2008 Senior Bowl Thoughts and Recap...

[AsUdUdE]

A few thoughts about the game last night...

First, S. Ellis looked like a man among boys out there yesterday, it seriously often looked like the OL for the south didn't stand a chance... To me he solidified his place in the top 10...

Now for the exciting news... DRC (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) looked like the best player on the field for the south regardless of position...

He is fast, had a good break on the ball, an impressive INT, and great tackling fundamentals....

He has ideal size, 6'2 185, is fast and has very good ball skills....

After the week he had, and the game, when all is said and done, it would not surprise me AT ALL if he is considered a 1st rounder....

He works out weekly with a guy by the name of Sanders, and Sanders has said he believes he is as good as his cousin....

I don't think there is ANY way he lasts to the middle of the 2nd, but based on what I saw, watching him in practice all week and seeing him in the game, I think he very well could be the Best Corner in the draft... BY FAR...

The other corner Chevis Jackson looked good.. he did give up a TD pass, but that play really wasn't his fault... he looked solid in coverage, though he seems to be a Rolle clone, destined to not have the speed to be a corner, and thus the idea of moving him to FS.. We dont need that....

Other thoughts... Add another running back to add to the 12 or so that look promising... Tashard Choice look pretty Damn good in the game. His major knock is his lack of toughness, try telling that to the North’s Defense. He has GREAT hands, good vision, and last night he was putting his head down and moving the pile... 5'11 207 he also did a very good job picking up the blitz on many situations.. might be a good look in the 4th or 5th rounds if we haven't solidified the RB position by then....

Keith Rivers looked very athletic... he was often out of position, but used his speed and athleticism to make up for it, even coming up and causing a fumble....

Dan Conner looked just the opposite... he had below average athleticism, but always seemed to be in he right place (save one time where he took a very bad angle and let the RB get about 20).... He had a good looking INT, where he dropped back into coverage, read the QBs eyes, and picked the pass off (thrown by Brennon)

Jeremy Thompson showed me a few things... He is kind of the Hybrid we talk about 6'5 265, OLB/DE... He played fast, and more importantly he played smart, for one play as soon as he realized it was going to be a screen he dropped back into coverage and knocked the pass down... Could be a solid add in the 3-4th rounds....

Finally...on a side note.. All the QBs in the game looked HORRIBLE....Hawaii's Colt Brennan was 2-of-6 for 29 yards with an interception. Delaware's Joe Flacco was 2-of-7 for 22 yards and a pick....Henne had two TD passes.. one was a BADLY under thrown ball and if it was a decent one, Chevis Jackson would have picked it off, the other was an easy pass to a wide open TE....

Andre Woodson looked bad missing badly on many seemingly easy throws, and Erick Einge may have looked the best... and well he wasn't exactly on fire...

Anyway those are just a few comments and reactions fromt he game....

Thoughts?

 

[General Chaos]

I actually thought Matt Forte the RB out of Tulane looked great. He is big and runs hard. He was also the MVP of the game. He is probably a 3rd or 4th round pick.

 

[The Risen Phoenix]

You are dead on when it comes to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a.k.a. "DRC". I made it a point to watch him the whole game after learning that the Cards had reached out to him during the week's practice.The kid is scary good. His height, speed, headiness, and jumping ability make him extrememly attractive heading into the draft. I thought he was less of a corner than Porter or Cason going into the Senior Bowl, but now I gotta say that he's in a class of his own......destined to be a shut down corner in the NFL. With that said, I hope the Cards do continue to pursue him and draft him in April. I'd like to see him donning a Cards uniform in the fall. If he's there in the 2nd Rd. we have to take him although we may have to move up near the top of the 2nd Rd. to nab him (the word is out on him now). He is a legitimate 1st Rd. talent that will more than likely be available in the 2nd Rd.

 

[SightsSoundsBach13]

All these guys mentioned in a good light represent only a portion of the first two rounds. There are so many players that weren't in the Senior Bowl that will hopefully allow Rogers-Cromartie to be that "gift from Heaven" at #16.

He really looked like a pro out there and his speed would be much needed on our team. He would be a no-brainer at that slot even if there were no injury concerns with Eric Green.

Colt Brennan was savaged on two plays by the NFL Network Intern Game-callers. I like Mayock's analysis of defensive players but he is consistently wrong on offensive players, though I, too, am all about the guy who lines up under center for the Broncos, so it gives me hope that he is wrong with Brennan. On the one incompletion that he slung right past a crossing linebacker, Mayock and Dilfer had harsh barbs for Brennan by saying the ball should've been thrown earlier and how it was behind the wideout. Well, the wideout had both hands on it and was bringing it in and wound up harboring none of the blame. The lack of cameras couldn't give us a good look at Brennan's INT but it appeared the tight end had a good shot at it but didn't make much of a play on it and might've had his hands on it. Brennan, of course, got the blame.

