2015 Senior Bowl

This topic has 32 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 9 months ago by zn.

Viewing 30 posts - 1 through 30 (of 33 total)

1 2 →

Author

Posts
January 19, 2015 at 10:21 am #16858

Agamemnon
Participant

2015 Senior Bowl: 10 offensive prospects to watch
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
January 18, 2015 8:17 pm ET

Although there are over 100 days remaining until the 2015 NFL Draft, the Reese’s Senior Bowl is the unofficial kick off to the draft season as the nation’s top senior prospects compete in Mobile, Ala. with all 32 NFL teams in attendance. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, but the real work is done during the daily practices throughout the week, starting on Tuesday.

With 110 roster spots, each player at the Senior Bowl has a chance to prove himself, but these 10 offensive prospects especially have much to gain this week.

QB Bryce Petty, Baylor (6-2, 230, 4.74)
This is Petty’s week. Let’s call it a “money” week for him because it’s a chance for the Baylor passer to cement himself as the top senior quarterback prospect and worthy of a top-100 draft pick. The Senior Bowl is crucial to Petty’s pro evaluation because it gives scouts a chance to study him under center and outside of Art Briles’ shotgun, spread offense.

RB Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska (5-9, 190, 4.49)
As Nebraska’s all-time leader in all-purpose yardage, there is more than enough game film out there for scouts to evaluate Abdullah. However, his performance in pass protection drills in Mobile will be a crucial part of his final draft grade. NFL teams know what Abdullah offers as an athlete, but his ability as a blocker will shape his role at the next level.

RB David Johnson, Northern Iowa (6-2, 215, 4.59)
Johnson is a stout runner with strong, decisive strides as an athlete, forcing defenders to bring their big boy pants to bring him down. But where he really shines is as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, using his focus and open field vision to be a threat on third down. Johnson projects as a bigger version of Charles Sims, who was a Senior Bowl standout last year.

WR Devin Smith, Ohio State (6-2, 198, 4.51)
A nine route monster, Smith has been one of the best deep threats in college football with 12 touchdowns on only 33 receptions in 2014 – that’s a touchdown every 2.75 catches, best in the NCAA. But he has been very inconsistent on non-vertical routes and needs to prove himself as more than just a downfield target.

WR Sammie Coates, Auburn (6-1, 201, 4.48)
One of a few redshirt juniors who are eligible to participate this week, Coates has the physique and straight-line speed that evaluators covet at the receiver position. But he is not yet the sum of his parts with inconsistent routes and unreliable hands and needs to show better polish this week to show he’s more than just a project.

TE Nick Boyle, Delaware (6-3, 265, 4.89)
One of several FCS prospects worth getting to know, Boyle doesn’t have elite production (304 receiving yards in 2014), but his skill-set has drawn the attention of NFL scouts. He needs some technique work as a blocker, but the Blue Hen tight end moves well for his size with agile footwork to release off the line of scrimmage and get open.

OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh (6-5, 305, 4.78)
My favorite prospect in Mobile this week, Clemmings has been climbing draft boards throughout the season and a positive week at the Senior Bowl could make him the consensus top senior at tackle. A former defensive end, Clemmings is a mauler who dominates in the run game, but his performance during pass protection drills will be closely scrutinized.

OT Ty Sambrailo, Colorado State (6-5, 310, 5.29)
Colorado State had an offensive lineman (Weston Richburg) shine at the Senior Bowl last year and Sambrailo is attempting to follow in his footsteps. The athleticism and toughness are there, but his functional strength is a question mark for the next level, something Sambrailo won’t be able to hide in Mobile.

OT La’el Collins, LSU (6-5, 315, 5.42)
LSU’s starting left tackle the last two seasons, Collins will be an offensive tackle on some draft boards, but a guard on others so it will be interesting to see what position(s) he practices at during Senior Bowl drills. Although his tape isn’t always pretty, he consistently gets the job done with finishing toughness that is second to none.

OG Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech (6-1, 305, 5.20)
Like offensive skill players in Baylor’s offense, it’s tough to properly evaluate offensive line play in the Yellow Jackets triple option offense. But Mason’s balanced athleticism and mean streak routinely stood out at guard for Georgia Tech, making his transition to a pro-style scheme intriguing. Mason is currently flying under the radar, but I’ll bet he’s a “riser” after Mobile.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24975640/senior-bowl-10-offensive-prospects-to-watch

Agamemnon

January 19, 2015 at 4:32 pm #16880

zn
Moderator

Rams set for Senior Bowl week

By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/15535/rams-set-for-senior-bowl-week

EARTH CITY, Mo. — Whether it’s a coincidence or not, the St. Louis Rams have become big proponents of using the offseason’s biggest all-star game as a finding ground for a number of their draft picks.

This week’s Senior Bowl, set to take place again in Mobile, Alabama, is the most well-known game of the all-star season and has proved in the past three years to be a popular place for the Rams to nail down evaluations of players.

General manager Les Snead said that isn’t necessarily by design but also doesn’t deny that drafting talented seniors can help get results a little faster.

“Never do you have preference for a senior,” Snead said. “I think when you take a senior versus a younger kid, usually you know that senior is probably going to be more ready to play than the younger kid. There’s a lot of young kids coming out and you see the names every day. So you better be able to work it both ways. I think the development plan for success is different for each one.”

In the three years with Snead as the general manager and Jeff Fisher as coach, the Rams have actually struck a balance between taking more polished seniors and grabbing younger players with upside. They have erred toward upside on players like offensive tackle Greg Robinson and defensive tackle Michael Brockers but they’ve also drafted former Senior Bowlers such as receiver Brian Quick, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, running back Isaiah Pead, safety T.J. McDonald and, the biggest prize of all in defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Although Robinson went 11 spots higher than Donald in the draft, the Rams knew they were getting a much more polished product in Donald, something that was exceedingly clear when Donald dominated the 2014 Senior Bowl.

“Greg being a redshirt sophomore, Aaron being a four year starter, they’re really only one year apart, I don’t know the calendar age but Greg got redshirted, started let’s call it 24 games,” Snead said. “Aaron didn’t get redshirted, started 48 games and he got 24 more starts than Greg. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take Greg. It means Greg is going to learn some of the things Aaron learned in those last 24 out here in the NFL so you have just got to have a different plan for success. Historically, I think seniors are more mentally mature than the younger kids.”

