Some possible CBs gems

By Raul Colon

Compare to the last three years, 2010 is shaping up to be a banner year for cornerbacks. Up to twenty five corners should their name called in this April’s NFL Draft. Unlike 2009, this is a more balance class as there is only one player (Florida’s Joe Haden) who consistently grades as first round material.

But what this class lacks in top tier talent, it certainty made it up with depth. Nearly half of the 25 projected CB drafted will come in the later stages of the process.

Look for the fifth round to be a particular fertile with around seven possible going there. With this in mind, here’s a look at this year’s CB class possible late round (5th to 7th) gems.

1. Joshua Morgan, Kansas State (5’11”, 188 lb, 4.44 40-yard time): This is one of the better prospects around. A solid cover guy with top end speed, Morgan will be a hot commodity come Day 2. What sets him apart of the field is his ability to support the run with explosiveness. If he can fuel that burst into pass defense, he can become a shut down corner in the NFL.
Projection: 5th round

2. Brian Jackson, Oklahoma (6’1”, 200, 4.55): A big, physical corner who will most likely be converted into a safety. It could be a big mistake, because despite his size and lack of speed, Jackson is an instinct CB. He has the agility to play and excel in a Cover 2-type of scheme. Much has been said about his poor workout numbers. Throw that aside, he is a much better football player than an athlete and in the next level, teams will figure it out soon. Possible sleeper.
Projection: 5th round

3. Walter Thurmond, Oregon (6’0”, 187, 4.54): If he was healthy, Thurmond would have been ranked higher than this. He is a good, quick corner who can succeed in either man-to-man or zone coverage. Despite a serious knee injury, the former Duck star still retains much of his lateral speed and closing burst. Two traits any CB will trade for. The team that takes a gamble on him could prosper tremendously down the stretch.
Projection: 6th round

4. Stephen Virgil, Virginia Tech (5’11”, 189, 4.48): Virgil’s lacks of closing burst, despite having great timed speed, is his biggest drawback, aside his recent knee surgery. If he is fully recover, and for all intend and purpose he looks to be well on his way, he should rise up this level. Big and with the frame to add more bulk, Virgil could become a legitimate playmaker on Sundays very soon. His pure speed, lateral movement and physical style are tailor made for an aggressive Cover 2 system.
Projection: 7th round

5. Jamar Wall, Texas Tech (5’10”, 201, 4.50): A true sleeper who have the chance to become a solid starter in the NFL for years. Have great cover skills, lateral agility and closing speed. His instincts are above average as well. The biggest drawback on him is perceived uninspired run support. He also does not read fast enough some plays in front of him. But these deficiencies should be corrected with better coaching and more dedication. Overall, he is one of the best prospects in this class and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he emerges as a top tire cornerback in the NFL.
Projection: 7th round

NFL News Niblets for March 2010

Best comment of the month: “The retired NFL players are pawns in the CBA negotiations.”

by Marvin Cobb on Mar 19th, 2010

Well said, Bill. Thank you for speaking up for us old timers, as we continue to find our voice and stand up for ourselves. The Independent Advocates for Retired Players are gathering for the second year in a row in Las Vegas next month to educate and inspire our fellow former players to find our voices and stand up for better pensions and a reformed disability system that takes into account our unique health challenges. Again, thank you for your support.

I really appreciate all the comments we get. Your comments keep me writing this site. Marvin, I can not add anything to what you have said. Too often both the owners and active players seem to forget that it was the Jim Browns and thousands of other players that have made the game what it is today. Had it not been for them, the current guys would not be getting anything close to the money they enjoy.

Updates on previous columns:

What does the Williams' case mean for the NFL's drug policy?

We should know in 6 weeks the outcome in Minnesota state court. Hennepin County Judge Gary Larson has set an April 2nd deadline for both sides filing their final briefs and said that he would have a decision within 6 weeks of that date. On the line is every professional and college sports drug policy in the country. While this one judge will not be the final arbiter, it will one side the advantage of precedence.

American Needle v. NFL

We are still waiting for the decision of the US Supreme Court on this case. If the NFL loses the entire nature of professional leagues will be changed. We will keep you advised.

Does the NFL need to change the overtime rules?

The rule change was approved 28-4. That sounds very close to the vote on the last Collective Bargaining Agreement (30-2) and look how nicely that turned out.

The retired NFL players are pawns in the CBA negotiations.

Hopefully the new CBA will include more for the retired players. I have outlined DeMaurice Smith and the NFLPA's options on Draft Dog's NFL News Notes and Rumors dated March 18th. I outlined the leagues options and what a 2011 season without a CBA might look like in the article dated March 22nd. Check that out.

Niblets fresh from the cob:

Cleveland goes 19-0 and wins the 2010 Super Bowl--kind of.

Unfortunately that was not the Cleveland Browns, it was my Sportsims.net Cleveland team in the Elway League. If you are missing fantasy football, try a free league at Sportsims.net. It lets you trade players and draft choices, draft, and play a season a month. It's great fun and it is absolutely free.

The nature of the 2010 NFL Draft"It was the best of times and the worst of times." No, I am not rewriting the great novels of history but this draft is exactly that. There are not a lot of big school top picks or the traditional senior "name brands" that the casual fan will recognize in this draft. Part of that is because there are so many juniors coming out this year. But this draft is the deepest draft I have seen in the last 10 years. Understand that I have been studying the draft since 1960 so I am kind of new at this.

The D prospects are particularly deep with a lot of small school guys that are outstanding prospects. Check out my "under the radar" columns in the NFLDraftDog.com blog area for the guys that I think will be real steals in the later rounds of the draft.

The NFL teams are taking advantage of the uncapped year.

Teams have used this uncapped year to eliminate bad contracts for overpaid players and cut their total salary liability. 12 teams are now under the 2090 minimum salary and more are headed there soon. DeMaurice Smith once said the NFLPA would never agree to a salary cap in the future. He is now preaching the value of a salary cap. That shows us all how much the economic downturn has impacted the teams.

A look at some of the 2010 Draft Specialist

Unlike last year when six kickers were drafted, most in five years, the 2010 crop boost only one top prospect and a bunch on undistinguished specialist. At the head of the class is Michigan’s punter Zoltan Mesko. The 6-foot-4, 234 pounder is the only kicker projected to go in the early stages of Day 2.

But what this class lacks on top tier talent, they more than make it up with depth. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see as many as seven specialists from the 2010 class playing on Sundays in the fall.

With this in mind, here’s a look at some kickers and punters that should receive consideration come April.

