The Senior Bowl Thread

[captain stone]

Yeah, I've noticed that too, e.g. Pauline's & Loyko's opinions of Bootstrap Billy Turner
from Monday's practice.

 

[mayoclinic]

Yeah, I've noticed that too, e.g. Pauline's & Loyko's opinions of Bootstrap Billy Turner
from Monday's practice.

Well, he's either a future multiple Pro Bowl player, a turnstile, or something in-between. That narrows it nicely.

 

[mayoclinic]

From Charlie Campbell at Walter Football:

- The defensive lineman who had the best practice was Minnesota defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman. He was an absolute force at beating offensive linemen with power and speed. Hageman beat Colorado State center Weston Richburg with a bull rush. A strong rip was employed to gain leverage on Michigan's Michael Schofield as Hageman surged his way into the marker. Hageman also rocked Zack Martin off balance with the initial surge and then used his speed to run by Martin to the quarterback marker. To finish off the one-on-ones, Hageman beat Cyril Richardson with speed and strength. Richburg earned a draw on one play, but overall, Hageman consistently made it into the backfield during the one-on-ones and team scrimmage. The Senior Bowl is letting Hageman demonstrate why he belongs in the first round next May.

- Falcons offensive line coach had Zack Martin play guard on Tuesday. He excelled at left tackle for Notre Dame and was phenomenal there on Monday. However, moving him to the inside gave him problems with the size and power of the interior defensive linemen. Martin really struggled with Ra'Shede Hageman, but Hageman is a first-round talent. If Martin (6-4, 305) is moved inside to guard in the NFL, he is going to need to add more power to take on heavy defensive tackles. However, Martin may not have the frame to add much more.

- Another defender who had a good day was Louisville outside linebacker Marcus Smith. He beat Martin with a speed rush around the edge in the one-on-ones. During the team scrimmage, Smith was able to charge off the edge and did a nice job of leaping to bat a pass down. He also had a tackle for a loss as he pushed Pedersen into the backfield before shedding him and stuffing Wisconsin running back James White behind the line.

Smith ate up the running backs and tight ends in the blitzing one-one-ones. He beat Pedersen with speed and then pushed him to the side. Smith also beat Marshall tight end Gator Hoskins off the edge, though Hoskins was the only one to win a rep against Smith. Iowa's C.J. Fiedorowicz also lost to Smith's speed rush. The nation's second-leading sacker in 2013, Smith didn't have big impact on the first day, but he was much more active on Tuesday.

- Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald was a superstar on Monday. On Tuesday, he had another solid showing, but he didn't dominate like he did in the first session. Donald used his speed to beat Miami's Brandon Linder in the one-on-ones. Donald had draw going against Richburg as he got some pressure in the pocket before being stopped. During the team scrimmage, Donald fired into the backfield to cause an incompletion on a three-step drop by Tajh Boyd. Donald was so disruptive off the snap that the play was going nowhere from the get-go. Through two days, Donald has done well for himself in Mobile.

- Stanford outside linebacker Trent Murphy had a better day on Tuesday than his Monday practice. He beat Ohio State offensive tackle Jack Mewhort during the team scrimmage with a speed rush to get what would have been a sack of Logan Thomas. Murphy repeated that when he killed Mewhort with a speed rush to force Tajh Boyd out of the pocket on a rollout. Murphy also had some wins in the one-on-ones and took advantage of Mewhort. Following Monday's practice, this was a nice bounceback performance for Murphy.

WalterFootball.com: 2014 Senior Bowl Practice Report

 

[mayoclinic]

Campbell on the South practice:

- Unfortunately there was a tragedy for the draft hopes of Oklahoma cornerback Aaron Colvin. On a one-on-one rep against Florida's Solomon Patton, the two got their feet tangled, and Colvin landed awkwardly on the ground. He was helped off the field and received attention from the training staff. It turned out that Colvin has a torn ACL, which will knock him out of pre-draft workouts and could impact when he can start practicing during his rookie season. Hopefully Colvin makes a quick recovery.

- The Senior Bowl announced that Tennessee offensive tackle Ju'Wuan James (knee sprain), Fresno State tight end Marcel Jensen (abdominal sprain) and Alabama defensive end Ed Stinson (groin sprain) all pulled out of the Senior Bowl with their selective injuries. Colorado State tight end Crockett Gilmore will be added on Wednesday.