This year, the Rams once again head to the Senior Bowl with a preliminary draft board in place. Obviously, the scouting staff has been working all year on many of those who will play in Mobile but the week offers a chance for the coaches to get a first look at some top prospects and some lesser-known prospects an opportunity to perform against better competition.

According to Snead, the Rams have already narrowed their board of players to less than 500 following the December meetings in which the area scouts return to town and start sifting through prospects with Snead. Coincidentally, Snead finds that the initial board they have now is often more accurate than ones that will come later after things like the scouting combine.

“You’re always doing studies on where’d you have him and how did he turn out?” Snead said. “We set it in the summer for the first time then December we come back and do a little bit of a reset and then maybe post-all-star, post-combine then we go through the spring and then one final [board]. So you analyze how you do your boards, usually the one in December is where you’re right because that’s them playing football.”

This Senior Bowl should have the Rams taking a closer look at the quarterbacks and offensive linemen in place. Oregon State’s Sean Mannion, East Carolina’s Shane Carden, Baylor’s Bryce Petty, Alabama’s Blake Sims, Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson and Auburn’s Nick Marshall are the six signal-callers in place. None are expected to be first-round choices but any could emerge as an intriguing option for a team like the Rams later on.

All told, even if the Senior Bowl isn’t the end all, be all for the Rams’ evaluation efforts, it is an important piece in the process.

“The Senior Bowl is really good,” Snead said. “Seniors, they get to go compete against guys that are going to be in the NFL so you get to see their competitiveness. Let’s talk wide receivers. A lot of times, they are not getting pressed in college. In this game you get to go see them press. It doesn’t mean that will be a deal breaker but you can see how they get off the press, how far is he away to get off so there’s things you can see at the Senior Bowl that all of a sudden these kids coming from the college offenses haven’t done. A lot of times you don’t do that in college. That’s what the Senior Bowl is to me.”

January 20, 2015 at 8:32 am #16913

Agamemnon
Participant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywvVHRrHYso
Mike Mayock and Charles Davis name a couple players they’ll have their eyes on during Senior Bowl week in Mobile, Alabama.

Agamemnon

January 20, 2015 at 8:34 am #16914

Agamemnon
Participant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSiQVyACVfs
St. Louis Rams General Manager Les Snead breaks down the Reese’s Senior Bowl week.

Agamemnon

January 20, 2015 at 8:37 am #16915

Agamemnon
Participant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWiMjAIfyA0

Agamemnon

January 20, 2015 at 8:39 am #16916

Agamemnon
Participant

Agamemnon

January 20, 2015 at 9:10 am #16917

zn
Moderator

Rams ready to ‘shop’ at Senior Bowl

By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-ready-to-shop-at-senior-bowl/article_72a91c35-0b09-5fd4-bdf6-3e0ac155d7cc.html

The Rams have done a fair amount of “shopping” at the Senior Bowl since general manager Les Snead and coach Jeff Fisher took over the program in 2012.

Among the Senior Bowl players the team ended up drafting are defensive tackle Aaron Donald, safety T.J. McDonald, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, wide receiver Brian Quick and running back Isaiah Pead. Obviously, some have worked out better than others.

“Never do you have a preference for a senior,” Snead said. “I think though, when you take a senior vs. a younger kid, you usually know that senior is probably gonna be more ready to play than the younger kid.

“Now there’s a lot of young kids (underclassmen) coming out. We see the names every day. So you better be able to work it both ways.”

But the approach in player development usually differs between the drafted senior as compared to the drafted underclassmen.

“I’ve used this example many times in Aaron (Donald) and Greg (Robinson); Greg being a redshirt sophomore, Aaron being a four-year starter,” Snead said.

In essence, Donald started twice as many college games as Robinson, and partly as a result of that extra college experience arrived in the NFL as a more polished product.

“Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take Greg,” Snead said. “It just means Greg’s gonna learn some of the things that Aaron learned in those (last two seasons in college) out here in the NFL. So you just have to have a different plan for success. Historically, I think seniors are more mentally mature and ready than the younger kids.”

In the case of Senior Bowl alums Donald, Jenkins and McDonald, for example, all came into the NFL as day one starters. But early success obviously isn’t an absolute for seniors. It took Quick until his third NFL season to blossom into an opening-day starter.

As the draft evaluation process hits high gear in Mobile, Ala., annual site of the Senior Bowl, the Rams already have their draft board trimmed to fewer than 500 prospects.

It was set for the first time last summer and trimmed down and altered in December. There will be a re-set of sorts after this month’s college all-star games, and another after the NFL scouting combine in late February. And then one final one in the spring after the campus pro days and private workouts.

Usually, the December board turns out to be the most accurate, Snead said, only half-joking.

“Because — guess what? — that’s them playing football,” he said.

In contrast, the combine and pro days and private workouts are all about stopwatches, agility drills and interviews. At least at the Senior Bowl, and the few other college all-star events, players are getting after each other in practice and playing a game at the end of the week.

As the most prestigious of the all-star games in terms of getting better talent, the Senior Bowl is a valuable measuring stick.

“They get to go compete against guys that are gonna be in the NFL,” Snead said. “So you get to go and see their competitiveness.”

You see wide receivers work against press coverage, something that doesn’t happen much in college. Running backs working on blitz pickup and catching passes out of the backfield.

And quarterbacks from spread offenses lining up under center and throwing into windows that are already tighter than what they saw most of the time in college.

As the Fisher-Snead regime prepares for its fourth season in St. Louis, Snead said the Rams’ personnel department and coaching staff have a sense for what the Rams’ roster is and isn’t.

“You’ve got a good feel now for who they are, what our strengths are, what our weaknesses are,” he said. “What players’ roles are. So it gets a little, probably, clearer to say, ‘Hey, we’ve got specific needs. Let’s go address that.’”

So it’s less about amassing quantity, which was one of the goals of the Robert Griffin III trade — to replenish a talent-depleted roster — and more about addressing specific needs on a roster that in general has fewer holes than a year, or two, or three years ago.

And with only five picks at the moment — the team could be awarded an extra compensatory pick or two at the owners meetings in March — the Rams need to hit on most of those picks.

One of the biggest needs obviously is a quarterback, and there should be some intriguing possibilities at the Senior Bowl even though it’s not regarded as a strong or deep draft at the position.

Baylor’s Bryce Petter, Oregon State’s Sean Mannion, Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson and East Carolina’s Shane Carden are among the QBs expected to attend.

