Senior Bowl
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Said Alphonso Smith is a 1st Rounder, but his marginal size will hurt him when facing guys like Randy Moss.
Talked about Mike Wallace, a receiver from Ole Miss. Said that he visited Ole Miss midseason & the coaching staff was a little down on him, but he put up huge numbers in the last four games of the year.
Said West Virginia CB Ellis Lankster's 40 time will be key in determining his draft stock.
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Chung's more of a strong safety. He was used as a rover at Oregon - more of a fourth linebacker, not a deep cover guy.
I wonder if our scouts are looking at free safeties as well. If we lose Sean Jones, Brodney Pool could move to the strong safety spot - IIRC, he played pretty well there when Jones was hurt.
If so, Delmas could be a guy we consider. He plays FS, and he's a Taylor Mays-like headhunter in the secondary (though he's not Mays' size, leading to questions about his durability).
EDIT: I guess Moore is considered a FS, but his deficiencies in coverage likely will lead to him playing at the other spot (if not at linebacker).
Aloysius said:
Chung's more of a strong safety. He was used as a rover at Oregon - more of a fourth linebacker, not a deep cover guy.But teams that run the Tampa two.....It really doesn't matter too much, does it?
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I think it matters less, but there's still a difference:
Tampa 2 description
The two safeties are responsible for covering their respective halves of the field from 20 yards out and more. The safeties in the system are expected to be above-average cover men with the ability to break up passes, but each safety also is expected to have additional specific skills. The strong safeties, while not expected to be great tacklers, are expected to be hard hitters. The hard hitting strong safety protects the middle of the field from being exploited by small, fast receivers, and running backs on wheel routes, by intimidating them to not run their routes in that direction. The free safety will be called upon to do one of two things in certain situations, either blitz the quarterback, requiring him to have the skills necessary to beat a blocking halfback or fullback, or to assume the coverage zone left by a blitzing cornerback.
And if it's a Tampa 2 team, Chung will have a lot to prove as far as his coverage ability, which is very important in that system. From what I've heard thus far, Chung has looked solid in coverage.
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Some more notes:
- Alabama center Antoine Caldwell (a favorite of Heck's) did a great job against Georgia DT Corvey Irvin. But when Caldwell slid over to guard, he was unable to deal with USC DE Kyle Moore's speed.
- USC DT Fili Moala overpowered and outquicked Auburn OG Tyronne Green on successive plays. Moala also split two battles with Eric Wood, a center the Browns' scouts have been looking at.
- Hawaii DE David Veikune used his quickness to get past Ole Miss OT Michael Oher on successive plays. Oher also struggled at times with Tennessee DE Robert Ayers yesterday; he may be getting exposed a little at these practices.
EDIT: Oher later adjusted and dominated Veikune.
- Ole Miss DT Peria Jerry looked solid, beating LSU's Herman Johnson with speed and Louisville's Eric Wood with power.
- Everybody was able to overpower Arkansas center Jonathan Luigs. He won't be able to contain 3-4 NT's.
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The Georgia DT is Corvey Irvin.
A few more practice notes:
- WLB Clay Matthews bit on a reverse, resulting in a big play.
- TE Shawn Nelson made a nice catch over the middle and absorbed a hit by the safety without getting knocked down
- LT Michael Oher got out of his stance a little too quick on at least one play. In a game, he would've been flagged for a false start.
- WLB Brian Cushing delivered a hard hit on a running back. However, he also looked a little lost on a screen play, not spotting the running back until it was too late.
- RE Kyle Moore got what would've been a sack, quickly getting inside LT Troy Kopog's right shoulder
- C Eric Wood locked up Rey Maualuga on an Arian Foster run, resulting in a big gain. On a big run by Andre Brown LT Troy Kopog was also able to keep Maualuga out of the play (though that one wasn't really Maualuga's fault).
- DT Corvey Irvin beat Eric Wood for a sack (and an actual hit on the quarterback). When Wood gave up the sack, he was lining up at right guard. On the next play, Irvin penetrated the A gap and got to the running back.