- Tennessee defensive tackle Daniel McCullers had a good practice on Tuesday. He did very well in the one-on-ones. McCullers started out by beating Arkansas center Travis Swanson by bull rushing him straight back. He did the same thing to Florida State center Bryan Stork, North Dakota State lineman Billy Turner and Oklahoma center Gabe Ikard. McCullers doesn't have a lot of pass-rushing moves, but he is so massive he can have success with bull rushes even when blockers know that it's coming. McCullers needs to play with proper leverage and pad level, but when he gets his weight low, he is tough to stop. In the team scrimmage, McCullers pushed his way into the backfield to trip up running back Jerick McKinnon for a loss of a few yards. He also stuffed another run. McCullers would fit well as a 3-4 nose tackle.

- Virginia defensive end/tackle Brent Urban had a good day. He beat Nevada's Joe Bitonio with a bull rush to win a a rep. He shed a block from Ikard for another win, but Urban lost going against Mississippi State's Gabe Jackson. Urban looks like he would fit best as a 3-4 defensive end.

- Jackson was the most impressive offensive lineman on the South team. He had a nice win against Princeton's Caraun Reid and did good job of run blocking in the team scrimmage. The powerful Jackson looks ready to play in the NFL right now.

- Auburn defensive end/outside linebacker Dee Ford was impressive again. He is so fast off the edge, he is tough for offensive tackles to handle. Ford burned Billy Turner with a speed rush around the edge. He followed that up flying by Vanerbilt's Wes Johnson, Virginia's Morgan Moses and Turner again.

- Turner is raw and needs development, but he flashes the ability to get the job done. He did beat Ford on one rep and Turner also stuffed a rush from Arizona State's Will Sutton. Turner easily beat Alabama's Adrian Hubbard on one lackluster rush in which Hubbard looked like he was playing containment. Hubbard came back to get Turner with a speed rush. Arkansas' Chris Smith beat Turner badly with a speed rush and then a spin move. Turner looks like a day-three project.

- Smith had a good practice on Tuesday. He used his speed to get a lot of pressure in the backfield. He showed the ability to drop his hips when he dipped underneath Florida guard/tackle Jon Halapio to win a rep. He used a blinding spin move to beat Turner. The only rep he looked bad in was when Morgan Moses got a hold of him and pushed him around the field. Smith has a nice assortment of moves, and 3-4 teams have to be thinking hard about him as an edge rusher.

- Utah cornerback Keith McGill was impressive. He did well in the one-on-ones and looked fluid in the defensive back drills for such a bigger cornerback (6-3, 214). To get his one-on-ones started, McGill jammed Jordan Matthews hard and stayed with him to slap a pass away. It was a near interception for McGill. Matthews couldn't get separation from McGill on two other routes, but Matthews did out fight McGill for a reception. McGill will interest teams that want to employ big corners on the edge.

- BYU wide receiver Cody Hoffman had a nice day. He showed some strength and route-running to get some completions in the one-on-ones. To get it started, he shoved Liberty cornerback Walt Aikens away when Aikens tried to jam him and Hoffman was quickly open on a slant. He beat Aikens on a comeback route and outfought another defensive back for a reception on a slant. A lack of speed hurts Hoffman, but he makes up for it in other ways.

WalterFootball.com: 2014 Senior Bowl Practice Report

 

[mayoclinic]

From Bucky Brooks:

» BYU LB Kyle Van Noy: Van Noy has flown under the radar at the Senior Bowl, but scouts are very impressed with his disruptive skills and versatility. He has played four positions -- DE, SAM, WILL and MIKE -- and displayed exceptional playmaking skills at each spot.

Van Noy is a very good athlete with impressive instincts and awareness. He is a ball magnet in space, with a natural feel for reading and reacting to the passing game. As a rusher, Van Noy is sneaky smooth off the edge. He isn't the most explosive pass rusher but has a knack for sequencing his moves and bending around the corner on speed rushes.

Although I don't see him as an every-down rusher based on my assessment of his college game film, I definitely believe Van Noy could thrive as a blitzer in nickel situations. He has a feel for slipping through cracks to get to the quarterback, which is critical to succeeding as a rusher at the next level.

» Louisville DE Marcus Smith: Smith is attempting to transition to linebacker at the Senior Bowl, but the move doesn't suit his skill set. The 6-3, 260 pound sack artist looks uncomfortable playing in space as a pass defender in coverage. That's to be expected from a defender who primarily played with his hand in the dirt, but his overall lack of athleticism and explosiveness makes it hard to envision him making the transition at the next level.