Punters

1. Mesko: Easily the top athlete at his position. He has a powerful leg drive. The ball tends to explode off his foot. He needs to improve his technique, more pressing, his leg drop, which is a tad too low. But overall, his far and head the top player of this class.
Projection: Fourth Round

2. Brent Bowden, Virginia Tech (6’3”, 204, 4.79): A solid prospect without any outstanding quality. Is very consistent punter with a tall drop point and smooth kicking motion. On the downside, he does not posses the strongest leg out there. He also has some accuracy issues when punting against the wind.
Projection: Sixth Round

Kickers

1. Brett Swenson, Michigan State (5’7”, 177, 5.00): The best short-to-mid kicker in the draft, Swenson will offer the team that draft him a consistent performed who will not get rattle. Is a clutch player coming huge in big time situation. Has good mechanics and leg drive. The only knock on him is his lack of power. The ball does not explode off his foot. Nevertheless, his skill set and intangibles are tailor made for dome teams.
Projection: Seventh Round

2. Aaron Pettrey, Ohio State (6’0”, 180, 4.95): A great athlete with strong enough leg to make all the kicks. The big drawback on him is his lack of passion. He wasn’t even the staring kicker on his team prior to 2009 despite clearly being the best. His mechanics, specially, his sweeps, needs more refinement. As it is, Pettrey should gather a late round flyer by a desperate club.
Projection: Seventh Round

Jimmy Clausen's possible landing spot

With the NFL Draft just a few weeks away, there is already a wind swirl around the class’ best pocket passer. The recent trade barrage has left many wondering about Notre Dame’s QB Jimmy Clausen draft status.

Once pegged to go as high as fourth to the Washington Redskins, now the former high school wonder kid could very well slide into the top part of the second round. It all depends on what the Buffalo will do.

Sitting at ninth, the Bills controls Clausen stock. If the club follows a logical path, they will take the emotional Fighting Irish passer. They do have other needs, most glaring an anchor offensive tackle, but the number one priority is quarterback.
There’s little change the Buffalo will not win with their current group of QBs.

Former starter, Trent Edwards is not a franchise-type player. The other two Bills signal callers, Brian Brohm and Ryan Fitzpatrick, are little more than caretakers. They need to address the position now.

But with new head coach Chan Gailey believing in his ability to rehabilitate quarterbacks, there is a better-than-average chance the Bills will pass on Clausen.

With this in mind, here’s the Notre Dame product other possible destinations.

1. Minnesota Vikings (30th overall): If Buffalo do not take him, look for the Vikings to make a hard push for him. This will be the perfect fit for Clausen. Minnesota is loaded with young and extremely talented (RB Adrian Peterson and WR Percy Harvin) skill position players. They had a big and athletic offensive line and a top notch offensive coach (Brad Children). They also are desperate for an upgrade at the position, even if Brett Favre returns. Getting Clausen at this late stage of the round would be considering a steal.

2. Indianapolis Colts (31st): As much as he will fit in Minnesota, the Colts could be an even better landing spot for him. Indianapolis needs to upgrade the position this year. The current backups (Jim Sorgi and 2009 sixth rounder, Curtis Painter) are hardly starting material. In fact, the case could be made that neither should hold a backup spot in the league. Sorgi has looked lost every time he takes the field and in Painter’s case, his mop up duties late last season left too much to be desire of. With Payton Manning entering his 12th year, the team would be wise to commence the search for a future starter. Clausen’s skill set compares favorably with what Indianapolis covets in a quarterback.

3. Washington Redskins (4th): This is the more logical destination for the 6-foot-2 pocket passer. Mike Shannahan’s needs a new start at the position because despite all the accolades he has been throwing at projected starter, Jason Campbell, he knows the team will never win on a consistent basis with the former 2005 first rounder under center. Four years has clearly demonstrated this. But as the draft is being set up, Shannahan will most likely go for a big offensive tackle with the hopes of getting back in the later stages of the first rounds, possible trading with San Francisco at 17th.

4. Cleveland Browns (7th): Despite the recent signing of an ageing quarterback (Jake Delhome) and a talented but erratic one (Seneca Wallace), this team will still like to come out of this draft with a top tire prospect at the position. Those two moves probably take the team out of the running for Clausen with the seven overall pick. Could they move back in the first, ala 2007 when they got back in the first to take a Fighting Irish QB (Brady Quinn)? Not likely. A more palpable possibility is the second round (38th) but by then it could be too late.

Other intriguing landing spots are the Rams, if they do not take Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford at number one, the Raiders, because of owner Al Davis unpredictability, and the 49ers, where the need for a quarterback is still there despite Alex Smith’s promising play down the stretch last season.

A look at some sleepers QB prospects

Almost anyone agrees that unlike the previous two years, this upcoming NFL Draft boost one of the most deluded quarterback classes in years. As was the case last year (Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez and Josh Freeman), only juniors are projected to be first round material.

Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen out of Notre Dame are the only sure fire selections. Both posses the necessary skill set and intangibles to become franchise signal callers. But aside the Big Two, no other QB is expected to be drafted in the first two rounds. In fact, there’s a good chance only four QBs will be drafted on Day One.

Aside Bradford and Clausen, only Cincinnati’s Tony Pike (6’6”, 212, 4.88) has the possibility of being a top, opening day pick while 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow (Florida, 6’3”, 245, 4.79), will most likely be selected higher than his ability to play the position merit due to his high public persona.

Despite this somewhat lackluster top half of the class, there are several good, late Day 2 prospects who have the talent to become future starters on Sundays. Topping the list is West Virginia’s Jarrett Brown. The 6-foot-3, 218 pounder is one of the faster risers in many boards thanks to his impressive postseason performance.

Brown sports the best arm of the class. He also is a creative player who has the ability to move the chains with his feet (4.64). He will need time to develop, but his skills will intrigue teams looking for a developmental quarterback who will sit and learn for a few years. Cleveland comes to mind. Last week the Browns signed Jake Delhomme. The former Carolina Panther QB, who will battle, and most likely will win, Seneca Wallace for Cleveland’s job; is viewed as just a stopgap measure until a big time playmaker can be find. Brown will be a perfect fit for the club if he is available in the middle rounds.

Another diamond in the rough possibility could be Jonathan Crompton (6’4”, 228, 4.76). The Tennessee product had a career year in 2009 playing in Lane Kiffin’s pro-style offense. He has the arm strength to make any NFL throw and the timing to play in a West Coast-type of system. He will need more coaching and experience, but the overall talent is there for him to make it as a starter. Projected as a mid-to-late fifth rounder, Crompton could prove to be one of the best Day Two picks this year.

