New Era Scouting

Its gameday down in Mobile, Alabama and this is the final live action we will see when it comes to some of the top prospects in the nation. It has been a great week and a very useful tool in the process of evaluating these future NFL players by seeing how they perform against other top talent under the same conditions and how they respond to NFL coaching. They have had 6-7 days to acclimate themselves to their new team, and now it’s time to watch the event they have been working towards all week. While the majority of the scouting process in Mobile took place during the practices, the game is also an important piece of the puzzle. There will be a lot to examine in the game but here is what but I will preview the offense vs. defense matchups and give you a feel for what to expect.

NORTH OFFENSE vs SOUTH DEFENSE

One negative that stood out to me when watching the North offense work throughout the week were the weak performances of the blockers up front. Now, in football the group of players that benefit the most from chemistry is the offensive line, so it is understandable that these players were having simple communication breakdowns. But even with that in mind, the North offensive line could not keep the likes of Jared Odrick (Penn State), Tyson Alualu (California), and Brandon Graham (Michigan) out of the backfield. They will be up against a better group of defensive linemen from the South and if the week of practice was at all an indicator, the North’s quarterbacks are going to have a hard time throwing the ball downfield. The most intriguing matchups to watch in the trenches will come from the interior though. The best offensive lineman in Mobile, and arguably the player that will go highest in the draft, is Mike Iupati (Idaho). He has completely dominated anyone that was placed in front of him, but he will be up against three defensive tackles that will provide a stiff test. Terrence Cody (Alabama) appears to be out of shape, but he was impossible to move all week. Dan Williams displayed a combination of strength, size, and speed that I’m sure Iupati has never faced before. And Geno Atkins (Georgia) has clearly been the most explosive interior defensive lineman in Mobile all week. We will get to see how Iupati handles all of these different kinds of players throughout the game. Centers Matt Tennant (Boston College) and Eric Olsen (Notre Dame) are also potential top 75 picks that will face some of the stiffest competition they’ve seen in the careers, and how they respond will impact their draft status come April.

If the offensive line can get creases for the ground attack, I expect a couple of north running backs to have a field day. First off is LeGarrette Blount (Oregon) whom at 6’1 – 245 pounds has easily been the most physical ball carrier here. He has been running like a back with something to prove and considering he was forced to sit out almost the entire year because of an altercation at Boise State, he does. Blount has been running with power, aggression, and downfield speed that I did not think he had. The South defense has a small group of linebackers and if Blount can square them up and reach them with little resistance from the defensive line, he is going to put on a show that will be sure to open up the eyes of teams that need a short yardage back. Here are the weights of the South’s linebacker squad. 241 – 236 – 246 – 229 – 232. Blount is bigger than all but one of those linebackers at the second level. Joique Bell (Wayne State) and Lonyae Miller (Fresno State) are both physical, downhill runners that weight 220+ and they will be able to display their ability to push the pile forward if the space is provided.

Coming in to the week, I was expecting to see the South’s defensive backfield ‘wow’ everyone in sight but I was left with a lackluster feel for them. Cornerbacks Trevard Lindley (Kentucky) and Patrick Robinson (Florida State) had a hard time playing press coverage and if there is one thing about the North’s wide receivers that they do well as a group, it is play a physical style of football. Donario Alexander (Missouri) and Dorin Dickerson (Pittsburgh) may not be the quickest players on the field, but they can win the one on one battles with their strength alone. Mardy Gilyard (Cincinnati) and JACOBY Ford (Clemson) are legitimate threats with the ball in their hands they will make defenders miss in space if they are given the smallest of windows to explode through. It will be important for the likes of Taylor Mays (USC) Nate Allen (South Florida) Harry Coleman (LSU) and Myron Rolle (Florida State), all physical players that have had issues with their tackling at times, to taken them down when the opportunity is there. Garrett Graham (Wisconsin) and Ed Dickson (Oregon) are both tight ends that need to bulk up before they are every down factors at the next level but here in Mobile, they will be used a lot in the game. In a game where I am sure we will see a lot of short passes, Graham and Dickson are both reliable route runners and they both catch the ball well. They’re quicker than they are fast, but that works in a short passing game.

The North’s quarterbacks were, to be kind, less than inspiring throughout the week and the game is going to be more important for them than anyone here. Tony Pike looked absolutely horrid as he adjusted to the pro-style offense. His footwork just isn’t there and his awkward throwing mechanics often caused his balls to wobble and sail away from his intended target. The signal caller I was highest on all week was Oregon State’s Trevor Canfield. The southpaw threw the best balls and his accuracy was on point from day one, something you usually do not see on a team full of guys playing with each other for the first time. The issues with his arm strength are there, but I’ll be interested in seeing him take a couple shots downfield and outside the numbers.