- DT Peria Jerry beat Caldwell (at center) and Jon Luigs (at right guard) for a sack. Caldwell doesn't seem to be getting out from under the snap quickly, resulting in him not being able to help out the man next to him.
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Here's a list of guys Scott Wright says our scouts talked to today. I put asterisks next to the guys our scouts already spoke to on Monday:
- Patrick Chung, SS, Oregon *
- Chip Vaughn, SS, Wake Forest
- Michael Hamlin, SS, Clemson
- Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan
- Derek Pegues, FS, Mississippi
- Rashad Johnson, FS, Alabama
- Tyrone McKenzie, LB, USF
- Marcus Freeman, LB, Ohio State
- Zack Follett, LB, Cal *
- Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
- Tim Jamison, DE, Michigan
- William Beatty, OT, Connecticut
- Xavier Fulton, OT, Illinois
- Troy Kropog, OT, Tulane
- Tyronne Green, OG, Auburn
- Herman Johnson, OG, LSU
- Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State
- Arian Foster, RB, Tennessee
- Mark Estermyer, LS, Pitt
A little confused by the LB/DL list. The only guy who's a possible 3-4 scheme fit is Zack Follett, and even he's a bit of a project.
The OT scouting is interesting. Perhaps Shaffer's job isn't too safe...
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Aloysius said:
Chung's more of a strong safety. He was used as a rover at Oregon - more of a fourth linebacker, not a deep cover guy.But teams that run the Tampa two.....It really doesn't matter too much, does it?
oldcow1945 said:
But teams that run the Tampa two.....It really doesn't matter too much, does it?Mangini runs a zone and most of the time a cover 2, Chung would be a very nice pickup at SS. If you are concerned about his size then Chip Vaughn has the size and is a big hitter, but you sacrifice some coverage skills. Then again, Jones sucks at coverage and both guys are bigger hitters then him and better in coverage. Plus Jones wants a hugh contract for 4 years.
Any wonder we are taking a hard look at safeties their.
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The OT scouting is interesting. Perhaps Shaffer's job isn't too safe...
That and we are thin at the position...Tucker is really the back-up, and that is becoming less and less a option.
I know I said it before, but if Andre Smith is there when we draft, I think there is a good chance we will take him.
Schaffer is then the back-up at RT or starter at RT if Smith had to cover Thomas' position.
I also think Schaffer might be able to spell at guard.
O-line isn't a area of strength....so....sure, we probably aren't going O-line in the 1st, but we need a center, guard, and better RT....sooner or later we need to start drafting some guys who can fill those areas.
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Larry English continues to impress:
• Northern Illinois's Larry English is separating himself from another undersized defensive end/outside linebacker prospect -- Connecticut's Cody Brown -- and working his way into the first day of the draft. English is playing with more of an edge and showing better upper body than Brown as a run defender. He has also been a step quicker around the corner than Brown has been in rushing the passer.
Sounds like a solid guy to watch.
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Definitely - the Browns were sending scouts to Northern Illinois all year long. English is a guy to watch.
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oldcow1945 said:
But teams that run the Tampa two.....It really doesn't matter too much, does it?Mangini runs a zone and most of the time a cover 2, Chung would be a very nice pickup at SS. If you are concerned about his size then Chip Vaughn has the size and is a big hitter, but you sacrifice some coverage skills. Then again, Jones sucks at coverage and both guys are bigger hitters then him and better in coverage. Plus Jones wants a hugh contract for 4 years.
Any wonder we are taking a hard look at safeties their.
Mangini runs a zone and most of the time a cover 2, Chung would be a very nice pickup at SS. If you are concerned about his size then Chip Vaughn has the size and is a big hitter, but you sacrifice some coverage skills. Then again, Jones sucks at coverage and both guys are bigger hitters then him and better in coverage. Plus Jones wants a hugh contract for 4 years.