That same label can be attached to Oregon State’s Sean Canfield (6’4”, 214, 4.94) who once was viewed as a mid-to-upper second round pick but due to a poor finish and an undistinguished postseason, has dropped all the way back to the end of fifth round. Still, his arm, mobility and accuracy are solid. He needs to work out on his mechanic and foot movement, but he does one thing that neither Brown nor Crompton seem to do, hit his receivers in stride. Look for a team such as New England or Indianapolis, clubs with established stars, to take a long, hard look at Canfield.

John Skelton (6’5”, 244, 4.89) out of Fordham is gathering the most attention of all the possible sleepers. His size and strength are reminiscence of the Raven’s Joe Flacco, but that where the similarities ends. Unlike Flacco (Delaware 2008) who blew scouts since away with his quick and savvy mind, Skelton hasn’t demonstrated the ability to promptly comprehend a complex playbook. That’s why his stock hasn’t rise above the fourth round territory. In time he could develop into a serviceable backup. He is more similar to former Temple great Walter Washington (un drafted FA in 2005) than to the current Baltimore starter.

Scouting Reports on Guys Under the Radar

Roddrick Muckelroy OLB Texas 6' 2" 235

Overall: Muckelroy is the classic sleeper. Few fans realize that he is a good prospect that can get better with good coaching and reps.

Strengths: Muckelroy has above average awareness. He reacts quickly to the play action or screen pass. He has the speed to track down the ball and make the play. He anchors against the run reasonably well but excels in the blitz and in zone coverage against the pass. He has above average ball skills. He is willing to battle for the ball.

Weaknesses: Despite his girth, he gets caught up in the wash more often than you would like. He struggles to separate from the blocker and doesn't seem to have mastered the techniques necessary to use his hands and upper body strength to its maximum advantage. He also is less effective in man pass coverage than zone. He has the mobility to cover but seems to lack the experience.

The Bottom line: Muckelroy was under the radar until last season. But OBs that can cover are a desired commodity. Now he is ranked in the late 5th. Don't be surprised if he is drafted in the late 3rd or early 4th round. He has a significant upside and is a value pick at his level.

Donovan Waren CB 5'11" 193 Michigan

Overall: Warren is a junior that might have been better off staying in school. However he has the skills to develop into an NFL player. He is so young that that it will take him some time to develop.

Strengths: He is able to cover man to man effectively. He has decent speed and fluid hips. He handles multiple moves effectively without losing contact with the receiver. He has quick hands and is effective at knocking the ball away. He plays his best in big games.

Weaknesses: He is a decent hitter but does not jump the run. He doesn't exhibit great instincts. He doesn't have the ball skills to make pick when he has the chance. That will come with experience. As they say, there is a reason that some players are CBs and not WRs.

Bottom Line: He is totally off everyone's draft charts but could catch on as a Rookie Free Agent. Given his age, he is worth taking a chance on.

T.J. Ward SS 5' 11" 211 Oregon

Overall: Ward played well in the Rose Bowl and did OK at the combine running a 4.56. He is on some draft charts but should be on more of them.

Strengths: Any team looking for a Tampa 2 safety should check Ward out. He is solid in zone, breaks on the ball well and helps out the CBs against the long pass. He brings all 211 when he tackles. He can cover the TE man to man deep and despite his height can make a play.

Weaknesses: Despite his size, he doesn't make as many plays against the run as you would expect. He needs to spend more time in the film room. As a pro, he will.

Bottom Line: Ward is a late 3rd or early 4th round prospect in a really deep group at safety. He has the tools to be an above average SS in a Tampa 2 or primarily zone scheme.

Antonio Brown WR 5' 10" 186 Central Michigan

Overall: Brown suffers from being in a small school and being in the 20's in the WR rankings. He will be a nice pick for someone.

Strengths: Brown is one of those guys that just gets open. He runs fairly precise routes and gives good fakes to get away from the DB. He is not very big but attacks the ball. He has good hands and catches the ball crisply. He is quicker than fast which makes him a candidate for the slot receiver spot. He does not lose speed going into and coming out of his breaks. That too helps him get open.

Weaknesses: He is a size/speed combination that is not popular. At 5-10 186 most WRs run better than a 4.57 40. He is not a return guy but is willing on special teams as a gunner.

Bottom Line: Depending on how he runs at his pro day, expect him to be a late 5 or early 6th round pick.

Daryll Clark QB 6' 2" 235 Penn State

Overall: Clark had a much better junior year than senior season. He regressed in terms of TD to interception ratio. In 08 he threw 19 TDs with 6 picks and was considered the top QB in the Big 10. In 09 he threw 24 TDs but had very costly picks that cost his team games. Last year he was a prospect but this season he is considered not draftable. However, those that were around when a guy named Dan Marino had a bad senior year and fell to the Dolphins at pick 27 in the 1983 draft. Clark is not a Marino but he is better than the experts realize.

Strengths: Clark is generally accurate at the short and medium pass. He has above average arm strength but shows good touch of wheel and swing routes out of the backfield. He is tough and will stand in against the rush and throw accurately. He also can throw on the move without losing sight of the WRs down field. He is an above average runner when the pass protection breaks down.

Weaknesses: This season his decision making broke down. In the big games he tended to try to do too much and make plays that weren't there. That was the biggest single contributor to the additional picks. He is also inconsistent with his footwork but that is true of almost all college QBs. He seems to be a good student of the game and the additional time he will have in the film room will help him.

Bottom Line: Being a big name college QB should get him some attention but he is not on the radar. He could be a RFA signing that could turn out to be a good backup QB in the league.

Charles Scott RB LSU 6' 0" 238

Overall: Had Scott stayed healthy all year he might have been in the second group of RBs in the draft. But he was hurt against Alabama and did not play the rest of the year. In 08 he gained 1174 yards, averaged 5.4 per attempt, and scored 18 TDs. In 09 he got just 116 carries for 542 yards and 4 TDs.

Strengths: Scott has the strength to break tackles and enough speed to break big runs. He was not used much as a receiver but catches the ball easily and makes yards after the catch. He shows good vision and has the quickness to get to the hole. He also is a good blocker and can pick up a blitz.

Weaknesses: His speed is in question because of his injury. He is expected to run a 4.7 which is below average for a back. He does not have much experience running routes and it shows.

