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[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Senior Bowl Practice Report: Wednesday North Team
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Senior Bowl Practice Report
North Team
Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
Wed, January 23, 2008, Mobile, AL -- A physical week of practice began was clearly taking its toll on the North players as several left the field in pain. Three players, in fact, left practice early.
Previous injuries sustained by DT Kentwan Balmer, ILB Beau Bell, and RB Chris Johnson had left left the North team precariously thin already.
West Virginia fullback Owen Schmitt and a pair of Michigan Wolverines -- strong safety Jamar Adams and outside linebacker Shawn Crable -- each left the field early Wednesday. Senior Bowl officials declined to comment on the nature or severity of the injuries.
Others needing extra medical attention, but able to return to the field included defensive tackles DeMario Pressley and Trevor Laws.
After focusing on the other positions on Monday and Tuesday, I focused on the running backs and linebackers today.
Running Backs:
The most complete back on the field for the North throughout the week of practice has been Cal's Justin Forsett. Despite his lack of prototype height (5076), Forsett has a thick, powerful build. It also should be noted that one of the legitimate concerns scouts generally have with smaller backs is that they generally have smaller hands -- making them generally less secure ball handlers. This isn't the case with Forsett, who, with 10 and 4/8" inch hands has the second largest pair of any player on the entire North squad. In fact, only 6-7, 315 pound offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus has larger hands (11 4/8) than Forsett. Forsett has very good initial quickness and is an instinctive, decisive runner with acceleration to take advantage of holes in the defense. His vision and agility was on display during this morning's scrimmage with a beautiful weaving run through the first string defense. On the play Forsett maneuvered past the likes of Keith Rivers, Dan Connor, and Tom Zbikowksi. It was the most impressive run I've seen from any back all week long.
USC's Chauncey Washington was lost a bit behind the shuffle of terrific athletes the Trojans boasted at running back, but he's opened some eyes this week. While he has the size and physicality teams are looking for as an inside runner, Washington showed good speed to the outside today, getting to the edge and making defenders miss. He's also shown very good hands out of the backfield, a concern entering the week.
Oklahoma State's Dantrell Savage has some jitterbug to him and catches the ball well. He struggles as an interior runner and goes down too easily to initial contact. He hasn't had a bad week, but has cemented his status with scouts as a back best suited to a third down role at the next level.
Prior to going down to injury, West Virginia's Owen Schmitt had been enjoying a solid week of practice. As fans of the Big East well know, Schmitt is accomplished in all three phases of the game, showing reliable hands out of the backfield, bullish running (with surprising straight-line speed), and physicality and tenacity as blocker. One area of concern is that Schmitt, though possessing soft hands, has struggled to make anyone miss after making the catch. Of course, his injury will play a huge role in his final draft status.
Linebackers:
Penn State's Dan Connor entered the Senior Bowl ranked as the top inside linebacker in the draft and he's done nothing to endanger that ranking. In fact, Connor has been so impressive, his stock is on the rise. Compared by many to former Penn State star, Paul Posluszny, Connor's ability to change direction and remain on the field in passing situations makes him a possible candidate to move back outside (as he played previous to his senior season) in the NFL. Connor's ability to tackle in space and remain with backs and tight ends in coverage has drawn raves from scouts. Connor not only has cemented his status as the elite inside linebacker, he may have jumped ahead of USC's Keith Rivers as the top overall linebacker prospect.
Speaking of Keith Rivers, his smooth athleticism continues to stand out. Rivers has the prototype blend of size, speed, and overall athleticism that scouts are looking for in the outside linebacker position. During blitz drills, Rivers beat backs with a variety of moves, showing agility, technique, and explosive power. The concern with Rivers -- as it has been throughout his career while with the Trojans -- is that he simply doesn't make enough big plays. Surrounded by two future first round picks in Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, however, big play opportunities were tough to come by. Rivers has solidified his stock this week as a strong first round prospect and could add a late boost with a big play or two during Saturday's game.
