourth down of the opening possession of overtime … second on the team with six tackles, including a sack, in addition to a forced fumble at Auburn … named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against Vanderbilt and won Chuck Bednarik National Player of the Week for the same game … six tackles vs. No. 13 Alabama with a TFL and a forced fumble … then-career high 11 tackles at Vanderbilt, including 5.5 TFLs and a pair of sacks … named a team captain for the first three games in 2015 and games against Tennessee and Georgia Southern. Noah Spence OLB Eastern Kentucky 2015 (REDSHIRT JUNIOR): First team All-American by STATS, the Associated Press and Walter Camp … Ohio Valley Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year … finished fourth in voting for the STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Year … first team All-OVC … finished fourth on Eastern’s single season sacks list with 11.5 sacks during the 2015 season, 1.5 away from matching the school record of 13 by Jessie Small in 1988 … recorded at least one sack in nine of EKU’s 11 games during the 2015 season and had a team-best 22.5 tackles for a loss … led the OVC and finished fourth in the nation with 2.0 tackles for a loss per game and fifth in the nation with 1.05 sacks per game … had at least one tackle for a loss in 10 of 11 games … had a season-high eight tackles, two of which were for a loss, and one sack against Austin Peay … had a season-high two sacks against Tennessee-Martin … recorded 3.5 tackles for a loss at Southeast Missouri and at Murray State. Dadi Nicholas OLB Virginia Tech 2015 (SENIOR): Started 11 games, playing in 12 … Logged 734 plays, including 677 as defensive end and 57 on special teams … Made 40 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack … Had two tackles versus No. 1 Ohio State … Recorded two quarterback hurries and a tackle against Furman … Notched two tackles at Purdue … Logged three tackles with one hurry at East Carolina … Had four tackles each against Pittsburgh, NC State, and Miami … Posted three tackles versus No. 23 Duke … Recorded a season-high of seven tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack at Boston College … Forced and recovered a fumble with four tackles at Georgia tech … Collected four tackle with 1.0 tackles for loss and one quarterback hurry versus No. 12 North Carolina … Had two tackles at Virginia. *** Turron Davenport is the NFL Draft analyst for Jets Wire. He can be reached on Twitter (@TDavenport_NFL) or via email (tvdavenport@yahoo.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 29, 2016 Author Share Posted January 29, 2016 News and Notes Free Agency Report Cards Draft More Playoffs 2016 Senior Bowl: Top performers from Day 2 143SHARES SHARE TWEET EMAIL By: Turron Davenport | January 27, 2016 9:05 pm ET The North and South teams took part in their second practice on Wednesday. The weather in Mobile was colder than normal and the field was wet because of rain earlier in the day. Here are three quick observations from practices: LSU Safety Jalen Mills has very good coverage skills. He reads the receivers and breaks on the ball very well. Mills showed off in one on ones by jumping the curl routes two times in a row and nearly picked off both throws. He proved that he can be relied upon to cover receivers as well as play safety. North Dakota State Quarterback Carson Wentz has a live arm. He was able to push the ball outside of the numbers consistently and on time. The ball came off his arm with more velocity than the other quarterbacks. He is very comfortable rolling out and throwing the football on the run. Wentz also showed good touch on a nine route that one of the North team receivers dropped. Baylor Defensive End Shawn Oakman had a very skinny lower body. He looked more top heavy, possessing the upper body of a defensive lineman and the lower body of a defensive back. Oakman flashed on a couple of plays but got pushed around by Georgia tackle John Theus on multiple running plays. Top Performer: Tyler Ervin RB San Jose State Ervin showed that he has the ability to run between the tackles despite questions about his size. He weighed in at 192 pounds and has not lost his trademark quickness that allowed him to be such a game breaker at San Jose State. Ervin flashed some of his receiving skills by winning multiple match ups with linebackers in one on ones. The highlight for him came on a play in which he had to turn and track a pass over his outside shoulder. Ervin dove for the ball and successfully made the catch. *** Turron Davenport is the NFL Draft analyst for Jets Wire. He can be reached on Twitter (@TDavenport_NFL) or via email (tvdavenport@yahoo.