- Messages
- 79,281
- Reaction score
- 45,652
MOBILE, Ala. -- Here's the buzz from Monday's Senior Bowl practices:
Around the North practice
When the rosters initially were released, the North team had three top prospects in Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas and Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn and WR Jeff Samardzija. However, none of those standouts will hit the field in Mobile. While Thomas opted out for no specific reason, Quinn elected not to participate due to a "minor knee injury" and Samardzija released his decision to pursue baseball over football at the professional level.
With those defections behind them, the North squad, coached by Jon Gruden and his Buccaneers' staff, took to Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Monday for the first of four practices this week. The weather was hardly ideal, but the team was able to get through most of its individual and unit drills before the skies opened up and the rain poured down.
Michigan State QB Drew Stanton did not seemed fazed by the conditions, as he turned in an impressive first day of practice. The oft-injured gunslinger displayed an impressive blend of mobility, arm strength and accuracy while spreading the ball around to an array of talented receivers during one-on-one and seven-on-seven drills. Ohio State's Troy Smith looked sharp, as well, but Stanton was clearly the best pro quarterback prospect on the field for the North team Monday. As a side note, Smith measured in at 6-foot even during the morning weigh-in process, which was a moral victory for the diminutive quarterback prospect.
The defensive player that impressed us the most was Cal cornerback Daymeion Hughes. The 5-10, 192 pounder displayed outstanding agility and instincts throughout practice. There wasn't a receiver on the team, including standouts such as Jason Hill (Washington State), Rhema McKnight (Notre Dame) and David Clowney (Virginia Tech), who could shake Hughes in one-on-one drills. While it's important to put everything into perspective this week, I think it's safe to say that Hughes showed better man-to-man cover skills this afternoon than Michigan's Leon Hall, who is widely considered the top cornerback prospect and a potential top-15 pick in this year's class.
It was good to see Northern Illinois RB Garrett Wolfe get some reps as a return specialist. At 5-7, 184 pounds, Wolfe is entirely too small to make it in the NFL as a premier back. However, he's elusive and fast enough to carve a niche as a scatback and return man. Wolfe showed good hands returning some punts today and also impressed with his fluidity catching the ball out of the backfield during unit and seven-on-seven drills.
FB Brian Leonard (Rutgers) looks quicker than usual because he has trimmed down to 224 pounds. Leonard clearly wants to prove to NFL scouts that he is capable of becoming a full-time running back at the next level.
Notre Dame DE Victor Abiamiri is one of the most impressive players from a physique standpoint. He checked in at nearly 6-5 and 271 pounds with hardly any body fat. Abiamiri also turned heads during practice, as he consistently beat Boston College OT James Marten during unit drills. If Abiamiri continues to dominate practice sessions this week, he could solidify a spot late in the first round.
Finally, the most surprising result of this morning's weigh-in process may well have been the weight loss of Louisville DT Amobi Okoye. Listed as 305 pounds from last spring's measuring for NFL scouts, Okoye showed up in Mobile weighing a slender 287 pounds. While he looks to be in good shape, Okoye may have turned some teams off that viewed him as a bigger interior presence.
Around the South practice
South practices got underway on a wet Majors Field at Fairhope Municipal Stadium and the squad clearly looked as sloppy as the field at times. However, there was no shortage of enthusiasm during the high-tempo workout.
Texas' Michael Griffin and Miami's Brandon Meriweather apparently play at one speed. Despite wearing just shoulder pads, both safeties delivered big hits over the middle. There's a lot to like about their physical style of play, but they won't have a lot of fans if a player gets hurt. There's just too much on the line this close to draft day.
The safeties weren't the only secondary players making noise today. Texas CB Aaron Ross came down with a ball that he or Florida WR Dallas Baker could have caught, and Auburn CB David Irons picked off a pass downfield.
Georgia TE Martrez Milner dropped several passes he should have caught during the 2006 season, but he did a good job of hauling in the slick ball today. He made two nice catches and held onto the ball despite getting popped.
Florida State RB Lorenzo Booker caught the ball well and made some nice moves in space. He also made crisp cuts and exploded through holes, but scouts will want to see how the undersized back does when the South goes to full pads and the linebackers can wrap up.
The kickers spent most of the practice on the sidelines but Arizona's Nick Folk didn't just stand around. He could be seen working on planting his foot in the soggy conditions and looked strong when he attempted field goals. In addition, Baylor punter Daniel Sepulveda is built like a linebacker. He weighed in at 228 pounds this morning and body fat was nowhere to be found.
Texas OL Justin Blalock, who has lined up at tackle as well as guard, held his own in pass protection drills today. However, officials measured him at just 6-foot-3 this morning. His lack of height raises concerns about his ability to line up on the outside, so it looks like he will play at guard at the next level.
USC center Ryan Kalil used his quickness to get into good position and flew around the field. He has gained some weight, but Kalil is still undersized and lacks ideal power. It showed on the field, as defenders overpowered him at times.
LSU DE Chase Pittman appeared to jump off sides on a play during the team drill, but it didn't seem to faze Central Michigan OT Joe Staley. Staley got set quickly and then used his long arms to ride Pitman past the pocket.
