Last weekend inSt. Petersburg,FLthe East-West Shrine game took place. While NFL scouts use this game as a tool to gauge prospects, it is more known these days for its charitable work. Most of the players are projected to be late round or undrafted selections.
This weekend inMobile,AL, the Senior Bowl took place. Because of the talent level at this event, it is taken much more seriously. The performance of players during Senior Bowl week can move them up or down team’s draft boards.
Looking at the players, there of course were quite a few players who stood out. At the same time, there were other guys whose performance hopefully prompted the Eagles to take them off of their draft board.
The Senior Bowl Players the Eagles Should Be Looking At Closely
- Joe Adams-WR (Arkansas): It wasn’t just the statistics (8 rec/133 yards), it was his ability to break tackles and turn short passes into long gains. He’s also a very capable punt returner.
- Isaiah Pead-RB/PR (Cincinnati): The Senior Bowl MVP put on a show with his two long punt returns. He could be a very capable backup to LeSean McCoy. Former Bearcats have become successful inmidnight green the past few years.
- Bobby Wagner-OLB (Utah State): Wagner’s performance (7 tackles; 1 INT) probably helped his stock more than any other player. Even on plays where he didn’t record a stat, his name was mentioned for being around the ball.
- Vinnie Curry-DE (Marshall): While many may feel the defensive line is intact, the NY Giants (as much as I hate to say it) have proven that you can never have enough linemen. Curry is the type of guy both Andy Reid and Jim Washburn would love to have. After watching his performance Saturday, I can’t say I would blame them.
- Brandon Thompson-DT (Clemson): While he isn’t known to fill a stat sheet, Thompson has a pass rushing ability that would be a good fit on the Eagles D-line interior.
- Doug Martin-RB (Boise St.): Martin is slightly bigger than McCoy and is a decent between the tackles runner. He also is a capable receiver. What really stands out for him is his ability on special teams.
Senior Bowl Players to Avoid
- Zach Brown-OLB (UNC): The main positives I hear about Brown is he’s fast and athletic. Guess what?? So was Ernie Sims. The former Tarheel is not good at taking on blocks and his instincts have a lot of room for improvement. Everything on his scouting reports says bust potential. Brown’s Senior Bowl performance reinforced that.
- Jeff Fuller-WR (Texas A&M): Beginning the 2011 season with 1st round potential, Fuller has become the epitome of underperformance. Watching him play on Saturday made me wonder if he even wants to play football anymore.
- Donnie Fletcher-CB (Boston College): Fletcher’s performance was that of someone who doesn’t want to be contacted until April 29 (the day undrafted FAs will be signed).
- DeVier Posey-WR (Ohio State): While Fuller’s draft stock dropped because of his on field performance, Posey destroyed his by only being available for two games his senior year. Saturday, he looked as if he forgot how to play football.
I know there were plenty of other performances that gained a lot of attention. These were the players I noticed the most. It is pointless to mention UNC’s Quinton Coples because he won’t make it out of the Top 10 in the Draft.
In a few weeks the NFL Combine will take place inIndianapolis. That’s when the pace of the offseason really begins to pick up.
Good stuff Haran,
Here are some other Players that the Eagles need to take a close look at that could be 2nd thru 4th Round Selections
Offense
WR – Marvin Jones – (California 6-2 200lbs)
WR – Brian Quick – (Appalachian St 6-4 225lbs)
WR – Melvin McNutt – (Iowa 6-2 215lbs)
TE – Ladarius Green – (Louisiana-Laffayette 6-6 245lbs)
OL – Tony Bergstrom – (Utah 6-6 315lbs)
Defense
DT – Kendall Reyes – (COnnecticut 6-4 300lbs)
OLB – Keenan Robinson (Texas 6-3 240lbs)
OLB – Nigel Bradham – (Florida State 6-2 237lbs)
MLB – Audie Cole – (NC State 6-3 240lbs)
CB – Ryan Steed – (Furman 5-10 190 lbs and could be a slot CB)
SS – Harrison Smith – (Notre Dame 6-2 212lbs)
SS – George Illoka – (Boise State 6-4 220lbs & made plays all week)
SS – Antonio Allen – ( SOuth Carolina 6-1 202lbs)
Hightower/ Burfict-1st; Brown & Thompson- 2nd. Get’er done!
Will the Eagles make 3 selections in the first 2 rounds —- I sure hope so — I would like to see them select a safety to replace the last two second round mistakes ( Allen and Jarrett)— they are so bad they don’t even make special team tackles ———– who is this Utah State LB never seen a single game from that school ever
Bobby Wagner from Utah State and at 6-1 245lbs is a real player…
He should still be on the Board in the mid-2nd Round so the Eagles have a good chance of getting him (I’ve read where the Giants like him too and also need LB help..)
