Several standing out at Senior Bowl practice
NFL.com Senior Analyst
MOBILE, Ala. (Jan. 25, 2007) -- As the afternoon practice on the third day of Senior Bowl week ended, many of the coaches and general managers around the NFL headed to the Mobile airport to get back to their respective cities. The intense three days of contact were coming to an end, and the walkthrough practices scheduled for Thursday and Friday were of little interest to the NFL decision makers. One GM told me he conducted 91 player interviews in four days. Another personnel director said he met with his 11-member staff every morning to review each position and refocus on the players who needed more information each day.
The Senior Bowl efforts in practice are considered more important than the game performance. The Wednesday practices are a tremendous opportunity for those players who struggled earlier in the week. Wednesday is also critical for those who have been increasing their value each day to keep the momentum on their side. The third reason Wednesday is so important is the chance to solidify the professional role a player can best handle. Let's break down a number of players into these three groups and add a fourth group: Players who still need a great performance in the game on Saturday to clear up the picture about their professional future.
PLAYERS WHO TURNED IT AROUND BY WEDNESDAY
1. Lorenzo Booker, Florida State running back: On Monday, he was average-looking. On Tuesday, he made a quality defender flat out miss him in close quarters and scored a touchdown -- he flashed his skills. On Wednesday, he started to resemble a young Tiki Barber blending some power, good hands and a whole lot of shake.
2. Joe Staley, Central Michigan left tackle: Staley was adequate on Monday, shaky on Tuesday by his own admission to me and an absolute stud on Wednesday. Defenders bull rushed him, took a few turns at the speed rush and some tried to cross his face. Staley demonstrated movement skills, attitude and, most importantly, the desire to compete. Chase Pittman from LSU was his main competition all day, and he responded in a big way. Staley caught the eye of many coaches.
3. Brandon Mebane, California defensive tackle: Mebane had an active practice on Wednesday and showed he can play at the NFL level. Earlier in the week he looked like a journeyman; today he looked like a role player in an NFL defensive line rotation.
4. Tanard Jackson, Syracuse defensive back: Is he a safety or corner? That was answered by Wednesday -- he's both, an adjuster type who gives a defensive coordinator the flexibility every NFL coach is looking for in 2007.
PLAYERS WHO KEPT THE MOMENTUM ROLLING ALONG
1. Ryan Kalil, USC center: He was so capable of handling all fronts, whether it was a linebacker or nose tackle. Technique and to-the-whistle effort made him a stand out all week long.
2. LeRon McClain, Alabama fullback: He's the real deal as a lead blocker, and that never changed for one play all week. He is capable of a few critical runs a game and consistently demonstrated receiver skills.
3. Michael Griffin, Texas safety: He didn't flash greatness at any time, but his steady play all week long began to add up for the talented 6-foot-1, 205-pound playmaker.
4. Amobi Okoye, Louisville defensive tackle: He has the quickness and technique to line up as a rookie and be disruptive. Lots of coaches are thinking about how high they are going to have to draft him to get him.
5. Dwayne Bowe, LSU wide receiver: He got better looking at every practice. His height, weight and speed quotient was only outdone by his desire to play. I stood next to this kid most of the week, and he gave great effort every time the ball was snapped.
6. Aaron Sears, Tennessee guard: Sears has played up and down the offensive line, but if you took all of his snaps at guard and looked at them exclusively, his draft-round status would go up.
PLAYERS WHO CLEARED UP THEIR PRO POSITION
1. Justin Blaylock, Texas guard/tackle: He's an NFL guard and a darn good one.
2. Patrick Willis, Mississippi linebacker: He's a Tampa 2 middle linebacker, a 3-4 weak inside 'backer, and he'll play the run early in his career with the pro passing attack just one year away.
3. Tony Hunt, Penn State running back: Maybe not right away, but Hunt will be an every-down back.
4. Troy Smith, Ohio State quarterback. Some came into the week thinking Smith was a hybrid player like Antwaan Randle El, but he is a guy getting first consideration at signal caller.