The Rams almost certainly will be looking at the offensive line once again, particularly on the interior, but also at the tackle position.

Then again, this could be the year where someone like Donald stands out at the Senior Bowl. On paper, defensive tackle didn’t shape up as a huge position of need for the Rams a year ago. But the Rams certainly aren’t sorry they made that pick.

The lone University of Missouri participant this year is defensive end Markus Golden, who could be a first-round selection.

January 20, 2015 at 11:32 am #16924

Agamemnon
Participant

NFL Draft Watch: 20 players we’ll be watching at the Senior Bowl
Eric Edholm

Here are 20 players we’ll be keeping a close eye on this week as they face off against some of the best talent available for the 2015 NFL draft:

Baylor QB Bryce Petty — He might be the best talent down here, and Petty aims to use this week as his chance to move up in a draft class of quarterbacks that has been described as “Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota and the rest.” Petty lacks ideal measurables, doesn’t have a cannon for an arm and comes from the Bears’ spread, one-read offense, the likes of which has produced a mixed bag of NFL passers. That said, he’s tough, quick-thinking and can thread the ball into tight windows. At 24 years old, his appeal is watered down, but Petty can help raise his stock if he shows to be the cream of the Mobile crop.

Auburn WR Sammie Coates — The fourth-year junior is eligible to play in the game based on a new allowance for underclassmen who have completed their degree. Coates physical appeal at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds with wheels. But he is regarded in scouting circles as a one-trick pony — a deep-ball specialist — who needs to refine his game. The practice sessions will show how refined his route-running is, and how well he fares against a decent (though not great) group of cornerbacks. It could be something of a make-or-break week for him. Drops were a problem in college.

USC CB Josh Shaw — The Trojans cornerback can really answer some questions with how he practices and how he interviews. If you remember, Shaw is the player who lied about saving his nephew from drowning, later admitting he jumped from a balcony after an argument with his girlfriend, suffering bilateral ankle injuries in the process. He was suspended from the team thereafter, getting on the field only at the end of the season — and some of his teammates were not thrilled that he was promoted over some players who spent the season practicing and playing. Shaw has limited senior tape and he will be grilled in interviews, but with decent size (6-1, 200 pounds) he could be tried at either corner or safety.

LSU OT La’El Collins — Is he the best prospect at the Senior Bowl? We shall see. The left tackle — he can also play guard, scouts feel — has the physical traits to play with power and quickness, and flashes some nastiness. The one-on-one drills tend to favor pass rushers, as they are performed in space without help, but offensive tackles who show the ability to stonewall them can really vault their stock. This is a big week for Collins.

UCLA DE Owamgabe Odighizuwa — The 6-3, 270-pound Odighizuwa could stand out after a strong finish to his season, capped with a strong bowl performance. He has several nicknames, including “OO” (although we favor “O2”) and could become as much of a household name as he can by winning those aforementioned pass-rush drills in practice. Odighizuwa translates power to speed and can hold his own against bigger tackles. He missed the entire 2013 season following hip surgery but had a terrific 2014 campaign and could carry that over this week as a versatile defender.

View gallery
.
Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers (Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports)

Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers (Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports)

Arkansas DE Trey Flowers — Here’s another edge rusher to keep an eye on. Flowers has a chance to move up into the first-round discussion. He’s a better all-around defender than former teammate Chris Smith, who had an up-and-down week here a year ago, and Flowers’ relentless motor and stronger measurables should propel him to new heights.

Pitt OT T.J. Clemmings — Fighting with Collins for top honors among the offensive linemen could be Clemmings, who made the transition from defensive line to the offensive line but still maintains that defensive mentality as a road-grading run blocker. We expect him to maul a few people this week if his senior tape with the Panthers is any indication.

Miami (Fla.) LB Denzel Perryman — A year ago, Chris Borland and Christian Kirksey both had impressive weeks at inside linebacker, and Perryman looks to be this year’s star at the position. His nasty demeanor, instincts and range all should parlay well into the practice setting, even if he can’t fully lay out defenders every chance he gets. We think Perryman will win over scouts with his hard-nosed approach and leadership skills and could rise into the late-first, early-second-round range.

Miami (Ohio) CB Quinten Rollins — The other Miami features a fascinating defensive prospect of its own. Rollins is a player we’re absolutely fascinated to see among top-tier talent, as the former four-year starting point guard for the RedHawks made an incredible transition to football with a seven-interception season in 2014 and being named MAC Defensive Player of the Year in his one year on the gridiron. Want to be blown away? Watch Rollins’ standout performance in his second college football game at Michigan. With his 6-0, 203-pound frame — like Shaw — he also could project to safety.

Washington DT Danny Shelton — Big men (and Shelton most certainly is that at 6-1, 339 pounds) might not showcase as well as the smaller, quicker rushers in this environment, but Shelton has a chance to prove he’s a top-10 or top-15 pick with a week like the one Aaron Donald had here a year ago. Take note: Shelton and Donald are different players; the former won with quickness, and the latter is more massive and strong. But with defensive tackles in short supply, a big week here could vault Shelton up boards.

View gallery
.
Blake Sims (AP)

Blake Sims (AP)

Alabama QB Blake Sims — A year ago, Mobile native A.J. McCarron had no interest in participating in this game, but Sims most certainly will. He’s not prototypical, with more of a running back’s build, but Sims did enough as a senior to entice some scouts — even if some like him, and others are less than impressed. Sims has some people to win over this week. If he throws and moves well, he can vault his stock in this shaky, top-heavy quarterback class, but there are lingering questions coming off a three-INT performance in the college football semifinal loss.

Minnesota RB David Cobb — Overlooked in a banner year for running backs in the Big Ten, Cobb doesn’t blow you away at first blush, but the more you watch, the more you see an NFL-caliber back who can contribute on first and second downs. Can he be that three-down performer? We shall see; the practice sessions will give him ample chances to stand tall as a receiver and pass protector in one-on-one drills. We know Cobb can run the rock, with his strong instincts, good size and tackle-breaking ability. He has some nice churn in his legs.

Florida State TE Nick O’Leary — There are nine tight ends in Mobile, and O’Leary is the biggest name of the bunch. Is he the best? The throwback, Chris Cooley-type receiver has made strides as a blocker and should be a willing participant on special teams. Does he have great physical skills? Maybe not, but he has separation ability and subtlety in his route running that will appeal more to certain teams who will be watching his chain-moving pass catcher.

