Senior Bowl thread

[PhilipNelsonFan]

Biggest losers of the week:
James Davis, falling perilously close to UDFA status
Joaquin Iglesias, now a 4th/5th rounder
Max Unger, no chance for 1st round, probably now a 3rd.
Ron Brace
Macho Harris, looking slow and committing penalties at an alarming rate. He cannot cover without holding, period.

What exactly was it about Unger? I've read some speculation that his lower-body strength isn't where it should be for a potential starting OL.

And, on another homeristic note, what about Jeremiah Johnson? I've read that he had a decent week in Mobile...any chance of him cracking the 4th round?

[D J C]

Mel Kiper is conspicuous in his absence here in Mobile. People here are extremely concerned about Sanchez's lack of experience and the fact he racked up his numbers against some truly awful defenses in the Pac 10. I've heard that from GMs, from coaches, from other recognizable "draftniks". He can and probably will improve his stock as time goes on, and maybe Mel is ahead of the curve. Russ Lande of TSN has Sanchez #1 overall. QBs do tend to draw some earlier-than-expected draft positions. But the word in Mobile is that Sanchez is a late 1st/2nd rounder. I know some people who like Josh Freeman better (I"m not one of them).

My next mock will have him either at 19 to TB or to DET with the 1st pick of round 2. Which means he'll probably wind up somewhere in between via a traded pick.

Does that mean there not considering Stafford that much at #1?

And pleaseeeee say that Sanchez to TB is from some actual buzz you heard and not just a predicition. He's my ideal realistic pick for us right now.

[Rafael122]

Detroit needs to pull what the Falcons did last year, take your cornerstone tackle and your franchise QB in the first round. In this case, Detroit SHOULD take Andre Smith with the first pick, then trade up to get Sanchez or Stafford.

[Celtics_Champs]

Nah, just trade the 20 pick for cassel.

Here is my proposal:

To New England:
Detroit's first round pick-- 20 overall
Detroit's second round pick-- 33 overall

To Detroit:
Matt Cassel
New England's second round pick (from San Diego)-- Mid 2nd rounder (not sure which number overall).

I can see them taking stafford. But I don't know why you would take sanchez over cassel.

[Icness]

Detroit needs to pull what the Falcons did last year, take your cornerstone tackle and your franchise QB in the first round. In this case, Detroit SHOULD take Andre Smith with the first pick, then trade up to get Sanchez or Stafford.

A big fat birdie tells me Martin Mayhew feels the same way. That fat bird also told me they prefer Sanchez to Stafford. I would do the same.

[Icness]

Biggest losers of the week:
James Davis, falling perilously close to UDFA status
Joaquin Iglesias, now a 4th/5th rounder
Max Unger, no chance for 1st round, probably now a 3rd.
Ron Brace
Macho Harris, looking slow and committing penalties at an alarming rate. He cannot cover without holding, period.

What exactly was it about Unger? I've read some speculation that his lower-body strength isn't where it should be for a potential starting OL.

And, on another homeristic note, what about Jeremiah Johnson? I've read that he had a decent week in Mobile...any chance of him cracking the 4th round?

Unger has issues with lower body strength but it's also mindset. He plays like he's afraid of making a mistake. I think that's why he looked so bad against Raji when he was playing center. When he was playing LG in the full team scrimmage he looked much more comfortable and assertive.

Johnson had a real nice practice today. He's got great receiving skills and he learns quickly. The market for RBs is oversaturated so the 4th is probably his ceiling, but he looks worthy of a long look as a change-of-pace/3rd down back for someone like Detroit or Arizona. Cedric Peerman of Virginia is right there with him, but Johnson gets the edge for being a little quicker and more consistent with his hands.

[studcrackers]

i thought johnson was fantastic in college, if rb's werent getting a little hated on in this draft id say he deserved to go higher. im shocked coffee went into the draft but i wish him the best of luck, you said he was rising a little, is that just talk? b/c i know he's not a senior

[D J C]

Biggest losers of the week:
James Davis, falling perilously close to UDFA status
Joaquin Iglesias, now a 4th/5th rounder
Max Unger, no chance for 1st round, probably now a 3rd.
Ron Brace
Macho Harris, looking slow and committing penalties at an alarming rate. He cannot cover without holding, period.

