senior bowl

[jramsey4]

I watched all the practices on NFLNW (they had very limited coverage) and read about 20 of the different online published reports and rankings from the Senior Bowl. Here's my take on the WRs:

In order of talent, U = undrafted

1. Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss

2. Jacoby Ford, Clemson

3. Taylor Price, Ohio

4. Mardy Gilyard, Cinci

5. Andre Roberts, Citadel

6. Riley Cooper, Fla

7. Jeremy Williams, Tulane

U1. Shay Hodge, Ole Miss

U2. Joe Webb, UAB

U3. Dorin Dickerson, Pitt

U4. Danario Alexander, Missouri

Dexter McCluster = human joystick, might be hard for a big fingered coordinator to use. Instant offense? Check. Everydown player? not so much. Mayock compared him to Darren Sproles, and the more I look at him, the more I agree. McCluster looks like a better WR than Sproles to me. Program 10-15 touches a game for this guy including kick returns and he's gonna pay big dividends for someone. Most of the pundits are moving him to the upper mid second round now FWIW.

Jacoby Ford = better football player and more polished receiver than given credit for, not just a track guy. He confidendly said he can run a 4.2 and commented, "It's just running." Gets separation, good hands, was actually best over the middle.

Taylor Price = most complete reciever down there, good size can do it all. He is maybe topped out talent-wise though.

Mardy Gilyard = higher ceiling than Price, inconsistent, drops, will take more time to develop

Andre Roberts = big legged fella like Smitty only bigger. Suprisingly polished from such a small school.

Riley Cooper = the guy has proven he can play in big games, looks the part, just changed his priorities to play football instead of baseball. I wonder how long it will last without The Golden Calf of Bristol in his ear. Inconsistent, drops.

Jeremy Williams - good talent, raw, needs work in all phases.

^kind of a mishmashed eyeball average of what I read and saw. Keep in mind it's just an evaluation of scout influenced practice. It looked like Mccluster, Ford, Price and Roberts could contribute right away. The others, not so much.

Jacoby Ford is making us a strong case for taking him with our 2nd. Me being a Tigers fan have watched him is entire career and he is a playmaker. We have been horribly inconsistent in the QB department but he still seems to make plays. And of course theres the blazing speed we all love.

PS the dudes a threat returning the ball. If it wasn't for spiller being a god back there he would probably be a 1st rounder on this alone.

[scpanther22]

Pep is 30, even if he stays we still could use another DE to develop. Murray is that big athletic DE like Pep (Not saying he will be that good but they are both extremely good athletes).

You and I tend to differ on this issue it seems. I want to be loaded all across the lines where you tend to look at it as if you have quality starters there we need starters elsewhere. Neither of us are wrong seeing as teams have had success doing both.

I just firmly believe if your going to run the Tampa 2 your dline has to outstanding in order to be a top D. I think his talent is well worth a 3rd even to us if Pep is here.

This is true..I would not mind either way..Its also good that we run a Tampa 2 and a 43..both things seem to be fading away with the rest of the NFL..that leaves more players for us to get in the draft.

[scpanther22]

Day 4...also the game is today on NFL network

Cincinnati wideout Mardy Gilyard again had a tough a tough time fighting through defenders during red-zone drills. He showcases good initial shiftiness off the line and is sudden out of his routes, but once a defender can get into his frame, he struggles to work himself free and find the football. The more I watch him, the more I see a slot guy only who simply won’t be able to create for himself on the outside vs. physical NFL cover men

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Senior-Bowl-Day-4-impressions.html

[scpanther22]

Brandon Graham..a DE people where saying is a lock for the 1st round..untill he came in a 6-1..Also Alex Carrington DE had a great week

Graham (6-feet-1, 263 pounds) measures almost the same as Woodley (6-2, 265) does, although his build is more stout. He could play defensive end in a 4-3 scheme in the NFL or move to outside linebacker in a 3-4

http://www.freep.com/article/20100130/SPORTS06/1300347/1322/Michigan-DE-Brandon-Graham-follows-LaMarr-Woodleys-path

[scpanther22]

More links

http://www.realgmfootball.com/src_twelfthwriter/55/20100129/thursday_senior_bowl_notes_(south)/

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/12843167/ole-miss-jerry-moving-out-in-front-of-senior-bowl-linemen

[The Link]

If we got Ford I would poo bricks out of happiness.

