Flacco continues to improve; North return men are impressive MOBILE, Ala. -- Thursday is "get out of town" day at the Senior Bowl for most NFL general managers, coaches and scouts -- and for good reason. The practices are shorter, less physical and special teams driven. A steady rain, which began overnight Thursday and isn't forecast to stop until early Friday morning, only adds to the ghost-town feeling in Mobile. To the credit of the coaching staffs, though, they ran productive practices and the players had no choice but to respond. One advantage to a rainy day of practice is the chance to evaluate the quarterbacks' ability to throw in wet conditions. Of the six signal-callers on hand, Delaware's Joe Flacco and USC's John David Booty were the most efficient. In fact, Flacco has improved every day since his tough start on Monday. After struggling with the center exchange that afternoon, Flacco has shown no problems handling the quarterback-center exchange -- in his defense he did spend the majority of his time at Delaware working out of the shotgun. Flacco is deceptively mobile, throws well on the run and has the strongest arm of the signal-callers in Mobile this week. Don't be surprised if he is one of the stars in Saturday's game or if he comes off the draft board as early as the second round. In injury news, USC TE Fred Davis (ankle), East Carolina RB Chris Johnson (shoulder), West Virginia FB Owen Schmitt (knee), Michigan S Jamar Adams (Achilles) and Michigan OLB Shawn Crable (back) are the latest additions to an unusually long list of players bitten by the injury bug. Schmitt is out for Saturday's game. There's no word yet on the availability of the others, but if there is any chance of re-injury the player will be strongly advised by his representation -- and wisely so -- to sit this one out. Here's a scouting breakdown of the two practice sessions: Around the North practice ? The North team has a group of return men who could excite the Mobile crowd this weekend. Both Virginia Tech WR Eddie Royal and Purdue WR Dorien Bryant are extremely fast with good make-you-miss ability. If either player gets a crease he could be gone, especially against a South coverage team that will obviously be short on coverage experience as a whole. Royal is also the top kickoff return man, but will probably be flanked by Bryant and California RB Justin Forsett. Forsett has the look of a good kickoff returner at the next level with his low running style, vision, elusiveness and ability to break arm tackles. ? Royal also turned some heads as a receiver during today's rain-soaked practice. He came up short on what would have been a tough catch in traffic during red zone seven-on-seven drills but responded with two excellent plays shortly thereafter. The first was in the same seven-on-seven drill, when Royal made a leaping catch and secured the wet ball before hitting the ground in the end zone. The second occurred in the opposite end zone during an 11-on-11 red zone team drill. Royal displayed good concentration and body control, catching a fade pass and keeping his feet inbounds for the score. Overall, Royal has shown enough versatility and big-play potential to solidify his status as a third-round prospect. ? USC RB Chauncey Washington is a good football player and continues to prove himself this week. Washington is a do-it-all type of player and his versatility certainly will not go unnoticed by the NFL decision-makers on hand. He also could be a decent kickoff returner and has the size and desire to help out on several phases of special teams. He has lined up some at fullback this week, and although that isn't his forte, it is one more positive to add to his resume. Washington is an excellent pass-catcher, as well. He was lined up wide near the goal line today and showed good route-running ability on quick slants and crossing routes. He is also more than a dump-off option out of the backfield. Washington is capable of running most routes asked of him, and he catches the ball very cleanly and is quick to get upfield with his shoulders parallel to the goal line. This draft is loaded at running back, but there are not many options for teams in the market for a big back. The arrow is pointing up for Washington and he is likely ascending numerous boards around the league. ? Missouri TE Martin Rucker has excellent size and many other impressive qualities, but overall this week of practice has not helped him. Rucker lines up high in his stance and isn't very flexible in his lower body. He shows noticeable stiffness through his routes and as a blocker. He has decent speed once he gets going but is not very sudden and doesn't consistently gain separation out of his breaks. Today in the goal line drills, Rucker had a tough time getting away from linebackers like Keith Rivers of USC, Dan Connor of