What exactly was it about Unger? I've read some speculation that his lower-body strength isn't where it should be for a potential starting OL.

And, on another homeristic note, what about Jeremiah Johnson? I've read that he had a decent week in Mobile...any chance of him cracking the 4th round?

Unger has issues with lower body strength but it's also mindset. He plays like he's afraid of making a mistake. I think that's why he looked so bad against Raji when he was playing center. When he was playing LG in the full team scrimmage he looked much more comfortable and assertive.

I still think he holds about a 2nd round grade to a ZBS team though. He's pretty quick for a interior lineman.

And for the RB's and Johnson, I really like this class to and think it's pretty deep. Alot of potential Slaton guys available in rounds 3/4, maybe latter. Devin Moore, Kory Sheets, Tyrell Sutton, Jeremiah, Andre Brown, Rashad Jennings, Glenn Coffee, Cedric Peerman, Brandon Ore, etc. That's why I dont see a RB taken until atleast the 15-20 of the 1st. Then there's Marcus Thigpen, who I think you could get in the 7th/UDFA and he could be the Clifton Smith of this year's class.

Have you seen Raheem or Dominik from the Bucs there? And if not, who's repping them this year? Thanks.

[Icness]

I still think he holds about a 2nd round grade to a ZBS team though. He's pretty quick for a interior lineman.

And for the RB's and Johnson, I really like this class to and think it's pretty deep. Alot of potential Slaton guys available in rounds 3/4, maybe latter. Devin Moore, Kory Sheets, Tyrell Sutton, Jeremiah, Andre Brown, Rashad Jennings, Glenn Coffee, Cedric Peerman, Brandon Ore, etc. That's why I dont see a RB taken until atleast the 15-20 of the 1st. Then there's Marcus Thigpen, who I think you could get in the 7th/UDFA and he could be the Clifton Smith of this year's class.

Have you seen Raheem or Dominik from the Bucs there? And if not, who's repping them this year? Thanks.

I like Andre Brown the best of the group you listed. If he can stay healthy of course. Sheets has not had a good week overall, was dreadful in blitz drills and let the ball get to his pads as a receiver.

Haven't seen Raheem here but I did see Dominik and the rest of their entourage both Tues. and Wed. watching practice. I've seen Kevin Demoff (AGM), Shelton Quarles (scout), and Reggie Cobb (scout) here. In fact I talked to Connor Barwin right after Cobb got done with him on Wed.

[D J C]

I still think he holds about a 2nd round grade to a ZBS team though. He's pretty quick for a interior lineman.

And for the RB's and Johnson, I really like this class to and think it's pretty deep. Alot of potential Slaton guys available in rounds 3/4, maybe latter. Devin Moore, Kory Sheets, Tyrell Sutton, Jeremiah, Andre Brown, Rashad Jennings, Glenn Coffee, Cedric Peerman, Brandon Ore, etc. That's why I dont see a RB taken until atleast the 15-20 of the 1st. Then there's Marcus Thigpen, who I think you could get in the 7th/UDFA and he could be the Clifton Smith of this year's class.

Have you seen Raheem or Dominik from the Bucs there? And if not, who's repping them this year? Thanks.

I like Andre Brown the best of the group you listed. If he can stay healthy of course. Sheets has not had a good week overall, was dreadful in blitz drills and let the ball get to his pads as a receiver.

Haven't seen Raheem here but I did see Dominik and the rest of their entourage both Tues. and Wed. watching practice. I've seen Kevin Demoff (AGM), Shelton Quarles (scout), and Reggie Cobb (scout) here. In fact I talked to Connor Barwin right after Cobb got done with him on Wed.

Yeah, Kory is more of a 5th or later prospect, but I think he has some potential. The Texas vs Nation game this year will have a good crop of RBs, I'm keeping an eye on Devin, Ore, and Thigpen that weekend.