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2016 Senior Bowl: Top performers from Day 2 143SHARES SHARE TWEET EMAIL By: Turron Davenport | January 27, 2016 9:05 pm ET The North and South teams took part in their second practice on Wednesday. The weather in Mobile was colder than normal and the field was wet because of rain earlier in the day. Here are three quick observations from practices: LSU Safety Jalen Mills has very good coverage skills. He reads the receivers and breaks on the ball very well. Mills showed off in one on ones by jumping the curl routes two times in a row and nearly picked off both throws. He proved that he can be relied upon to cover receivers as well as play safety. North Dakota State Quarterback Carson Wentz has a live arm. He was able to push the ball outside of the numbers consistently and on time. The ball came off his arm with more velocity than the other quarterbacks. He is very comfortable rolling out and throwing the football on the run. Wentz also showed good touch on a nine route that one of the North team receivers dropped. Baylor Defensive End Shawn Oakman had a very skinny lower body. He looked more top heavy, possessing the upper body of a defensive lineman and the lower body of a defensive back. Oakman flashed on a couple of plays but got pushed around by Georgia tackle John Theus on multiple running plays. Top Performer: Tyler Ervin RB San Jose State Ervin showed that he has the ability to run between the tackles despite questions about his size. He weighed in at 192 pounds and has not lost his trademark quickness that allowed him to be such a game breaker at San Jose State. Ervin flashed some of his receiving skills by winning multiple match ups with linebackers in one on ones. The highlight for him came on a play in which he had to turn and track a pass over his outside shoulder. Ervin dove for the ball and successfully made the catch. *** Turron Davenport is the NFL Draft analyst for Jets Wire. He can be reached on Twitter (@TDavenport_NFL) or via email (tvdavenport@yahoo.com)
flgreen Posted January 29, 2016 Author Share Posted January 29, 2016 NFLDraftScout.com NFL Draft: Five Studs (and duds) after week of Senior Bowl 2016 practices By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com January 29, 2016 11:51 am ET They say first impressions are the most important ones. But with this week's Senior Bowl the last time scouts will see players in pads and helmets before the draft, the final impressions made in Mobile can be critical. While it seems counter-intuitive, the practices are considered much more valuable to scouts than the all-star game, itself. That's because the Senior Bowl, like any other all-star game, is designed with the fans, rather than scouts, in mind. There were hundreds of NFL personnel in Mobile throughout the week of practice but only a fraction of them remain for the game. The players who showed talent and poise in responding to that pressure will inspire some of the more interesting debates as scouts dive into draft meetings over the next few weeks. Unfortunately, the players who failed to answer key questions in Mobile have opened their stock up for debate, as well. Here are the five studs so far of the 2016 Senior Bowl: 1. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State: No player came to the Senior Bowl with a brighter spotlight than Wentz, who needed to answer concerns about his level of competition after facing just one FBS opponent over his career. Physically speaking, the 6-foot-5, 233-pound Wentz quickly and consistently distanced himself from the other quarterbacks competing this week in Mobile, showing a combination of velocity, accuracy and functional athleticism to justify all of the attention he's received. Where Wentz really helped himself, however, was with the intangibles he showed, including the leadership to win over his new teammates and impress teams in interviews, as well. Wentz distanced himself from the other quarterbacks this week. (USATSI) 2. Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky: The value of the quarterback position pushes Wentz atop this list but Spence was the most dynamic player competing this week at the Senior Bowl. Whether lining up as a traditional hand-in-the-dirt defensive end or out of the two-point stance, the 6-foot-3, 254 pound Spence was unstoppable, at times, exploding upfield and around tackles to harass the South Team's quarterbacks. The former five-star recruit and Ohio State standout comes with a checkered past and must continue the positive momentum he's created this year all the way to April 28. If he does so, it is hard to imagine too many club's passing on the draft's most explosive pass rusher. 3. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville: For as disruptive as Spence was on the perimeter, Rankins was very nearly as effective from the inside -- though the fact that he suffered a sprained knee on Thursday which will sideline him for Saturday's game pushes him down a peg. The 6-2, 304-pounder was the proverbial bowling ball of butcher knives, slicing through would-be blockers with his initial burst, strength and coordinated hand play to disrupt runs and passes, alike. 4. Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State: The Senior Bowl has a rich history of producing early round wide receivers but few of them -- and certainly none of this year's class -- can match Miller's remarkable body control. The 6-1, 204-pound Miller is simply a different level of athlete than the other receivers attending this year's Senior Bowl, showing great quickness, balance and reaction time to generate separation and make eye-popping receptions appear routine. Just one year removed from playing quarterback, Miller remains raw and he has struggled with durability in the past but no player drew more wows from the crowd this week. 5. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech: Despite measuring in two inches taller and 21 pounds heavier than Rankins, the 6-4, 325-pound Butler proved very nearly as disruptive, beating would-be blockers with his initial quickness and a textbook swim move. Naturally large with a well-distributed frame and strength to complement his athleticism, Butler will draw interest from 4-3 and 3-4 teams alike and may just prove this year's "surprise" first round pick. Here are five duds so far of the 2016 Senior Bowl: Given the consistency in games required to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl (or any other all-star game), players rarely actually harm their stock over the course of a few practices. That said, these players failed to answer some key questions so far this week, making it all the more important that they respond during the game, itself, at the Combine or during Pro Day workouts. 1. The rest of the quarterbacks: The credit goes to Wentz for distancing himself from the pack but scouts had hoped that someone would step up among the other seven quarterbacks in Mobile as the clear second-best player at the position. Michigan State'sConnor Cook could have been that player but he declined to participate, according to Senior Bowl director Phil Savage. Southern Cal's Cody Kessler, Mississippi State's Dak Prescott and Alabama's Jake Coker are the bigger names but I thought Arkansas' Brandon Allen was the steadiest. Physically imposing, Oakman showed limited awareness this week. (USATSI) 2. Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor: There could be a picture of Oakman in the football dictionary under the old scouting cliche, "Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane." There isn't a more imposing player in this draft (which is why I hope Mr. Oakman never reads this article) but the 6-7, 269-pounder may have a higher upside in professional wrestling or body building than football as he shows limited awareness and use of leverage, negating some of his undeniable power and athleticism. 3. Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama: An explosive athlete relegated to backup duty throughout much of his career with the Crimson Tide, Drake was viewed by some as a potential breakout candidate this week. While he possesses the 6-1, 210-pounder has the agility and acceleration to break big plays as a runner, receiver and returner, Drake had more than his share of hiccups throughout the week of practice, dropping passes and getting blown up by linebackers during pass-blocking drills. 4. Jordan Payton, WR, UCLA: Though they share similar frames, the 6-1, 216-pound Payton proved a polar opposite of Drake, catching the ball well and showing effort as a blocker but simply lacking the juice to scare defenders. Payton struggled to generate much separation from the North's cornerbacks, in part because he lacks ideal speed. He and his trainers will surely work hard in the coming weeks to fare better during the 40-yard dash testing in Indianapolis and at UCLA's Pro Day. 5. John Theus, OT, Georgia: Starting four years in the SEC theoretically prepared Theus for the speed and power he'd face this week at the Senior Bowl but his athletic limitations were exposed a bit this week, making it likely that he'll need to switch back to right tackle in the NFL. The nearly 6-7, 317-pound Theus simply doesn't have ideal fluidity to handle speed rushers and he can get walked into the backfield by bull rushers when he allows his pad level to rise. 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NFL Draft: Five Studs (and duds) after week of Senior Bowl 2016 practices By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com January 29, 2016 11:51 am ET They say first impressions are the most important ones. But with this week's Senior Bowl the last time scouts will see players in pads and helmets before the draft, the final impressions made in Mobile can be critical. While it seems counter-intuitive, the practices are considered much more valuable to scouts than the all-star game, itself. That's because the Senior Bowl, like any other all-star game, is designed with the fans, rather than scouts, in mind. There were hundreds of NFL personnel in Mobile throughout the week of practice but only a fraction of them remain for the game. The players who showed talent and poise in responding to that pressure will inspire some of the more interesting debates as scouts dive into draft meetings over the next few weeks. Unfortunately, the players who failed to answer key questions in Mobile have opened their stock up for debate, as well. Here are the five studs so far of the 2016 Senior Bowl: 1. