ESPN report from Senior bowl

[Kuile]

MOBILE, Ala. -- Here's the buzz from Monday's Senior Bowl practices:

 

Around the North practice

 

When the rosters initially were released, the North team had three top prospects in Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas and Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn and WR Jeff Samardzija. However, none of those standouts will hit the field in Mobile. While Thomas opted out for no specific reason, Quinn elected not to participate due to a "minor knee injury" and Samardzija released his decision to pursue baseball over football at the professional level.

 

 

Dan Anderson/Special to ESPN.com

Drew Stanton displayed mobility, accuracy and arm strength on Monday.

With those defections behind them, the North squad, coached by Jon Gruden and his Buccaneers' staff, took to Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Monday for the first of four practices this week. The weather was hardly ideal, but the team was able to get through most of its individual and unit drills before the skies opened up and the rain poured down.

 

Michigan State QB Drew Stanton did not seemed fazed by the conditions, as he turned in an impressive first day of practice. The oft-injured gunslinger displayed an impressive blend of mobility, arm strength and accuracy while spreading the ball around to an array of talented receivers during one-on-one and seven-on-seven drills. Ohio State's Troy Smith looked sharp, as well, but Stanton was clearly the best pro quarterback prospect on the field for the North team Monday. As a side note, Smith measured in at 6-foot even during the morning weigh-in process, which was a moral victory for the diminutive quarterback prospect.

 

 

 

Dan Anderson/Special to ESPN.com

Daymeion Hughes locked down the North receivers.

The defensive player that impressed us the most was Cal cornerback Daymeion Hughes. The 5-10, 192 pounder displayed outstanding agility and instincts throughout practice. There wasn't a receiver on the team, including standouts such as Jason Hill (Washington State), Rhema McKnight (Notre Dame) and David Clowney (Virginia Tech), who could shake Hughes in one-on-one drills. While it's important to put everything into perspective this week, I think it's safe to say that Hughes showed better man-to-man cover skills this afternoon than Michigan's Leon Hall, who is widely considered the top cornerback prospect and a potential top-15 pick in this year's class.

 

 

It was good to see Northern Illinois RB Garrett Wolfe get some reps as a return specialist. At 5-7, 184 pounds, Wolfe is entirely too small to make it in the NFL as a premier back. However, he's elusive and fast enough to carve a niche as a scatback and return man. Wolfe showed good hands returning some punts today and also impressed with his fluidity catching the ball out of the backfield during unit and seven-on-seven drills.

 

FB Brian Leonard (Rutgers) looks quicker than usual because he has trimmed down to 224 pounds. Leonard clearly wants to prove to NFL scouts that he is capable of becoming a full-time running back at the next level.

 

 

 

Dan Anderson/Special to ESPN.com

Garrett Wolfe showed off his receiving skills during Monday's practice.

Notre Dame DE Victor Abiamiri is one of the most impressive players from a physique standpoint. He checked in at nearly 6-5 and 271 pounds with hardly any body fat. Abiamiri also turned heads during practice, as he consistently beat Boston College OT James Marten during unit drills. If Abiamiri continues to dominate practice sessions this week, he could solidify a spot late in the first round.

 

Finally, the most surprising result of this morning's weigh-in process may well have been the weight loss of Louisville DT Amobi Okoye. Listed as 305 pounds from last spring's measuring for NFL scouts, Okoye showed up in Mobile weighing a slender 287 pounds. While he looks to be in good shape, Okoye may have turned some teams off that viewed him as a bigger interior presence.

 

Around the South practice

 

South practices got underway on a wet Majors Field at Fairhope Municipal Stadium and the squad clearly looked as sloppy as the field at times. However, there was no shortage of enthusiasm during the high-tempo workout.

Texas' Michael Griffin and Miami's Brandon Meriweather apparently play at one speed. Despite wearing just shoulder pads, both safeties delivered big hits over the middle. There's a lot to like about their physical style of play, but they won't have a lot of fans if a player gets hurt. There's just too much on the line this close to draft day.

 

The safeties weren't the only secondary players making noise today. Texas CB Aaron Ross came down with a ball that he or Florida WR Dallas Baker could have caught, and Auburn CB David Irons picked off a pass downfield.

 

Georgia TE Martrez Milner dropped several passes he should have caught during the 2006 season, but he did a good job of hauling in the slick ball today. He made two nice catches and held onto the ball despite getting popped.

