2008 Senior Bowl Tuesday Practice Reports

[Chocolate Lab]

I made a point of watching Red Bryant last year because I knew he'd be a NT candidate with his size, and to tell you the truth I was totally unimpressed. He didn't do a thing, and I didn't even see great effort.

Maybe he's improved a ton this year, but at first glance he's a guy who people look at because of his height and weight numbers in the program.

[IronCowboy]

Originally Posted by Woods

Was just looking at thehuddlereport.com, and they have done a new analysis on Red Bryant and Mike Hart - for those interested.

Bryant's comparison was to the NT Williams playing for SD. Looks like a longer term replacement for Fergy maybe.

Are either of these two guys playing in the Senior Bowl?

Oh there was an analysis on Sam Baker, OT USC. It was pretty negative. They have him rated around a 4th round pick.

I just watched Bryant work in 1 on 1s. The first one he was handled rather soundly and the second attempt he mauled the guy. I like the kids motor. Plus hes a smart kid. He got his High School diploma in 3 years.

[Woods]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Lab

I made a point of watching Red Bryant last year because I knew he'd be a NT candidate with his size, and to tell you the truth I was totally unimpressed. He didn't do a thing, and I didn't even see great effort.

Maybe he's improved a ton this year, but at first glance he's a guy who people look at because of his height and weight numbers in the program.

To be fair, the analysis had Bryant rated as a 4th rounder and basically a two down run stuffer - like Williams in SD. On 3rd and long, you replace him with a guy like Tank Johnson I suppose.

But given Fergy's age, if this guy can develop into a run stuffer, he could be worthwhile to develop.

[Chocolate Lab]

Originally Posted by Woods

To be fair, the analysis had Bryant rated as a 4th rounder and basically a two down run stuffer - like Williams in SD. On 3rd and long, you replace him with a guy like Tank Johnson I suppose.

But given Fergy's age, if this guy can develop into a run stuffer, he could be worthwhile to develop.

Hey, maybe IronCowboy is right and he's improved. If Bryant's motor is good, he likely can be developed with that size. I just didn't see much when I watched.

I guess I have a hard time reconciling "Jamal Williams" and "fourth rounder" since Williams is so darn good.

[Bob Sacamano]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Lab

I guess I have a hard time reconciling "Jamal Williams" and "fourth rounder" since Williams is so darn good.

and was a 2nd round pick

[Woods]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Lab

Hey, maybe IronCowboy is right and he's improved. If Bryant's motor is good, he likely can be developed with that size. I just didn't see much when I watched.

I guess I have a hard time reconciling "Jamal Williams" and "fourth rounder" since Williams is so darn good.

Choc, I just checked my home e-mail, and there is some stuff on Bryant, Chris Johnson, and Chris Williams the OT from Vanderbilt (among other players). I subsribe to draftinsiders, so I'm getting emails from them on a regular basis . . . .

Ahead of the Curve
Senior Bowl Report #1 – Exclusive for subscribers

Monday afternoon had simultaneous practices after the morning weigh-in. We have three scouts here including myself and covered both practices Monday. QB Colt Brennan of Hawaii threw the ball nicely and needs a big week to dispel issues related to him being a "Systems" passer. He needs to show he can make the right decisions and throws in the three, five and seven step drops. He is recovering from the flu and came in at only 185 lbs. He played at 195 lbs. as a senior and needs a strong week to be considered a top 5 prospect at the position. More on him over the week. QB Joe Flacco of Delaware had a nice day of practice Tuesday throwing the ball after being wild on day one, Monday. That is understandable for a first day especially from a small college kid. OT Chris Williams of Vanderbilt had a fine practice. He is a massive athlete with footwork, technique and great power. He comes off the ball with a strong punch and fine functional strength to get a consistently good push at the line of scrimmage. Safety Quintin Demps of UTEP moves well and shows the instincts to get to the ball easily. He shows cornerback like skills in coverage, though he needs some technique development. OL Oniel Cousins of UTEP is a fine athlete with the footwork and physical tools to play several positions along the line. He played tackle in college and is lining up there in the practices, but probably projects inside to center/guard early in his pro career. Safety Jamar Adams of Michigan had a huge hit on FB Owen Schmidt of West Virginia that drew attention. He is a huge safety who looks the part as an In the box defender. DE Kendall Langford of Hampton looked sharp in drills. He is a huge defensive end who can play in either front line. He has all the physical skills to compete here. RB Chris Johnson of East Carolina showed good speed and running skills. He caught the ball well in passing drills and looks to show his well rounded ability this week. DT Red Bryant of Texas A&M looked like a beast most in the middle. He was stout in the middle and held up well vs the double teams. He rarely got outside the tackle box to make plays. He can play too high that at 6'5" most big linemen will tend to allow to happen. When he got into the blocker's chest, he was able to push him back to the quarterback. OT Heath Benedict of Newberry checked in at 321 lbs. and over 6'4". He held up well in drills especially from a power standpoint.


