BACH
Superbowl, Homeboy!
From Sporting News' Draft Central
Practice sessions at all-star games like the Senior Bowl are not good venues for power running backs to showcase their strengths. Such was the case for Florida State's Greg Jones, who has very little experience in the passing game and poor overall hands and route running skills. Jones stood out like a sore thumb in a lot of the individual passing drills and seven-on-seven sessions during the week of practice, which is why we thought early on that he had badly damaged his draft value.
However, Jones, who is the biggest, strongest running back prospect in this year's draft class, was able to overcome a poor week of practice by turning in a dominating running performance in Saturday's game. Jones, who reminds us a lot of Carolina running back Stephen Davis, needs to be drafted by a team looking to employ a power running attack. Jones also is likely to be nothing more than a two-down back in the NFL. But he continues to show improved burst after his 2002 knee injury, and we believe his strong showing Saturday will go a long way toward cementing him as a second-round selection behind Kevin Jones (Virginia Tech), Steven Jackson (Oregon State) and Chris Perry (Michigan) in the upcoming draft. . . .
On the flip side, Jones' teammate, outside linebacker Michael Boulware, had an exceptional week of practice, especially in agility drills and matchup situations. But he disappeared in Saturday's game.
Boulware reminds us a lot of Boss Bailey (Lions) when he was coming out of Georgia a year ago. Like Bailey, Boulware has the athleticism and instincts to become a starter in the NFL, but he needs to bulk up, get stronger, and become much more physical and technically sound in run support before he reaches his potential. Also like Bailey, Boulware is too much of a risk to draft in the first round, but he has too much upside because of his athleticism to fall past the second round. . . .
The following is a list of the five players who helped and hurt themselves the most throughout the entire Senior Bowl process:
FIVE PLAYERS WHO HELPED THEMSELVES MOST
Philip Rivers, QB, NC State. Answered lots of questions about his delivery and arm strength during week of practice. Was most impressive in interview sessions. Quickly became the leader of the South team and followed up a strong week of practice with MVP performance in Saturday's game. Entire process may have catapulted him ahead of Tulane's J.P. Losman as the No. 3 rated quarterback in this year's draft class.
Michael Jenkins, WR, Ohio State. Lacks great speed, but consistently showed the ability to separate during practice and in the game. Had only one dropped pass the entire week of practice and was the North's go-to receiver during the game. May have catapulted himself into the first round with a strong overall week.
Devery Henderson, WR, LSU. This year's version of Bethel Johnson (Patriots). A former running back with just two years of receiver experience, Henderson showed improved route-running skills and hands in practice. Is the fastest receiver in this year's class; also showed he would go over the middle, take a hit and hold onto the football. Had the game's longest reception and led both teams in receiving yards. Still unpolished, but worth a second-round pick because of upside as a receiver and kick return specialist.
Darnell Dockett, DT, Florida State. Knock on Dockett is that his effort is inconsistent, but he was out to prove himself at the Senior Bowl. Had a strong week of practice and an even stronger game. Was the quickest defensive lineman on either team and almost singlehandedly disrupted the timing of the North offense during the game.
Ricardo Colclough, CB, Tusculum. Division II prospect is rough around the edges, which showed up in a lot of individual technique drills during practice week. But confidence grew as his play improved throughout the week. Is a "gamer" who is at his best in game-type situations. When the South scrimmaged at the end of each practice, he was much more impressive than he was in drills because he simply let his natural cover skills take over. Had an interception in the game and proved he can match up against the “big boys” in one-on-one in coverage, which likely will lead to him being selected in the second round.
FIVE PLAYERS WHO HURT THEMSELVES MOST
Michael Turner, RB, Northern Illinois. Much like Jones, is a north-south runner with limited receiving skills who struggled throughout the week of practice. However, unlike Jones, was unable to overcome those struggles in Saturday's game. Did not show the ability to plant and burst off of his cuts, and didn't show the same acceleration that we saw from him early in the season when he was flat-out dominant in wins over Alabama and Maryland. Perhaps is worn down after carrying a tremendously heavy load, but lack of explosiveness was a disappointment.
Maurice Brown, WR, Iowa. Has adequate size, speed and strength, but just doesn't find a way to separate from defensive backs. Really struggled to catch the football during the week of practice. Also has some durability concerns, which will lead to him falling even further on draft day.
Brandon Everage, S, Oklahoma. Flashes the acceleration, toughness and range to develop into a starting free safety in the NFL. But off-field baggage, combined with the fact that he clearly looked to be the most technically unsound defensive back at the Senior Bowl, will lead to him dropping to the second day of the draft.
Grant Wiley, MLB, West Virginia. Had a solid game in which he was one of the North's leading tacklers, but it was not enough to overcome what we saw from him during the week of practice. Unlike other undersized linebackers before him, such as London Fletcher (Bills) and Zach Thomas (Dolphins), Wiley lacks the speed and overall athleticism to make up for his marginal build. Was a terrifically productive college linebacker, but in our opinion he grades out as a Day 2 prospect who will have to earn his way onto an NFL team by playing great on special teams.
Kris Wilson, TE, Pittsburgh. An undersized tight end who lacks great speed but always has been such a consistent route runner and pass catcher that we got the impression he might develop into a quality No. 2 H-back type. However, after watching him fight the ball in practice all week and struggle to separate and get open both in practice and in the game, we now wonder if he's going to even make an NFL roster.
