There wasn't a lot of topflight talent there and it was one of the most boring games I've seen, but there were several players who helped themselves quite a bit during the week of practices and game. Anthony Chickillo of Miami probably was the best player. I think he is best suited as a 4-3 DE however, so probably of not much interest to the Jets as an OLB, but perhaps so. Two other players that were impressive were Za'Darius Smith of Kentucky and Jermauria Rasco, both potential 3-4 OLB prospects. All three showed great work ethic, effort, get off speed, power, and toughness. Other players garnering praise were CB/FS Josh Shaw of USC, OG John Miller of Louisville, TE Wes Saxton of South Alabama, DT Derrick Lott of UT-Chattanooga, Andre Davis WR of South Florida, B.J. Finney C of Kansas St., RB Terrence Magee of LSU, and WR Tre McBride of William & Mary. Former Baylor P Spencer Roth averaged 47.8 on 4 punts with two downed inside the 20. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000459851/article/what-we-learned-from-eastwest-shrine-game http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...shers-pass-catchers-flash-at-east-west-shrine
Thanks for posting this. I usually like to watch these all-star games to get a sense of the talent coming up in the draft but couldn't this year. The kids who play in this game are usually day 3 picks but it's still interesting to play talent scout.
Washington WR Kasen Williams followed an inconsistent week with a sub-par game, but still remains a big sleeper of mines. I like the 1st round talent guys that go under the radar because of poor production and/or injury late in their collegiate careers. Kasen is exactly that..
It's often hard to fathom what the problem is with some of these guys. A few years ago I was watching a bowl game with Cen. Michigan. They had a guy by the name of Jordan White (reminded me of Cotchery) who was tearing it up that day. I think he led the NCAA in receptions that year. I was very happy to hear the Jets drafted him in the 7th round but I was puzzled as to why so late. Turns out he had ACL injuries in both knees. A few weeks ago I was watching Kansas State vs. UCLA. KSU has a WR named Tyler Lockette who was very impressive. Reminded me of Steve Smith.
These were my impressions from the Shrine game (note: Peen is a guy on my Browns board) * represents top 5 performance in game Shrine Bowl Looked good: *OL 79 Jamon Brown 6'6" 328 University of Louisville - most dominant player in the game IMO *DL 95 Anthony Chickillo 6'4" 275 University of Miami - he definitely had the most flash plays but I think he's just a rotational player *DL 58 Leterrius Walton 6'5" 305 Central Michigan University - was very disruptive on the interior *DL 91 Derrick Lott 6'4" 298 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - so quick and strong off the ball *DL 59 Jermauria Rasco 6'3" 252 Louisiana State University - wow he flashed a lot of quickness off the edge. Another guy whose sack totals are low because of LSU's scheme? Stronger than Mingo and looks as long. OL 63 Dillon Day 6'4" 300 Mississippi State University - just pushed his assignments around all game. Pancaked at lest two guys. WR 1 Andre Davis, II 6'2" 210 University of South Florida - kept getting open and making catches. QB 7 Anthony Boone 6'1" 225 Duke University - easily the most accurate QB of the two lower tier all star games. Good athlete, too. DL 94 Za'Darius Smith 6'5" 265 University of Kentucky - had some good plays rushing but had some bad plays, too. Got out of position too much IMO but still showed ability. LB 39 Jake Ryan 6'3" 240 University of Michigan - very instinctive and closes very well. Useful rotational linebacker. RB 10 Dominique Brown 6'2" 240 University of Louisville - The best RB overall LB of the two lower games. Definitely the strongest. WR 29 Austin Hill 6'3" 215 University of Arizona - Clearly the best WR of this game. Got open, caught the ball well. DL 92 Tyeler Davison 6'2" 310 Fresno State - didn't really notice him until the 4th quarter but all of a sudden he was penetrating and making plays on the interior. DL 53 Kyle Emanuel 6'3" 250 North Dakota State University - good rush ability off the blind side DC 16 Joshua Shaw 6'1" 200 University of Southern California - good cover skills and long arms, but with better QB play may have gotten beat a couple times. Doesn't have good long speed. Looked bad: OL 60 Sean Hickey 6'5" 300 Syracuse University OL 62 Shane McDermott 6'4" 300 University of Miami WR 88 Darren Waller 6'6" 240 Georgia Tech QB 14 Taylor Heinicke 6'1" 210 Old Dominion University QB 6 Hutson Mason 6'2" 210 University of Georgia OL 72 B.J. Finney 6'4" 312 Kansas State University OL 68 Mickey Baucus 6'8" 305 University of Arizona QB 17 Cody Fajardo 6'2" 215 University of Nevada QB 10 Taylor Kelly 6'2" 205 Arizona State University QB 11 Dylan Thompson 6'3" 220 University of South Carolina DL James Castleman Ok State - I included him mainly because he is such an interesting guy in how OK State used him as a FB. He was really good in that role... can catch and run but he is ENORMOUS. He's that guy from Madden in the FB role. Not sure it would be a good fit in the pros if you are hoping your FB can lead through tight windows but I think he would satisfy Peen's criteria for a FB. I don't think he's an NFL DT, though.
NFLPA Game Good performers *83 Anthony Johnson WR West Texas A&M - kept getting open all game, made some nice catches... good focus *99 Zack Wagenmann DE Montana - probably the best player in the game. Really good pass rusher. *36 Donald Celiscar CB Western Michigan - tight coverage on multiple plays *29 Ross Scheuerman RB Lafayette - ran away from everyone for a 60 yard TD on a play that was called back for holding on the FB *27 Jimmy Jean CB UAB - tight coverage on multiple plays 98 Kalafitoni (Toni) Pole DT Washington State - was getting penetration frequently 58 John (J.R.) Tavai LB Southern California - nice transition to 4-3 LB, forced a fumble on the goalline. 91 Marcus Rush DE Michigan State - was hot and cold in pass rush but showed some ability. 25 Emmanuel Johnson DB Southern Mississippi - he had one HUGE hit on the sideline but it was pretty much the only play he made in the game.
Not surprising to see big Z doing well in these games. Living in KY and being a UK fan, he was arguably our second best defensive player all year behind Bud. If our DL wasn't so stacked I would love to take him. Even at that, if he's there in say the 5th round, I'd still probably take him. He could provide excellent depth and possibly a replacement for Wilk/Shelden if we decide to not bring one or both of them back.
