Post Bowl Game All Star Games

[mayoclinic]

One of the guys who seemed to be a consistent "winner" from this week's Senior Bowl practices has been Texas WR Marquise Goodwin. Goodwin measured in at 5' 8 7/8" and 179#. He's a world class sprinter, and was a 2012 Olympian in the long jump.

Some of the comments from this week's practices:

Everyone who sees Texas WR Marquise Goodwin in person comes away raving about his speed and it definitely lived up to the hype. In fact, even when jogging Goodwin seems to just glide across the turf. Goodwin appears to be more polished as a wideout than given credit for too. Last year T.J. Graham had a big week in Mobile and wound up being a third round pick. Don’t be shocked if Goodwin follows in Graham’s footsteps and ends up being selected much earlier than most expect.

Tuesday's North Team Senior Bowl Practice Report, NFL Draft - DraftCountdown.com

Texas WR Marquise Goodwin continues to impress. Goodwin’s rare speed and burst has been well-documented and he certainly eats up the turf in a hurry but the guy is also a pretty good wideout. Not only did Goodwin separate with ease for two deep balls on nine routes but he also layed out for a couple of outstanding catches.

Wednesday's North Team Senior Bowl Practice Report, NFL Draft - DraftCountdown.com

The one prospect I really enjoyed watching this week was Marquise Goodwin (Texas). The WR has legit speed and I’m interested to see how he fits in an NFL game plan next season. He could be a playmaker.

Ten observations from Senior Bowl week | National Football Post

An Olympic athlete will always be an intriguing NFL prospect, but Goodwin's senior season on the football field was average at best. However, through three days of practice at the Senior Bowl, Goodwin has looked much more natural and polished in his routes and catching the ball. His world-class speed translates well to the football field and he looks much more flexible in his patterns and breaks, catching just about everything thrown his way. A prospect who looks much different from the tape, Goodwin is forcing scouts to go back and study more on the former Longhorn, but it wouldn't be surprising if Goodwin vaults into the early rounds, similar to Buffalo Bills wide receiver T.J. Graham a year ago.

2013 Senior Bowl: Mike Glennon rises, Denard Robinson falling - CBSSports

Every time Goodwin lines up for a repetition in one-on-ones, there is a hush in the crowd. NFL evaluators have been intoxicated by his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and ability to find another gear when the ball is in the air. He has been caught up in press coverage a few times this week, but his overall performance has left quite an impression on clubs in need of a home-run hitter at receiver.

Desmond Trufant's draft stock soaring; Ezekiel Ansah too raw? - NFL.com

Goodwin didn't get a ton of playing time at Texas, but his Senior Bowl performance has opened eyes, with some suggesting he could go as high as the 2nd round, though 3rd-4th round seems more likely:

Marquise Goodwin continues assault on draft boards at Senior Bowl - Burnt Orange Nation

If Wes Welker moves on, Goodwin could be a nice alternative to someone like Tavon Austin, a bit further down in the draft. Take a bigger WR in the 60 range, and then come back around 91 (or perhaps with a trade down into the 4th round to pick up an extra pick) and get Goodwin.

The idea of having guys like Goodwin and Jeff Demps on the field at the same time is intriguing. If they could develop, the breakaway potential would be pretty scary. A lot more speed than we've had in the past.

Thoughts?

 

[Sciz]

I really like Goodwin. I'm trying to fit him into a mock that I'll try to post tonight.

 

[mayoclinic]

With all the attention on Ziggy Ansah, on intriguing guy at the Senior Bowl who's flown a bit under the radar is LSU DE Lavar Edwards. 6' 3 3/4" 272# with 35 1/2" arms and an 85 1/2" wingspan. Scott Wright had this observation today:

LSU defensive end Lavarr Edwards was very fluid throughout the drills displaying lose hips, the ability to dip and bend while not losing much speed. Excelled in a ‘limbo’ drill. Was very active with his hands and drew praises of the DL coach on numerous occasions. Easily the best DL performance in drills all week.