Three receivers that looked good were Donnie Avery, Andre Caldwell, and Adarius Bowman. Avery ran crisp routes, had nice hands and looked angry.

 

[WildBB]

You are dead on when it comes to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a.k.a. "DRC". I made it a point to watch him the whole game after learning that the Cards had reached out to him during the week's practice.The kid is scary good. His height, speed, headiness, and jumping ability make him extrememly attractive heading into the draft. I thought he was less of a corner than Porter or Cason going into the Senior Bowl, but now I gotta say that he's in a class of his own......destined to be a shut down corner in the NFL. With that said, I hope the Cards do continue to pursue him and draft him in April. I'd like to see him donning a Cards uniform in the fall. If he's there in the 2nd Rd. we have to take him although we may have to move up near the top of the 2nd Rd. to nab him (the word is out on him now). He is a legitimate 1st Rd. talent that will more than likely be available in the 2nd Rd.

They can move down and pick up extra picks.

 

[The Risen Phoenix]

They can move down and pick up extra picks.

True.

 

[Mitch]

Great post, AsUD...you beat me to it.

I agree with virtually all of your assessments. As for Cromartie, if the Cards want to take him, they will have to take him at #16...there's no way he will slide to #50, especially when the coaches were hailing Cromartie as the best DB at the Senior Bowl, and there were some other projected first rounders in the mix, like Chevis Jackson (LSU) and Leodis McKelvin (Troy) who tweaked a groin and did not play.

I agree that none of the QBs really stood out. Chad Henne threw for two TDs...the first was a deep wobbler that Lavelle Hawkins (Cal) made a nice catch on. Erik Ainge (Tennessee) managed the game well, but lacks a big arm, like Colt Brennan (Hawaii), who may have played himself out of the draft with his weak sidearm chucks. Andre Woodson (Kentucky) had significant trouble getting rid of the ball on time and getting into any semblance of rhythm.

At RB...the player who stood out was Matt Forte (6-2, 225, Tulane)...gotta like this kid's size, strength and feet. The rests of the RBs looked like 5th to 7th round utility backs...I am not as high on Tashard Choice (Georgia Tech), who can squirt through holes, but does not break many tackles and is not a good short yardage back. Chauncey Washington (USC) has talent, no question, but was adademically ineligible at USC his first two years and never really hit his full potential the past two years. The one sleeper may be FB/RB Peyton Hills (6-2, 238, Arkansas)...who runs hard and tough, and is very effective in short yardage and goal-line situations.

At WR...I was very impressed with Donny Avery (Houston)...he displayed good hands and strength to compliment his 4.28 speed. Lavelle Hawkins has quick feet and made a nice adjustment on his TD catch, managing to come back and snag Henne's wobbler. I was hoping to see more of D.J. Hall (Alabama), but he wasn't thrown to much...neither were any of the TEs, except, Marvin Rucker (6-6, 255, Missouri), who played as a flex TE at Missouri (no in-line blocking), but caught 84 passes this past year after posting 53/511/5 as a junior.

The two offensive linemen who stood out were tackles Gosder Cherilus (6-7, 320, Boston College) and Chris Williams (6-6, 318, Vanderbilt)...who are most likely the #3 and #4 tackle prospects in the draft, and look like middle to late first rounders.

On the defensive line, Sedrick "The Entertainer" Ellis locked up a top 5 pick in the draft, showing remarkable quickness and agility for a player his size. Plus, Ellis has an almost flawless command of defensive line fundamentals. The other DT who caught my eye was Trevor Laws (6-1, 290, Notre Dame), who is rugged and athletic, and looked a little like a slightly shorter version of Darnell Dockett on a couple of plays.

I was very disappointed with the edge rushers...I was hoping to come away excited about Lawrence Jackson (6-5, 265, USC) and Chris Ellis (6-5, 260, Virginia Tech), but neither one of these players generated consistent pressure in the game, and Jackson was just plain awful versus the run. Jeremy Thompson batted down a pass at OLB, but he didn't show much of anything as an edge rusher on the few occasions he rushed.

Dan Connor was the most instinctive and productive LB (9 tackles, 1 int.) on the field. Your assessment of him is right on. Keith Rivers is quick, but, IMO, not NFL ready, due to slight build and a tendency to over-run plays (good note again, on your part). The second best LB in this game was Wesley Woodyard (6-1, 218, Kentucky), who is a fast and sure tackler as a WILL LB, but he's a mere 218 pounds.