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State: No player came to the Senior Bowl with a brighter spotlight than Wentz, who needed to answer concerns about his level of competition after facing just one FBS opponent over his career. Physically speaking, the 6-foot-5, 233-pound Wentz quickly and consistently distanced himself from the other quarterbacks competing this week in Mobile, showing a combination of velocity, accuracy and functional athleticism to justify all of the attention he's received. Where Wentz really helped himself, however, was with the intangibles he showed, including the leadership to win over his new teammates and impress teams in interviews, as well. Wentz distanced himself from the other quarterbacks this week. (USATSI) 2. Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky: The value of the quarterback position pushes Wentz atop this list but Spence was the most dynamic player competing this week at the Senior Bowl. Whether lining up as a traditional hand-in-the-dirt defensive end or out of the two-point stance, the 6-foot-3, 254 pound Spence was unstoppable, at times, exploding upfield and around tackles to harass the South Team's quarterbacks. The former five-star recruit and Ohio State standout comes with a checkered past and must continue the positive momentum he's created this year all the way to April 28. If he does so, it is hard to imagine too many club's passing on the draft's most explosive pass rusher. 3. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville: For as disruptive as Spence was on the perimeter, Rankins was very nearly as effective from the inside -- though the fact that he suffered a sprained knee on Thursday which will sideline him for Saturday's game pushes him down a peg. The 6-2, 304-pounder was the proverbial bowling ball of butcher knives, slicing through would-be blockers with his initial burst, strength and coordinated hand play to disrupt runs and passes, alike. 4. Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State: The Senior Bowl has a rich history of producing early round wide receivers but few of them -- and certainly none of this year's class -- can match Miller's remarkable body control. The 6-1, 204-pound Miller is simply a different level of athlete than the other receivers attending this year's Senior Bowl, showing great quickness, balance and reaction time to generate separation and make eye-popping receptions appear routine. Just one year removed from playing quarterback, Miller remains raw and he has struggled with durability in the past but no player drew more wows from the crowd this week. 5. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech: Despite measuring in two inches taller and 21 pounds heavier than Rankins, the 6-4, 325-pound Butler proved very nearly as disruptive, beating would-be blockers with his initial quickness and a textbook swim move. Naturally large with a well-distributed frame and strength to complement his athleticism, Butler will draw interest from 4-3 and 3-4 teams alike and may just prove this year's "surprise" first round pick. Here are five duds so far of the 2016 Senior Bowl: Given the consistency in games required to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl (or any other all-star game), players rarely actually harm their stock over the course of a few practices. That said, these players failed to answer some key questions so far this week, making it all the more important that they respond during the game, itself, at the Combine or during Pro Day workouts. 1. The rest of the quarterbacks: The credit goes to Wentz for distancing himself from the pack but scouts had hoped that someone would step up among the other seven quarterbacks in Mobile as the clear second-best player at the position. Michigan State'sConnor Cook could have been that player but he declined to participate, according to Senior Bowl director Phil Savage. Southern Cal's Cody Kessler, Mississippi State's Dak Prescott and Alabama's Jake Coker are the bigger names but I thought Arkansas' Brandon Allen was the steadiest. Physically imposing, Oakman showed limited awareness this week. (USATSI) 2. Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor: There could be a picture of Oakman in the football dictionary under the old scouting cliche, "Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane." There isn't a more imposing player in this draft (which is why I hope Mr. Oakman never reads this article) but the 6-7, 269-pounder may have a higher upside in professional wrestling or body building than football as he shows limited awareness and use of leverage, negating some of his undeniable power and athleticism. 3. Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama: An explosive athlete relegated to backup duty throughout much of his career with the Crimson Tide, Drake was viewed by some as a potential breakout candidate this week. While he possesses the 6-1, 210-pounder has the agility and acceleration to break big plays as a runner, receiver and returner, Drake had more than his share of hiccups throughout the week of practice, dropping passes and getting blown up by linebackers during pass-blocking drills. 