Senior Bowl Wednesday Recap
FROM WES BUNTING:
Day three kicked off with the North team practicing in the morning, followed by the South squad in the afternoon as both teams continued preparing for this Saturday’s All-Star game. The National Football Post was on the scene at Ladd-Peebles Stadium to bring you coverage of all the action.
North Practice
Day Three Studs…
WR Derrick Williams has grabbed headlines all week, but it was Oklahoma WR Juaquin Iglesias who stole the show today. Iglesias has been the most natural receiver here and consistently showcases an ability to separate on all levels of the field. What makes him stand out is not just his ability to create plays in one-on-one drills but also during seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills. Iglesias looks to be solidifying a spot in the top 60 on draft day.
Offensive tackle William Beatty has been the North squad’s top offensive lineman all week and was impressive again today. During 11-on-11 drills, he consistently sealed the edge and did a nice job reach blocking and opening up holes on the outside. During one-on-one drills, he did a great job staying low, extending his arms and mirroring defensive ends is pass protection. A guy who’s had a stellar week and should be headed toward the latter parts of the first round.
Beatty’s teammate, CB Darius Butler, rebounded nicely after a subpar performance yesterday. Butler is an excellent athlete who bounced back and forth between corner and receiver this year at UConn. He did a nice job today being patient in his backpedal and closing out of his breaks. He has been one of the few corners to stick with WR Derrick Williams down the field as well as mirror him out of his cuts.
Still Need Work…
Oklahoma OT Phil Loadholt has struggled all week with his flexibility and footwork, and his flaws really stood out today. Loadholt lacks the first-step quickness to get out to the corner and struggles playing with leverage. DE Tim Jamison consistently was able to get inside of him on the counter move, and DE/TE Connor Barwin was able to win their battles by gaining leverage and driving his legs. Loadholt needs to play on the right side to have any chance in the NFL.
Also at tackle, Illinois product Xavier Fulton had the worst day among offensive linemen. He was not only bull-rushed to the ground by DE Cody Brown but was consistently worked over by defensive linemen. His lack of power has forced him to play a bit more aggressively this week, which has caused him to struggle with his balance and footwork. A guy who has struggled in pass protection throughout the week and may be best suited to play inside in a zone blocking scheme.
Virginia OLB/DE Clint Sintim was unable to get after the passer and struggled to beat blockers off the edge during one-on-one drills. He was stonewalled twice by FB Tony Fiammetta and RB Cedric Peerman, and for a guy who depends on his pass rush, Sintim must show better during these drills. He looked a bit sluggish during 11-on-11 drills and could just be wearing down a bit. But for a guy who is supposed to make his living as a pass rusher, he needs to prove he can beat backs consistently off the edge.
Observations…
Cincinnati TE Connor Barwin finally got his shot to prove his value as a DE, and in limited opportunities he showed well. Barwin relies on his first step with a violent rip out of his stance. He was able to gain the edge against OT Xavier Fulton as well as dip under OT Phil Loadholt on consecutive series. I think Barwin projects much better as a DE, but he can only enhance his value playing both sides of the ball.
OL Max Unger has done a nice job not only rotating between center and guard, he’s also seeing time as the middle wedge man on special teams. Unger is so fluid and smooth in pass protection that at times he has been dominant. Unger has only struggled vs. DT B.J. Raji this week, like everyone else, but his ability to mirror defensive linemen and extend him long arms in pass protection makes him nearly impossible to get around.
Illinois DE Will Davis got some work inside as a DT, a position he played primarily on third downs as a senior. He displayed impressive lateral mobility during one-on-one drills and showed the burst to shoot gaps inside during 11-on-11s. He lacks the size to be an every down DT, but he could find his niche as an inside passer rusher at the next level.
QB Rhett Bomar has been the most impressive quarterback on the North squad during one-on-one drills. He is consistently able to showcase his strong arm and throw receivers open in space. However, as soon as the practice goes into seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills, Bomar really starts to struggle. He made one good throw outside the numbers toward the end of practice, but other than that, he lacks the ability to consistently get the ball out accurately and on time. He has all the tools but needs to mature in the pocket and learn to go through his progressions more quickly.
Cal Poly WR Ramses Barden is struggling to get any kind of separation in and out of his breaks. He does a nice job using his long arms to pluck the ball away form his body, but like many of the mammoth receivers who have come along in recent years, he lacks suddenness and always is forced to make plays with corners draped over him.
