The Reese's Senior Bowl

Checking in with D'Marco Farr after Day 1 of @seniorbowl! pic.twitter.com/GMU9KemBhz

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 24, 2018

#SeniorBowl: #Rams pounded the formal interview process with prospects this week. 8-10 personnel/coaching staffers in interviews, to the point there weren’t enough chairs at times. Long interviews, too. No other #NFL team staffed the interviews that intensely.

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) January 25, 2018

After Successful 2017, Snead Has Different Take on 2018 Senior Bowl

Kristen Lago

http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/After-Successful-2017-Snead-Has-Different-Take-on-2018-Senior-Bowl-/eb44e2e7-949a-4288-888e-955849864aaa

The focus of the Senior Bowl has shifted this year for general manager Les Snead.

Last season, the Rams had previously traded their first-round pick and were looking to kick start a period of growth under first-year head coach Sean McVay — after going 4-12 in 2016. For those reasons, the Senior Bowl offered a unique opportunity for Snead and the rest of his staff to scout several of the draft’s more underrated players.

But Snead came into the annual event with a different mentality this year. In 2017, the Rams were crowned NFC West champions for the first time since 2003. And with one division title in hand, the Rams are approaching this week’s events in a new light.

“It’s definitely different,” Snead said. “Guess what? We’re division champs and we want to continue being division champs, so this Senior Bowl is big in how do we replenish? How do we stay in that window?”

While the focus may have changed, what Snead likes so much about the Senior Bowl has remained the same. The Rams staff is eager to evaluate the elite level of competition and scout out players who may have gone unnoticed if a game like this did not exist.

“Let’s take Cooper Kupp for example,” he said. “He got here last year from Day 1 and he looked like he belonged. Went to the Combine where it’s a little less football and he didn’t look like he belonged. But clearly he did, and that’s what’s cool about this Senior Bowl.”

alyoshamucci says

Blinkscout Senior Bowl Practice Offense summary …

The North team is heavily stacked in my opinion … I’ll be surprised if the game isn’t one sided. Also, we’ll learn a LOT if the game isn’t one sided. And it’s not just about the QBs.

Winner of the week for me was OT Toth form Army … I would honestly have him in round 1 contention given what I’ve seen. He outplayed Bryan O Neil. Flat out. In fact O Neil had a rough week getting beat inside.

I had a ton of fun watching Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield put on a show. They may honestly both end up being top 5 picks … and the energy and enthusiasm coming off Mayfield reminds me of Brees, and no that’s not a height thing. I thought he was going to break his hand slapping helmets.

The next level down for me seemed pretty close to the QBs in the other all star games … upper level backups with starter potential. Benkert had been my sleeper since mid season but I also liked White from WKY.

Daeshon Hamilton made a ton of money. His feet and route running were plus. He could sneak into round 2 … need to see his numbers at the combine.

Allen Lazard made money in the red zone and 3rd down sections. I liked him last year and coming into this year I wanted to see him stay consistent and make more plays, and he did. He’s not fast, but he’s simply never covered. Courtland Sutton and Simmie Cobbs are maybe a hair above him when the ball is in the air. He may run a 4.65 … but it doesn’t matter.

Michael Gallup was just behind Hamilton n the “getting open” department … and I love him as a prospect that will likely slide.

If J’Mon Moore could be had late he’d be a steal.

The OKst. WRs Washington and Ateman were slightly underwhelming. I expected more. But my focus was high … also? I think both of them play better during games.

Gesicki and Fumagali were only a shade better than Smythe and will be drafted way higher. I’d have a hard time letting Smythe get too far down … if he made the 6th I’d have to take him. The kid Ian Thomas really caught my eye … I had been focusing on Simmie Cobbs and the O line during those games and seem to have missed him.

Ballage and Samuels are weapons in the passing game … and I cannot believe how evaluators are speaking about them. Samuels may actually be the second coming of Boldin (literally the only RB on the Belitnikoff semi final list)… and Ballage is getting dinged for production …
Given how 3rd down receiving backs have changed games this past year I’m surprised that these guys are being projected 5th and later. Darrell Williams is also a guy that has been an LSU backup ala Alfred Blue/Spencer Ware who has talent but not a lot of carries .. he seems to catch okay out of the backfield too. Ito Smith did much better in pass pro than I would have thought for his size.