 

Florida State RB Lorenzo Booker caught the ball well and made some nice moves in space. He also made crisp cuts and exploded through holes, but scouts will want to see how the undersized back does when the South goes to full pads and the linebackers can wrap up.

 

The kickers spent most of the practice on the sidelines but Arizona's Nick Folk didn't just stand around. He could be seen working on planting his foot in the soggy conditions and looked strong when he attempted field goals. In addition, Baylor punter Daniel Sepulveda is built like a linebacker. He weighed in at 228 pounds this morning and body fat was nowhere to be found.

 

Texas OL Justin Blalock, who has lined up at tackle as well as guard, held his own in pass protection drills today. However, officials measured him at just 6-foot-3 this morning. His lack of height raises concerns about his ability to line up on the outside, so it looks like he will play at guard at the next level.

 

USC center Ryan Kalil used his quickness to get into good position and flew around the field. He has gained some weight, but Kalil is still undersized and lacks ideal power. It showed on the field, as defenders overpowered him at times.

 

LSU DE Chase Pittman appeared to jump off sides on a play during the team drill, but it didn't seem to faze Central Michigan OT Joe Staley. Staley got set quickly and then used his long arms to ride Pitman past the pocket.

[Kuile]

I like the sounds of Brian Leonard (Rutgers), Daymeion Hughes, and USC center Ryan Kalil. Leonard could go no earlier than second or third round and could give the Bills a real big runner with some good lead blocking. A good FB with various uses could be a nice add. Hughes might be the best CB. We might need him if our young guys don't come along as planned and we can't resign/sign a CB in free agency. I like Kalil because USC players have a good rep as pros and we have the room to take a center for the futue.

[Lori]

Interesting note about someone who's garnered his share of TSW bandwidth:

Finally, the most surprising result of this morning's weigh-in process may well have been the weight loss of Louisville DT Amobi Okoye. Listed as 305 pounds from last spring's measuring for NFL scouts, Okoye showed up in Mobile weighing a slender 287 pounds. While he looks to be in good shape, Okoye may have turned some teams off that viewed him as a bigger interior presence.

 

May have turned some traditional 4-3 teams off, but might be just what the Tampa-2 style teams are looking for. We'll see.

 

NFL Draft Countdown always has great Senior Bowl coverage, with both SW's blog and his recaps from each practice.

[Kuile]

Very true about Okoye. I think we learn about him in the combine. That's where we can see his speed compared to others and what kind of smarts he really has. I will take him undersized, if he can run and know his way around a D-line. Also, we put a lot on him being young, but does this mean he will take coaching help willingly?

[Ramius]

Texas OL Justin Blalock, who has lined up at tackle as well as guard, held his own in pass protection drills today. However, officials measured him at just 6-foot-3 this morning. His lack of height raises concerns about his ability to line up on the outside, so it looks like he will play at guard at the next level.

 

Blalock was on an ESPN chat whining that it was too cold in mobile. That, coupled with the fact that he's a texas OL, and just a texas player in general, leads me to just say NO to blalock.

[CosmicBills]

I like Kalil because USC players have a good rep as pros and we have the room to take a center for the futue.

The Bills already have an undersized center who gets pushed around. No thank you.

[RU5781]

I like the sounds of Brian Leonard (Rutgers), Daymeion Hughes, and USC center Ryan Kalil. Leonard could go no earlier than second or third round and could give the Bills a real big runner with some good lead blocking. A good FB with various uses could be a nice add. Hughes might be the best CB. We might need him if our young guys don't come along as planned and we can't resign/sign a CB in free agency. I like Kalil because USC players have a good rep as pros and we have the room to take a center for the futue.

 

I would love if the Bills drafted Leonard. I've met him, and is such a good guy.

He is a perfect example of a team player (turned down the NFL last year to come back to RU this year, because he wanted to help RU win its first bowl game). Very unselfish, and the guy can flat out block.

[Kuile]

Holy man, I like this good blocker rep on Leonard. I think he be a great Buffalo guy. I can see him getting involved and being a fan favorite, like Tasker.

[UConn James]

I like the sounds of Brian Leonard (Rutgers), Daymeion Hughes, and USC center Ryan Kalil. Leonard could go no earlier than second or third round and could give the Bills a real big runner with some good lead blocking. A good FB with various uses could be a nice add.