SOUTH OFFENSE vs. NORTH DEFENSE

As I noted before, the issues with the blocking that the North’s offensive line had all week most likely had to do with the lack of chemistry and lack of ability. However, the defensive line that the North will put out there deserves some credit as they are a blue collar group that will give their opponents a myriad amount of fits in the trenches. Jared Odrick (Penn State) is a legitimate first round contender that has a blend of brute strength and quickness that is very difficult for one blocker to handle. He gets off the ball exceptionally well and after watching a couple of the South interior linemen struggle, he could have himself a day. Mike Johnson (Alabama) and John Jerry (Ole Miss) were up and down in their one on one drills, and Odrick is simply a different kind of player than what they are used to being up against. Brandon Graham was virtually unblockable all week, just as he’s been at Michigan over the past two seasons. He has a couple of favorable matchups against Chris Scott (Tennesee), Selvish Capers (West Virginia), and Ciron Black (LSU) because they all struggle to play with strong knee bend, playing exactly in to what Graham wants because of his ability to play low and make himself small to a blocker. Keep an eye on Alex Carrington (Arkansas State) who opened a lot of eyes this week with his size, playing strength, and deceptive quickness off the ball. There were times where he looked like the best defensive player in Mobile, and a strong game performance could make him the winner of the week in terms of draft stock.

The North’s front seven bottled up the inside running game all week in practice, so it will be interesting to see how they fare against a South rushing attack that does not have a lot capability in terms of an outside the tackles in their ground attack. Stafon Johnson (USC) and Anthony Dixon (Mississippi State) provide a similar skill set to what the North’s linebackers saw throughout the week and if history is an indicator, they will struggle to get the pile moving forward. However there is a wildcard option here that I am sure the Dolphins coaching staff will look to exploit. Dexter McCluster (Ole Miss) is listed on the roster as a wide receiver, but he saw plenty of time at running back in practice, and he does have over 300 career carries for the Rebels on his resume. He brings a speed and quickness dimension that could give the North linebackers a few problems. As much as I like Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri) as a middle linebacker, he looked uncomfortable in space this week. The plays where he looked average or worse usually took place when he was outside of traffic with just him and the ball carrier on the outside. The same goes for Koa Misi (Utah) and AJ Edds (Iowa), two guys that can play a strong power game but the speed of McCluster could make them look silly if they’re found in space matched up against each other. That could be the opportunity for TCU’s Daryl Washington to really display the kind of athlete he is, as I have been raving about his ability to move from sideline to sideline all week.

I said earlier stated that I was surprised by the lack of quality in the South’s defensive backfield and I was just as surprised with the North’s, but in the opposite direction. Kyle Wilson (Boise State) put on a clinic every day and displayed his ability in man coverage, something that made him a lot of money this week. Also try to keep an eye on Chris Cook (Virginia) whom I believe may have the highest upside of any defensive back in Mobile. His length is a weapon in press coverage, and he is very smooth in his backpedal and breaks. In a game where the quarterbacks are sure to take chances downfield to display their arms, Cook should receive the opportunity to make a big play. Terrell Skinner (Maryland) and Larry Asante (Nebraska) have proven to be enforcers over the middle and they will lay the wood if a ball is tossed over the middle. The South has a group of wide receivers that lack speed, but they are still effective because they run precise routes and catch the football when it is within reach. Shay Hodge (Ole Miss) and Andre Roberts (Citadel) are the two most NFL ready receivers of the group in terms of route running and hands. They were beating the press coverage all week and getting the separation underneath that quarterbacks love to work with. Joe Webb (UAB) has the wide receiver body and he had a few plays during practice that displayed his big play ability, and I’m sure he will receive a deep pass or two. One tight end that I think will have an impact is Jimmy Graham (Miami). Graham struggled as an in-line blocker, but the 6’6 former basketball player was catching everything thrown his way and really knows how to use his body. The North may not have a matchup that could stick with him in coverage.

Watching Tim Tebow (Florida) is going to be a lot of fun. He is clearly trying to prove he can hack it as an NFL passer, and I think he will try to stay in the pocket longer than he usually does and get the ball out. His day-to-day progress as a passer was enough for me to be convinced he can do it at the next level. He was very accurate with his downfield passing and I could tell the more secure he got with his footwork, the more precise his passes were. I’m sure we will still see a few gadget plays with him, as I saw a few practiced throughout the week and we all know how well he does running the ball. Jarrett Brown (West Virginia) showed flashes this week and there were times where he looked like the best quarterback in Mobile. He has a very strong arm and he can deliver it short, intermediate, and deep. He had issues putting touch on the ball at times though and he needs to do a better job of getting the ball to the spot where his receiver can get to it.

It is hard to project who will win this game because these guys have played with each other for a week, and football is much more about chemistry and coaching than talent when it comes to this level. One could make the argument the South has more star power, but the North squad is a team full of overachievers and those are the types I prefer. So with that said, here is my game prediction and the one player to watch on each side of the ball.

North – 20

South – 17

North Offensive Player to Watch: Mike Iupati – G – Idaho

North Defensive Player to Watch – Chris Cook – CB – Virginia

South Offensive Player to Watch – Dexter McCluster – RB/WR – Ole Miss

South Defensive Player to Watch – Perrish Cox – CB – Oklahoma State

Enoy the game and look for New Era Scouting’s Senior Bowl recap on Monday!