Additionally, Smith hasn't shown special skills as a pass rusher off the edge. He lacks the first-step quickness and burst to turn the corner on pass rush attempts. Speaking to a NFC South scout familiar with Smith's game, he told me that the Cardinals' star was a "one-trick pony" without the burst to win consistently on speed rushes. Additionally, he pointed out that Smith's gaudy production was inflated by his success as an interior rusher in nickel situations. With spread teams routinely using wide splits on the offensive line, Smith was able to use his agility and quickness to sneak past interior blockers. However, Smith's athleticism isn't regarded as elite by pro standards, making it unlikely for him to duplicate his success as a rusher at the next level.

Dee Ford, Aaron Donald lead top linemen at Senior Bowl - NFL.com

 

[captain stone]

Looks like Brooks is not a member of the Marcus Smith (aka the Next Jamie Collins) Fan Club.

 

[mayoclinic]

Looks like Brooks is not a member of the Marcus Smith (aka the Next Jamie Collins) Fan Club.

I take all of the "next Jamie Collins" talk with a large grain of salt. Scott Wright has already suggested that Christian Jones could be a Collins-like player (see post #99 above). Marcus Smith and Kyle Van Noy are both athletic and versatile players. Mackenzie has compared Van Noy to Collins, and Manx has compared Smith to Collins. I want to see how they do at the Combine and in drills more.

I think Collins is actually a pretty rare bird, not just in terms of his freakish ability, but also in terms of his learning curve. He changed positions and/or schemes essentially every year in college, and played at a high level each time. Of course he was "raw" given that he never had more than 1 year to work on technique at any position/system. But he's showed this season that he's a very quick learner. What I've been most impressed in the last 2 games is how fundamentally sound his technique is, whether in pass coverage or setting the edge. He really seems to be absorbing the coaching well, and getting more and more technically sound. With his athleticism, I really think he could be another Von Miller.

I'm not sure there is another true "Jamie Collins" clone out there. I'm ok with someone who comes close, and I'll be keeping a close eye on Van Noy, Smith and Jones over the next 3 months. But I'm a tad skeptical. I think we really hit the jackpot with Collins. He was a guy I had on a lot of my mocks last year, but I never really thought the Pats would go after him. I'm hoping BB can tell a good thing when he sees hit, and gets some more versatile athletic freaks this May.

 

[mayoclinic]

Notes on Tuesday's North practice from Mike Loyko:

4. Colorado State Center Weston Richburg really impressed my in one on one drills. In back to back reps he handled Minnesota DT Ra’Shede Hageman and Pitt DT Aaron Donald both on different types of rush moves. He’s been running with the first team in practice and clearly has the strength and feet to play in the NFL. By the time the draft process is over it’s not going to surprise me if he’s the top center off the board.

5. Speaking of Ra’Shede Hageman I thought he had a much better day. He utilized his bullrush a lot today and while he was creating pressure, he was having a tough time actually getting off the blocks. After a few reps Hageman started showing more, including a strong, sudden swim move that would have resulted in a sack. He was also more disruptive in 11 on 11 drills, where the defensive line did well in team drills. It should be noted Hageman has played mostly 3-Tech down here, but most people including myself think he’s a 5-Tech.

7. Trent Murphy flashed multiple times in practice today. For a bigger man he showed above average bend while accelerating around the corner and created multiple pressures from his end position. The one thing that stands out down here like it did at Stanford is the motor and effort he gives each play. He refuses to stop or give up on a play until the whistle and he will simply out work an offensive tackle until he gives in.

8. Jordan Zumwalt is a bad man. He brings a physical presence to the field and just goes around looking to blow people up. He showed how physically imposing he can be today during LB/RB rush drills. He attacked the RB with a head of steam and set them up for a fierce swim move that resulted in the RB whiffing completely. While he’s not the best in coverage, and certainly won’t win any 40 yard dash races, he’s the type of ILB that teams need on 1st and 2nd down to set the tone in the run game. On top of that he’s got great size and a presence about him. After practice he was doing interviews with blood streaming down his face.

12. Zack Martin continued his strong play today. Of course he will get beat every now and then, but his most impressive rep of the day came vs. James Gayle. Gayle beat him initially off the snap, Martin was able to recover and when Gayle tried to counter inside Martin moved his feet and cut off the inside, ultimately stonewalling Gayle. The reason Martin is so good, is because he keeps it simple. He utilizes sound technique, keeps his hips lower, and moves his feet really well. He’s knows how to get hands on with the DE and just take him where he’s trying to go, usually out of the play.

2014 Senior Bowl: North Practice Notes from Day Two | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2014 NFL Draft

 

[mayoclinic]

I take all of the "next Jamie Collins" talk with a large grain of salt. Scott Wright has already suggested that Christian Jones could be a Collins-like player (see post #99 above). Marcus Smith and Kyle Van Noy are both athletic and versatile players. Mackenzie has compared Van Noy to Collins, and Manx has compared Smith to Collins. I want to see how they do at the Combine and in drills more.

