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Friday, January 19
Seniors shine during prep week
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
The practices at the postseason all-star games are critical in the evaluation of players for the draft. In Mobile this week there has been a little difficulty because of the weather. It was very cold, windy and rainy during the first day of practice. It made the surface slick which was troublesome, especially for defensive lineman and the cornerbacks. But Wednesday it dried up and conditions turned more favorable for the NFL GMs, coaches and scouts who are trying to fairly evaluate players.
A wet week would be unfortunate because many of the personnel people leave Thursday night prior to a light walk-through on Friday. They certainly want to know how players will perform in game situations, but many of the NFL brass turn to video for game action. The best time for players to distinguish themselves is in the week of practice. It's combine workout number one for these players and several, on both teams, have used the time to their advantage.
Mike McMahon from Rutgers has been the most impressive at practices in Mobile this week. He's coming off a great effort at the Blue-Gray game and has carried that momentum into Senior Bowl preparation. McMahon has outplayed the other two quarterbacks on the North roster, Rashard Casey of Penn State and Iowa State's Sage Rosenfels.
|  | | Willie Howard has worked at defensive tackle and end. |
Kevan Barlow from Pittsburgh has led the charge for the North at running back. He's a big back who shows outside speed. Michigan's Anthony Thomas is in the mix at that position as well, but Barlow has been the standout so far.
Alex Bannister from Eastern Kentucky is a big, rangy wideout with long-range potential that might land him in the second or third round of the draft. But Chad Johnson from Oregon State has been the most explosive wide receiver on either team. He had a great year with the Beavers after coming over from Santa Monica Junior College. Johnson has good size and tremendous explosion. He's a very competitive player who could be chosen in the mid-to-late first round. Kansas State's Quincy Morgan has also had his moments catching the ball as well.
Alge Crumpler of North Carolina has been the best tight end for the North. He catches the ball well and shows some athleticism despite lacking ideal height.
The offensive line for the North team has been dominating. Jeff Backus, a right tackle from Michigan, has held up very well in pass protection. Ryan Diem from Northern Illinois could be a big, physical guard in the NFL, reminiscent of Kevin Gogan. Notre Dame's Mike Gandy has showcased his quick feet and sound technique. But Steve Hutchinson, an outstanding guard from Michigan who could probably play right tackle in the NFL, has been one of the most outstanding players at any position this week. Another Wolverine, Mo Williams, will also draw attention in the weeks leading up to the draft.
Ennis Davis, a highly-touted defensive lineman from USC, needs to pick up his level of play a bit. He hasn't been as impressive as expected. Stanford's Willie Howard, on the other hand, has been every bit as good as advertised. He has been working out at both at defensive tackle and end. He shows very good quickness and pass-rushing technique. John Schlecht from Minnesota and Nebraska's Kyle Vanden Bosch have had their moments, but Howard has stolen the show on the North defense.
None of the North's linebackers have emerged from the pack to distinguish himself, but several of the defensive backs have impressed during practice. Will Allen of Syracuse has been outstanding. He has good ball skills, very good awareness and has looked good in coverage. Adam Archuleta, though, has been the most impressive. He was a rover at Arizona State who was used at both strong and free safety. He shows very good range in coverage and is a tremendous enforcer against the run. Andre Dyson from Utah has looked good in coverage during the week. Dwight Smith, an undersized corner from Akron, will have to show good skills to make up for his lack of height and answer lingering questions about his man-to-man coverage ability. Aside from Dyson, the most impressive cover man in Mobile has been Michael Stone from Memphis. He has very good feet and smooth hips.
Nick Harris, the punter from Cal, has also had a good week.
The best quarterback for the South team has been somewhat of a surprise. Jesse Palmer, who went back and forth between the starting lineup and the bench at Florida, throws a very tight spiral and shows above average arm strength. He's an accurate passer and is making good reads and good decisions in his progression. David Rivers of Western Carolina has a little hitch in his delivery but has shown very good arm strength. Ben Leard from Auburn might be a little overmatched, without the arm strength to compete.
Travis Minor from Florida State could be a Priest Holmes-type back in the NFL -- a backup, third-down man. He catches the ball well and is consistent. LaDainian Tomlinson was brilliant in practice on Tuesday. He showed great vision and burst and caught the ball well out of the backfield. He was off to a pretty good start again Wednesday but had to have his hamstring wrapped. So he's nicked but hopefully will be back later in the week.
|  | | Reggie Wayne may be the best player at the Senior Bowl. |
Reggie Wayne from Miami has been brilliant at wide receiver. He runs exceptional routes, snatches every ball out of the air with his hands, is very quick out of his cuts and shows good burst. Along with Steve Hutchinson, Wayne might be the most impressive player in Mobile this week. Scotty Anderson from Grambling looked effortless in his movement. He looked much more developed than you would expect from a Div. I-AA player and has improved his draft position. Clemson's Rod Gardner has good size and looks very fluid. He could be a Michael Irvin-type receiver in the NFL. He has solidified his status as a mid-first rounder with his work this week. Marvin Minnis looked okay in practice Tuesday but was sick and sat out Wednesday.
Arther Love, the tight end from South Carolina State looks the part of an NFL player. He's been fighting the ball, though, and has dropped some passes he shouldn't. He looks as if he could stand some development, but he definitely has talent. UTEP's Brian Natkin brings Ken Dilger to mind when he catches the ball. He has great hands and shows a little quickness after the catch.
At offensive line, Georgia Tech's Chris Brown has been riding defensive linemen to the outside and shows decent feet. Char-ron Dorsey, a right tackle from Florida State, has been a bit stiff-legged but shows some explosion and pop at the point of attack. He's a good run-blocker and holds up in pass protection as well. Robert Garza, a center from Texas A&M-Kingsville, is tough, smart and competitive. He could end up being drafted in the third round. Pork Chop Womack from Mississippi State has held up reasonably well in practice too.
On the defensive side, Willie Blade, also from the Bulldogs, has had a great week of practice. He showed great quickness, technique and got after the quarterback well. Alabama's Kenny Smith has been up and down but has flashed big time ability and Marcus Stroud from Georgia looks like a Daryl Gardener-type player.
Florida State linebacker Brian Allen is a little short but has been strong and outstanding in coverage. Georgia's Kendrell Bell has also looked good, particularly as a physical run-stopper. Tommy Polley, also a Seminole, ha had a good couple of days but he only weighed in at 216 pounds. He's going to have to get stronger to improve his stock. Quinton Caver from Arkansas looks like he has what it takes physically and has played up to expectations.
In the secondary, Baylor's Gary Baxter has to answer questions about whether he's smooth enough in the hips to play corner. Larry Casher from Auburn has been very sound even though he's only about 170 pounds. Tay Cody from Florida State continues to make plays even though he lacks ideal size. Another Seminole, Derrick Gibson, wasn't as productive at Florida State as he should have been but he's very tough and a hard hitter. Alabama's Tony Dixon looks like he could be a good safety in the NFL.
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Mel Kiper Jr. lists Chad Johnson as the player making the most waves at the Senior Bowl.