PLAYERS WHO NEED TO PLAY WELL ON SATURDAY
1. Tony Ugoh, Arkansas tackle: He had an inconsistent week, and a great game on Saturday in the pass protection area will go a long way toward helping him. Coaches want to see the fire burning!
2. LaMarr Woodley, Michigan defensive end: His hamstring injury may keep him out, but his performance earlier in the week raised some doubts about the great speed rusher.
3. Jordan Palmer, UTEP quarterback: Palmer has the height, weight and speed, but needs the game to establish his QB credibility. Lots of scouts like the athletic ability, and most of the time, his ball is delivered well, but one scout thought he might have a future as a hybrid receiver-type a few years down the road.
4. Brandon Myles, West Virginia wide receiver: He didn't look fluid in the passing work this week, but he has a game to change the notion that he is just a guy in the draft pool.
5. Leon Hall, Michigan cornerback: Hall doesn't have ideal height, but his movement skills give him a chance to erase the pain of the Rose Bowl. I watched Hall every practice, and I think the game is his statement moment.
If I could get rid of one thing in a few of these young men who are trying so hard to catch the eye of the NFL decision-makers, it would be:
1. For all of the tight ends, their inability to impress as downfield receivers and create matchup nightmares.
2. Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma linebacker, clearing up the nagging minor injury that controls his aggressiveness on the field. On Monday he was a lot different than he was Wednesday, as I caught him limping.
3. Aaron Rouse, Virginia Tech defensive back, stops playing too high and gets some more knee bends.
4. Manuel Ramirez, Texas Tech guard, stops getting viewed as a man who can't run block in this league after playing in a pass-happy Texas Tech package. This guy is a road-grader and one of the worst kept secrets in Senior Bowl history.
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
By Pat KirwanNFL.com Senior Analyst
MOBILE, Ala. (Jan. 25, 2007) -- As the afternoon practice on the third day of Senior Bowl week ended, many of the coaches and general managers around the NFL headed to the Mobile airport to get back to their respective cities. The intense three days of contact were coming to an end, and the walkthrough practices scheduled for Thursday and Friday were of little interest to the NFL decision makers. One GM told me he conducted 91 player interviews in four days. Another personnel director said he met with his 11-member staff every morning to review each position and refocus on the players who needed more information each day.
The Senior Bowl efforts in practice are considered more important than the game performance. The Wednesday practices are a tremendous opportunity for those players who struggled earlier in the week. Wednesday is also critical for those who have been increasing their value each day to keep the momentum on their side. The third reason Wednesday is so important is the chance to solidify the professional role a player can best handle. Let's break down a number of players into these three groups and add a fourth group: Players who still need a great performance in the game on Saturday to clear up the picture about their professional future.
PLAYERS WHO TURNED IT AROUND BY WEDNESDAY
You must be registered for see images
Florida State's Lorenzo Booker improved as the week went on. 1. Lorenzo Booker, Florida State running back: On Monday, he was average-looking. On Tuesday, he made a quality defender flat out miss him in close quarters and scored a touchdown -- he flashed his skills. On Wednesday, he started to resemble a young Tiki Barber blending some power, good hands and a whole lot of shake.
2. Joe Staley, Central Michigan left tackle: Staley was adequate on Monday, shaky on Tuesday by his own admission to me and an absolute stud on Wednesday. Defenders bull rushed him, took a few turns at the speed rush and some tried to cross his face. Staley demonstrated movement skills, attitude and, most importantly, the desire to compete. Chase Pittman from LSU was his main competition all day, and he responded in a big way. Staley caught the eye of many coaches.
3. Brandon Mebane, California defensive tackle: Mebane had an active practice on Wednesday and showed he can play at the NFL level. Earlier in the week he looked like a journeyman; today he looked like a role player in an NFL defensive line rotation.