Vaughn reminds me of a healthy Sean Jones. And he was good on Tuesday:
• Wake Forest S Chip Vaughn intercepted a deep ball in which he went up and just took it away from the receiver. Pretty impressive.
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Mangini runs a zone and most of the time a cover 2, Chung would be a very nice pickup at SS. If you are concerned about his size then Chip Vaughn has the size and is a big hitter, but you sacrifice some coverage skills. Then again, Jones sucks at coverage and both guys are bigger hitters then him and better in coverage. Plus Jones wants a hugh contract for 4 years.
Vaughn reminds me of a healthy Sean Jones. And he was good on Tuesday:
• Wake Forest S Chip Vaughn intercepted a deep ball in which he went up and just took it away from the receiver. Pretty impressive.
Aloysius said:
Vaughn reminds me of a healthy Sean Jones. And he was good on Tuesday:I like Vaughn. We should give him a stupid hair cut and chant 'Wild Thing' when he comes out at half time. Then we could make a movie about it.
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B.J. Raji blew up Alex Mack on a run play. It's hard to tell if Mack has marginal strength or if B.J. Raji's just so good that he's stealing the top center prospect's lunch money.
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B.J. Raji blew up Alex Mack on a run play. It's hard to tell if Mack has marginal strength or if B.J. Raji's just so good that he's stealing the top center prospect's lunch money.
Aloysius said:
B.J. Raji blew up Alex Mack on a run play. It's hard to tell if Mack has marginal strength or if B.J. Raji's just so good that he's stealing the top center prospect's lunch money.ESPN is starting to say Raji may be a top 5 guy. he is one of the top risers right now:
Per McShay:
On Monday, we said that Boston College DT B.J. Raji is the clear front-runner to emerge as the top prospect at lineman -- defensive or offensive -- in his class by the time we leave Mobile. After this morning's practice, we now feel that he is one of the top two or three prospects here regardless of position. Raji continues to showcase his rare blend of size, burst and agility, and he manhandled highly touted Oregon C Max Unger on more than one occasion. In fact, he got under Unger's pads, drove him back and then put him on his back on one snap during one-on-one pass-rushing drills.
If we were looking DT...he would be a target for sure.
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Aloysius said:
B.J. Raji blew up Alex Mack on a run play. It's hard to tell if Mack has marginal strength or if B.J. Raji's just so good that he's stealing the top center prospect's lunch money.ESPN is starting to say Raji may be a top 5 guy. he is one of the top risers right now:
Per McShay:
On Monday, we said that Boston College DT B.J. Raji is the clear front-runner to emerge as the top prospect at lineman -- defensive or offensive -- in his class by the time we leave Mobile. After this morning's practice, we now feel that he is one of the top two or three prospects here regardless of position. Raji continues to showcase his rare blend of size, burst and agility, and he manhandled highly touted Oregon C Max Unger on more than one occasion. In fact, he got under Unger's pads, drove him back and then put him on his back on one snap during one-on-one pass-rushing drills.
If we were looking DT...he would be a target for sure.
ESPN is starting to say Raji may be a top 5 guy. he is one of the top risers right now:
If we were looking DT...he would be a target for sure.
Problem is he's more of a NT, and we've already got one of those in Shaun Rogers.
But if Curry's gone, he may be the highest rated guy on our board.
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Aloysius said:
B.J. Raji blew up Alex Mack on a run play. It's hard to tell if Mack has marginal strength or if B.J. Raji's just so good that he's stealing the top center prospect's lunch money.ESPN is starting to say Raji may be a top 5 guy. he is one of the top risers right now:
Per McShay:
On Monday, we said that Boston College DT B.J. Raji is the clear front-runner to emerge as the top prospect at lineman -- defensive or offensive -- in his class by the time we leave Mobile. After this morning's practice, we now feel that he is one of the top two or three prospects here regardless of position. Raji continues to showcase his rare blend of size, burst and agility, and he manhandled highly touted Oregon C Max Unger on more than one occasion. In fact, he got under Unger's pads, drove him back and then put him on his back on one snap during one-on-one pass-rushing drills.