Bottom Line: Had he been healthy he might have been a late 2 or early 3. Now his draft position will depend on his medical evaluation and how the teams judge it. The best guess now is that if he is going to be ready for the 2010 season, he should be a 5th or 6th round pick. He could be a value there.

Keenan Clayton OLB Oklahoma 6' 1" 229

Overall: I really like this kid. He shows a lot of the skills that I look for in an OB. He is considered not-draftable but I think he would be a good RFA signing.

Strengths: Clayton is equally good against the run and the pass. He has the ability to cover RBs or TEs and has the quick hands to knock the ball away. At 4.66 he wouldn't be expected to have the speed to keep up with the receivers but he anticipates their moves and is quick in and out of a change of direction. He reads plays well and reacts quickly taking good angles to the play. He hits better than expected for a guy his size and will dislodge the ball from the runner. He is quick and alert enough to see a run coming his way and then attacks it down hill getting the tackle in the backfield.

Weaknesses: His biggest weaknesses are his size at just 229 pounds and his speed at 4.66. He doesn't have the speed to convert to S or the body frame to build into a 240 OB. But some players have succeeded at that size.

Bottom Line: His talent and ability to contribute on special teams makes him draftable. If not he should be signed as a RFA.

By Bill Smith informan1@yahoo.com

Bengals' 2010 Draft Preview

The recent signing of free agent Antonio Bryan probably takes the Bengals out of the not-so enviable position of having to reach for a wide receiver in the first round of next month’s NFL Draft. As the draft were set up, Cincinnati would have most likely had taken Illinois’ gifted but extremely raw wide out Arrelious Benn with the 21st overall selection.

The 6-foot-2, 220 pound Benn would have offer a similar skill sets to the newly signed Bryan. Both are tall, lanky players with little burst or straight-line speed. But what the former Bucs lacks in explosiveness and suddenness, he more that made it up with crisp cuts, sharp stops and leaping ability. In a nut shell, he should provide the Bengals with a solid, possession-type receiver capable, if properly motivated (remember 2008 when he came out of exile to post a career-83 receptions, 1,248-year), of topping the 70 catch mark.

Unfortunately, Bryan can’t stretch the field, something Cinci desperately need. This is the reason why the club will pick, at least one wide out. Possibilities variety but if for some reason Notre Dame’s Golden Tate (5’11”, 195lb, 4.44) slip pass the Baltimore Ravens at 25th the Bengals will waste little time in making a move at the top of the second round. Another possibility could be Ole Miss’ Dexter McCluster (5’8”, 165lb, 4.42) or Ohio’s fast riser Taylor Price (6’0”, 198, 4.36). Both are expected to be available in the third round.

With their need to reach thrown out of the window the Bengals should go with the best available athlete in the first round. If the draft runs as predicted, head coach Marvin Lewis will have his choice between a speedy end rusher and a pass blocker. Idaho’s guard Mike Iupati (6’5”, 325lb, 5.20) offers the club good value at twenty one. His versatility and strength will allow assistant head coach and offensive line coordinator, Paul Alexander, to move him all along the interior of the line.

If Florida’s DE Carlos Dunlap (6’6”, 290, 4.78) is still on the board, Lewis will be hard press to pass on him. Dunlap carries some off the field baggage and is somewhat immature. But his rare combination of size, strength and speed will entice many teams.

Aside WR, the Bengals will like to come out of New York with a big-play tight end. The current depth chart at position (Chase Coffman, Dan Coats, J.P. Foschi, Darius Hill and Reggie Kelly) reads like a Who-is-who of backup players. Foschi is a dependable target but he is not a different maker. Coats (2nd year out of BYU) can block but offer little else while Hill and Kelly (10th year out of Mississippi State) are below average.

The Bengals would be wise to take Arizona’s Rob Gronkowski (6’6”, 265, 4.76) in the second round, if Tate is gone. ‘Gronk’, as he is commonly known, is arguable the draft’s second best TE. When he is healthy, and he looks to be that way now, the former Wildcat is a solid blocker with great open field playmaking ability. His speed, which tops the more publicized Jermaine Gresham (4.80), will allow Carson Palmer to stretch out the middle of the field on a regular basis.

On the defensive side, the team will look to add depth to its defensive backfield. Another fast cornerback and a big hitting strong safety are needed. This is a particular deep CB class, especially down the bottom half, so the club will have good options in the later rounds. Trevard Lindley (5’11”, 176lb, 4.49) out of Kansas State, Alabama’s Kareem Jackson (5’11”, 192lb, 4.50) and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (6’0”, 205lb, 4.48) out of Indiana, Pa., are good, middle round options. Virginia Tech’s SS Kam Chancellor (6’3”, 232, 4.58) will offer good value in the fourth round.

In the end, Cincinnati needs this draft to be the home run last’s year was if they want to make a prolong playoff run in 2010.

The Top Ten NFL Draft Websites

The 2010 NFL Draft is almost here and it’s that time of year again to start searching for the best draft information, player interviews, player profiles and mock drafts on the internet. Believe me, you will find a large number of websites out there that can provide you with a lot of information about the 2010 NFL Draft. However, with so many sites out there, which sites are the best? Which sites provide you with the most reliable, accurate information about the 2010 NFL Draft?

Let’s take a look at the top ten NFL Draft websites on the internet and find out which are the best. For the purpose of this we only included 100% free sites.

1. NFL Draft Countdown-Website owner Scott Wright continues to impress with a site that is very functional, easy to navigate, pleasing to the eye and continues to provide some of the best draft information that you can find. Scott’s layout is very functional and the information is extremely accurate and helpful to anyone who is interested in learning more about the NFL draft. When looking at this site, I felt that the best part of the site was the mock draft. The website’s mock drafts are always well put together, full of information and some of the best mock drafts out there. The pop ups are annoying though.

2. Walter Football-If you want a lot of great information all in one place (and consistently updated) you need to look no further than Walterfootball.com. Site Owner Walter Cherepinsky has taken a ton of information and put it all into one place where it’s easy to find and simple to understand. Some of the better features of this site include the in depth player profiles that Walter provides along with mailbag pages, mock drafts and other interesting information. The player profiles are the best feature of this website and are some of the most detailed on the internet.

3. The Football Expert-Owner Michael Abromowitz long time website has condensed itself a little bit but still provides some of the best draft information on the internet. The Football Expert site provides detailed information on every prospect in the draft and their position rankings (which are the best feature on the site) are some of the best on the web. Also featured are detailed player profiles that are some of the best on the web. This is one of the easiest sites to navigate and is consistently updated.

