2009 Senior Bowl Thread

[porky88]

Here is a recap of Days 1 and 2 that I wrote up

The Senior Bowl is the most important college all star game leading up to the draft. In fact some believe the Senior Bowl carries more influence with it then the NFL Combine.

Pro Scouts from around the NFL attend the Senior Bowl and the real evaluation of talent begins. Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of the Senior Bowl and the entire draft process for that matter are the practices down in Mobile Alabama. The Senior Bowl practices have more to do with where a player grades out than the game itself.

Sounds crazy, but it's true because finally NFL coaches can begin to teach college players about the NFL and the techniques they'll need to learn to become professional football players. Teams get a first hand look at how players react to NFL coaching.

If you're still not convince of the importance of the Senior Bowl then consider this. Joe Flacco was a Senior Bowl participant one year ago and he lead the Baltimore Ravens to the AFC Championship. He likely wouldn't of been drafted as high as he was if it wasn't for his participation in Mobile.

In fact this jungle writer jumped on the bandwagon of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie due to his athleticism, size, and ability to adapt to a situation. All of this was seen at the Senior Bowl by a number of scouts including your NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals.

The game still has meaning as not even practice can simulate a game like situation. Throughout the week I will inform of you whose stock I believe is up due and whose is down due to their performance at the Senior Bowl.

North

The North battle to watch has been interior lineman Alex Mack and Max Unger going up against defensive tackle B.J. Raji. As of now it's been B.J. Raji who has gotten the best of Unger and Mack as Raji is just over powering anyone in his path.

Another big story is the whether or not Graham Harrell can make a transition to the NFL. So far he's been more impressive than what you would think. He throws the ball well and he hasn't had much of a problem taking a snap from under center.

Larry English is a potential first round pick, but so far he hasn't been put in the position where I think he translates best to the NFL. I really believe he needs to stand up and play in a 3-4 which is something they haven't shown yet.

Stock Up

B.J. Raji, DL, Boston College - Is showing off his strength and a burst off the line. Hasn't really mattered who he's lined up against as he pushed him into the backfield.

Kraig Urbik, OG, Wisconsin - Has shown very good technique and power too. Does a nice job of getting his hands on the defender.

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State - Has shown good hands and he plays faster than his timed speed.

Victor Harris, CB, Virginia Tech - Great in press coverage and is locating the ball very well.

Rob Brace, DT, Boston College - Like B.J. Raji, Rob Brace is showing brute strength and has shown he can get penetration into the backfield.

Stock Down

Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State - Excellent "zip" on the ball, but has shown inconsistency with his accuracy.

Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati - He's tough because he's playing hurt, but it's clear that his injury has slowed him down.

JuaQuin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma - Hasn't caught the ball that well with his hands and his route running looks sloppy.

Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma - Plays way to high and loses leverage easily.

Alex Mack, OL, California - Great technique, but his lack of strength might limit him to a zone scheme only in the NFL.

South

There is know doubt that the South is far more talented than the North. I found myself having a hard time of finding any players in my notes that had their draft stock hurt.

I see several potential first round picks on the South side of the ball. One of them is Michael Oher whom I haven't been very high on as I've been suggesting a free fall to the end of round one is possible come draft day for him. Oher showed off some dominance today and he can be good, but once again he couldn't sustain it. He struggles mightily with speed rushers.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is how well Pat White is throwing the ball. He's the best quarterback on the South roster so far. White is showing he has an NFL arm and can throw on the run. I don't think he has the size to be an NFL quarterback, but none the less his arm is a pleasant surprise.

Stock Up

Fili Moala, DL, Southern California - Has a better frame than a lot of people thought. He's quick off the ball and very versatile. He has first day talent.

Antonie Caldwell, OL, Alabama - Good with his hands and is showing off his versatility. He's played several positions and has looked solid at almost all of them.

Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Mississippi - The most athletic tight end at the Senior Bowl. Has displayed good hands and route running. He could make a name for himself this week.

Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee - Has a good motor on him and was causing chaos for the quarterback during team drills.

Clay Matthews, LB, Southern California - Was very impressive and moves very well. Looks like he could rush the passer at the next level.

