from Rotoworld: USC MLB Rey Maualuga reportedly didn't look to be "in the best of shape" during Monday's Senior Bowl weigh-in. Maualuga, who tipped the scales at 6'2/254, reportedly also showed slow reaction skills on the first day of practice. During the weigh-in, Maualuga admitted he "just put my head down and just made sure I found the exit." Source: SI.com
Raji is a BEAST. From Rotoworld: ************************ California C Alex Mack was reportedly the only lineman who could contain Boston College DT B.J. Raji on the first day of Senior Bowl practices. Mack, who could probably play any line position except left tackle at 6'4/312, picked up Raji in one drill and drove him backwards off the football. Mack was allegedly more impressive than fellow highly touted C Max Unger of Oregon. Source: Sacramento Bee
Boston College DT B.J. Raji measured 6'2/334 at the Senior Bowl weigh-in. This was a pleasant surprise after Raji was listed at 6'1/323 at B.C. The fifth-year senior also consistently had his way with offensive linemen at Monday's first practice. With the ability to two gap and penetrate, Raji projects as a Ryan Pickett type at the next level. He's expected to be a top-ten pick.
Herman Johnson looked good at 382 ? That's amazing. ********************* LSU OL Herman Johnson measured 6'7/382 at the Senior Bowl weigh-in. Jeff Otah is apparently a poor man's Herman Johnson. The fifth-year senior was not dinged for looking too soft in the body, which is amazing. Johnson will likely convert to right tackle in the pros after playing left guard at LSU.
Barden would be a great mid-round sleeper pick for H-back / supersized WR. ***************** Cal Poly WR Ramses Barden measured in at 6'6/227 at Monday's Senior Bowl weigh-in. He also had bigger hands than any senior receiver. Cal Poly's best prospect since Chris Gocong, Barden also had the longest arms (33 3/4 inches) of any receiver at the event. Only USC's Patrick Turner (33 inches) came close. Quan Cosby of Texas' 30-inch arms were shortest. Source: National Football Post
It's clear Seattle is in desperate need of a receiver. Crabtree would be an obvious choice there. ************************** Seahawks president/GM Tim Ruskell has targeted wide receiver as a position in need of improvement this offseason. "I know this: We don't want to get caught with the situation we had at receiver going into this season," Ruskell said. The Seahawks have the No. 4 pick in the draft and are expected to give plenty of consideration to Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree. Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer
From Tony Pauline, SI Risers BJ Raji/DT/Boston College: The Eagles' massive interior lineman was almost unblockable throughout the day in the North's practice. Raji displayed a very quick first step off the snap, which gave offensive linemen fits. He made it harder on his opponents by swatting blockers to the ground as they were left wondering how he got by them so easily. Shawn Nelson/TE/Southern Mississippi: Nelson looked formidable during weigh-ins this morning, then took his athletic frame onto the field and impressed scouts. He's fluid moving around the field and fast -- very fast. Nelson was constantly beating opponents in the secondary and made a number of good plays in the secondary. Cullen Harper/QB/Clemson: The Tigers quarterback was much maligned during the season and at one point was benched for poor play. On Monday, he showed the reason why scouts were so high on him coming into the season. Harper displayed poise, threw with accuracy and made good decisions in the pocket. He tossed several nice deep passes, connecting with USC's Patrick Turner for a long gainer of 40 yards in one instance. Darius Butler/CB/Connecticut: Butler stood head and shoulders above all other cornerbacks from the North squad in Day 1. The former Husky was very smooth in coverage and used his athleticism and size to deny opponents a chance at the ball. None of the North wide receivers was able to shake Butler throughout the entire practice. Rashad Jennings/RB/Liberty: Jennings is the top small school player in Mobile this week and proved as much in Day 1. His 234-pound frame looked impressive this morning during weigh-ins, then Jennings looked athletic and fast on the field at practice. He has a burst through the hole and looks frighteningly powerful running in the open field. Jennings also caught the ball well and stood out in blocking drills. Mike Thomas/WR/Arizona: Scouts compare Thomas to All-Pro Steve Smith in style and the Arizona senior was one of the top receivers on the field on Monday. He ran crisp pass routes and had cornerbacks twisting in the wind in their attempt to stay with him on the field. Thomas also displayed solid hand and natural pass catching skills. His size (5-foot-8) will discourage teams from using an early selection on Thomas, but he proved today he can play with the best. Ashlee Palmer/LB/Mississippi: Palmer was a bit of a surprise invitation to the Senior Bowl yet proved Monday he is worthy of a spot in the event. Palmer practiced with a lot of explosion, quickness and strength. He also aggressively chased the action and worked hard in every single aspect.