LINK
Around the North practice
When the rosters initially were released, the North team had three top prospects in Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas and Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn and WR Jeff Samardzija. However, none of those standouts will hit the field in Mobile. While Thomas opted out for no specific reason, Quinn elected not to participate due to a "minor knee injury" and Samardzija released his decision to pursue baseball over football at the professional level.
With those defections behind them, the North squad, coached by Jon Gruden and his Buccaneers' staff, took to Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Monday for the first of four practices this week. The weather was hardly ideal, but the team was able to get through most of its individual and unit drills before the skies opened up and the rain poured down.
Michigan State QB Drew Stanton did not seemed fazed by the conditions, as he turned in an impressive first day of practice. The oft-injured gunslinger displayed an impressive blend of mobility, arm strength and accuracy while spreading the ball around to an array of talented receivers during one-on-one and seven-on-seven drills. Ohio State's Troy Smith looked sharp, as well, but Stanton was clearly the best pro quarterback prospect on the field for the North team Monday. As a side note, Smith measured in at 6-foot even during the morning weigh-in process, which was a moral victory for the diminutive quarterback prospect.
The defensive player that impressed us the most was Cal cornerback Daymeion Hughes. The 5-10, 192 pounder displayed outstanding agility and instincts throughout practice. There wasn't a receiver on the team, including standouts such as Jason Hill (Washington State), Rhema McKnight (Notre Dame) and David Clowney (Virginia Tech), who could shake Hughes in one-on-one drills. While it's important to put everything into perspective this week, I think it's safe to say that Hughes showed better man-to-man cover skills this afternoon than Michigan's Leon Hall, who is widely considered the top cornerback prospect and a potential top-15 pick in this year's class.
It was good to see Northern Illinois RB Garrett Wolfe get some reps as a return specialist. At 5-7, 184 pounds, Wolfe is entirely too small to make it in the NFL as a premier back. However, he's elusive and fast enough to carve a niche as a scatback and return man. Wolfe showed good hands returning some punts today and also impressed with his fluidity catching the ball out of the backfield during unit and seven-on-seven drills.
FB Brian Leonard (Rutgers) looks quicker than usual because he has trimmed down to 224 pounds. Leonard clearly wants to prove to NFL scouts that he is capable of becoming a full-time running back at the next level.
Notre Dame DE Victor Abiamiri is one of the most impressive players from a physique standpoint. He checked in at nearly 6-5 and 271 pounds with hardly any body fat. Abiamiri also turned heads during practice, as he consistently beat Boston College OT James Marten during unit drills. If Abiamiri continues to dominate practice sessions this week, he could solidify a spot late in the first round.
Finally, the most surprising result of this morning's weigh-in process may well have been the weight loss of Louisville DT Amobi Okoye. Listed as 305 pounds from last spring's measuring for NFL scouts, Okoye showed up in Mobile weighing a slender 287 pounds. While he looks to be in good shape, Okoye may have turned some teams off that viewed him as a bigger interior presence.
Around the South practice
South practices got underway on a wet Majors Field at Fairhope Municipal Stadium and the squad clearly looked as sloppy as the field at times. However, there was no shortage of enthusiasm during the high-tempo workout.
Texas' Michael Griffin and Miami's Brandon Meriweather apparently play at one speed. Despite wearing just shoulder pads, both safeties delivered big hits over the middle. There's a lot to like about their physical style of play, but they won't have a lot of fans if a player gets hurt. There's just too much on the line this close to draft day.
The safeties weren't the only secondary players making noise today. Texas CB Aaron Ross came down with a ball that he or Florida WR Dallas Baker could have caught, and Auburn CB David Irons picked off a pass downfield.
Georgia TE Martrez Milner dropped several passes he should have caught during the 2006 season, but he did a good job of hauling in the slick ball today. He made two nice catches and held onto the ball despite getting popped.
Florida State RB Lorenzo Booker caught the ball well and made some nice moves in space. He also made crisp cuts and exploded through holes, but scouts will want to see how the undersized back does when the South goes to full pads and the linebackers can wrap up.
The kickers spent most of the practice on the sidelines but Arizona's Nick Folk didn't just stand around. He could be seen working on planting his foot in the soggy conditions and looked strong when he attempted field goals. In addition, Baylor punter Daniel Sepulveda is built like a linebacker. He weighed in at 228 pounds this morning and body fat was nowhere to be found.
Texas OL Justin Blalock, who has lined up at tackle as well as guard, held his own in pass protection drills today. However, officials measured him at just 6-foot-3 this morning. His lack of height raises concerns about his ability to line up on the outside, so it looks like he will play at guard at the next level.
USC center Ryan Kalil used his quickness to get into good position and flew around the field. He has gained some weight, but Kalil is still undersized and lacks ideal power. It showed on the field, as defenders overpowered him at times.
LSU DE Chase Pittman appeared to jump off sides on a play during the team drill, but it didn't seem to faze Central Michigan OT Joe Staley. Staley got set quickly and then used his long arms to ride Pitman past the pocket.
LINK
