Senior Bowl Day Four Recap

SRW · Jan 24, 2008

Senior Bowl Practice Recap - Day Four

Morning Practice
This morning's practice wasn't as exciting as the last three days were, but there was still some scouting to be done. The weather was nasty as it was raining and there was a lot of wind. Here's my thoughts from the North Team's practice:

- Michigan quarterback Chad Henne has had a near flawless week and may have helped himself more than anyone else on the North roster. He's had a few throws that have been off the mark, but that's being picky. I wouldn't be surprised if he was off the board by the time Day One (Rounds One and Two) came to a close.

- Purdue receiver Dorien Bryant has had a very nice week of practice. He's been a bit overshadowed by Eddie Royal and Lavelle Hawkins, as those two continued to shine today. Overall, I think Bryant really helped himself in practice this week.

- Kansas State receiver Jordy Nelson has looked good. He's got terrific hands and is a strong receiver. He's reliable and consistent, which is why I like him.

- At the linebacker position, I've been impressed with Jordan Dizon, Dan Connor, Bruce Davis, and Keith Rivers. Both Connor and Rivers are expected to be 1st Round picks, so it didn't surprise me that they've looked good. Dizon, on the other hand, was only expected to be a Mid-Late Round pick. This week he's really raised his stock and I could see him being off the board by Early-Day 2. Davis has done a nice job of transitioning to the linebacker position from defensive end. While he still has some work to do, I think he really showed the scouts his versatility that he could bring to a team at the next level.

- Adarius Bowman has slowly gotten better this week. While he dropped at least one ball today, many of the other receivers did as well because of the rain and wind. It seemed like the North Team was really trying to use Bowman as a redzone target as they threw the ball to him in the endzone a number of times.

Afternoon Practice
This afternoon's practice again featured the same rain and wind that was there during the practice in the morning. Here are some notes from this afternoon:

- I mentioned earlier this week that with Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm not participating down in Mobile, Andre Woodson had the chance to move up into the #1 quarterback position. While Woodson has looked good this week, I don't think he's done enough to make the jump. He never stood out as someone worthy of a Top 5 pick, but I'd still project that he'll be a 1st Round pick. His stock has remained about the same as when he got here earlier this week.

- Speaking of Kentucky players, running back Rafael Little has quietly had a nice week. While his draft stock hasn't taken that big of jump up the boards, in my eyes, he's became more of a safe pick. I'd say the 4th or 5th Round is about where I'd project him to go as there is a large number of juniors that will be drafted in front of him.

- Peyton Hillis, fullback from Arkansas, has looked great this week. He came in and really impressed scouts at the weigh-in and overall, has raised his value. I think the 3rd or 4th Round is about right for Hillis.

- Despite yesterday being his first day here in Mobile, Appalachian State wide receiver Dexter Jackson has really done well. His speed is outstanding and he's got great hands. If he was a bit taller, he'd likely be a 1st Round pick.

- Florida receiver Andre Caldwell seems to be a half step slower than the rest of the receivers on his team (Harry Douglas, Donnie Avery, Jackson). However, he seems like he's got the potential to be more of a complete receiver at the next level. He's looked good this week and I'd project that he'll go in the 3rd Round.

- Auburn cornerback Patrick Lee has looked good. He's got a smooth backpedal and has all of the tools to be very good corner at the next level.
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More notes from around the 'net:

Tight ends are spectacular Starting on the North team with USC’s Fred Davis, the tight end crop played well today. He continued a great week of practices showing polish in the passing game. Davis has outstanding athleticism, speed, and can really get in and out of cuts with precise routes. Missouri’s Martin Rucker finally had a great day of practice. He surprisingly looked great as a blocker and displayed great hands after getting good separation with his routes.
Two South tight ends emerged as late round sleepers. Tennessee’s Brad Cottam, whose been injured most of his career, showed some promise. “His excellent build allows him to run through contact in his routes and make catches with defenders on his back. He lacks explosiveness off the ball, but once he gets moving he is smooth and quick in running routes. He showed very soft hands and consistently plucked the ball away from his body.” Late addition Cole Bennett has also been effective blocking and has soft hands. He could have a future at the next level.

Two new receivers step up
After a pathetic week with drops galore, Oklahoma State’s Adarius Bowman has stepped up. He was quoted before saying that he wasn’t in his “comfort zone”. With a couple days in his back pocket, he’s come out running better routes, plucking balls out of the air, and made several catches on jump balls.

A lesser known receiver Dexter Jackson has impressed scouts in his first day of replacing injured Early Doucet. He competed in the Shrine Bowl and looked good. He’s well-known for catching two touchdowns in the epic upset of Michigan in the first week of the college season. He’s very fast and is quick to come in and out of his cuts. Here’s a guy silently creeping up draft boards.

Pitt transfer coming up big…6’6 big.
Day 1: Struggled with center exchanges. Day 2: Improvement and displayed a cannon arm. Day 3: His best day of practice yet. This man, Delaware's Joe Flacco has competed with Michigan’s Henne for the best week of practice among the quarterbacks. He has all of the tools you look for in a quarterback. He’s a tower that’s impossible to bring down in the pocket and can see the whole field. Can hit all of the NFL passes and is currently working his way into the second round where the Bears are supposedly eyeing him.

Football: A real man’s game.
Several fights broke out during the action. Most notably Iowa State D-lineman Athyba Rubin got into with Chris Williams. A few punches were thrown and when Mike Nolan was asked about it later, he responded by saying it was a product of passion for the game. “He also joked about how punching in the stomach made more sense, since it was the least covered portion of the upper body, and laughed that punching in the facemask wasn't the brightest move.”

There were several notable injuries as well. Jamar Adams, Michigan’s standout defensive back walked to the locker room with an undisclosed injury after receiving some treatment from the coaches. Teammate Shawn Crable suffered lower back and knee injuries, but returned to the field with his helmet to watch the rest of practice from the sidelines. Fullback Owen Schmitt also went down with an injury.

Several solid players going widely unnoticed
From the South team, Mike McGlynn lacks that dazzle even for a lineman, but is considered one of the toughest at the position. “McGlynn's strong hand punch, good lateral quickness, and stout anchor made him one of the more difficult assignments for any defensive tackle during both individual drills and the scrimmage.”

Notre Dame’s Trevor Laws has been playing some phenomenal football for the past year and hasn’t been noticed. Laws is a tremendous 3-technique tackle who has outstanding burst off the snap and can be a disruptive force in the middle. Some team will get him a little later than his abilities show, but he’ll be a valuable cog in a rotation next season.

It’s time we take a break from the regularly scheduled programming and give a quick shout out to Durant Brooks, the punter from Georgia Tech. He has a great leg and did a good job in practice of downing the ball inside the 10 yard line including several that landed inside the 5 and spun sideways. Clearly the top punter of the clbutt.

Eastern Michigan Jason Jones has seemed to improve practice after practice. He has great size (6’5, 272) and has a great bull-rush. Today he was Kirk Barton’s nightmare, who isn’t having the best of weeks. Jones showed an ability to get off of blocks and crash down on ball carriers as well.
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mouse · Jan 24, 2008

DEXTER JACKSON WAS LOOKING GOOD, ESPECIALLY FOR COMING IN LATE. HE HAS SOME MAJOR SPEED AND QUICKNESS.

IT'S NICE TO FINALLY SEE TREVOR LAWS GET SOME RECOGNITION. HE HAS BEEN UNDERRATED ALL YEAR LONG.

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Senior Bowl Day Four Recap

SRW Ex-World's Worst Site Admin

mouse Starter

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Senior Bowl Day Four Recap

SRW Ex-World's Worst Site Admin

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