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Navorro Bowman – Penn State

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 6’1 – 230

40 Time:

Pro Potential: Angelo Crowell – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Position Traits

Coverage/Zone Defense Skills: Has a good sense for where the ball is heading, reads the quarterback well. Can drop in to the deep third as a cover 2 middle linebacker. Will be late to diagnose pass on playaction, takes too many false steps.

Instincts/Recognition: Reads the run blocks very well and can get himself in to the hole very fast. Flows to the action quickly. Gets caught out of position on counters and playaction passes, too many false steps.

Pass Rush: Quick blitzer that can get in to the pocket before the passer is at the end of his drop back. Makes himself small to blockers and can slip through the smallest of windows. 8 sacks in 3 years.

Pursuit/Lateral Movement/Agility: Rangy linebacker that can play sideline to sideline despite starting inside the guard on most plays. Can meet the ball carrier on outside runs

Quickness/Explosion: Tremendous explosion in short areas. Will frequently make a blocker completely whiff because of the last second quickness. Outstanding athlete both in space and in a phone booth.

Strength/Ability to Shed Blocks: When a blocker gets a clean look, Bowman is turned in to a non factor. He can avoid blocks very well, but he does not shed them. Once he is locked on to, he is ridden out of the play. If he does get that initial angle advantage, he lacks the power to make up for it. Has a strong frame with plenty of muscle, but his power in the box is below average.

Tackling: Sure tackler that can take down a ball carrier several ways. Over 200 tackles the past two years despite missing some action. Likes to stay low to the ground and explode through the target. Sure balance pre-tackle.

Versatility: Has played in the middle and on the weak side throughout his tenure at Penn State. Plays well in traffic and in space, opening up different scheme possibilities for him. Can be given a balanced set of run and pass responsibilities. Best suited for the weak side because of his frame but can play the middle in a pinch.

Final Word: Bowman did not surprise many by leaving Penn State early for the draft. He has a shot at being a top 20 pick because of his NFL ready speed and quickness. In a league that placing less value on size and more on speed, Bowman is going to be sought after by many teams. The lack of size will likely be an issue for Bowman however, and it could keep him off the field in a starting role for the first year or so. Linebackers that play as physical as Bowman but don’t have the size are an injury risk. But if he can stay on the field, his level of play will be a factor if he can get the protection up front from a big, blocker-eating defensive line.

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SOUTH PRACTICE REPORT – WEDNESDAY

Another big crowd on hand that followed Tebow around the entire practice. This was the last time we were going to see the south squad in full pads until the game on Saturday, so it was their last chance to impress the scouts, coaches, and general managers as most of them depart tonight.

OFFENSIVE LINE

-Some impressive play from Chris Scott (Tennessee) today. At 6’5 – 346 pounds, Scott clearly stands out among his fellow offensive linemen. He holds that weight on his massive frame and his footwork was better than I anticipated. He got a few looks at left tackle and more than held his own against speed rusher George Selvie. His long arms and powerful punch completely stop the momentum of the rusher and his balance remains throughout. I still see him on the right side at the next level but its nice to know he can hack on the left side in a pinch.

-Center Ted Larsen (NC State) is a very stout blocker from the center position and he showed a lot of strength, holding up well against Terrence Cody. He swings his hips in to the hole and keeps his man at bay. Under the radar guy that could be a starter at the next level.

TIGHT ENDS/RECEIVERS

-Shay Hodge looked brilliant today in almost every drill I watched him. He was making acrobatic grabs, getting two feet down near the sidelines, and running nice routes on all three levels. He is the kind of receiver that quarterbacks love to have as a security blanket.

-Jimmy Graham (Miami) had an up and down practice. His receiving ability is there, as he was catching nearly everything thrown his way. He made some nice adjustments to the ball at the last second and plucked the ball out of the air that was behind him. However the blocking portion of his game needs a lot of work, as he was driven back repeatedly with some inconsistent footwork.

-Another impressive day by Andre Roberts (Citadel) who is reminding me a lot of Steve Smith from the Giants. He is clearly the top route runner here and he made some tough catches in with a corner draped all over him.

RUNNING BACKS

-Roy Upchurch (Alabama) is a relative unknown because of depth chart concerns at Alabama, but he showed ability today. He consistently caught the ball out of the backfield, including a wheel route to the corner of the end zone where he made the catch of the day while getting two feet down before exiting the back of the end zone.

-Ben Tate (Auburn) is making an argument for himself to be considered the best power back here. He is running hard in between the tackles and the smaller linebackers are having a hard time stopping his momentum,

-Dexter McCluster (Ole Miss) with another big day from all over the place. He broke off the best run of the day, displaying explosion that nobody in this game has. He just flies by defenders, even the ones that have the initial angle advantage on him.

QUARTERBACKS

-I continue to be impressed by Tim Tebow (Florida). I can understand the issue with his long release, but I watched him closely and something came to mind. I think, on purpose, he is slowing everything down to ensure he gets his footwork right. This is the first time he has dropped back while making reads, and I think he is focused on that more so than his release. With time, his release will be worked on and quickened enough to pass in the NFL. He connected on several deep balls yet again and the zip he can put on the ball is the best I’ve seen this week. His progression is there and that’s all you can ask for right now.