4. Jordan Payton, WR, UCLA: Though they share similar frames, the 6-1, 216-pound Payton proved a polar opposite of Drake, catching the ball well and showing effort as a blocker but simply lacking the juice to scare defenders. Payton struggled to generate much separation from the North's cornerbacks, in part because he lacks ideal speed. He and his trainers will surely work hard in the coming weeks to fare better during the 40-yard dash testing in Indianapolis and at UCLA's Pro Day. 5. John Theus, OT, Georgia: Starting four years in the SEC theoretically prepared Theus for the speed and power he'd face this week at the Senior Bowl but his athletic limitations were exposed a bit this week, making it likely that he'll need to switch back to right tackle in the NFL. The nearly 6-7, 317-pound Theus simply doesn't have ideal fluidity to handle speed rushers and he can get walked into the backfield by bull rushers when he allows his pad level to rise.
flgreen Posted January 29, 2016 Author Share Posted January 29, 2016 Carson Wentz solidifies standing as first-rounder at Senior Bowl By Daniel Jeremiah NFL Media analyst Published: Jan. 29, 2016 at 12:23 p.m. Updated: Jan. 29, 2016 at 12:43 p.m. 3 Likes | 2 Comments Email Print Read Discuss MOBILE, Ala. -- I've been very impressed by the overall talent for the 2016 Reese's Senior Bowl. The quarterback play has been solid this week and this has proven to be one of the deepest DL groups we've seen here in quite some time. Here are a handful of players that stood out to me over the course of the practices this week in advance of the game, which will be broadcast exclusively on NFL Network on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET. Date: Saturday, Jan. 30Time: 2:30 p.m. ETTV: NFL Network Senior Bowl rosters 2016 Reese's Senior Bowl coverage: Observations: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 What we learned: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 Small-schoolers who might be Day 1 picks Wentz passes first Senior Bowl test Savage: Wentz could be top-10 pick Players with all-star stock rise Photos: Best of Senior Bowl practice Top 10 notable Senior Bowl MVPs Recent Senior Bowl MVPs North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz entered this week facing more pressure than any other prospect in Mobile. He was by far the highest-rated passer heading into the week of practice and everyone was eager to see how he would respond to the pressure and higher completion level. He responded with an outstanding performance. He displayed ideal size, arm strength and most importantly, poise. This moment wasn't too big for him. I'm looking forward to watching him play on Saturday, but he's already done enough to earn his spot in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Indiana OT Jason Spriggs had an outstanding week of practice. He displayed quick feet, balance and knee bend. He was inconsistent when I studied him on tape, but he put together a steady, dependable week of practice. He won't get out of the second round and he could garner some consideration late in the first round. Ohio State WR Braxton Miller was the most explosive player in Mobile. While he's still learning the nuances of the position, it was impossible to ignore his suddenness in his release as well as his ability to find another gear when the ball is in the air. He will need some work as a route runner, (he's trying to incorporate three moves when one will do) but he doesn't have any physical limitations. He made one ridiculous catch on the sideline where he completely spun around and plucked the ball away from his frame. That was all I needed to see. He's going to figure it all out at the next level and he's going to be a stud. LSU LB Deion Jones had an excellent week of practice. Five years ago, we wouldn't be hyping up a linebacker that checked in at a very lean 219 pounds. However, the NFL game has changed and we've seen several light linebackers have a dynamic impact over the last few years. Guys like Deone Bucannon, Telvin Smith and Kwon Alexander have each overcome their lack of ideal size because of rare explosiveness, instincts and playmaking ability. Jones was all over the field this week. He has incredible lateral range against the run and he can cover all day long. Some team is going to have the courage to take him in the second round and I believe they'll be rewarded for it. Louisville DT Sheldon Rankins suffered a minor injury and won't play on Saturday, but he made quite an impression on NFL evaluators during the week of practice. In a loaded DL group, he stood out because of his quickness and pass-rush savvy. He dominated one-on-ones by using a variety of moves to go along with his explosive get off. He should be a lock to go in the middle of the first round. Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 29, 2016 Author Share Posted January 29, 2016 Senior Bowl: Day 3 NFL Media observations NFL.com Published: Jan. 28, 2016 at 09:36 p.m. Updated: Jan. 29, 2016 at 07:43 a.m. 9 Likes | 11 Comments Email Print Read Discuss NFL MEDIA OBSERVATIONS: DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 MOBILE, Ala. -- While the 32 NFL teams combined to send an estimated 800-900 coaches and scouts to the Reese's Senior Bowl this week, College Football 24/7 has its own team of scouts on the ground. Date: Saturday, Jan. 30Time: 2:30 p.m. ETTV: NFL Network Senior Bowl rosters 2016 Reese's Senior Bowl coverage: Observations: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 What we learned: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 Small-schoolers who might be Day 1 picks Wentz passes first Senior Bowl test Savage: Wentz could be top-10 pick Players with all-star stock rise Photos: Best of Senior Bowl practice Top 10 notable Senior Bowl MVPs Recent Senior Bowl MVPs All this week, Mike Mayock, Daniel Jeremiah, Charles Davis, Bucky Brooks and Lance Zierlein are providing analysis onNFL Network (one-hour practice recap shows at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday through Thursday, and live game broadcast at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday), NFL.com and NFL Mobile, and in this space will provide their thoughts from the daily practices. Here are some of their observations from Thursday's sessions: Mike Mayock » I thought the D-line dominated this week. From my perspective, Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence had the best week of any edge rusher. He's 6-foot-2 1/2, 253 pounds. Who does he remind you of? How about the Miami Dolphins' Olivier Vernon or Detroit Lions' Darryl Tapp? Those are the body types he reminds me of. He's a first-round player, but he's had some off-the-field issues. That was a big part of his week, how he dealt with all those issues. » Alabama quarterback Jake Coker has had an intriguing odyssey. He's only got 14 starts, but he's 14-0 in those games. You want to see typically 25 minimum starts in a college quarterback. He's had 14. Does he make decisions as quickly as other quarterbacks? No. But he hasn't had the opportunity. He's in a run-heavy offense with a lot of play action with open windows, so he's more of a developmental project to me. But I'm certainly not going to knock him because he hasn't played enough. » LSU linebacker Deion Jones has turned some heads this week. He flies. He reminds me a little bit of Telvin Smith from Florida State. Undersized linebacker that runs like a safety. There's a home in the NFL for those kind of guys. Daniel Jeremiah » Indiana offensive tackle Jason Spriggs had another excellent practice. He has really cleaned up some issues I saw on tape this fall. He's playing with better bend and balance, and he's shown the ability to really anchor down against power rushers. » I'm a fan of Northwestern's do-everything fullback Dan Vitale. He was excellent on Thursday in one-on-one routes vs. linebackers. He understands how to set up defenders, and he's quick in and out of the break point. He could be a big third-down back at the next level. Bucky Brooks » South Carolina tight end Jerell Adams is piquing the interest of a lot of teams here this week. The former high school basketball standout is a natural pass catcher with ball skills and post-up ability. He is long enough to overwhelm smaller defensive backs in space, yet also has the speed to separate from linebackers down the field. Although scouts question his blocking ability, the success of ultra-athletic tight ends could boost Adams' value when coaches and scouts convene in pre-draft meetings. » Eastern Kentucky defensive end/outside linebacker Noah Spence has been a star of Senior Bowlpractices this week, but he might be the toughest evaluation for general managers and head coaches in pre-draft meetings because of character issues. On the field, Spence is an explosive athlete with remarkable first-step quickness and burst. He flies off the ball with cat-like quickness and flashes a "dip-and-rip" move that creates problems for offensive tackles on the edges. Spence has the potential to blossom into a "closer" (late-game sack artist) capable of racking up double-digit sacks. Off the field, he must address substance-abuse issues that lead to concerns about his accountability and dependability at the next level. Charles Davis » Competitive is the proper word for Ohio State wide receiver Braxton Miller. He has been so physical in running routes this week. He wouldn't just accept people hitting him and move him off of his route. He fought back and often won. » Linebacker Deion Jones had a good day, a good week. He was a one-year starter at LSU, and I'm telling you, he can flat-out fly. Undersized, he can run, move, hit. He reminds me of a guy who came out last year who probably dropped a round or two because of his size -- Kwon Alexander, who played well for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Lance Zierlein » Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon showed off his quickness and ability out of the backfield on Thursday. He also did a nice job of stepping up and competing in pass protection drills against linebackers. I am a fan of his approach to the game. » I was standing next to Baylor's Art Briles