Paulmans Mock Draft for the Eagles 2012 (Version #37)
1st Rd (#15 Overall) – OLB/DE Courtney Upshaw (Alabama 6-2 270lbs)
2nd Rd (#45 from Cards) – DT Brandon Thompson (Clemson 6-2 310lbs)
2nd Rd (#47 Overall) – WR Brian Quick (App State 6-4 225lbs)
3rd Rd (#79 Overall) – SS George Iloka (Boise State 6-4 222lbs)
4th Rd (#101 from Bucs) MLB Audi Cole (NC State 6-4 250lbs)
4th Rd (#111 Overall) – TE Ladrius Green (Louisian Tech 6-6 240lbs)
5th Rd (#143 Overall) – OT Marcus Zucevics (Iowa 6-5 305 lbs)
I would then use the remainsing 3 Selections in th 6th Rd for RB,FB,CB,DL Depth.
If Brokers slips to 15, he has to be drafted. Then we can get Burfict & Brown or Wagner with your 2 seconds. That would be a great start to the draft. I saw on a few mocks that have Brokers slip to us & Burfict down in the 80’s. What about you Paul?
I like DT Brokers also and if there at #15, I would grab him instead of Upshaw
I think Brokers goes to the Bills,Dolphins or Cardinals though and will be off the board by #15.. (I think DT D Still & DT Brokers will be off the board by #15)
as will DE Coples)
I like OLB Upsghae who i think can play inside and outside, rush the passer from standing up or getting down in the 3 point stance similar to what D Ware does for the Coawboys.. I don’t Upshaw is very good in pass-coverage,but you have him up there to stop the run and get after the QB and allows for a lot of versatility where you can move him around.. Imagine with COle and BAbin on the Outsdie and you then you have Upshaw standing right over Center blitzing up the middle.. that would be a damn good pass rush scheme.
Burfict is dropping like a hot potato as I’ve mentioned over the last month, there must be something else going on with him that we don’t know about..
He most likely be av 2nd Round and possible when the Eagles Select
(I do think the Ravens,Giants.Saints,Redksins are all interesting in him as well
and could select with late 1st Round Selections or Redskins/TB Bucs early in the 2nd)
Paul, I agree 100%. I heard Burfict has been to anger management & has had quite a few on campus disputes. That wouldn’t persuade me from picking him. We need some violence on this DF full of cream puffs. Especially the LB core. This should be fun speculation, until the draft. I hope the Hindenberg & Rosebuds don’t steal it away frm us again.
Apparently Burfict has gotten into it with some of his Coaches & Teammates and is getting the label that he’s uncoachable,immature and not trustworthy which is a major red flag if you want this guy to be your Leader & Signal Caller on Defense… I would just stay away from him personally, for there are other good LB’s in the draft…
I want ILB Hightower, DT Thompson & OLB Wagner or Zach Brown, with those first 3 picks. Hopefully the chips fall like that. Paul, I like your Audie Cole pick in the 4th, but he is rising. If he blows up the combines, he can be 2-3.
Is Hightower for sure in this draft? He looked like he was about 270 in the LSU game
Navy,
I think you would like the info at draftmetrics .com
( I put a space there before the .com)
Mock Draft 2012
1. Courtney Upshaw MLB Alabama if Michael Brockers is available @ 15 Eagles will choose him and get a linebacker in the 2nd round (possibly move up for Hightower or Burfict.
2. Vinny Curry DE Marshall
2. George Iloaka S Boise State
3. Tommy Streeter WR Univ. of Miami 6’4″ 4.5 speed
4. Brock Osweiler QB AZ. State 6”7″ – strong arm and athletic Needs polishing. Fairly accurate
4. Ladarius Green TE
5.Brandon Lindsey OLB 6’2″ 255 4.6 speed
The remainder of picks can be used on interior defensive lineman and offensive linemen. Running back/free agency
All picks are subject to change and contigent on free agency acquisitions and releases. If the Eagles do not keep Cullen Jenkins they will move up for Michael Brockers DT. 6’6″300 LSU
Good stuff Eagle
I like all your choices but a little uncertain on WR Tommy Streeter from Miami who obviously has the size and athleticism, just not sure if he has the NFL hands to be consistent.. I will have to check him out a little more..
