NCAA Scouting
2012 Senior Bowl Review
by Paul Emery
January 30th 2012
 
A look at Senior Bowl week and which prospects made themselves some money and equally who didn't do so well and lost some cash.
 
Quarterbacks
 
I thought the QB play as a whole was uninspiring all week and that continued in the game. Michigan State's Kirk Cousins was probably the pick in the week, but in the game he missed a big play down the sideline which was a major concern. His interception was more the receiver's fault, but he didn't look like Christian Ponder last year and so does slip down my board.
 
Most people thought Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden had the best week – but in the game he was also very average. In commentary Mike Mayock was talking about him as a potential first round pick – but his second interception was just awful and in no way can you consider him such a high pick making a throw like that. Against three deep coverage, he had a receiver down the sideline, but threw the pass low and inside right to Jamell Fleming.
 
The other four QB's were below average/poor. Russell Wilson (Wisconsin) had his moments rolling out, but struggled inside the pocket – including missing a TD pass to McNutt on a corner route. Nick Foles (Arizona) struggled to reset his feet when he went to his second read and had two low passes, but looked off other than a couple of passes to college team mate Jeron Criner. San Diego State's Ryan Lindley looked to have worked some on his footwork (see my Bowl Games Part One article), the key for him will be cleaning that up between now and his pro day – will he work hard enough to do so? Finally, Boise State's Kellen Moore did look better in the actual game and wasn't helped by two big drops – but in practice he looked poor, with his arm strength being the major problem.
 
Running Backs
 
I was excited to see Washington's Chris Polk get an invite, but unfortunately he had a poor week. He struggled in pass protection drills and even in the game just couldn't get going as a runner. He looked heavy and slow. He's hurt his stock as much as anyone in attendance I feel. Florida's Chris Rainey also saw time at WR in practice and looked good in the week, but had a very quiet game. He didn't really get on track as a returner, although he had one 16 yard PR.
 
Baylor's Terrance Ganaway also had his problems in pass protection and like Polk seemed to take too long to get up to speed.
 
Two of the North backs looked better. Isiah Pead (Cincinnati) had some nice runs in practice, although was held in check in the game. However, he did have two nice punt returns. He's under 200 lbs and this may limit his stock – but he looked like he belonged. Boise State's Doug Martin only had a few runs in the game, but managed to look good on two of them. He had a nice block downfield after a catch. Like Pead he flashed in practice.
 
Ohio State's Dan 'Boom' Herron is someone who I like and he showed his ability on a 13 yard run – having nothing inside and seeing space outside to get the nice gain. Again, he didn't get much of a chance in the game unfortunately. Late add Lennon Creer (Louisiana Tech) was MVP of the Shrine Game the week before and had a nice run – taking on Audie Cole at the end of it.
 
Tight Ends/Fullbacks
 
Alabama seem to produce a steady steam of late round/free agent move TE/HB types, but Brad Smelley did a nice job and helped his stock. He made a couple of nice diving catches in practice and showed toughness as a blocker. I think I may have done him a disservice by thinking he was a limited free agent type – not super fast, but he looked good. Another guy who looked like he belonged was Emil Igwenago (Massachusetts) (pictured below). In college he had experience at FB, HB and TE and that versatility was on show in this one and indeed the week before in the Shrine Game. From FB he had a nice block on Zach Brown and then at TE drive Melvin Ingram way back. He also caught a short out and turned it into a 12 yard gain. Certainly he's worth a draft pick.
 
Considering Missouri's Michael Egnew had little experience as a traditional inline TE, he did a decent job as a blocker – he had a short catch in the game, he doesn't look super fast which is my main concern – so he'll need a big combine.
 
Ladarius Green (Louisiana-Lafayette) looked better in practice than in the game, where he was only thrown to once (and that was a high ball). He did give better effort as a blocker than I saw at times in season though. Michigan State's Brian Linthicum struggled to shake Keenan Robinson in coverage and wasn't overpowering as a blocker.
 
Wide Receivers
 
The star of the game was Joe Adams (Arkansas), he did fumble after this first reception – but after that he shone, showing ability to break tackles after the catch. He also looked quick running routes in practice and should push for a top 100 spot as a slot receiver. The other receiver to raise his stock was Arizona's Juron Criner. He had the reputation as someone who doesn't take coaching, so that may hold his stock despite his week. He clearly had the advantage of knowing one of the QB's, but still made some plays all week.
 
Cal's Marvin Jones had a good week of practice, but only caught the one pass in the game (a TD though). He was able to get behind Dennard a couple of times – he does take a while to get moving – but certainly will have raised some eyebrows with his play.
 
