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[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Surprises at the Senior Bowl Weigh-In
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Rob Rang
NFLDraftScout.com
Monday, January 21, 2008, Mobile, AL -- Scouts didn't have to wait until the practices to start for the 2008 Senior Bowl for intrigue to begin.
Perhaps anticipating the drama, the weigh-in this year was moved to the Mobile Convention Center. In years past, the weigh-in had been held inside the Renaissance Hotel, previously known as the Adam's Mark.
The South Team was weighed first. Scouts hoping to see quarterback Brian Brohm were disappointed. Brohm, like fellow first round shoe-ins Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan and Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, elected to pull out of the Senior Bowl proceedings after previously agreeing to participate. Notre Dame tight end John Carlson and Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves were surprises no-shows, as well.
Tennessee's Eric Ainge was a late substitution in Brohm's absence. Other notable late additions for the South were Auburn tight end Cole Bennett and Hampton defensive Kendall Langford.
There were several impressive (and unfortunately, not so impressive) physiques taking their turns on stage for the South.
The South's best builds were presented by Miami linebacker Tavares Gooden, who measured in at a chiseled 6011, 233 pounds, Arkansas fullback Peyton Hillis' thick upper body made his 6007, 240 pound frame all the more impressive. Perhaps the two most impressive physiques, however, were turned in by a surprising ACC duo. Wake Forest defensive end Jeremy Thompson (6043, 264) and Georgia Tech inside linebacker Phillip Wheeler (6020, 245) both weighed in heavier than expected. Each had thick, powerful frames with wide shoulders and good overall muscle definition.
Several big name defenders were much less impressive. LSU outside linebacker Ali Highsmith (5115, 229), South Florida inside linebacker Ben Moffitt (6010, 231), and Kentucky tight end Jacob Tamme (6036, 234) all could use more time in the weight room. A general lack of definition characterized each of these standouts. Among the big men, Maryland's Dre Moore (6041, 307), Wake Forest center Steve Justice (6032, 289), and Arkansas guard Robert Felton (6037, 313) were particularly sloppy in their upper body.
The North team, weighed in moments after the South, offered their share of surprises, as well.
North Carolina defensive tackle measured in at 6044, 308 pounds -- a full 26 pounds heavier than his listed 282 while with the Tar Heels. Oklahoma State wideout Adarius Bowman had one of the more impressive physiques of the day, measuring in at a strong, athletic 6027, 220 pounds. Amongst a roster full of undersized receivers, Bowman looked like a man among boys. Tight ends Fred Davis (USC) and Kellen Davis (Michigan State) were very impressive. Though Fred Davis measured in shorter than expected (6025, 250), his upper body was one of the more impressive of the day. Kellen Davis (6062, 259) may have the most intimidating build of the entire roster.
Of the big men, three players immediately stood out.
Ohio State offensive tackle Kirk Barton may lack elite footwork, but some of his stiffness may have come from spending too much time in the weight room. Measuring in at 6043, 303 pounds, his lats, pecs, bicep, and tricep definition was impressive -- especially for a big man. Arizona State's Mike Pollack had a strong, athletic build with tight skin -- a huge contrast to the sloppy build of Wake Forest's Steve Justice of the South Team. Nebraska offensive tackle Carl Nicks, at 6047, 343 pounds, is the heaviest player in Mobile, but is surprisingly trim. While he has extra flab in his upper body, he looks capable of moving busses with a simple glance.
Perhaps the most interesting moment of the weigh-in, however, occurred only moments into the North Team's introduction.
Virginia Tech's Xavier Adibi has long arms. His rangy build is one of the reasons scouts are intrigued by him. However, after it was announced that his arms were 37 and 7/8" inches long -- or roughly 3 and a half inches longer than anyone else's, Adibi's arms were measured again. The result? 34" inches…
Despite a program renowned for their strength and conditioning program, Virginia Tech Hokies Adibi (6015, 220) and Chris Ellis (6042, 260) were not among the more impressive-looking athletes. Neither had poor builds, necessarily, but neither had the impressive upper body definition that has generally been a trademark of Virginia Tech athletes.
Other disappointing builds from the North were presented by linebacker Jordan Dizon (5117, 228), tight end Martin Rucker, who at 6046, 248 pounds looked a bit rangy and undersized, and inside linebacker Beau Bell (6015, 243).
Among the sloppier builds of the big men was USC's Sam Baker (6044, 308) and NC State defensive tackle DeMario Pressley (6032, 300). Each looked surprisingly soft. Northern Iowa offensive tackle Chad Rinehart (6052, 317) lacked muscle development in his arms. Baker also possesses extraordinarily small hands for an offensive lineman. His hands measure only 8 and 2/8" inches across, giving him the smallest hands of any offensive lineman. Gosder Cherilus, quite literally on the other hand, had the biggest hands at 11 and 4/8 inches as a member of the South team.
Arm length is another useful feature for scouts. Often blockers with short arms are asked to move inside to guard because of the close quarters. Oniel Cousins (31") and Sam Baker (32 5/8) have the lateral quickness and size scouts prefer as left tackle prospects, but they're relatively short arms will be something for pro teams to consider.
