gbnreport:2011 senior bowl practice reports South

[cowboyjoe]

Best offensive lineman on the South team has been former Canadian hockey player Danny Watkins who has dominated while working at both OG positions this week. As a LT at Baylor, Watkins is a solid pass blocker who gets good arm extension and active feet, but he‘s also brings an attitude to his run blocking inside. Watkins can also pull and make a block in space, but needs to work on taking better angles off the snap.
http://www.gbnreport.com/seniorbowlreport.htm
South coach Chan Gailey also mentioned at his post practice preser that OTs Demarcus Love of Arkansas and Mississippi State’s Derek Sherrod are both talented, but still works in progress. And one could see that at practice. Love played too high at times and struggled to maintain his balance, although he battled and usually maintained arm contact throughout the play. Same for Sherrod, a wide body who can really lock on, but had some trouble staying with spin moves by smaller, quicker edge rushers.

Both of DEs Sam Acho of Texas and Brooks Reed of Arizona worked with OLBs during drills where both looked athletic enough working in space. Acho was the more consistent, while Reed ran around Alabama OT James Carpenter for a near sack in the 11-on-11 scrimmage. Acho then went to report at the post-practice presser that he was indeed prepared to stand up in the NFL at his size.

[realtick]

I really like what I've seen out of Watkins. It doesn't bother me at all that he's 26, as he'll likely be an early contributor to any team that drafts him. If you told me I could get seven or eight productive seasons out of him, I'd take it every time.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Originally Posted by realtick

I really like what I've seen out of Watkins. It doesn't bother me at all that he's 26, as he'll likely be an early contributor to any team that drafts him. If you told me I could get seven or eight productive seasons out of him, I'd take it every time.

Yeah...that seems to be the only knock on him so far in the senior bowl.

Other than that he has been very impressive.

If they have the impression that he will be a day one starter...I would have no problem drafting him.

If they think he needs to work at being a starter...probably pass due to the age.

I think the age thing can help him in some ways. I think he has more maturity that normally comes with age so some of the things that occupy younger players minds might not be there for him. I also think it probably means he is the type of person who wants to prove that age is not an issue with him.

Again, if they think he is a day one starter...go for it. If not, pass.

[realtick]

Originally Posted by BrAinPaiNt

Yeah...that seems to be the only knock on him so far in the senior bowl.

Other than that he has been very impressive.

If they have the impression that he will be a day one starter...I would have no problem drafting him.

If they think he needs to work at being a starter...probably pass due to the age.

I think the age thing can help him in some ways. I think he has more maturity that normally comes with age so some of the things that occupy younger players minds might not be there for him. I also think it probably means he is the type of person who wants to prove that age is not an issue with him.

Again, if they think he is a day one starter...go for it. If not, pass.

Right on point.

[Chocolate Lab]

Originally Posted by realtick

I really like what I've seen out of Watkins. It doesn't bother me at all that he's 26, as he'll likely be an early contributor to any team that drafts him. If you told me I could get seven or eight productive seasons out of him, I'd take it every time.

Same here. The "overaged" argument is lame IMO, except *maybe* at the very top of the draft.

But how often in this day and age do you draft a guy expecting to keep him 10 years anyway? Hardly ever. If the guy is good enough to give a second deal to, he'll likely be cheaper because of his age anyway.

[jterrell]

Originally Posted by realtick

I really like what I've seen out of Watkins. It doesn't bother me at all that he's 26, as he'll likely be an early contributor to any team that drafts him. If you told me I could get seven or eight productive seasons out of him, I'd take it every time.

then it is good you are not drafting for us.

watkins is impressive but 26 is 26. he has next to zero upside. 26 is old even by OL standards. he'll be drafted but not round 1 for certain and probably not even round 2.

see chris weinke.

[jterrell]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Lab

Same here. The "overaged" argument is lame IMO, except *maybe* at the very top of the draft.

But how often in this day and age do you draft a guy expecting to keep him 10 years anyway? Hardly ever. If the guy is good enough to give a second deal to, he'll likely be cheaper because of his age anyway.

could not disagree more.

age is a huge factor.

compare say jason witten versus terence newman.

1 guy came to us young and developed rapidly into a force and made the all pro team still THIS year.
the other came to us and was solid right off but has been declining already.

you absolutely do not draft guys in the first 3 rounds planning on not resigning them after a rookie deal.

why waste a draft pick when you could sign a known free agent to the same length deal? If you only need a guy for 4 years you are better off covering the spot with a proven, known commodity.