Another athletic outside linebacker solidifying his stock this week is Virginia Tech's Xavier Adibi. While he lacks the bulk scouts prefer for the position, there is no denying his agility and closing burst. Adibi runs well with backs and tight ends while in coverage, and showed great agility when beating backs in pass rush drills. While he needs to add weight and upper body strength, Adibi has developed his hand usage over his career and has great foot speed and balance to remain unengaged.
UCLA's Bruce Davis was one of the Pac-10's most feared pass rushers as a defensive end, but at 6-3, 241 pounds, he's making the transition to outside linebacker here in Mobile. Playing almost exclusively at strongside, Davis has the athleticism and size to warrant further development here, but is raw as they come in disengaging from blocks. He reads the action well enough, but really lacks discipline, at this point, and over-pursues, leaving gaping holes for backs with the vision and burst to take advantage of cut-back lanes. Davis has explosive speed off the edge, but doesn't use his hands well enough once engaged. He has upside, but is by no means a finished product at the linebacker position.
Before going down to injury today, Michigan's Shawn Crable had been exposed a bit this week. In a case of how analytical NFL scouts are, Crable's very thin, very long lower legs are a huge cause for concern. His lack of lower body strength and flexibility makes him a bit one-dimensional. He is very effective off the edge as a pass rusher, showing good burst off the snap and an ability to close on the passer. In coverage, however, he struggled with changing direction and he was over-powered too often at the point of attack.
Colorado's Jordan Dizon is the least impressive linebacker on the North roster in terms of his physical stature and build. That said, he has great instincts and is a physical, sound player whose production at Colorado is no mirage. He doesn't have the size and speed to wow scouts and thus, won't be a high draft choice, but some team is going to find themselves middle or late round prospect that can flat out play football.
Before going down to injury, Beau Bell's lack of agility had been exposed this week. In a straight-line, Bell has impressive speed and explosive power. Whether coming on the blitz or playing back in coverage, when Bell has to change directions, he loses his explosiveness and struggles. He is physical and flashes explosive hitting ability, but he struggled badly in coverage this week and is slipping down the board. Of course, like any other injured player, Bell's ultimate stock will depend on his medical status.[/FONT]
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Senior Bowl Practice Report
North Team
Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
Wed, January 23, 2008, Mobile, AL -- A physical week of practice began was clearly taking its toll on the North players as several left the field in pain. Three players, in fact, left practice early.
Previous injuries sustained by DT Kentwan Balmer, ILB Beau Bell, and RB Chris Johnson had left left the North team precariously thin already.
West Virginia fullback Owen Schmitt and a pair of Michigan Wolverines -- strong safety Jamar Adams and outside linebacker Shawn Crable -- each left the field early Wednesday. Senior Bowl officials declined to comment on the nature or severity of the injuries.
Others needing extra medical attention, but able to return to the field included defensive tackles DeMario Pressley and Trevor Laws.
After focusing on the other positions on Monday and Tuesday, I focused on the running backs and linebackers today.
Running Backs:
The most complete back on the field for the North throughout the week of practice has been Cal's Justin Forsett. Despite his lack of prototype height (5076), Forsett has a thick, powerful build. It also should be noted that one of the legitimate concerns scouts generally have with smaller backs is that they generally have smaller hands -- making them generally less secure ball handlers. This isn't the case with Forsett, who, with 10 and 4/8" inch hands has the second largest pair of any player on the entire North squad. In fact, only 6-7, 315 pound offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus has larger hands (11 4/8) than Forsett. Forsett has very good initial quickness and is an instinctive, decisive runner with acceleration to take advantage of holes in the defense. His vision and agility was on display during this morning's scrimmage with a beautiful weaving run through the first string defense. On the play Forsett maneuvered past the likes of Keith Rivers, Dan Connor, and Tom Zbikowksi. It was the most impressive run I've seen from any back all week long.
USC's Chauncey Washington was lost a bit behind the shuffle of terrific athletes the Trojans boasted at running back, but he's opened some eyes this week. While he has the size and physicality teams are looking for as an inside runner, Washington showed good speed to the outside today, getting to the edge and making defenders miss. He's also shown very good hands out of the backfield, a concern entering the week.