Thursday's South Team Senior Bowl Practice Report, NFL Draft - DraftCountdown.com

Here's a nice write up on the kid:

LSU DE Lavar Edwards is not playing like an afterthought | NOLA.com

Edwards also moves inside to DT in LSU's "bandit" package.

I wonder whether this kid could be the kind of under the radar SEC sleeper prospect that BB loves to pick up, like Stephen Ridley in 2011? Maybe not as freakishly athletic as Ziggy Ansah, but very versatile, and more technically developed, and likely to go a lot lower in the draft.

 

[mayoclinic]

Pat Kirwan on some small school prospects form the Senior Bowl who stood out:

Four small-college players to watch from the Senior Bowl - CBSSports.com

Kirwan mentions board favorite Garrett Gilkey as one guy to watch:

Garrett Gilkey is an offensive guard from Chadron State and he is one physical player that loves to battle in the trenches. Any team interested in a power guard that can move a defensive tackle will be interested in Gilkey. How this guy didn't play for a team like Nebraska or Wisconsin coming out of Chicago is a mystery to me.

"A power guard that can move a defensive tackle" is exactly how I see Gilkey. I imagine Jahri Evans probably didn't get much more interest than that coming out of Bloomsburg in 2006.

Another guy of interest is Harvard fullback/H-back Kyle Juszczyk (6' 1 3/8" 248#):

Kyle Juszczyk from Harvard is an ideal H-back/fullback candidate. He has been impressive as a lead blocker on the inside run game and has decleated a number of linebackers in the run drills. He is a fine receiver out of the backfield or as a wing has been excellent all week. He has soft hands, runs good routes and is physical after the catch. The 49ers run a lot of two- and three-tight sets and a number of teams are studying that offense. Juszczyk would be a great fit for that type of offense.

 

[manxman2601]

Pat Kirwan on some small school prospects form the Senior Bowl who stood out:

Four small-college players to watch from the Senior Bowl - CBSSports.com

Kirwan mentions board favorite Garrett Gilkey as one guy to watch:



"A power guard that can move a defensive tackle" is exactly how I see Gilkey. I imagine Jahri Evans probably didn't get much more interest than that coming out of Bloomsburg in 2006.

Another guy of interest is Harvard fullback/H-back Kyle Juszczyk (6' 1 3/8" 248#):

It was Juszczyk's hands that impressed me the most when I watched him. 'Soft hands' is right.

 

[manxman2601]

One of the guys who seemed to be a consistent "winner" from this week's Senior Bowl practices has been Texas WR Marquise Goodwin. Goodwin measured in at 5' 8 7/8" and 179#. He's a world class sprinter, and was a 2012 Olympian in the long jump.

Some of the comments from this week's practices:



Tuesday's North Team Senior Bowl Practice Report, NFL Draft - DraftCountdown.com



Wednesday's North Team Senior Bowl Practice Report, NFL Draft - DraftCountdown.com



Ten observations from Senior Bowl week | National Football Post



2013 Senior Bowl: Mike Glennon rises, Denard Robinson falling - CBSSports



Desmond Trufant's draft stock soaring; Ezekiel Ansah too raw? - NFL.com

Goodwin didn't get a ton of playing time at Texas, but his Senior Bowl performance has opened eyes, with some suggesting he could go as high as the 2nd round, though 3rd-4th round seems more likely:

Marquise Goodwin continues assault on draft boards at Senior Bowl - Burnt Orange Nation

If Wes Welker moves on, Goodwin could be a nice alternative to someone like Tavon Austin, a bit further down in the draft. Take a bigger WR in the 60 range, and then come back around 91 (or perhaps with a trade down into the 4th round to pick up an extra pick) and get Goodwin.

The idea of having guys like Goodwin and Jeff Demps on the field at the same time is intriguing. If they could develop, the breakaway potential would be pretty scary. A lot more speed than we've had in the past.

Thoughts?