Practice sessions at all-star games like the Senior Bowl are not good venues for power running backs to showcase their strengths. Such was the case for Florida State's Greg Jones, who has very little experience in the passing game and poor overall hands and route running skills. Jones stood out like a sore thumb in a lot of the individual passing drills and seven-on-seven sessions during the week of practice, which is why we thought early on that he had badly damaged his draft value.
However, Jones, who is the biggest, strongest running back prospect in this year's draft class, was able to overcome a poor week of practice by turning in a dominating running performance in Saturday's game. Jones, who reminds us a lot of Carolina running back Stephen Davis, needs to be drafted by a team looking to employ a power running attack. Jones also is likely to be nothing more than a two-down back in the NFL. But he continues to show improved burst after his 2002 knee injury, and we believe his strong showing Saturday will go a long way toward cementing him as a second-round selection behind Kevin Jones (Virginia Tech), Steven Jackson (Oregon State) and Chris Perry (Michigan) in the upcoming draft. . . .
On the flip side, Jones' teammate, outside linebacker Michael Boulware, had an exceptional week of practice, especially in agility drills and matchup situations. But he disappeared in Saturday's game.
Boulware reminds us a lot of Boss Bailey (Lions) when he was coming out of Georgia a year ago. Like Bailey, Boulware has the athleticism and instincts to become a starter in the NFL, but he needs to bulk up, get stronger, and become much more physical and technically sound in run support before he reaches his potential. Also like Bailey, Boulware is too much of a risk to draft in the first round, but he has too much upside because of his athleticism to fall past the second round. . . .
The following is a list of the five players who helped and hurt themselves the most throughout the entire Senior Bowl process:
FIVE PLAYERS WHO HELPED THEMSELVES MOST
Philip Rivers, QB, NC State. Answered lots of questions about his delivery and arm strength during week of practice. Was most impressive in interview sessions. Quickly became the leader of the South team and followed up a strong week of practice with MVP performance in Saturday's game. Entire process may have catapulted him ahead of Tulane's J.P. Losman as the No. 3 rated quarterback in this year's draft class.
Michael Jenkins, WR, Ohio State. Lacks great speed, but consistently showed the ability to separate during practice and in the game. Had only one dropped pass the entire week of practice and was the North's go-to receiver during the game. May have catapulted himself into the first round with a strong overall week.
Devery Henderson, WR, LSU. This year's version of Bethel Johnson (Patriots). A former running back with just two years of receiver experience, Henderson showed improved route-running skills and hands in practice. Is the fastest receiver in this year's class; also showed he would go over the middle, take a hit and hold onto the football. Had the game's longest reception and led both teams in receiving yards. Still unpolished, but worth a second-round pick because of upside as a receiver and kick return specialist.
Darnell Dockett, DT, Florida State. Knock on Dockett is that his effort is inconsistent, but he was out to prove himself at the Senior Bowl. Had a strong week of practice and an even stronger game. Was the quickest defensive lineman on either team and almost singlehandedly disrupted the timing of the North offense during the game.
Ricardo Colclough, CB, Tusculum. Division II prospect is rough around the edges, which showed up in a lot of individual technique drills during practice week. But confidence grew as his play improved throughout the week. Is a "gamer" who is at his best in game-type situations. When the South scrimmaged at the end of each practice, he was much more impressive than he was in drills because he simply let his natural cover skills take over. Had an interception in the game and proved he can match up against the “big boys” in one-on-one in coverage, which likely will lead to him being selected in the second round.
FIVE PLAYERS WHO HURT THEMSELVES MOST
Michael Turner, RB, Northern Illinois. Much like Jones, is a north-south runner with limited receiving skills who struggled throughout the week of practice. However, unlike Jones, was unable to overcome those struggles in Saturday's game. Did not show the ability to plant and burst off of his cuts, and didn't show the same acceleration that we saw from him early in the season when he was flat-out dominant in wins over Alabama and Maryland. Perhaps is worn down after carrying a tremendously heavy load, but lack of explosiveness was a disappointment.
Maurice Brown, WR, Iowa. Has adequate size, speed and strength, but just doesn't find a way to separate from defensive backs. Really struggled to catch the football during the week of practice. Also has some durability concerns, which will lead to him falling even further on draft day.
Brandon Everage, S, Oklahoma. Flashes the acceleration, toughness and range to develop into a starting free safety in the NFL. But off-field baggage, combined with the fact that he clearly looked to be the most technically unsound defensive back at the Senior Bowl, will lead to him dropping to the second day of the draft.
Grant Wiley, MLB, West Virginia. Had a solid game in which he was one of the North's leading tacklers, but it was not enough to overcome what we saw from him during the week of practice. Unlike other undersized linebackers before him, such as London Fletcher (Bills) and Zach Thomas (Dolphins), Wiley lacks the speed and overall athleticism to make up for his marginal build. Was a terrifically productive college linebacker, but in our opinion he grades out as a Day 2 prospect who will have to earn his way onto an NFL team by playing great on special teams.
Kris Wilson, TE, Pittsburgh. An undersized tight end who lacks great speed but always has been such a consistent route runner and pass catcher that we got the impression he might develop into a quality No. 2 H-back type. However, after watching him fight the ball in practice all week and struggle to separate and get open both in practice and in the game, we now wonder if he's going to even make an NFL roster.