To Navy,
HIghtower is eligible for the Draft per all reports that I’ve read
For good analysis on college players and rankings
check CBSSports.Com, then hit NFL, then hit NFL Draft,
NFLDraftScout.Com has a lot a good info,articles if anyone wnats to check out
@DCar we will agree on one thing today…I like Zach Brown too at OLB in the draft
Hightower is definitely eligible for the 2012 draft.
OLB Zach Brown probably has dropped a little bit after only a so-so week down at the Senior..Most observors stated that he had a difficult disengaging from blocks and manybe not quite stong enough at the point of attack.. He was very strong out in space and in pass coverage bu so-so versus the run…
A couple of other OLB’s that showed well down at Senior Week and actually received some higher praises and grades and again m,these are aplayers like Zach Brown that are true OLB and are not the Quasi Pass-Rushers that a Courtney Upsahw, Melvin Ingram are.. These players listed are mor drop back in pass-coverage, play behind the line of scrimmage type of LB’s (At least in College they were)
OLB Bobby Wagner (Utah St 6-0 240lbs runs a 4.69)
OLB Shawn Spence (Miami) 5-11 230bs, runs a 4.58)
OLB Shea McClellin (Boise St 6-3 248lbs runs a 4.72)
OLB Nigel Bradham (Florida State 6-2 237lbs runs a 4.67)
OLB Keenan Robinson (Texas 6-3 240lbs runs a 4.68)
If the eagles do not take Burfict or Kuechly the cowboys will take one of them..
Burfict is High risk High Reward,,,,,and is worth the risk if you have a coach who knows how to coach exceptional talent. The best are usually rough around the edges..Hell, Ray Lewis was up on a murder charge.
so come on with that staying away from exceptional talent just to be safe. That’s what keeps us wallowing in mediocrity. Even the fans have taken on the mentality of a losing regime. Burfict is heads and shoulders the best talent at linebacker with the most upside if coached correctly.
That’s enough for me.
or we can go with just another guy.
Hell with that!!!!!
Eagles are the same organization that viewed tape to draft Nate Allen and didn’t see JPP wrecking havoc on the Dline in front of him.
But, I digress,,,,,,
Let a winning organization who knows what to do what serious talent and know how to tame Egos get Burfict.
At least we can have an excuse that other teams thought he was a risk and use the same pathetic rhetoric we had while drafting Graham or JPP
I’ll go on record and say Keuchly is a damn bum who would get bullied in this league…We’ll probably get him
Cowboys have the #14 Selection JH and will pick just 1 Selection before the Eagles
The COwboys have 3rd Year Player Sean Lee and 2nd Year LB Bruce Carter
(last years 2nd Round pick) and do not need help at INside LB
The need CB,Safety,OL and DE help..
I expect them to decide on the between D Kirkpatrick (who will most likely be gone already) A Denard from NEbraska who is falling after a poor Senior Week in MObile and the rising Janoris Jenkins who has had off-the field issues but is a very talented player and fits their scheme well.
I believe Cowboys are going to CB or possibly Safety Mark Barron and maybe even even OLB C Upshaw to pair with Demarcus Ware to give them 2 bookend OLB/Pass Rushers since Anthony Spencer is a Free-Agnet and they will most likely let him walk since he’s been disappointing the last 2 Seasons..
To JH
1st Round
Cowboys 14th Overall
Eagles 15th Overall
2nd Round
Eagles 45th Overall (from Cardinals trade for Kolb)
Cowboys 46th Overall
Eagles 47th Overall (own Pick)
Good points Songs- Brufict reminds me of Ray Lewis alot. I see him possibly falling a bit if the cowboys dont take him and if he gets past the eagles.. the birds do need to take him at 15 but may not.. Maybe it could only take a Vontaze Brufict and a signing of LaRon Landry this off season.. who knows… but id try and draft Vontaze but still sign a vet LB too..
Paul, weve seen the cowboys draft superstar players high in the draft even though the position wasnt a immediate need.. I can see them going S but i can also see them going LB, possibly trading back into the 1st round for one.. maybe for brufict.. ugh imagine them drafting Mark Barron then if Vontaze Brufict falls them trading back into the first to get him.. that would haunt us for years..
We need some serious toughness from that LB position this year. Weve had softies there for awhile now… Im not sure if this off season can correct the problems there but there are things they can do to improve it. They need at least one veteran there, and guys willing to knock you in the mouth and guys that strike fear in the defense… Get me Brufict and another vet at LB..
But my first choice remains DT Devon Still.. He will command a double team and is a force..Draft him and he’ll be an anchor for the next 10 years if not longer.
Real777, thank God we agree on something. LMFBO!!! I think Brown can be a very good OLB. But who knows, it’s all hopes right now.