Goodwin would have to be the second WR picked up this off season because he's probably not going to make a big impact early as a regular receiver. I liked what I saw of him in the Senior Bowl but we won't want to rely on him. I don't see him as a Welker replacement, his speed looks to be straight line rather than lateral speed but that was just an impression from limited reps.

 

[mayoclinic]

I really like Goodwin. I'm trying to fit him into a mock that I'll try to post tonight.

Reiss highlights Goodwin as a possible WR of interest, FWIW:

Texas wide receiver Marquise Goodwin. Colleague Mike Reiss noted Goodwin in his earlier post relating to the game, and mentioned his unique speed that allowed him to be a downfield threat. I also saw Goodwin make defenders miss on the perimeter in the quick passing game, something the Patriots didn’t have a ton of this season. For example, a few years back, Deion Branch was effective in taking “laser” screens (throws to him on the sideline at or near the line of scrimmage) and turning them into first downs. Goodwin’s elusiveness stood out, and could be effective on such plays.

Prospect glance: WR Goodwin, CB Poyer - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Goodwin would make a nice replacement for Branch, with more elusiveness and breakaway capability.

 

[manxman2601]

Bucky Brooks on Senior Bowl practice standouts.

On Mcfadden:

Leon McFadden, CB, San Diego State: McFadden has been one of the defensive stars, creating quite a buzz in scouting circles. The San Diego State product has shown exceptional short-area quickness and burst in coverage. McFadden routinely blankets receivers in one-on-one and team drills while displaying an ultra-competitive demeanor that is essential to success at the next level. Although he still needs to work on playing man-to-man from an "off" alignment, McFadden's ability to lock down receivers in press coverage has piqued the interest of everyone in attendance.

Who wouldn't want a "lock-down" corner?

Markus Wheaton, Lane Johnson among Senior Bowl standouts - NFL.com

 

[Snake Eyes]

Bucky Brooks on Senior Bowl practice standouts.

On Mcfadden:
Who wouldn't want a "lock-down" corner?

Perhaps BB. He has generally preferred bigger corners who excel in zone coverage, because they're bigger he thinks they're better for run defense.

 

[manxman2601]

Perhaps BB. He has generally preferred bigger corners who excel in zone coverage, because they're bigger he thinks they're better for run defense.

That might be a reason why our pass defense is so lousy. Hey but we're good against the run so there's that :bricks:

Last year, Stephon Gilmore was the drafted high because he was the perfect size corner. He showed some terrible form tackling. Leon Mcfadden is an outstanding tackler. Yes his size limits him but at least he understands that if you wrap your arms around a ball carriers legs, he's not going to be carrying the ball for much longer.

Edit: The bricks weren't directed at you but at BB.

 

[Snake Eyes]

That might be a reason why our pass defense is so lousy. Hey but we're good against the run so there's that :bricks:

Last year, Stephon Gilmore was the drafted high because he was the perfect size corner. He showed some terrible form tackling. Leon Mcfadden is an outstanding tackler. Yes his size limits him but at least he understands that if you wrap your arms around a ball carriers legs, he's not going to be carrying the ball for much longer.

Edit: The bricks weren't directed at you but at BB.

Also, our linebackers thumpers who are perfect for run defense but poor in coverage/pass-rushing. All this means we can beat up on bad teams who have to run because their QBs stink but we get eaten alive by the kind of elite passing offenses we will see in the post-season, and forget about our LBs trying to defend a QB like Kaepernick who is a run threat himself.

In this regarding I think BB is starting to lag behind the times, he's building the perfect defense to counter a 1980s offense, and the weak defense means that the burden falls on the offense, which we've seen for a while.

 

[Wilfork#75]

The CB I really like is Aaron Hester from UCLA. He has great size and length at 6'1" 204lbs, solid speed, good fluidity and agility. He shows good potential in man coverage, using his length to press at the line. But he is only average in zone coverage, which hopefully wont be an issue. He is a good special teamer, solid in run support and I believe one of the more underrated CB's in the draft. He could be a really solid 4th or 5th round CB who would fit well with our new, aggressive press man defense.