4. Great Blue North Draft Report-The GBN Report, owned by Colin Lindsay, is one of the most well updated sites on the internet keeping its readers informed of the latest happenings in both college and professional football. This site features several different draft related features including a detailed positional rankings and a picks by team board that is very easy to understand. The site is easy to navigate and pleasing to the eye as well.

5. NFL Draft Dog-With some of the most up to date content on the internet NFL Draft Dog is turning out to be one of the most reliable and timely draft sites on the internet thanks to owner Robert Bryant’s timely updates. Some of the features of this site that help to make it one of the best NFL Draft sites on the internet include the detailed player profiles for many of the prospects coming out in the 2010 NFL Draft. There are also several mock drafts posted to this site and these are constantly updated which is very nice. This site has come a long way and continues to delve into new and interesting areas in both the NFL and College football.

6. Football’s Future-This site continues to impress a lot of people thanks to it’s easy to navigate layout, its graphics and the information that it provides. The best feature of this website is its extensive team needs columns that appear to updated on a regular basis and they are very well detailed. The site also has a place where you can post your mock draft and have other people comment on it. It’s a simple easy to navigate website with lots of great information.

7. New Era Scouting-This site has come a long ways since first coming to the web and now is one of the most informative draft website on the internet. Owner Matt Miller has added some of the great features of this website including a very easy to navigate layout that is very easy to understand and very pleasing to the eye. They also have very detailed scouting reports that are easy to understand along with rankings for every player in the draft. The best thing about this site is its updates including updates (daily) at the Senior Bowl and at the Combine. This is definitely one of the top sites on the web and is getting better all the time.

8. Draft Daddy-The Draft Daddy website has remained one of the better draft websites for a long time thanks to owner Matt Bitoni. Some of the best features of this site include consistently updated information, updated mock drafts along with very detailed player rankings which are the best feature of this site. Also included are up to date team pages and a great listing of small school sleepers. The best part of this site is its player rankings and blog.

9. Draft Ace-This site provides its readers with a simple and easy site to navigate and one of the best mock drafts on the web. The best feature of this site is its consistent Twitter updates which keep its reader informed about all of the latest happenings relating to the NFL draft. Owner Ryan McCrystal has made graphics that are very nice, the links all work and the site is consistently updated. This is clearly one of the better draft sites on the web.

10. Draft Breakdown-The Draftbreakdown website is one of the most pleasing to look at and easiest to navigate of all the sites listed in this top ten. Owner Will Spencer uses a nice mix of colors and graphics to make it an enjoyable read. Some of the great features of this site include updated and solid prospect rankings along with prospect profiles that are the site’s best feature. The information is fresh and consistently updated and the site is very easy to navigate.

2010 NFL Scouting Combine Report: The Running Backs

RB Jahvid Best

This year’s Combine, much like it did in 2008, could send a couple of running backs, once viewed as middle of the pack material, to the upper part of the NFL Draft.

Much like in 2008 when Chris Johnson vaulted to the first round with an amazing workout in Indianapolis, this year, Cal’s Jahvid Best could do the same. Other that helped himself enormous was Joe McKnight. The former Trojan put to rest concerns about his strength with a solid bench press mark.

The biggest loser at Indianapolis has to be Stanford’s Toby Gerhart who did not qualm scouts reservations about his explosiveness. In fact, he placed another on the scouts’ mind with his average bench pressing mark.

Here’s a list of who helped himself and who falter at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine.

On the Rise:

Jahvid Best (Cal): The 5-foot-10 dynamo of a runner was viewed by many scouts as a mid to late second rounder with top, thanks to his excellent outside speed and corner explosiveness. His eye-popping 40 yard time (4.35) coupled with his 3-Cone Drill time of 6.75, both tops among RBs, were to be expected, but the way he ran, with authority and passion, caught the eye of all personnel men.

He impressed the scouts with his new bulk-up physic. Listed at 195 pounds in the media guide, Best showed up at the Combine a rock solid 199 ponder. The added bulk helped him post a better-than-expected bench pressing (18 times at 225 pounds) mark. The added weight and newly display strength will make him an attractive, mid first round candidate.

Projection: San Francisco 49ers at 17th or San Diego Chargers at 28th

C.J. Spiller (Clemson): The class best prospect did nothing to hurt his chances of being the top back selected. Besides posting the second best 40-yard Dash time (4.37), he bench pressed the same number (18) as Best. Proving that despite his reputation as an explosive playmaker with little pop, he could manage tackles at the second level. Spiller may have drawn some flack regarding his absence at the Vertical and Broad Jump drills, but he is still the draft’s best RB prospect.

Projection: Seattle at #14

Joe McKnight (USC): No one helped himself more than the former Trojan standout. Entering the Combine, McKnight was viewed as a fast and elusive, open field runner with little pop inside the tackle box. But his performance at Indianapolis squashed that profile. Aside his speed (4.47), which was expected, the former high school star posted an impressive Bench Pressing effort (18 reps) and the Combine’s best Broad Jump (10.8).

He was also one of the few RBs that participated in almost all the drills. His Q&A session was also a home run. All in all, he probably posted the best mark among the scouts and in the processed, cementing his place as the class’ third best back.

Projection: Solid second rounder, maybe as high as 35 to the Tampa Bay Bucs.

On the Decline

Toby Gerhart (Stanford): The darling of the Cardinals magical 2009 season flamed out somewhat at the Combine. Coming in to Indianapolis, Gerhart, who was projected as a strong, inside the tackles runner with little to offer outside, needed to prove he has the explosiveness to be an every down back. He failed in both instances.

His 40 time of 4.53, which felt slower than that, did not help him as much as his pedestrian effort in the Bench Press Drill hurt him. Packing a solid 235 pounds, Gerhart was supposed to blow away at the strength drill. Unfortunately for him that was not the case. His 22 reps, with the last two looking extremely iffy, were lower than anticipated. In fact, Fresno State’s seldom use Lonyae Miller (26) posted better numbers despite being outweigh by Gerhart by fifteen pounds.

His much better-than-anticipated speed did not translate into explosiveness as he posted an average 3-Cone Drill time (6.94). That, coupled with a lower bench press number, probably pushes him to the later stages of Day 1.

Projection: A late third rounder, at best.

One of the few surprises at the Combine has to be Lonyae Miller. Despite having a solid career with the Bulldogs, the 225 pounder was relegated to backup duties with the emergence of Ryan Mathews.