-Zac Robinson (Oklahoma State) was very up and down today, much like his career in college. He was very accurate and confident with his underneath and intermediate passes, but his deep balls were wobbly for the most part. He also threw a few picks over the middle in the team drills after a couple of bad decisions .

DEFENSIVE LINE

-Terrence Cody is not an attractive player when he is standing around, but he is playing well in the middle. The thing about him is that he is a strong 370 pounder, not just a chubby body that gets knocked around. He constantly demands double teams and when he only has one blocker on him, he can clog up a lane (or two) with ease. 3-4 defenses are going to like him a lot.

-George Selvie (South Florida) had an up and down day but I think he showed some things to scouts that he absolutely had to. Everyone knew his explosion off the edge was there, but he showed a lot of hustle. His relentless motor aided him in getting to the quarterback when the speed rush didn’t work. I’d like to see more out of him in terms of rushing the tackle’s inside shoulder though. His ceiling remains as high as some put it a couple years ago.

LINEBACKERS

-Big day by Miami middle linebacker Daryl Sharpton. His speed is something that caught my eye, as he made it sideline to sideline with time to spare and he dropped in to deep coverage in a blink. At just 229 pounds, it is easy to question his physicality but he delivered some pops today which made a different sound than the other linebackers here. He is fighting an uphill battle because of his lack of size, but he plays a lot bigger than he is.

-Cameron Sheffield (Troy) has been spending a lot of time as a defensive end, but I think he shows a ton of promise as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He explodes off the edge and uses a nice straight arm to maintain separation between himself and the blocker. Those long arms are used correctly and when you see his comprehension of the technique combined with his athletic ability, he could be the next Troy edge rusher to make it at the next level.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

-Put the eyeball on Taylor Mays (USC) and Myron Rolle (Florida State) today. I want to like Mays because of the overall package he has, but he looks slower than every safety here by a wide margin. He has no anticipation ability and he spends too much time on the hashes. He loves to make the bone-jarring hits over the middle and it looks like that is the only thing ever on his mind. Rolle on the other has been a step or two behind mentally as well, which is to be expected. I like how he keeps his head on a swivel but I was hoping to see him make some breaks on the ball and he, like Mays, reacted to slowly to the ball in the air.

-Perrish Cox (Oklahoma State) had himself a day. He picked off teammate Zac Robinson twice in a matter of four plays, both of which had a high difficulty rating. He has the ideal body for a press corner and he needs to show scouts he can move well enough downfield. His hip movement was inconsistent but I think he has the potential to be a star if he can focus a little but more on his technique issues.

-Nate Allen (South Florida) is frustrating me a little bit. He is mirroring tight ends and receivers in man coverage, giving the quarterback a very tight window to fit the ball in to. But he is weak with the ball in the air, as he was not getting his head around and making plays on the ball. If he can learn to do that with balance, his ceiling is as high as any safety in Mobile this week.

Wednesday’s Winners

Perrish Cox – CB – Oklahoma State

Cox needs to have a strong pre-draft process to get his stock back to where it was in December. However a lot of that will occur in interviews because of the red flags that arise with his character. With that said, Cox showed premiere ability today with top notch ball skills.

Shay Hodge – WR – Ole Miss

As I said before, the hands and route running ability are NFL ready and he has the ability to be an immediate impact receiver. He showed tons of willingness to go over the middle to try and make the catch despite knowing the safeties and linebackers were about to deliver a pop.

Wednesday’s Losers

Eric Norwood – LB – South Carolina

Something seems off with Norwood down here. He has the thick frame to handle the physicality but he struggled to get off blocks in the live team drill. His feet were got stagnant in coverage, making him an easy target for QBs to pick on.

Patrick Robinson – CB – Florida State

At 190 pounds, Robinson is about the average size of a corner, but he lacks a power game. He was pushed around by Joe Webb at the attempt of press coverage and he was easily moved downfield by receivers when a fight for the ball was oncoming.

Popularity: 18% [?]

NORTH PRACTICE REPORT – Wednesday

I saw a lot of big name coaches today huddling together watching the linebackers and defensive linemen. Interesting to hear what Super Bowl winning coaches discussed in relation to the players that could fit in their scheme. This was my final  look at the North squad, as tomorrow they will be back in uppers, but I will still be in attendance.

OFFENSIVE LINE

-This unit has been struggling as a whole the entire week, and nothing changed today. Shawn Lauvao (Arizona State) looked like the smallest and weakest offensive lineman when I saw him on Monday, and today he furthered that opinion. He was absolutely trucked by DE Alex Carrington (Arkansas State) in a stunt drill. He has been getting physically overwhelmed all week.

-Vladimir Ducasse struggled more often than not today. The adjustment of speed levels from what he is used to is obviously giving him some serious issues. His feet get stuck in mud as he is engaged with the defender, and his punches looked weak today. Too many times I found him trying to recover after getting beat by the likes of Brandon Graham (Michigan) and even Austen Lane (Murray State)

TIGHT ENDS/WIDE RECEIVERS

-Ed Dickson (Oregon) really looked good today. He was catching the ball and going north in one motion, very smooth and looked better in space than some of the receivers. While he needs to put some bulk on, especially to his legs, I think he is going to be a valuable asset to an NFL offense.

