Shrine Practices Begin (Monday Report)
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ckparrotheadmoderatorOPI won't post any full articles. I'll post a summary, based on something written by Chad Reuter of NFL Draft Scout.
There is generally a lot of trash to weed out when you're reading some of this stuff.
For me, the needle really moved on some guys. They may have gone from guys I've seen and/or knew about to guys I really like, or they may have just gone from guys I have never heard of to guys that I now know...
Justin Harper WR 6'4 195 Virginia Tech
Really impressed today with his hands and body control near the sideline. Ran hard every play and caught everything thrown his way. Created separation using his hands against Michael Grant, quickly getting his hands up to grab the ball.
My Comments: This is a guy that should already be on radar because he's 6'4" and 200 pounds, and is capable of running a sub-4.40 in the 40 yard dash. He was also literally the most productive of a very talented quartet of receivers at Virginia Tech, catching 5 TDs and 600 yards from Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor, in a very run-oriented offense that likes to play around with option quarterbacking. The things that stand out to me are the effort, the hand usage, and the body positioning. At his size, hand usage and body positioning aren't just techniques, they are weapons. They will be his primary weapons. If you believe this guy could be a superstar one day, it will be because of his hand usage and body positioning at that size. I don't care about catching the ball as much. Too many people are too caught up in "caught everything thrown his way". What an insanely boring note that is, to me. It's pretty much a bare minimum. Your job as a receiver is to do what? Catch balls. And if you don't? THAT is when you get the mark in the notebook. I want to see technique. I want to see effort. He displayed both. Dick Vermeil already likes the kid. He actually had to tell him to slow down, save some for the game at the end of the week. Imagine that! You can tell a LB or a Safety to slow down, because they might be killing offensive players in practice. You can even tell a RB to slow down some if he's getting too physical. But a WR? That's something.
Curtis Johnson LB 6'4 245 Clark-Atlanta
Clark-Atlanta players aren't usually invited to games like this, but Johnson proved his worth. Converting from hand-down to stand-up player should be possible with Johnson with his closing speed and strength. Lined up inside and outside, looking fairly comfortable in both places. Got kudos from his coach for the use of his hands inside. He can get off blocks with violent hand movements. Johnson even held his lane with a 300 pound O-lineman trying to push him out of it. For a 6'4" guy, he's very flexible and gets low in his stance. He'll need to work on his change of direction skills, staying low throughout the play and moving his feet a bit more quickly.
My Comments: This is so typical. Scouts just adore this kind of story, even more when it comes in a small school kid. Any guy that was a playmaker at DE with that kind of size, moves out to LB and shows some kind of natural born instincts there, that's the way to get the scouts flapping their gums about you for a month. Inasmuch as he went from being not on my radar period, to on my radar...yeah, this note moved the needle for me.
Donald Thomas OL 6'3 300 Connecticut
Showed his nice combination of strength and athleticism today. Keilen Dykes tried a spin move on him, which had worked on others, but Thomas had none of it. He kept his feet moving and arms extended to keep Dykes spinning in place.
My Comments: This guy draws my attention because I happen to know he had a great week of practice in preparation for the Hula Bowl this last weekend. He handled JT Mapu pretty well, and now he's handling Keilen Dykes. I've seen the kid play at Connecticut and they were a good running team to me. He stands out. To go straight from the Hula Bowl and into the Shrine Game with no jet lag or exhaustion, stand out in both practices, if he keeps it up he could rise like a meteor.
Jerome Simpson WR 6'2 185 Coastal Carolina
One of the most impressive players on the field. His speed, smoothness off the line, quickness in and out of cuts, and reliable hands were reminiscent of former San Jose State and current Green Bay Packer James Jones at this game last year. He's not as big as Jones, but Small school or not, he should make some money this week.
My Comments: Any time they whip out the "James Jones" on you, that's some high praise. This is another guy that went from off the radar to on it. But, if he really is a James Jones, he's going to have to prove it in the strength and technique departments, where Jones truly stood out to me a year ago at this time.
Fernando Velasco OL 6'4 328 Georgia
One of the more impressive linemen because of his anchor and quick footwork. He just wasn't going to be beat, or even an inch of ground, either in one-on-one drills or while scrimmaging.
My Comments: Most people are pretty familiar with Georgia football so I probably don't need to point out what a tremendous running attack Velasco blocked for in Athens. But, when you're 6'4" and near on 330 pounds and you get noted for quick footwork, that's something. That's a lot of something. When you get noted for quick footwork in addition to "don't give an inch" anchor ability, that's something else, although at 330 pounds they normally expect you to be able to put your butt down, drop anchor and hold.
Lionel Dotson DL 6'4 286 Arizona
Probably the quickest interior lineman here. Penetrated frequently and showed a closing burst, although he had to peel off the QB to allow him to work on connecting with his receivers.