[Delhomeboy]

If we got Ford I would poo bricks out of happiness.

But looking at it more practically though...and keep in mind I love Ford as much as the next Clemson fan...do we really need another small, quick receiver? Perhaps we do, because it certainly seems like our bigs haven't exactly worked for us lately. But I do wonder if having two tiny receivers isn't inviting disaster. Gunslinging aside, it seems to me quarterbacks sometimes need a big guy they can just heave a desperation throw to--not like Jake or Brett, mind you, but every once in a while when the chips are down and you have to make a play.

[jramsey4]

But looking at it more practically though...and keep in mind I love Ford as much as the next Clemson fan...do we really need another small, quick receiver? Perhaps we do, because it certainly seems like our bigs haven't exactly worked for us lately. But I do wonder if having two tiny receivers isn't inviting disaster. Gunslinging aside, it seems to me quarterbacks sometimes need a big guy they can just heave a desperation throw to--not like Jake or Brett, mind you, but every once in a while when the chips are down and you have to make a play.

Jarret I believe is ready to move to the #2. I am probably the only one but I have seen a lot of promise out of him the last 2 years when he actually got an opportunity to play. His chances at that spot this year (aside from week 17) were also when Jake was in.

Jake made even Smith look horrible. With Moore in there what do you know all our receivers looked better and Jarrett looked liked he belong in the #2 position.

I think the bigger need is actually in that small speedy guy to stretch the field in the slot and eventually take over for Smith (who isn't getting younger). For has been one of the best receivers all around at practices this week. Running good routes and catching the ball well. And with his speed he could fill that roll.

The number one aspect of a receiver that allows a WR to succeed is getting separation from the DB. He has consistently done that the best in at practice this week.

[scpanther22]

game on now..NFL network

[The Link]

But looking at it more practically though...and keep in mind I love Ford as much as the next Clemson fan...do we really need another small, quick receiver? Perhaps we do, because it certainly seems like our bigs haven't exactly worked for us lately. But I do wonder if having two tiny receivers isn't inviting disaster. Gunslinging aside, it seems to me quarterbacks sometimes need a big guy they can just heave a desperation throw to--not like Jake or Brett, mind you, but every once in a while when the chips are down and you have to make a play.

We need someone to take Smith's place when he leaves, and Ford has the potential to do that more than anyone else we have a shot at getting.

[kdrh5]

Lefevour looked great.

[C47]

Some prospects who impressed me.....

Ford: Showed tremendous burst after the catch ran some nice routes on plays where he didn't have the ball thrown his way and showed how deadly he can be as a return man. He would make for a deadly slot receiver.

Gilyard: Same as Ford has a long TD where he ran right by Arenas from Bama. Appears to be more polished at route running then Ford.

Lefevourr*sp: Showed great touch on the ball, poise in the pocket and the ability to scramble when things break down as well as good accuracy.

Graham: Guy was a monster, always around the ball, showed great speed and the ability to break off blocks.

Mays: Showed he can play coverage and make plays on the ball though I still think his best position in the NFL is LB.

Legarrette Blount: Showed power running at its finest pushing the pile when he had the ball. Broke several tackles and always required more then one defender to bring down. Also showed he isn't just a power back but has the speed to run by defenders as well.

[scpanther22]

Another guy I would like is Geno Atkins..

[The Link]

The DT from Tennessee had a great game, I would love to pick him up.

I would like Brandon Graham from Michigan. He reminds me of Robert Mathis, if we got him we could develop him along side Brown, we could end up having a very good pass rush for years to come.

Jacoby Ford is the man. If he can improve his route running a little, he could end up being our go to slot guy and a great returner to boot.

Marcus Gilyard impressed me as well, he would be a great pick up in the 2nd/3rd.

Lefevour would need to sit on the bench for a couple of years, but he has great potential.