Oregon’s Blount was a man on a mission, but others didn’t fare well. Wes Bunting
D-Line shines
DT Jared Odrick, Penn State
Odrick did a great job creating havoc inside throughout the game, using his bull-rush to consistently push the pocket and his long, powerful arms to disengage from blocks. He routinely was able to overwhelm one-on-one blocks at the point and make his way toward the football. Plus, he did a nice job recognizing his run/pass keys, finding the ball carrier and clogging up run lanes. He’s not a guy who will consistently make plays vs. the double-team at the next level, but he more than held his own vs. some of the bigger offensive linemen on the South roster and should be on almost every team’s draft board as either a 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT.
DT Geno Atkins, Georgia
Atkins not only was the most explosive interior defensive lineman during the week, he also showed up in a big way on game day. Atkins did a great job getting off the ball on time and quickly into the body of opposing linemen. However, what made him so tough to block was his combination of power and leverage on contact. He consistently showcased the ability to work his bull-rush, which in turn made him so much more effective using his length and lateral quickness to slip blocks inside. Atkins looks like an ideal one-gap lineman who will be at his best making plays behind the line of scrimmage.
DE Brandon Graham, Michigan
If there was one guy who made his presence felt more than anyone in Saturday’s game, it was Michigan’s Brandon Graham. Graham isn’t the most physically impressive looking edge rusher, but he does a great job playing with natural leverage and using his length and suddenness to shed blocks and accelerate around the corner. Plus, he’s a smart, instinctive kid who reads his run/pass keys quickly and knows how to find the ball. Looks like one of the more NFL-ready prospects.
Running angry
Don’t tell me that Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount didn’t have anything to prove in the Senior Bowl. He ran like a man on a mission all day long. Blount showed up in good shape last week and showcased the type of burst he demonstrated as a junior in 2008. There are still plenty of questions surrounding his character, but after talking with him following Monday’s practice, the guy seems thankful for a second chance and is ready to enhance a team’s run game as a power guy inside.
Give him some credit
For a big man, Iowa’s A.J. Edds certainly knows how to play the pass. Edds is instinctive in coverage and does a great job reading the quarterback’s eyes and using his length to make plays on the ball. Plus, he’s surprisingly fluid for a guy his size and showcases the ability to flip and find the football quickly out of his transition. He finished the game with one interception and two tackles and again proved that although he may not be flashy, he can certainly be effective in the NFL.
The second coming?
One guy who continues to intrigue is Massachusetts offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse. Ducasse exhibits good range off the edge for his size with the flexibility and base strength to sit into his stance and anchor. He consistently generates good power on contact and can really deliver a nasty punch at the point. He’s still raw and will struggle to stay on blocks, but the guy has the skill set to mature into a very good guard or tackle at the next level. He reminds me a bit of 2009 second-round pick Sebastian Vollmer, who was a similar type of prospect in terms of being a raw but possessing an unlimited amount of potential and overall upside. And much like Vollmer, the team that drafts Ducasse will grade him out as a potential starter who can contribute early in his NFL career, not as a developmental-type prospect.
Just pluck it
Tulane wideout Jeremy Williams isn’t the most explosive vertical threat, but the guy is a physical route runner who has the ability to be sudden down the field and go up and get the football. Williams finished the game with six catches for 82 yards and consistently was able to run corners off his routes and cleanly work his way back toward the throw. Plus, he did a nice job with the ball in his hands and was even responsible for a 27-yard rush. Williams is a tough cover on all areas of the field and is one of the few senior wideouts whom I gave a potential starting grade.
Strugglers
CB Trevard Lindley, Kentucky
Lindley again looked uncomfortable in off-coverage and simply gets too leggy when asked to change directions and get out of his breaks. He also struggled to get back up to speed out of his back-pedal and doesn’t look like a guy who can hold up in man at the next level.
OT Selvish Capers, West Virginia
For a guy who looks the part, Capers doesn’t play with any type of base on contact and consistently gets overextended with his footwork. He really struggles to stick to blocks on the edge and is a guy who will make every defensive end he goes against in the NFL look like a good pass rusher until he improves his anchor strength.
LB Darryl Sharpton, Miami
For someone who needs to make plays in pursuit in order to be effective, Sharpton takes too many bad angles toward the ball carrier to be considered a legitimate starter in a run-and-hit scheme.
CB Javier Arenas, Alabama
Arenas proved he’s not a guy who can turn and run with NFL-caliber receivers down the field. He doesn’t possess a second gear to his game and isn’t a cornerback who can make up for any kind of a false step in man-coverage.
Follow me on Twitter: WesBunting
Seems like the Michigan end had a guard blocking him, in the Ole Miss tackle. Jerry may still develop into that, he's basically a guard on a pace to start early. It seemed like Miami coaches keeping him at tackle may have hidden his power upside, he'd look really good paired alongside Jake Long.
Agreed on Blount's playing with purpose. LeGarrette was out to prove something, he's definitely feature back material.
Loved Jeremy William's game as well, is it strictly along the lines of playing slot, or does he have extra to call upon when more attention could be played his way? Seems like he fits the bill in terms of physical upside and he has hart for the football.
Ducasse gives a lot of us the Vollmer vibe, and his program's been very productive for pro players of late. Plus he played in weather venues that could make a lot of passers more secure in similar conditions. He's got something extra to his potential for a variety of reasons, plus he has a mean streak, that's extra gravy on draft day for his hopes. Where do these rougher, emerging types usually go in his instance, he's played past the fourth round now?
I watched the QB play closely and didn't really see anyone who is NFL-ready. LaFevour was the most impressive, but he looks really small. Tebow wasn't anywhere near the disaster some had predicted. He was raw but stuck a couple of throws in there. Didn't seem to have the velocity I expected though.
Capers was a big disappointment. He must have dropped off some boards. Ducasse looked like a real beast. I can see the Redskins grabbing him, maybe second round. That is probably a bit high for his talent level now, but you know this guy will be a player at some point. Blunt would also look really good in the burgundy and gold, but I doubt he drops far enough. Shanahan is not exactly known for going high for RBs.
@ meater
I have to agree with you on Tebow. I was pleased with the potential I saw in Tebow. I think it was made very clear to Tebow that he will not run over the NFL the way he did at Florida. I think it was also made clear to him WHY he needs to work on his mechanics. He a fumble that was a DIRECT cause of his elongated motion. He also had several passes where he double clutched, thus hitting receivers late AND giving the backs time to respond.
However, Tebow is a smart guy who seems genuine in his willingness to learn and change. As the commentators said several times, once he releases the ball, it looks GREAT! He needs a year or two of learning the system and honing his technique. He is not a Mark Sanchez in this aspect. I don't think Tebow plays next year other than as a situational or scrub player.
Finally, I am real excited for Edds! I am convinced that AJ is to some team as Shonn Greene was to the Jets last year. Meaning, I think some team secretly would be willing to take him 1st or 2nd round, but won't let anyone else know it. He reminds me SO much of Chad Greenway. He doesn't always make the bone-crushing hit, but he ALWAYS wraps up and plays very intelligently. He will have a quiet, yet productive career for 10+ years. Mark my words.
Mike Williams will be lucky to get drafted after quitting on his team. Tate may wind up going the Mario Manningham route and wind up a sixth round pick. Mitchell, Easley and Jeremy Williams are also grossly overrated.
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Feb 01, 2010
05:01 PM
Wes,
How did Staphon Johnson look on his return from that horrendous injury?