Running a crisp, 4.53 in the 40 yard dash and posting the event’s top score in the Bench Pressing drill, has elevated Miller’s draft status from a borderline, late Day 2 pick, to a very solid, fourth rounder.

By Raul Colon

2010 NFL Scouting Combine: The Wide Receivers

The receivers were running today at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine and except for cornerbacks, speed means more to them than any other position. Speed is not everything obviously, they still need to be able to run crisp routes and catch the ball, but without top flight speed they will have difficulty separating from defensive backs in the NFL.

On the Rise:

WR Jacoby Ford, Clemson (5' 9" 186 lbs): The fastest player at the combine so far. Ford ran a 4.27 and a 4.28 forty. He can stretch the field. In 2009 he amassed 779 receiving yards and 6 TDs and he had 15 catches of over 20 yards. Ford might have moved up into the second round unless the Raiders nab him with the 8th overall pick.

WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame (5' 10" 199 lbs): We all knew he could catch and run and rack up huge numbers. In 2009 he amassed 1,496 yards and 15 TDs. What we didn't know was just how fast he was. Now we know he can run, at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine he ran an official 4.42 forty.

WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois JR (6' 1" 219 lbs): Benn has looked fantastic, very solidly built, very athletic and ran a 4.48 forty at the Combine. He is a first round lock for the 2010 NFL Draft. Benn was also the strongest receiver with 20 reps on the bench.

WR Marcus Easley, Connecticut (6' 3" 210 lbs): A sleeper and a player that might get drafted much sooner than most people think. Easley ran an amazing 4.39 forty at the combine and had a productive senior year catching 48 passes for 893 yards and 8 TDs.

WR Emmanuel Sanders, SMU (5' 11" 186 lbs): Some thought he was a system receiver in June Jones' pass happy offense, he finished 2009 ranked 7th in the NCAA with 1,339 yards and 7 TDs. Now we know he can run also to go along with his production. He ran an very nice 4.41 forty at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine. Sanders was also 2nd fastest of all the receivers in the 3-cone drill with a time of 6.60 seconds.

WR Andre Roberts, Citadel (5' 11" 195 lbs): Who will be the next small school star like Pierre Garcon from last year? It might be Roberts or Chris Bell or Donald Jones. Roberts is a speedster, he ran a 4.46 forty and last year in the FCS (formerly division 1AA) he amassed 791 receiving yards and 8 TDs. WR Chris Bell (6' 2" 211 lbs) caught 51 passes for 958 yards and 13 TDs for Norfolk State and ran a nice 4.47 second forty at the combine. Youngstown State's Donald Jones (6' 0" 214 lbs) ran a 4.47 forty and recorded a 41 inch vertical jump.

TE Clay Harbor, Missouri State (6' 3" 252 lbs): Another Small School Prospect that I really like is Clay Harbor. Harbor is an excellent athlete with nice size. He caught 59 passes for 729 yards and 4 TDs last year. At the combine he ran a very nice 4.69 forty, benched 225 pounds 30 times and executed a 41 inch vertical jump.

WR Blair White, Michigan State (6' 2" 209 lbs): Was very productive in the Big 10 where he recorded 990 receiving yards and 9 TD. White has always been noted for running crisp routes and now his 4.53 second forty at the combine will only help him. White was also 3rd fastest of all the receivers in the 3-cone drill with a time of 6.69 seconds.

WR David Gettis, Baylor (6' 3" 217 lbs): Didn't put up huge numbers at run happy Baylor, but he showed a lot of explosiveness for a big receiver running a 4.47 forty at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine.

On the Decline:

WR Desmon Briscoe, Kansas JR (6' 2" 207 lbs): Very productive on the field last year catching 84 passes for 1,337 yards and 9 TDs, but the big question on him has been speed and he didn't look real fast at the combine running a 4.61 forty.

Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati (6' 0" 187 lbs): I still like Gilyard a lot as a receiver and a return man, he catches the ball very well and runs precise routes. His 87 catches for 1,191 yards and 11 TDs are impressive, but running a 4.56 forty at the combine will cause him to slip in the draft a bit. I thought he would run better, but I still think he has nice football (on the field) speed.

WR Damian Williams, USC (6' 1" 197 lbs): Not real big and not real fast. Williams ran a disappointing 4.53 second forty at the combine.

WR Brandon LaFell, LSU (6' 2" 211 lbs): Didn't look real explosive at the combine where he ran a mediocre 4.62 forty.

The Truth about NFL Draft Rumors

This time of year is when all the rumors start flooding in. The Buccaneers are reportedly interested in South Florida's DE Pierre-Paul is one that's floating around right now. To all the myth mongers I say phooey. NFL teams have absolutely zero motivation in letting us know what their plans are and who they are interested in. If anything is being officially released it is probably mis-information anyway. You will see in the next (approximately) six weeks before the draft, the rumors will be flying all about, so believe them at your peril. Most of these rumors are just made up to get people like you and me to read them.

Team Draft for the Future:

The other mistake that the average Draftnik (NFL Draft Fan) makes is thinking that NFL teams always draft players for immediate help. Most teams think ahead 2-3 years for their draft picks. A couple years ago the Cowboys drafted OLB Anthony Spencer and they already had Greg Ellis in that spot, who by the way just made the pro bowl. The next year Ellis is with the Raiders and Spencer steps in and has a great year in Ellis' spot. Last year the Eagles draft RB LeSean McCoy and they already had a pro bowl running back in Brian Westbrook, now they release Westbrook and give McCoy the starting spot a year later.

So just because an NFL team looks strong at a certain position right now doesn't necessarily mean they won't draft for that same position. For example, in my 2010 NFL Mock Draft I have the Steelers drafting massive Alabama nose tackle Terrance Cody. The Steeler fans are shocked, "we already have Casey Hampton" they say. Yes they might Franchise Hampton, but where will he be in two-three years? Smart, successful NFL teams are proactive and not reactive and they draft with vision for the future.