At DB...as said, Cromartie was the show, demonstrating superior ability tio break on the ball and go up and get the deep pass...and his tackling was solid. Chevis Jackson (LSU) and Simeon Castille (Alabama) look like solid future NFL RCBs. FS Quintin Demps (UTEP) has a nice end-zone interception on an underthrown pass by J.D. Booty. FS Tom Zbikowski (Notre Dame) is active but late on the ball. He had a nice punt return after the safety, however.

Speaking of punts...both punters in this game would be great pickups for the Cardinals. Durant Brooks is the Ray Guy Winner for good reason, the guy can flat-out boom the ball. As can sleeper Mike Draggowski (North Dakota St.) who set a Senior Bowl record with a booming hot roller that covered 62 yards.

Forget about the kickers in this game, as neither one of them could reach the 10 yard line on a kickoff.

If all we could is draft from Senior Bowl players...here's what my draft would be (being realistic about where the Cards pick):

1. CB Cromartie or T Cherilus
2. WR Avery or LB Connor
3. DT Laws or CB Castille
4. P Brooks or P Draggowski
5. FB/RB Hills
6. FS Demps
7. ?

 

[Skkorpion]

All star games and games of that ilk, made up of players from different teams, with short practice time, and few reps for each player, are hard to watch.

I tried and gave up at half time. Not meaning to insult anyone, but drawing conclusions on any player, from this one game, is suspect.

It's no accident the pro staffs leave after the week of practice and don't bother staying for the game.

 

[joeshmo]

All star games and games of that ilk, made up of players from different teams, with short practice time, and few reps for each player, are hard to watch.

I tried and gave up at half time. Not meaning to insult anyone, but drawing conclusions on any player, from this one game, is suspect.

It's no accident the pro staffs leave after the week of practice and don't bother staying for the game.

Nail on the head. This game means nothing to the scouts, GM's, and coaches. Which is evident by the fact that most teams leave Thursday night right after the last practice of the day, the Cards being one of them. It is all about the weigh ins, interviews with the prospects, meeting with other GM's to discuss possible trades, talk between coaches which in turn could lead to future jobs or current ones, and the week of actually putting the players through real NFL drills. The game itself is probably the last thing on the minds of the staffs. I think the NFL fan is actually figuring that out as well considering there was only like 5000 fans at the game, worst year yet. They get more fans at a Texas high school game.

http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=2209

This week, the Cardinals’ braintrust is back in Mobile for the two-pronged event that is the Senior Bowl. The Cards’ coaches, scouts and front-office arrived Monday and will remain until Thursday.

 

[GreenCard]

In what round do you think Hester(FB-RB) from LSU will go?

 

[Mitch]

In what round do you think Hester(FB-RB) from LSU will go?

I like Hester as a special teams guy and an occasional utility back...he's got very good feet, is tough and a good receiver...but he's a tad small for the FB role, and not explosive enough as a tailback. He'll give you everything he's got, though. The kid is a winner.

My guess: 6th round.

 

[WildBB]

The two offensive linemen who stood out were tackles Gosder Cherilus (6-7, 320, Boston College) and Chris Williams (6-6, 318, Vanderbilt)...who are most likely the #3 and #4 tackle prospects in the draft, and look like middle to late first rounders.

That's what I've been saying. The way this draft lines up we could get a very good OT at the 16 pick. We would go in two years, from a position of weakness to a team strength. You can't have enough good ones. Cherilus or Williams are solid picks at that point of the draft and could step in year one and be dominating soon. Cherilus especially , he could be pro-bowl material.

Avery in the 2nd would be sick. Could you imagine our air attack then?! Whisenhut could be the second coming of Don Air Coryell. Don't think they'll go that way even if he's available though. It'd have to be a CB there.

If we trade down and take Cromartie 1st, that will open a whole lot of things. He should be there in the back half of the first. Two weeks ago people were pimping him in the 3rd! If it's between Cromartie and the OL listed at 16, I go OL.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Cherilous has looked like a RT to me, but I guess he could handle the left side alright since Matt can atleast see them coming from that side.

 

[anks106]

I think we could get lucky and add Sam Baker in the 2nd.. he's the kind of guy I think Whiz n Grimm would love and he is gonna be a beast.. I love hearing he may fall.. hopefully to us

 

[Southpaw]

Tashard Choice is sloooooooowwww.

Jacob Hester could be drafted, but may be a " must have " undrafted free agent.

I wouldn't be surprised if he were switched to safety.

P.S. Didn't watch the game. All Star games bore the living beegeezus out of me. The workouts during the week were worth watching. Mayock knows his stuff.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I stated last week when people were saying that we should be able to draft Cromartie in the 3rd, that he will impress and become a 1st round pick.