Stock Down

Rey Maualuga, LB, Southern California - For a potential top ten pick he didn't impress on the field as much as you would think. Had an up and down day.

John Parker Wilson, QB, Alabama - Didn't display any special quality physically that would make you think he can be an NFL starter.

Kenny McKinley, WR, South Carolina - Pretty quick player, but dropped a deep ball he should of had and his route running is questionable.

Coye Francis, CB, San Jose State - A lot thought he could of been the Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of this Senior Bowl, but I haven't seen it so far. He got beat a few times and needs to locate the ball better.

Cullen Harper, QB, Clemson - I was underwhelmed by him. Didn't really show off as strong as an arm as I thought.

Senior Bowl: Days 1 & 2 Recap - Fantasy Football Jungle

[bowler533]

Im not sure about Alex Mack's stock being cold right now. From what I have read he has had a very good senior bowl week.

California C Alex Mack was reportedly the only lineman who could contain Boston College DT B.J. Raji on the first day of Senior Bowl practices. Mack, who could probably play any line position except left tackle at 6'4/312, picked up Raji in one drill and drove him backwards off the football. Mack was allegedly more impressive than fellow highly touted C Max Unger of Oregon. Source: Sacromento Bee

[porky88]

Originally Posted by bowler533 Im not sure about Alex Mack's stock being cold right now. From what I have read he has had a very good senior bowl week.

I think the Sacramento Bee might have a little bias towards Alex Mack or something, but he did do better on Day 1 though which of course was shoulder pads only I believe. Days 2 and 3 weren't pretty especially Day 3.

Today I saw B.J. Raji blow up Alex Mack twice in the live action portion of practice. He literally tossed him around like he was a doll at times and drove Mack so far back that Mack could of made the tackle himself on one of the plays. If I new how to take it from my DVR and put it on youtube I'd show it to you.

I give Alex Mack credit for at least going up against B.J. Raji, but Max Unger has done a better job than Mack on Raji at least in the last two days. Even then Unger still couldn't hold his own.

I'm so impressed with Raji that I think he could go top ten as long as his character issues are okay.

Mack I thought was a first rounder, but now he's a second rounder in my opinion. He needs to play well Saturday though.

[cubuffsman78]

Sacramento Bee's remarks come from a scouting report by Todd McShay, who says Mack has done better than Unger against Raji. Unger is being controlled while Mack has anchored himself, according to McShay.

I've got the practices taping all week, but I really won't have time to watch them until Saturday. Too busy time of year for me right now with the newspaper act.

I did pop on Wednesday's for a bit cause I had the day off and I agree with McShay.

Mack didn't dominate Raji at all, but who has? He's at least slowing him and holding him up. Unger hasn't. I think your scouting report on them is opposite. I think Unger is a zone-blocking center. I think Mack has more power. I've had Mack over Unger for a while, although, originally Mack was at the top of my center board. That's about to change again.

Michael Oher. Wow. Awesome. I've read lots of hype about his showing this week. I saw it Wednesday. He's really got it. According to the reports I've read, he's been great on Monday and Tuesday and looks legit as a left tackle. I dropped him a bit in my last mock. I shouldn't have. I prefer him over Monroe and everyone else at the position other than Andre Smith. I'll project him that way now, too.

QB play at the Senior Bowl is shoddy. That was expected. I posted following West Virginia's bowl game, I thought Pat White would get his shot at QB in the NFL. Scratch that. Bad velocity, worse accuracy. Plus, he's not taking reps at WR. Bad week for Mr. White.

I kept hearing Graham Harrell was really hurting Monday and Tuesday. He looked solid Wednesday. He won't go above Round 4 still, probably 5th or 6th rounder, though.

I'll post more Sunday as I get to sit down and watch it all.

[Saint33]

Mack has consistently went up against Raji and faired the best as anyone who has. Yes he's been blown out the water by Raji, but only now and then, everyone else who goes up against him gets consistently dominated.

Larry English has been my favorite player at the SB so far. He's really impressed me, and I think he will easily be a 1st round pick if he keeps up these performances. English, Raji, Shawn Nelson and Evander Hood have helped their stocks the most so far.

