Archive

Senior Bowl observations

  • Non
    Wow. I've been impressed with a lot of players so far.

    And many of them should be on the Steelers radar.


    Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
    ...He really came to play. Ran down on special teams and made a tackle on the opening kickoff. Showed good athleticism and range, including one play when he covered Dexter McCluster in the end zone. I also liked how he led and directed the defense. His North squad made a lot of substitutions but he played almost the entire first half and brought good energy.

    Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
    ...I think he's one of the top 10 players in the draft. He rushes the passer like Dwight Freeney and also plays the run. Hustles all the time. When his North team turned the ball over and gave the South a short field, the intensity really picked up and I thought Graham and Weatherspoon rose to the occasion in that simulated scenario.

    Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee
    ...He is showing great versatility. Strong up the middle, he's batted down a pass, pushed the pocket and made some plays in space. I'd be surprised if he is around at No. 18.

    Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama
    ...Williams and Cody played at the same time to start the game, which made it difficult to evaluate them individually, but Cody did have a series where he was the true nose tackle and dominated. He ran down a running back and also collapsed the inside of the line a few times. Williams is a bit more versatile than Cody but Cody has shown very good athletic ability for his 370-pound frame. I don't think either of these guys would be a problem for the Steelers if they address the NT spot.

    Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
    ...I didn't like how he ended the season, getting burnt a few too many times but he did seem to keep competing hard. In this game, I like his confidence and ability to run and cover all sorts of different style of pass plays. He got tested a lot early on and just was ready to compete. Maybe not a top 20 pick but late first round, early second. He's helped himself.
  • Non
    Top performers

    Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
    ...He had a monster game. There won't be many tackles that can handle him without help. Excellent pass rusher and can stop the run. Never stops.

    Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
    ...I liked how he started the game. Made a tackle on the opening kickoff and played with great energy, and it rubbed off on his teammates. Made a lot of plays in coverage, including a late interception. They couldn't blitz the linebackers but I think he can probably do that well because of his athletic ability.

    Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati
    ...Very polished and ready to contribute immediately. Can make plays underneath and down the field.

    Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee
    ...He played mostly in the first half and showed outstanding versatility for his size, along with the obvious strength for a potential nose tackle.


    Helped themselves

    Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan
    ...He's a gamer. Can makes plays with his feet and also showed he can make a variety of throws.

    Koa Misi, LB, Utah
    ...Converted DE can move and make tackles in space.

    Daryl Washington, LB, TCU
    ...Another impressive linebacker that can run.

    Garrett Graham, TE, Wisconsin
    ...This draft is deep with pass-catching TEs but Graham showed he's one of them.

    Colin Peek, TE, Alabama
    ...Similar to Graham. Soft hands, safe target.

    LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon
    ...Not a good RB class. Blount's size is still intriguing and he ran with some elusiveness and power in this game. Looks like he's trying to show a good attitude.

    Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
    ...He's holding steady as a mid-first rounder. Even at 370 pounds, he can move, disrupt and anchor the middle.

    Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
    ...Nearly a top performer. He was tested a lot with a variety of different pass plays and showed the speed to close on just about every pass. I think he'll get beat from time to time but is the type of guy with a lot of pride and competitiveness so he'll bounce back and be better 2-3 years down the road.

    Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas
    ...Not much question he is quick for a DT. The kind of player that would do well in a 4-3 such as Indianapolis.

    Dekoda Watson, LB, Florida State
    ...Not much question he is one of the fastest linebackers in terms of game speed but still a question of whether he can shed blockers and hold up physically. Another guy more suited for a small, quick defense like Indy.

    Andre Roberts, WR, The Citadel
    ...Good and bad from Roberts. He beat Boise's Kyle Wilson on a crossing route and made a tough catch in traffic, taking a big hit. He also dropped an easy one late in the game. But he's from a small school so just getting his name out there was a big deal. I think he can be a nice second day pick.

    Taylor Mays, S, USC
    ...Big physical safety made a nice interception playing centerfield on a poorly thrown ball by Sean Canfield.

    Brandon Lang, DE, Troy
    Cameron Sheffield, DE, Troy
    ...Both guys showed speed off the edge.

    Cam Thomas, DT, North Carolina
    ...Hoss. He completely overpowered Mike Johnson a few times. He goes 6'3 and 330 and looks like a guy that's going to be tough to hold off. Might be a nose tackle option in the second or third round.


    Underwhelmed

    Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
    ...It's going to be an uphill battle. He is not confident and decisive enough running the NFL offense. That split second delay leads to the pass rush getting there or the defensive back closing on the pass. He will have to be drafted as a wild card guy with no intentions of being a QB for at least a few years.

    Mike Johnson, LG, Alabama
    ...I was a big fan of this guy through his college career but he struggles in pass protection. Good at getting out as a run blocker and on screen plays but got overpowered against the strong defensive tackles.

    Trevard Lindley, CB, Kentucky
    ...Looked lost in coverage a few times.

    Running backs
    ...The senior RB class is weak overall. Not much out there today.
  • 2quik4u
    Graham was a beast all day, he be couldn't be stopped
  • Non
    I want the Steelers to take him but they probably can't since they already have Harrison and Woodley at OLB and have much more pressing needs.

    You want players on either side of the ball that are special and difference makers and he definitely is. Offenses are going to have to double him because one-on-one he'll just use power, speed or hard work to get the best of most left tackles. And then he's also strong against the run and shows the ability to hustle and chase plays that aren't even to his side.
  • FanOfCats
    Taylor Price of OU (through Hilliard Darby) really helped himself a lot this week. Though not many opportunities in the game today, his practice this week and overall build got him a lot of looks. Pre-combine, he jumped up to the late second round or early third round. If he can pull off a high 4.3 to 4.4, he could easily solidify a 2nd round selection.