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Senior Bowl Review
By Rob Rang, Senior Analyst, NFLDraftScout.com
Sat, January 26, 2008 -- It is no secret that scouts value player performance during the week of Senior Bowl practice more than during the game. During practice, players are placed in competitive one on one situations, whereas the game, itself, is more of a fan-friendly all-star game environment designed to get every player equal face time on television.
With their stunning last second win, the South's 17-16 victory certainly did give the fans their money's worth Saturday.
Even with the scouts focusing on the practices, every NFL team watches the game, itself, very closely. Players who stand out in practice, but disappear in the game are knocked down a notch. Players that rise to the occasion on game-day, on the other hand, receive a significant late boost heading towards the Combine.
Based strictly on game performance then, here are the fifteen players who most helped or hurt their draft stock Saturday at the 59th annual Senior Bowl.
Rising
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC - A top five senior prospect on NFLDraftScout.com's board all season long, Ellis entered the week of practice as the best player in Mobile and only cemented his status as such on game-day. A prototype nose-guard in the Casey Hampton mold, Ellis scored a safety with a sack of Andre Woodson and was the unmovable force in the middle that led to a failed 4th and 1 quarterback sneak attempt by the South's Erik Ainge in the third quarter and forced a quick, inaccurate throw from Woodson near the endzone in the 4th quarter. Regardless of which center or guard that lined up against Ellis, he dominated the action inside.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State - Having to answer questions about his level of competition, few players had more to prove in this game than "DRC." While he was an accomplished ballhawk at Tennessee State, scouts had to be impressed with Rodgers-Cromartie's physicality and reliability in open field tackling Saturday. Of no surprise to scouts, was his instincts and burst back to the ball. Rodgers-Cromartie's interception was particularly impressive, as he high-pointed the pass over Cal wideout Lavelle Hawkins, the most impressive big play wideout during the week of practice.
Chad Henne, QB, Michigan - Henne was clearly the top quarterback throughout the week of practice, but the questions about his poise would be put to the test once the real bullets started flying in the game. Henne threw for both of the North's touchdowns and showcased the composure scouts were hoping he'd show. His performance in this game could ultimately vault Henne into the late portions of the first round.
Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame - Blessed with good quickness and great hand usage, Laws was consistently able to attack interior offensive linemen and make plays at or near the line of scrimmage. Laws' nonstop motor led to him making plays all over the field Saturday.
Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana - Like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie mentioned previously, the only question with Porter is his physicality in coming up in run support. Porter is a terrific natural athlete and transfers these skills well as a cover corner. Good, secure open field tackles against both receivers and running backs Saturday proved that he could be relied upon in this area, significantly boosting his stock with scouts.
Matt Forte, RB, Tulane - A back has to have a monster game to earn MVP honors despite a first half fumble, and at first glance Forte's 88 all-purpose yards wouldn't appear to be enough. What Forte did show, however, was considerable burst for a big back. His soft hands out of the backfield also were impressive, as was the toughness in which he ran. Forte' generated yards after initial contact on every touch in this game.
Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida - Caldwell's speed and determination to get into the endzone on the reverse that won the game for the South will be the play that everyone remembers, but just as impressively in the eyes of scouts was his leaping catch on 4th and ten to continue the South's final drive. Caldwell's speed and reliable routes and hands made him his team's most dependable receiver as the game went on, and thus, new San Francisco offensive coordinator Mike Martz calling his number on the final snap came as no surprise.
Falling
Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State - After a week of struggles with drops, Bowman needed a big game Saturday and with an apparent touchdown right before half-time, he appeared to have made the play he needed. Unfortunately, due to a bobbling of the pass and shoddy official work, Bowman wasn't given credit for the score. While in the NFL, the play would have been over-turned by instant replay, the end result was that Bowman, because he bobbled another perfect pass, lost out another opportunity to impress scouts.
Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech - Despite finishing among the country's leading sackmasters, Ellis struggled to generate any kind of consistent pass rush Saturday. His lack of true speed off the edge is made even more of a liability because of inconsistent hand usage and varied pass rush moves.
Cody Wallace, C/OG, Texas A&M - Matched up against Sedrick Ellis for much of the afternoon, Wallace didn't have much of a chance to begin with. However, the concern for scouts is that Wallace continued to struggle when other, lesser explosive defensive tackles were inserted into the game, as well. Wallace was beaten at different points by being out-muscled and "out-quicked" by opponents.
Oniel Cousins, OT, UTEP - The South's interior linemen struggled with Sedrick Ellis and Trevor Laws all day Saturday, but Cousins didn't do them any favors with his play on the outside. While quick enough, usually, to beat defensive ends to the flanks, he too often leaned outside, allowing the pass rushers an easy spin back inside and putting guards in the tough position of helping out or picking their quarterback up off the ground.
Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii - If possible, Brennan struggled even more during Saturday's game than he had throughout the week of practice. Despite getting the start for the South, Brennan threw for the least amount of yards of all six quarterbacks () and his passes lacked both timing and zip. The poor weather and lack of timing with these receivers certainly contributed to Brennan's rough afternoon, but he needed a strong performance after a terrible Sugar Bowl against Georgia and a tough week of practice and it simply didn't happen.
Dorien Bryant, WR/KR, Purdue - The ugly weather and athletic defensive backs of the South defense certainly played their roles in a game in which passers struggled to get on track, but poor route-running also contributed to a relatively low-scoring Senior Bowl. Bryant, characterized throughout his career as a very good route-runner, showed very little explosion coming out of his breaks in this game, giving cornerbacks an advantage.
DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College - At only 5-8, Tribble made a name for himself in the ACC as a playmaking cover corner. Despite being in position to make at least two game-changing interceptions Saturday, Tribble dropped the ball. It was a fitting end to a disastrous week of practice for a player once considered among the elite senior defensive backs in the country.
By Rob Rang, Senior Analyst, NFLDraftScout.com
Sat, January 26, 2008 -- It is no secret that scouts value player performance during the week of Senior Bowl practice more than during the game. During practice, players are placed in competitive one on one situations, whereas the game, itself, is more of a fan-friendly all-star game environment designed to get every player equal face time on television.
With their stunning last second win, the South's 17-16 victory certainly did give the fans their money's worth Saturday.
Even with the scouts focusing on the practices, every NFL team watches the game, itself, very closely. Players who stand out in practice, but disappear in the game are knocked down a notch. Players that rise to the occasion on game-day, on the other hand, receive a significant late boost heading towards the Combine.
Based strictly on game performance then, here are the fifteen players who most helped or hurt their draft stock Saturday at the 59th annual Senior Bowl.
Rising
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC - A top five senior prospect on NFLDraftScout.com's board all season long, Ellis entered the week of practice as the best player in Mobile and only cemented his status as such on game-day. A prototype nose-guard in the Casey Hampton mold, Ellis scored a safety with a sack of Andre Woodson and was the unmovable force in the middle that led to a failed 4th and 1 quarterback sneak attempt by the South's Erik Ainge in the third quarter and forced a quick, inaccurate throw from Woodson near the endzone in the 4th quarter. Regardless of which center or guard that lined up against Ellis, he dominated the action inside.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State - Having to answer questions about his level of competition, few players had more to prove in this game than "DRC." While he was an accomplished ballhawk at Tennessee State, scouts had to be impressed with Rodgers-Cromartie's physicality and reliability in open field tackling Saturday. Of no surprise to scouts, was his instincts and burst back to the ball. Rodgers-Cromartie's interception was particularly impressive, as he high-pointed the pass over Cal wideout Lavelle Hawkins, the most impressive big play wideout during the week of practice.
