Tony Pauline Senior Bowl practice report: Tuesday

[RS12]

3:15 p.m. CT -- The South practice is over and so ends the Tuesday schedule at the Senior Bowl.

Chris Rainey of Florida really stood out with his versatility and ability to be a true receiving threat. On one play he even threw a block on defensive lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie of Texas A&M and removed him from the action. Jerod-Eddie weighed in more than 125 pounds heavier than Rainey on Monday.

Former Gator Janoris Jenkins continues to impress. He sticks like glue to opposing receivers and shows terrific ball skills.

We start against tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. CT for what is the most important day of Senior Bowl practices of the week.

2:58 p.m. CT -- Vick Ballard finally caught a pass in full scrimmage. He also just had a pair of terrific runs. He's shown a nice burst of speed and did a great job following his blocks. He also showed elusiveness and on his second long gainer made several defenders miss.

- Nigel Bradham looks incredibly athletic on the field. He covers a lot of area on the field and easily stays with backs or tight ends in coverage.

- A point of concern in Courtney Upshaw's game is the limited speed he shows on the field. While he's effective rushing the passer out of a three-point stance, Upshaw looks very limited in his ability to pursue and catch the ball-handler from the backside when stood up at linebacker.


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tony_pauline/01/24/senior.bowl.practice.tuesday/index.html#ixzz1kQomiEuA

[RS12]

- S Antonio Allen of South Carolina has flashed skill all day. He's a very sudden player that jumps out of nowhere to make plays. Allen is also a vicous hitter. He just needs to show more consistency against the pass, but you can tell he has the underlying skills

OK, I'm intrigued.


- RB Doug Martin of Boise State has looked terrific thus far. He runs with great quickness and shows a burst through the hole. Martin is also very patient and does a nice job side-stepping defenders to create yardage

If this guy slides to round 3, may have another DeMarco Murray situation on their hands.

[Chocolate Lab]

QB Brandon Weeden of Oklahoma State has looked terrific thus far. He has a monster arm and spins his passes with speed to get the ball through the tight windows. He just fired a brilliant pass through triple coverage into the hands of Joe Adams of Arkansas.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tony_pauline/01/24/senior.bowl.practice.tuesday/index.html#ixzz1kQqq13Hp

Been saying this from the beginning... Weeden is going to be a surprise for someone.

[RS12]

Been saying this from the beginning... Weeden is going to be a surprise for someone.

If the guy was 22 instead of almost 29 he'd go top 15 IMO.

[supercowboy8]

The players I like the most
Chris Rainey of Florida really stood out with his versatility and ability to be a true receiving threat. On one play he even threw a block on defensive lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie of Texas A&M and removed him from the action. Jerod-Eddie weighed in more than 125 pounds heavier than Rainey on Monday.

Former Gator Janoris Jenkins continues to impress. He sticks like glue to opposing receivers and shows terrific ball skills.
Former Florida Gator cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who played for North Alabama last season, has looked good. He's fast, easily stays downfield with opponents and ,despite playing at a low level of competition last year, looks as though his ball skills have improved. Scouts have to be thinking first round for Jenkins after his performance.

OL Cordy Glenn of Georgia, who played left tackle as a senior for the Bulldogs, was moved back inside to guard at practice and has been very effective. He's strong and has stayed with blocks.

- RB Chris Rainey of Florida has shown impressive downfield speed and hands in receiver drills. He just beat former Gator teammate Janoris Jenkins for a long gainer on two separate instances.

OL Kevin Zeitler of Wisconsin has been shifting with Mike Brewster at the center position today.

DT Kendall Reyes of UConn has been a force this morning. He shows great explosion off the snap, as well as a variety of moves with his hands. Reyes has gotten a lot of penetration and just destoryed Zeitler of Wisconsin in one-on-one drills.

OLB Shea McCLellin of Boise State continues to impress since making the move to linebacker. He destroyed several running backs and fullbacks this morning in pass-rushing drills in which he simulated standing up over a tackle.

TE LaDarius Green of Louisiana Lafayette has caught the ball exceptionally well today. He's very fluid and the 237-pounder looks more like a possession receiver. He needs to improve his blocking, which will come by adding strength, but he looks like a good candidate as a move tight end for the next level.

- S Antonio Allen of South Carolina has flashed skill all day. He's a very sudden player that jumps out of nowhere to make plays. Allen is also a vicous hitter. He just needs to show more consistency against the pass, but you can tell he has the underlying skills

DL-OLB Melvin Ingram of South Carolina has looked terrific in pass rushing drills. He plays low and has been tough to block.

WR Marquis Maze of Alabama has been running terrific routes thus far. He quickly gets into breaks and positions himself to make the reception on exit. He's caught the ball well from the fastball quarterbacks on the South.

[jblaze2004]

upshaw sounds like he might drop like a rock in the draft. Maybe to the late first or 2nd round?