Oklahoma prospect Nic Harris is really making strides as a linebacker this week. He possesses good footwork and changes directions as well as any linebacker on the North team. Plus, he was able to get consistent pressure off the edge and proved he can slip blocks and get after the QB.
South Practice
Day Three Studs…
The more I watch South Carolina WR Kenny McKinley, the more I am convinced he will make an impact at the next level. He displays an explosive first step and has the footwork and body control to cleanly get out of his breaks. He did a great job snapping off his routes and showcased the suddenness to constantly gain separation on all levels of the field.
Hawaii DE prospect David Veikune may not get the publicity some of the other defensive linemen here receive, but during one-on-one drills today he was downright dominant. He possesses a much better first step than scouts give him credit for, with the body control and athleticism to side-step blocks and counter inside. He abused Florida tackle Jason Watkins on two separate occasions. He has a type of blue-collar feel to him and showcases the ability to not only dip his shoulder around the edge but get his hands inside and bull-rush the tackle into the QB’s lap.
I wrote yesterday about the Clay Matthews-Brian Cushing debate, and today did little to help me make up my mind. Cushing looks more natural as a stand-up 4-3 linebacker than Matthews. Cushing did a great job using his hands to engage blocks and showcased the burst and suddenness to quickly shed and attack up field. Matthews, on the other hand, was very impressive during one-on-one drills working as a stand-up rush linebacker in a 3-4. On his first attempt, he bull-rushed LT Michael Oher and absolutely manhandled him into the QB’s lap. On his next attempt, Matthews took Oher up the field with his first step, only to break off a quick spin, which allowed him to walk untouched to the QB. These two have put on quite a show this week and are by far the top OLBs here.
Still Need Work…
Jackson State CB Domonique Johnson really struggled in off coverage. He is a gifted straight-line athlete but is unable to cleanly get in and out of his breaks with any kind of explosion. Johnson looks like he’s gliding at times when trying to change directions, and he lacks any kind of base or balance when asked to close. He struggled staying with the quicker, more fluid South receivers (Quan Cosby, Kenny McKinley).
Louisville center Eric Wood struggled mightily in pass protection during one-on-one drills. Wood is a powerful, physical center who likes to get his hands on defensive linemen right off the snap. However, he was unable to mirror DT Corvey Irving and DE Robert Ayers in pass protection and consistently lost his balance when attempting to overextend. This has shown up consistently on film, as Wood doesn’t look confident playing in space.
Observations…
San Jose CB Coye Francies might be the South squad’s top bump corner. He did a great job delivering a strong, balanced punch and re-routing receivers off the line. He has a tendency to get a bit “leggy” after contact but showcases the explosion to close quickly on the ball.
Wake Forest safety Chip Vaughn has quietly had a very solid week. He possesses much better flexibility and bend than his safety counterparts on the South squad. Also, Vaughn was able to run stride for stride with WR Mike Thomas down the field and showcased the ability to locate the ball quickly and break up the play. A very impressive play for a man of his size.
Tennessee DE Robert Ayers saw some time inside at the DT position. He looked very explosive off the snap and does a nice job attacking the outside shoulder. He beat C Eric Wood with a quick first step and then came back with a very coordinated spin move to counter C Andre Caldwell inside. Ayers has performed well all week and today proved he has some versatility as an inside pass rusher on third down.
Also making plays inside was Georgia DT Corvey Irvin. Irvin has a good-looking frame at 6-3 and 296 pounds, but it’s his lateral quickness and violent rips and swats that consisntly allow him to disengage and get after the QB. Did a great job using his hands to keep C Eric Wood off his body and get up the field cleanly.
I don’t know who told SMU punter Thomas Morstead to kick the ball into the stands during practice (most likely his agent), but the noise it created certainly was enough to draw my attention. The 6-4, 228-pound punter averaged nearly 42 yards per punt last season and was absolutely hitting bombs during the South practice. That kind of leg will definitely warrant some later-round consideration.
The South’s running back group has been a bit lackluster this week, but one guy who is starting to draw some attention is N.C. State running back Andre Brown. Brown is your typical meat-and-potatoes back who displays good vision and power between the tackles. Has exhibited good lateral mobility and shiftiness in and out of his breaks and was very impressive during 11-on-11 drills.