The more time comes along, I am moving to the Cromartie bandwagon.

 

[WildBB]

Cherilous has looked like a RT to me, but I guess he could handle the left side alright since Matt can atleast see them coming from that side.

Brown played LT in college , MTL his natural position.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Brown played LT in college , MTL his natural position.

I just said LT because Levi played on the right all season. BTW, what does MTL mean?

 

[WildBB]

I just said LT because Levi played on the right all season. BTW, what does MTL mean?

More Than Likely. Yeah Levi would protect the blind side of Leinart there, where he struggled with pass protection somewhat. Moving him to LT might make sense if
Cherilus comes on board.

 

[cardsfanmd]

More Than Likely. Yeah Levi would protect the blind side of Leinart there, where he struggled with pass protection somewhat. Moving him to LT might make sense if
Cherilus comes on board.

If he struggled with pass protection on the right, the last thing you want to do is rush him over to the left side IMO. Thats where all the real pass rushers are coming from.

 

[DaisyCutter]

More Than Likely. Yeah Levi would protect the blind side of Leinart there, where he struggled with pass protection somewhat. Moving him to LT might make sense if
Cherilus comes on board.

If Brown struggled in pass protection on the right, he was murdered in pass protection when he was deployed to the left side for the Redskins game. Just embarrassing and nearly got Kurt Warner killed.

For what it's worth, Williams and Cherilus are the 5th and 6th ranked OT prospects on a lot of boards right now, and may be available to the Cards in the middle of the second round. It depends how many teams are going to want to re-stock their OT positions for the future. Jake Long, Ryan Clady (Boise State), Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh), and Sam Baker (USC) are for the moment rated ahead of those two. Both guys are intriguing prospects, and I wouldn't be surprised to see one or both of them leapfrog Baker. Carl Nicks from Nebraska is apparently a name to keep warm as a sleeper OT prospect.

As for Chevis Jackson, I've seen him rated as the 18th-best cornerback in the draft. I kinda doubt that he's a first-round prospect. Not with all the underclassmen in this draft at the position. It'll be interesting to see whether he can beat our the Porter kid from Indiana.

 

[Mitch]

If Brown struggled in pass protection on the right, he was murdered in pass protection when he was deployed to the left side for the Redskins game. Just embarrassing and nearly got Kurt Warner killed.

For what it's worth, Williams and Cherilus are the 5th and 6th ranked OT prospects on a lot of boards right now, and may be available to the Cards in the middle of the second round. It depends how many teams are going to want to re-stock their OT positions for the future. Jake Long, Ryan Clady (Boise State), Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh), and Sam Baker (USC) are for the moment rated ahead of those two. Both guys are intriguing prospects, and I wouldn't be surprised to see one or both of them leapfrog Baker. Carl Nicks from Nebraska is apparently a name to keep warm as a sleeper OT prospect.

As for Chevis Jackson, I've seen him rated as the 18th-best cornerback in the draft. I kinda doubt that he's a first-round prospect. Not with all the underclassmen in this draft at the position. It'll be interesting to see whether he can beat our the Porter kid from Indiana.

Have you entertained the possibility and even the likelihood that Levi Brown will be much improved next year? You act like he will never be a good pass protector...but the guy was a mere rookie last year and was playing a new position for him. Whether he plays on the left or the right next year, Russ Grimm will have this guy playing at a very high level.

Check out the various mocks. Chevis Jackson is consistently mentioned in the 24-34 range. He was the 3rd best CB at the Senior Bowl, behind Cromartie and McKelvin (who did not play). How that translates into being the 18th rated CB is hard to fathom.

 

[abomb]

Check out the various mocks. Chevis Jackson is consistently mentioned in the 24-34 range. He was the 3rd best CB at the Senior Bowl, behind Cromartie and McKelvin (who did not play). How that translates into being the 18th rated CB is hard to fathom.

18. Just sayin'.

This site has him at the 14 best CB; drafted somewhere in the 4th round.

 

[joeshmo]

18. Just sayin'.

This site has him at the 14 best CB; drafted somewhere in the 4th round.

Or this - http://www.gbnreport.com/2007cbs.html

He is ranked 18th at the huddle report and going in the 5th round.

 

[Mitch]

I swear I saw Chevis Jackson in the late first round-early second of a couple of mocks. I just clicked on 7-8 mocks and he's a 3rd-4th round projection on all of them. My bad. I stand corrected. That said, he still was consisdered the 3rd best CB at the Senior Bowl. The knock on him is speed///he runs in the 4.48-4.52 range.