Chad Henne, QB, Michigan - Henne was clearly the top quarterback throughout the week of practice, but the questions about his poise would be put to the test once the real bullets started flying in the game. Henne threw for both of the North's touchdowns and showcased the composure scouts were hoping he'd show. His performance in this game could ultimately vault Henne into the late portions of the first round.
Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame - Blessed with good quickness and great hand usage, Laws was consistently able to attack interior offensive linemen and make plays at or near the line of scrimmage. Laws' nonstop motor led to him making plays all over the field Saturday.
Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana - Like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie mentioned previously, the only question with Porter is his physicality in coming up in run support. Porter is a terrific natural athlete and transfers these skills well as a cover corner. Good, secure open field tackles against both receivers and running backs Saturday proved that he could be relied upon in this area, significantly boosting his stock with scouts.
Matt Forte, RB, Tulane - A back has to have a monster game to earn MVP honors despite a first half fumble, and at first glance Forte's 88 all-purpose yards wouldn't appear to be enough. What Forte did show, however, was considerable burst for a big back. His soft hands out of the backfield also were impressive, as was the toughness in which he ran. Forte' generated yards after initial contact on every touch in this game.
Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida - Caldwell's speed and determination to get into the endzone on the reverse that won the game for the South will be the play that everyone remembers, but just as impressively in the eyes of scouts was his leaping catch on 4th and ten to continue the South's final drive. Caldwell's speed and reliable routes and hands made him his team's most dependable receiver as the game went on, and thus, new San Francisco offensive coordinator Mike Martz calling his number on the final snap came as no surprise.
Falling
Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State - After a week of struggles with drops, Bowman needed a big game Saturday and with an apparent touchdown right before half-time, he appeared to have made the play he needed. Unfortunately, due to a bobbling of the pass and shoddy official work, Bowman wasn't given credit for the score. While in the NFL, the play would have been over-turned by instant replay, the end result was that Bowman, because he bobbled another perfect pass, lost out another opportunity to impress scouts.
Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech - Despite finishing among the country's leading sackmasters, Ellis struggled to generate any kind of consistent pass rush Saturday. His lack of true speed off the edge is made even more of a liability because of inconsistent hand usage and varied pass rush moves.
Cody Wallace, C/OG, Texas A&M - Matched up against Sedrick Ellis for much of the afternoon, Wallace didn't have much of a chance to begin with. However, the concern for scouts is that Wallace continued to struggle when other, lesser explosive defensive tackles were inserted into the game, as well. Wallace was beaten at different points by being out-muscled and "out-quicked" by opponents.
Oniel Cousins, OT, UTEP - The South's interior linemen struggled with Sedrick Ellis and Trevor Laws all day Saturday, but Cousins didn't do them any favors with his play on the outside. While quick enough, usually, to beat defensive ends to the flanks, he too often leaned outside, allowing the pass rushers an easy spin back inside and putting guards in the tough position of helping out or picking their quarterback up off the ground.
Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii - If possible, Brennan struggled even more during Saturday's game than he had throughout the week of practice. Despite getting the start for the South, Brennan threw for the least amount of yards of all six quarterbacks () and his passes lacked both timing and zip. The poor weather and lack of timing with these receivers certainly contributed to Brennan's rough afternoon, but he needed a strong performance after a terrible Sugar Bowl against Georgia and a tough week of practice and it simply didn't happen.
Dorien Bryant, WR/KR, Purdue - The ugly weather and athletic defensive backs of the South defense certainly played their roles in a game in which passers struggled to get on track, but poor route-running also contributed to a relatively low-scoring Senior Bowl. Bryant, characterized throughout his career as a very good route-runner, showed very little explosion coming out of his breaks in this game, giving cornerbacks an advantage.
DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College - At only 5-8, Tribble made a name for himself in the ACC as a playmaking cover corner. Despite being in position to make at least two game-changing interceptions Saturday, Tribble dropped the ball. It was a fitting end to a disastrous week of practice for a player once considered among the elite senior defensive backs in the country.