NFL Draft Dog Now on Facebook

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Should the Rams draft Jimmy Clausen or Ndamukong Suh?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

The Rams have a hard decision to make coming up in April, but some people are making it much harder than it should be. The question is whether they should take stud defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is considered the best player in the draft, or should they take a franchise quarterback in Jimmy Clausen? Hard? Maybe for some people, but if I'm running a franchise and I lack a franchise quarterback - I'm acquiring one any way possible. Yes, I understand there is bust potential on quarterbacks. I understand that there are chances Suh becomes the next Reggie White. But ask yourself, is Suh, who would get #1 pick money really going to help the Rams franchise make the playoffs in the near future? I'm thinking not. I'm thinking one defensive linemen is going to help a franchise win 2-4 more games, not 9-10. It's no coincidence that a high percentage of winning teams have a franchise quarterback (Manning and Brees in the Super Bowl are good evidence). Clausen is a higher prospect than last year's picks Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez were at this point, and even more than Matt Ryan was the year before that. If the Rams truly want to start being successful, they have to start at square one - having that franchise quarterback. Clausen has to be the pick for the Rams.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

I’ve got to note that I personally think the Rams have to address the QB spot. But, for the sake of the debate, I’ll argue for Suh. You’ve got a coach in place who is an admitted defensive-lineman addict with a chance to draft the most heralded defensive tackle prospect in years. It’s almost too perfect. Plus, it’s not like the Rams don’t need just as much help on the defensive side of the ball. Chris Long and Adam Carriker haven’t done much of anything up front to warrant their high selections not long enough ago. And no one else seemed interested in participating as St. Louis finished 29th in total defense and 27th against the run. Then there’s the thought that the Rams might not have the protection or receiving corps to make use of a top passer. And while we’re speaking of passers, although I like both, Jimmy Clausen hasn’t been a big winner and has an attitude that turns some people off, while Sam Bradford just missed an entire season after injuring his shoulder… twice. No prospect is a sure thing, but sue me if I’m wrong; Ndamukong seems close.

Who is the top wide receiver in the 2010 class?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

When evaluating the wide receivers in this draft class, I noticed a couple of things. First, this is a pretty weak receiving class for a team looking for a number one go to guy (only 2 have potential in my opinion). Second, in my analysis of the receivers, I think Damian Williams is the best receiver of this class and has the most potential to be a "go to receiver." Damian Williams has everything I look for in a receiver: great route running (can contribute immediately), a great work ethic, and has great hands. Also being a pro system helps his case and I really think whoever gets him in the draft is getting great value.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

I’m going with a slight underdog here and taking Golden Tate out of Notre Dame. Michael Crabtree might have sparked some hope for spread receivers, but there’s still a premium on getting a guy who’s at least tried to run pro routes. Tate’s coming out of Charlie Weis’s offense with loads of experience in a similar system to what he’ll likely play in next season. He doesn’t have great height, and there are better pure speed guys, but if you’re looking for a playmaker, Tate fits the bill. He’s got good enough speed to stretch a defense, is a dangerous athlete especially after the catch, and has nice instincts. His route running needs work, but he’s got that special something that you see in a Percy Harvin type. Plus, he’s got great leadership abilities, and is a pretty heady player.

What team is the best fit for Tim Tebow?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

The Tim Tebow question is the biggest question of this draft. Can Tim Tebow play at a elite level? Can he be successful? Will he play quarterback? And most importantly, where and who will draft him? I honestly believe he will be a first round pick, not based on just his character and talent, but on his appeal to a franchise. I really think he will get drafted by Jacksonville, but I'm not sure that is his best fit. I really think he could do well in any offense as long as he has to sit behind for a couple years and work on his mechanics. Guys with poor mechanics have sat (Tony Romo, Steve Young) and became very successful quarterbacks in the NFL. I don't see Tim Tebow as any different.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

I’m higher on Tebow than most, but I still think that any rookie can benefit from some transition time on the bench. Sure, there are some, like a Matt Ryan, that can come in and have an immediate positive impact, and maybe Tebow can do that, but I’d rather see him drafted into a position where he is allowed maximum time to use his greatest strength – his desire to work harder and become a better player. Give him a season behind Matt Leinart in Arizona and see what happens. Leinart hasn’t shown much yet, other than an innate ability to complete passes to corners, but the team has hope for him, and he did get to learn enough to pass on to Tebow from one of the all-time greats in Kurt Warner. The offense has plenty of skill position talent to insulate a young starter once Tebow takes over, and I believe that Ken Whisenhunt is creative enough to fully utilize a guy with this skill set. What I don’t want to see is Tebow ending up somewhere like Miami where he’ll be wasted as a Wildcat project.

Who is your favorite sleeper?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

One of the guys I'm ecstatic to see in the combine is running back Toby Gerhart from Stanford. This guy reminds me so much of one of the more exciting running backs to watch in the NFL, Marion Barber. He is physical, a downhill runner, and he loves contact. Gerhart is projected anywhere from the 3rd round all the way to possibly the 5th round. If he has a good combine, he could slip into the 2nd. He has questionable hands and elusiveness, but he works hard and I can see him being a very underrated running back in the NFL.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

Hard to call him underrated after an incredible week at the Senior Bowl has his name bouncing around draft conversations everywhere, but a guy I’ve been high on for a while is Kyle Wilson out of Boise. He’s an intelligent player with the kind of confidence successful corners need and a versatility that should be coveted by all 32 teams. Whether he’s blitzing, covering, or returning, he’s a dynamic guy that can change a game in an instant. Also, have to mention Ryan Matthews out of Fresno State. He’s got good enough size, underrated vision, and was extremely productive last season. He seemed to play better against tougher opponents too, going off for 230 yards against Boise, 160 against Wisconsin, and 150 against Cincinnati.

Who will make the easiest transition to 3-4 OLB from college DE?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

We all know the NFL is a copycat league and a lot of teams are now running a 3-4 defense. With this, scouts have an even harder job evaluating prospects because they have to figure out if a guy fits in a 4-3 as a defensive end, or if he is a 3-4 Rush Linebacker. In my evaluation, I believe that Sergio Kindle could be the best 3-4 rush linebacker and certainly has the measurables and athleticism to succeed. He is 6'4" 255 pounds and has some very nice speed. If he can get the right coaching and learn to be a little more physical, he could end up being a good pass rusher in the NFL.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

I’m going with the “safe” pick I guess, but it’s hard to bet against Jerry Hughes if you’re looking for a speed rusher in the 3-4. He’s got top-line speed for the position and was highly productive in college when it came to getting to the quarterback. He just seems to have a knack for it. And it’s not just that he gets there, its how he does it. He plays well in space and really explodes into his tackles, but not at the expense of wrapping up. It’s tough to see him not getting sacks at the next level when you look at his unique combination of quickness, instincts, and an array of dangerous pass rushing moves

More 2010 Senior Bowl Observations

WR Andre Roberts

Many of the nation’s top senior football players got together last Saturday to play a game. Unlike the NFL’s Pro Bowl, this game meant something to the players besides clowning around and a quick paycheck. Here’s some notes from the game:

Brandon Graham, the DE from Michigan, won MVP honors. The young Wolverine had a great game and from most reports, was close to unblockable in the practices leading up to the event. He cemented his first round status, and probably climbed most NFL teams draft boards. If he didn’t, the scouts didn’t watch the same game I did.