Michigan State WR-CB Tony Lippett — Want to see how Lippett can impact a game … in all three phases? Turn on the bowl game win over Baylor in which he caught five passes for 74 yards as a receiver, had a 19-yard rush, made two tackles and broke up a pass as a cornerback and delivered a huge block on the Baylor kicker following a blocked field-goal attempt. The 6-3, 186-pound Lippett is expected to play receiver at the Senior Bowl but could be asked to pull some double duty by the Tennessee Titans’ coaching staff if they’re intrigued.

Auburn QB Nick Marshall — Can he be an NFL quarterback? The college tape suggests there’s work to do, but he’s physically gifted and has the requisite arm strength to make it in the right scheme. Could he be switched to receiver or some other position? Perhaps. But the athletic Marshall first will get a crack at QB here.

Auburn DT Gabe Wright — Marshall’s teammate and defensive counterpart enters the week as a mid-round prospect but will be sized up against a slew of other similarly skilled and graded players, such as Clemson DT Grady Jarrett, Iowa DT Carl Davis and Ohio State’s Michael Bennett. A good week for any of them could vault them into the early Day 2 range; a week of struggles would drop them into the Day 3 discussion. Wright can make plays in the backfield. Can he win against a decent but hardly mindblowing group of interior linemen? If so, he’ll help his cause.

View gallery
.
Colorado State offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

Colorado State offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

Colorado State OT Ty Sambrailo — Much like former teammate Weston Richburg a year ago, the Rams offensive lineman has a chance to solidify a second-round grade, and because Sambrailo has greater positional value as a tackle, he could rise into the late first-round range.

TCU CB Kevin White — The 5-9, 175-pound corner has some size limitations and could be pegged a nickel back by NFL scouts, but it would be recommended they turn on the tape of him erasing the much larger … Kevin White, his namesake receiver from West Virginia who could end up a high first-round pick. The Horned Frogs’ version won’t go that high but has some feistiness and competitiveness that should show up well here. Even if WVU’s White opted out of the game, preventing a White-on-White rematch.

Ohio State WR Devin Smith — The speedball receiver caught only 33 passes during the Buckeyes’ championship season but averaged a whopping 28.2 yards per catch and scored an incredible 12 touchdowns. Smith is nicely built at 6-1, 198-pounds but is smooth-muscled and might be a unitasker in the NFL unless he can display a full route tree. The quarterbacks here might not play the best to his skill set, but Smith can win people over by beating one-on-one coverage consistently. There’s always a need for deep speed.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-draft-watch–20-players-we-ll-be-watching-at-the-senior-bowl-025609307.html

Agamemnon

January 20, 2015 at 1:06 pm #16937

wv
Participant

===========================

Flipper336 – guys not getting enough hype..yet

Need more time on all players but these are quick analysis and rough draft grades in the (-)

QUARTERBACKS

(4) Jameill Showers, UTEP

– smooth footwork , good release, doesn’t panic, plays from the pocket but can run. Doesn’t have a cannon

WIDE RECEIVERS

(2) Jamison Crowder, Duke

– great quickness and balance. Tracks the deep ball well. Scary after the catch. Punt returner.

(3) Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas

– Long but still can sink into his breaks. Uses his length catching the ball (snatches passes, doesn’t wait for them). Good burst to eat cushion and second gear when he hits his stride. Works CBs (not just a straight line height/speed guy)

(4) Tre McBride, William & Mary

– Physical, sharp in his routes

RUNNINGBACKS

(2) David Johnson, Northern Iowa

– better than most WR prospects as a route runner. Great hands. Could hit the hole quicker. A bit of Le’Veon Bell in that he doesn’t realize his size so he might be better just losing 10 pounds and being who he is.

TIGHT ENDS

(2) Jean Sifrin, UMass

– Big and long. Snatches passes and knows how to body defenders. Uses his full length catching passes (actual catch radius)

(2) Jesse James, Penn State

– a tad stiff and not a deep threat but not many weaknesses otherwise

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

(Top 10) T.J. Clemmings, Pitt

– A physical monster with great movement and bend. Not as raw as his experience would suggest he should be

GUARDS

(1/2) Arie Kouandijo, Alabama

– Not a great lateral mover but nasty second level blocker going forward. Almost always technically sound in his blocking. Great quickness and good power

(1/2) Jarvis Harrison, Texas A&M

– Powerful, strong punch, keeps his hips under him and plays under control

SAFETIES

(1) Clayton Geathers, UCF

– heat seeking missile, good angles. Times plays on the ball really well

(2) Jeremy Cash, Duke

– hyper active huge energy player. Can really sell false coverages. Good blitzer

(3) Julius White, Rice

CORNERBACKS

(1+) Eric Rowe, Utah +S

– long but still really quick change of direction. Sticks his guy but has safety awareness around him

(1) Jalen Collins, LSU

– long. Needs some refinement but upside is true shutdown guy

(1/2) Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest

-Long (see a theme) with great movement skills and instincts

(3) Donald Caliscar, Western Michigan

MIDDLE/INSIDE LINEBACKERS

(2) Taiwan Jones, Michigan State

– instincts…nuff said

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

(3) Tank Jakes, Memphis

-undersized but has the rest

INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMAN

( Top 10)Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma

– Just a monster that doesn’t know his own strength. Plays a bit out of control because he is so powerful and loses contain. Will be labeled a nose (huge waste of his potential) because of size but has 3tech quickness. A true freak

January 20, 2015 at 5:43 pm #16954

Agamemnon
Participant

Agamemnon

January 20, 2015 at 6:40 pm #16961

Agamemnon
Participant

Print and Go Back ESPN.com: St. Louis Rams [Print without images]

Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Five to watch for Rams at Senior Bowl
By Nick Wagoner

EARTH CITY, Mo. — It’s no secret the St. Louis Rams need to bolster their offensive line and find an intriguing young quarterback prospect in this offseason, and the NFL draft is clearly one avenue to accomplish both.

There are other needs, but those aren’t as pressing. This week’s Senior Bowl, the place where the Rams have found many of their prominent young players in recent years, provides a good chance to get an up close look at some of this year’s class.

Here are five players to keep an eye on this week in Mobile, Alabama. Practices run Tuesday through Thursday with the game at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on NFL Network.

OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh: ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. recently mocked Clemmings to the Rams with the No. 10 overall pick. He measured in at 6-foot-4, 307 pounds and is widely regarded as one of the most powerful prospects in the draft. Clemmings is a converted defensive end and has only two years of experience playing on the offensive line, which makes him more about potential than polish at this point. The Rams might need a tackle if Joe Barksdale departs in free agency, and they’ll definitely need a guard either way. Clemmings will get a chance this week to show he can hold up against top competition. Keep an eye on reports of how he fares in pass-rush drills, if he’s far away from consistency there, it could make him less appealing to pair with Greg Robinson, who is also still a work in progress.

OL La’el Collins, LSU: Given the potential for uncertainty with Barksdale and elsewhere on the line, Collins might make an ideal fit for the Rams because he already has proven he can play guard and tackle with equal aplomb. Collins was a three-year starter for the Tigers with one of those years at left guard and the past two as a left tackle. Collins measured in similar to Clemmings at 6-4, 308. He’s more polished, and his versatility could make him an interesting option for the Rams in the early rounds.

QB Sean Mannion, Oregon State: Really, all six of the quarterbacks here are worth watching since none in this year’s class stands out beyond the top two of Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. But we’ll go with Mannion here for the purposes of this exercise because he might be the most pro-ready of those in Mobile. Mannion holds almost every major passing record in Oregon State history and measured in at 6-5, 229 pounds, which makes him the prototype in terms of size. If Mannion can show the ability to fit in an NFL offense in Mobile, it certainly could boost his stock as he and the others battle to try to become the third-best quarterback prospect in the class.

OG Tre Jackson, Florida State: A true mauler on the inside, Jackson is listed at 6-4, 330 pounds. He isn’t likely to be a first-round pick but early projections view him as a later-round guy. He could be a great fit for the Rams in there if he continues to show well in Mobile. Jackson was a three-year starter at right guard and earned consensus All American honors for the Seminoles as a senior.

C Reese Dismukes, Auburn: Although he’s not considered the best center prospect in the draft, Dismukes was the best center in college last year when he won the Rimington Trophy awarded to the best center and was a first-team All American at the position. The Rams would probably be better served to find a free agent option for the middle if possible since they have young options such as Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones and Demetrius Rhaney in place. But center is a need and we can never count out the Rams’ affinity for former Tigers.

There are, of course, plenty of others to watch, and the Rams aren’t going to completely ignore defense. Rams fans, who are some players you’ll be paying closer attention to this week?

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/15578/five-to-watch-for-rams-at-the-senior-bowl

Agamemnon

January 20, 2015 at 6:45 pm #16962

wv
Participant

Cusamono(sp?) said (to JT) he’s heard the Rams are
interested in the QB, Mannion, at the Senior bowl.

w
v

January 20, 2015 at 7:38 pm #16963

InvaderRam
Moderator

wondering how good snead and the scouting department are at evaluating quarterbacks.

January 20, 2015 at 8:06 pm #16965

Agamemnon
Participant

They didn’t draft Johnny Futbol. 😉

Agamemnon

January 20, 2015 at 8:18 pm #16966

InvaderRam
Moderator

and they traded away the right to draft rgiii.

so that’s two things going for them. wonder what snead really thought about rgiii.

January 20, 2015 at 8:40 pm #16967

InvaderRam
Moderator

tre jackson – 6’3 7/8″ 323 pounds 11 1/8″ hands.

January 20, 2015 at 9:26 pm #16970

wv
Participant

InvaderRam wrote:

tre jackson – 6’3 7/8″ 323 pounds
11 1/8″ hands.

Is he a spread QB or does
he have experience in a pro-style offense?

w
v

January 21, 2015 at 12:05 am #16978
Agamemnon
Participant
OG Tre Jackson S54 Florida State 6-3.7 323 Huge hands (11.1″); short arms (32.2″)

http://gbnreport.com/senior-bowl-rosters/
- This reply was modified 9 years, 10 months ago by Agamemnon.
- This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by zn.
Agamemnon
January 21, 2015 at 8:32 pm #17101

sdram
Participant

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24982677/senior-bowl-south-loaded-on-offensive-defensive-lines

NFLDraftScout.com
2015 Senior Bowl: South loaded on offensive, defensive lines
By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com
January 21, 2015 7:55 pm ET

Joey Mbu of Houston knocks the helmet off Auburn center Reese Dismukes. (USATSI) Joey Mbu of Houston knocks the helmet off Auburn center Reese Dismukes. (USATSI)

After taking in a couple of two-hour practices for both the North and South teams at the Senior Bowl, it is clear that the latter owns a significant talent advantage along the line of scrimmage.

Whereas the most gifted offensive lineman on the North squad — Pitt’s T.J. Clemmings — has struggled with consistency, the South has received strong performances from their blockers, a unit that includes projected first-rounders La’el Collins (LSU) and Ty Sambrailo (Colorado State) and a trio of future NFL starters in center Reese Dismukes (Auburn), right tackle Daryl Williams and guard Shaq Mason (Georgia Tech).

The talent is even better on the defensive line, with UCLA’s Owamagbe Odighizuwa highlighting a seven-man crew that will all hear their names called during the 2015 NFL draft.

Here’s a breakdown of highlights along the line of scrimmage from Wednesday’s South practice:

The 6-foot-5 1/2, 308-pound Collins took the majority of his snaps at left tackle. He did slide inside to left guard late in the practice, demonstrating good initial quickness and terrific power to drive defenders off the ball. Scouts love Collins’ tenacity and physicality, though he’ll occasionally get off-balance, leaving him vulnerable to swim moves.

At 6-5, 334 pounds, Williams is also a powerful drive blocker. Most of his time Wednesday came at his customary right tackle position, though the Jacksonville Jaguars’ staff also moved him to the left side at tackle and guard. Williams does not possess ideal quickness to combat NFL speed rushers but he’s so long (34 3/4-inch arms) and balanced, he can remain outside.

On the inside, the standout Wednesday was Georgia Tech’s Mason. After starring in the Yellow Jackets’ run-heavy triple-option offense, scouts were eager to see how Mason would handle pass protection. He turned heads with his performance. While shorter than ideal at just 6-1 5/8, 310 pounds, Mason has very good lateral agility and balance, helping him mirror the South’s most disruptive interior pass rushers. Because of his short frame, quickness and strength, Mason could project best to center at the next level.