Day three kicked off with the North team practicing in the morning, followed by the South squad in the afternoon as both teams continued preparing for this Saturday’s All-Star game. The National Football Post was on the scene at Ladd-Peebles Stadium to bring you coverage of all the action.
North Practice
Day Three Studs…
WR Derrick Williams has grabbed headlines all week, but it was Oklahoma WR Juaquin Iglesias who stole the show today. Iglesias has been the most natural receiver here and consistently showcases an ability to separate on all levels of the field. What makes him stand out is not just his ability to create plays in one-on-one drills but also during seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills. Iglesias looks to be solidifying a spot in the top 60 on draft day.
Offensive tackle William Beatty has been the North squad’s top offensive lineman all week and was impressive again today. During 11-on-11 drills, he consistently sealed the edge and did a nice job reach blocking and opening up holes on the outside. During one-on-one drills, he did a great job staying low, extending his arms and mirroring defensive ends is pass protection. A guy who’s had a stellar week and should be headed toward the latter parts of the first round.
Beatty’s teammate, CB Darius Butler, rebounded nicely after a subpar performance yesterday. Butler is an excellent athlete who bounced back and forth between corner and receiver this year at UConn. He did a nice job today being patient in his backpedal and closing out of his breaks. He has been one of the few corners to stick with WR Derrick Williams down the field as well as mirror him out of his cuts.
Still Need Work…
Oklahoma OT Phil Loadholt has struggled all week with his flexibility and footwork, and his flaws really stood out today. Loadholt lacks the first-step quickness to get out to the corner and struggles playing with leverage. DE Tim Jamison consistently was able to get inside of him on the counter move, and DE/TE Connor Barwin was able to win their battles by gaining leverage and driving his legs. Loadholt needs to play on the right side to have any chance in the NFL.
Also at tackle, Illinois product Xavier Fulton had the worst day among offensive linemen. He was not only bull-rushed to the ground by DE Cody Brown but was consistently worked over by defensive linemen. His lack of power has forced him to play a bit more aggressively this week, which has caused him to struggle with his balance and footwork. A guy who has struggled in pass protection throughout the week and may be best suited to play inside in a zone blocking scheme.
Virginia OLB/DE Clint Sintim was unable to get after the passer and struggled to beat blockers off the edge during one-on-one drills. He was stonewalled twice by FB Tony Fiammetta and RB Cedric Peerman, and for a guy who depends on his pass rush, Sintim must show better during these drills. He looked a bit sluggish during 11-on-11 drills and could just be wearing down a bit. But for a guy who is supposed to make his living as a pass rusher, he needs to prove he can beat backs consistently off the edge.
Observations…
Cincinnati TE Connor Barwin finally got his shot to prove his value as a DE, and in limited opportunities he showed well. Barwin relies on his first step with a violent rip out of his stance. He was able to gain the edge against OT Xavier Fulton as well as dip under OT Phil Loadholt on consecutive series. I think Barwin projects much better as a DE, but he can only enhance his value playing both sides of the ball.
OL Max Unger has done a nice job not only rotating between center and guard, he’s also seeing time as the middle wedge man on special teams. Unger is so fluid and smooth in pass protection that at times he has been dominant. Unger has only struggled vs. DT B.J. Raji this week, like everyone else, but his ability to mirror defensive linemen and extend him long arms in pass protection makes him nearly impossible to get around.
Illinois DE Will Davis got some work inside as a DT, a position he played primarily on third downs as a senior. He displayed impressive lateral mobility during one-on-one drills and showed the burst to shoot gaps inside during 11-on-11s. He lacks the size to be an every down DT, but he could find his niche as an inside passer rusher at the next level.
QB Rhett Bomar has been the most impressive quarterback on the North squad during one-on-one drills. He is consistently able to showcase his strong arm and throw receivers open in space. However, as soon as the practice goes into seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills, Bomar really starts to struggle. He made one good throw outside the numbers toward the end of practice, but other than that, he lacks the ability to consistently get the ball out accurately and on time. He has all the tools but needs to mature in the pocket and learn to go through his progressions more quickly.
Cal Poly WR Ramses Barden is struggling to get any kind of separation in and out of his breaks. He does a nice job using his long arms to pluck the ball away form his body, but like many of the mammoth receivers who have come along in recent years, he lacks suddenness and always is forced to make plays with corners draped over him.