I think Collins is actually a pretty rare bird, not just in terms of his freakish ability, but also in terms of his learning curve. He changed positions and/or schemes essentially every year in college, and played at a high level each time. Of course he was "raw" given that he never had more than 1 year to work on technique at any position/system. But he's showed this season that he's a very quick learner. What I've been most impressed in the last 2 games is how fundamentally sound his technique is, whether in pass coverage or setting the edge. He really seems to be absorbing the coaching well, and getting more and more technically sound. With his athleticism, I really think he could be another Von Miller.

I'm not sure there is another true "Jamie Collins" clone out there. I'm ok with someone who comes close, and I'll be keeping a close eye on Van Noy, Smith and Jones over the next 3 months. But I'm a tad skeptical. I think we really hit the jackpot with Collins. He was a guy I had on a lot of my mocks last year, but I never really thought the Pats would go after him. I'm hoping BB can tell a good thing when he sees hit, and gets some more versatile athletic freaks this May.

I think that there are 5-7 LBs or undersized DEs with a lot of versatility who will compete intensely for draft position over the next 3 months:

- Kyle Van Noy, BYU. 6' 3 1/4" 244#.
- Marcus Smith, Arkansas. 6' 3 1/2" 258#.
- Dee Ford, Auburn. 6' 2 1/8" 243#.
- Jeremiah Attoachu, Georgia Tech. 6' 3 1/4" 252#.
- Christian Jones, Florida St. 6' 3 3/8" 234#.
- Demarcus Lawrence, Boise St. 6' 3" 245#.
- Carl Bradford, Arizona St. 6'1" 241#.

All of these guys have been moved all over their respective defenses, used in coverage, and used as pass rushers.

 

[mayoclinic]

Aaron Colvin has been getting rave reviews on day one. a 6' press corner makes him interesting from a Pats perspective. Currently slated to go in the 3rd round.

Horrible news from the Senior Bowl today. Colvin appears to have suffered a serious knee injury, feared to be an ACL tear:

Oklahoma Sooners CB Aaron Colvin may have serious leg injury

Tough break.

Aaron Colvin's response to his heartbreaking injury:

"As many of you know I did catch an unfortunatel break today. No, I don't know why it happened to me but it did and I know there's a special reason for it. I can sit here and cry about it or I can work my butt off to still make it happen, which I will! ... I will come back bigger, stronger and faster and I WILL be the most dominant DB in the league (mark my words) when I get my opportunity. ... I truly believe God gives his biggest battles to his strongest soldiers and he knows he has [a] warrior right here."

https://twitter.com/AColvin14/status/425821866482475008/photo/1

I want this kid.

BTW, he also played SS for Oklahoma as a sophomore, so he has nice size, man-press capability, and versatility. He'll be a late round pick or UDFA, and I hope we get him.

 

[Drake&BarmoreFTW]

Aaron Colvin's response to his heartbreaking injury:



https://twitter.com/AColvin14/status/425821866482475008/photo/1

I want this kid.

BTW, he also played SS for Oklahoma as a sophomore, so he has nice size, man-press capability, and versatility. He'll be a late round pick or UDFA, and I hope we get him.

Could he possibly be a Gregory replacement?

 

[mayoclinic]

Could he possibly be a Gregory replacement?

I'm not thinking that far ahead. Pick him up late or UDFA, let him heal up and get back into shape. He could be a good backup outside CB with versatility for depth at safety initially. If his motivation, drive and work ethic are what's implied, then he will eventually declare himself.

 

[mayoclinic]

Wednesday North practice notes from Tony Pauline:

Stanley Jean-Baptiste DB Nebraska
6023 215 8 1/2 32 3/8

Wed: Really played well and stepped it up. Made a terrific pass defense in the end zone, using his size and athleticism to knock away the ball. Looks like he has a ton of upside.

Will Clarke DL West Virginia
6061 271 9 1/2 33 3/8

Wed: Athletic and explosive but needs to add bulk and get stronger.

Aaron Donald DL Pittsburgh
6007 288 9 7/8 31 3/4

Wed: Another big time performance from Donald. Unstoppable. Showed a variety of skill. Massive week for the undersized defensive lineman.

Ra’Shede Hageman DL Minnesota
6060 318 9 5/8 33 3/4

Wed: Another inconsistent day. Looks like Tarzan at times then plays like Jane. Makes one good play then disappears for stretches.