Several players withdrew from the Senior Bowl due to injuries, notably QB Brian Brohm of Louisville, TE John Carlton of Notre Dame and DE Quentin Groves of Auburn

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[Bob Sacamano]

thanks for the Chris Johnson update, Woods

[Woods]

Originally Posted by Bob Sacamano

thanks for the Chris Johnson update, Woods

Yes, he looks very interesting.

I doubt he lasts until our 2nd round pick.

I think if we land him we'd have to either trade down with our 28th pick or take him there.

But there will be guys like M Hart probably available with our 2nd (or even in the 3rd round), and it appears guys like Forte are also good prospects.

This seems like a really deep class for RB.

[Goldenrichards83]

Cowboys showed alot of interest in Tashard Choice today.

[Bob Sacamano]

Originally Posted by Woods

Yes, he looks very interesting.

I doubt he lasts until our 2nd round pick.

I think if we land him we'd have to either trade down with our 28th pick or take him there.

But there will be guys like M Hart probably available with our 2nd (or even in the 3rd round), and it appears guys like Forte are also good prospects.

This seems like a really deep class for RB.

it is a deep draft for RBs, I just prefer CJ over alot of them

wouldn't make or break the draft if we got him, or didn't, but it would be noice

[AmishCowboy]

Mayock loves McKelvin, he has him as the #1 Corner in the Draft, only question is his hands.

[Bob Sacamano]

Originally Posted by AmishCowboy

Mayock loves McKelvin, he has him as the #1 Corner in the Draft, only question is his hands.

that's 2 highly respected guys that have him as their 1 and 2 corner, Scott Wright of NFLDraftCOuntdown has him as his #2 guy

not looking good for us, but hope remains, c'mon small-school bigots, snub, snub, SNUB

[marchetta]

Red Bryant DT Texas A&M

STRENGTHS
Red is a big, powerful DT with the athletic ability to take on and shed blockers and make a tackle. He is an excellent run-stuffing DT. He shows good quickness off the snap and is strong enough to handle a double team and tie up offensive lineman so that the other D-lineman can make a play. Red does the grunt work and does it willingly. He understands situational football and makes the players around him better. He shows leadership qualities on the field and is the type of player you can use to build your defense around. Red reminds me a lot of Jammal Williams (DT San Diego Chargers). I call him Red (The Clog) Bryant because he will clog up the middle of your offense so badly that you will have to call a plumber to get it opened up!

NEEDS TO IMPROVE
Red can push the pocket, but is not going to get many sacks unless someone runs them into his arms. Red also must learn to keep his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage. This spin move garbage someone is teaching him is not going to cut it at the next level.

TALENT BOARD ROUND 4
If you want to build a Super Bowl defense, then you have to draft a player like Red Bryant. For example, Jammal Williams has been the key cog in the defense of the Chargers for the last few years. This year, Jammal has been injured and the Chargers’ defense has suffered tremendously. Since Jammal has come off the injury, the Charger defense has come back to life. It is no coincidence. Jammal is a two down and out D-lineman that has the ability to affect third downs by getting the other team into third and long situations all game long. This allows the Chargers to pass rush on third down without the worry of a running play. Red has the potential to have this same effect and it will not matter if you run a 3-4 defense or a 4-3 defense. Red will take up two Offensive Lineman in any type of defense. This allows a defensive coordinator to run all types of different run blitz and pass blitz schemes. You can get an NFL QB to make more bad decisions that lead to interceptions (and that means turnovers), if you can push the pocket. A sack is not a turnover! Frustrating an offense all game long by taking the run away and pushing the pocket on passing downs is a sure way to win a game. I have seen many D-Linemen with multiple sacks in a game be on the losing side at the end of the game; however, it is rare to see a defense that has stopped the run be on the losing side. If you stop the other team from running and push the pocket, it is a sure bet that you will get multiple interceptions and be on the winning side. Red understands his own talents and knows exactly what is going to be required of him from the team that drafts him. He understands that he will not get credit from the fans for doing his job and will not be interviewed by the press after a win. But he also knows that he will be one of the big reasons for the win. Red (The Clog) Bryant -- that’s one clog I don’t mind having.

- Drew Boylhart (thehuddlereport.com)

[Bob Sacamano]

hmm, may need to change my mock to include Bryant, may have to stick him in the 3rd round, at least

[theogt]

Originally Posted by Goldenrichards83

Cowboys showed alot of interest in Tashard Choice today.

w00t!

PS - Where did you read this?