[Dash28]

upshaw sounds like he might drop like a rock in the draft. Maybe to the late first or 2nd round?
I don't see that at all.

He looked good in the drills that I saw today and Mayock seemed to like him a lot.

Mayock on # Alabama LB Courtney Upshaw: "In their subpackage he put his hand in the dirt. At 270+ he was effortless at both. Scheme diverse."

More Mayock on Upshaw: "Does everything easily. He's either 3-4 rush LB or 4-3 end. In today's diverse NFL, makes him a 3-down linebacker.

More Mayock on Upshaw: "I don't think he's got an elite DeMarcus Ware get-off. But has really good get-off, bends, dips & he's relentless."

[RS12]

upshaw sounds like he might drop like a rock in the draft. Maybe to the late first or 2nd round?

No way.

[Dough Boy]

Antonio Allen is a baller. If he runs sub 4.5, he goes late 1st. He is a big hitter. Played Spur; hybrid LB/SS.

[TheCoolFan]

Hmm conflicting info. Pauline's reports sound like McClellin has been impressive so far while Scott Wright (Draft Countdown) has said he's struggled.

[VACowboy]

Kirk Cousins sounds very interesting.

[JonJon]

I really like Jenkins and I believe he is the 2nd best CB in the draft easily. If his interviews go well, I doubt he makes it out of the 1st round.

[VACowboy]

There are a ton of really good CB prospects who will likely go in rounds two and three. Dunno if I'd take any DB but Claiborne at #14.

[Hailmary]

Kirk Cousins sounds very interesting.

I've been a Cousins' fan for a while now. He won't wow you in any aspect, but he seems to play a very disciplined game and limits the amount of mistakes. He's a solid kid off the field w/ a good head on his shoulders. He'll be a real positive locker room presence to whoever drafts him.

I know we have holes to fill, but if we are aggressive in FA and he's there for us in the 3rd, I'd seriously consider taking him.

[Hailmary]

OL Kevin Zeitler of Wisconsin has been shifting with Mike Brewster at the center position today.

I find this very interesting. If Zeitler can show that he can handle himself at center, he's just made himself a lot more valuable to us.

[2much2soon]

OK, I'm intrigued.




If this guy slides to round 3, may have another DeMarco Murray situation on their hands.

Doug Martin should be a very nice NFL RB.
He is such an outstanding athlete BSU moved him to their hybrid DB/LB rover position at one point just to get him on the field when they had a log jam of RBs ahead of him (including Ian Johnson) early in his career.
When he came back to the offensive side of the ball he started to tear things up.
He has quicks, power, and a ton of heart. Punishes tacklers if he can't run by them.

[jnday]

I find this very interesting. If Zeitler can show that he can handle himself at center, he's just made himself a lot more valuable to us.

This tidbit caught my eye as well . Zeitler could have the combination that would be a great value in round two .

[jobberone]

OK, I'm intrigued.




If this guy slides to round 3, may have another DeMarco Murray situation on their hands.

Antonio is a playmaker. I'm not certain how fast he will play in the pros but he was fast enough at Carolina. Wouldn't hurt my feelings to take him in the second or third.

[jobberone]

Antonio Allen is a baller. If he runs sub 4.5, he goes late 1st. He is a big hitter. Played Spur; hybrid LB/SS.

If he runs that fast, turns well and puts up other good numbers he could very well shoot up the boards. Just so hard to tell right now with these borderline first round picks. I'm thinking second maybe even third now but I won't be surprised at all if he climbs.

[silverbear]

I find this very interesting. If Zeitler can show that he can handle himself at center, he's just made himself a lot more valuable to us.

Yup, that's the biggest thing I've taken out of the Senior Bowl practices so far...

Another, unrelated thing that struck me is that Ben Jones, the center from Georgia, apparently weighed in at under 305 pounds, after being listed as 315 pounds or more all season...

[Dough Boy]

If he runs that fast, turns well and puts up other good numbers he could very well shoot up the boards. Just so hard to tell right now with these borderline first round picks. I'm thinking second maybe even third now but I won't be surprised at all if he climbs.

I agree with you. Right now I think he is in the 2nd round and could fall to the 3rd if some others that are ranked ahead of him fall out of the 1st round.

There is a lot to like about him. He has good hands for the int, he is a sound tackler, he goes for the strip and can score the ball on a turnover. The concerns are; he played Spur which kept him close to the LOS, really wasn't asked to patrol a deep 1/3 or 1/2 of the field. I'm not sure about his range, but he has good football instincts and is often around the ball. He plays the underneath zone well and anticipates the QB throw which allows him to generally get a good break on the ball.

He will be the classic example of scouts having to 'project' his skills to the next level. He is one of the best 'in the box' SS in this draft. The question, can he become a rangy centerfielder if asked. His 40 time will go a long way toward helping teams understand.

