Senior Bowl Week

[philfree]

http://www.seniorbowl.com/

There is definately some players for us to watch this week. The DE/OLB tweeners and the NTs. Taylor Mays will get a chance to show he can cover and make plays. Iupati an Ducasse...ect.


PhilFree

[Wilson8]

Originally Posted by milkman

Sorry, I was being facetious.

The only thing I learned, or actually had reinforced, is that Scott Pioli says less with more words than I thought humanly possible.

Scott makes a pretty good politician with his many words.

When camera showed the stands, Todd and Romeo were talking together, Charlie was 4 ft away looking in the opposite direction like he was in time out. He was probably just watching what he wanted to watch. Lots of drills going on with offense and defense. They all looked like they were paying attention. When you see some of the other coaches from other staffs, it looks like they're not even watching.

One statement that Scott made that got my attention. This is not an exact quote, but basically from the player personnel side Todd and now Charlie are running the same type of offense so they are looking at the same type of players that Scott has been looking at for the last 18 years. The defense is the same defense that he has been looking at for 17 of his last 18 years.

Why I'm pointing this out, you can go back and look at their past drafts, trades, and free agent signings and get a pretty good idea of player personnel moves for the future on the Chiefs.

[kepp]

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

[Titty Meat]

It's obvious the Chiefs are going to go for a CB this draft. I expect alot of people to complain and thats ok. Leggett sucks and Brandon Carr isn't a #2.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by billay

It's obvious the Chiefs are going to go for a CB this draft. I expect alot of people to complain and thats ok. Leggett sucks and Brandon Carr isn't a #2.

I wouldn't be surprised either. The sad thing is they spent their 4th round pick last year on Donald Washington who was awful. He should of at least made a contribution on special teams but was no where to be found.

[Mecca]

Syd'Quan is not exactly a good fit here...he's not as gifted as Carr or Washington for that matter, he's also really small.

Strictly a zone CB with questionable speed, in the 1 on 1's he looked bad because he knows he doesn't have man up speed.

[Wilson8]

Originally Posted by billay

It's obvious the Chiefs are going to go for a CB this draft. I expect alot of people to complain and thats ok. Leggett sucks and Brandon Carr isn't a #2.

Might happen but it will be very disappointing. It means they were wrong about D. Washington and it means KC has one less draft pick for the other needed positions.

If they want a CB, go after Leigh Bodden. Come to think of it, never mind, Romeo while at Cleveland traded him away to Detroit NT Shaun Rogers.

I just think we have bigger holes to fill than CB.

I know, they are just talking to CBs to pick their brains on the hardest WRs to cover.

[Mecca]

The most impressive CB's down there are Kyle Wilson and Devin McCourty, I wonder why we're talking to Thompson...

[raybec 4]

Originally Posted by Mecca

The most impressive CB's down there are Kyle Wilson and Devin McCourty, I wonder why we're talking to Thompson...

Because Syd'Quan is an amazingly awesome name.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Wilson8

Might happen but it will be very disappointing. It means they were wrong about D. Washington and it means KC has one less draft pick for the other needed positions.

If they want a CB, go after Leigh Bodden. Come to think of it, never mind, Romeo while at Cleveland traded him away to Detroit NT Shaun Rogers.

I just think we have bigger holes to fill than CB.

I know, they are just talking to CBs to pick their brains on the hardest WRs to cover.

It doesn't mean the Chiefs were wrong about Washington it means Leggett sucks and Carr isn't a starter.

[Wilson8]

I've wondered about a CB like Javier Arenas, if he fell a few rounds, primarily as a return man. He could help field position and maybe give the ST a few TDs. Could also battle for the CB position.

[MahiMike]

Some of these comments are hilarious.

Average with frail arms (ouch)
Built like fire hydrant
Frail for OL
unimpressve

[Wilson8]

The Chiefs have parts/players that are missing that will make the CBs look a lot better. They need a NT, ILB, S, and OLB. Add some good players in those positions and Carr, Leggett, and even Flowers will look better.

[penchief]

Originally Posted by Mecca

I honestly laugh at the idea that Haley or Pioli wouldn't want Cody because of his size.

The fact that the guy played for Saban makes him more likely to be our pick, hell the way Haley is hard on guys about weight probably makes it more likely too.

I don't think his "size" has anything to do with it. I think you are ignoring the fact that Cody is a flabby bastard. Fat is one thing. But loose hanging flesh is another. I'd be very concerned that Cody is lazy. That's what would concern me more than his being fat. Like I said before, if he were rotund I would probably agree with your assessment. But he is not rotund. He's flabby as hell. That's a sign of being lazy. IMO, there should be a little more muscle with his loose hanging flab than there is.

JMO.

[Titty Meat]

Can we please draft Eric Norwood?

[Sully]

Who was the guy in the North practice wearing a Dolphins helmet?