-Jacoby Ford put on a show today after a so-so first couple of practices. His speed is as good as advertised and he was exploding out of breaks better than anyone I’ve put the eyeball on so far. He caught everything thrown his way and if that remains the case at the Combine and his pro day, Ford could slip in to the first round.

-Donald Jones (Youngstown State) was a late addition to the squad, and he looked overmatched. He dropped a few passes and struggled to get off press coverage.

RUNNING BACKS

-Another impressive day by LeGarrette Blount (Oregon). I overheard a pack of AFC West scouts commenting on his combination of size and speed. They were impressed how he finished runs and outran some of the defensive backs.

-Joique Bell (Wayne State) entered the week with a lot to gain considering he is coming from a Division II program. I liked the aggression he ran with but he struggled to locate the hole, just seemed a step behind speed wise.

-Lonyae Miller (Fresno State) did not stand out his first couple of days, but he had a nice showing today in the team drills. He made tacklers miss and showed some surprising burst once he got through the linebackers.

QUARTERBACKS

-Sean Canfield (Oregon State) cemented himself as the top signal caller on the North squad in my book. His arm strength is suspect, but he knows how to make up for it. He consistently throws a tight spiral and his ability to put the ball exactly where he wants to is a tremendous asset. I really like this kid and his future is brighter than Pike and LeFevour.

DEFENSIVE LINE

-This unit is clearly head and shoulders above the offensive line. Jared Odrick (Penn State) led the way in team drills, as he was nearly unblockable. He was shedding blocks well and I constantly found him in the backfield, re-directing a running back or forcing the QB to move in the pocket.

-Mike Neal (Purdue) gets off the snap well, but doesn’t do much when he is engaged. He got locked on to by Iupati a few times and showed nothing in terms of shedding the block.

-The Lions defensive line coach grilled D’Anthony Smith for getting knocked backward five yards in the double team drill. Smith gets overwhelmed by that kind of power, and he was non-existent in teams drills.

LINEBACKERS

-I saw Eagles Defensive Coordinator Sean McDermott following this unit around the field as if he were a kid looking for an autograph. He had to like what he saw in AJ Edds (Iowa). He displayed some quick feet in the bag drills and showed outstanding coverage ability. He flows to the ball and just has a nice feel for the game. Physical tackler that uses nice technique too.

-Phillip Dillard (Nebraska) was a factor against the pass as well, both in coverage and as a blitzer. He disguised a blitz to Canfield’s blind side and if it were completely live, he would have laid Canfield out right as he reached the rear end of his five step drop. He showed some nice ability in sticking with tight ends in space as well, pretty much the only one that stuck with Dickson.

-Justin Cole (San Jose State) was another late addition to the squad, and he is very raw. His ability however appears to be there, and he was night and day a different player in team drills from that I saw early in practice. Scouts and coaches love to see that kind of short term progression, responding to coaching is a big deal here.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

-Kyle Wilson (Boise State) had another impressive day and I think it is safe to say he is the best senior cornerback in this class. While he is not a big guy, he was just killing receivers at the line with his press coverage. He made Donald Jones look silly in the one-on-one drill which resulted in Canfield not even throwing the ball because of how bad Wilson roughed him up.

-I was very impressed by Chris Cook (Virginia) at cornerback. For a guy that stands 6’2, his hips are very smooth and he has very little wasted motion in his movements. His length makes him a big factor as a press corner and he made an outstanding interception where he under cut a route with perfect timing.

-Kyle McCarthy (Notre Dame) did not stand out earlier this week but he showed a lot of range today. While his speed isn’t there, he anticipates throws well and he can burst out of his backpedal. Made some nice plays on the ball in deep coverage.

WEDNESDAY’s WINNERS

Jacoby Ford – WR – Clemson

His speed was on an entirely different level than anyone on the field today. He got the ball in space a few times and simply made the defensive backs appear as if they were wearing bricks as shoes. He even beat Boise State corner Kyle Wilson on a deep route with plenty of separation for the QB to work with.

Chris Cook – CB – Virginia

Has outstanding length and strength which makes him a factor at the line. But he showed some nice hip movement and definitely has the tools to play corner at the next level.

WEDNESDAY’s LOSERS

Donald Butler – LB – Washington

Looked very weak in traffic today. When an offensive lineman got a clean look at him, he was completely overwhelmed and pushed back a few yards. With a guy that small, he needs to show more athleticism than what I saw today.

Donald Jones – Youngstown State

Didn’t show the speed or quickness. Couldn’t catch the passes in traffic. And his struggles to get off jam coverage was noticeably weak. With limited time to show his ability today, he certainly dropped the ball (pun intended).

Keep following Dave on Twitter @NewEraSyvertsen

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SOUTH PRACTICE REPORT – TUESDAY

There was a different kind of crowd at Ladd-Peebles Stadium for the afternoon practice. A lot of fans came out to cheer on their home state Crimson Tide participants and there was quite a following for quarterback Tim Tebow. This was my first look at the South squad and the overall talent level is head and shoulders above what the North has.