Though he measured in nearly 30 pounds lighter in Mobile than listed by the Bruins, Odighizuwa has already been one of the big winners this week. Powerful and quick, he has been a consistent source of harassment off the edge, using speed as well as power to knock would-be blockers onto the heels. At 6-3 1/2, 266 pounds, Odighizuwa has the strength to hold up in run support — a feature that the South’s other defensive ends, Trey Flowers (Arkansas) and Preston Smith (Mississippi State) also possess — but he’s quicker off the ball than either of his competitors, which could earn him a significantly earlier grade on draft day if he checks out medically. Odighizuwa missed the entire 2013 season after undergoing two surgeries on his left hip.

Auburn’s Gabe Wright was the most disruptive of the South’s defensive tackles. A shade under 6-3, and 300 pounds, Wright possesses the prototypical frame and quickness off the ball for 4-3 teams looking for a penetrating three-technique defensive tackle. Wright explodes off the ball and has active, aggressive hands. At times, he’s too aggressive, getting his hands near the face of would-be blockers, but his energy and combative style made him a tough matchup for all of the South’s offensive linemen. Matchups between Wright and Mason made for some of the more entertaining one-on-one battles of the day.

Houston’s Joey Mbu also performed well. Heavier than Wright at 312 pounds and possessing longer arms (34.5 inches), Mbu was consistently able to stack and shed blockers at the point of attack to stuff running lanes. Mbu does not possess great quickness and therefore offers little as a pass rusher, but his length and strength could make him an intriguing candidate for 3-4 clubs looking for help at defensive end or perhaps even slide Mbu inside as a developmental nose guard.

Missouri’s Markus Golden (6-2, 255) and Louisville’s Lorenzo Mauldin (6-4, 256) did most of their damage at the collegiate level at defensive end but took the majority of their snaps Wednesday at linebacker. Mauldin proved the more athletic of the two in this role, though Norfolk State’s Lynden Trail (a Florida transfer), was perhaps the most intriguing of the group, demonstrating surprising fluidity and balance given his 6-6, 262-pound frame.

January 21, 2015 at 8:45 pm #17103

sdram
Participant

Rams scouts talking to prospects at SR Bowl

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000461483/article/look-whos-talking-chargers-ravens-active-at-senior-bowl

St. Louis Rams

Harvard LB Zack Hodges
Alabama OL Austin Shepherd
Oklahoma LB Geneo Grissom
Texas LB Jordan Hicks

January 22, 2015 at 8:09 am #17123

zn
Moderator

from off the net

—
thehammer

senior Bowl week

players who caught eye so far

oline day 1 starters
saw someone posted Rams were talking to Max Garcia…good, started a thread about him 2/3 weeks ago..great practice and a day one starter at center

want a day one starter at rt? Haverstein and either Daryl Williams…..Haverstein has looked very good so far

G Laken Thomlinson..only olineman strong enough to handle Shelton…doesn’t run well, struggles to hit players on the 2nd level but absolutely rules his turf inside the pocket…..also Tre Jackson looks to be a day one starter..surprised how well he has handled speed in 1v1 drills

OT..Lael Collins as looked good and Clemmings as really struggled..Myers and Marpet look to be good developmental prospects…Day and Shepherd are nice players

TE best Clive Warfold ..looks very good best later rd guy Boyle

LB Stephone Anthony a 3 down at mlb..Luc as a 2 down thumper, Hauoli Kikaha, Lorenzo Mauldin

FS …Damarious Randall ..elite cover skills for a fs…great fit for the rams

WR great list….Justin Hardy, Devin Smith,Sammie Coates, Tyler Lockett, Antwan Goodley, Vince Mayle, Phillip Dorsett, Rannell Hall and Jamison Crowder ..outstanding group of wideouts

RB Ameer Abdullah(even looked good blocking lbers) David Cobb, Jeremy Langford

DT Danny Shelton(easily best player ), Carl Davis elite measureables and play

DE Za’Darius Smith ..want a lde?

CB none have looked great Imoan Claiborne has size and a nice burst..Quentin Rollins looks very raw..question his deep speed

January 22, 2015 at 8:19 am #17125

PA Ram
Participant

Draft analyst Russ Lande, the former Rams scout, calls the 2015 QB class “the worst class I can remember. I don’t think there’s anybody that you can look at and say, ‘OK, this is your Andrew Luck. This is your Peyton Manning. Or Tom Brady even.’

“That is, a definite guy you want to stake a claim to in the first round. Everybody, whether it’s Winston or Mariota, they all have major questions. And I’m not even talking off the field. I’m just talking on the field, that make me wonder if they can really be successful quarterbacks.”

That is particularly depressing.

"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. " Philip K. Dick

January 22, 2015 at 8:26 am #17127

PA Ram
Participant

This guy sounds perfect. I expect the Rams to take him at #10.

I have made up my mind. Collins it is.

I talked with a couple of teams that were hoping LSU tackle/guard La’el Collins didn’t show up well at tackle in order for them to have an opportunity to draft him as a guard. The buzz among my scout buddies was that Collins would have trouble in the league with edge rushers and their speed — thus making him a better fit inside, where he can just play against players with power. I have to say that there were some snaps against those edge rushers where he more than held his own off that left side. There will be plenty of talk in the coming weeks where teams view him as a fit.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2015/01/21/scout%E2%80%99s-eye-unheralded-names-generate-buzz-second-day-senior-bowl

"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. " Philip K. Dick

January 22, 2015 at 5:48 pm #17142

wv
Participant

Kirwan likes the WRs at the Senior bowl

http://www.rams-news.com/pat-kirwans-senior-bowl-wr-review-video/

January 23, 2015 at 1:36 pm #17223

Agamemnon
Participant

Agamemnon

January 23, 2015 at 2:04 pm #17227

Dak
Participant

PA Ram wrote:

This guy sounds perfect. I expect the Rams to take him at #10.

I have made up my mind. Collins it is.

I talked with a couple of teams that were hoping LSU tackle/guard La’el Collins didn’t show up well at tackle in order for them to have an opportunity to draft him as a guard. The buzz among my scout buddies was that Collins would have trouble in the league with edge rushers and their speed — thus making him a better fit inside, where he can just play against players with power. I have to say that there were some snaps against those edge rushers where he more than held his own off that left side. There will be plenty of talk in the coming weeks where teams view him as a fit.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2015/01/21/scout%E2%80%99s-eye-unheralded-names-generate-buzz-second-day-senior-bowl

That’s the guy I figure the Rams might draft, too. Can play right tackle or guard right away, and would be a very good backup at LT and could be your future LT if something happens to Robby. It’s another big investment in the O-line, and while it wouldn’t be sexy, ask teams like the Cowboys how much an O-line investment can pay off.