On the negative side Texas A&M's Jeff Fuller struggled with drops throughout the week, including the game. He struggled as a senior with a hamstring injury and one report I read said he was also dealing with turf toe. He's not the same player as he was as a junior and as the old saying goes 'never draft someone on their junior tape'. He should slip into the third day, when he was a possible first rounder coming into the year. Small schooler Brian Quick (Appalchian State) had a shocker of a practice on Monday with three drops. Now Mike Mayock in commentary said he improved every day, but perhaps NFL Network was in commercial when he did something. Just two short catches in the game and despite his improvement after the mid-season QB change for App State I have yet to connect with him as a top prospect (which started with Jayron Hosley shutting him down early in the year). Another who struggles was North Carolina's Dwight Jones – he flashed athletic ability the past two years, but struggled in practice against press coverage and had a quiet game. He could rescue his stock with a good combine, but he's another who I have yet to connect with.
 
Offensive Line
 
The big winner from the game was Ohio State's Mike Adams who was up against a talented South defensive line, but did well. In practice he had some problems at times and although he gave up a sack in the game to Upshaw, it was a coverage sack. I think he has the feet to be a pro left tackle and that should be worth a first round pick – you just have to remember the breakdowns as a senior to temper your enthusiasm.
 
The two similar body types – Cordy Glenn (Georgia) and Kelechi Osemele (Iowa State) had differing weeks. Glenn did enough to suggest he can stay at right tackle as a pro, but Osemele was the opposite (including a poor game) and is likely headed inside to guard, which will cost him some money. From their senior years I admit I had Osemele ahead of Glenn, but I will now reverse them. Conerning in commentary for Osemele is that Charles Davis mentioned there are some rumblings from scouts about a poor work ethic...
 
A tackle who many like as a day two pick in UAB's Matt McCants had a tough week in practice – he's tall, but doesn't bend well enough and Vinny Curry jacked him back into the QB in the game. Florida State's Zebrie Sanders generally had a poor week in practice and have up a sack to Curry in the game. He looks very heavy footed setting up in pass protection, but might be too tall for pro Guard. Interestingly NFL Network's Charles Davis was talking about him being uncomfortable at right tackle as the reason for his struggles – yet he played the position this season before Andrew Datko got hurt – so that is complete and utter nonsense.
 
One of my favourites Baylor Center Philip Blake had a couple of problems in the game and in practice – but overall had a positive week. He worked at guard in the game and he generally does a nice job getting under his man. He does duck his head off the snap some, so that could be the reason for his move to guard in the game and if that comes out of his game I think he can start.
 
Ohio State's Mike Brewster ended up playing most of the game as the other Center Garth Gerhart was hurt early in the week and no one else could manage a snap! He struggled to anchor some in pass protection – but his battles with Michigan's Mike Martin were fierce and I liked the way he didn't back down from someone who he battled with in college. Georgia's Ben Jones also had problem anchoring against power – Ta'amu gave him problems in the game and in the pit he struggled at times. Another center, Alabama's William Vlachos was simply destroyed on Tuesday in practice – but to his credit came back with a better Wednesday effort. He is limited by his size and inability to anchor.
 
One guy who didn't play well was Wisconsin's Kevin Zeitler, I thought he looked very average in the pit in practice although he did have a better game. He may need a little work in pass protection that I had thought.
 
Defensive Line
 
The star of practice was South Carolina's Melvin Ingram, who had wins against pretty much everyone he came up against. In the game he lined up at 4-3 DE and DT – plus stood up a little as a 3-4 OLB – but interestingly did very little. There's something about him that's just nagging at me and it's stopping me putting him into my top 32.
 
Also showing up well was Alabama's Courtney Upshaw who had a solid game. In the game he showed good backside contain and an ability to set the edge in the run game. He's not super fast off the edge – but he can win the leverage battle and despite having short arms was able to get into Mike Adams on his sack in the game and eventually get off the block.
 
North Carolina's Quinton Coples is a real enigma. At times he looks like a top 10 pick, but he's not consistent with it. He looked good in practice and flashed in the game – but equally had bad moments (including losing backside contain early in the game, well picked out by Mike Mayock). As a GM he might make you look very good – or cost you your job...
 
Marshall's Vinny Curry is someone who I have liked all year, outside of an average Bowl game performance. He had a good week and also showed up in the game with a sack. Florida's DT Jaye Howard had a very good week of practice and after only flashing on tape, helped himself. Texas DT Kheeston Randall was working with a ton of energy early in the week and having some wins in the pit – but he seemed to run out of steam on Wednesday when he was controlled. He was fairly quiet in the game, so he's a little bit of a boom or bust guy.
 
Connecticut's Kendall Reyes didn't play that well down the stretch – but had a really good week in the pit. He also had a sack in the game, so is one of the big winners of the week. Clemson's Brandon Thompson is another who didn't play well late in the year, but he also had a good week and will have pushed his stock back up. He moves well for a big man and will suit a one gap 3-4 team (like Houston) as a NT.
 