OFFENSIVE LINE

-Ciron Black (LSU) was not doing well with his footwork today to say the least. He was taking a lot of false steps, which were caught by the Dolphins coaching staff numerous times, and he struggled to maintain his balance. He was constantly falling over and ending up on the ground after engagement with a defensive lineman ensued.

-John Jerry (Ole Miss) saw a lot of time inside at right guard, and he was flat out dominating the South’s defensive tackles. He plays very fast for a 332 pounder but what caught my eye was the knee bend. He gets maximum power with his punches because he bends at the knees and puts his hips in to it.

-JD Walton (Baylor) is a hustler that gets the most out of himself. He is very active and sticks with his blocks exceptionally well. He stuck with the quickness and handled the power that the defensive line had to offer.

TIGHT ENDS/RECEIVERS

-Andre Roberts (Citadel) is not fast, and he is not big. But he excels as a route runner and getting open in those short to intermediate routes. He gets in and out of his breaks with ease and even more importantly, he catches everything thrown his way.

-Colin Peek (Alabama) showed me some nice blocking today, something I was not impressed with during the season. He handled Troy’s Brandon Lang several times and showed outstanding technique.

-Joe Webb (UAB) caught a few tough passes and showed some powerful yards after catch ability. Tough kid that has the size and strength to overwhelm most defensive backs.

-Riley Cooper (Florida) was struggling to separate from most of the defensive backs that he was up against. He can beat the jam well but those next few steps were usually where the defender caught up to him. He isn’t very QB friendly from that perspective because there is such a tight window in which the ball must be fit in to.

RUNNING BACKS

-Dexter McCluster (Ole Miss) is listed as a wide receiver on the roster sheet, but he spent a lot of time in the backfield. The explosion he showed all over the field is going to get a lot of evaluators excited. He reaches top speed with just a few steps and his agility and balance in space is something to watch. While he is severely undersized, he plays tough and has no problem with putting his head down and trying to drive a pile forward.

-Anthony Dixon (Mississippi State) was seeing time at fullback. He was not flying to the hole as a lead blocker, instead appeared to be hesitant as he made his way through traffic.

QUARTERBACKS

-I did not get to seeTim Tebow (Florida) throw yesterday but the reports were not positive. Today however, Tebow threw the ball very well, especially deep. He put the ball on the money to Jimmy Graham, Dexter McCluster, and Shay Hodge. The throw to McCluster traveled 55+ yards in to the wind. Of course he had a few mishaps and his release remains on the slow side, the progression he made is coming along. I could tell he was still thinking about his footwork but once he gets that down pat, he’ll be able to wing it without any distractions.

-Jarrett Brown (West Virginia) showed some nice power on the out routes and I think he has the strongest arm of the group. He looked great on some plays, and appeared to have tunnel vision on others.

DEFENSIVE LINE

-Very impressed by the athleticism in Dan Williams (Tennessee). He is very light on his feet and he showed that he can run with the defensive ends on the squad. But he did not hold up well in the double team drill. He was being pushed around laterally and the coaching staff got in to his ear with aggression, telling him to stay put or get in to the backfield.

-The Georgia defensive tackles, Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens had themselves a nice day. Atkins got overwhelmed by Mike Johnson (Alabama) a couple times but he responded to the coaching and made his way in to the backfield numerous times. Owens displayed a higher motor than what I grew used to seeing in him on game days. He showed some active and strong hands, getting off blocks with ease.

-Brandon Lang (Troy) is an attractive player in pads. He looks the part and he was playing at a different speed than any of the other defensive linemen. Very promising as an edge rusher, something Troy has done a nice job of producing lately.

LINEBACKERS

-Very small unit altogether. The Broncos scouts that sat right behind me commented on their lack of bulk several times. Eric Norwood (South Carolina) is the thickest of the group, but he struggled with his footwork. He was late to react in the live drills.

-Dekoda Watson (Florida State) was the most athletic of the group. He was closing on ball carries very fast and often beat running backs to the edge. He showed some nice coverage ability as well with fluid hips and explosion when he made breaks on the ball.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

-Javier Arenas (Alabama) has a very impressive, powerful build to him. Despite being bulked up, he has the swift hips and can change direction with a lot of acceleration. However I question his top speed as he was badly burned by McCluster and Webb. His coverage responsibilities look limited, but he can excel in the right role.

-Myron Rolle (Florida State) was directing traffic out there as if he hasn’t been in Oxford studying for a year. His footwork was the subject of a lot of criticism from coaches, but for the most part he looked very confident out there.

-Taylor Mays looked confident as well, perhaps overly confident. I really didn’t like his approach to the practice at all. He looked bored out there at times and when it came time to strap up the helmet and perform, he was below average. He completely whiffed on an attempt to jam Cooper Riley at the point of attack and was late to react to the ball in the air.

TUESDAY’s WINNERS

-Dexter McCluster – RB/WR – Ole Miss

He started off the practice by shagging punts and kicks, and he looked more comfortable doing so than anyone other than Arenas. He then impressed by running crisp routes and showing some big time speed downfield. Following that, McCluster took the ball out of the backfield and ran well in between the tackles. What he showed today is that he can do it all, and do it fast.