[InmanRoshi]

Because of his size Chris Rainey is type of player where you can get premium traits (explosiveness and playmaking ability on offense) undervalued and not have to pay premium caliber prices for it. Although, with the kind of year Darren Sproles and Percy Harvin had I wonder how undervalued these types will continue to be. Even though he drafted 2 RBs highly last year, I wouldn't be surprised if Belichick takes him with one of his many first round picks. The two branches off his tree have already drafted players like him in recent years with Pioli taking Dexter McCluster and Dimitroff drafting Jacquizz Rogers.

[CATCH17]

Because of his size Chris Rainey is type of player where you can get premium traits (explosiveness and playmaking ability on offense) undervalued and not have to pay premium caliber prices for it. Although, with the kind of year Darren Sproles and Percy Harvin had I wonder how undervalued these types will continue to be. Even though he drafted 2 RBs highly last year, I wouldn't be surprised if Belichick takes him with one of his many first round picks. The two branches off his tree have already drafted players like him in recent years with Pioli taking Dexter McCluster and Dimitroff drafting Jacquizz Rogers.

I was just about to say the same thing except not a 1st rounder.

[jblaze2004]

Hmm conflicting info. Pauline's reports sound like McClellin has been impressive so far while Scott Wright (Draft Countdown) has said he's struggled.

yeah i tend to see that alot. One source says how good someone look and then you read another senior bowl column and that person will say how bad they looked. Who to believe:confused:

[VACowboy]

One guy I like who's looked really good in Mobile is Joe Adams of Arkansas. Fast and lightning quick with superb hands. Slot guy who's a real deep threat. And he's a fantastic return man, too.

[InmanRoshi]

I was just about to say the same thing except not a 1st rounder.

Yeah, I I meant early mid round pick. Brain fart.

[Gaede]

Because of his size Chris Rainey is type of player where you can get premium traits (explosiveness and playmaking ability on offense) undervalued and not have to pay premium caliber prices for it. Although, with the kind of year Darren Sproles and Percy Harvin had I wonder how undervalued these types will continue to be. Even though he drafted 2 RBs highly last year, I wouldn't be surprised if Belichick takes him with one of his many first round picks. The two branches off his tree have already drafted players like him in recent years with Pioli taking Dexter McCluster and Dimitroff drafting Jacquizz Rogers.

Yeah, these little, matchup problem-type guys are definitely in demand. I don't see 1st rounder, but definitely 2nd.

[ejthedj]

"- Emmanuel Acho is just a smart, instinctive football player. He's not the greatest athlete but does a great job diagnosing the action and putting himself in a position to make plays on the ball. Acho has looked good against the run and pass."

What round is Acho gonna go in?

Could he be our mid-round ILB we need?

[cobra]

Could he be our mid-round ILB we need?

Dur, what?

Sean Lee
Bruce Carter

Orie Lemon (promising rookie)
Brashton Satele (who we signed 2 weeks ago)

When did we develop a "mid-round ILB need"?

[jterrell]

Dur, what?

Sean Lee
Bruce Carter

Orie Lemon (promising rookie)
Brashton Satele (who we signed 2 weeks ago)

When did we develop a "mid-round ILB need"?

Lemon and Satele haven't proven a thing. Carter hasn't proven he can play the run well enough to hold down a starting spot.

A mid-round ILB may not be a need but it would certainly be welcomed.

[Gaede]

ILB depth is definitely a need. With the new breed of TE, the more LBs you have--the better.

[cobra]

Lemon and Satele haven't proven a thing. Carter hasn't proven he can play the run well enough to hold down a starting spot.

A mid-round ILB may not be a need but it would certainly be welcomed.

Of course, a rookie hasn't "proven a thing" either.

We do still have Bradie James as well. I know we are hopeful that Carter takes the starting role form Bradie, and maybe he will. But the fact remains we have 2 proven starters (James and Lee), 1 hopeful starter (Carter) and 2 developmental players who look like they have some upside as backup ILBs. [Full disclosure: I actually like Orie Lemon as a player and think he should be a solid backup ILB and special teams player] [[Edit - And this is premised on my belief that the Cowboys will keep Bradie on vet contract for a season or two more... not saying that is a good thing, but I think it will happen]]

But I'm uncertain with all of the holes on this team why we would focus on drafting a ILB in the 3rd-5th with little or no expectation that he would be better than Carter (a 1st round caliber ILB).

Don't get me wrong: I'd love to improve at that position. But it seems to me that it would be an incredible luxury pick for this team to take an ILB. I'd much rather focus on upgrading our obvious holes on O-line, d-line and secondary (starters and significant playing-time backups) in the middle rounds.

[Gaede]

Don't get me wrong: I'd love to improve at that position. But it seems to me that it would be an incredible luxury pick for this team to take an ILB. I'd much rather focus on upgrading our obvious holes on O-line, d-line and secondary (starters and significant playing-time backups) in the middle rounds.

Good point. Why draft for depth when you still need starters? DE, CB, OG, C all need new starters