Sliders Rey Maualuga/LB/USC: Maualuga looked rusty today, both physically and mentally. He's not in the best of shape and was very hesitant to make decisions on the field. Maualuga seemed to get his bearings as the day proceeded, but his play was not reminiscent of a potential top-five pick. Pat White/QB/West Virginia: Scouts wanted to give White a chance to prove he can play quarterback at the next level, but the early returns have not been positive. White struggled throwing the ball. White was not accurate, could not drive deep passes even though he was throwing with the wind; and at this point, he looks like a college signal caller who may be better off at a different position in the NFL. Graham Harrell/QB/Texas Tech: Harrell displayed good mechanics in Day 1 lining up under center after taking most of his snaps in college out of the shotgun. He was also relatively accurate. The problem for Harrell is poor arm strength as his passes had relatively no zip and he was unable to drive deep passes. William Moore/S/Missouri: Moore has been labeled as a run defending safety with poor coverage skills and did nothing to shake that reputation on Monday. He struggled moving laterally and at one point was left lying on the ground after attempting to cover a receiver from the North squad.
That's two guys I was pretty high on (Maualuga and S William Moore from Missouri) having a bad start to the Senior Bowl. I wonder if the pair will start to play better & have a good Combine? Or are these guys just overrated ?
I'm really not high on William Moore or any safety in this draft at all, to be totally honest. I wouldn't put a single one in my top 30, Moore is big and can make plays, but he's definitely much more the guy we saw as a senior, not as a junior. I think with his marginal athleticism he'll just flat out struggle in coverage at the next level, and turn into a one dimensional safety. I'd take him in the 2nd no problem, but no way with my 1st rounder. First round safeties have to be special players, and he just isn't to me.
That's why I was really bummed when Safety Taylor Mays dropped out of the draft. He had size (230), speed (sub 4.4) and the USC pedigree. I think he was a special player that would have been worthy of a 1st round pick. And Mays would have filled a big need for the Jets.
I'm not high on Will Moore either. I really like Utah corner Sean Smith as pro safety. He might squeak into the first with a solid combine. I have feeling Rex Ryan is going to load up on DBs and LBs in this draft.
Also, I don't know how an "expert" can name risers and sliders after a weigh-in and a practice. It almost seems pointless to label players that soon. After this week, I'd like to see some risers/fallers, but not right now...it's way too early. ...and if Cullen Harper ends up on this Tony Pauline guy's risers list, then he knows nothing about college football. Harper is trash.
I think a better title might be have been "initial impressions". But Tony Pauline knows his stuff. I've read a lot of what the guy writes, both in SI and on message boards. And he is almost always on the money. Remember he's been following these players for 2 or 3 years now. So his reaction to their first day means something. I'm sure GM's and HC's are having many of the same thoughts as Pauline.
I've been watching most of these players for 3 or 4 years as well, and I can tell you this: It's flat out stupid to judge a player by watching him weigh in and take a few practice reps in an unfamiliar system. I'll stick to making my own judgments on players...Pauline seems like a tool.
I just looked at Pauline's notes from last year's Senior Bowl. He posted them on Tuesday after 2 days of practice. Here are some selected players: Risers Eddie Royal Tashard Choice Donnie Avery Matt Forte Dre Moore Sliders Colt Brennan Andre Woodson Adarius Bowman Gosder Cherilus It wasn't perfect but I think he did pretty well. Moore's good Senior Bowl not withstanding, Dre's reputation as a soft, lazy guy was really true. He was eventually waived by Tampa Bay. Cherilus did get drafted in the 1st but then went on to a thoroughly unimpressive rookie season. He was even benched for a while by the lowly Lions. But all of the other players evaluations were on the mark.
Shawn Zobel - Live from the Senior Bowl Today featured the first practice of the week at the 2009 Senior Bowl. A number of quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers performed well and raised their draft stock. Here are my notes from today's practice: 1. QB Rhett Bomar from Sam Houston State is a player to keep an eye on. He's a former transfer from Oklahoma. Bomar has a rocket for an arm with a very quick release. He is ahead of Texas Tech's Graham Harrell as the top senior quarterback in this year's draft and should be taken in the 3rd or 4th Round. 2. Penn State wide receiver Derrick Williams played well today. He showed great explosiveness and quickness along with reliable hands in the passing game. He was also working as a kick returner. Williams could be 2009's Eddie Royal as a shorter, quicker receiver who makes an immediate impact both on offense and in the return game. 3. Cal Poly receiver Ramses Barden is a huge target a 6-6, 227 lbs. He has a long stride and does the small things well. Barden could see his stock rise as we get closer to the draft. 4. QB Graham Harrell showed inconsistencies today. It's clear that it will him some time to adjust from Texas Tech's spread offense to a pro-style system. 5. Purdue RB Kory Sheets stood out today and could be a nice third-down back for the team that drafts him. Among the seniors, there isn't a player who I think is a must-have. Rashad Jennings from Liberty is a player to keep an eye on. 6. Washington State WR Brandon Gibson and North Carolina WR Brooks Foster both played well today and could see their stock rise.
Here is information on the players weight ins http://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2009weighinoffense.php
