Senior Bowl Practice Notes

[mayoclinic]

01/25/10 - O'Brien Schofield's impressive pre-draft push is over, as the Wisconsin defensive end/linebacker suffered a torn ACL on Monday during Senior Bowl practice, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting. This is a very unfortunate mishap for Schofield, who had improved his draft stock after a strong showing last week during the East-West Shrine Game in Orlando. The Badgers star stood out in practice as he transitioned from defensive end to linebacker, and he earned defensive MVP honors in the game after recording an interception and three tackles. Colleague Todd McShay wrote extensively about Schofield during Shrine Game prep last week. Schofield was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2009 after recording 24.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. He ranked second nationally in tackles for loss behind Michigan's Brandon Graham and tied for sixth in sacks. NFL teams that play the 3-4 should continue to look at Schofield as an outside linebacker, though this type of injury will limit his availability in 2010. - Adam Rittenberg, ESPN via NFL Draft Scout

Use one of our projected 6th or 7th round comp picks on him? He could be 2010's Tyrone McKenzie. That's one way to develop a LB pipeline.

 

[BelichickFan]

Use one of our projected 6th or 7th round comp picks on him? He could be 2010's Tyrone McKenzie. That's one way to develop a LB pipeline.

Not sure he'd drop that far but that would almost be a no brainer at that point in the draft. Not to seem like a vulture to the poor guy's misfortune but he's extra interesting now that he could be had later.

 

[hammertime]

Anyone know of who the Pats have brought in to interview at the Senior Bowl?

 

[ayjackson]

Schofield could make his return as a replacement player for the 2011 season.

That would be one upside to a replacement player season. Another? A Keanu Reeves sequel!

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Use one of our projected 6th or 7th round comp picks on him? He could be 2010's Tyrone McKenzie. That's one way to develop a LB pipeline.

I doubt anyone drafts him.
-- He's making a change of position - for whichever team drafts him.
-- He won't be available before 2011.
-- At 238 he's pretty light for NE's 3-4 and none to heavy for the other 3-4 versions around the league.

Hopefully his agent took out insurance for him and he is able to recover fully and tryout for teams next year.

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

That's a tough break for Schofield. People praising him and raising his draft stock one week, knee blown out the next. It can all be gone in an instant. I feel bad for the kid.

I didn't like him as a Pats prospect anyway, but the only way we see him drafted now is 7th round and stashed on IR for the year.

 

[Taxed in Maine]

The Pats did it with RB Womack a few years back.
If he grades out as a 3rd rounder or so why wouldn't take a 7th round flier on him. What is it going to cost you, $250,000?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

The Pats did it with RB Womack a few years back.
If he grades out as a 3rd rounder or so why wouldn't take a 7th round flier on him. What is it going to cost you, $250,000?

If you truly believe - after all the surgeon's reports are reviewed and his film digested - that you can develop this kid, than sure, you get him working with your trainers, strength & conditioning staff, and in the meetings/film room with the LB coach so you can get him up to 250+ for your defense and get his head wrapped around the playbook for 2011. But you've got to believe, I expect most would take a wait and see approach.

 

[mayoclinic]

NFLdraftcountdown and Walterfootball are sharing Senior Bowl practice notes. Here's some north practice notes for Monday from Matt Maguire of Walter Football:

- "Sean Canfield showed very unimpressive arm strength and really struggled to throw the ball on basic out patterns that he must complete at the next level. One time, the receiver ran a 12-yard out and Canfield had to get a bit of air under the ball to complete it. This throw needs to be a frozen rope and this is a deficiency you just have to doubt a quarterback to overcome at the next level, but I think Canfield has potential as a solid backup in the league."

- "Gilyard, a receiver I'm not a huge fan of, had a great day so I have to give it to him. He came cleanly out of his breaks and showed very good hands in a 3-cone receiver drill. He did a great job of adjusting to poorly thrown balls and I liked his body control. With Brandon LaFell out, the top senior receiver here is up for grabs and Gilyard is standing up to the pressure in front of scouts."

- "Jacoby Ford and Danario Alexander showed very inconsistent hands today. These players might be borderline third-round picks so there is no doubt they need to step it up - especially Ford who has intriguing speed and athleticism over the middle."

- "I wasn't impressed with Ohio receiver Taylor Price today at all in individual drills or 7v7's. He rounds off his routes and struggles getting out of the break. He also had some bad hands, and as a lesser-known player he needs to step it up." Other reports said that Price had a great practice.

- "My defensive MVP for the day has got to be Boise State's Kyle Wilson. In coverage he showed fluid hips and did a great job of locating the football and making plays. He was very physical with his jam and he certainly made the most plays. I like him as a second-round value as a corner/nickel with added value as a return man."

- "Wake Forest's Brandon Ghee looked solid. He dominated receivers on deep routes because he can turn and run with anybody here. I want to see how he performs against Clemson's Jacoby Ford, who will run in the 4.40 range. Ghee needs to make plays tomorrow if he wants to end up in the late first round."

- "Defensive tackle Tyson Alualu out of Cal had a very good practice in 11v11's. He was very physical and blew up a couple runs. He checked in at 6-2 at the weigh-in, so now I have serious concerns if he can play 5-technique. He might be a 3-technique only."