 

I like what I've heard of BL... and he could be a tweener back ala Alstott. I think he'd be a great change-up from Willis, to take advantage of teams who may be good at stopping one but not the other --- I remember vs. Pitt in the '90s, if Bettis didn't run our D ragged, one of their scatbacks did, and sometimes both.

 

FB is a position Marv needs to upgrade. Shelton is declining, and even at his peak he didn't exactly put the fear of God in LBs.... Even tho it's not sexy to the fans, it is a meat and potatoes spot just like OL.

 

If 2nd-3rd is too rich for Marv, there are a couple of other options to be had in later rounds or UDFA since FBs are largely ignored in the drafts, esp. in recent years. I really liked what I saw from Michael Cox out of GTech this season.

[RU5781]

Holy man, I like this good blocker rep on Leonard. I think he be a great Buffalo guy. I can see him getting involved and being a fan favorite, like Tasker.

 

He is from upstate NY (Governour).

 

Brian really is a great guy. The words "me" and "I" aren't in his football vocabulary.

[Acantha]

He is from upstate NY (Governour).

 

Brian really is a great guy. The words "me" and "I" aren't in his football vocabulary.

That's too bad. It'll be tough teaching him the I formation.

[keepthefaith]

MOBILE, Ala. -- Here's the buzz from Monday's Senior Bowl practices:

 

 

The kickers spent most of the practice on the sidelines but Arizona's Nick Folk didn't just stand around. He could be seen working on planting his foot in the soggy conditions and looked strong when he attempted field goals. In addition, Baylor punter Daniel Sepulveda is built like a linebacker. He weighed in at 228 pounds this morning and body fat was nowhere to be found.

 

 

I like the sound of this punter. Bills can grab him making him both the punter and outside linebacker while moving Crowell to MLB with the possible departure of Fletcher. Moorman gets moved to WR where he gives the bills that taller receiver they've been looking for. Josh Reed moves to RB while Willis takes the year off to attend Planned Parenthood. Bills save a roster spot and some salary allowing them to re-sign Clements.

[Chilly]

Blalock was on an ESPN chat whining that it was too cold in mobile. That, coupled with the fact that he's a texas OL, and just a texas player in general, leads me to just say NO to blalock.

 

Oh yeah, those Texas players suck in the NFL.

[RU5781]

Oh yeah, those Texas players suck in the NFL.

 

O-lineman do.

[AKC]

May have turned some traditional 4-3 teams off, but might be just what the Tampa-2 style teams are looking for. We'll see.

 

I'm trying to think of a team whose defense might only be a premier one gap DT away from being one of the league's best units...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

 

His Senior Bowl could be telling for us. His current weight should scare off the Miami's of the league and possibly leave him there for "someone" in need.

[Chilly]

O-lineman do.

 

You mean Mackovic's players? Yeah, they haven't done too well, Leonard Davis and Mike Williams.

 

Of the current staff, there are only 2 linemen in the NFL, Derrick Dockery and Jonathan Scott. Dockery's done well for the 'Skins, and this was Scott's rookie year (he was a 7th round pick, didn't play too much).

 

Mack Brown's players have done pretty decent for themselves in the NFL, including:

 

- Casey Hampton

- Quentin Jammer

- Derrick Johnson

- DD Lewis

- Nathan Vasher

- Roy Williams

- Vince Young

- Michael Huff

- David Thomas

[Mikie2times]

I don't know if Okoye will develop or not, I just have serious questions if he's the right guy for what we need right now. Our biggest issue is run defense, we don't necessarily need a big guy, but a 19 year old that weighs 280 is probably not who we need either. If he drops to the second, or shows great strength and is available late first then maybe. I just see him being at least one year away from potentially having strong run stopping ability, and most likely two. Later on in the draft his potential could be worth it but not if we stay put.

 

As for Stanton I guarantee he will be a bust. I've watched and played against him in high school, watched most his games at MSU, It's the same story. He has a lot of skill but he completely implodes at times, and will make some horrible mistakes. He's also injury prone, and showed a disturbing decline in play late in the year, and against Big Ten teams. I knew his skills and intelligence would attract some people, but he's just not NFL caliber. One team will end up using a early pick for what amounts to a practice hero.

[The Tomcat]

Holy man, I like this good blocker rep on Leonard. I think he be a great Buffalo guy. I can see him getting involved and being a fan favorite, like Tasker.

 

I emailed Mel Kiper to see if he thought Leonard would be around when the Bills picked 3rd....No response though.