My Comments: Dotson was already a standout at Arizona. But, to show up at an All Star game and have an experienced evaluator label you the "quckest interior lineman" there, that raises my eyebrow some.
Joe Jon Finley TE 6'6 260 Oklahoma
Had one of the better practices of the day. Ran some outstanding routes today, chopping his legs and getting out quicker than expected. Also had a couple of excellent catches with arms extended. One came with DB Derrick Doggett draped on him (legally) and with the sideline coming into play. On another, he left DB David Roach in his dust, faking inside and heading outside to make the grab.
My Comments: This interests me especially, because as a prospect Joe Jon Finley interests me. He's got size and tools, a natural feel for the passing game, but he took a back seat to as talented a group of players in Oklahoma as you'll find anywhere. Malcolm Kelly is probably the #1 WR in this draft. Juaquin Iglesias is also excellent. Jermaine Gresham emerged from behind Joe Jon Finley to catch 11 TDs...but he wouldn't be able to do that if Finley was not a good all-around guy and blocker. Meanwhile Gresham could be a future star, rated the top TE in his 2010 draft class. Finley, in his own right, is a good player, was a top 35 athlete coming out of high school as a quarterback...qualified for state as a hurdler. If he's out there smoking the competition on the All Star field, that is interesting to me.
Dexter Jackson WR 5'10 180 Appalachian State Dunwoody, GA
The smallest guy on the field was also the most explosive. Coach Vermeil stopped one play before it began to ask Jackson to "check the tight end"…the receiver was covering him up, which would be a penalty. On the ensuing play, Jackson crossing over the middle from his slot position, snatched a bullet throw, and out-quicked everyone down a seam for the big play.
My Comments: I think too many people will run away with this note, call him the most impressive WR on the field, but not me. It moves the needle inasmuch as he goes from a "who?" guy to a "oh yeah, him" guy. With that size, it's not actually all that difficult to look explosive from the slot. And let's not forget the first part of the note, it's pretty basic football knowing if you're illegally covering up the TE on a play. People may think I'm making more than is there out of Justin Harper while underplaying Dexter Jackson but the reality is the two stories are that different, to me.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Twitter: @ckparrot
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ckparrotheadmoderator...CONTINUED
The following are guys that I already really, really liked...and who have reinforced my high opinion of them...
Pedro Sosa OL 6'5 290 Rutgers Union City, NJ
Sosa rarely got beat today, using his nice footwork and extending his long arms to keep ends at bay. His anchor is pretty solid, as well.
My Comments: I already thought very highly of Pedro Sosa, probably as a technician guard at the NFL level. I also like his teammate, Jeremy Zuttah. I've seen Rutgers play several times and Sosa has stood out. He controlled George Selvie pretty well and helped Rutgers win that game. Showing up to an All Star practice field and looking good like this just strengthens my high opinion of him.
Spencer Larsen LB 6'1 240 Arizona Gilbert, AZ
Clearly in control when on the field, directing teammates and consistently being in the right spot. Played at mike and sam today, filling well against the run in both spots
My Comments: I already think highly of Spencer Larsen's leadership abilities, so his looking the part on the All Star field is none too surprising, and therefore not necessarily all that noteworthy.
Frank Okam DL 6'5 320 Texas Dallas, TX
Looked like a beast most of the day. He kept his ground when needed and also split double teams, although he fell down afterwards on one occasion. Okam also sniffed out a screen on another play. Occasionally he played too high, which 6'5" DT tend to do. But most times he got into his man's chest and pushed him back into the QB. In fact, the coaches got after him a bit because he was putting his team's QB at risk too often.
My Comments: In my opinion, Frank Okam does not belong on the Shrine field, he belongs in the Senior Bowl, and he's showing it. When you're the guy that makes even the good-looking OLs look bad, you're the big fish in a small pond, and this isn't even all that small a pond, really.
Allen Patrick RB 6'0 191 Oklahoma Conway, SC
No one in the country runs harder than Patrick, even in practice. You can hear him from the sideline giving the effort as he churns his legs. Since the teams weren't in pads, defenders were just to grab and let go…but I don't think it would have mattered if the pads were on. He was going to get every yard, anyway.
My Comments: Obviously the guy that wrote this thinks as highly of Allen Patrick as I do. I think he's a highly underrated runner, and it's a testament to the unbelievable talent and depth of this class that Patrick is more in that #5 to #10 range among his own position. I mean, are you kidding me? Any other draft he would be looking to crack the second or even first round.
The following are guys I would look for to step up, because I know they can do better...
Kevin O'Connell QB 6'6 235 San Diego State Carlsbad, CA
Struggled with throws for most of the day, even in drills where it was just him and the receiver playing pitch and catch. Missed short and medium routes regularly, failing to put much zip on his outs and deep balls. He did have a nice deep left sideline completion to Henry late in practice. May have had a bit of a Hula Bowl travel hangover today.