[porky88]

Larry English is getting screwed over by the Bengals coaching staff. We haven't seen enough of him as a 3-4 pass rusher. Instead he's played in the 4-3 and I'm not sure he can do that at a high level. If he goes in round one it's going to be to a 3-4 team in my opinion.

Personally I think Clay Matthews, B.J. Raji, Shawn Nelson, and Michael Oher have helped themeselves the most so far.

Pat White also showing a nice arm too.

As far as the centers goes. I had higher expectations I suppose and that might be why I consider them down. I honestly think Alex Mack is a zone player and that's where he'll go or best fit. I think Max Unger has looked better at guard than Mack, but Mack better at center. Unger has struggled with some of his snaps. I still like Mack better because of what he's done on the field rather than practice.

Raji I think could go as high as No. 6 now. He's the real deal.

[porky88]

Overall I was impressed with these guys below.

B.J. Raji, DL, Boston College
Brian Cushing, LB, USC
Clay Matthews, LB, USC
Andre Brown, RB, North Carolina State
Pat White, QB, West Virginia
Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State
Marcus Freeman, LB, Ohio State
Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
Rob Brace, DT, Boston College
Fili Moala, DL, USC
Peria Jerry, DL, Ole Miss
Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona
Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss - Yeah I'll eat my words for now
Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
Rashad Johnson, S, Alabama
Victor Harris, CB, Virginia Tech
Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Kraig Urbik, OL, Wisconsin
Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
Shaun Nelson, TE, Southern Miss

The guys below I believe hurt their stock.

Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma
Herm Johnson, OG, LSU
Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State
Cullen Harper, QB, Clemson
James Davis, RB, Clemson
Greg Carr, WR, Florida State
Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
JuaQuin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma
Eric Wood, OL, Louisville
Coye Francis, CB, San Jose State

The game itself usually doesn't mean much for players draft status unless they play very well or poorly so we'll see what happens.

[Saint33]

Clint Sintim has been decent. Very up and down, not as impressive as I was expecting. But I think I was expecting a lot from him, because of the hype going his way. He's a borderline 1st round pick still IMO.

I agree with the rest for the most part, I think the chances that English has gotten to play 3-4 OLB, he's taken every advantage of. He's really impressed me more than any other player, he's probably my favorite player coming out this year.

Loadholt has been getting praise from various "experts" which I think is laughable. Loadholt has not only been the most disappointing player at the senior bowl, he's been THE WORST OT out there. He's been manhandled by everyone that has gone up against him.

As far as the Unger/Mack argument. I agree that Mack is the better center, and Unger is the better guard. But Mack I've never really considered anywhere but C, and he's as good as it gets coming out of college at C. Unger isn't all that special at G though, and he's only decent at C as well. Unger is your classic jack of all trades, master of none, which scares me about him. If I'm drafting a player in round 1, I want a definite role to be filled by that player, while Unger is the kinda guy you let backup and play what ever role you need him in, until he proves himself at one specific position. He's more of a 2nd round pick IMO.

Although I think Shawn Nelson has been the name to remember most at the SB. I haven't heard a single bad thing about him this whole time. He really helped his draft position more than anyone else at the SB

[pep9993]

Pat White would be a good third round pick for Dallas who needs a third QB and a slot WR. Two for One.

DT Peria Jerry Ole Miss dominated and so did his team mate OT Michael Oher.

WR Kwan Cosby is a solid third or fourth round WR. He will play early and well. His age stops him from going earlier.
OT Phil Loadholt is a beast and will be a Pro Bowl OG. He is not an OT in the NFL.

Larry English has first round talent.

This is a great year to trade out of the first round.

[Saint33]

Originally Posted by pep9993 Pat White would be a good third round pick for Dallas who needs a third QB and a slot WR. Two for One. DT Peria Jerry Ole Miss dominated and so did his team mate OT Michael Oher. WR Kwan Cosby is a solid third or fourth round WR. He will play early and well. His age stops him from going earlier. OT Phil Loadholt is a beast and will be a Pro Bowl OG. He is not an OT in the NFL. Larry English has first round talent. This is a great year to trade out of the first round.

What Phil Loadholt were you watching? He wasn't a "beast" at all. He was consistently manhandled all week long.