Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
It was fun to go back and watch the Senior Bowl knowing that LB Haason Reddick, WR Chad Williams, G Will Holden and QB Antonio Pipkin played in the game.
Reddick -- showed that he can be very effective as a 34 ILB. The most impressive part was his play in pass coverage. He made two very good covers and stops over the middle on TE O.J. Howard and he got to the flat in a flash to make a stop on fast RB Donnell Pumphrey and then on fast scramble by QB Antonio Pipkin (this is what our defense needs at ILB is speed to cover TEs and RBs). In addition, he stepped up to make solid run tackles (with textbook form) and showed that he could sift through heavy traffic to do so. They played him on the edge for one series and he was good at keeping contain and he showed a quick first step on his pass rush, but on three rushes did not get a sack or a QB pressure (on his best rush, he got held but it wasn't called -- tons of holding in this game).
Williams -- was only thrown to twice, once on a dig route where he made a perfect catch and spin move for 10 yards and the second on an overthrown fade route in the end zone (where he was able to get last second separation). Mayock and Jeremiah said that they were impressed all week with his ability to separate and make good plays on the ball. They also said that he got in a fight during practice during the middle of the week. As we have detected, he plays with an edge and can be hot headed.
Holden -- started at RG and was never played at tackle even thought the tackles on the South were struggling. Holden was solid in the running game, as he was able to stand his man up and leverage him. But, his blocking technique at guard is shoddy. He does not fire off the snap and instead lets the DT make more of the initial contact, which he was strong enough to absorb after getting jolted, but versus anyone quicker, he would have been left in the dust. His pass pro was solid. He got beat only once but managed to strong arm his man away from the QB.
Pipkin -- Mayock and Jeremiah feel that with a year or two on someone's PS that Pipkin could develop into an NFL QB. They raved about his feet, which were the best part of his game in this game as he made one very good scramble for a 10 yard gain and a couple of good escapes under pressure. He connected on two passes, one on a middle curl and the other on a quick slant. Zipped both passes in there well, But he got intercepted on an intermediate pass and on a deep case. In both cases he floated the ball, which gave DBs in the area time to help and make the easy pick.
It was interesting to see Reddick taking on Holden on a block and chasing Williams and Pipkin. A good preview of practices to come.
BTW -- I do not take much stock in these All-Star games. I know most of you don't either. I just want to see good athleticism, football smarts and technique.
Reddick -- showed that he can be very effective as a 34 ILB. The most impressive part was his play in pass coverage. He made two very good covers and stops over the middle on TE O.J. Howard and he got to the flat in a flash to make a stop on fast RB Donnell Pumphrey and then on fast scramble by QB Antonio Pipkin (this is what our defense needs at ILB is speed to cover TEs and RBs). In addition, he stepped up to make solid run tackles (with textbook form) and showed that he could sift through heavy traffic to do so. They played him on the edge for one series and he was good at keeping contain and he showed a quick first step on his pass rush, but on three rushes did not get a sack or a QB pressure (on his best rush, he got held but it wasn't called -- tons of holding in this game).
Williams -- was only thrown to twice, once on a dig route where he made a perfect catch and spin move for 10 yards and the second on an overthrown fade route in the end zone (where he was able to get last second separation). Mayock and Jeremiah said that they were impressed all week with his ability to separate and make good plays on the ball. They also said that he got in a fight during practice during the middle of the week. As we have detected, he plays with an edge and can be hot headed.
Holden -- started at RG and was never played at tackle even thought the tackles on the South were struggling. Holden was solid in the running game, as he was able to stand his man up and leverage him. But, his blocking technique at guard is shoddy. He does not fire off the snap and instead lets the DT make more of the initial contact, which he was strong enough to absorb after getting jolted, but versus anyone quicker, he would have been left in the dust. His pass pro was solid. He got beat only once but managed to strong arm his man away from the QB.
Pipkin -- Mayock and Jeremiah feel that with a year or two on someone's PS that Pipkin could develop into an NFL QB. They raved about his feet, which were the best part of his game in this game as he made one very good scramble for a 10 yard gain and a couple of good escapes under pressure. He connected on two passes, one on a middle curl and the other on a quick slant. Zipped both passes in there well, But he got intercepted on an intermediate pass and on a deep case. In both cases he floated the ball, which gave DBs in the area time to help and make the easy pick.
It was interesting to see Reddick taking on Holden on a block and chasing Williams and Pipkin. A good preview of practices to come.
BTW -- I do not take much stock in these All-Star games. I know most of you don't either. I just want to see good athleticism, football smarts and technique.