Oklahoma prospect Nic Harris is really making strides as a linebacker this week. He possesses good footwork and changes directions as well as any linebacker on the North team. Plus, he was able to get consistent pressure off the edge and proved he can slip blocks and get after the QB.
South Practice
Day Three Studs…
The more I watch South Carolina WR Kenny McKinley, the more I am convinced he will make an impact at the next level. He displays an explosive first step and has the footwork and body control to cleanly get out of his breaks. He did a great job snapping off his routes and showcased the suddenness to constantly gain separation on all levels of the field.
Hawaii DE prospect David Veikune may not get the publicity some of the other defensive linemen here receive, but during one-on-one drills today he was downright dominant. He possesses a much better first step than scouts give him credit for, with the body control and athleticism to side-step blocks and counter inside. He abused Florida tackle Jason Watkins on two separate occasions. He has a type of blue-collar feel to him and showcases the ability to not only dip his shoulder around the edge but get his hands inside and bull-rush the tackle into the QB’s lap.
I wrote yesterday about the Clay Matthews-Brian Cushing debate, and today did little to help me make up my mind. Cushing looks more natural as a stand-up 4-3 linebacker than Matthews. Cushing did a great job using his hands to engage blocks and showcased the burst and suddenness to quickly shed and attack up field. Matthews, on the other hand, was very impressive during one-on-one drills working as a stand-up rush linebacker in a 3-4. On his first attempt, he bull-rushed LT Michael Oher and absolutely manhandled him into the QB’s lap. On his next attempt, Matthews took Oher up the field with his first step, only to break off a quick spin, which allowed him to walk untouched to the QB. These two have put on quite a show this week and are by far the top OLBs here.
Still Need Work…
Jackson State CB Domonique Johnson really struggled in off coverage. He is a gifted straight-line athlete but is unable to cleanly get in and out of his breaks with any kind of explosion. Johnson looks like he’s gliding at times when trying to change directions, and he lacks any kind of base or balance when asked to close. He struggled staying with the quicker, more fluid South receivers (Quan Cosby, Kenny McKinley).
Louisville center Eric Wood struggled mightily in pass protection during one-on-one drills. Wood is a powerful, physical center who likes to get his hands on defensive linemen right off the snap. However, he was unable to mirror DT Corvey Irving and DE Robert Ayers in pass protection and consistently lost his balance when attempting to overextend. This has shown up consistently on film, as Wood doesn’t look confident playing in space.
Observations…
San Jose CB Coye Francies might be the South squad’s top bump corner. He did a great job delivering a strong, balanced punch and re-routing receivers off the line. He has a tendency to get a bit “leggy” after contact but showcases the explosion to close quickly on the ball.
Wake Forest safety Chip Vaughn has quietly had a very solid week. He possesses much better flexibility and bend than his safety counterparts on the South squad. Also, Vaughn was able to run stride for stride with WR Mike Thomas down the field and showcased the ability to locate the ball quickly and break up the play. A very impressive play for a man of his size.
Tennessee DE Robert Ayers saw some time inside at the DT position. He looked very explosive off the snap and does a nice job attacking the outside shoulder. He beat C Eric Wood with a quick first step and then came back with a very coordinated spin move to counter C Andre Caldwell inside. Ayers has performed well all week and today proved he has some versatility as an inside pass rusher on third down.
Also making plays inside was Georgia DT Corvey Irvin. Irvin has a good-looking frame at 6-3 and 296 pounds, but it’s his lateral quickness and violent rips and swats that consisntly allow him to disengage and get after the QB. Did a great job using his hands to keep C Eric Wood off his body and get up the field cleanly.
I don’t know who told SMU punter Thomas Morstead to kick the ball into the stands during practice (most likely his agent), but the noise it created certainly was enough to draw my attention. The 6-4, 228-pound punter averaged nearly 42 yards per punt last season and was absolutely hitting bombs during the South practice. That kind of leg will definitely warrant some later-round consideration.
The South’s running back group has been a bit lackluster this week, but one guy who is starting to draw some attention is N.C. State running back Andre Brown. Brown is your typical meat-and-potatoes back who displays good vision and power between the tackles. Has exhibited good lateral mobility and shiftiness in and out of his breaks and was very impressive during 11-on-11 drills.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:39 AM
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