The OTs were really interesting. These guys made money in my opinion. Crosby won some and lost some (generally wins kinda ugly) … O’Neil didn’t show as well as I thought he would … but was noticeably less comfortable on the right side in my opinion.
Noteboom showed what I had figured … some issues with power and quickness but also good feet and physicality, lets guys get up under his pads a bit too much. probably a backup that could develop over time.
The small school kids besides Toth, who I already mentioned, Cappa, Parker, and Demby, all really played above their D2 and D3 listings. Parker is really long. Needs a redshirt year in my opinion to balance his strength, but his ceiling is really high. Cappa is the meanest O lineman I’ve seen in years. Mayock actually outlined a signature move he has … he gets into a player’s pads at different levels and basically throws him into a cartwheel by jacking him off the ground and throwing him down in one motion. I didn’t think he’d be able to do it with this competition, but he got a couple of the smaller guys. He oversets sometimes, but that can be fixed with coaching … I’d be really interested if he was there in the 4th, and he may last till the 6th, who knows.
Demby looks like more of a guard with good feet and quickness, lacks a little length, but is likely to be a great swiss army knife backup.

The interior guys were pretty stout, and even against some really powerful DTs …
Isaiah Wynn showed why Daniel Jeremiah had him in round 1. I haven’t seen an OG win that overwhelmingly and consistently in as long as I can remember watching these practices … he may go 2nd for interior guys …
I hadn’t seen Hernandez against stiff competition. He’s a little grabby but a beast of a guy that can move pretty well.
Cole got beat a lot, he played OT all year so his footwork seemed off. If he slides he could be a great steal … assuming his footwork can be re-trained.
Corbett had a decent week playing all over the line … looks like in interior and ORT backup … I like him at center but he doesn’t get his hands up quick enough yet.
Sean Walsh got overpowered pretty consistently.
Bozeman looked really good … may go higher than expected. Golson got beat by power and looked a little startled at times with the one on ones.

Rams showed plenty of interest in tight ends at Senior Bowl

Cameron DaSilva

Rams showed plenty of interest in tight ends at Senior Bowl

The Rams have three capable tight ends in Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett and Derek Carrier, but none of them were particularly great in a specific area this past season. Higbee is a willing and consistent blocker, while Everett doesn’t offer much in that department. Carrier is a decent No. 3 tight end, but he may not be on the team in 2018.

All that considered, the Rams seem to be very interested in the tight end position this offseason. They met with at least three of the tight ends at the Senior Bowl in Mobile this past week, which is pretty telling of how they feel currently about the position:

Tyler Conklin, TE, CMU
Durham Smythe, TE, Notre Dame
Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana

Everett and Higbee aren’t in danger of being cut as both are under contract through at least 2019, but Sean McVay said this offseason that the Rams need more out of their tight ends so they can avoid getting stuck in 11 personnel with three receivers on the field.

It’s highly unlikely they’ll spend a top pick on one in the draft, but selecting a tight end in the mid-to-late rounds is certainly a strong possibility.

alyoshamucci wrote:

Blinkscout Senior Bowl Game recap … Whoa Offense!

Ive been watching the Senior Bowl for about 8 years now, maybe longer … and I have simply never seen the type of fireworks this game had. Of course, it’s a combination of things since there are so many players, and I’ll try to break it down best I can.

The high score was a mix of GREAT QB PLAY, HIGH LEVEL INTELLIGENCE/SPEED WR play, High quality O line pass protection, and weak DB play (sorry guys … no first or second rounders by my calculations .. maybe no third rounders either).