Washington's big NT Alameda Ta'amu proved to be a real load one on one in the pit, where he used his power to consistently get push. He had a tackle for loss in the game, just overpowering Ben Jones – plus read a screen to make another play for a loss. He had a poor senior year, but I think partly because he's a big man with some ability he won't slip too far. Michigan's Mike Martin showed well in the pit and showed he is more than the old school two down man I thought. He was doubled much of the time in the game and was kept fairly quiet.
 
Boise State's Billy Winn was a flash player in college but there was not even any of that on show throughout the week. I paid careful attention to him in the game and he did nothing at DT or DE. He certainly hurt his stock in a big way.
 
Finally, Virginia's Cam Johnson had some success in the pit – beating Mike Adams a couple of times. He showed good hand use and some quickness with his first step. He did struggle to make an impact in the game though and for some with a limited sack total he's a bit of head scratcher.
 
Linebackers
 
NFL Network didn't show us much of the LB's in practice, so I watched these guys closely in the game. My favourite LB this year is Keenan Robinson (Texas) who played strongside LB in the game and did a nice job in coverage. He showed he can get off blocks and in practice had success in the pass rush drills vs the RB's.
 
One prospect who totally changed my view of him is Utah State's Bobby Wagner (pictured right). He separated himself from the crowded weakside LB class at the weigh in (241 lbs) and made a standout play in practice being very physical with Chris Polk in coverage and blowing up the route. In the game he was very good, he had an interception, a pass breakup, a tackle for loss on a screen and two tackles on special teams. I'd not seen this on tape, so I need to go back and watch him again.
 
North Carolina State's Audie Cole was playing weakside LB at 248 lbs, which was interesting (Lavonte David at 225 lbs was on the strongside). He looked rather linear (didn't change directions well) and the more I see him, the more he moves down my board. Emmanuel Acho (Texas) doesn't look to be a great athlete – chasing one play he looked pedestrian. He made a couple of plays by peeling off blocks, but that means the back gets a good gain, which was the case.
 
Nevada's James-Michael Johnson had a nice interception late in the game, getting good depth in zone coverage (something he showed in season also). He took some false steps in the game, but once he sees it and comes downhill he can make some plays (he'll be a good special teams player and indeed had a kickoff return tackle).
 
I didn't see much of Miami's Sean Spence and Nebraska's Lavonte David in the game – more so of Spence who made some plays in the second half, so I'm still a little unsure on the pair. Hopefully I'll find the game somewhere online to find them.
 
Defensive Backs
 
Georgia's Brandon Boykin had a mixed week. He was able to get physical with receivers, but did have a couple of negative plays in the game. Gerrell Robinson span behind him as Russell Wilson rolled left and Marvin McNutt got separation on him on a corner route, but Wilson's pass was poor.
 
Vanderbilt's Casey Hayward and Donnie Fletcher (Boston College) both had poor weeks. Hayward seemed to be worried about getting beaten deep and there was none of the quickness out of his breaks he showed in a productive senior year. Fletcher struggled in practice and was picked on rather in the game. Both may well fall out of the top 100.
 
All the buzz out of the Shrine Game was about Coastal Carolina's Josh Norman. In the actual Shrine Game he was beaten twice on double moves (matching the number he was beaten with the same plays in the Georgia game) and as a late add to this game struggled a bit in the game. He opened his hips up too early against Criner on an out route in particular and I'm not onboard with him yet as a top 100 pick. If he runs a sub 4.5 at the Combine then maybe...
 
Iowa State's Leonard Johnson was nice and physical in practice but missed an easy tackle in the game. He did flash under an out route for a nice pass breakup. He was a little mixed in coverage all week, but certainly his physical nature will have drawn some teams to him.
 
My problem with Oklahoma's Jamell Fleming is that he gives up too much in front of him and that was again the case all week. He seems to open up too early and then it's easy stuff running a short out or curl. He had a pick in the game with Weeden throwing it right to him.
 
Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard (who didn't play in the game due to a hamstring strain) and North Alabama (ex-Florida) Janoris Jenkins both had the same issue at times in practice. They were squatting on routes and looking for the big play, but both let people get behind them. However, Jenkins more so responded as the week moved forward.
 
The Safety play was largely poor. Only George Iloka (Boise State) really stood out and Michigan State's Trenton Robinson was poor, including in the game where he took a bad angle and had a bad missed tackle and also gave up a catch to Smelley.
 
Kickers/Punters
 
Unfortunately, special teams got no love from NFL Network so no practice was seen. In game Purdue's Carson Wiggs was having a good game, with a couple of field goals and long kick-offs – but then missed a 37 yarder late to spoil it (such is the life of a kicker). Texas A&M's Randy Bullock had shorter kicks offs and made his only field goal from 24 yards.
 
The two punters did well with some nice kicks, although Georgia's Drew Butler out kicked his coverage one time which led to one of the big Pead returns.