talking about some of the draftable Baylor prospects, and he commented a couple of times on how impressed he was by North Carolina State quarterback Jacoby Brissett. The first comment came when he discussed watching tape in preparation for a game against North Carolina where Brissett flashed on tape. The second comment came while watching the goal-line portion of the scrimmage when Brissett threw a rocket on a slant for a touchdown. » While I think Northern Iowa cornerback Deiondre' Hall is a solid CB with some deficiencies in coverage that concern me, NFL personnel people were very enamored with Hall's arm length which measured over 34 inches. To put that in perspective, Hall has the arm length of a high-end left tackle. While media and fans watch practice on NFL Network and grind on every one-on-one rep, NFL decision-makers are more interested in what a player could be with their traits and more coaching. Hall will go higher than I expected. » Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett had one drop (right when I was bragging on him to another bystander at practice) but came back after that and caught everything in sight. Vannett has great size and really showed off some of his red-zone potential during 7-on-7 drills. Follow College Football 24/7 on Twitter @NFL_CFB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted January 29, 2016 Author Share Posted January 29, 2016 2016 Senior Bowl: Friday Rumor Mill By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell With all the general managers, coaches and scouts in attendance for the Senior Bowl, there is a lot of chatter going around. Here are some of the highlights from the rumor mill on Day 5. In speaking with sources, one can expect the Jacksonville Jaguars to have a draft that is heavy on defense. That isn't surprising, as the Jags played in a lot of shootouts last year. Second-year starter Blake Bortles showed massive improvement under new offensive coordinator Greg Olson. Bortles had the second-most touchdown passes in the NFL with 35 while throwing for 4,400 yards. The focus of the offseason will be upgrading the Jaguar defense that allowed teams to build leads in a lot of games and put Borltes in comeback mode on a nearly weekly basis. In the first round of the draft, it sounds like Jacksonville's initial preference is to go with a pass-rusher over a cornerback. That could be considered surprising with 2015 third-overall pick Dante Fowler coming back from his ACL tear. However, Fowler is an unknown commodity who may need time to develop, and who knows if his injury will have a hangover into what is essentially his rookie season. Thus, taking another end to go on the other side from him could make sense. Potential targets include Oregon's DeForest Buckner and Ohio State's Joey Bosa. Of course, sources also say that a shutdown corner is in play. If the Jaguars had equally graded prospects available at corner or edge rusher, the inclination is towards the latter. One offensive lineman who has some fans in the scouting community is Texas Tech left tackle Le'Raven Clark. He has the body for left tackle in the NFL to go along with some quickness and athleticism. However, Clark is inconsistent. He can look great on some plays, and completely clueless on others. Scouts say that Clark is all potential at this point. They feel his technique needs a lot of work, but they love the tools he has. Sources feel he would be a great fit in a zone scheme or Chip Kelly's offense. These scouts have given Clark second-day grades. Another offensive lineman whom sources like is Kansas State left tackle-turned-guard Cody Whitehair. For next season, teams like Whitehair's versatility to be their sixth offensive lineman who is a capable game-day backup at guard or tackle. Teams really value those swing sixth offensive lineman, so Whitehair looks safe on Day 2. Whitehair needs to get stronger, and teams feel he has the potential to develop into a starting guard. In speaking to coaches that attended the Senior Bowl, the only quarterback who truly impressed them was North Dakota State's Carson Wentz. The other quarterbacks were all viewed as being backup quality. Teams really liked Dak Prescott in the team interviews and feel he has excellent football character. He could go in the top half of Day 3. Alabama quarterback Jacob Coker is viewed more as a late-rounder. They feel he has a long wind-up and is a statue in the pocket. One coach said that Coker is a poor man's Mike Glennon. Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan has some fans with teams. They feel that he may never be an effective starter, but they do believe that he could be a good backup quarterback. They like his intelligence and feel he will pick up their playbook quickly. Sources from a playoff team said they would consider taking Hogan as soon as the third-round to upgrade their backup signal-caller. Read more at http://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2016rumors5.php#RtSMAdV4RWS1cRXF.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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