QBs
Mike White and Lauletta played like they were battling for the #1 overall slot on the draft. I don’t know that they can jump anyone in the top 5 conversation … because this is such a great crop of top end QBs, but Mason Rudolph has got to be furious because his sixth spot is DEFINITELY not his anymore. Odds are he’s at 8 or 9 now. Benkert made plays too, and I’ve had him close all season as well.
I wouldn’t be so excited, but I am really looking forward to a guy like Stephens from CoSt. going undrafted. Maybe Benkert as well … Riley Ferguson? Shimonek? Goodness what talent.

Josh Allen came back in to compete and got in rhythm … could he be the 1 overall? Maybe. Could 4 QBs go top 5 ? Yes. If Lamar Jackson shows well at the combine could 5 QBs go top 10? Yes.

Moving on

RBs
I was not a huge fan of any of these players as pure runners … they are all 3rd down backs. I think someone in the NFL is going to look at Ballage and see david Johnson, and he could get drafted way higher than expected … especially after he runs in the low 4.4s.
Jaylen Samuels … if he lasted until the 5th, I would be hard pressed not to take him, because he is the only RB to be on the Belitnikoff watch list. he reminds more of Anquan Boldin than anyone else, so disregard him at your own risk. He has done nothing but make plays for 4 straight years.
Ito Smith and Akrum Wadley had some runs … I am more of a fan of the backup LSU kid Williams late.

WRs
Man … Lazard and Hamilton had the best practices … but Trequon Smith, Chark, and Gallup had the best games. I have to say that the idea of taking a WR late to move Mike Thomas off the roster is seeming pretty attractive considering the type of talent that could be there. Ateman made a GREAT catch with a guy draped all over him for a TD as well. Chark hit speeds I was simply not expecting, even after watching him run jet sweeps at LSU. jaleel Scott is intriguing, caught a few good passes but mostly was playing catch up.

Honestly, how these guys got on the same page so fast is pretty incredible.

TEs
I believe Gesicki is a first round talent who will likely go late 2nd because of Mark Andrews and Hurst and Goedert going in front of him … but my eyes are on Smythe and Ian Thomas … hoping one slides to the 6th. Thomas made a beautiful catch during the game and Smythe had a couple good ones.

OT
Cappa played outside and inside … I think he’ll be a better OG at the next level but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him outside either.
Toth has to wait two years before he can play, and I’d still draft him in the 5th or 6th.
Noteboom had a decent game, not great, but decent.
Parker flashed on the left side, and looked less comfy on the right. He needs a year for strength … but I think he has a future.
O’Neil had some good plays and some bad ones.
Demby seems like a Guard to me but he may have had the most solid practices and games as far as consistency.
Crosby is a known quantity in my opinion and had a decent game.

IL
Cole played better when working with others.
Hernandez got beat bad a couple times, but also did a skip pull (at 340) and demolished a LB.
Bozeman had a good week. Curious to see where he ends up.

rest of the interior was “meh” … I think I liked the kids at the Shrine game more.

DT
The north team came in hot and the south line, once Cappa moved inside, had no problem with them. They got through a few times, but overall, I had to readjust my POV given how average they looked. Everyone won once it seemed. But there was no consistent winner on the D line interior.

Edge
Haynes had the strip sack lead to the Davenport TD, and Davenport had a couple sacks.
Andrew Brown, who is a 5 tech IMO, played 100% better than he did during the week.
Nwosu played on and off the ball and made plays in both spots … I really hope he lasts till the 4th, but I’d take him in the 3rd.
Touray is on my watch list for physical specimens who could slide.
Shaq Griffin is going to make plays for someone …

ILB
deLuca, Warner, Williams, and McCray … That’s value that will be had in the 6th and 7th rounds. (at least a couple of them)
Oren Burks and Leonard made plays, but are undersized.

CB
The North side gave up like 800 yards passing, so do I even mention them?
Let’s just move to the next section … these guys were not up to the task. There were a few good plays made … true.

S
Reaves had a pick … Henderson was all over the field … Nate Andrews is still a mystery for me. Blanding had a couple big hits.

Okay that’s it … I usually have more to say about the DBs … but not this time. I think most of these guys are 4th-7th round area, and most will never start in the NFL. I still think Chandon Sullivan was the best …