[CanuckCowboysFan]

Originally Posted by jterrell

then it is good you are not drafting for us.

watkins is impressive but 26 is 26. he has next to zero upside. 26 is old even by OL standards. he'll be drafted but not round 1 for certain and probably not even round 2.

see chris weinke.

I feel that way to.

He's basically Logan Mankins age.

[UnoDallas]

Watkins 26 can start day one

will be drafted in third round

Travis Bright fixing to be 29

http://www.cowboysnation.com/2011/01...s-bunting.html#

Let's go to another guy you talked up who is impressing you here, that's Danny Watkins from Baylor...

WB: Yep, bring him up, bring him up!

CN: Okay, talk about him in general, but I'd also like you to compare him to a bigger school guy who has had a lot of air time on TV, John Moffitt from Wisconsin. How do those two compare?

WB: They're not the same caliber athlete. Danny Watkins is a better athlete. He anchors just as well as Moffitt, but Watkins has much better range. Moffitt is a little better through contact but Danny Watkins can just flat out, stone cold stonewall you because once he gets his hands on you and you try to slip him, he can mirror with you. His hand placement has been poor at times this week, but he's playing guard for the first time and that's to be expected.

Moffitt has a little more polish than Watkins but nowhere near the upside. I still think Watkins can come in as a guard and play for you on day one. You can get him in the 3rd-4th round and I've said it before, if he was three years younger, I think he goes in the 2nd round. He's had a really impressive week among the guys looking to play interior line.

[Idgit]

Originally Posted by jterrell

could not disagree more.

age is a huge factor.

compare say jason witten versus terence newman.

1 guy came to us young and developed rapidly into a force and made the all pro team still THIS year.
the other came to us and was solid right off but has been declining already.

you absolutely do not draft guys in the first 3 rounds planning on not resigning them after a rookie deal.

why waste a draft pick when you could sign a known free agent to the same length deal? If you only need a guy for 4 years you are better off covering the spot with a proven, known commodity.

Apart from disagreeing with your assessment of Newman's play, the differences between Neman and Witten have to do with a lot more than just 'age.' One's a legitimate HoF TE who we got at a very young age. The other is a borderline probowler. I think everyone would agree that we should draft underaged HoF players wherever we can find them.

But when it comes to regular player evaluation, if you can get a guy outside the early picks of the first round who you think could be a 7-8 year starter, you don't pass on him just because you're looking for a 9-10 year starter at the same slot. All things being equal, his age matters. But there are a lot more important questions like 'can the guy play?' that matter a lot more.

[realtick]

Originally Posted by jterrell

then it is good you are not drafting for us.

watkins is impressive but 26 is 26. he has next to zero upside. 26 is old even by OL standards. he'll be drafted but not round 1 for certain and probably not even round 2.

see chris weinke.

"26 is old even by OL standards..."

Lol, I've read about three of your posts and each one has been pure comedy relief.

And who was even claiming Watkins was going round 1 or 2?

"see chris weinke."

How about you "see" your posts before you read them, do some research, dwell on it and write something worthwhile and informed.

Watkins has no "upside?" Explain to me in detail how he has no upside?

[ykc]

Originally Posted by BrAinPaiNt

Yeah...that seems to be the only knock on him so far in the senior bowl.

Other than that he has been very impressive.

If they have the impression that he will be a day one starter...I would have no problem drafting him.

If they think he needs to work at being a starter...probably pass due to the age.

I think the age thing can help him in some ways. I think he has more maturity that normally comes with age so some of the things that occupy younger players minds might not be there for him. I also think it probably means he is the type of person who wants to prove that age is not an issue with him.

Again, if they think he is a day one starter...go for it. If not, pass.

Also, the important thing to consider is whether at age 26, is he physcially more mature than 19-20 year old kids, is he using that advantage and dominating at the college level? In NFL, he won't have that edge

[CATCH17]

If I could get 5 solid years from a guy i'd take him in the 4th round.

[btcutter]

26 a problem???

He hasn't even been put into a NFL training program yet. He'll definitely get stronger.
Nothing wrong with him being more mature. Less off field issues.
Day 1 starter! give me that every time if I can get him in 3rd or 4th round. You draft some guy based on potential and often you get JAG.

OG play into their 30's anyway so if I get a 3rd or 4th rounder starting for 7-8 yrs that's a HIT in my opinion.

We are talking about 3rd or 4th round not top 10 pick. That's a HUGE difference.

[burmafrd]

O line can play longer before they start to go downhill than many positions. So 26 is not too bad. Now if they believe he can be ready to start in one year that is not too bad at all.