January 23, 2015 at 5:56 pm #17241

sdram
Participant

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24986379/senior-bowl-10-prospects-who-helped-themselves

NFLDraftScout.com
2015 Senior Bowl: 10 prospects who helped themselves
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
January 23, 2015 3:55 pm ET

The 2015 edition of the Senior Bowl will be played Saturday, but the heavy lifting is already done as all 32 NFL teams were represented in Mobile this week to evaluate prospects during daily practices. The game itself, scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on NFL Network, carries some value, but the majority of scouts and executives have already left town, having seen what they needed to see.

Below are 10 Senior Bowl prospects who opened eyes this week and helped themselves in the minds of NFL evaluators.

OL Ali Marpet, Hobart (6-4, 307)
It’s not easy for a player to go from Division III to the Senior Bowl and stand out in a positive way, but that’s what Marpet did this week, more than just holding his own during drills. He did a nice job squaring and with excellent body coordination to latch and play sticky against some of the best pass rushers in this senior class. Marpet might be ideally suited inside at guard in the NFL, but he proved in Mobile that he’s worth a draft pick.

CB Kevin White, TCU (5-9, 180)
During practice drills, White displayed the athleticism needed for the position with natural movement skills, swivel hips and explosive footwork to redirect his momentum in any direction. Measuring 5-9 and 180 pounds with arms under the 30-inch benchmark, White doesn’t necessarily look the part, but he is a top-notch competitor who doesn’t back down physically, attacking the catch point with a “my ball” attitude.

DT Carl Davis, Iowa (6-5, 321)
After playing mostly a one-technique role for the Hawkeyes, Davis didn’t have too many splash plays on his college game film. But when put in one-on-one opportunities in Mobile, he was near unblockable, using his initial quickness, brute power and natural leverage to shine during drills. Davis was already considered a top-75 draft pick entering the week, but after this week, he might have cemented himself as a top-50 prospect.

WR Jamison Crowder, Duke (5-8, 174)
It can be tough for a 5-8, 174-pound wide receiver to stand tall in this type of all-star setting, but that’s exactly what Crowder did this week, showing the best combination of explosion and polish at the position. He has a tiny catching radius and small hands (8 3/8 inches), but caught everything thrown his way during drills, showing the ballskills and separation skills that will appeal to teams in search of an impact slot target.

DE/OLB Nate Orchard, Utah (6-3, 251)
Despite a record-setting senior season at Utah, Orchard wasn’t considered a first-round pick entering the week and was far from being a top-100 lock. But he forced evaluators to take a second look after he routinely flashed during practices, winning with edge speed, long arms and active energy. Orchard has his limitations, but he also uses his bag of tricks to be effective, reinforcing that at times the end result is more important than the process.

DT Danny Shelton, Washington (6-2, 343)
Shelton entered the week with a good amount of hype and he lived up to the expectations, showing off rare movement skills for a 343-pound body. He also has the upper body power to match, but got away with bullying blockers in college and needs to develop his hand technique for the next level. As the week winds down, Shelton is the prevailing favorite to be the first player drafted from the Senior Bowl rosters.

RB David Johnson, Northern Iowa (6-1, 224)
Looking like a linebacker during the weigh-ins, Johnson was another small school player who immediately proved that he belonged, especially as pass catcher out of the backfield. He doesn’t have the traditional frame for the position and might be best suited as a hybrid H-back role, utilizing his ability as a receiver and blocker in pass pro. But regardless, he’s a versatile prospect teams would love to add to the depth chart.

OT La’el Collins, LSU (6-5, 308)
Just like his game tape, it didn’t always look pretty for Collins in Mobile, but more often than not, he gets the job done. Seeing reps at tackle and guard, he showed the same grit and determination during drills that he does during games, extending and selling out on each snap. Collins will fall off balance and overextend himself at times, but he also showed that he can recover and finish his blocks. He reinforced the first round grades being thrown at him.

FB Jalston Fowler, Alabama (5-10, 264)
Although he’s tagged with the fullback label, Fowler showed that he’s much more than that. With only 12 carries as a senior for the Crimson Tide, he was an afterthought on that offense, but after seeing him during Senior Bowl practices, it was clear he was also underutilized. During drills, Fowler was quick through the hole with decisive quickness and the pop to brush off contact, keeping his feet and rumbling to the second level.

G/C Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech (6-2, 310)
It was easy to see Mason’s body control and quickness in Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense, but it was near impossible to truly evaluate him until seeing him outside of that scheme. This week in Mobile provided scouts that opportunity to judge his talent in a pro-style look and Mason didn’t disappoint. He made the easy transition and even took some snaps at center, which might be his best NFL position.

January 24, 2015 at 12:59 am #17271

zn
Moderator

Rams give offensive linemen extra look

By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-give-offensive-linemen-extra-look/article_c3546854-771b-5cce-a89e-35eb8f42b908.html

MOBILE, ALA. • Fifteen minutes into the first Senior Bowl practice of the week, Rams general manager Les Snead stood maybe 10 feet from the North squad offensive linemen, watching intently as they went through drill work.

It is a telling indication of how important the offensive line is to the Rams in 2015. Yes, the quarterback situation is the No. 1 priority, but the Rams need blockers. And possibly more than one.

At a minimum we’re talking about a starting guard to replace Davin Joseph. At center, Scott Wells’ future in St. Louis may depend on what the new offensive coordinator thinks.

And then there’s right tackle Joseph Barksdale, a pending free agent. If he signs elsewhere, that’s another void.

So the Rams could be looking for as many as three starters on the offensive line for next season. Snead and others among the Rams’ contingent of coaches and scouts at the Senior Bowl are looking for potential answers in Mobile.

Although the practices are the most important part of the week for coaches and scouts, the game itself takes place today at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Kickoff is 3 p.m.

As is usually the case, there were a couple of well-known no-shows this week in Iowa tackle Brandon Scherff and Florida State center Cameron Erving.

Scherff is considered the best offensive lineman in the draft, and many feel Erving is the top center. But there was still plenty to look at in a still-muddled offensive line picture.

“There’s a good bunch of guys here,” said Russ Lande, former NFL scout and current football analyst for multiple outlets. “It’s a great class in terms of depth. If you’re in that second to third round, and you want to find a starting tackle who can start as a rookie, I think you can find that guy.”