Chad Reuter contributed to this report.[/FONT]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
Rob Rang
NFLDraftScout.com
Monday, January 21, 2008, Mobile, AL -- Scouts didn't have to wait until the practices to start for the 2008 Senior Bowl for intrigue to begin.
Perhaps anticipating the drama, the weigh-in this year was moved to the Mobile Convention Center. In years past, the weigh-in had been held inside the Renaissance Hotel, previously known as the Adam's Mark.
The South Team was weighed first. Scouts hoping to see quarterback Brian Brohm were disappointed. Brohm, like fellow first round shoe-ins Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan and Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, elected to pull out of the Senior Bowl proceedings after previously agreeing to participate. Notre Dame tight end John Carlson and Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves were surprises no-shows, as well.
Tennessee's Eric Ainge was a late substitution in Brohm's absence. Other notable late additions for the South were Auburn tight end Cole Bennett and Hampton defensive Kendall Langford.
There were several impressive (and unfortunately, not so impressive) physiques taking their turns on stage for the South.
The South's best builds were presented by Miami linebacker Tavares Gooden, who measured in at a chiseled 6011, 233 pounds, Arkansas fullback Peyton Hillis' thick upper body made his 6007, 240 pound frame all the more impressive. Perhaps the two most impressive physiques, however, were turned in by a surprising ACC duo. Wake Forest defensive end Jeremy Thompson (6043, 264) and Georgia Tech inside linebacker Phillip Wheeler (6020, 245) both weighed in heavier than expected. Each had thick, powerful frames with wide shoulders and good overall muscle definition.
Several big name defenders were much less impressive. LSU outside linebacker Ali Highsmith (5115, 229), South Florida inside linebacker Ben Moffitt (6010, 231), and Kentucky tight end Jacob Tamme (6036, 234) all could use more time in the weight room. A general lack of definition characterized each of these standouts. Among the big men, Maryland's Dre Moore (6041, 307), Wake Forest center Steve Justice (6032, 289), and Arkansas guard Robert Felton (6037, 313) were particularly sloppy in their upper body.
The North team, weighed in moments after the South, offered their share of surprises, as well.
North Carolina defensive tackle measured in at 6044, 308 pounds -- a full 26 pounds heavier than his listed 282 while with the Tar Heels. Oklahoma State wideout Adarius Bowman had one of the more impressive physiques of the day, measuring in at a strong, athletic 6027, 220 pounds. Amongst a roster full of undersized receivers, Bowman looked like a man among boys. Tight ends Fred Davis (USC) and Kellen Davis (Michigan State) were very impressive. Though Fred Davis measured in shorter than expected (6025, 250), his upper body was one of the more impressive of the day. Kellen Davis (6062, 259) may have the most intimidating build of the entire roster.
Of the big men, three players immediately stood out.
Ohio State offensive tackle Kirk Barton may lack elite footwork, but some of his stiffness may have come from spending too much time in the weight room. Measuring in at 6043, 303 pounds, his lats, pecs, bicep, and tricep definition was impressive -- especially for a big man. Arizona State's Mike Pollack had a strong, athletic build with tight skin -- a huge contrast to the sloppy build of Wake Forest's Steve Justice of the South Team. Nebraska offensive tackle Carl Nicks, at 6047, 343 pounds, is the heaviest player in Mobile, but is surprisingly trim. While he has extra flab in his upper body, he looks capable of moving busses with a simple glance.
Perhaps the most interesting moment of the weigh-in, however, occurred only moments into the North Team's introduction.
Virginia Tech's Xavier Adibi has long arms. His rangy build is one of the reasons scouts are intrigued by him. However, after it was announced that his arms were 37 and 7/8" inches long -- or roughly 3 and a half inches longer than anyone else's, Adibi's arms were measured again. The result? 34" inches…
Despite a program renowned for their strength and conditioning program, Virginia Tech Hokies Adibi (6015, 220) and Chris Ellis (6042, 260) were not among the more impressive-looking athletes. Neither had poor builds, necessarily, but neither had the impressive upper body definition that has generally been a trademark of Virginia Tech athletes.
Other disappointing builds from the North were presented by linebacker Jordan Dizon (5117, 228), tight end Martin Rucker, who at 6046, 248 pounds looked a bit rangy and undersized, and inside linebacker Beau Bell (6015, 243).
Among the sloppier builds of the big men was USC's Sam Baker (6044, 308) and NC State defensive tackle DeMario Pressley (6032, 300). Each looked surprisingly soft. Northern Iowa offensive tackle Chad Rinehart (6052, 317) lacked muscle development in his arms. Baker also possesses extraordinarily small hands for an offensive lineman. His hands measure only 8 and 2/8" inches across, giving him the smallest hands of any offensive lineman. Gosder Cherilus, quite literally on the other hand, had the biggest hands at 11 and 4/8 inches as a member of the South team.
Arm length is another useful feature for scouts. Often blockers with short arms are asked to move inside to guard because of the close quarters. Oniel Cousins (31") and Sam Baker (32 5/8) have the lateral quickness and size scouts prefer as left tackle prospects, but they're relatively short arms will be something for pro teams to consider.
Chad Reuter contributed to this report.[/FONT]