Penn State and Xavier Adibi of Virginia Tech, and things will surely not be any easier at the next level. ? Notre Dame S Tom Zbikowski has had a better week of practice than we expected and his versatility really stood out during Thursday's session. Zbikowski lacks ideal athleticism, which limits his range in coverage, but he has used good instincts to make up for his somewhat stiff hips in zone coverage this week. He also continues to hold up well in tight man-to-man versus bigger tight ends. Today, for example, he was able to get physical at the line of scrimmage with Michigan State TE Kellen Davis, and then kept stride for stride with the Spartan tight end on a sideline route. Zbikowski is unlikely to return punts in the NFL like he did at Notre Dame. But he still has value on special teams; he has the ability to cover kicks and serve as the punter's personal protector. A team will likely take a chance on Zbikowski in the middle rounds knowing he's unlikely to emerge as a good every-down starter but can provide value in other areas. ? Indiana's Tim Bugg continues to do a fine job as the North team's long-snapper. His accuracy and consistency were especially impressive in today's sloppy conditions. He is one of only a few legitimate long-snapper prospects in the 2008 class, so there's a chance he will get drafted late. ? North Dakota State P Mike Dragosavich is a tall, right-footed punter with a powerful leg. When he strikes the ball properly he shows the ability to generate great hang-time and distance on his punts. However, he needs to be more consistent with his technique. Dragosavich made some booming punts in the rainy conditions this morning but he also had some misses, including one that shanked off the side of his foot and traveled no more than 15 yards. ? It's hard to get a clear read on lineman when the team is practicing in shells, but Arizona State C Mike Pollak still managed to stand out with solid footwork and good overall strength. Pollak showed a quick first step during one-on-one drills, snapping the ball and getting out of his stance almost simultaneously. He displayed nimble feet and did a nice job of shuffling his feet and mirroring pass rushers. Pollak bent and the knees and was able to stay low and create a solid anchor, and he also shows a strong, quick and compact punch that allows him to get his hands inside on rushers. He also kept his head on a swivel and showed great ability to recognize stunts, staying home and waiting for the outside rusher to enter his gap. Overall, Pollak did an effective job of showing scouts he possesses the tools and technique to make an impact at the next level. He should be one of the top three centers selected in April. ? USC DT Sedrick Ellis continues his onslaught against offensive lineman. Scouts knew coming in that Ellis possesses the strength and anchor to get plenty of push on blockers, but what impressed them on Thursday was his quickness off the ball. That combination of power and quickness helped Ellis dominate during the one-on-one period. He was able to beat Northern Iowa G Chad Rinehart by getting into Rinehart right off the snap, then staying low and driving him back into the pocket. Ellis has been consistent the entire week and has proven to scouts he can be a force in the middle at the next level. ? The rainy weather made for less-than-ideal conditions for the kickers, including Oregon State K Alexis Serna. Serna was able to connect twice on 43-yard field goals, though he appeared to put more muscle behind a 47-yard attempts due to the weather and ended up pushing the ball wide right. Serna was mediocre with his five kickoffs, averaging 62.2 yards, and did not appear to have adequate hang time with his kicks, either. That will hurt him come draft weekend.
Around the South practice ? Fullbacks Jacob Hester of LSU and Peyton Hillis of Arkansas are both going to make the teams that draft them very happy in the long run. Hester and Hillis are tough, versatile players who are reliable in all areas. They can carry the football and punish a defense, both are reliable receiving options and each has the ability to contribute immediately on just about every phase in special teams. In time, Hester and Hillis could also be among the better pass blockers in the league and both are acceptable run blockers, although this is neither player's forte. They are aggressive and want to win. Hester has quicker feet, but Hillis has a much better body and overall strength. There is a lot to like about both players, especially when the bullets start flying for real. ? Relatively unknown Tennessee TE Brad Cottam made himself some money this week. The first thing that stands out about Cottam is his tremendous size (6-foot-8, 257 pounds). He is already huge and looks like he could have the frame to add even more weight and bulk. He