If we were looking DT...he would be a target for sure.
ESPN is starting to say Raji may be a top 5 guy. he is one of the top risers right now:
Per McShay:
If we were looking DT...he would be a target for sure.
More good news for us. If Raji really is that impressive, maybe we entice someone in the top 10 to move up and get him. We may be able to get that 3rd rounder even if we can't get it for DA.
I love the Curry idea but I love the multiple good prospects idea more. If someone falls in love with whoever is left at 5, I'd trade down in a minute to pick up another 3. It really does seem like there are prospects everywhere in this draft and if we're ever going to move down but still get better, this year seems like the year.
Or, we just take Raji and switch to the 4-3 we've been talking about forever. Imagine the Beast and the Little Beast side by side? Holy hell, if that's not worth giving up the 3-4, what is?
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Here's a cleaned-up version of what I saw this morning:
- B.J. Raji blew up Alex Mack on a run play. It's hard to tell if Mack has marginal strength or if B.J. Raji's just so good that he's stealing the top center prospect's lunch money.
- Zack Follett doesn't appear to be adjusting well to ILB. He's been taking bad angles and not changing directions well. On one play, he did correctly read a screen pass, but he wasn't able to wrap-up and make the stop.
- Cody Brown stutter-stepped, then bull-rushed the hell out of Xavier Fulton. He also made what would have been a tackle for loss in scrimmage. Really like this kid.
- In agility drills, Tyrone McKenzie looked fantastic, but word is he's not the sharpest tool in the shed. In another drill, the coaches got after him for playing with too high a pad level.
- Also in agility drills, Clint Sintim looked a little slow and stiff. Zack Follett didn't seem to have good feet and generally looked unathletic.
- In one on one's, Clint Sintim beat Phil Loadholt with a nice inside move. Sintim also did a good job bull-rushing Xavier Fulton. And in scrimmage, Clint Sintim blew up a shovel pass play, looking like the top-flight 3-4 OLB prospect that he is.
- Connor Barwin lost two out of three matchups with Connecticut OT William Beatty (and didn't look very good doing so). However, Barwin was later able to use Wimbley shoulder-ducks to get past Phil Loadholt on successive matchups.
- Tim Jamison was also able to beat Phil Loadholt, who's going to get his quarterback killed.
- Larry English looked good beating Xavier Fulton on successive matchups, displaying a sweet spin move on the second one.
- Mitch King beat OG-OT Kraig Urbik with an outside move. I wonder if King will start getting looks at DE.
- Evander "Ziggy" Hood beat Trevor Canfield with a nice swim move, but Canfield was able to neutralize Hood's patented spin move.
- Mike Mayock said that William Moore is being exposed in man coverage. He even said that he heard some scouts saying he may have to convert to linebacker.
- Oregon State CB Keenan Lewis effectively mirrored slowish Ramses Barden in press coverage
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ESPN is starting to say Raji may be a top 5 guy. he is one of the top risers right now:
If we were looking DT...he would be a target for sure.
Problem is he's more of a NT, and we've already got one of those in Shaun Rogers.
But if Curry's gone, he may be the highest rated guy on our board.
Aloysius said:
Problem is he's more of a NT, and we've already got one of those in Shaun Rogers.But if Curry's gone, he may be the highest rated guy on our board.
I wouldn't worry much about having both him and Rogers...they would both find the field in some manner.
I don't know much about this guys speed and agility, but I don't think Rogers would be a liability if we put him on the edge.
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Rogers would have to lose at least 30 pounds. You can't play a lot of 3-4 DE at 365.
And we're likely to get lighter at DE now that we're moving out of Romeo's fat guy 3-4. Putting Raji (6'1", 334 lbs.) there wouldn't achieve that.
He'll be a great NT somewhere, but I don't think he's a fit for us.
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