WR Mardy Gilyard from Cincinnati also stood out. He had the best game of any WR. While this doesn’t mean he was the best receiver at the game, he made the most of his national TV time. Gilyard got open easily and seemed to feel at ease among the college all stars.

Another receiver, Andre Roberts from the Citadel, also made some nice catches.

Many people were interested in seeing what Florida QB Tim Tebow could do at the game, and I’ll give him credit for showing up at a competition he didn’t have to, but wow, did he look bad. From what I saw, he was the worst of the QB bunch at the Senior Bowl. He didn’t even scramble that well. He is a huge project if he insists on playing QB.

Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia looked to have the nicest release and the best looking ball thrown out there. Good size too.

LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon ran hard and has good size. He is definitely pro material physically, but seems very excitable on the field. With his history, that’s not a good thing. The coaches seemed to turn to him when they needed the tough yards, and that’s a good sign that the coaches liked him.

Taylor Mays, the safety from USC grabbed one interception, but otherwise didn’t do much to stand out.

Auburn RB, Ben Tate showed good burst on a couple plays. With his listed size of 5’10, 220 lbs, he could be a mid round steal. Reports from practice also said good things.

I was looking for DE George Selvie from South Florida to do some exciting things, but he did not.

Two DT’s from Georgia looked good. Jeff Owens and Geno Atkins looked like solid 2^nd or 3^rd rounders.

QB Tony Pike from Cincinnati performed adequately, but the ball took awhile to get out of his hand. He’s also too slender right now. If he gains some weight and strength, he could be a capable NFL backup someday.

The Senior Bowl was a chance for these players to play against the best. Some stood out, some did not. The game will be only one factor in where they get drafted, but for my money, how a kid plays and practices against top competition is more important than how he performs at the upcoming NFL Combine. Some NFL teams still have not figured that out.

By Mark Stein

2010 Senior Bowl Post Game Report

I am sure I am not alone in saying I grew tired of hearing about how Tim Tebow was going to perform this week, how much Terrence Cody weighs, and looking at Mel Kiper’s hair, so I assure you not much else will be said about those issues. The story of the 2010 Senior Bowl for me came in the trenches, which is where football games are still won. A dominant performance by the defensive front of the North squad, along with solid play from the front seven of the South team as well were what made this game for me.

Led by defensive end Brandon Graham, the defense of the North was in the South’s backfield all day long. Graham, a 6’1 263 pounder from Michigan, routinely harassed the quarterback, had 2 sacks and a forced fumble, and also showed he has the ability to stop the run as well. He may be a bit undersized, but I can see him having a Dwight Freeney-like impact at the next level. Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri also had a good day. The 6’0 241 pound middle linebacker was all over the field for Coach Jim Schwartz, and also seemed to be the vocal and emotional leader of the team. That is something every team needs and will not go unnoticed by scouts and GM’s. A few other players from the North that impressed me defensively were defensive end Tyson Alualu of Cal, and linebackers Daryl Washington of TCU and Koa Misi of Utah.

Offensively, the North looked somewhat stagnant early on, but benefitted from good field position after the defense forced a couple turnovers. Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount had a good day averaging about 5 yards per carry to go along with a TD run of 14 yards. Obviously character issues are a huge concern with this guy, but at 6 feet and 245 pounds with good lateral quickness and the ability to get downfield in a hurry, he could end up having some good value since he will most likely fall to the late 2nd or 3rd round in the draft. Cincinnati wide receiver Mardy Gilyard had a huge day hauling in 5 catches for 103 yards and a TD, while also performing kick and punt return duties, showing scouts he is as dynamic as anyone in the nation. Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan had the best day among all the quarterbacks. The NCAA’s all-time leader in TD’s showed he has the poise, athleticism, and arm strength to be considered an NFL quarterback.

Defensive tackle Dan Williams of Tennessee and cornerback Patrick Robinson of Florida State led the South team defensively. Williams, a 6’ 2" 329 pounder, battled all day long with Idaho guard Mike Iupati who is widely considered to be the best offensive lineman in this draft. Williams got the best of Iupati on several occasions, constantly collapsed the pocket, plugged the gaps making it nearly impossible for the North to get a run game going while he was on the field, and even deflected a pass. Robinson, a 5’ 11" 190 pound speedster, showed he is the best senior corner in this year’s draft. The rules of the Senior Bowl only allow the defense to play Cover 1 or Cover 3, so there was a lot of man to man coverage played on the outside which allowed us a good look at the corners, and Robinson impressed by consistently staying with his man and not giving up big plays. Question marks still remain about his desire and play-making ability. Others that had good days for the South defense were DT Terrence Cody of Alabama, DE’s Brandon Lang and Cameron Sheffield of Troy, and LB Dekoda Watson of Florida State. USC safety Taylor Mays answered questions about his ability to make plays on the ball with a big interception at the goal line of a Tony Pike pass to halt a drive from the North. Scouts are still waiting for answers about the speed of Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas, especially after he was beaten deep by Gilyard on a 32 yard score from LeFevour. There are no questions, however about his ability in the return game after he showed he can to break tackles and get loose in the open field with a big return that was negated by a penalty.

There is not too much to tell about the South’s offense. They were limited to two field goals of 43 and 33 yards by Alabama’s Leigh Tiffin, along with a 19-yard TD pass from Zac Robinson of Oklahoma State to tight end Colin Peek of Alabama. Robinson came in on the final possession of the 1st half and executed a 2 minute drill to perfection, making excellent throws and showing some serious moxy, and then spontaneously combusted in the 2nd half. Tim Tebow looked about how everyone thought he would, but I still would not count this kid out. He is obviously open to constructive criticism and his drive and determination is unmatched. I think he will do everything he can to become successful at the next level, with that said he has a lot to work on but this game was a good starting point for him.

We saw a lot of guys lose and make money for themselves today, some speedsters make big plays, guys like LeGarrette Blount and USC tailback Stafon Johnson get some redemption, but the story came from the big guys in the middle who don’t get the glory. The North squad dominated the trenches, where football games have always and will always be won.

By Aaron Taylor