Near the top of the list in Mobile, with both regarded as potential first-rounders, are tackles T.J. Clemmings of Pittsburgh and La’el Collins of LSU. And keep in mind, more and more college tackles seem to be getting converted to guards in the NFL these days.

Clemmings, 6-5, 305, was a defensive lineman his first three seasons at Pitt (including a redshirt season), then switched to offense, where he started in 2013 and ’14 at right tackle.

“I just wasn’t having success on the defensive line, or playing as much as I wanted to,” Clemmings said.

Paul Chryst, Pitt’s coach at the time, broached the subject by telling Clemmings his jersey wasn’t getting dirty on defense — because he wasn’t playing.

“He said we can’t waste your talent,” recalled Clemmings, who at first glance looks like the Rams’ Barksdale. “So why don’t you try the offensive line?”

Clemmings told the coach he needed a little time to think it over. About 15 minutes later, Clemmings was back in the coach’s office. He was ready to try offensive line.

Things didn’t go smoothly at first, particularly when you consider that Clemmings went against Aaron Donald every day in practice in 2013.

Donald, of course, went on to earn a Pro Bowl berth and Defensive Rookie of the Year laurels (by the Pro Football Writers) in 2014 for the Rams.

“Aaron made you want to play better — up to the next level,” Clemmings said. “He just brought intensity out all the times. Sometimes we’d get him; sometimes we wouldn’t.”

The two have stayed in contact, and Clemmings said Donald has given him some info and tips on the Senior Bowl and the overall pre-draft process.

“That was actually very helpful,” Clemmings said. “He just talked me through the whole process and what to expect for the next couple, three months.”

Despite playing right tackle in college, Clemmings got some work at left tackle this week in Mobile. According to some accounts, he still looks a little raw as a blocker.

Although Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers is three years removed from his time at LSU, Collins remembers going against him in practice as well back in the day. Collins said he held his own in those sessions in Baton Rouge.

“Absolutely. There was always a high level of competition at LSU,” Collins said. “That’s why being here (at the Senior Bowl) kind of reminds me of home. Going against great quality players all the time.”

According to Collins, he was named La’el by his mother and grandmother, and it means “Belonging to God.”

Collins, 6-5, 321, worked at both left and right tackle during the practice week. In today’s college game, many tackles operate out of 2-point stance, and Collins looked a little uncomfortable operating out of the traditional 3-point stance.

Overall, it looked like the South squad had the better talent among offensive line prospects.

Although it’s not considered a great year in the draft for centers, Dillon Day of Mississippi State and Shaq Mason of Georgia Tech had their moments.

At guard, Alabama’s Arie Kouandjio isn’t considered as athletic as twin brother Cyrus — now with the Buffalo Bills — but is a physical blocker at 6-5, 315.

Donovan Smith of Penn State has been compared to D.J. Fluker. Although he still had a year of college eligibility remaining, Smith was allowed to compete at the Senior Bowl because he already has his college degree. He’s considered a prospect at both guard and tackle.

Jamal Douglas of Arizona State started two years at guard and one season at tackle, and is known for his quick feet and mobility.

Some consider Colorado State tackle Ty Sambrailo the most athletic offensive lineman at the Senior Bowl, but some question his physicality.

January 24, 2015 at 7:01 am #17274

Agamemnon
Participant

Agamemnon

January 24, 2015 at 8:42 pm #17314

Agamemnon
Participant

Senior Bowl 2015 final score: North wins as Ameer Abdullah, Kevin White impress

By James Brady

@JamesBradySBN on Jan 24 2015, 7:28p 2
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Running back Ameer Abdullah and cornerback Kevin White were among those who looked good in Saturday’s Senior Bowl.
Tweet (5) Share (8)
Pin

The 2015 Senior Bowl took place on Saturday, and while the North took a solid win over the South squad, 34-13, the focus was obviously on the individual prospects and not the actual results of the game. We’re going to cover some of the players who stood out, positively or negatively, though it was a rather quiet game for the most part.

One of the biggest question marks coming into this game was the quarterback position in general. Very few people had anything positive to say about the quarterback play on display during Senior Bowl practices prior to the game. They were missing easy throws, throwing interceptions, dropping snaps and a whole lot more. As far as the actual game was concerned, there wasn’t a ton of that, but nobody really distinguished themselves, either.

There’s definite quarterback talent at the top of this draft class, but it’s not deep by any stretch of the imagination. There’s no chance that all of the guys who played — Bryan Bennett of Southeast Louisiani, Shane Carden of East Carolina, Garrett Grayson of Colorado State, Sean Mannion of Oregon State, Bryce Petty of Baylor and Blake Sims of Alabama — will be drafted.

Petty looked solid throwing the ball for the most part, completing nine of 13 passes for 123 yards, but he also threw an interception. Mannion tossed a touchdown, and threw for 50 yards on the day.

Tight end Ben Koyack of Notre Dame drew a lot of criticism from his poor blocking in practice, but he impressed as a receiver in the game. He caught a couple passes and had a touchdown reception to boost his stock, though little was said about his blocking in the game.

Running back Ameer Abdullah was also impressive catching and running the football. He had four receptions for 40 yards, with one of those receptions going 20 yards. He also managed 73 yards on the ground off of just seven carries, the first of which went for over 20 yards. He most definitely helped his stock and could wind up being a first-round pick in the draft, if a team wants to take a running back that early.

Tight end Clive Walford had a decent day. He caught one pass for 10 yards, but also had a drop on the day. He made up for it with a couple massive blocks though, and probably helped his stock in general.

Top offensive linemen Laken Tomlinson of Duke and La’el Collins of LSU were solid, as expected. They helped their stock by having games in which their names weren’t routinely called. On the other hand, T.J. Clemmings of Pitt, an offensive tackle, was up and down all game and got turned around on multiple plays.

On the defensive side of the ball, Kevin White of TCU was one of the most impressive players at practice, and was one of the most impressive players on the field on Saturday. White had a big interception and defended multiple passes on the day.

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett had a strong week of practice, but had a mixed game. He didn’t do well in the running game, but generated some pressure and probably didn’t hurt his stock so much. Gabe Wright is another big defensive name. He’s got a ton of athletic talent, but has been labeled inconsistent. He had a solid game overall, but didn’t make any huge plays.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/1/24/7885613/2015-senior-bowl-results-score

Agamemnon
Author

Posts