-John Jerry – OT – Ole Miss

With his size and his experience at different positions along the line, Jerry is going to catch a lot of eyes. The quickness and balance he showed today impressed me as he completely stifled the likes of Lamarr Houston and Dan Williams.

TUESDAY’s LOSERS

Ciron Black – OT – LSU

He saw action at guard and tackle, but lacked the tools to play well at either. His footwork was too sloppy for tackle, as he was often playing catch up against the speed rushers. His balance was easy to exploit when he played inside, leaving the notion that he may just be the backup type at the next level.

Lamarr Houston – DT – Texas

His explosion off the snap was there, but once he was neutralized by a blocker, he lacked the secondary moves to free himself. He doesn’t have the strength to be a force in the middle right now.

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NORTH PRACTICE REPORT – Tuesday

With the full pads on, scouts got a good look on how these guys can play with the physicality a part of the picture.  The stands were much more crowded today, and I sat next to Scott Pioli and Todd Haley from the Kansas City Chiefs.  Also saw the likes of Rob Ryan (Raiders), Mike Tannenbaum (Jets) and Mike Heimerdinger (Titans) near me.

OFFENSIVE LINE

-Mike Iupati (Idaho) got a couple looks at left tackle in the pass protection drill, and it did not go too well.  He was absolutely trucked by Arkansas State defensive end Alex Carrington.  Iupati just looked a little uncomfortable in space and even though I need to see more of him on the outside before I make a final evaluation, he is better off inside playing guard.  One thing I noticed that impressed me however was during a water break, everybody was chatting it up and re-hydrating.  Iupati on the other hand stayed on the field and worked on his foot work by himself.

-Vladimir Ducasse (Massachusetts) was beat badly by Brandon Graham (Michigan) on an inside move.  But like yesterday, he responded to the coaching very well and neutralized Graham the next time around.

-Center Matt Tennant (Boston College) got off to a hot start in pass protection drills by beating up Cam Thomas (North Carolina).  However he received the opportunity to go up against the terror of the week in Tyson Alualu (California) and he could not sustain his block.  His hands were easily knocked away and the recovery footwork was not there.

TIGHT ENDS/RECEIVERS

-Ed Dickson (Oregon) looks too small below the waist.  He needs to add bulk if he wants to play TE in the pros, but the ability is there.  He made a couple of acrobatic grabs in traffic.

-Mardy Gilyard (Cincinnati) had a severe case of the drops today, not sure what was wrong with him.  He can get open against anybody, but he was not coming down with the ball enough.

RUNNING BACKS

-Another impressive day for Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount.  He ran with nice pad level through the line and once he got a head of steam, nobody wanted a part of him.  Some defensive backs were bouncing right off him.  In the blitz pickup drills, he was the only back that consistently came out on top of his one on one battles.  Very wide base that stays balanced throughout engagement, completely stifled Koa Misis of Utah a couple times.

-Lonyae Miller (Fresno State) had a few nice runs in space during the team’s offense vs. defense drills.  He has more wiggle to him than I initially assumed as he completely juked Sean Weatherspoon and broke free for a big gain.

QUARTERBACKS

-Another rough day for Tony Pike (Cincinnati).  He was missing on a lot of easy throws by a wide margin.  He missed a stationary Gilyard on a stay pass.  He then rolled to his right and threw at Garrett Graham’s feet despite no defender in between the two.  His balls are not coming out crisp, throwing a lot of wobblers.

-Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan) had a rough time in the team drills, but I don’t think it was his fault.  The offensive line was being obliterated play after play and LeFevour could not step in to his throws.  There is not a lot of power in that arm, but he does know how to put a ball on a certain spot despite being pressured.

DEFENSIVE LINE

-I put the eyeball on two defensive linemen today that I did not get to watch as much as I was hoping to yesterday.  Alex Carrington (Arkansas State) certainly looks the part at 6’5 – 284 pounds, but his technique and power off the snap impressed me most.  He plays with outstanding pad level and balance which enables him to use a variety of ways to beat his man.  He is the only defender I’ve seen to this point that has made Iupati look silly.  The second guy I watched closely was Cam Thomas of North Carolina.  He has a nice body for a defensive tackle, looks comfortable at 331 pounds  with very long arms and a huge rear.  But he gets way too high when he is engaged, making it easier for a blocker to keep him at bay.  But I liked his hustle and he is a guy that if coached correctly, will be a force in the league.

-Mike Neal (Purdue) is very explosive off the snap.  But I didn’t see much in terms of secondary moves as once he got locked on to, he turned in to a non factor.

LINEBACKERS

-Another fun day watching Sean Weatherspoon.  He keeps the guys moving, always chatting up a storm.  On the blitz pickup drills, Weatherspoon completely blew up Wayne State running back Joique Bell and he let him know about it.  The next time around, Weatherspoon went at Bell hard and then used a move to the outside but that extra explosion wasn’t there, making it easy for Bell to sustain the block.