Haha I didn't realize we keep Shelton with the team as a scout. And I wouldn't mind Barwin on the Bucs, we need a better pass rush. So, any wind to Sanchez to the Bucs or is that just a guess?

[SpeedyG]

Icness, with the Jaguars staff coaching the South team, have you been able to notice any particular "twinkle" in their eyes when looking, talking, etc at any specific player(s)?

[Icness]

Icness, with the Jaguars staff coaching the South team, have you been able to notice any particular "twinkle" in their eyes when looking, talking, etc at any specific player(s)?

Rey Maualuga. Don't forget the head coach is a former USC LB. If all of the tackles who weren't here (Monroe, the Smiths) are gone, I'd be shocked if they didn't take Rey.

They spent an inordinate amount of time going over things with Michael Hamlin, and it wasn't because he was performing poorly.

[SpeedyG]

Icness, with the Jaguars staff coaching the South team, have you been able to notice any particular "twinkle" in their eyes when looking, talking, etc at any specific player(s)?

Rey Maualuga. Don't forget the head coach is a former USC LB. If all of the tackles who weren't here (Monroe, the Smiths) are gone, I'd be shocked if they didn't take Rey.

They spent an inordinate amount of time going over things with Michael Hamlin, and it wasn't because he was performing poorly.

I'd hope we can trade down if the 4 OTs are gone instead of taking Rey at 8. Seems a bit too high for my taste. Hamlin wouldn't be a bad choice in the later rounds though. He should be a nice balancing factor to Reggie Nelson's play.

[PhilipNelsonFan]

Any truth to the Internet rumblings that the Packers would trade into the top 5 if they could select B.J. Raji?

[Icness]

Any truth to the Internet rumblings that the Packers would trade into the top 5 if they could select B.J. Raji?

I haven't heard that but it certainly makes sense. I'd buy it. He's perfect for what they need with their new defense. They really need a NT and a rush OLB.

[bill curley II]

Biggest winners:
Xavier Fulton, T, Illinois is drawing praise. He needs to add some lower body strength but his technique is great and he is aggressive. Playing up into the 3rd/4th and he came here as a borderline UDFA
Robert Ayers, DE, Tennesee. Drawing Shawne Merriman comparisons, though he's not as powerful.
Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State
Arian Foster
Zack Follett
Alex Magee, who has shown bull rush ability and unexpected nimbleness

Any expanded comments on Follett (draft range, potential, comparison)? He was great for us at Cal but I was a bit worried that his pass coverage skills and size might bring his stock down. Also, do you think he can be a 4-3 linebacker or is he relegated to a rush LB on a 3-4?

[PhilipNelsonFan]

Biggest winners:
Xavier Fulton, T, Illinois is drawing praise. He needs to add some lower body strength but his technique is great and he is aggressive. Playing up into the 3rd/4th and he came here as a borderline UDFA
Robert Ayers, DE, Tennesee. Drawing Shawne Merriman comparisons, though he's not as powerful.
Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State
Arian Foster
Zack Follett
Alex Magee, who has shown bull rush ability and unexpected nimbleness

Any expanded comments on Follett (draft range, potential, comparison)? He was great for us at Cal but I was a bit worried that his pass coverage skills and size might bring his stock down. Also, do you think he can be a 4-3 linebacker or is he relegated to a rush LB on a 3-4?

On it. I think Follett could be a suitable rush LB in a 3-4 but he has very good instincts that lend themselves to a 4-3. As a matter of fact, I wonder if he can't play some ILB in a 3-4. He's a strong player who's got a great nose for the ball and has good tackling form. If he was an elite athlete he'd be vying with Aaron Curry for a top-5 pick, but he's not quite as quick. In college he was able to stop most everybody on first contact; that may take an adjustment in the NFL. But, again, good instincts on run-stopping and in coverage. I think he's a third/fourth-rounder and a real sleeper.

[LAKESHOW]

nobody likes SC players, and it aint because of the players themselves. believe it. these guys are talented. and while aaron curry can rack up 100+ tackles for wake forrest, believe this, he aint got nuttin on the linebackers weve got at SC. which is why it is a mistake to take aaron curry or any linebacker in the draft, before a cushing, rey, or maiava.