isn't very quick or explosive, but not many tight ends in this draft are. However, Cottam is a good hand catcher and has an upside as a chain-mover, a red zone weapon and an inline blocker that few of his counterparts in this draft class possess. ? Kentucky OLB Wesley Woodyard is fast and athletic, but what do you do with a lean 6-1, 215-pound linebacker in the NFL? As a weakside linebacker at the next level Woodyard will get buried in the running game if NFL tight ends, fullbacks and offensive linemen can get into position to lock onto him. As a strong safety, tight ends like Kellen Winslow and Antonio Gates will smoke him in coverage. He cannot handle the deep half in a Cover 2 situation, either. That doesn't leave much more for Woodyard. Teams like the Buccaneers and Colts that use undersized but athletic linebackers in their defensive schemes are likely to be the only ones to covet Woodyard during draft weekend. He has a chance to develop into a core special teams player at the next level and that is where he needs to concentrate his efforts. ? Newberry College OT Heath Benedict turned in a productive day with his intimidating size (6-5, 321) and brute strength. Benedict was most impressive during the one-on-one period as he was able to stone outside rushers multiple times. He displayed adequate feet, showing a quick first step with the ability to get out and cut off speed rushers. Benedict did overset one time but recovered nicely after looking like he was beaten inside. Mississippi State OLB Titus Brown set him up with an outside move, getting Benedict to lean and then coming back inside. That's when Benedict showed his strength. He got one arm on Brown and and drove him back to the middle of the line without losing balance. Finishing the week strong will help Benedict, as these all-star games are much more important for small-school prospects who are looking to show they can handle a higher level of competition. ? Texas A&M DT Red Bryant started the day strong but did not finish on a high note. Bryant was impressive during one-on-one drills, firing off the ball and penetrating into the backfield. He stayed low and created solid leverage on the bull rush, and also displayed a nice spin move. Bryant was caught playing too high at times during the team period, though. This allowed blockers to get underneath him and push him off the line. Bryant also struggled versus double-teams, failing to stay low and anchor well. ? Georgia Tech P Durant Brooks has shown off a strong leg throughout the week. He had a gross average of better than 50 yards during punting drills on Thursday and also showcased excellent directional skills when landing balls deep in opposing territory. Brooks missed on a couple of his attempts during the wet practice session but not nearly as badly or frequently as Dragosavich did earlier in the day. Brooks should be one of only three or four punters taken in this year's draft. ? Georgia K Brandon Coutu continued his solid week, hitting on all three of his attempts from 32 yards and making two of three from 38 yards during his individual work. This accuracy continued into the special teams period, when Coutu hit multiple 38-yarders with plenty of distance behind them. Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
One week later, plenty of changes in top-five lists Last week, I previewed the 2008 Senior Bowl by breaking down the top five offensive and defensive prospects expected to participate. Well, that turned out to be a colossal waste of time. First, there were the bail outs. Some like QB Matt Ryan and CB Mike Jenkins skipped Mobile on their own accord while others like QB Brian Brohm and DE/OLB Quentin Groves pulled out due to lingering injuries. Then the rankings were also affected by players who fell victim to injury like WRs Limas Sweed and Early Doucet, TE Fred Davis, DT Kentwan Balmer and CB Leodis McKelvin. Other players -- like QB Andre Woodson -- failed to live up to expectations. So, suddenly, a week later, the lists of the top-ranked prospects in the Senior Bowl look almost nothing like the originals. Top five offensive players 1. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt Biggest pro: Agility. Biggest con: Explosive power. Draft projection: First round. 2. Sam Baker, OT, Southern California Biggest pro: Agility. Biggest con: Bulk/strength. Draft projection: First round. 3. Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California Biggest pro: Precision route-runner. Biggest con: Bulk/strength. Draft projection: Late-first or early-second round. 4. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan Biggest pro: Efficiency as a pocket passer. Biggest con: Inability to make plays outside the pocket. Draft projection: Second round. 5. Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware Biggest pro: Prototypical size/arm. Biggest con: Adjustment from small-school, shotgun-heavy offense. Draft projection: Second round. Top five defensive players 1. Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern California Biggest pro: Explosive quickness. Biggest con: Durability. Draft projection: Top-10 pick. 2. Keith Rivers, OLB, Southern California Biggest pro: Motor and leadership. Biggest con: Not a playmaker in passing game. Draft projection: Mid-to-late first round. 3. Dan Connor, ILB, Penn State Biggest pro: Toughness, instincts and tackling. Biggest con: Lack of ideal speed. Draft projection: Mid-to-late first round. 4. Ali Highsmith, OLB, LSU Biggest pro: Range versus run and in coverage. Biggest con: Undersized. Draft projection: Late-first round. 5. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State Biggest pro: Size/athleticism. Biggest con: Run support. Draft projection: Late-first round. Five more whose stock climbed They didn?t make the top five on their side of the ball, but these five prospects should still cash in on strong showings at this year's Senior Bowl. 1. Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida Caldwell was one of the quicker athletes at this year's Senior Bowl and displayed very soft hands throughout the week. He was outperforming Doucet early in the week before the LSU wideout was injured. 2. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana NFL teams still have concerns regarding Porter's toughness in run support. However, Porter may have locked down a spot in Round 2 with his outstanding man-to-man coverage skills throughout the week. 3. Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska Nicks is a monster of a man with loads of upside. Plenty of teams should be willing to part with a second-round pick on this developing tackle. He may need to play right tackle or guard early on, but Nicks has the physical tools to emerge as a solid starting left tackle a few years down the line. 4. Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee Cottam's playing time in college was derailed by a slew of injuries. In fact, he had as many catches (five) in 2007 as he did operations throughout his collegiate career. But Cottam proved to be the most consistent tight end during the week of practice and his combination of size and reliable hands could land him a spot as early as the third round. 5. Matt Forte, RB, Tulane Forte's excellent week of practice paid off with his MVP performance in Saturday's game. His size and versatility have scouts talking about a third-round value in this deep draft of running backs. Five whose stock fell 1. Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky What went wrong? San Francisco offensive coordinator Mike Martz's system proved to be a terrible fit for Woodson, who seemingly regressed with each practice. Woodson's delivery looked longer than normal and his accuracy suffered. He also was unable to showcase his fastball throughout the week. Draft projection: Second round. 2. Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State What went wrong? Too many dropped passes in practice. Although it should have been called a touchdown, Bowman's bobble in the end zone was yet another reminder to NFL scouts of his erratic hands. Draft projection: Third round. 3. Dejuan Tribble, CB, Boston College What went wrong? His inability to turn and run with faster receivers was exposed throughout the week. Draft projection: Fourth round. 4. Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii What went wrong? He was able to showcase a quick release and good timing as a passer. But unfortunately for Brennan, most NFL decision-makers left Mobile wondering how this 6-foot-2, 185-pounder with a three-quarter release point and below-average arm strength would make it at the next level. Draft projection: Fourth or fifth round. 5. Dantrell Savage, RB, Oklahoma State What went wrong? His lack of size, power and second gear became overly apparent during his generally ineffective showing throughout Senior Bowl week. Draft projection: Fifth round. Injury report Several injuries were either uncovered prior to this year's Senior Bowl or occurred during practices and on gameday. Either way, NFL team doctors will be keeping an extra close eye on the following group of hobbled prospects: ? Louisville QB Brian Brohm (ankle). ? East Carolina RB Chris Johnson (shoulder). ? West Virginia FB Owen Schmitt (knee). ? Texas WR Limas Sweed (wrist). ? LSU WR Early Doucet (hamstring). ? USC TE Fred Davis (ankle). ? Notre Dame TE John Carlson (bacteria infection). ? North Carolina DT Kentwan Balmer (hamstring). ? Auburn DE/OLB Quentin Groves (turf toe). ? Miami (Fla.) OLB Tavares Gooden (hip flexor). ? Michigan OLB Shawn Crable (back). ? UNLV ILB Beau Bell (lower leg). ? Troy CB Leodis McKelvin (hamstring). ? Michigan S Jamar Adams (Achilles).