-Koa Misi (Utah) looked very slow in comparison with the other North linebackers.  He doesn’t have the short area quickness and because he is so big, he makes for an easy target to lock on to.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

-I kept a close eye on the safeties today.  Terrell Skinner (Maryland) has a nice, long frame and he can really move once he gets going.  But he is slow to react to the pass and his ball skills looked horrific at times.  He didn’t track the ball well and when he was there to make the interception, the ball just bounced off his hands a couple times.  Larry Asante (Nebraska) is clearly the slowest of the group.  Slow to react and his hips are very stiff.  On top of that, he dropped a few passes in drill work.

-Syd’Quan Thompson (California) is a very natural mover in space.  His hips are fluid but I question how well he can turn and run with a speedy receiver.

-Devin McCourty (Rutgers) showed a nice, low, quick back pedal but he does not explode out of it well when making a break on the ball.  He seems manufactured when attacking the ball in the air.

-Brandon Ghee (Wake Forest) struggled mightily in the drill where the corners had to jam a receiver at the line.  Guys were blowing right by him with ease as Ghee would mistime his punches.

Tuesday’s Winners

Alex Carrington – DE – Arkansas State
With his size and athleticism, Carrington is going to catch the eye of a lot of evaluators.  His display of leverage and hand use today was better than any defensive lineman here.

LeGarrette Blount – RB – Oregon
His pure domination in the blitz pickup drills is something every coach wants to see and when a 6’1 – 245 pound back runs with the pad level he did today, he turns in to a guy that no lone tackler can take down.

Tuesday’s Losers

Brandon Ghee – CB – Wake Forest
He may have proved today that he is a limited cornerback at the next level because of his lack of ability to play press coverage.  A weak puncher at the line, Ghee struggled turn and run with receivers.

Tony Pike – QB – Cincinnati
Footwork still looks shaky at best, and his throws remain wobbly and off target.  Pike is looking like the third best quarterback on the North squad.

Remember to follow Dave on Twitter @NewEraSyvertsen!

Popularity: 18% [?]

Jahvid Best – California

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 5’10/200

40 Time:

Pro Potential: Brian Westbrook – Philadelphia Eagles

Position Traits

Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Has top notch stop and go ability. Can reach his top speed in a blink and explodes through the smallest of windows. Has the advantage even when a linebacker has the initial angle on him in traffic.

Ball Protection: Very aware when in traffic, keeps the ball tight to his body and places a high value of keeping both hands on when a hit is on the way. Rarely seen out in space with the ball floating away from his body. Could keep it higher to maximize strength.

Elusiveness/Feet/Agility: Very hard to get a hold of in open space. Has arguably the top agility of any back in this draft class. Makes a lot of defenders completely whiff. Feet are light on the ground, appears to be gliding when makes his way through traffic

Pass Catching: Was not given a lot of opportunity as a receiver, but he made the most of the looks he got. 62 career receptions. An effective wheel-route runner that can see the ball in to his hands while running at full speed. Adjusts well to the poorly thrown ball.

Pass Blocking: Was taken off the field on obvious passing downs. Partially to keep him fresh, partially because he got pushed around by blitzing linebackers repeatedly. The effort is there, but he lacks the strength and physicality to knock a defender around.

Power: Does not run with any power. Rarely breaks tackles when a defender gets squared up, goes down on first contact way too often. Will put his shoulder down and fall forward consistently, but he tries to miss tacklers rather than run through them.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Lacks the ideal build for an every down back. Slight frame that needs more bulk, especially to the lower half.

Speed: Has been clocked under 4.4 in the 40. Big time speed once he breaks free in to the second level. Has the extra gear in the open field that makes it very difficult to catch him from behind. Homerun threat every time he touches the ball, has several long touchdown runs.

Vision/Balance/Running Instincts: Sees the field exceptionally well. Does not have tunnel vision that a lot of backs possess. Can turn a broken play in to a big gain because of his ability to see the entire width of the field. Reads blocks and knows when to run north-south or east-west. Has such a smooth running style with no wasted motion as a result of his tremendous balance.

Final Word: Best has showed elite ability with the ball in his hands and has the potential to be a big time playmaker at the next level. His speed and quickness can be a factor from day one and every offense is always looking to add another player that is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. With that said, Best does not have the frame, bulk, or strength to handle every down duty in the league. The lack of ability to break tackles and pass protect are alarming red flags that cannot be overlooked. On top of that, Best suffered a severe concussion and neck injury in 2009 that ended his season early and is will be coming in to the league with some surgery history to both his elbow and ankle. Now if he can be put in to a system where is a change of pace back, his value to a team will be tremendous. But if he is depended upon to be on the field for 30+ plays per game, his flaws will be exploited. With that said, Best has top 10 ability but his weaknesses are tough to overlook and it could bump him down to the middle of the 2nd round.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Our own David Syvertsen is in Mobile, Alabama for the 2010 Senior Bowl. Here is his report from Day 1 at the North practice. Read the rest of this entry »

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Our good friend Shawn Zobel of www.nfldraftheadquarters.com is in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. Here are the weigh-in results from this morning. Read the rest of this entry »

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David Syvertsen will be bringing you LIVE updates from Mobile, Alabama this week. Here is his look at the topics surrounding the 2010 Senior Bowl. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 11% [?]