 

[mayoclinic]

Former Miami S Ray Ray Armstrong is listed in the weigh in for the Texas vs. the Nation game, so I assume that means he's coming out. He weight's in at 6'3" 227#:

Official Weigh-In Results from Texas vs. Nation Game | National Football Post

 

[mayoclinic]

Texas vs. the Nation notes from Dane Brugler's:

2013 Texas vs. Nation: Receivers stand out in practice - CBSSports

 

[Pats0204]

Former Miami S Ray Ray Armstrong is listed in the weigh in for the Texas vs. the Nation game, so I assume that means he's coming out. He weight's in at 6'3" 227#:

Official Weigh-In Results from Texas vs. Nation Game | National Football Post

Mayo,
From what I understand on Armstrong is that he was highly touted coming out of high school and has yet to live up to the hype. He was suspended twice (i think) and ultimately dismissed from Miami then attempted to transfer to Faulkner University (NAIA) but was ultimately ruled ineligible.

He is a monster of a physical safety specimen with good speed for his size. Seems he has a ton of potential but may be one of those kids that never gets it. What are your thoughts on him? Would you take a late round (7th) flyer on him? I'd love to hear your opinion.

 

[mayoclinic]

Mayo,
From what I understand on Armstrong is that he was highly touted coming out of high school and has yet to live up to the hype. He was suspended twice (i think) and ultimately dismissed from Miami then attempted to transfer to Faulkner University (NAIA) but was ultimately ruled ineligible.

He is a monster of a physical safety specimen with good speed for his size. Seems he has a ton of potential but may be one of those kids that never gets it. What are your thoughts on him? Would you take a late round (7th) flyer on him? I'd love to hear your opinion.

I've never followed Armstrong very closely, and haven't generally been a fan. I mentioned him specifically because a few other people had suggested him as a possible late round/UDFA prospect, and because there was confusion about whether he was going to try and return to Miami or come out for the draft. Since he's playing in a pre-draft bowl game, I assume he's definitely in the 2013 draft, and I thought that was worth of mention.

Armstrong is a bit like Kenny Tate. 2 years ago Tate was high on my list as a big safety with range. Then he got moved to LB and got hurt, and the bottom fell out. Who knows where he's at now? He could be done, or he could be a steal. Same with Armstrong, though for different reasons. He's a big kid with good movement skills for his size who has talent. He's been out of football for a year, and he's never lived up to the hype. There are issues. At best he's a 7th round/UDFA pickup, but he might be worth a shot in that range given his potential and measurables. I personally don't know and don't really have a judgment on the kid. There would need to be a lot more careful evaluation before I'd be willing to take a stand on him one way or the other, but he's certainly someone of interest who bears watching.

 

[VJCPatriot]

NFL Draft - 2013 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Markus Wheaton - #63 overall

Quinton Patton - #73 overall

Would love to get one of those guys in round 2. We have pick #59 so at least one of them should last that long.

Datone Jones in round 3 could be nice as well. You can never have too much passrush!

What about the Margus Hunt kid? The guy has intriguing size at 6'8 277 lbs and he bats down a lot of balls. From what I've read he has blocked 17 kicks in his college career already! Could put a lot of pressure on the QB with his swats near the line of scrimmage.
Margus Hunt | Southern Methodist, DE : 2013 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

 

[EwanSellars]

margus hunt would be nice but i think someone will pick before where we would try and get him if its 3rd round id do it but theres guys in the 2nd that id rather have than hunt

 

[Sciz]

What about the Margus Hunt kid? The guy has intriguing size at 6'8 277 lbs and he bats down a lot of balls. From what I've read he has blocked 17 kicks in his college career already! Could put a lot of pressure on the QB with his swats near the line of scrimmage.
Margus Hunt*|*Southern Methodist,*DE*:*2013 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

He's raw and old, which isn't a good combination. I've basically taken him off my board now that the Pats have Armstead as that "power LE" player. Hunt has all of the talent in the world, but if it takes him 3 years to become a productive NFL player, he'll already be 30.