Marcus Smith DL Louisville
6034 258 9 5/8 33 1/4

Wed: Saw time at linebacker during drills and struggled in pass coverage. Looked stiff and unsure of himself.

Trent Murphy LB Stanford
6053 252 10 7/8 33 1/8

Wed: Fell back to the pack today. Really struggled getting off blocks and was handled. Scouts tell me there’s a bit of concern as to where he’ll play at the next level.

Zack Martin OL Notre Dame
6041 305 9 3/4 32 1/4

Wed: Looked good in every area. Uses his hands well and shows the ability to adjust to speed rushers. I was never one to stamp Martin as a potential first round pick yet I think its a definite possibility after the past three days.

Weston Richburg OL Colorado State
6034 300 9 31 3/4

Wed: Up and down day. Had moments where he looked good yet was also overrun by Hageman.

Senior Bowl: North Team Practice Page

 

[mayoclinic]

From Scott Wright:

Marcus Smith of Louisville is attempting to make the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker and is struggling, much like Michael Sam of Missouri. There are no concerns about Smith’s ability moving forward and rushing off the edge but whether or not he can get the job done in coverage is still a major question mark.

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

That seems to be a pretty consistent critique of Smith during this week. Not that he can't learn, but it hasn't been seamless by any means.

I will be very interested in seeing Smith's Combine numbers, especially his 10 yard split, vertical, broad jump and 3-cone. Does he have the raw athleticism and explosiveness that Jamie Collins has, or at least something close to it?

 

[manxman2601]

From Scott Wright:



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

That seems to be a pretty consistent critique of Smith during this week. Not that he can't learn, but it hasn't been seamless by any means.

I will be very interested in seeing Smith's Combine numbers, especially his 10 yard split, vertical, broad jump and 3-cone. Does he have the raw athleticism and explosiveness that Jamie Collins has, or at least something close to it?

This at least will be good.

Not worried about Smith at all.

 

[mayoclinic]

This at least will be good.

Not worried about Smith at all.

I'm not implying that I'm "worried" about him. In fact, too impressive a showing right now isn't what we want. I'm happy with him staying under the radar with people doubting where he fits. I think he'll have some growing pains making the transition to playing in space more, but if his numbers show enough athleticism and he has the right work ethic, he'll be fine.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm not implying that I'm "worried" about him. In fact, too impressive a showing right now isn't what we want. I'm happy with him staying under the radar with people doubting where he fits. I think he'll have some growing pains making the transition to playing in space more, but if his numbers show enough athleticism and he has the right work ethic, he'll be fine.

He looks smooth on tape, was the star of the 7 on 7 yesterday and was being credited for his abilities to drop back earlier in the week. I take one bad day at the Senior Bowl with a pinch of salt.

 

[Peachhead]

Could he possibly be a Gregory replacement?

IMO A. Colvin he doesn't really have the game style (and I'd like a SS about 20 lbs heavier) I would like in a SS*. But I would love to have him in a Pats uni. BB would find a place for him.

(*I like a SS that almost like a small cover LB, and hits like a truck. Colvin seems to be more of a FS/CB type. IOW something like McCourty.)

 

[patsfaninpa]

Don't want to take Donald at 29. But, if we trade into mid 2nd and pick up an extra 3. Mid-2nd might be a sweet landing spot. Start Wilfork and Silver Slugger bring Donald and
Armstead/Jones in to get after the qb.

Best WR available at 61. Doubt Jordan Matthews lasts that long. But, who knows? A lot of good wr's in this draft.

Get your C in mid-3rd and te at 93.

 

[Peachhead]

Wednesday North practice notes from Tony Pauline:

Zack Martin OL Notre Dame
6041 305 9 3/4 32 1/4

Wed: Looked good in every area. Uses his hands well and shows the ability to adjust to speed rushers. I was never one to stamp Martin as a potential first round pick yet I think its a definite possibility after the past three days.


Senior Bowl: North Team Practice Page

I love Zack Martin. But I'm a little torn. IMO he's Logan Mankins part 2. I think Martin could excel at LG and fill in at LT in a pinch. But we already have Logan Mankins part 1.

I'm not sure Martin would work well at RG and I wouldn't want him at either tackle spot full time. I don't think he quite has the feet of Solder or Vollmer or the power of Cannon (and I have no idea if he can play C worth a damn). Personally I would like to get rid of Mankins. For the money he makes he sure seems to find the worst times to have a brainfart. But I'm sure plenty would vehemently disagree with me about Mankins.

Then there's the whole thing about how I don't like to draft interior OL in the 1st, and I doubt Martin would make it to our late 2nd.