http://draftbreakdown.com/senior-bowl-blog-wednesday
This morning’s North team practice was filled with excitement and energy from the players and coaches. As usual, Missouri LB Sean Weatherspoon led the charge on this, keeping his team mates fired up after every big hit. Lots of cheers and yelling from the players throughout practice as their intensity remained high. I saw numerous head coaches this morning, including Ravens HC John Harbaugh, Seahawks HC Pete Carroll, Steelers HC Mike Tomlin, Bucs HC Raheem Morris, Rams HC Steve Spagnolo, Falcons HC Mike Smith and 49ers HC Mike Singletary.
There were a few additions to the roster: Cory Jackson, Maryland FB, Thomas Welch, Vanderbilt OT, and Donald Jones, WR Youngstown State.
I started the practice by watching the defensive linemen drills. There were several scouts from the Saints, Redskins, Jaguars, rams and Eagles watching as well as Rams HC Steve Spagnolo, Falcons HC Mike Smith and Bengals DC Mike Zimmer. As usual, Brandon Graham looked terrific. He was really flashing his speed and athleticism in the bag drills. Austen Lane struggled early. He really seems raw as a pass rusher, but does have the physical tools to play the position. Jared Odrick and Tyson Alualu struggled with their footwork, looking out of control at times. They made up for it later in team drills though, looking tough in the trenches.
Turning my attention to the linebackers,
Sean Weatherspoon looks very good, as usual. Something I hadn’t noticed before in teams drills is that the North is playing Spoon at MLB, and he seems to be doing very well. Donald Butler of Washington has a tendency to get a little high when back pedaling for coverage, but had a solid day overall. Koa Misi displayed pretty good footwork at the linebacker spot for a guy that was a full time defensive end at Utah. TCU OLB Daryl Washington has impressed me. He’s all over the field in coverage, displaying speed that is good enough to run with most tight ends and running backs. Washington is also a physical player, always getting a nice pop on the ball carrier.
Here are some other notes from this morning’s North Practice:
Sean Weatherspoon was playing very fast and was moving from sideline to sideline with ease. He did have some problems in his drops (not getting back fast enough) and let a few balls get over his head because of this. He also got inside Vladamir Ducasse on one running play and anchored well. Weatherspoon was playing MLB in the Lions Staffs 4-3 defense. He played pretty well and he might have a future there.
Tony Pike had a disapointing morning. He was late on a few balls, one that ending up getting intercepted by Chris Cook (Virginia) on a pass to Mardy Gilyard. He looked very awkward on his rollouts and most of the balls he threw on the run were down at the receivers knees.
Syd’Quan Thompson had an up and down day. Sometimes he stayed right in the receivers hip pocket in coverage, other times he was left behind. Syd was beat deep by Pitt TE Dorin Dickerson today, something that cannot happen at the next level.
Brandon Ghee has a solid performance today. He made several good plays on the ball and was rarely out of position in coverage. Brandon Ghee did have one play where he tried to wrap up Dorin Dickerson around the head and Dickerson just stuck his head down and ran right by him. He needs to tackle lower, especially on someone with the strength and bodt control of Dickerson.
Danario Alexander had an outstanding day running routes. He seems crisp in his route running and really worked the middle of the field well. Danario also showed some physicality by fighting defensive backs for the ball, and usually winning. He ran some of the best routes of the day and got separation deep, which is something that was questioned before this week. He also has great body control and knows how to shield the defender from the ball. He is making himself a lot of money this week and is a legitimate 2nd round pick right now.
Chris Cook had a very good day in coverage. He’s showing that he’s a physical defensive back that will stick his head in on tackles and fight for the ball. During team drills, he read Tony Pike like a book and jumped an out route pass to Mardy Gilyard, intercepting it with ease.
Dorin Dickerson had one of the best days out there. When passes come near him he just clamps down on the ball, snagging it out of the air. Dickerson also had a fantastic over the shoulder catch on a deep pass from Tony Pike, in which he beat Syd’Quan Thompson.
Jacoby Ford had a nice day of practice and he’s showing that he may be a versatile receiving threat. He caught passes all over the field, including a nice deep pass from Tony Pike
LeGarrette Blount had another strong outing. He’s really playing well out there when he runs between the tackles. First contact just will not bring this guy down. He looked quick on his feet and was patient but quick through the hole. He ran less upright than we’re used to seeing, which is a good sign.
In team drills, Brandon Graham was impressive again. He’s continuing his trend from college of always being in the backfield as he’s just too quick for most of the North team blockers.
Ed Dickson was also impressive today as a receiver/route runner. He showed outstanding body control on a few tough catches.
Mardy Gilyard didn’t have too many catches this morning, but he ways always going 100% and was giving a good effort blocking down the field.
Mike Iupati had a good practice and showed great quickness in short areas. On one play he pulled offensive right and completely took two defenders out of the play.
Joique Bell caught several passes from out of the backfield today, showing sure hands and quickness to the outside. Bell also has a nice juke move while in open space.
Sean Canfield placed a beautiful ball over the head of Brandon Graham who was in coverage on the play. He didn’t take too many snaps today, but overall he impressed.
Vladimir Ducasse was moved around the offensive line today, and we saw him pull from the left tackle position. Ducasse had the speed to get all the way back to the right side and block down field for the ball carrier.
Both Rashawn Jackson and Cory Jackson had good days at FB. They were physical, made some good blocks and even caught some balls out of the backfield.
Zoltan Mesko didn’t have his best day. But it’s ok, he has the coolest name in the world. Some of his punts were just straight line drives and he didn’t have many long kicks. He did manage to get some good hangtime, however.
Thomas Welch, on his first day, had a pretty good practice. A lot of tall guys can struggle with leverage but he has good knee bend and really gets under the defender. He could be someone to watch for in the coming days.
Tyson Alualu plays like a little kid out there, but in a good way. He is very energetic and always pumped up. He packs a very powerful punch.
Speaking of energetic, North Carolina’s Cam Thomas really does enjoy yelling. I’m almost worried he isn’t breathing enough out there and that he might collapse. He grunts and screams before durig and after the play. He seems to have strong hands, but he isn’t very quick or fast. Might have potential as a NT.
As for what teams were talking to players after practice today, we observed the following:
Houston Texans: Thomas Welch, Mike Iupati, Lonyae Miller
Cleveland Browns: Kurt Coleman, Thomas Welch
New York Jets: Mike Windt
Baltimore Ravens: Syd’Quan Thompson, Joique Bell
Kansas City Chiefs: Syd’Quan Thompson
Detroit Lions: AJ Edds (were working Edds out as a long snapper off to the side – I know they’re coaching but this was odd to me)
Atlanta Falcons: Donald Jones
St. Louis Rams: Mike Neal, Sean Weatherspoon
Washington Redskins: Austen Lane
Jacksonville Jaguars: Vladimir Ducasse
Oakland Raiders: Phillip Dillard