4. Tanard Jackson, Syracuse defensive back: Is he a safety or corner? That was answered by Wednesday -- he's both, an adjuster type who gives a defensive coordinator the flexibility every NFL coach is looking for in 2007.
PLAYERS WHO KEPT THE MOMENTUM ROLLING ALONG
1. Ryan Kalil, USC center: He was so capable of handling all fronts, whether it was a linebacker or nose tackle. Technique and to-the-whistle effort made him a stand out all week long.
2. LeRon McClain, Alabama fullback: He's the real deal as a lead blocker, and that never changed for one play all week. He is capable of a few critical runs a game and consistently demonstrated receiver skills.
3. Michael Griffin, Texas safety: He didn't flash greatness at any time, but his steady play all week long began to add up for the talented 6-foot-1, 205-pound playmaker.
4. Amobi Okoye, Louisville defensive tackle: He has the quickness and technique to line up as a rookie and be disruptive. Lots of coaches are thinking about how high they are going to have to draft him to get him.
5. Dwayne Bowe, LSU wide receiver: He got better looking at every practice. His height, weight and speed quotient was only outdone by his desire to play. I stood next to this kid most of the week, and he gave great effort every time the ball was snapped.
6. Aaron Sears, Tennessee guard: Sears has played up and down the offensive line, but if you took all of his snaps at guard and looked at them exclusively, his draft-round status would go up.
PLAYERS WHO CLEARED UP THEIR PRO POSITION
You must be registered for see images
Ohio State's Troy Smith has made it clear with his play he's a quarterback.1. Justin Blaylock, Texas guard/tackle: He's an NFL guard and a darn good one.
2. Patrick Willis, Mississippi linebacker: He's a Tampa 2 middle linebacker, a 3-4 weak inside 'backer, and he'll play the run early in his career with the pro passing attack just one year away.
3. Tony Hunt, Penn State running back: Maybe not right away, but Hunt will be an every-down back.
4. Troy Smith, Ohio State quarterback. Some came into the week thinking Smith was a hybrid player like Antwaan Randle El, but he is a guy getting first consideration at signal caller.
PLAYERS WHO NEED TO PLAY WELL ON SATURDAY
1. Tony Ugoh, Arkansas tackle: He had an inconsistent week, and a great game on Saturday in the pass protection area will go a long way toward helping him. Coaches want to see the fire burning!
2. LaMarr Woodley, Michigan defensive end: His hamstring injury may keep him out, but his performance earlier in the week raised some doubts about the great speed rusher.
3. Jordan Palmer, UTEP quarterback: Palmer has the height, weight and speed, but needs the game to establish his QB credibility. Lots of scouts like the athletic ability, and most of the time, his ball is delivered well, but one scout thought he might have a future as a hybrid receiver-type a few years down the road.
4. Brandon Myles, West Virginia wide receiver: He didn't look fluid in the passing work this week, but he has a game to change the notion that he is just a guy in the draft pool.
5. Leon Hall, Michigan cornerback: Hall doesn't have ideal height, but his movement skills give him a chance to erase the pain of the Rose Bowl. I watched Hall every practice, and I think the game is his statement moment.
If I could get rid of one thing in a few of these young men who are trying so hard to catch the eye of the NFL decision-makers, it would be:
1. For all of the tight ends, their inability to impress as downfield receivers and create matchup nightmares.
2. Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma linebacker, clearing up the nagging minor injury that controls his aggressiveness on the field. On Monday he was a lot different than he was Wednesday, as I caught him limping.
3. Aaron Rouse, Virginia Tech defensive back, stops playing too high and gets some more knee bends.
4. Manuel Ramirez, Texas Tech guard, stops getting viewed as a man who can't run block in this league after playing in a pass-happy Texas Tech package. This guy is a road-grader and one of the worst kept secrets in Senior Bowl history.