Draft Countdown's Senior Bowl Coverage - 1/25/10 North Practice Report

 

[mayoclinic]

Here's the South practice notes, from Scott Wright:

- "Of course the guy everyone wanted to see was Florida QB Tim Tebow and all eyes were on the former Heisman Trophy winner as he got his first exposure to a pro-style offense. Unfortunately all of the reservations people had about Tebow were validated by his performance. Despite reportedly working to shorten his delivery it is still way too long and he also seems to lunge into his throws and almost push the ball. After working in the shotgun his entire college career Tebow struggled mightily with the center / quarterback exchange, fumbling about a half dozen times. Tebow also had some issues with his accuracy, missing a lot of throws badly. As was the case in college Tebow failed to throw a tight spiral on a consistent basis as well. Now for some positives. Tebow’s footwork as he dropped back was much better than I expected it to be and he also showed pretty good touch on his deep throws. We also got a glimpse of those renowned Tebow intangibles as he really took coaching well and was quite vocal in encouraging his teammates. However, all in all it was a very tough day for Tebow and he appears to be every bit the project most thought he was. On the bright side things can only get better."

- "Ole Miss’ Dexter McCluster is listed as a wide receiver on the roster but he worked as a running back today. McCluster is so small that he basically gets lost amid the offensive linemen but he is very tough and feisty. On one play McCluster was popped by Jamar Chaney but he managed to stay upright and keep running."

- "Physically USC S Taylor Mays is a man amongst boys. It’s shocking how much bigger he is compared to the other defensive backs. He truly does look like a linebacker out on the field. Mays drew a reaction from the crowd when he basically ran right through Andre Roberts on a play in the deep middle."

- "South Carolina OLB Eric Norwood looked stiff in the hips while backpedaling and changing directions. However, he showed good instincts."

Draft Countdown's Senior Bowl Coverage - 1/25/10 South Practice Report

 

[VJCPatriot]

Not sure he'd drop that far but that would almost be a no brainer at that point in the draft. Not to seem like a vulture to the poor guy's misfortune but he's extra interesting now that he could be had later.

Does that mean that the Pats vulched TBC? I'm in favor of late round gambles on kids who have potential.

 

[BelichickFan]

- "I wasn't impressed with Ohio receiver Taylor Price today . . . he also had some bad hands" Other reports said that Price had a great practice.

Yeah, that was strange - they were raving about him on NFLN, especially his hands.

Does that mean that the Pats vulched TBC? I'm in favor of late round gambles on kids who have potential.

I just meant I didn't want to seem all grabby on getting a guy late who just tore his ACL.

 

[BelichickFan]

Good words for Lagarrette Blount and Mike Iupati at RealGM :

RealGM Football: The Twelfth Writer - Monday Senior Bowl Notes

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

I guess we can all now agree that Teabow is not getting drafted anytime before the 3rd round (unless Jacksonville does it for ticket sales). He is not a NFL QB. (period)!

 

[BelichickFan]

I doubt anyone drafts him.

That, or a late pick, seems to be the consensus. I love opportunities like this especially as we're going to get several seventh round comp picks.

Jacoby Ford sounds seriously quick, he should make a good slot guy for someone.

 

[mayoclinic]

Wes Buntings day 1 notes from National Football Post:

- "Clemson wideout Jacoby Ford was impressive today. He was explosive off the snap, ate up the cushion quickly and consistently separated all afternoon vs. man coverage. On a day in which the North quarterbacks struggled with their accuracy, Ford repeatedly found ways to make the tough catch. When we asked him after practice where he feels most comfortable playing at the next level, Ford responded, 'Both ways [in the slot or outside] are fine with me. I just want to get out there and make plays.' "

- "Massachusetts offensive tackle Vladimir Ducasse looked good at the weigh-in today and showcased impressive range off the edge in pass protection at practice. He really generates good power on his punch and looks like a guy who could play four spots on the offensive line at the next level."

- "California cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson once again failed to impress me during practice on Monday. He looks uncomfortable in his backpedal, has a tendency to open up his hips too early and struggles to turn and run down the field."

Senior Bowl Day 1 Quick Hits | National Football Post

 

[Peachhead]

Here's the South practice notes, from Scott Wright:

- " We also got a glimpse of those renowned Tebow intangibles as he really took coaching well and was quite vocal in encouraging his teammates.

I wonder how well that goes over with teammates and coaches when the guy doing the encouraging is fumbling half his snaps and is wildly inaccurate many of the other times.

I'd be tempted to shout "Hey man, STFU! Get your own s**t straight before you worry about everyone else."

 

[upstater1]

I don't know what so many have against Mardy Gilyard. Even the reviewer from DraftCountdown was predisposed against him. What is wrong with Gilyard? The kid is a player.

 

[mayoclinic]

A couple of interesting comments from TFYdraft:

- "Sources have told us there’s concern about Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams. Scouts were surprised he did not show up to the Senior Bowl after such a poor season in ‘09. He’s been branded as a “follower” and not really a guy who takes charge."

- "Last week from Shrine Game practices we reported that Mississippi defensive end Greg Hardy was dropping; the situation is worse than we first reported. Evidently the Mississippi coaches have been killing Hardy in their reviews to NFL scouts. He’s got a ton of off the field issues which concern scouts including the rap he’s not a hard worker and showed up to meetings late. This evening sources told us Hardy could fall into the third round."

Senior Bowl Buzz: Monday Night

 

[chevss454]

Wes Buntings day 1 notes from National Football Post:


- "California cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson once again failed to impress me during practice on Monday. He looks uncomfortable in his backpedal, has a tendency to open up his hips too early and struggles to turn and run down the field."

Senior Bowl Day 1 Quick Hits | National Football Post

Hmmmm... sounds like Wilhite