My Comments: He and Paul Smith are two of my newer gem QBs. Initially I liked T.C. Ostrander and had to make a decision between TC and O'Connell, and I chose TC as he'd been coached by Jim Harbaugh. Well, now it's swinging the other way for me, because O'Connell was the big fish in a small pond at the Hula Bowl practices. His tools are pretty damn impressive. I would look for him to step up in these Shrine practices like he did in Hula Bowl practices.
Dwight Lowery DB 6'1 185 San Jose State Santa Cruz, CA
Lowery failed to make plays on the ball numerous times during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, even when in position to do so. His coach actually asked him, "You saw he was getting the ball? Then break on it!" His vertical and hands on the jump ball drill were impressive, however.
My Comments: Lowery is sort of sinking on some boards and he needs to step up to the plate and do better. I would look for him to be one of those guys that gets better as the week goes on, and starts making plays on the ball. I think very highly of the man. One of our very own FH'ers whose opinion I trust implicitly actually helped coach him at San Jose State and this person helped me identify James Jones very early in the process as a guy that could be a true beast.
Zachary Bowman CB 6'2 200 Nebraska Anchorage, AK
He was not impressive in some drills, with a sloppy pedal and slow plant-and-drive. He drove very nicely on a weak out route, though, and picked it. Bowman also showed nice vert by making the grab at the high point during jump ball drills.
My Comments: Bowman is on an impressive decline since his bad knee injury in 2006. He was one of the top corners in college football before the injury, and almost two years later he's still trying to regain control of his ability. He made a play though, and I think as the week wears on he can make more.
Tommy Blake DL 6'3 252 TCU Aransas Pass, TX
Blake is getting back into football shape after a touch-and-go season. He can get off the snap very quickly and chased plays more often than needed in a practice like this. Didn't make a lot of plays, though…he'll need to improve that in the next couple of days.
My Comments: Tommy Blake is also on an impressive decline. He once was feared as one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the nation, but bi-polar disorder got the better of him. And I do mean that, as there are some FUNKY stories coming out of TCU about his behavior. He spent most of this year out of football because of it. Hopefully he's regained control of his problem and as he rounds into better football shape he should make more plays. I think he will continue to struggle making plays in practice, but he will bring it and make something happen during the Shrine Game.
Jonathan Hefney DB 5'9 185 Tennessee Rock Hill, SC
Pretty clearly the most fluid athlete in the secondary. Played safety, but also lined up against slot receivers. He didn't make a ton of plays, but no safeties really did because of the limited contact.
My Comments: He's looking the part from a movement standpoint, but I expect him to look the part. He needs to do better than that because in the size department he's already getting into the Bob Sanders area without most of Sanders' incendiary qualities. I'd look for him to get more comfortable and become perhaps the most impressive DB at the Shrine Game.
Twitter: @ckparrot
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MDFINFANNew MemberGood stuff CK, some of those were some names I hadn't heard of, hopefully some good gems that the phins have set aside to look at also. It's the names you won't see at the top of the draft board that really helps with gut of the team...it's can we get enough of them.
My Comments: Bowman is on an impressive decline since his bad knee injury in 2006. He was one of the top corners in college football before the injury, and almost two years later he's still trying to regain control of his ability. He made a play though, and I think as the week wears on he can make more.
I read that he ruptured the right knee patella tendon in spring practice this past year, which would explain his continued struggles. Of course, that also means that he's had 2 injuries in 2 yrs, but that 4.36 40 back before his acl tear, and being 6-2, 200, sounds pretty good. Late round gamble?
How is Caleb Campbell looking?
ckparrotheadmoderatorCaleb Campbell DB 6'2 224 Army Perryton, TX
This former linebacker will definitely play at strong safety in the pros. He looked good in transition today, and can close on the ball quickly.
Hope that helps!
Twitter: @ckparrot
3 Yards Per Carry Podcast - Featuring Boomer, Section126, and ckparrothead
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Thanks CK. I just posted a link on the other shrine thread on him. Army is letting him go to the NFL , in case anyone was wondering if that would have been a problem.
adamprez2003forum_veteranThx for the updates CK. I really like Dexter Jackson as a slot receiver. I have seen him in a couple of games and the guy displays tremendous YAC ability. Think he has a chance to really shine as a slot receiver in the pros. Jerome Simpson is one Ive been dying to see but havent had a chance so far. I think him and Jackson will be the small school receivers to really stand out in 2008 although with Simpson its just going off of what Ive read about the guy
2019 DRAFT WISH LIST
1) DT Dexter Lawrence - Clemson
2) DE Jaylon Ferguson - Lousiana Tech
3) OG Chris Lindstrom - Boston College
4) CB Amani Oruwariye - Penn State
5) DE Shareef Miller - Penn State
7) C Sean Krepcz - Nevada
7) RB Wes Hills - Slippery Rock
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