Oklahoma State's Dantrell Savage has some jitterbug to him and catches the ball well. He struggles as an interior runner and goes down too easily to initial contact. He hasn't had a bad week, but has cemented his status with scouts as a back best suited to a third down role at the next level.
Prior to going down to injury, West Virginia's Owen Schmitt had been enjoying a solid week of practice. As fans of the Big East well know, Schmitt is accomplished in all three phases of the game, showing reliable hands out of the backfield, bullish running (with surprising straight-line speed), and physicality and tenacity as blocker. One area of concern is that Schmitt, though possessing soft hands, has struggled to make anyone miss after making the catch. Of course, his injury will play a huge role in his final draft status.
Linebackers:
Penn State's Dan Connor entered the Senior Bowl ranked as the top inside linebacker in the draft and he's done nothing to endanger that ranking. In fact, Connor has been so impressive, his stock is on the rise. Compared by many to former Penn State star, Paul Posluszny, Connor's ability to change direction and remain on the field in passing situations makes him a possible candidate to move back outside (as he played previous to his senior season) in the NFL. Connor's ability to tackle in space and remain with backs and tight ends in coverage has drawn raves from scouts. Connor not only has cemented his status as the elite inside linebacker, he may have jumped ahead of USC's Keith Rivers as the top overall linebacker prospect.
Speaking of Keith Rivers, his smooth athleticism continues to stand out. Rivers has the prototype blend of size, speed, and overall athleticism that scouts are looking for in the outside linebacker position. During blitz drills, Rivers beat backs with a variety of moves, showing agility, technique, and explosive power. The concern with Rivers -- as it has been throughout his career while with the Trojans -- is that he simply doesn't make enough big plays. Surrounded by two future first round picks in Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, however, big play opportunities were tough to come by. Rivers has solidified his stock this week as a strong first round prospect and could add a late boost with a big play or two during Saturday's game.
Another athletic outside linebacker solidifying his stock this week is Virginia Tech's Xavier Adibi. While he lacks the bulk scouts prefer for the position, there is no denying his agility and closing burst. Adibi runs well with backs and tight ends while in coverage, and showed great agility when beating backs in pass rush drills. While he needs to add weight and upper body strength, Adibi has developed his hand usage over his career and has great foot speed and balance to remain unengaged.
UCLA's Bruce Davis was one of the Pac-10's most feared pass rushers as a defensive end, but at 6-3, 241 pounds, he's making the transition to outside linebacker here in Mobile. Playing almost exclusively at strongside, Davis has the athleticism and size to warrant further development here, but is raw as they come in disengaging from blocks. He reads the action well enough, but really lacks discipline, at this point, and over-pursues, leaving gaping holes for backs with the vision and burst to take advantage of cut-back lanes. Davis has explosive speed off the edge, but doesn't use his hands well enough once engaged. He has upside, but is by no means a finished product at the linebacker position.
Before going down to injury today, Michigan's Shawn Crable had been exposed a bit this week. In a case of how analytical NFL scouts are, Crable's very thin, very long lower legs are a huge cause for concern. His lack of lower body strength and flexibility makes him a bit one-dimensional. He is very effective off the edge as a pass rusher, showing good burst off the snap and an ability to close on the passer. In coverage, however, he struggled with changing direction and he was over-powered too often at the point of attack.
Colorado's Jordan Dizon is the least impressive linebacker on the North roster in terms of his physical stature and build. That said, he has great instincts and is a physical, sound player whose production at Colorado is no mirage. He doesn't have the size and speed to wow scouts and thus, won't be a high draft choice, but some team is going to find themselves middle or late round prospect that can flat out play football.
Before going down to injury, Beau Bell's lack of agility had been exposed this week. In a straight-line, Bell has impressive speed and explosive power. Whether coming on the blitz or playing back in coverage, when Bell has to change directions, he loses his explosiveness and struggles. He is physical and flashes explosive hitting ability, but he struggled badly in coverage this week and is slipping down the board. Of course, like any other injured player, Bell's ultimate stock will depend on his medical status.[/FONT]
